I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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The establishment of the Imperial Military Academy feels a bit sudden, doesn’t it?

In fact, even the Ministry of Finance and the Imperial Council expressed doubts about it.

The war is already over, and it’s certain that the Empire has become the only order on the continent, isn’t it?

So why on earth throw in a huge amount of tax money for such a thing?

Even without this, there wouldn’t be a way to restrain the Ministry of War or eliminate those who contributed to the war effort.

Adding such comments makes it clear there must be significant concerns about taxes.

However, on that matter, the Ministry of War, the General Staff, and I all spoke in unison.

“I understand the opinions of the Ministry of Finance and the Imperial Council. But exactly because of that, it is all the more appropriate to establish the Military Academy and reorganize the Imperial Army right after the war has just ended.”

“The reason is simple. We must never forget the lessons learned from the blood and toil of countless soldiers. If we were to attempt this again in the future, it would require new sacrifices.”

The invincible U.S. military that crushed octopuses in my previous life had all been discharged.

Meanwhile, the small peninsula of South Korea in Northeast Asia faced a surprise attack from a mad piglet.

The help from the great nation arrived quickly, but most of the soldiers were new recruits, making things far from easy.

Nonetheless, it was fortunate that the commanders were individuals who had experienced large-scale warfare.

The teachings imparted by those who had endured the real battle are incomparable to anything else.

They are veterans who have personally experienced decisions that should not be made and choices that must be made.

I must gather their lessons while those memories are still fresh.

Humans are creatures of forgetfulness. Even significant hardships are forgotten after a few years.

Let alone, this peace will last at least 20 years, and potentially more than 50.

It may be fine until then, but what happens afterwards?

If the order of the Empire wavers again, and if a war on the same scale breaks out once more, we must be thoroughly prepared.

“If the Chief of Staff himself says so… Hmm. I suppose we must discuss this seriously.”

“You have probably seen and felt a lot from the very top of the Imperial Army while leading this war to victory.”

“Then, I will ensure that the budget proposal includes the Military Academy project urgently.”

It appeared that the Minister of War was unconsciously trusting my opinion more than his own words.

The Minister has been requesting since the end of the war, ‘Please discuss the Military Academy.’

Until then, I’d stumbled around asking why he kept insisting, only for him to immediately say ‘Okay’ once I interjected.

So, after the meeting concluded, I decided to casually check on the Minister of War’s mood.

I really shouldn’t make him feel bad; it could become quite exhausting.

The Ministry of War and the General Staff should cooperate, not end up competing against each other…

“Thank you very much, Chief of Staff.”

“I’m truly sorry… Huh?”

“Lately, it seems there are far too many places to allocate taxes, and the Ministry of Finance has become quite sensitive due to all the rebuilding and support issues post-war.”

“…”

There’s certainly a bit of guilt in my part about that.

In fact, from the support for Dedorant and Atria to the recovery efforts in DeGale…

With the excessive workload in the Ministry of Finance, if someone collapses, it’s safe to say they’ll put the blame on me.

“However, with you stepping in to persuade the Ministry of Finance, it has become a little easier. Thanks to you, the Military Academy can proceed before the memories of past experiences fade away.”

“Hmm, hmm. That goes without saying. After all, the Ministry of War and the General Staff are in the same boat, aren’t we? We’ve suffered together in war and brainstormed together, so it’s only natural to help each other in such difficulties.”

“Of course. Then, I will see you again when we decide on the site for the Military Academy and break ground.”

Time has passed since then. In the meantime, I have been going around doing various legwork.

I still remember the time when I went all the way to DeGale. They were truly a bunch of bastards.

Those who hadn’t done anything in the war were trying to grab everything they could.

At that moment, I wanted to scream, ‘Damn it! Do you really want to die?’

Our Imperial soldiers had sacrificed limbs and lives to barely secure victories.

Yet here they were, glowing as if they had achieved something themselves.

The people of our kingdom were slaughtered by Dedorant yet still resisted.

Anyway, during that time, the Ministry of War took additional steps to be more certain about the situation.

They even found another partner in the Ministry of Education to further expand the project for the Military Academy.

Ah, the Military Academy will be a stepping stone for the Ministry of War and the General Staff. Why on earth is the Ministry of Education helping?

It’s simply because their own stakes are increasing, so they’re happy about it.

It won’t do just to place only pure soldiers at the Military Academy in many ways.

As a result, personnel from the Ministry of Education will naturally find positions there as well.

When new positions arise, it benefits both sides.

“Minister of War, oh! Minister of Education, you’re here too.”

“Oh! Welcome, Chief of Staff. We’ve been waiting for you.”

I shook hands with the two ministers and checked on the construction site in progress.

Indeed, with a budget allocated by the Ministry of Finance, everything is speeding along.

That’s why everyone is doing whatever they can to get into the budget discussions.

“It’s been a while, Chief of Staff.”

“It has indeed, Minister of Education. But concerning the Military Academy, I see you also have a significant interest.”

“If the lessons learned from the bloodshed are forgotten after just a few years, it would lead to a far worse outcome. As the department responsible for all aspects of education in the Empire, that is something we must avoid at all costs.”

“Indeed. Absolutely.”

While there’s talk of stakes, there’s no need to mention that part.

The world doesn’t operate solely on ideals or good intentions, right?

Within it, there are individual interests and ulterior motives.

“By the way, I’ve heard that all the cadets entering the Military Academy are looking forward to something.”

“What is that?”

“They are hoping that Chief of Staff will personally visit to encourage them and perhaps leave some good words.”

“…Me?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, even though the Military Academy has just begun construction, support for cadets is already overflowing.”

What is going on here? Why is everything being set in motion without the actual parties being aware?

I only expressed my opinion on the Military Academy; how did it come to this?

I look at the Minister of War, who wears an awkward smile.

“Well, I suppose it seems that the young ones hold you in high regard, Chief of Staff….”

“Minister, it seems there’s a misunderstanding; I’m still quite young myself.”

“Ah! Is that so?”

The two ministers beside me are in their late 40s and early 50s.

In contrast, I’m still in my vibrant 20s. I’m not just considered young; I am young.

To think that I’ve become an object of admiration for people my age feels somewhat strange.

“Look at it positively, Chief of Staff. It’s actually better that way.”

“What do you mean, Minister of Education?”

“There’s ultimately an invisible line between generations that we cannot avoid. Having spent a long time in the Ministry of Education, I’ve subconsciously come to understand that. Even in the relationship of teaching and learning, there’s often a sense of ‘They don’t understand us.’”

I had never imagined there would be generational conflicts here as well.

Recalling my past life, even a one-generation difference led to accusations of being an old-timer or a young brat.

“However, if you were to encourage them even for a brief moment and offer some advice, it would change the narrative. They would admire and, at the same time, see someone their own age. It’s different from the usual clichéd warnings—advice from someone who has already become significant.”

“…I understand what you’re saying.”

Suddenly, I’ve been assigned yet another strange task. Goodness. This is truly maddening.

At least I can be grateful there’s no added pressure of being the head of the Military Academy or a professor.

With so much already on my plate, if I had to take on that too, I definitely wouldn’t manage.

“Hahaha. I’m really looking forward to this. I wonder what the Chief of Staff, the greatest strategist of the Empire, will say to the cadets.”

“I agree. If I could, I’d love to sneak in among the cadets to hear it.”

“I’m actually thinking of going to see it in person.”

Damn it, now I have to prepare a speech too.

I can already envision my future self—digging through memories from my past life to somehow come up with good words.

I wonder if there’s anything appropriate to say, but… well, it should work out somehow.

I’ve managed so far, so surely I’ll do well this time too, right? Future me?

*

“Huuh.”

Former commander of Dedorant, Paelus Gusthagen.

Now, as a aide cooperating with the Empire, he is in charge of stabilizing the occupied territories.

He was doing all kinds of work for the residents of what was once his homeland today.

It’s not easy. It’s hard. In the early days, due to the resentment of the Dedorant people.

Although everyone has surrendered to the Empire, he was among the first to yield.

The mistrust stemming from that made things even more challenging.

And now, several months later, their lives are still tough.

No matter how much support the Empire provides, everything has turned to ashes due to the flames of war.

If recovery were as simple as that, countries wouldn’t fall due to war, would they?

‘Fortunately, the Empire has refrained from sharp reactions, significantly easing the residents’ wariness towards us.’

This place is now to become part of the Empire. It is right to see it as a foregone conclusion.

Thus, it is all the more crucial not to offend the Empire, but that too is no easy task.

No matter who began it or who surrendered first, in the end, they were all enemies.

“Commander… No! Aide!”

At that moment, the door burst open, and his old adjutants entered in a rush.

“What’s going on?”

“You need to get out quickly! Right now, at the mess hall…!”

Is it another brawl like last time? This can’t be good.

Paelus immediately threw down his pen and grabbed his coat as he dashed outside.

It’s obvious. They can’t show anger towards the Imperial Army, so they end up fighting among themselves.

“This is all your fault. With all that arguing…”

“Ah, Commander Paelus. Wait, should I now call you Aide?”

“…Huh?”

However, what Paelus witnessed was nothing of the sort.

“If you haven’t eaten yet, why not join us? The food from the distribution site is quite good.”

“Ch-Chief of Staff?”

Although the war was over, he was still someone who possessed overwhelming fame and authority within the Empire.

Kael Clausewitz. Chief of Staff of the Empire. Conqueror of Dedorant. A strategic genius of victorious fame.

That very individual was casually seated, eating potato soup handed out at the mess hall.