I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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There are two types of people in this world.

Those who, even after being betrayed, grant mercy with a broad mind or impose only minimal punishment.

And conversely, those who display rage as if a volcano were erupting.

Dedorant belongs to the latter. Among them, he was on the most intense side.

“How dare they betray the glory of the Deo Ethnicity and harbor other thoughts!”

“This is treachery. Not merely a betrayal of us, but a betrayal of everything on this land!”

“We cannot overlook this. Before long, all the people of Atria might rebel.”

It’s true that the command had grown somewhat strange after consecutive defeats against the Empire.

However, that didn’t mean they had lost their weapons. They had merely succumbed to madness.

Opinions had long been floating around that some might harbor different thoughts internally.

There was a possibility. So secretly, I had recruited a few and planted them as informants everywhere.

Thanks to that, Dedorant could swiftly grasp that such stories were circulating.

We must retaliate immediately. But we must not act hastily.

They were individuals who had ruled over their own lands like kings.

If Dedorant classified them as enemies, a rebellion would certainly follow.

If that happened, all would depart from that land and those people.

“While it’s frustrating, we can’t handle this carelessly. We need to consider the feelings of those who remain.”

“The best method is to momentarily draw them out of their territory to our side.”

I believed in my brothers, but no longer. We needed to take action.

Having drawn a firm conclusion, Dedorant sent letters to the nobles of Atria.

[ The King of Dedorant wishes to offer a drink to the valiant ones bravely fighting against the Empire. ]

The two nations had not yet fully united.

However, from the perspective of Atria, whose royal family had collapsed, the Dedorant royal family was as good as their king.

Ultimately, nobles must pledge loyalty to their king for their names to hold any justification.

There was no advantage in breaking that. It’s the same even if they conspire to surrender in secrecy.

Rather, they must hide their true intentions, so they must hurry and appraise the atmosphere.

“Could it be that they’ve realized our plan?”

“There’s a possibility. It may be better not to go.”

Such opinions also arose from some nobles attempting to negotiate with the Empire.

To be on the safe side, they suggested we reject it and assess the atmosphere.

However, I realized that refusal would be the hardest part. Essentially, it was impossible.

Finally, Georg Sistania of Dedorant was officially crowned king.

Cassius II. This was the first public diplomatic activity since receiving that name.

Not attending such an occasion would raise too many suspicious eyebrows.

Above all, judging by the atmosphere, it didn’t seem they were aware of our plans.

They had sent invitations even to all nobles who did not share their beliefs.

Perhaps this was an attempt to consolidate their internal power now that the war had turned unfavorable.

Calling them at this timing was a bit concerning, though.

But there was no reason not to go, and truly skipping it would only raise more suspicions.

In the end, the nobles of Atria who received the invitations temporarily left their territory.

Though they brought guards, there were places even those guards could not follow.

And shortly thereafter, ominous rumors began to circulate within the noble society of Atria.

Cassius II of Dedorant. No, the first king of the Dedorant and Atria Union Kingdom, Cassius II, had faced rebellion from several Atria nobles in his presence.

Initially, Cassius II tried to placate them, but soon decided to hold them accountable.

The nobles of Atria were executed, and their families were all sent to Dedorant.

The Atria nobles murmured that this was preposterous.

However, that too quieted down soon, and the reason was simple.

[ We will distribute the lands and properties of the nobles who opposed the union of Dedorant and Atria to those who support it. ]

The interests of those who disappeared. Their flesh could be divided.

Those who devoured it could no longer voice any dissent.

With their lips smeared with blood and flesh, do they think of anything else in the future?

It’s only natural that a more brutal and horrendous future awaits.

We swiftly eliminate factions that might rebel in Atria.

After that, I turned my gaze to Benito, which was staggering due to a plague.

“Can Benito maintain its royal capital?”

“It seems difficult. The royal capital is also included in the plague-stricken area.”

“Then persuade the king of Benito. Have him evacuate to a safer place.”

“However, the influence of the royal capital is significant. Will he truly agree?”

Cassius II fell into a momentary dilemma at the words of his ministers.

He had been disheartened after consecutive failures against the Empire.

However, while the Empire caught its breath, he too had begun to recover to some extent.

“Order the 5th Army to relay commands. Withdraw the defense of the royal capital and fall back. When they move, King Benito will have no choice but to follow suit.”

Though relinquishing Benito was regretful, it was greedy to protect everything.

Above all, recent information indicated that the Empire intended to question King Benito’s legitimacy.

In reality, the current King of Benito, Andrea II, does not possess flawless legitimacy.

Should it be investigated, certain weaknesses would inevitably be revealed.

Fortunately, Andrea II’s grip over the northern part of his country is solid.

To counterbalance the power of the nobles concentrated on the southern coast and to bolster those who would support him.

For that reason, the developed north possesses robust public sentiment even while Benito wavers.

‘Although it’s frustrating, if the Empire is struggling to act, it signifies that man behind them—Kael Clausewitz—exists. Directly opposing him would only deepen our losses.’

In fact, we had detected movements from Atria before the Empire did.

While they focused on Benito, we gained much-needed time and quickly settled our internal affairs.

Now, Atria would unite without any dissent beside Dedorant.

Having received benefits, they couldn’t release their grasp.

It’s not a matter of conscience; it’s a matter of survival. Those who turn their backs now would invite even greater wrath upon themselves.

‘I will sacrifice half of Benito. In exchange, I’ll take the remaining territories of DeGale.’

Recently, the front with Ross Tanika had entered a lull.

They too were exhausted. Ross Tanika initially leaned more towards the sea than land.

Even with the Empire’s support, it would only amount to a handful of supplies or provisions at best.

We mustn’t miss this opportunity to obliterate the resistance forces of DeGale.

Georg Sistania of Dedorant. The current Cassius II.

Though there had been times of despair, his specialty in swiftness still remained intact.

While the Empire had temporarily halted their advance to concentrate on the southern regions, he decided to completely resolve the issue with DeGale.

“Provide maximum convenience to places that have cooperated with Dedorant. Thoroughly destroy any signs of collaboration with the resistance forces.”

“Even if the resistance forces were forced into aid, the same rule applies. Any who gave even a little should be turned into a lifeless wasteland.”

“Proclaim that those who meaningfully report on the resistance forces will receive the lands and wealth once confiscated from the aristocrats of DeGale, and even titles! Let them tear each other apart in discord.”

Until now, he had not only admired and feared Kael.

I had contemplated how to utilize the things he had done until now.

One method to achieve that was to incite division and make them fight among themselves.

I’d heard that this was one of the methods Kael had used in the eastern part of the continent.

Breaking the bonds among the enemy does not simply reduce their forces.

Some among them would undoubtedly seek to benefit from aligning with us.

Even if not, for the future, they might be coerced into making choices.

‘I admit it. Kael Clausewitz, you are certainly exceptional. Thus, I too shall learn from that excellence. Until now, it might have been manageable, but from now on, it will be different.’

Kael’s specialty was to pry at his opponent’s weaknesses before the battle even began.

He mainly relied on a cunning strategy that made it impossible to fully unleash power.

In doing so, he maximized our advantages while drawing out the enemy’s disadvantages.

“Deploy the soldiers recruited in each castle and focus on defense. Also, we in Dedorant shall form a mobile unit.”

“Our target is the enemy’s supply lines and transportation units. Their frontline is stretching. Even an Imperial Legion can’t fight with empty stomachs.”

“Don’t focus on slaying enemy soldiers, oh bravest of Dedorant. Destroy their carts and wagons, and slay their horses and cattle. The suffering of battle is not solely ours!”

For now, they are catching their breath, but the Empire will ultimately launch another offensive.

As they lean against the castle, they may currently be mere conscripts, but their skill will gradually rise.

If we focus on cutting off their supplies during that time, it will surely become a battle worth waging.