I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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“Chief of Staff.”

“Yes.”

“We have confirmed the attack on the Dedorant Royal Capital.”

Finally, it has fallen. It has finally shown this world that spectacle.

Adjusting my posture with the feeling that what was to come has arrived, I focus on the aide’s next report.

“What are the results?”

The Empire’s might, with a hundred wizards and a budget that could fund a decent kingdom for a year poured into it.

A weapon fraught with too many issues if it isn’t a fixed target, hardly worth considering.

But once it falls, the Empire’s rage can devastate the area without restraint.

“It’s a great success. We struck the target without any significant counterattack from the enemy.”

Well, of course. We’ve mobilized a hundred high-ranking wizards from the Magical Corps. How could Dedorant stop this? They reportedly have only a handful of wizards left in the Royal Capital.

Moreover, considering the enormous sum spent on creating this magic, they wouldn’t even have a chance to respond.

“What about the damage?”

“It’s difficult to ascertain exactly. The existing informants had already escaped…”

“It’s fine, just tell me.”

“Currently, we’re assessing that the Dedorant Command has completely collapsed. Immediately after the attack, the gates were thrown open, and survivors are either fleeing or surrendering to our Imperial Army.”

According to the aide’s continued words, the royal palace has completely vanished. It seems the command personnel were gathered there and likely faced the same fate.

Additionally, half of the existing Royal Capital has been entirely obliterated, with hardly a trace left to find.

“It’s appropriate to conclude that the Dedorant Army stationed in the Royal Capital has essentially been annihilated. Even if they open the gates to advance, there’s no one to stop or hinder them.”

“No commander left. Fire pillars fell from above. They must be in no state to recover their senses just by surviving.”

There’s a chance that innocents may have been swept away in this process as well.

Even those who haven’t succumbed to madness could have met the same fate.

It’s a pity. We’ll have to bear the criticism for a long time to come.

Perhaps there will be condemnation emerging from all corners of the continent against the Empire.

However, if asked whether we regret or reflect, the answer from the Empire is singular.

Not at all. Why should we reflect? Why should we regret? Has many died? And?

Should we ensure the safety and convenience of those who initiated this first?

How many of our Imperial soldiers have been injured and fallen at their hands until now?

Above all, it was they who irrationally and madly drove this war.

It could be seen as throwing lightning to put an end to that.

“Relay this to all legions. Cease all ongoing attacks, and give the remaining Dedorant Army time to assess the situation. After that, it won’t matter whether they surrender or not, we’ll have no qualms.”

The command has already flown away, and their capacity for warfare has dropped to zero. No, it’s negative now.

There’s no need to make our soldiers suffer and fall. We’ll just have them surrender.

“And there were observers from Nobogord, the Eastern Alliance, and the Southern Kingdoms, right?”

“Yes, Chief of Staff. They are officials from various nations who wish to see how the war unfolds.”

“Prepare to take them along to the vicinity of the Dedorant Royal Capital. The purpose isn’t combat but to assess the situation.”

“Understood.”

I’m curious about their expressions. The balance of power is completely shattered.

As grand as the Empire may be, wouldn’t it struggle if attacked on all sides?

Those places have already tested the patience of the Empire at least once with such thoughts.

I’m interested to see what their reactions will be when they grasp that this no longer works.

“Indeed, peace is only possible when you wield a bigger club than your opponent.”

*

The reality of the Empire’s war has ushered in a shift in the international landscape.

Until now, there have been no complaints, and many have supported the Empire’s war efforts.

Nobogord to the north. The three kingdoms to the east. Finally, the various kingdoms to the south.

All are gathering together toward the west of the continent, at the Dedorant border.

They certainly harbor no other thoughts. The balance of power has long since crumbled.

The crucial point now lies in how much effort the Empire has put into this war and how long it will take to recuperate.

Or if they can raise their own worth a little more in the process.

“Just two years ago, didn’t it look like Dedorant was going to defeat the Empire?”

“Is that even possible? It was merely a momentary stroke of luck. The moment the Empire organized itself to push forward, it crumbled instantly.”

“In my view, it’s not just the Empire’s capabilities but the talent pool is outrageous. Whenever an issue arises, they replace it with suitable individuals, and everyone performs their duties splendidly.”

The officials from each nation gather to share their opinions and subtly start to keep each other in check.

The Empire can’t win anyway. Striving to surpass them is madness.

What matters now is who comes next after the Empire. Who can become the closest ally of the Empire?

Those gathered here are seeking hints related to that very question.

“Have you heard the news?”

One day, shocking news reached them.

“The war that was expected to peak suddenly extinguished.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The Dedorant Royal Capital has been obliterated and completely fallen into the Empire’s hands. And it happened in a single day. Just one day! What on earth is happening?!”

Huh? The officials from each nation couldn’t hide their astonishment upon hearing this.

What is this nonsense? How did the Dedorant Royal Capital fall to the Empire?

Just a few days ago, wasn’t all of Dedorant’s strength concentrated on defending the Royal Capital?

Even if it’s the Empire, even if it’s those who brought down Benito and Atria.

Isn’t it impossible to push aside the Dedorant Army, which became a war machine, in just one day?

Not in the field either. How could such a thing happen in a siege?

But soon, an answer flew back to their questioning minds.

“This is Chief of Staff Kael Clausewitz of the Empire. Today, we plan to move with esteemed guests from various countries toward the Dedorant Royal Capital.”

Here is the very individual among the Empire’s top brass personally making an appearance.

Moreover, he’s even accompanied by the Empire’s princess, who he had supposedly promised a future with.

In this situation, how could such a high-ranking figure be joking around?

In other words, just as the news has come to pass, the Dedorant Royal Capital has indeed fallen into the Empire’s grasp.

“Is it true that the Empire has taken over the Dedorant Royal Capital?”

“Or perhaps that Chief of Staff has employed some earth-shattering tactics to bring about its sudden downfall?”

“There’s a fair possibility of that. Given the feats that man has displayed so far, it would be entirely within reason.”

As they made their way to the Dedorant Royal Capital, the officials from various nations allowed their imaginations to run wild.

Then, with only one day left until their destination, they were shown a recorded video.

“For those wondering what transpired, this was recorded in advance for reporting to the Empire, but I apologize for the poor quality as we were far from the ground zero.”

Ground zero? When a few officials inquired about the term, Kael answered.

The end of this war. And the beginning of peace. A land that can be rebuilt, with nothing left.

Of course, from their perspective, it was still a perplexing and difficult term.

They tilted their heads in confusion as they watched the recorded footage and soon came to a realization.

“…This is insane.”

“What, what is this?”

“Immediately, contact our home country! The Empire has created a monster!”

The long-standing war had come to an end. And from now on, the continent would fall completely under the Empire’s order.

Anyone who dares to raise doubts, like Dedorant, must prepare to endure the full brunt of the Empire’s wrath.

In the moment of blinding light, quite literally everything was engulfed in a flash.

What was revealed shortly after was the Dedorant Royal Capital, which had been nearly wiped out.

Even from afar, the horror was evident through this recorded footage.

“C-could it be that this is a video created by the Empire?”

“How could this even be possible! If magic could do this, who would risk operating the Magical Corps for such a huge expenditure?!”

Though there were those who couldn’t believe it, that was, in some sense, a natural reaction.

If this were possible, everyone would’ve focused on creating that kind of magic.

But soon, they would learn just how insane a feat the Empire had accomplished for that one moment.

“Ten thousand tons of silver? And you have to just waste that without recovery?”

“Wizards in numbers of a hundred at a time? What happens when they are attacked?!”

“It takes a considerable amount of time, and when it’s not a fixed target, using the magic is awkward…”

The God of Destruction has indeed descended. But they are not beings that can be summoned by just anyone.

Developing that would cause any reasonable nation to declare bankruptcy immediately.

Even the Empire, the continent’s top silver producer, must have spent a fortune for that one use of magic.

Furthermore, even if they painstakingly develop it, the Empire will still be unable to keep up.

Surely, they must have also researched ways to defend against that magic while conceptualizing it.

In the end, it’s a tug of war among equals, the Empire wouldn’t be able to catch up.

“…It’s over.”

Finally reaching the site where the Dedorant Royal Capital once stood, all officials from each nation could only mutter those words.

In every sense, the war has ended. And discussions regarding the continental situation have come to an end too.

From now on, the continent will be perfectly respecified and function under the Empire’s order.