I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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“Hmm.”

The Crown Princess and Gnaius entered the palace, having received urgent news of Kael’s report.

It was about Benito making a stealthy move, but honestly, what was happening right now was way more interesting.

“It’s a bit strange for the Chief of Staff to say that infiltrating the enemy lines is essential for the Empire’s victory.”

“It’s better than the Princess marching right into the battlefield.”

“Didn’t she already visit the battlefield several times before?”

“This time is different.”

So does that mean we can’t see her in dangerous places anymore?

The Crown Princess thought to herself while glancing at Gnaius beside her.

He also seemed to be suppressing a smile, so it seemed that was indeed the case.

I can’t believe this! Are they already having a lovers’ spat?

Considering the personalities of those two, they might not even think of it as a lovers’ quarrel.

They probably just see it as discussing their responsibilities and the risks involved.

“Sister. But we’re before His Majesty the Emperor; shouldn’t we intervene?”

Gnaius spoke cautiously to the Crown Princess.

At that, she smirked and shook her head.

“Look. Isn’t His Majesty enjoying himself in this?”

Enjoying himself? Gnaius quickly turned his head.

There sat the Emperor, wearing a blank expression.

No, to be precise, he was trying to look blank. A father with a daughter.

“Ah.”

I know that because he is my father. I know that because I am his son.

Is the expression he is wearing truly devoid of any emotion?

Or is he hiding something behind that façade?

From that perspective, it was clear that the Emperor was smiling inside.

“I didn’t expect the Majesty to act like that.”

“I’m the same. Who would expect that?”

Surely, the bickering of these young ones right in front of him must look quite adorable.

Both of them are clearly fond of His Majesty.

More so, it isn’t just because it’s something trivial; it’s for the Empire.

“As if it wasn’t surprising enough that Bel would do that; I never expected the Chief of Staff to change like this.”

“Emotions are usually things one remains oblivious to until the very end. But once the dam breaks, it spreads uncontrollably, doesn’t it?”

“Sister is right. That’s what makes the human heart frightening.”

“And the Chief of Staff, who has guided those feelings to this point, is truly a remarkable individual.”

Perhaps this is why the Emperor trusts Kael so much.

Because he knows well how to handle people’s hearts and understands their power.

There’s faith that his focus won’t stray to something that could harm the Empire.

‘Hmm.’

Then the Crown Princess noticed a subtle change in the Emperor.

He was slightly shifting his posture; it was about time for him to step in.

“Chief of Staff. Bel. You two should wrap it up.”

At the Crown Princess’s words, both of them finally realized what they had done.

In the great hall, daring to argue before the Emperor like that…

Immediately, Kael and Isabelle begged for mercy, claiming they had committed a grave sin.

“Haha.”

Of course, the Emperor had no intention to scold them; he merely laughed at the scene.

“The Princess’s intention is truly admirable. Volunteering to go to dangerous places to showcase the Imperial Family as a model. It would help the Imperial Legion’s soldiers maintain higher morale.”

“I’m humbled, Your Majesty.”

“And Chief of Staff, isn’t it your duty to stop the Princess from going to such dangerous situations for everyone’s sake?”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor calmed the two down before turning to Isabelle with a question.

“I will ask the Princess. Do you genuinely believe that if you go there, the Southern 4th Legion’s morale will rise even more?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I have previously moved alongside them, pressuring Benito, and just recently in the siege, I also acted with the two other Southern Legions. If I join them, their morale will assuredly rise, which will be enough to crush Benito’s offensive.”

It wasn’t just baseless confidence. Isabelle’s words were undoubtedly true.

It’s rare for a precious presence to join the front lines that isn’t even a commander.

Usually, they just make a brief appearance during a guaranteed victory and vanish.

However, Isabelle had shown her presence from the North to the East, through the South, and now reaching the West.

Even if she didn’t fight directly, victory always followed her wherever she went.

That alone would be an immense boost for the soldiers.

This battle against Benito was a new conflict mixing seasoned soldiers with recruits.

It was only natural as we couldn’t freely pull troops from Dedorant.

The start is crucial, and having Isabelle accompany them would certainly bring great strength.

“Chief of Staff. What are your thoughts?”

“There’s certainly no issue with the Crown Princess’s opinion. However, to unnecessarily accompany at the front lines…”

Suddenly, Kael fell silent mid-sentence.

He finally understood the Emperor’s intention.

He had reacted far too sensitively to Isabelle’s decision to volunteer for a dangerous mission without even realizing it.

The protective instinct to stop her from going to such places emerged from within him.

And it led him to restrict her more than usual.

The Emperor must have recognized that and allowed Kael some time to adjust his emotions.

“…If we take all the necessary precautions, it seems it would be alright for the 4th Legion.”

“Considering the Chief of Staff’s opinion, Second Princess, I will allow you to accompany the 4th Legion as long as you do not hinder their movements. However, if unnecessary actions result in non-combat losses, you will bear responsibility.”

This time, it was a command from the Emperor himself, not Kael’s opinion, nor even Isabelle’s.

Thus, it was Isabelle’s own judgment that would hold the corresponding responsibility, and she nodded in agreement.

*

“Why did you do that?”

After concluding my meeting with the Emperor, I immediately caught up with the Crown Princess and asked.

You even warned me not to do anything dangerous!

And now you’re going and expecting me to just watch it happen?

“I’m not doing this because I want to, Kael. It’s all to end the war just a bit quicker.”

“But—”

“Mine is different from your situation. You could have picked someone else to go to DeGale, and during the Dedorant Rear Guard encounter, you could have sent a delegate. But now it’s different. The 4th Legion needs to face an adventurous battle by taking in reserves and recruits. At a time like this, I’m needed, don’t you think?”

I admit it. Sure, it’s not pleasant, but the Princess’s argument holds no falsehoods.

If the Eastern Legions have great trust in my little sister Kaya, the Southern Legion holds high trust in the Princess.

So if the Princess goes to the Southern region, she undoubtedly would exert significant influence.

“I’ve been on the front lines more than just a couple of times. It’s fine, Kael. Do you really think I would fight holding a sword at the front? I can just help raise morale and retreat.”

“…Your Highness is correct.”

Right. The worry I feel isn’t truly about her being out front.

It’s just that, having grown a bit closer, I suddenly feel this overwhelming anxiety.

That she would be the only one there while I wasn’t. It just makes me uneasy.

‘If that’s the case, there’s only one way to ease this anxiety.’

As it happens, Dedorant needs to take a breather for at least a month.

I already informed the 1st Legion Commander and the sub-commanders, so they should manage things on their own.

“Alright, then I will also accompany you.”

“Pardon? You’re going to join too, Kael? What about Dedorant!”

“Either way, there needs to be a pause in offensive actions for about a month.”

“Still, if the Chief of Staff is away for too long…”

“I’m not only in charge of Dedorant. Benito is one of my responsibilities too. If Dedorant is in a stagnant state, I can go deal with other situations.”

Let’s go together. From the Princess’s perspective, it might just be a familiar scenario.

It reminds me of the reaction she showed when I went to meet Commander Paelus not long ago.

Knowing she’s aware of that, she can’t refuse now like I did then.

“I could manage perfectly fine on my own.”

“I don’t doubt the Crown Princess, but I’m just going because I want to.”

“Liar.”

“Yes. It could be a lie.”

So we bickered in front of the Emperor and the members of the Imperial Family.

I just came down to the Southern region, declaring I would go with the Princess, and now—

“What do you mean? That the enemies’ offensive has completely diminished?”

What awaited us was the shocking news that Benito had been defeated.

“As you’ve heard, Chief of Staff. Your Highness. Currently, the 4th Legion has determined that the attacking capabilities of Benito’s army have lost more than 60%.”

Could it be that the 4th Legion crushed them before we even arrived?

Did they somehow mistake their earlier defeats for strength and fall into complacency?

These aren’t fools; they must have considered the possibility of us using deception.

“What on earth happened? I distinctly heard that Benito was mounting a fierce offense.”

“That’s the thing, Your Highness.”

At the words of the 4th Legion Commander, both the Princess and I could only exhale in disbelief.

“There’s been a sudden outbreak of an epidemic within Benito.”

“An epidemic?”

“Yes. It seems that many people have been trapped in the castle for too long, causing this to occur. Ordinarily, those who would have started to move have been quiet, and upon checking, the epidemic seems to have spread more than anticipated.”

The collapse of their structure. The loss of Benito’s retaliatory strength.

I had planned to resolve that through battle, but the unexpected epidemic helped us achieve that.

As I heard the continuing report, I raised my head to glance at the sky.

Indeed. Talent, status, whatever. The greatest factor in morale is luck.