I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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Finally, the Empire’s second army crossed the eastern border and revealed themselves at the frontline.

The 3rd Legion, the 10th Legion, and even the 17th Legion had now gathered at the eastern border.

With the existing legions deployed, there were a total of five legions. A massive force of 100,000 troops.

Of course, the 17th Legion was more like a reserve for the 7th Legion.

Their main mission was to make up for the losses the 7th Legion incurred and provide support.

Regardless, it was undeniable that the Empire’s military presence in the East had become far more formidable.

“Soon, we’ll be in the 7th Legion’s territory.”

“Indeed, Legion Commander.”

The commander of the 17th Legion recalled the shocking news he had heard not long ago.

The once elite 7th Legion had been defeated and pushed back.

He had heard that the enemy’s resistance was fierce, and the losses on the Alliance’s side were tremendous.

While victories and defeats are part of the chaos of war, it’s still surprising, to say the least.

If it looked that serious to him from another legion’s perspective, how must the actual parties involved feel?

Seeing those who had once been the sharp spear of the Empire now in such a disheveled state was not a pleasant sight.

Not just for them, for the sake of everyone in the Empire, they had to arrive quickly.

With so much blood spilled from the legions, they needed to transfuse and revive them.

“Surely, I hope the 7th Legion gets back on its feet and faces Burgai once more.”

Defeat can be a poison that breaks a person down,

but sometimes, it can also be a medicine that transforms them.

The commander of the 17th Legion prayed that this defeat would serve as medicine and not poison.

And at last, they reached the location of the 7th Legion’s camp.

“God has ordained the Empire’s victory! Our 7th Legion shall once again become the spearhead!”

“Waaah!! 7th Legion! 7th Legion!!”

…What is this? What in the world is going on right now?

From the commander to the soldiers, everyone was left dumbfounded.

*

A visit from the Crown Princess, a letter authored by the Emperor and the Crown Princess herself.

And to top it off, my special attention-grabber.

The 7th Legion was now completely revitalized. All that remained was for them to receive what was needed from the 17th Legion.

What would happen next? Well, it would depend on how much Burgai had recovered.

“So, you threw a stone soaked in oil into the river without anyone noticing?”

“Yes. That’s why there was a brief mysterious glow.”

In the meantime, as the Crown Princess was incredibly curious about the backstory, I had to explain.

Where had I been? Why did I suddenly look at the river? She was too inquisitive.

So, when I honestly told her, she let out a gasp as if astonished.

“Your Highness. As you know, this is absolutely—”

“I know, keep it a secret. Don’t worry.”

The Crown Princess nodded, indicating she had enough sense to understand that much.

Then she glanced at me and said, “See, I knew it was true.”

“Your Highness?”

“Then you go around saying you’re not a strategist. Prince Kael, you are just the strategist itself, you know?”

“Not at all. I merely added a little decoration to the event prepared by His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Crown Princess, and I was just a mere attention-grabber.”

“Are you saying that seriously or just being humble?”

Well, that was definitely a sincere observation. There’s no need to be humble.

To begin with, I didn’t even think of this; I just borrowed the idea from a story.

But I can’t really find a way to explain that, so it’s just unfortunate.

It feels a bit odd to say it’s based on my memories from a past life!

“Haah… really, you’re such a person. I can never fully understand you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, Your Highness.”

“Yes, yes. Do as you wish. It seems you won’t listen anyway.”

“That can’t be true. Those are your words, Your Highness.”

“Does that mean you acknowledge me as a strategist?”

“As I’ve said, I’m not a strategist but merely an attention-grabber…”

“See?”

The Crown Princess pouted playfully, and I responded in kind.

Since we meet frequently and do things together, the distance between us lessens.

This shouldn’t be happening. After all, she’s a princess while I’m just a noble’s son.

“Hmph, hmph.”

The Crown Princess seemed to sense my thoughts and cleared her throat before stepping back.

Just as a strange atmosphere was about to flow for a brief moment, the Crown Princess opened her mouth first.

“To be honest, I’m a little worried.”

“Your Highness?”

“Even though there were letters from His Majesty the Emperor and my sister, the legion’s soldiers shouted cheers for His Majesty and were moved by the Crown Princess’s support; I feel I’ve received too much attention in the process.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It seems inappropriate for me, the Second Princess, to be gaining too much spotlight while the Crown Princess is here.”

I was puzzled but understood that her worries lay in that direction.

It’s not entirely unreasonable. I’d briefly worried about that too.

Even if a successor has been decided, anyone who could be a rival is always a subject of caution.

And while war brings chaos, it also brings glory, which is a double-edged sword.

Achieving merit naturally raises someone’s fame, and that fame can create chaos below.

What if the Emperor had other thoughts? What becomes of the merit established by her?

Sometimes, ambitions are shown by individuals, but it can also happen due to the people beneath.

It doesn’t matter how they threaten the successor; it only matters whether it’s a threat or not.

“It seems you are worried about being a burden to the Crown Princess.”

“That’s true. When the 7th Legion soldiers called me an angel, it made my heart sink. I have absolutely no interest in the throne nor covet my sister’s position.”

I nodded in full agreement with the Crown Princess’s words.

However, at the same time, I decided to reassure her since I had anticipated this concern.

“In my view, Your Highness the Crown Princess won’t be too bothered by this.”

“And how can you be so sure?”

“Your Highness knows well that what’s truly important right now is stabilizing the 7th Legion, and to prevent the suppressed opposition faction from rising again, Your Highness has to step in.”

Surely, the Emperor and Crown Princess wouldn’t have allowed things to happen without a plan.

There’s a reason for everything. That’s why they said I could bring the Crown Princess along.

From their perspective, it was best for the Crown Princess to visit the 7th Legion directly.

Before the war ended, it showed that the ruling faction needed to remain in power.

One should never underestimate rulers. If they take action, it’s undoubtedly been calculated beforehand.

I’m not saying this because I’m a genius or because I’m a strategist.

It’s something I realized from memories of my past life, or at least something one could understand just by reading the history books of this world.

That’s also why the Emperor and Crown Princess trust me so much.

Our territory isn’t far removed from the system.

The moment I show signs of trying something foolish, the game would end.

And our Clausewitz family are Dukes.

Being a Duke shines when one devotes loyalty to the Imperial Family and the Empire.

Thus, the title I received is not just any Marquis title; it’s that of a Duke.

If I were to abandon this justification, the social prestige I had as a Duke would vanish in the blink of an eye.

Lastly, I’m someone who’s somewhat distant from the military, to begin with.

Even if I’m called a strategist, I don’t actually hold command authority. I’m just an advisor.

If I were connected to someone dangerous, I would have already faced checks long ago.

“Right now, what Your Highness and I need to do is to stop worrying and simply meet their expectations. So please, cast aside any thoughts of being a burden to the Crown Princess.”

“…That’s amazing.”

“Excuse me?”

“When you say that, it’s like my worries vanish like magic.”

“Isn’t that just an indication that Your Highness’s worries were shallow and that your faith in the Crown Princess was deep?”

Then, the Crown Princess suddenly stared at me intently.

“Or maybe, it means I have deep trust in Prince Kael.”

“…”

“I’m not joking.”

Uh, um. I’m not sure how to respond to that.

As I stuttered, the Crown Princess burst into laughter.

“Anyway, you’re a peculiar person. Sometimes incredibly thorough, and at other times, so simple-minded like a child. Really, I can’t figure out what kind of person you are. Is this all an act?”

“If this were all an act, wouldn’t I be called an actor instead of a strategist?”

By the way, there are plays and actors in this world as well.

If the technology was better, I might have even filmed something like a fantasy version of The Lord of the Rings.

Looking back on memories from my past life, I remember there were similar novels.

Ah. If I had known it would be like this, I should have read more books and cooked more in my past life.

“Prince Kael!”

“Oh, yes. Your Highness. Did you call for me?”

“Why are you lost in thought, ignoring me when I call your name?”

Well, that’s because I was thinking about how to use my past life’s memories once the war is over—

“Oh, I see? My bad, Prince Kael. I made a mistake.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Were you thinking of your next strategy? Now that you’ve revved up the 7th Legion so magnificently, perhaps you’d have plans for what’s next.”

“Uh, hold on. It was the Crown Princess who revived the 7th Legion.”

“Don’t joke. Anyone hearing that would think I came up with all the strategies myself.”

Ah. Damn it. I’m falling into her trap again. The glint in her eyes. Those sparkling pupils.

Facing that gaze filled with expectation breeds an inexplicable sensation in me.

I don’t know if I’m weak against such looks or particularly weak against the Crown Princess.

“Your Highness knows that I’m not particularly talented in military strategy. It’s true.”

“Yes, yes. We’ll take that as a given. But what kind of plans do you intend to employ, strategist?”

No. You’re expecting too much! Such expectations are harmful to people….

High expectations… harmful to people….

“Hold on. Just a moment, Your Highness.”

“There you go. You’re already imagining it in your mind.”

Ah, no, that’s not what I meant! I’m just thinking whether it’s feasible!

“So, what about it? What’s this time’s plan? Please tell me. Please?”

“Don’t rush me. I’ll share the plan from here on out.”

Having come this far, I must give a gift to the legion soldiers.

After all this effort to revive them, it wouldn’t be right to throw them back into another hard-fought battle.

At the very least, I should entangle the enemy’s leg long enough to ease their march.

What I had in mind was something exceedingly simple.

The Crown Princess had spread the news about me to the 7th Legion.

Everyone was delighted that a genius strategist had come to their side.

Then, would Burgai not know of this?

They likely are aware. They must definitely know.

That the once bloodied and worn 7th Legion’s morale had revived.

Hence, they would undoubtedly be incredibly tense and would focus all their strength.

And. This is precisely when a surprise attack should occur.

Also, the most painful surprise is one that strikes an ally, not the enemy.