I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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Dedorant. No, wait. I should say the former Dedorant region now.

Anyway, the cleaning and organizing of that place officially began.

“Even if DeGale is liberated, this area is no easy task. If left as it is, a large-scale famine will hit us immediately!”

“All the people who should be working have been dragged away, leaving the farming land in shambles. We need workers, but right now we have to completely rework the farmland and start over.”

“Strange rumors have spread, claiming that we, the Empire, have committed heinous acts even in remote places. Incidents of local residents resisting are not uncommon!”

I’m really going insane. There are just too many places that need attention.

These crazies, who are now gone, have even uprooted the pillars!

On top of that, they’ve left a big mess just to mess with us!

If only I could revive the Dedorant Command that recently vanished completely.

I’d bring you back to solve this crisis and then start chopping off your limbs one by one.

What in the world were they thinking to pull off such insane nonsense?

‘The thought that these idiots were shouting about the glory of the Deo Ethnicity sends chills down my spine.’

What if the ones who used to boast about their glory were actually all hoping for death?

What if they realized they couldn’t win and thought that everyone in Dedorant had to die instead?

Wouldn’t that allow us to suppress the ongoing rebellion in the former Dedorant region all at once?

…No, that can’t be that easy; otherwise, the Command would have proposed something already.

Years of brainwashing about Deo Ethnicity’s glory or whatever.

Because of that, even those who weren’t engulfed in madness, just ordinary people from Dedorant, still see our Imperial Army as invaders, as monsters.

Reports of urgent nature keep coming in from all the legions.

People are being downright uncooperative, and what on earth are we supposed to do?

We can’t just consider them enemies and wipe them all out.

But leaving them alone also poses a terrifying risk that they might strike our rear.

“What do you suggest? The Legion Commanders are waiting for the Chief of Staff’s orders.”

My head aches. I’d rather face enemies; it was much more comforting.

On the battlefield, it was either our side or the enemy; it didn’t make a difference.

But now that the war is over, that distinction has become unclear.

What should I do? How can I turn their hearts around?

Even if we don’t pray for the Empire’s name right now, how do we avoid being seen as demons or invaders?

What knowledge do I need to borrow and use at this very moment?

“…Aide.”

“Yes, Chief of Staff.”

In that sense, I really was quite lucky.

“Let’s tell each Legion to share supplies with the local residents in their area.”

“Chief of Staff?”

“If they’re worried about supplies, let them know that it’s fine. The war is over now, so there’s no need to strictly secure the supply route anymore, and since we can utilize the existing Dedorant roads, it shouldn’t be as precarious as before.”

“But… are you really sure about this? They don’t trust each other right now.”

“And so, we need to build that trust starting now.”

There’s a saying: people bond over sharing food.

Starting with small gatherings and moving on to big ways, it’s the easiest method for victors to soothe public sentiment.

By showing kindness to the destitute and starving, whether sincere or not, they will eventually draw closer.

We must warmly welcome them, even if it’s just for show, and prove that we are definitely not monsters or invaders.

This land is now the Empire’s territory. It’s okay even if it doesn’t absorb immediately.

This is a great undertaking that needs to look forward at least a few years, or even more than a decade.

The most important thing is undoubtedly to take care of local public sentiment first.

“Tell them to stop asking where the Dedorant soldiers have hidden, or where the nobles have run off to. Right now, focus on feeding, clothing, and sheltering the scattered people.”

“Understood. I will relay that to the Legion Commanders right away.”

If the Ministry of Finance hears this news, they’ll probably scream!

The Ministry of War would be scratching their heads and groaning, wondering if they can cut down on supply capacity.

The Ministry of Land, which was also involved, would be sighing heavily too.

To be honest, I’m quite anxious. They were once the kingdom’s people from the enemy nation.

And I’ve just told them to distribute war supplies made from the blood and sweat of our Empire’s citizens.

No matter how much the Emperor trusts me, or how great my achievements are,

There will inevitably be those who are uncomfortable about this.

“Kael!”

At that moment, the light and salt of my life walks into my office.

Bel, who returned to the Empire and detailed the current situation.

I heard that Gnaius, the Crown Prince, my brother, stood on the podium at the council with a powerful speech.

“[ Dedorant faced resistance in DeGale because it lacked mercy. As a result, we tasted the bitter fruit of failure. With a precedent set, is there any reason to follow the same path? ]

[ Punishment for those who collaborated must be duly administered. However, the anger directed at them should not fall upon innocent and unrelated people. ]”

Thanks to Bel and my brother, support for DeGale has resumed.

They’ve put off investigating whether the cooperation with Dedorant happened or not for now.

We had to save those on the brink of death first. That was the most important task.

“Congratulations, Kael. Thanks to you, this long war could end in victory for our Empire.”

“It wasn’t just me; it was the result of everyone’s efforts. Plus, Bel’s help was crucial too.”

“Hohoho. I think I’m the biggest winner in this war. I never expected to be calling you Kael like this.”

“If you’d like, I could call you Your Highness the Princess again.”

“No way. I don’t want that. Just keep calling me like this.”

With a bright smile, Bel approached me and continued to chatter on.

Most of it was about happenings inside the Empire, saying that everyone was rejoicing over the victory in the war.

“Of course, it’s natural to shout about the Empire’s greatness and long live His Majesty the Emperor, but among that, quite a few are also chanting your name, Kael.”

“Me?”

“Of course! When the Empire was facing massive defeat and was in a crisis, you suddenly appeared to save the Imperial Army and turned the tables on Dedorant. You launched a fierce counteroffensive and succeeded in achieving victory!”

According to Bel, my popularity is through the roof.

From my perspective, I just sat comfortably in the rear and gave orders.

But for the citizens of the Empire, I was not merely a strategist sent from the heavens who led all this war to victory.

Hearing such praises gave me a slight fear, I must admit.

When a minister gains too much fame, the king often removes nine out of ten of them.

Whether they committed a crime or not. That’s the nature of power.

That memory popped up in my mind for some reason.

‘Of course, there are those who keep the one out of ten minister and trust them even more.’

I believe without a doubt that our His Majesty the Emperor is among those one.

But then, what if there’s a “what if”? That’s what makes me anxious.

“I think I know what Kael is thinking right now.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t worry. His Majesty the Emperor, my father, will never abandon a minister like you, Kael.”

“Ah…”

“I’m a bit worried about something else. What if His Majesty and my sister think that Kael is so capable that they want to keep him around as a minister for a long time?”

“….”

Oh my. That sounds like it could be terrible too, Bel.

My father has already retired, and here I would be, working even as an old man?

I’m not that kind of Yi Hwang, and I have absolutely no desire for that!

“More importantly. It’s really all over now. Congratulations, Kael. We can go back to our normal lives again.”

“Uh, um. Bel? I truly appreciate your congratulations, but calling it over seems a bit premature.”

“Eh? What do you mean by that?”

“I guarantee, it would have been easier during the war. From now on, an entirely different set of overwhelming tasks and various duties are waiting for us.”

The soldiers and field commanders might be glad,

But for me and the staff, as well as the Ministry of War, things are about to get chaotic.

‘First and foremost, the issue of future deployment of troops in the former Dedorant region.’

Now that the war is over, it’s only right to send the soldiers back home.

They too must be eager to return and receive a hero’s welcome.

But we can’t send everyone back. Some must stay while others go.

The problem is, everyone is likely looking forward to the day they return home, so how do we manage that?

Think about it—while other units return home, our unit alone is left in this foreign land.

I’d be itching to knock down the genius strategist over that!

‘My friend next to me is going home, while I’m stuck here to finish cleaning up? Just thinking about it makes me sick; how must the soldiers feel?’

And this is just the beginning. The problems that remain are even more severe.

How will we send those returning home, how to transport the wounded?

What kind of compensation plan will be put in place for the soldiers who died or were injured in this war?

And how do we show goodwill to the foreign nations that came as reinforcements?

“…Bel.”

“Yes, Kael?”

“I really don’t want to work; what should I do?”

“Ah! D-Don’t worry! I’ll help too!”

She spontaneously exclaimed that and lightly kissed my cheek, saying, “Let’s start with this!”

Woah. All of a sudden, I feel like I can work hard! Is this what they call a buff?!!