After parting with Swen, who said he would "join soon," Irene arrived at Raclaine Castle, located at the easternmost point, and fortunately ran into Farfalle who was about to leave the castle.
"General Irene?"
"It's been a while, Strategist. Are you on a mission?"
"I was just about to head back... What brings you to this area, General?"
Irene bowed her head slightly in response to Farfalle's question.
"I've been assigned here by our Lord's orders. I'll be carrying out my duties at Raclaine Castle from now on."
"Is that so...?"
Upon hearing this, Farfalle tilted her head and fell into thought.
The Lord, Lynn, is assigning Irene to the eastern border?
Being assigned to a border position meant, at least in the Brands army, that a general's abilities were trusted enough to be placed in an important location.
In fact, many generals stationed at border areas were significantly more capable than those assigned to inland castles.
But Lynn extremely disliked Irene.
Because of that, no matter how much advice was given, she absolutely refused to use Irene in any significant capacity.
Even though Farfalle herself had advised Lynn several times, she had half given up on the matter.
Yet now Lynn had personally assigned Irene to the eastern front, currently the most important battlefront for the Brands army?
Farfalle had been in the east the whole time, so she hadn't had a chance to advise Lynn separately.
'What exactly is going on...?'
Was it a strategist's intuition?
As she wondered if something unexpected was happening, Irene offered her a light greeting.
"Then I'll take my leave, Strategist."
"Ah... understood."
After Irene left.
Farfalle took out a letter from her pocket.
This letter... was from Swen.
[Farfalle. Something concerning seems to be brewing at the southern border. I'd like to go check it myself, but I need our Lord's approval, and I have other matters to attend to, so I can't move freely. Since you have the authority to act freely without our Lord's approval, I request that you verify this as quickly as possible.]
At first, she wondered why he would send such a letter to her rather than speaking directly to their Lord.
But having served Lynn for a long time in the Brands army, she could understand to some extent.
Lynn had an extremely fastidious personality. Having suffered a significant defeat in the north, she was likely in a very bad mood.
From a new general's position, it would be difficult to freely express opinions to such a lord.
Of course, Swen had performed several unbelievable miracles and was sharp enough to see through the Aishers army's strategies—
But the ruler of a nation was the monarch, not the strategist or general, and exceptional ability didn't necessarily translate to proportional trust from the monarch.
When she first received the letter, she had planned to ignore it and return to Anel Castle to assess the situation before heading south—
But due to a series of events in the east, Farfalle had come to trust Swen considerably.
'It's not that far, so it should be fine to go check quickly.'
Besides, Chel Brands, the greatest swordsman of Brands, was at the southern border.
Even if something had happened, if she could provide a solution, it wouldn't take long to resolve the situation.
Yes.
A quick visit should be fine.
The trust Farfalle had developed for Swen by seeing through strategies—
Was now making her move according to Swen's wishes.
*
Not long after being assigned.
As expected, Irene received orders to build a fortress.
The fortress was constructed very quickly.
Unlike the northern fortress that had been carefully built with bricks, this was merely a wooden frame with a basic roof.
It was generous to call it a fortress; at best, it could be described as an "outpost."
Of course, Irene didn't mind either way.
It was sufficient for stationing soldiers, and the longer construction took, the more awkward her position might become.
"Good work, everyone. Stand by until further orders."
"Yes! Understood!!"
The soldiers' enthusiastic response echoed through the air.
Typically, fortress construction was primarily the soldiers' responsibility.
The commander literally only managed and supervised, never directly carrying materials or doing similar work.
But Irene had spent the entire construction period sweating alongside her soldiers, eating and sleeping in conditions not much different from theirs.
From the soldiers' perspective, this alone was enough to boost morale.
Especially considering the recent example of a newly built fortress in the north being immediately demolished.
The contrast with commanders who made their soldiers do all the work was obvious.
On the day the fortress was completed.
Soon after, a soldier was seen riding toward them on horseback.
Judging by the Brands army emblem, it appeared to be an allied soldier.
'A messenger...?'
Irene felt a moment of unease.
Had Lynn noticed something?
As she was contemplating how to act if Lynn ordered her to return—
The soldier approached Irene and removed his helmet. Irene recognized him immediately.
"...Swen?"
* * *
I arrived before the surprised Irene, slowly dismounted, and said:
"Lady Irene. I see you've successfully built the fortress. Well, it's more of an outpost than a fortress, but still."
Hearing my words, she smiled with obvious delight and replied:
"I was wondering when you'd join us... I didn't expect you to come as a soldier."
"It would be troublesome if they noticed I was missing from there. They probably think I'm meeting with the heavens in the cave."
That's right.
Why did I periodically go there and spend hours, sometimes entire days?
It was to create the impression that "Swen goes there to meditate and commune with the heavens."
Though it would eventually be discovered, from our perspective, we only needed to buy a little time.
The key was ultimately buying time.
To buy time, I sent a letter to Strategist Farfalle to lead her on a wild goose chase, and endured boring hours in the cave.
We needed to surrender as quickly as possible before Lynn noticed.
"Has there been any word yet?"
"No. We haven't even received orders to advance yet. Though I expect a messenger to arrive soon."
"Good. Let's quickly make contact with the Aishers army."
"Yes. But before that, there's something I need to do."
"Something to do?"
Irene nodded.
"I need to speak with the soldiers. Tell them I intend to change lords. If they disagree, I'll send them back."
"What...?"
Surprised by these unexpected words, I couldn't hide my confusion. She responded in an admirably straightforward tone:
"Isn't it obvious? The right to choose one's lord doesn't belong only to you and me."
'....'
Wait a minute.
In the game system, when a general with full authority surrendered, the soldiers under them automatically changed allegiance.
Ian's rebellion had already proven that this system was being followed, so was it really necessary to go this far—
As I thought about it, I realized how soft my thinking had been.
Come to think of it, what about Irene herself?
In the game, we couldn't know what thoughts she harbored, what humiliations she endured while serving under Lynn.
Was this her pride?
The pride of a commander who refused to treat her soldiers carelessly.
'...I'll trust Lady Irene on this.'
Though Irene giving them a choice might cause some deviation, this was still a world where Intelligence 100 predictions came true.
Here, I wanted to prioritize preserving her pride over efficiency.
"Understood. Let's keep those who wish to stay and send away those who want to leave."
"Mm."
After saying this, she slowly began walking.
I followed behind Irene.
*
At the highest point of the fortress.
Though "highest" only meant about two stories high given the small size of the outpost, it was still the perfect spot to catch the soldiers' attention. Irene stood there and began her address in a loud voice:
"Hear me, soldiers!"
All the soldiers looked up at Irene.
It was quiet at first... but as her next sentence came out, murmurs began to spread.
"From this moment, I intend to change my allegiance!"
The soldiers reacted with confusion, each showing different responses.
Some looked at the faces of soldiers beside them, others stared blankly at Irene.
Irene continued to nobly express her intentions to these soldiers.
"There are detailed circumstances, but I know they would amount to nothing more than a traitor's excuses. I don't expect you to understand me. Of course, I understand that this decision may be difficult to accept for you who have worked hard as members of the Brands army. Therefore, except for those who will come with me, you may leave this fortress!"
"..."
"Those who wish to leave may depart immediately! Don't feel pressured to stay!"
"..."
And surprisingly.
Not a single soldier left their position; they simply looked up at her with admiration.
Irene was momentarily confused, but.
"Lady Irene."
As I gently placed my hand on her shoulder, she seemed to regain her composure and called out in a loud voice again:
"Those who remain, I will assume you are willing to follow me. Any objections!"
And with those words—
Finally, voices rose from among the soldiers.
"None!"
"The one we serve is General Irene!"
"We will follow General Irene!"
"Please accept us!"
"..."
I wondered.
Was this the forced effect of the "system" at work?
I would argue it was not.
Though this world was based on a game, it was undeniably real.
Just as James, whom I had met, had his own microcosm, these soldiers too had the right to choose whom they would serve.
Irene... had clearly captured their hearts.
Having traveled long distances with her, I could understand.
How much the soldiers trusted and followed Irene.
The path she had walked, and the soldiers' desire to follow that path... was not due to any "system."
After the speech ended.
In conclusion, we secured approximately 38,000 soldiers without a single desertion.
Now only one thing remained.
Meeting with Baranga Yuuri Aishers.
* * *
On the day of the speech.
A soldier carrying a letter expressing the intent to surrender rode toward Bahalat Castle.
And a few days later.
"An Aishers army soldier is approaching!"
A soldier on horseback was riding toward us.
Carefully carrying a red flag symbolizing the Aishers army.
Upon arriving at the fortress, he passed through the gate without difficulty and reached Irene.
His uniform was noticeably different from that of the Brands army.
The most recognizable feature was the red armband he wore.
He appeared to be a messenger dispatched as an envoy to convey the Aishers army's response.
"Are you General Irene?"
"I am."
"My Lord, Baranga Yuuri Aishers, wishes to speak with you. She has set up a light camp not far from here with her soldiers. I would like to escort you there."
"Mm."
Good.
It seemed she was willing to talk.
If she would just listen... we could somehow find a breakthrough.
'Let's go see the face of our new lord.'
I followed behind the Aishers army messenger along with Irene and a small group of soldiers.