I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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There’s just way too much to do. I’m not joking, there’s really a hair-raising amount of stuff to tackle.

Then some might say, “Isn’t this self-inflicted chaos?”

They’d accuse me of being a madman who stirred up trouble and is now whining, “Oh, I really don’t want to work!”

I admit, there’s some truth to that. Yeah. I’ll own that part too.

Not just Dedorant, but it’s been like this since Nobogord.

But all of this wasn’t done purely for enjoyment.

It’s just because of this cursed position. With more power comes more responsibilities.

And with disasters never ceasing, I’m tangled up in it just to survive.

That’s why I even recommended granting Imperial titles to Paelus.

News came through from the Ministry of War and the Chief of Staff that the atmosphere in the Occupied Territory was strange.

Right now, it’s just a matter of residents’ dissatisfaction slowly rising, but what if it doesn’t stop there?

I’m the one who had the most influence over the policies in the Occupied Territory.

If a more serious problem arises there, I can’t say I won’t share responsibility.

If that happens, it’s a serious problem indeed. No need to reach back to my previous life; this happens often enough here.

Those who win a war are always figures of admiration, but they’re also targets of suspicion.

“Even in my case, on top of my Duke title, I’m supposed to get the title of Marquess by marrying Bel. In this situation, not having checks would be the weird part.”

There mustn’t be any issues. Mistakes can happen, but I’ve got to handle them.

Thus, whether I like it or not, I’ve had to take on more work and go more insane.

I can’t do everything alone, so keeping anyone capable by my side was the best option.

The result of that was re-employing the Marquis of Consloker’s faction and recommending Paelus.

‘… No more. I’m really going to end up on Master Gongmyeong’s route at this rate.’

What is this, a prophecy or something? It’s not like if I don’t work, the Empire will fall.

I’ve done plenty already, so can’t I just take a break now?

Sure, there are many who still work in their 50s, but honestly, I’ve crammed everything into these past few years!

“… So, regardless of anything else, I’d like to start stepping down from my position as Chief of Staff.”

Upon my words, the Crown Princess gazes quietly at me, holding her teacup.

It goes without saying, I didn’t rush to the Emperor exclaiming, “I want to quit!”

The Chief of Staff position isn’t something you can just toss aside like that.

So, first and foremost, I mentioned it to the Crown Princess, who has been communicating a lot with the Emperor.

“Chief of Staff.”

“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

“Have you perhaps been feeling unwell?”

For a moment, I almost replied, “Not yet, but it feels like I might, and it’s scary.”

But speaking of something that hasn’t happened yet felt a bit guilty, so I held back.

“That’s not the case, Your Highness.”

“Then—”

“Now that the war is over and what remains is to reorganize the Empire’s new territories and rebuild strong diplomatic relationships, there’s no immediate need for the Chief of Staff. I believe changing leaders during this time would cause less confusion.”

Hmmm. Good. That sounds like a very reasonable and acceptable point.

Even the Crown Princess, as important as she is, would find it quite hard to refute that.

But I couldn’t let my guard down. The Crown Princess isn’t just any random person; she’s the future Emperor.

Surely, it wouldn’t be long before she’d counter my argument—

“Indeed. The Chief of Staff’s words are all correct. And as you said, it is true that the tasks of the Chief of Staff have decreased compared to during the war.”

“…?”

Huh? No rebuttal? I thought she’d come up with some reason to keep me around.

“I won’t intervene, Chief of Staff. If your resolve is genuine, I shall assist you as well.”

“Your Highness?”

“It is only natural to claim a just reward for the much work done these past years, isn’t it? Don’t worry, I’m not speaking empty words.”

Hearing that makes me even more worried. Why is she saying this?

Not long ago, she didn’t seem inclined to let me go with all sorts of tasks to discuss.

If she’d seen this coming, Bel would have given me a heads up, but there was nothing.

“By the look on your face, it seems you don’t trust me.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. How could you say such a thing…?”

“Then let’s go together.”

Go where?

“I was just about to discuss yesterday’s reports with His Majesty after our tea time together. You can express your thoughts to His Majesty then, and I can assist alongside you.”

“….”

There’s a whiff of danger here. This definitely smells like a trap—just like the snares of those Dedorant fellows.

But neither the Emperor nor the Crown Princess are the type to drag me down to death. And more than anything, I’m too tempted by the idea of stepping down from the Chief of Staff position, so I can’t ignore it.

Ultimately, after finishing my tea time with the Crown Princess, I made my way to the Emperor.

*

“Ah! Welcome, Chief of Staff! Or should I call you son-in-law? That feels too formal.”

We haven’t even had our wedding yet, Your Majesty. You didn’t forget, did you?

The wedding. Yes, that’s precisely why I’m trying to step down from the Chief of Staff position.

It’s the Crown Princess’s wedding, after all, and it’s absolutely out of the question to throw something together randomly.

However, aside from that, I can’t focus on work at all.

Just as I was about to spend some quality time with Bel, word about Dedorant came in.

Thanks to that, I was immediately swept into a teleportation circle heading toward Dedorant.

“Oh, the Crown Princess has come along too. It seems she has something to say.”

“Your Majesty.”

Before I could speak, the Crown Princess took the lead.

“The Chief of Staff has expressed his wish to step down from his position.”

That part was a bit awkward for me to say directly.

With her saying it first, the burden lightens a little.

Is she genuinely trying to help? The Emperor’s response follows.

“Hmm. That’s a bit sudden, Chief of Staff. Is the Crown Princess’s statement accurate?”

“I regret to say, it is indeed true, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor, having stared at me silently, suddenly stands up.

Then he promptly gestures for me to take a seat, asking me to sit down.

It’s sudden, and oddly is burdensome, so I find myself standing there dumbfounded until the Crown Princess gives me a nudge.

Why am I just standing here when the Emperor has taken the initiative? Her look seems to ask that.

“Um, I’m so sorry.”

I hurriedly sat down, afraid of causing His Majesty to wait.

Finally, the Emperor returns to his seat, and the Crown Princess settles into her chair.

“First of all, I’d like to apologize to you, Chief of Staff.”

“Your Majesty!”

“There are words that can’t be said in public, but I can say them here. So I must say, you’ve been a person who has not shied away from all sorts of arduous and dangerous tasks for the Empire these past few years. It’s regrettable that I couldn’t even grant you a moment of rest.”

Ugh. That’s not what I came here for. Is he trying to burden me to silence me?

Hearing the Emperor say he’s sorry? Thank goodness this isn’t an official occasion.

If it were, then all the sharp eyes of the Imperial Nobility and Ministers would be on me.

Especially since the Empire’s Duke, who is supposed to be the sword and shield of the Emperor and Imperial Family, is hearing such a thing.

“Is the position of Chief of Staff really that exhausting and strenuous?”

“Not particularly, Your Majesty. However, since the importance of this position and the Chief of Staff has diminished relative to its former relevance, I think it’s better to change the leader at such a time to reduce confusion.”

“Hmmm. I see. Well, it’s not like I can keep you in that position forever. Changing things up when it’s less chaotic is indeed wise.”

If I were part of the Foreign Ministry or, on the other hand, the Ministry of War, this might be more understandable.

Those are still struggling to handle matters post-war even after the fighting has ceased.

But the Chief of Staff role really loses significance when there’s not an ongoing war.

So now both the Crown Princess and the Emperor are listening to me.

“However, Chief of Staff.”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“I would prefer you to stay in your position a bit longer.”

“That’s—”

“To put it bluntly, there isn’t anyone who is suitable for the Chief of Staff position who could surpass your capabilities, and the Empire still needs your overwhelming reputation.”

You still need my reputation? But the war is already over!

At that moment, my head starts spinning.

Wait, why did the Crown Princess meet with the Emperor again about something?

“Just yesterday, we received reports from those in charge of the former Atria territory.”

The response came not from the Emperor but from the Crown Princess.

And from Atria? What news? Is it about Dedorant or something similar?

“Ah, don’t worry. The residents of Atria aren’t causing trouble. It’s more… um, a rather complex situation.”

A rather complex situation? I ponder briefly about what that could be.

If it’s not about issues with the residents in the Occupied Territory, then it’s likely a matter that the Emperor and Crown Princess are jointly concerned about…

“Could it be related to Nobogord?”

“Right on the money.”

That’s all there is if those two are troubled by it!

But more importantly, what in the world is going on with Nobogord to warrant this…?

“Chief of Staff, it seems that Nobogord wants to take control of the Royal Capital of Atria for themselves.”

“…”

I almost hit my forehead in disbelief.

This is a damned annoying problem, hugely frustrating!