I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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“Those crazy bastards.”

Without even realizing it, those words slipped out during the operation meeting.

As a result, the commanders all looked over in surprise.

“Chief of Staff?”

“Oh, I apologize. It’s just that the antics of the Dedorants are so absurd. Please continue.”

“Understood.”

Next came reports. The Empire had gained the upper hand. Now, all that remained was to press the attack.

The flank was crumbling, and the Dedorant Army stationed there was retreating.

If our forces heading straight for them could strike at their rear, it would be perfection itself.

However, they are still the Dedorants. Even if they are rotten, they are still fish; even a rich house will last three years even if it collapses.

The Dedorant rear guard managed to hold off the Western 5th Legion and Eastern Allied Forces despite everything.

They persevered through numerous disadvantages and their own fear of being left behind.

“The silver lining is that our casualties are not as severe as before, and the damage suffered by the Dedorant Army left behind in the rear is quite substantial too.”

“However, the fact remains that the first assault from the front has failed, giving them a few days to slip out of the siege, Chief of Staff.”

“Why don’t we divert some strength from the flanks to bolster the front assault?”

Various opinions were raised. Among them, the main focus was indeed on pouring more forces into the front.

In fact, they must find it a bit… no, quite strange.

While the flanks and rear are important, one cannot overlook the significance of the front during a siege.

They cannot possibly be ignorant of such a fundamental, so why did they only station a single legion?

Moreover, those fighting alongside them are not the Nobogord but the lesser Eastern Allied Forces.

It’s clear that they have an untenable structure that prevents them from fortifying the frontal assault.

“The flanks will remain as they are. Urge our mobile units to join up with those in the rear.”

“Chief of Staff? But if that’s the case, the front…”

“If there was the energy to break through the front, we would have done it already. Moreover, they’ve already diverted their main forces outside the siege, so trying to break through now will yield nothing.”

What could they gain by breaking through the front?

Returning to their homeland by bursting through a siege? The front is much closer to the Empire, after all?

I can guarantee that going back would be much faster than heading straight ahead.

Or is it our command? Well, I doubt that. A so-called top command should at least have some escort troops.

In fact, there are plenty of them, all composed of elite forces.

They were even prevented from being sent to the battlefield by the Imperial Family.

If the head of the military falls, it’s a big deal, so they were urged not to use them recklessly.

“Above all, for the next plan, we must focus more on the siege and deceiving and intimidating the enemy than on a full-scale battle at the front.”

“Hmm…”

“Remember, what I, what our Empire desires, is for those Dedorants to run home like a dog with its tail on fire.”

Soldiers focus on the fight right in front of them. They put all their strength into dealing with the enemy.

How efficiently can they kill the enemy, and how to minimize our own casualties while achieving an overwhelming victory?

But I am not one of those soldiers. I serve in the army for a while, but I am far from that mindset.

So this guy… hmm. What should I say? How to describe him?

Yeah. I’d say he’s someone who looks at things broadly and at a distance rather than in detail.

I suddenly recalled the conversation I had directly with the Emperor just a while ago.

[ Chief of Staff. It seems your strategy is not solely aiming for a siege and annihilation like the Dedorants. I shall need a bit more explanation. ]

As soon as I started talking about the current situation and the future movements of the army, he pinpointed the core issue accurately.

Indeed, the Emperor is no ordinary person. The ruler of such a massive Empire is not something anyone can become.

As I admired and respected him internally, I quickly responded to the Emperor’s words.

Right now, our Imperial Army is thinking only of the siege, not a siege and annihilation.

[ …You are aiming for a siege, not a siege and annihilation? ]

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I quickly added my reasons for that.

Merely wounding and killing the enemy in battle is not enough.

What is necessary? A decisive blow that can extinguish their fighting spirit.

Something that silences their cries of the Deo Ethnicity!

[ So you believe that advising surrender can crush the Dedorants’ will to fight? ]

“I am not advising surrender, Your Majesty.”

[ Not advising surrender? ]

I will not give them even the slightest glimmer of hope.

I will drive the Dedorants’ pride into the ground.

Thus, the Empire must not offer surrender.

They must ask to surrender themselves.

“When the siege is complete, I will request a truce as the new year arrives.”

[ A truce, you say. ]

“Of course, but the target will not be the retreating enemies, but the Dedorant Army trapped in the siege, fighting for survival. Those whose supplies have already been cut off, with nowhere to go. They are fighting now but will soon succumb to the fear of dying.”

The Dedorants are the ones suffering relentless assaults. They will be longing for rest.

Right then and there, I will promise a few days of truce, not from anyone else, but in my own name.

If needed, I’m willing to offer a bit of food for the new year celebrations.

[ I suspect your subordinate commanders may be worried upon hearing that suggestion. ]

“Yes, that is correct. However, Your Majesty, those who instigate a war sit in high positions, while every ordinary person is the one who carries it out.”

[ So even the Dedorants will ultimately crumble under the hearts of those men? ]

“I dare say, if they refuse even that brief truce, issues will arise from within immediately.”

The new year celebration is not just an event for the Empire. It’s a sort of holiday that the entire continent observes.

Based on my memory, it’s similar to Christmas in the Christian world.

During that period, everyone on the continent sits at home with their families to celebrate the new year— it’s a universal rule.

They received orders to guard the rear and slowly retreat.

In essence, the order given to those out there can be summarized as follows.

Fight and die there, for the future of our Dedorant.

They likely think they are now cornered and doomed.

Thus, they will huddle together and try to fight even harder.

I intend to plant the seeds of their inevitable collapse among such firmness.

[ After the promised few days of truce. ]

“I will commence the attack.”

[ The Chief of Staff is confident that those trapped in the siege will surrender before that. ]

“Though it is a rough estimate, my prediction is indeed that.”

Whether the commander steps forward personally or soldiers surrender in small groups.

Once the heat of battle has subsided, they won’t be able to fight anymore.

I can already see the moment they were celebrating the new year with their families flashing before their eyes.

Will those following behind the commander really be able to fight when told to do so?

If I were them, I’d stab that guy in the belly and surrender.

Besides, it would be even better with a song to top it off.

That’s why I lent strength to both sides. I solidified the siege even faster.

So the enemies would have to escape with numerous soldiers trapped inside, without any time to spare.

I’ve only selected those with relatively high loyalty. Thanks to that, the remaining ones can act freely.

“…This is my thought, Your Majesty. Should there be any shortcomings or concerns, please teach me.”

That meant if something wasn’t to his liking or if victory in battle was necessary, he should let me know.

However, the Emperor beyond the communication line slightly raised the corners of his mouth and replied:

[ Matters of the battlefield are your purview. Chief of Staff. If that is your wish, then that is the Empire’s wish. ]

“Your Majesty.”

[ Then act as you see fit. Your loyalty is known to all, so what do you have to worry about? ]

The Emperor’s words hinted at his trust in whatever decisions I made and actions I took, allowing me to get a bit free from my future worries.

*

The Dedorant rear guard led by Paelus and Leonite fought with all their might.

As a result, they briefly managed to stall the Empire’s frontal assault.

However, that was merely temporary.

As the reorganized Empire pushed ahead, they began to retreat little by little.

“Setongrad! It’s Setongrad!”

“Pick up the pace! The First Legion is still holding out there!”

“Just a little more! Our allies will soon arrive!!”

Eventually, the Dedorant rear guard was forced to relinquish Setongrad.

After all, the Dedorant command had already slipped out of the siege.

Though they had been obsessed with Setongrad, it was no longer necessary without their presence.

“First Legion. Reporting back to the Chief of Staff.”

A full four months. The time it took to completely endure the Dedorant’s relentless assaults.

And finally, Setongrad was once again under the Empire’s control.

Although it was ruined and burned, it still bore the Empire’s flag.

“I apologize. We have failed to secure the outer fortifications. There have also been many casualties. I take full responsibility for this. Chief of Staff, if you could end it here, I would sing your praises for your mercy.”

The exhausted First Legion Commander clearly showed his fatigue. He bore large and small wounds everywhere.

It was evident how many battles he had fought, as he didn’t just remain in the rear but stepped forward.

As he looked at that figure, Kael slowly shook his head.

“You’ve worked hard, First Legion Commander. However, regrettably, it seems unfair to discuss your punishment at this point. Is it not more pressing to deal with the enemy before us?”

Consoling the Legion Commander, Kael moved toward the remaining soldiers of the First Legion.

They, too, looked worn out. But there remained a light in their eyes.

Even in such a state, they would immediately ready their weapons when combat orders were issued.

“To you all, I, Kael Clausewitz, promise.”

“I will ensure that the Dedorants are driven down to the very bottom.”

“Thus, may your struggles and those of your comrades shine everlasting.”