SWNOVELXO Chapter 202
It has been exactly one month since the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Education requested an autobiography from Kael.
In truth, their expectations for Kael’s autobiography were not particularly high.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s certainly not because they underestimate Kael.
He is the only Duke of the Empire, now in charge of the vast Duchy of Neomes, and now also serves as Chief of Staff.
To say he is “busy” hardly conveys the chaos he must be experiencing.
With internal affairs and external matters alone, he would need ten bodies to manage everything.
On top of that, he has to review his own life history for the Military Academy.
In such circumstances, it’s reasonable to believe that he wouldn’t even find time to organize his thoughts, let alone write an autobiography.
Hence, they thought it would be fine for him to submit something short and at a suitable level.
The officials from various departments waited eagerly for news, holding on to that thought.
“Chief of Staff? Huh? Is it already time to speak?”
A few days later, Kael requested a visit to convey that he had at least made a rough draft.
He apologized that it wasn’t much, stating that although it was an autobiography, he honestly couldn’t write it at length.
However, he mentioned that he had organized memorable parts and important messages.
While they hadn’t expected much, did he somehow sense their true feelings?
Regardless, hearing that delightful news, the heads of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Education rushed to the Chief of Staff’s office.
They received several notebooks handed over by Kael and returned to their respective departments.
Simply having a diary format would suffice; that alone could be useful for documentation.
Or perhaps a description of the tension experienced when first heading into battle would not be bad either.
Whatever it was, they felt they could accept any trivial details.
But the moment they opened the notebooks and checked the content inside one by one—
“…What the heck is this.”
Both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Education couldn’t help but doubt their own eyes.
[ The reason I was able to excel in various wars is surprisingly simple. I do not waste effort trying to rationally understand or approach the act of “war.” The world operates rationally. However, never misunderstand. War does not. ]
Kael was surprisingly someone who viewed war with a rational perspective.
So the shock doubled when he wrote such words right at the beginning of his autobiography.
But at the same time, Kael was one who had witnessed the irrationality of war more than anyone else.
Before experiencing it firsthand, it would take others a considerable time to accept that truth.
Perhaps Kael wanted to communicate this more clearly to his juniors.
[ War is a continuous act of deceiving and misleading the enemy before, during, and after its occurrence. If you wish to hide fairness, go to the dueling arena instead of the battlefield. I have thoroughly deceived the enemies from the north, from the east, from the south, and even from the west… ]
In Kael’s early days of activity, there were many discussions about him.
Some said he employed too cunning of tactics, questioning whether that would harm the Empire’s authority.
There were those who covertly kept an eye on him, but Kael accurately targeted them.
If someone claimed to argue for fairness in war, then that person was undoubtedly a traitor.
By targeting them first, the enemies would not be able to sow confusion on our side.
[ …If someone asks me for the secret to victory, and if they question whether genius tactics and strategies are necessary, I would say without a moment’s hesitation: go look at Dedorant’s case. Use that time to reinforce your supply lines instead. ]
Everyone had admired Kael’s grand strategy. He drew in Dedorant and kept them captured.
He never allowed them time to regroup and secured all advantages for his own side.
However, Kael pointed out that the most important aspect he focused on during the Dedorant campaign was reinforcing supplies.
He left a sharp remark to discuss logistics before discussing tactics and strategy, which became an impressive warning for some individuals who had only shown interest in tactics and strategy.
[ —So, I would like to strongly assert that military mobilization should be a last resort, not a first option. For that, I would like to leave these eight questions. ]
[ One. Is the Empire’s core national interest threatened? ]
[ Two. Have all possible non-military measures been fully attempted? ]
[ Three. Are the goals you wish to achieve through military force specific and achievable? ]
[ Four. Are the consequences of using military force thoroughly considered? ]
[ Five. Have the costs and risks associated with military mobilization been accurately analyzed? ]
[ Six. Is there an exit strategy in place to prevent the indiscriminate extension of military intervention? ]
[ Seven. Do we have the support of the Empire’s citizens? ]
[ Eight. Do we have broad and verifiable international support? ]
“Just when did the Chief of Staff start thinking and refining something like this?”
“You’ve hit upon the very core of the matter. This is immediately worth delving deeper into by the Ministry of War and the General Staff. No, rather, it could serve as a landmark for deciding the future military power options we must choose right now.”
The personnel from the Ministry of War could not conceal their excited expressions.
How could such thoughts come from the mind of a twenty-something young man?
He was already a genius strategist, already the Chief of Staff, already the only Duke of the Empire.
Yet, there were times when they would occasionally forget who Kael truly was—but that seemed unlikely to happen again.
“Moreover, this isn’t the end. In addition, through the experiences gained from each war and battle, he is communicating messages he wishes to pass on to the future juniors who will lead the Imperial Army.”
The admiration from the personnel of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Education was unending.
Rather, it could be said that this was just the beginning. Each piece became flesh and bone.
[ War is deception. If things are going too well, then you are being deceived. Be suspicious. ]
[ Show more ability than you possess. There is no deadlier dagger than complacency. ]
[ Use it but appear as if you are not using it. Complacency dulls everything. ]
[ When aiming for something near, make it look like you’re aiming for something far away. When aiming for something far away, make it look like you’re aiming for something near. Never act according to the enemy’s wishes. ]
Kael advocated extreme psychological warfare. This advice was all derived from his experience.
He devours strength before fighting and ensures victory before engaging in direct confrontation.
[ Lure them with benefits. Do not attack an enemy that foolishly maintains its positions. ]
[ Create confusion among your enemies and then exploit the gap. Chaos is a good fire. ]
[ When loyal, retreat and prepare. When the enemy is strong, avoid them. This is not cowardice; it’s wisdom. ]
[ Anger them to rattle them. Wear them out. If there is intimacy, separate them; if there is no guard, attack. ]
These are the fundamentals that form the basis of tactics and strategy. However, they are often overlooked in actual combat.
Having experienced war not once or twice but a total of four times, Kael repeatedly emphasized these crucial pieces of advice, which were now blood and flesh.
[ If your forces are more than ten times greater than the enemy, then surround them; if five times greater, then attack. ]
[ If there are double the supplies, scatter the enemy; if similar, fight to the best of your ability. ]
[ If they’re outnumbered, retreat; if lesser, evade. ]
[ If you ask me about tactics and strategy, I will enumerate three things: more troops, better terrain, and more overwhelming supply lines. If these three are balanced, then any tactic and strategy become meaningless. ]
“This is unexpected. I thought as the Empire’s strategist, you would emphasize schemes and tactics above all else.”
“On the contrary, precisely because I am that strategist, I know more effectively and fearfully than any scheme that overwhelming power, resources, and terrain are the most important things.”
“I agree. Perhaps you are also wary that your juniors might develop strange imaginations about your notorious name. They might forget the most basic elements and focus on other things instead.”
Typically, autobiographies tend to showcase one’s past in a somewhat glamorous fashion.
When reading an autobiography, one should be aware that achievements are often exaggerated while failures are minimized.
Even those who have made considerable contributions often do so, so what about Kael?
With the accomplishments he achieved, he could easily overshadow an entire kingdom; it would be plenty and more.
Even if there were slight exaggerations, any citizen of the Empire would likely understand and overlook it.
But it was the opposite with Kael. He emphasized his shortcomings in his autobiography.
He pointed out that he didn’t win due to his superiority, but because he adhered to such “basics.”
So, he mentioned that if those reading this were to merely grasp and adhere to these fundamental basics,
they could become like him. No, perhaps they could become even greater than him.
[ If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. ]
[ Face with righteousness and achieve victory with strategy. ]
[ Until the battle begins, prepare only with righteousness. Once the battle starts, pour in cunning, applications, and improvisations.]
“This needs no further revision; we will entrust this directly to the Ministry of Education’s editorial department.”
“Wait, wait! Still, it must be reported to the Imperial Family through the Ministry of the Palace first. Would it not be better to submit the original and then create a copy separately?”
“The General Staff has contacted us. They want a copy too since they’d like to go over the material again.”
The personnel immediately moved busily, planning to widely introduce this magnificent autobiography.
And Kael’s notebooks quickly passed through the Ministry of the Palace before finally reaching the Emperor’s hands.
“…It is truly fortunate that my son-in-law has not returned from abroad.”
With just that one statement from the Emperor, both the Crown Princess and Gnaius, as well as the Minister of the Palace and other attending ministers, nodded several times in agreement.