I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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Two days after I had arrived in DeGale.

“Ch-Chief of Staff!”

Instead of a grand feast, it seemed like the DeGale Royal Family had returned in a hurry, as if someone was chasing them.

Upon their arrival, there were no declarations of victory or messages of encouragement for the Kingdom People.

They immediately summoned me to the crumbling royal palace for a discussion.

It seemed they were quite urgent. They wrapped themselves in what Ross Tanika had provided.

Considering the pride of the Kingdom People, one would think they would have taken care of that right away.

Well, it’s only natural when their own home is about to be bizarrely renovated.

“Chief of Staff of the Empire Kael Clausewitz greets the ruler of DeGale.”

Just because the Empire had the overwhelming advantage didn’t mean they had to offer bait.

In this world, there’s no greater justification than rudeness.

So I held extreme courtesy, and it seemed only to bewilder them further.

“W-well, first of all, thank you for making the journey here.”

“It’s no trouble at all. I’ve been here before, but at that time, the Empire hadn’t won like it has now. Plus, there were Dedorant Army troops scattered about, which is just adding to my experience.”

The Chief of Staff of another country had even infiltrated to see the resistance forces directly.

Meanwhile, it appeared the king here had fled to the neighboring country, watching his Kingdom People die fighting.

While I did not explicitly point that out, I imagined the King of DeGale already felt sufficient guilt over it.

“Cough. Ahem. I have heard that news as well. I would like to once again praise the courage of the Chief of Staff.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

So, is that all you wanted to say? I subtly indicated with my gaze.

Since I had been called all the way here, it was clear they had something they wanted to discuss, so why the hesitation?

When I acted like I had nothing more to say, they cleared their throat a couple of times.

“Ahem. Chief of Staff, I have something to ask.”

“I shall answer anything within my capacity.”

“What does the Empire think of our DeGale at present?”

“Um, I’m afraid you might have addressed the wrong person. It would be more appropriate to consult the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rather than a military position like mine.”

When I subtly tried to withdraw, the King waved his hands as if to say, “Why are you doing this?”

He is well aware that I am playing a significant role in the reconstruction and reordering of the West.

He knows that I am exerting considerable influence both internally in the Empire and externally.

So he’s asking out of desperation, and I hope he would respond accordingly.

“Your words lead me to believe I should answer to the best of my knowledge.”

“I shall listen attentively.”

Of course, I must listen. If it seems like you’re not hearing me properly, I will gladly pierce your eardrums for you.

I inwardly tsked at the King of DeGale and slowly spoke.

“The Empire will spare no support for those who have contributed even a little in the previous war. They will forever remain comrades of the Empire.”

At my answer, the King of DeGale’s face brightened for a moment before settling back into gloom.

Still, he might not be completely incapable. He seems to have caught on to what I wanted to convey.

“The Empire will surely take care of those who contributed in this war.”

“Yes. That way, compensation fitting for their sacrifices will be secured, won’t it? This is how the Empire’s reputation and heart remain steadfast.”

I will never push the enemy into a corner. That is something to be strictly avoided.

When there’s no room to back down, continually driving them will eventually lead them to bite back in desperation.

There shouldn’t be any further war. Whether the Empire wins or loses, it will only be a victory marked by wounds.

On top of that, taxes are already leaking profusely, so there’s no benefit to stirring up more trouble.

Thus, our Empire will treat Ross Tanika as allies and comrades.

Even though I have some understanding of what schemes they might be plotting,

as long as it does not pose a clear threat to the Empire’s security, we will turn a blind eye.

“You must have realized, too. That treating Ross Tanika as allies means the DeGale Royal Family won’t collapse entirely. The Empire would not want to reject those who have accepted Ross Tanika.”

However, at the same time, no one from the DeGale Royal Family had fought alongside us.

They may become friends with Ross Tanika, but they cannot expect to be treated as comrades by the Empire.

The ones who will receive that treatment are already settled in DeGale.

Yes, those resistance forces in the distance celebrating the liberation of DeGale.

“…Does the Empire wish for new winds to blow in DeGale?”

Oh my. This king is asking very directly and trying to get a response.

Am I crazy? Even if I’m politically inept, would I honestly answer that directly?

“War has burnt many things and caused many collapses. What we need now is not wind.”

“…”

“However, in the end, winds are still winds. I believe there’s nothing one can do with a person’s heart regarding that.”

Tada! I have just revealed my answer. It’s not something to hide after all.

You all are trying to escape the Empire’s influence however you can,

grasping at straws with Ross Tanika for a sliver of hope, I know all too well.

But what can I do? The ones who fled at the moment of crisis are just not to my taste.

On top of that, many nobles from DeGale cooperated with Dedorant?

More people than expected enlisted and acted as foreign troops under the Dedorant banner. Many of our Imperial soldiers suffered in the process.

So would our Empire ever say you can return to the way things were?

“As I said, the Empire will never forget the contributions of those who fought alongside us.”

“Is that so?”

“No matter which side it may be.”

This is a warning that doing anything foolish to return to the former order would be quite dull.

The backing of the DeGale resistance forces is none other than the Empire, so don’t act recklessly.

Especially you who have never fought alongside us. Just keep your mouth shut and stay quiet.

Who knows? They might choose the old order and quietly return.

If not, should the fleeing royal family be too disgraced to bear it,

then if a wind of change blows through DeGale…

I’ll just watch. What can I say? Those who fled when they should have fought deserve no glory.

“Conqueror of Dedorant! Liberator of DeGale! Savior!!”

The shout echoed clearly from afar, even within the royal palace.

Not a single voice from the Kingdom People rang out in support of the royal family.

Only the resistance forces, those who had fought, cried out for me.

“At last, the time has come! We have reclaimed! Our homeland and our heritage!”

They were quoting my speech from when I secretly infiltrated DeGale last time.

Indeed, the High Priest’s renowned speech resonated well even in this world.

*

“…What’s this?”

The Emperor could not hide his fluster at the news coming in.

More specifically, it was a pleasantly flustered feeling. A smile lingered on his lips.

So much so that Isabelle, who was having tea, stared in astonishment.

“Bel.”

The Emperor called Isabelle by her nickname, not ‘Second Princess.’

He wasn’t addressing her as an Emperor but as a father calling his daughter.

At that, Isabelle watched the Emperor intently instead of calling him ‘Your Majesty.’

“It seems my son-in-law is still quite eagerly working.”

“What do you mean?”

Instead of answering, the Emperor handed Isabelle the reports that flew toward him.

One was about internal matters of the Empire. The other was about external affairs.

After examining them all, Isabelle couldn’t help but burst out laughing a moment later.

“Hah! Do you know? He just told me that he wanted to take a break.”

Not as a joke, but truly. Kael had mentioned that he’d finished his work and would take a rest.

After all, there were many capable people in the Empire aside from him, and they would be more helpful.

He said that they too need to step out and learn the ropes.

However, from the looks of the current situation, it didn’t seem like he had that in mind at all.

In the council, he had been very enthusiastic about the reconstruction of the West.

He stirred the internal atmosphere of the Empire to suppress opposing opinions.

Then he immediately headed to DeGale, not allowing even a hint of resistance.

“Perhaps from his perspective, it was extremely uncomfortable to see Ross Tanika and the DeGale Royal Family joining hands to resist the Empire’s influence. Those who haven’t even shed proper blood, or perhaps have not shed blood at all, daring to think differently in front of those who have made tremendous sacrifices.”

“…Kael can definitely think that way. The fallen soldiers of the Empire. And the countless resistance fighters who died in DeGale. He would probably consider that even though it wasn’t his fault, he still has a share of their burden.”

At Isabelle’s response, the Emperor glanced at his daughter and then chuckled.

“Though you’re not married yet, you’re already so occupied with your husband.”

“You’re the one who said I should marry, Your Majesty! And even if you pretend not to, you look more pleased than anyone when you call him ‘son-in-law!’”

Well, that’s true. You’re right. The Emperor laughed once more.

Just as Isabelle said. I trust Kael because he is that kind of person and have faith in him.

He knows authority but not power; he understands duty but not rights.

The ones who become weaker than anyone else are others, while the ones who scrutinize most sharply are themselves.

Where else could there be someone more honorable, beautiful, and deserving of praise?