Chapter 201
Oh my. I have become the Duke! From now on, I shall be called the Duke of Neomes! Sans!
The one at the very top, except for the Imperial Family. That’s me!
So, I can now wield this absolute power and indulge in the pleasures of the lush life!
Should I just turn the expanded territory, which is a gazillion times larger than the Imperial Dukedom standards, into my own kingdom?!
“That’s nonsense.”
Sadly, the Empire is not that easygoing.
The Emperor and the Imperial Family I owe my loyalty to are no fools.
And above all, I’m not the kind of guy who would go so far as to be corrupted.
Ah, let me correct that. I definitely am the kind of guy who is crazy. No doubt about it.
Otherwise, why would I create such hard work for myself?
[ Your Excellency, we are considering including your tactics and strategy in the educational materials for the Imperial Military Academy, along with your biography. It would be even better to have appropriate examples rather than just a simple explanation of tactics and strategy, and your case fits perfectly. Would it be possible for you to review it personally? ]
[ Chief of Staff, I’ve heard you will contribute to the textbook for the Military Academy. I would like to request that you leave a record of the wars so far, especially the Dedorant War, since you led that campaign. How about writing an autobiography yourself? ]
The words Alexei once said come to mind. What did he say? That I brought this calamity upon myself?
Sadly, it fits so perfectly. This truly is the greatest calamity I’ve brought upon myself.
Huh? Biography? Autobiography? About me? For me? Are they trying to embarrass me to death?
Come on! It’s not like I’m some big shot. I just happened to be born in the Empire with the memories of my past life.
I did make achievements in war, but that was definitely not done by me alone.
Are they saying I should enjoy the fruits of labor that everyone struggled to achieve together?
[ Your biography will help boost the morale and loyalty of the cadets. While your contributions are important, the support from the Imperial Legion and the administration will also be mentioned, which will greatly benefit the Empire. ]
[ We’d like to collaborate between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Relief to publish your autobiography, and we intend to allocate some of the proceeds as support funds for the awarded soldiers. ]
…Indeed, the members of the administration were not to be underestimated.
They enumerated reasons why I had no choice but to accept it, anticipating my rejection.
Thanks to that, I was left speechless, wanting to reply with ‘Nah, I’m good.’
“…Fine. Go ahead and proceed.”
[ Thank you, Your Excellency! ]
The biography would be handled by someone else anyway, so at least that was a relief.
But I still have to write the autobiography, right? What should I do? Just keep a diary?
“I’d like to hear more details about the autobiography. Is there a specific format or style?”
[ No, Chief of Staff. Just share the stories you want to tell, recalling the situations and moments as they were. There’s no need to feel too burdened. ]
That’s no help at all. The autobiography part is already heavy on my shoulders.
A Duke, the Chief of Staff. What kind of genius strategist writes an autobiography like a kid’s diary?
It’s obvious I’ll end up being immortalized as ‘there was such a guy.’
My autobiography. I think I just got myself into something I never expected.
Leaning back in my chair, I gaze out the window. To be exact, upon those celebrating the newly designated national holiday.
‘Kael Clausewitz Day.’
Oh my. Even thinking about it again sends chills down my spine.
The person involved is so embarrassed they might die, yet they are cheerfully chanting my name.
Of course, that’s not all. People are simultaneously celebrating the Empire’s victory.
The fact that I couldn’t simply decline is largely due to this part.
At a glance, it looks like a day just for me, but if you think about it, it’s another day to celebrate the Empire’s victory.
It’s a day for countless heroes who have made achievements and commanders who have excellently fulfilled their duties.
Above all, it’s a day for the soldiers of the Imperial Legion who bled willingly for their homeland.
The reason my name is in the spotlight is simply that I represent it.
It’s not just the Empire’s first official Duke title, but it’s all about making that reason known.
In addition to Victory Day, this day must be the day all heroes of the Empire receive their due recognition.
Yeah, how could I make a fuss about it? I should just keep my mouth shut.
If lending my name could benefit all the other participants, that’s fine by me.
This name? A national holiday with my name on it? I can endure that my whole life.
…Of course, I might occasionally feel regret during that lifetime.
“Autobiography. An autobiography…”
Honestly speaking, I’ve always wanted to try writing something.
Not so much for an autobiography but scribbling various things from my past life.
However, since those are written by people greater than me, I think it should be acceptable.
After all, the title award ceremony is done, and the Chief of Staff’s work is somewhat stabilized.
The Dedorant occupied territory has now been handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and there is also Count Paelus Westpoint.
Even so, I wouldn’t say there’s absolutely no work; there should definitely be some leisure.
‘By the way, Bell seemed to be expecting something more lately.’
Sharing the same bed and covering with the same blanket.
As we talk while holding hands, I come to know what she desires.
She hopes that this Empire becomes a bit more prosperous and powerful.
And she hopes I, her husband, become a little more remarkable.
As a husband, how could I betray such expectations from my wife?
For the sake of the Empire and our family.
I feel a strong instinct that I should approach the autobiography part with sincerity.
‘Let’s see. So what should I do….’
Going through the memories of my past life, I find suitable parts that correspond to my experiences.
If I incorporate these appropriately into my writing, I believe a decent autobiography might emerge.
*
After the wedding with Kael, Isabelle spent her days in a flurry of activities.
While her husband Kael was busy with his work,
Isabelle had to lead the internal administration of the Duchy of Neomes.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness the Princess. Ah, I should now call you Duchess.”
The territory given to Kael, Neomes, is a direct territory of the Imperial Family.
Thus, those managing it were all from the Ministry of the Palace.
It was only natural for the territorial administrator to be acquainted with Isabelle.
“I came first since Kael is busy. How’s the situation in Neomes?”
“As you know, as a direct territory of the Imperial Family, balanced development has already been achieved. There shouldn’t be any major problems even if His Excellency the Duke is away for a while.”
“I’m relieved. I was worried that Kael starting something might interfere with these matters.”
Lately, Kael has been holing up in his room after work, scribbling something diligently.
Of course, he devotes the most time to sharing his passionate love with Isabelle.
But when that flame cools down, he sits by the window to reflect deeply on something.
“It seems His Excellency the Duke has taken on another task. At the very least, I will do my utmost to ensure he doesn’t have to worry about internal affairs.”
“I’ll trust only the supervisor. Could you first bring me the survey report regarding the current residents?”
Performing the necessary tasks as the lady of the territory.
After dealing with various duties, Isabelle stretches once and then personally welcomes Kael, who has returned from the command center.
“Welcome back, Kael. You’ve worked hard again today.”
“You’ve worked hard too, Bell. You managed the Neomes territory in my place. I’m sorry. This was initially my responsibility.”
“No, it’s said that a couple is like being of one mind. While Kael takes care of the outside, I handle the inside. And I like it this way. Sitting still would be too boring, don’t you think?”
After a long day, the husband who returned home and the wife who awaited him shared a conversation filled with warmth.
Their dialogues continued throughout their meal and even after taking a shower, as they entered the room together.
“…Ah, by the way. What is this new task you’ve started lately? You seem to be deep in thought.”
“Oh, they asked me to write an autobiography. I’m pondering how to go about doing that, and that’s all.”
“Really? I’m curious. Can you show me what you’ve written so far?”
“It’s probably not going to be great, but I don’t mind showing you.”
With an embarrassed look, Kael scratches the back of his head and hands over a large notebook that was on his desk.
He must have jotted down initial thoughts here and intends to write more thoroughly afterward.
“Just don’t get your hopes too high, alright?”
Despite Kael’s words, Isabelle focused solely on what he had written, saying nothing in return.
There isn’t anything particularly extraordinary; she was told not to expect much.
Yet, the contents penned inside were anything but ordinary.
[ The reason I was able to always excel in various wars is surprisingly simple. I didn’t waste effort trying to rationally understand and approach the act known as ‘war.’ The world operates rationally. But make no mistake. War does not. ]
[ War is a constant act of deceiving and tricking the enemy, both before it starts and after it ends. If you want fairness, go to the duel ground, not the battlefield. I’ve thoroughly deceived the enemies in the north, east, south, and west. ]
[ …If someone asks me what the secret to victory is, whether it requires genius tactics and strategies, I would say without hesitation: look at the Dedorant case. Instead of wasting time pondering such things, go strengthen your supply lines. ]
[ —Thus, I want to firmly assert: the option of mobilizing military force should be the last resort, not the first. For that, I’d like to leave behind these eight questions. ]
[ One. Is the core national interest of the Empire threatened? ]
[ Two. Have all possible non-military measures been attempted to the fullest? ]
[ Three. Are the goals intended to be achieved through military force specific and achievable? ]
[ Four. Have the consequences that may arise from the use of military force been thoroughly considered? ]
[ Five. Have the costs and risks associated with mobilizing military force been accurately analyzed? ]
[ Six. Is there a strategy in place to prevent the reckless prolongation of military intervention? ]
[ Seven. Do you have the support of the Empire’s citizens? ]
[ Eight. Do you have broad and verifiable international support? ]
“…”
“Uh, that’s a bit all over the place, huh, Bell? I feel like I really don’t have a talent for this kind of thing.”
Hearing Kael’s words, Isabelle willingly returned her husband’s notebook.
It seems that the military academy cadets would probably regard him as something extraordinary.