I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

---

After my communication with the Minister of the Palace was concluded, it hadn’t even been a day when I witnessed the magical communication device flickering madly.

At first, I wondered if something bad had happened, prompting a rush for my attention. Perhaps an incident within the family or another problem arising in the occupied territories.

But upon hastily checking the messages, they were all congratulatory in nature.

[ Congratulations, Chief of Staff. Ah, I suppose I should now refer to you as His Grace, the Duke. ]

[ I heard the news. There’s going to be a title award ceremony at the Imperial Palace. I look forward to seeing you then. ]

[ I just received a formal letter about it. Chief of Staff, truly congratulations. Let’s meet on the day of the ceremony. It would be an honor if you could pour me a drink at the congratulatory gathering afterward. ]

From senior government officials to military personnel and elders, even the Marquises, who are central to the Imperial Nobility, all expressed their congratulations without fail.

It seems they had all received an Imperial Decree to attend the title award ceremony.

Thus, they were all reaching out simultaneously to show their interest.

While it was already an overwhelming matter, that was just the beginning.

The next day, personnel from the Ministry of the Palace and the Ministry of Internal Affairs surged into the Chief of Staff’s office.

“Chief of Staff, there is an Imperial Decree stating that the day of the title award ceremony will be declared a national holiday. Accordingly, starting next year, we will refer to that day as ‘Kael Clausewitz Day.’”

“…Is that for real?”

“Of course! His Majesty the Emperor personally ordered it, so we must proceed with it swiftly. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has already made preliminary arrangements.”

As the first official title awardee in the Empire, alongside being the Chief of Staff who led the victories, it seems that there would be no harm in designating a national holiday.

The personnel from the Ministry of the Palace and the Ministry of Internal Affairs were chattering excitedly, and I simply nodded along.

After wrapping up that stormy period, I finally could head home.

“Kael!”

The first to greet me was Bel, her face filled with undeniable joy.

Behind her, my father and mother were also beaming with smiles.

“I heard the news. Oh my! A national holiday named after Kael! This is amazing!”

“Ah, yes. It’s quite… something. Yes, indeed.”

My father-in-law. Didn’t you think to check with your son-in-law even once?

The establishment of a national holiday named after me—I should have known!

“Uh, but… Bel? Where’s Kaya?”

“Ah! About that…”

“She’s probably still asleep in bed.”

“What? Father, what do you mean…?”

“Upon hearing that a national holiday is being established in your name, she got so excited she fainted.”

“…”

My dear sister. I’m the one who wants to faint right now, and you’ve gone and done it first…!

I felt an urge to rush directly to the Imperial Palace, begging for some kind of intervention.

However, the news had already been dispatched throughout the Empire, making that impossible.

My father-in-law likely knew my character well enough to finalize it before even thinking about consulting me.

“It seems that it might be best to appoint you as Duke as well, in line with the title award ceremony…”

“Please! Father! Not now! This is absolutely not acceptable!!”

Don’t hand everything over to your son when you’re still in such good health! Kyaaa!!

*

“The basic construction of the Military Academy is complete, and we are scheduled to raise the building soon. If things go as planned, we expect to start accepting students next year.”

During the 7th ministerial-level meeting regarding the Imperial Military Academy, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs spoke, and all the other ministers listened intently.

This is a matter of great interest to the Emperor of the Empire.

It will showcase the Empire, which has achieved overwhelming victories without a single defeat in the ongoing wars.

Moreover, it is also an important task for passing down the experience gained over generations.

“The construction of the Military Academy seems to be progressing well. Next, we need to discuss the number of students.”

“Following discussions between the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it appears that an appropriate number would be about 250. The staff also believe we can increase that considering the size of the Imperial Army, but we cannot reduce it any further.”

“But isn’t that figure based on wartime conditions? I believe 200 would be more appropriate in peacetime.”

Too much is not necessarily better than too little. Especially in matters of state.

Although there are many available slots for students, if there aren’t enough positions for them to move up to afterward, dissatisfaction will surely arise.

This isn’t a regular administrative post; it’s a space meant to produce officers who will lead the military.

Such dissatisfaction could adversely affect the most crucial element—‘loyalty’—and thus, we must proceed cautiously.

Moreover, we must also consider the costs involved in training them.

“Next is about the academic years. The Chief of Staff proposed that we operate on a four-year system, like existing academies. Do any of you have something to add regarding this?”

In response to the Minister of War’s words, the other ministers shook their heads or remained silent as a sign of dissent.

Honestly, the Chief of Staff is the one with the most contributions regarding the war in this room.

If he said that a substantial period is required to pass on his hard-earned tactical strategies, then it must indeed be true.

“Next, the Chief of Staff would like to propose that we accept lower-ranking officers from the Dedorant Military as new students of the Imperial Military Academy.”

The ministers turned their heads toward the spot where Kael was seated.

Yet for some reason, there was no immediate response.

“…”

“Chief of Staff?”

“…”

Kael seemed lost in some kind of daze. It wasn’t a case of battling drowsiness.

He appeared to be overly absorbed in another line of thought that had completely drawn away his attention.

“Hmm.”

The Minister of War, contemplating whether he should intervene, decided against it.

Instead, he chose to gently tap Kael’s shoulder and suggested taking a short break.

“Chief of Staff.”

“Ah, yes. Minister of War.”

“Are you feeling unwell? You didn’t respond when it was your turn.”

“Was that so? My apologies. I seem to have made an error by not focusing.”

As Kael hastily lowered his gaze, the Minister of Internal Affairs sitting opposite seemed to wave his hand in understanding.

“Must be quite overwhelming. Given that the title award ceremony is just around the corner, it would be odd if you were completely unfazed. That would be strange indeed.”

“I agree. But it is a bit surprising. I expected the Chief of Staff to maintain composure even in such circumstances; I didn’t anticipate you being so out of it.”

“It must be a heavy burden. If I were in your place, I would be horrified at the thought of using imperial treasury funds and would likely run to the Emperor immediately.”

Indeed, the ministers had been greatly surprised by the specifics of the Ministry of the Palace’s statement.

The Chief of Staff’s request to reduce the scale of what would be the most honorable position was one thing.

But for the Emperor to express the intention to use the Imperial Family’s funds instead of the national treasury was another.

It was overwhelming. Where else would you find a vassal with such deep loyalty?

Loyalty swells within me. Where else would you find a lord who loves his vassals this much?

Thus, I am more grateful than ever that that youth named Kael was born in the Empire.

“Ah, by the way, Chief of Staff. I have one request regarding the Military Academy.”

“What is it?”

“I did some preliminary investigations, and it appears that the majority of those wishing to enter the Military Academy hold respect and admiration for you. They seem to be eagerly anticipating a class or lecture from you.”

Classes? Lectures? Kael let out an awkward laugh at those shocking notions.

With mountains of tasks at hand, how could there be any room for Military Academy classes or lectures?

Sure, perhaps once would be feasible. But anything beyond that? No way, absolutely not.

“Young folks… Hmm. It’s amusing to think about. In any case, I’m truly grateful that my juniors regard me so highly. But I question whether I’ll even have the time, and even if I did, I doubt there’d be many chances for it.”

“I understand. Even if they heard such words, the cadets likely wouldn’t be disappointed.”

Just then, the Minister of Education, who had been quietly listening until now, finally spoke up.

“If classes or lectures are unrealistic, how about this approach? We could conduct a detailed study of the Chief of Staff’s tactics and strategies and compile them into a book for the Military Academy’s curriculum.”

“Oh! Minister of Education, that sounds like a good idea.”

“It seems to be a solid opinion from the Ministry of War as well. Let’s discuss it with the Ministry of Education and prepare well before the Military Academy opens its doors.”

Listening to the ministers’ earnest discussions, Kael covered his face in his hands.

How did it come to this? Now there’s even going to be a book named after me?

“What do you think, Chief of Staff? Doesn’t that seem like a good idea?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. Sounds good. But… is that really okay?”

From Kael’s perspective, he was wondering if they were placing too much importance on him, questioning if this was appropriate.

But that inquiry seemed to be perceived entirely differently by the other ministers.

It was interpreted as, “Can they understand my tactics and strategies without me?”

“Ah! I see. Then I suppose the Chief of Staff will just have to assist with it.”

“If time or place is an issue, there’s no need to worry. If you let us know your availability, we can immediately send people from the Ministry of Education to you. It’s undoubtedly better for the principal party to write it, both realistically and educationally.”

No, for the love of god! That’s not what I meant! Argh!!

As the situation escalated, Kael began to feel a much worse headache coming on.