Not long after, we arrived at the fortress.
The outer perimeter of what had once been a hastily constructed wooden fortress was now surrounded by solid brick walls. It seemed they had considered this fortress important enough to undertake expansion work.
Indeed, the fortress was built in a location that commanded significant presence for both the Brands army and the Aishers army. A red flag fluttering on the high tower strongly proclaimed that this place belonged to the Aishers army.
"Welcome, Lady Irene."
Several of the guards on duty recognized Irene and greeted her. Their armor bore emblems signifying they belonged to the Aishers army. Like us, they now served under a different sun.
"Hmm. You're working hard."
We immediately made our way to the conference room where Epinel was. Upon entering, we were greeted by a woman with teal hair tied in a ponytail.
"Under the lord's command, I, Irene Juliet, have just arrived at the fortress."
"Welcome, Irene. The Strategist has come as well."
She looked us over, then her eyes settled on my face and she said:
"You've come too, Swen. I was waiting for you."
I silently bowed my head.
She didn't seem to expect a response, as she turned her gaze to address all of us in a serious tone, explaining the current situation.
"Now that reinforcements have arrived, let me explain again. The Brands army is currently marching toward this fortress with 53,000 soldiers. The enemy's vanguard is reportedly Chel Brands."
Since Chel was coming, it seemed they were drawing troops from the south. Having been part of the Brands army until recently, I could clearly see how things were unfolding.
"Currently, there are 48,000 soldiers stationed at this fortress. With the additional 3,000 that just arrived, that makes 51,000. Though it's a fortress rather than a castle, I believe we have sufficient forces to repel them."
Ginor, who had been quietly listening, asked in a very serious tone:
"...Lady Epinel. Surely you don't intend to continue resistance from this fortress?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"That's not a rational decision. I believe the right course of action would be to abandon the fortress immediately and return to the castle."
"Strategist. The number of soldiers on both sides is evenly matched. Though it's not a castle, we have the fortress as our advantage. It seems to me that unconditional surrender isn't the only answer in a situation where we have a fighting chance."
"I understand your intention, General Epinel. However, I don't believe the Brands army's invasion will end with just these 53,000 troops. We might be able to hold them off somehow, but it's clear that we too will suffer significant damage rather than achieving a clean victory. If this turns into a war of attrition, our army, with its limited territorial foundation, will inevitably lose to the overwhelmingly skilled Brands army."
Saying this, Ginor bowed his head.
To witness the national strategist bowing to a general—and someone of Ginor's caliber at that.
"General Epinel, please reconsider. Currently, concentrating our forces at Balhart Castle and maximizing the advantage of defensive warfare is the best approach. Once we deal with the Charam and Alrepel armies, a path will surely become visible."
Honestly, I agreed with Ginor's opinion.
Not just because his intelligence was 99, but because his reasoning made much more sense. No matter how much renovation had been done, there was an enormous difference between holding out in a fortress versus a castle. While 53,000 troops was a large number, it wasn't insurmountable if we combined the fortress troops with those remaining at Balhart Castle.
Moreover, when the soldiers who had been dispatched to fight the Alrepel army returned, we could establish an even stronger defense.
But.
Epinel spoke in an extremely resolute tone:
"Strategist, I understand what you're saying. However, if we lose this fortress, won't we simply return to a situation of endless standoffs with the Brands army? Eventually, we must confront them. I believe that time is now. If we continue to avoid direct confrontation, our army will ultimately accomplish nothing."
Indeed, the location of this fortress was quite strategic.
From my perspective, I had built it somewhat arbitrarily as a place to station troops led by Irene, but it was in an exquisite position that could be utilized effectively by either the Aishers army or the Brands army.
From Epinel's standpoint, in a situation where the troop numbers weren't significantly different, she seemed to think it would be more detrimental to lose a hard-won fortress simply out of fear of a prolonged war.
I could understand her judgment to some extent.
Unlike Kalinz Brands' obviously misguided thinking from before, her reasoning had some merit.
"Additionally, I have a different perspective on the Brands army's continued invasions. According to intelligence, they appear to have signed an armistice with the southern nations. Aren't most of the troops gathering here likely those who were guarding the southern border? If so, they'll eventually bring additional forces from the northern border, and I don't think the Serphina army will remain idle in that case. What do you think?"
"Considering the population of the territories where the Brands army is stationed, there's a possibility they might conduct additional conscription. And if they bring forces from the western front rather than the northern front, that changes the situation. Overall, I believe abandoning the fortress and using Balhart Castle as our stronghold would more effectively block the Brands army's invasion."
"You may be right about effectively blocking the invasion, but as I just said, we can't break through if we keep blocking the path. If we can subdue the Brands army in this battle, occupying Raclain Castle won't just be a dream."
"I understand your feelings, but now is not the time. If we wait, the right time will surely come."
At Ginor's words, Epinel slowly closed her eyes, then spoke in a careful tone:
"Strategist, I don't want to bring up old stories, but I still remember when you boasted that you would plant the Aishers army's flag at Raclain Castle. But what happened in the end?"
"...!"
Wow.
To be able to express such opinions to the Strategist—Epinel's influence was certainly strong.
By the way, I was the one who had committed that "boasting" incident.
But since revealing that fact wouldn't do any good, I'll just keep quiet here.
"This battle is, in a way, a golden opportunity for our Aishers army. As you said, targeting Raclain Castle now might indeed have low probability of success. However..."
Epinel spoke in a very emotional tone, as if reminiscing about the past.
"Strategist, you may not know this well since you haven't been with us long, but our Aishers army has accomplished countless feats—from our first meeting to discuss our cause, to raising our flag at Balhart Castle in the central region after escaping Serphina's fierce surveillance in the northern continent. None of these endeavors seemed highly probable. But we succeeded. We brothers and sisters who share Yuuri's blood have always seized opportunities in such crises, which is how we've developed to this point."
"..."
"And I don't think anyone in our army is considering the option of abandoning the fortress and retreating."
After saying this, Epinel finally turned to face us and exclaimed in a loud voice:
"Am I right? Let those who think it would be better to abandon the battle here and retreat to Balhart Castle raise their hands!"
While no one raised their hand—
I breathed a sigh of relief.
I wanted to toast to her performance being a "question."
'Is abandoning the battle and retreating the best course of action?'
I quickly entered Epinel's question into my mind.
Regardless of what the two thought, each had plausible reasons.
An ordinary person wouldn't be able to side with either of them. Without the ability to read the future, no one could guarantee who was right.
But I was different.
As long as I could input a question, I could obtain the absolutely correct answer.
Would Ginor's opinion, with his intelligence of 99, hit the mark?
And the result was.
[Somewhat close.]
'...???'
Huh?
Somewhat close...?
Not the correct answer, but somewhat close?
This wasn't the first time I'd received an answer like "close." During that previous regular meeting of the Brands army, Irene's opinion had been "very close."
If retreating was "somewhat close," did that mean we should withdraw the troops anyway?
Why?
Regardless of my suddenly complicated thoughts, Epinel continued with what she wanted to say.
She seemed very satisfied that no one had raised their hand, and her tone gained strength.
"Strategist, we must achieve victory in this battle. That is the only way to advance into the central part of the continent. Our brothers and sisters can certainly accomplish this again. I have been granted full authority over the command of this fortress by Yuuri. In other words, my words are essentially those of Yuuri, our sovereign. I have absolutely no intention of yielding on this matter, and I would appreciate your cooperation."
Ginor closed his eyes, lost in thought, then nodded and said:
"...I understand."
No matter how much of a national strategist Ginor was, the leader and absolute authority of this nation was the sovereign, Yuuri.
And Yuuri trusted Epinel immensely. It was almost beyond trust—more like being led around.
Anyway, that wasn't what was important right now.
If Ginor's opinion was "somewhat close," then what about Epinel's opinion—
that is, "not retreating from the fortress and fighting against the Brands army"?
'Is there some natural way I could receive a question?'
At that moment.
With perfect timing, Epinel turned to me and spoke:
"By the way, Swen. This time I'd like to see that ability of yours with my own eyes."
"My ability, you say?"
"There's no use pretending at this point. I'm talking about the miracle you performed. They say you sought blessing from the heavens and made stones fall?"
Come to think of it, she had said she was "waiting for me."
Is she asking me to use that ability?
"Um, Lady Epinel. Swen's ability is..."
I gestured to stop Irene from saying anything.
It meant to leave this to me.
She understood my meaning perfectly and closed her mouth.
"I apologize, Lady Epinel, but communication with the heavens is not something I can do whenever I wish. I am merely someone who reads the energy of the heavens, understands the flow of the stars, and guides that flow favorably. Though I sincerely wish to help, that channel is currently blocked."
"Is that so? How about performing a ritual similar to last time?"
"Well, I could do that... but there's no guarantee the heavens will respond. If the purpose is to cloud the eyes of the Brands army, it's not a bad idea, but I'm afraid I cannot give you a definite answer about its practical effectiveness."
While the ritual itself might serve as a bluff against the Brands army, the problem would be what happens next if nothing actually occurs.
"Hmm... is that so?"
Epinel looked somewhat disappointed, but then shook her head from side to side and said:
"Well, even without relying on your miracle, our army should be able to defeat the Brands army here. Don't you think?"
At Epinel's perfectly timed question, I breathed a sigh of relief.
'Great!'
Though unintended, I somehow managed to get the question I was curious about.
Second question: 'Can the Aishers army defeat the Brands army in this battle?'
My next actions would be determined by the result that came out here.
And once again.
My brain with its intelligence of 100, so nonchalantly—
Like introducing tonight's dinner menu, simply spat out the result:
[It depends on the will of the heavens.]
'??????'
Once again, an unexpected result.