I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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“Your Highness, the Chief of Staff has returned.”

At Gnaius’s words, the Crown Princess set down the book she was reading and stood up.

I was already aware of the news, having heard earlier about the successful conclusion of negotiations with Nobogord.

I had expected he would perform well, but the results were impressive.

“By now, he must be in a private audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

“…You are quite accurate.”

The Crown Princess, having stood up, moved with Gnaius.

She wanted to discuss more with Kael, who had just finished his private meeting with the Emperor.

‘The Chief of Staff did exceptionally well.’

The report detailed not only the results but the process as well, which was truly remarkable.

He quickly assessed the enemy’s hidden intentions and pressed them by using their own strategies against them.

Then, he compelled them to request new options, effectively distinguishing what needed to be taken and what could be relinquished.

During this process, he did not showcase the Empire’s most powerful weapon—overwhelming force.

The opponents were none other than Nobogord, the Demon Tribe. Even if defeated by the Empire, they would not yield easily.

If he had been an ordinary military figure, he might have played the muscle show card, but Kael excluded that from the beginning.

That’s why both the Emperor and the Crown Princess hold him in high regard.

The most notable aspect was in military affairs. However, there was balance that did not solely focus on that.

A strategist and advisor capable of providing decisive counsel and decisions in all fields.

Moreover, he not only saw himself but also pierced through the psychology of others.

“It’s fortunate that Nobogord requested a semi-permanent harbor. If they asked for arable land, they would have had to choose a place where crops could grow well while also being difficult to defend.”

“The Demon Tribe isn’t foolish; they would have anticipated that a subtle check from the Empire would occur. Naturally, as it involves giving up land, this is to be expected.”

If they had chosen arable land, I would have initially planned to give away a place suitable for good crop growth.

However, if the Empire and Nobogord’s relationship soured, it would become a location exposed to an imperial assault.

Thus, it would serve as a subtle pressure on the Demon Tribe even during peacetime.

On the other hand, the semi-permanent harbor was essentially relinquishing an existing port, so such risks would vanish.

“Still, it’s fortunate that they reduced the request to one. The Chief of Staff not only stopped there but also led to an influx of Nobogord council members’ children studying abroad. He is indeed impressive.”

The Crown Princess nodded, seemingly in agreement with Gnaius’s words.

Ordinarily, that would be a condition Nobogord could not easily yield.

Sending students abroad? While it sounds like studying abroad, in reality, it’s almost like taking hostages.

This has been a favored method during the Empire’s conquest of the continent in the past.

Those belonging to the powerful families of the opposing nation would be treated as honorable guests while residing in the Empire.

The Empire would directly fund their education at its top institutions.

If they develop pro-Empire sentiments, that’s great; and if not, that’s also fine.

Simply having them stay within the Empire would create a strong deterrent against war.

Other nations are well aware of this advantage, which is why they attempted to avoid sending their children abroad.

It’s problematic if they develop pro-Empire sentiments, and it’s also troubling if they harbor resentment while staying within the Empire.

Moreover, the core powers whose children are in foreign nations generally cannot move freely.

Nobogord is no different. They understand the weaknesses that studying abroad exposes.

Thus, they wouldn’t easily send their powerful family’s children.

However, having seen through their intentions and applied pressure, Kael had cornered them.

They realized that if they continued like this, they could easily get lost in their own schemes.

To escape that sticky situation, they had no choice but to play their cards.

If not, they would have had no way to resist Kael’s persistent ‘pursuit.’

Nonetheless, they aren’t fools, so they brought another proposal to the table.

In fact, this was the most crucial part.

While the study abroad proposal exposed Nobogord’s weaknesses completely,

The next one could still allow for some balance.

“You mentioned a marriage alliance, didn’t you?”

“Yes. They proposed this in addition to sending students to our Empire to enhance the friendly relations between our two nations.”

“Could it be that Nobogord is targeting the Chief of Staff with this?”

“Surely not. Unless Nobogord is riddled with idiots, they wouldn’t think of pulling such a foolish stunt.”

By now, the news of the engagement between the Second Princess, Isabelle, and Kael had already spread throughout the Empire.

Nobogord could not possibly be unaware of this; they would have understood it long ago.

Bringing up a marriage alliance with Kael at this point would be absurd.

It would be seen as tantamount to throwing down a gauntlet to the imperial family.

“Even if Bel and the Chief of Staff weren’t to be involved, it wouldn’t change anything. He must only be connected to the Empire and the imperial family. He cannot be given to anyone else, especially not to a foreign nation.”

“The notion that the wife of a Duke of the Empire might not be from the Empire is simply horrendous.”

Moreover, that Duke would not remain just a Duke of the Empire.

By his 20s, he would have served as Chief of Staff and continue to hold significant positions in the Empire thereafter.

It’s highly likely that his offspring would also assume very important roles in the future.

How could the head of that house be given to someone not from the Empire?

“If the Chief of Staff truly desires a marriage alliance with Nobogord, then perhaps it would be acceptable, but if not, it should absolutely not happen. Certainly not. How dare Nobogord hope to snatch away the Empire’s top talent!”

“I agree. I understand, so please put away that terrifying expression, Your Highness.”

“If they truly entertained such thoughts in their proposal, I would personally devour Nobogord whole.”

“…”

I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I say there could be no greater wickedness than that.

Whenever there’s even a hint that foreign nations might covet the Empire’s talents, she exhibits such reactions.

In the face of someone who seemed ready to declare war, Gnaius shook his head.

While it’s understandable to have a love for talented individuals, it’s still undeniably terrifying.

“So, what happens to the marriage alliance proposed by Nobogord?”

“It goes without saying that, in this alliance, the Empire must hold the advantage. Therefore, it’s best to proceed appropriately, without causing too much chaos in the Empire’s political sphere.”

“…Should I step forward?”

Gnaius, willing to sacrifice for the Empire, raised his hand.

As a prince, he would be a perfect card for the Empire in this marriage alliance.

He wasn’t a mere illegitimate child but the legitimate son and the younger brother of the future Emperor, which would certainly please Nobogord.

However, the Crown Princess swiftly dismissed that notion with a ridiculous rebuttal.

“That’s too hasty. Nobogord is the one desperate for a marriage alliance, not us. So why should you be the one to step forward, Gnaius? The Crown Prince of the Empire marrying a Demon? While I do believe that demons are not different from humans, that feels a bit excessive.”

“But wouldn’t doing so firmly secure Nobogord’s loyalty?”

“That could be the opposite. They might become arrogant, presuming themselves to be given special treatment.”

It was true that Nobogord shed more blood in this war than any other place.

The Empire acknowledged that part. Thus, they overlooked the absurdity of using the royal capital as a pretext.

Not stopping there, they even relinquished what they desired—the semi-permanent harbor.

Furthermore, this proposal for sending students abroad could be seen as an apology from Nobogord for attempting to deceive the Empire.

Therefore, the final marriage alliance could not be too special.

After all, the Eastern Kingdoms Alliance or the Southern Kingdoms might misconstrue the relationship.

They could feel that the Empire is favoring Nobogord far more than them.

That sentiment could morph into anxiety and turn into the seeds of future troubles.

Nobogord might embrace similar misunderstandings, believing the Empire is favoring them.

Consequently, they could engage in reckless actions again, crossing lines repeatedly.

They might exhibit excessive confidence, believing they are now linked to the imperial family.

“So then, what do you plan to do? We should at least present some semblance of a proposal.”

“It’s not difficult. Nobogord must already have anticipated these aspects. We merely need to find a representative of reasonable stature and grant them suitable justification.”

Coincidentally, the Chief of Staff had already expressed his intentions regarding this matter.

As the Crown Princess spoke, she presented a letter Kael had sent to Gnaius.

Quickly inspecting the content within, Gnaius couldn’t help but let out a ‘Hah.’

“The proposal from the Chief of Staff seems quite… plausible. Both sides won’t have to bear too much burden while still being able to call it a decent marriage alliance.”

“Exactly. That’s why I contend that the Chief of Staff must never cede his position to anyone other than the imperial family.”

The letter from Kael contained the following message:

“[There is a certain individual best suited for the marriage alliance proposed by Nobogord.]”
“[How about the son of the Marquis of Consloker, former Army Chief of Staff Mesok?]”

Mesok, the former Army Chief of Staff, was the fifth son of the Marquis of Consloker.

He had previously distinguished himself in the military and earned the position of Army Chief of Staff.

However, he was dismissed as punishment for having provided an opportunity for a counterattack to the Dedorant Army.

One might think it’s somewhat unexpected that Mesok has been singled out.

However, the Crown Princess found it hard to believe that there could be a better fit than this.

“First and foremost, he belongs to a marquis house. Additionally, as a legitimate son, aside from the imperial family, he holds the noblest blood in the Empire. That alone would be welcome from Nobogord. But that’s not all. Do you know the reason, Gnaius?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Although former Chief of Staff Mesok was dismissed due to his critical failure, the faction of the Marquis of Consloker was somewhat rescued by the Chief of Staff afterward. This means that, if we were to count, he is indirectly connected to the Chief of Staff.”

While one might argue that being the fifth son of a marquis doesn’t mean much,

The fact that the Marquis is Consloker and that his faction is connected to Kael makes it acceptable from Nobogord’s perspective, even if he bears a past of being dismissed.

Most importantly, it indirectly ties him to ‘Kael Clausewitz.’

“Honestly, I thought the Chief of Staff might aim for Kaya as a candidate.”

“I had considered that too. However, I think the Chief of Staff would have declined that. He would fear that if his faction grew too large, it could give rise to unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Having already married Bel and become part of the imperial family, if his sister then ends up marrying into Nobogord, he wouldn’t escape suspicion.”

“He possesses deep insight and understanding of people. Not only towards enemies but also towards allies. He wouldn’t create unnecessary points of vulnerability. If he were that careless, he wouldn’t have made it this far.”

If Kael had overheard these two siblings speaking, he would most likely say this:

“That’s not the point! I just dislike the thought of my sister marrying a Demon!”

And, adding on, Isabelle might have commented:

“That’s not making any issues; he shows that sentiment far too well on me.”

“But more importantly, isn’t the day fast approaching?”

At Gnaius’s comment, the Crown Princess nodded.

As Kael darted around dealing with work, the wedding preparations were steadily moving forward.

And now, the date was rapidly approaching.