I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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A new year has dawned. Once again, a grand New Year’s ceremony was held.

This year’s ceremony was several times larger compared to the last one.

After tightening their belts due to the aftermath of war, the Empire now found itself with some breathing room.

Neighboring countries that were staggering were also recovering to some extent, thanks to the Empire’s assistance.

In gratitude for this, distinguished individuals from various nations gathered at the Imperial Palace of the Empire.

From Nobogord. From the Three Kingdoms Alliance. Even from the Southern Kingdoms, including the Holy Kingdom.

Simultaneously, new faces also arrived from the newly acquired New West Region.

Those who had bared their fangs at the Empire. Those who had not shed their hostile atmosphere.

All of them had already turned to ash after facing the “Anger of the Empire.”

Fortunately, the ones that remained were the relatively better ones, which was a relief from the Empire’s standpoint.

“May you live long!”

“O God, watch over the Empire!”

Prayers for the Emperor’s health and blessings upon the Empire were raised, not just by the Empire’s ministers but even by foreign dignitaries.

The nobles couldn’t help but smile at the incredible sight.

One must dare to ask if such a scenario could occur again in the history of the Empire.

“Blessed will be those who wish to move forward together. When shoulders are aligned and backs are braced against one another, what is there to fear, or what can possibly be difficult?”

The Emperor had certainly answered this aspect clearly.

If one stands with the Empire, things will improve from now on.

If one stands against the Empire, tomorrow will be a day of suffering.

If another country had said this, they would have been immediately criticized from all sides.

Each country possesses undeniable sovereignty—how dare they threaten!

However, no one who heard those words dared to quibble.

Only the Empire wields such power. Only the Empire can maintain such black-and-white logic.

An absolute order that will last for at least over a decade, no matter how short.

And sometimes, the world is better when one simply complies.

“My dear Duke of Neomes, how lovely it is to see you again.”

As the Emperor stepped back, the attention of foreign dignitaries naturally shifted toward Kael.

Even though the war had ended, he still occupied the Chief of Staff position.

The first duke in the Empire’s history. The Emperor’s son-in-law. A strategist whose ultimate end is unknown.

Now that his wife is expecting, it’s a good opportunity to become closer.

“I heard the news. Congratulations. Next year, you will become a father.”

The person most in touch with the Empire from the East is undoubtedly Bethel.

Once a commander of the alliance that fought against the Empire, he later led reinforcements.

Since then, he has delivered numerous victories, assisting not only his homeland but also the other two countries in the East.

As a result, Bethel has become a key figure in his home nation of Polrand.

“Thank you, Commander Bethel. Ah, I guess I should call you Marquis now.”

“I’m embarrassed. All I did was fight as Duke Kael commanded.”

It sounds humble, but it’s actually a boast. So much confidence. Furthermore, the Eastern alliance has ties to Kael.

Currently, that connection makes Kael the Emperor’s closest confidant and the focal point for future plans.

To have exchanged various points with him is to have a potential national backing.

“Duke Kael, we have decided to hold a prayer meeting in the Holy Kingdom once a month for the health and safe delivery of your child.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. If you wish, I could issue commands to start prayer meetings at branches within the Empire as well.”

Meanwhile, the Holy Kingdom is working on bolstering public sentiment on behalf of the Southern Kingdoms.

Unfortunately, at this moment, the South is the area with the least connection to Kael.

So, it’s crucial to garner interest this time and draw attention.

“Hahaha. It’s the first time I’ve seen the Holy Kingdom do this.”

“Indeed! I recall it was the most recent occasion when the Emperor arranged for the current Crown Princess to be seen, and a prayer meeting was held in response.”

Subtle jabs are thrown. Isn’t it a bit too blatant to pretend to be friendly?

Shouldn’t such actions be reserved for when the Empress has a future Crown Prince?

Yet, all of this is essentially meaningless.

Surely the Holy Kingdom wouldn’t initiate such actions without discussions with the Empire.

“There’s no need to worry. We’ve already concluded discussions with the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we’re just waiting for the final approval from the Emperor. It’s nearly confirmed from the Ministry of the Palace.”

“Uh-huh…”

There was a moment of silence. So this is the Holy Kingdom, foreign diplomats thought.

Despite lower national military strength, they always maintain an upper hand through this kind of maneuvering. They know what they can do.

Perhaps this was why the former King of Benito couldn’t hold back and stood up.

“Chief of Staff, is my friend doing well?”

“As for that person, yes. She’s doing well. Charlua. I heard she is getting along with her husband.”

Approaching Kael in a friendly manner was Charlua of Nobogord.

Instead of calling him Duke, she referred to him as Chief of Staff and immediately posed her question.

And Kael answered without a second thought.

“Kael. There you are.”

At that moment, Isabelle approached Kael from the side and spoke.

An appearance so beautiful that one would never believe she is a pregnant woman.

Added to the noble charm she had as a princess, it was dazzling.

“Good to see you, Duchess.”

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

“I’m glad to see everyone. And it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Miss Charlua. How have you been?”

If one were to pick the true stars of this New Year’s ceremony, it would undoubtedly be that couple.

The Emperor had quickly stepped back, and neither the Crown Princess nor the Crown Prince, Gnaius, were in sight.

This way, the attention in the banquet hall naturally turned to Duke Neomes and his wife, the only duke in the Empire.

Given that his wife is expecting, there was a legitimate reason to offer congratulations.

Consequently, more and more guests from within and outside the Empire began to gather around Kael and Isabelle.

Officials from the administration and the military mingled, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Amidst it all, Kael did not forget to reap the seeds he had sown.

“Ah, Count Paelus. I’ve heard the news. They say the stability in the western part of the Empire is almost complete. Amazing! I never thought this could be achieved in just a year.”

“You flatter me, Duke. It’s all thanks to the support from the Empire and your guidance.”

Paelus Gusthagen von Westpoint, Count of West, was once only known for being fortunate—quickly surrendering and benefiting from it.

However, he soon emerged as a capable noble from Dedorant, making significant contributions in internal affairs.

Because of this, people were amazed looking at Kael, wondering if his eye for character was indeed that sharp.

“Hahaha! When I come near you, I can’t tell if I’m in the banquet hall of the Imperial Palace or in a grand assembly hall on the continent.”

“Is that so? I feel more like we’re holding a vast meeting rather than a party. Ahahaha!”

Kael wasn’t particularly an expert in diplomacy. He was rather someone who had focused solely on military affairs.

Yet, strangely, he was more adept at administrative matters than those in the administration.

Thus, the concerns some had after the war regarding conflicts between the Empire’s administration and military never materialized.

This was greatly influenced by Kael’s personality.

He neither boasted nor flaunted. Even as the most prominent figure in the military, he did not show off.

Naturally, the military personnel beneath him could not afford to act disrespectfully.

How could they step out when the greatest achiever remains silent?

Thanks to this, the administration also avoided provoking the military needlessly.

They restrained themselves and acted cautiously, having no real reason or justification to stir trouble.

Instead of competing with one another, they cooperated, and the Empire grew even more solid.

“Everyone seems to be having a good time.”

“Your Highness the Crown Princess! Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

The Crown Princess and Crown Prince, Gnaius, who had been thought to have left with the Emperor, appeared.

Curiosity seemed to have stirred within them, seeing the banquet hall atmosphere was even more harmonious than they had expected.

“Brother-in-law, are you enjoying yourself?”

At that point, the Crown Princess addressed Kael, using the term “brother-in-law” rather than Duke or Chief of Staff.

This showcased her position within the Imperial Family and demonstrated how close she was to him before the foreign dignitaries.

Indeed, foreign dignitaries visibly tensed, feeling the weight of the Imperial Family’s prestige again.

“There are quite a number of people gathered. I see folks from the administration, military personnel, and nobles from the New West Region on one side and foreign guests on the other. It seems brother-in-law has quite a knack for gathering people.”

This gathering of all the Empire’s middle- and high-ranking officials and dignitaries lasted for quite some time.

Stepping back for a moment, Kael headed to the balcony with Isabelle.

The crush of people was simply too much, making it hard to think in such an environment.

“Let’s stay out here for a moment before going back, Belle. We shouldn’t be out in the cold too long.”

“Don’t worry, Kael. I’d rather die from suffocation in there.”

The New Year’s ceremony seems like it will continue late into the night.

With such a pleasant atmosphere, who would want to be the first to leave?

It’s not just about merriment. Each person should consider their bonds and relations.

In that light, staying longer at this New Year’s ceremony is beneficial for everyone.

“How about you head back to the castle soon, Belle?”

“Why? I want to stay longer. It’s fun talking with everyone.”

“But…”

“Why are you like this, Kael? Don’t forget. I’m both a princess and a duchess. I’m one of those who must lead society, and if I slip away now, I might be seen as easy prey.”

“Who would dare to underestimate Belle? Tell me, and I’ll just…”

“That’s just talk, isn’t it?”

Both laughed as if they were merely joking, leaning on each other.

The dark night sky, the moonlight, and the starlight beyond. Someday, dawn will arrive.

For now, we gather what was built yesterday. And tomorrow will be formed by these yesterdays.

For that, we have worked hard so far and will continue to do so.

For the yesterday that was me. For the now that is you. For the future of our family.

“By the way, Kael. I heard a rumor that lately, pirates have been rampant along the coasts of the Southern Kingdoms.”

“Pirates?”

“Yes. They tend to avoid our Empire’s southern coasts out of fear but are quite active along those of the Southern Kingdom. I’ve even heard that most of them are from Benito or DeGale’s naval forces.”

“How unexpected. Pirates from Benito and DeGale?”

“After the last war, the South and West were in chaos. With over half of the trade between kingdoms carried by sea routes, it makes sense.”

Hmm. I see. Kael stroked his chin, falling into thought.

One shouldn’t dismiss it as someone else’s issue. It’s only a matter of time before those pirates cross the line.

“It seems I’ll need to visit the Ministry of Oceans soon.”

“Is it the sea this time? Hehehe! I’m looking forward to it!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t sail!”

He firmly declared that he would absolutely not set foot on a ship, fearing sea sickness.

Holding each other’s hands tightly, Kael and Isabelle took in the lights of the night sky.