"Twenty-three thousand troops, huh..."
The commanders gathered inside the castle were Cain, Tifa, and me.
In addition to our usual members, including our liege Luna, this time the two mercenary leaders, Gustav and Aaron, were also present.
"We will join as well."
"Though we're outnumbered overall, since it's a siege, I believe we have a good chance."
Of course, I agreed with their opinion, but...
In this game, such minor factors often changed depending on who the enemy commander was.
Since the world was based on a 'character strength' game where SSS-rank commanders had overwhelming influence compared to strategy and numbers, ignoring that factor would be unwise.
"Is it possible to identify the enemy commander?"
"Ah! Yes, um..."
The messenger standing next to me looked startled at my formal tone and hesitated briefly before replying energetically.
"I heard there's a woman believed to be Irene Juliette at the enemy's front."
'Huh? They're using Irene?'
Irene Juliette.
Having played this game for 10,000 hours, I couldn't not know her.
An S-rank warrior and siege specialist who possessed the 'Siege' trait.
She had a firm and upright personality, rarely lost loyalty due to schemes, and refused all scout offers, serving her liege Lynn Brance with unwavering loyalty.
But because of her poor compatibility with Lynn Brance, she was never treated with importance and ultimately met a tragic fate—executed under false charges by Lynn herself.
This "poor compatibility" wasn't just some flavor text in a guidebook.
The game had an actual 'compatibility score' system.
Put simply, some commanders worked well together, others didn't.
Good compatibility meant easier recruitment and great synergy when working together.
Poor compatibility meant the opposite. In most cases, it was best to keep them apart.
Strangely, Irene Juliette and her liege Lynn Brance had a compatibility score of -100.
It was the lowest compatibility score in the game.
No two characters were more mismatched.
So unless the player controlled Lynn Brance directly and deliberately used Irene, the CPU Lynn Brance always executed Irene Juliette.
In a hundred games, she'd behead her own talent a hundred times without fail.
That's why I couldn't help but be shocked.
To learn she was currently valuing Irene Juliette highly.
'Was the last defeat that humiliating... enough to override even the worst compatibility?'
Well, from Brance Army's perspective, it was a disaster.
Bringing 8,000 troops only to be ambushed and crushed by a small nation of 3,000.
They must have planned to quickly conquer the central continent and then fight Serpina to the north and various factions to the south—yet they were tripped up before they even started.
That had to be infuriating.
Whatever the case—
Lynn Brance's decision was the worst possible outcome for us.
Cain, Tifa, and even Gustav and Aaron seemed to recognize Irene's name, as anxiety visibly clouded their faces.
'...We're definitely getting breached.'
Our side had just over 3,000 troops.
Excluding the still-recovering wounded, maybe slightly over 2,000.
Same for the mercenaries.
The Raven Mercenaries had 7,000, and the Chilein Mercenaries had 6,000, but excluding the wounded from the previous battle, they'd total just over 10,000.
Meaning we'd have to stop 23,000 with 12,000.
Irene had the 'Siege' trait, which made her significantly more effective at damaging units stationed in a castle compared to other commanders.
A very threatening number.
'As expected, she's charging ahead without mercy.'
Like a storm, and we'd just thrown red pepper powder in her army's eyes.
"Swen, what should we do?"
Luna looked at me with deep worry.
"How should we respond... to win this war?"
Typical Luna.
I liked how she always asked me the right questions at the right moment.
I mentally registered her question.
And the result was—
"..."
...Huh?
Is this right...
I hesitated for a brief moment, then slowly shook my head.
'No. This is right.'
My intelligence stat is 100. That's no longer in doubt.
So my predictions must be correct.
Even if the advice sounds absurd, I have to trust it completely.
With that mindset—I looked straight ahead and delivered my declaration.
"We defend. Delay them as much as possible."
"But just defending won't accomplish anything!"
At Tifa's protest, I looked her in the eye.
"You're right. If we keep defending, we'll eventually be breached. Especially with Irene as the enemy commander. But it's fine. As long as you stall them, I will personally seek an audience with Lynn Brance of the Brance Army."
"An audience..."
"Yes."
I nodded at Luna's question.
"I, Swen, will meet with Lynn Brance and establish a ceasefire."
"...Ceasefire?"
Everyone's eyes widened.
What could we possibly offer to make a ceasefire with an army of 23,000 that only wants revenge and to take our castle?
Agreements only happen when the other side stands to gain something.
Yes.
'Withdraw your army, and we'll give you something.'
Only if we have something solid to offer.
"My liege. How much gold do we have in our army's treasury right now?"
"...All combined, about 1,300."
"That's enough. I'll return with a ceasefire in exchange for 1,300 gold."
Cain pleaded with me like a man trying to convince a madman.
"Swen, I acknowledge you. I know you're extraordinary. But... isn't this too unrealistic? Wouldn't it be better to use that money to hire troops from neighboring countries? In a siege, even a few more defenders could give us an advantage."
His argument was sound.
If we lose here, our country is finished.
If we're going to use all our remaining money, wouldn't it be wiser to last a bit longer?
But I responded firmly.
"No, that would only delay the inevitable. One or two more days won't save us. I will risk my life to secure this ceasefire. Please hold the castle until then."
I could stake my life on it.
I wasn't afraid at all.
I was completely confident.
Because my 100 intelligence brain told me to pursue a ceasefire.
"My liege, it's your decision."
"..."
Lunarian didn't hesitate for long this time.
Her complete trust in me reached me loud and clear.
I felt certain—she would trust me no matter what.
"Swen, proceed to negotiate a ceasefire with the Brance Army for 1,300 gold."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Everyone else, defend the castle with me. We won't form a separate interception unit. Tifa and I will guard the eastern gate, where the main assault will come. Mercenaries, defend the other gates. Anyone with objections, speak now."
"No objections."
"Understood!"
"As long as we hold them off, that's what matters! No need to discuss it further!"
At Luna's command, the commanders dispersed to prepare for defense.
That's good enough.
I wasn't worried—my words were always right.
Still, I needed to move fast.
Advice could change depending on the situation, even in this game.
If I asked the same question tomorrow, I might get completely different advice.
"Then, I'll be off. I'll settle this as quickly as possible. Hold on just a little longer."
"...Swen."
At that moment—
Lunarian grabbed my shoulder.
And then... all the strength she showed moments ago vanished. She looked at me with tearful, fragile eyes that seemed ready to break at the slightest touch.
"...You must return alive. Understand?"
Was she too nervous?
I appreciated how she followed my advice to 'maintain dignity in front of others,' but... I guess her personality made it difficult.
To ease her tension, I joked lightly.
"Is that an order?"
But—
She didn't laugh. She replied with the utmost seriousness.
"Yes, it's an order. If you die... even if you lose your body... I'll follow you as a spirit. If you die without permission... I won't forgive you."
…
Something about that felt ominous, but—regardless, I had no intention of dying.
I wanted to return to my original world safely. For now. I wanted to see my family.
"Understood, I'll return safely. Please take care of the castle."
Only then did she smile faintly and nod.
* * *
"Everyone, advance at full speed! If you fall behind, you'll be left behind! If you want to avoid a miserable end, you'd better not let your steps falter!"
Irene was force-marching with a massive army of over 23,000 troops.
Naturally, many soldiers were dropping out along the way.
Even though the distance to Zeilant Castle wasn't all that far, at this pace, it was obvious that two to three thousand troops might fall out.
'A week. I have to bring down the castle within a week.'
Though she wasn't consciously aware of it—those around her called her a siege specialist.
Even with some troop losses, she instinctively knew that with limited supplies, the only advantageous path was to reach the castle and attack as quickly as possible.
A week was incredibly short. She instinctively understood that this was the only way to prove something to Lynn Brance, who had reinstated her.
Perhaps her urgency had paid off.
Before the sun had set, the eastern gate of Zeilant Castle came into view.
The castle walls were packed with archers.
And in front of the gate, a sizable force was positioned.
The vanguard in front... a female commander wielding an axe.
According to the information she had, that person was definitely named Tifa.
"..."
Irene slowly extended her hand.
At the same time—catapults began to appear on either side.
Wasn't it only natural to prepare siege weapons for a siege battle?
And perhaps they had anticipated this—
"Let's go, everyone!!"
The other side began charging first.
To bring the catapults into attack range, they'd have to advance further.
If they advanced any further, it would inevitably favor the defenders raining arrows down from the walls.
Even so, they were twenty thousand strong.
Just once. If they could break through the gates just once... the victory would be theirs!
Irene let out a thunderous roar.
"All units, charge!!!!"