I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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The New Year has arrived! Everyone, the New Year is here! Wow! Uwaaa!!

I screamed while looking at the document in my hand again and again.

Is this for real? Right? I’m not seeing this wrong, am I?

I feel so happy it’s almost dizzying. I might be dreaming, and that’s a little scary.

“…Kael? What are you doing right now?”

“Look, Bel. It seems this has just come down from the Ministry of the Palace regarding the organization of the Empire’s leadership for the New Year—”

“The Chief of Staff section is left blank, huh?”

“Exactly! That’s it!”

As I cheered, Bel couldn’t mask the look of astonishment on her face.

But what can we do? This is exactly what can be called the normalization of the national administration!

Honestly, it doesn’t look good for a Duke to also hold the Chief of Staff position.

The Duke already received the authority to lead half the legion from the Emperor when he became a Duke.

Although there’s a Ministry of War, it will now focus on supporting the military from the rear rather than being on the frontline.

From now on, the General Staff will lead the battlefield with the help of the Ministry of War.

‘That’s the reason for establishing the Military Academy, you see. To be honest, it’s ambiguous whether the Ministry of War is part of the military or just a pure administrative body.’

In that situation, too much power is concentrated on me.

You might say it’s only natural because I’ve achieved so much, but that’s just temporary.

In the end, a nation needs to have its power divided to function properly.

There are even parts that the next Crown Prince cannot interfere with.

“So this is how it should be. Honestly, now that the war is over, it wouldn’t look good if I continued in the Chief of Staff position.”

“Instead, it seems everyone expects you to keep that position, Kael.”

“Come on. That’s just the opinion of the General Staff. The administration is different! The Emperor may think the same way too.”

I don’t think my father-in-law suspects me. I’m just worried about the ‘precedent.’

It’s not good for power to be concentrated on someone other than the Emperor like it is now.

What if some crazy person exploits this moment for their own gain later on?

All nations and rulers are most concerned about the existence of that precedent.

“Now there’s no need to worry. If I step down as Chief of Staff, I’ll have more leisure, Bel. So I’ll take care of the Duchy of Neomes, and you can rest now.”

“Anyone hearing that would think I’m working while heavily pregnant. And the affairs of the territory are my responsibility. As a Duchess, I must handle all matters at home!”

“Sure, sure. I’ll help you from the side.”

Yes. This is right. It’s odd for a Duke to also hold the Chief of Staff position.

If it were wartime, it would be one thing, but in peacetime, it’s a disadvantage to the nation. It’s just too burdensome.

Since I’ve pretty much made it clear how hard it is on me, my father-in-law will surely be understanding.

How can I focus on work with a pregnant wife at home? Seriously!

*

“So… moving forward, the position of Chief of Staff is set to remain with the Duke of Neomes for a while.”

“…Um, Minister of the Palace, then why was the Chief of Staff position left blank in the document?”

“Oh. About that, I was surveying the opinions of each administration, and there was an overwhelming request for the Duke of Neomes to continue as Chief of Staff. It was changed, but since that was the consensus, it was canceled and His Majesty the Emperor also believed it might be better for the Duke to hold the position unless there’s a major change.”

“….”

Father-in-law. Father-in-law. Father-in-law…! Why, why. Why are you doing this?!

I worked so hard! And now I have a pregnant wife at home!

And that woman is your daughter! Naturally, her husband must be by her side!

This shocking news left me nearly speechless.

Just yesterday, I was expecting a scene and conversation like this.

“Now I must step down,” I’d say, and the Minister of the Palace would apologize.

And I, with a heavy demeanor in front of him, would say, “It’s unavoidable.”

But what the hell is this? They’re saying my position as Chief of Staff will remain with me unless something special happens.

Not to mention, the final decision-maker has to change every few years in case any issues arise.

Having been Chief of Staff for several years, I should step down for the sake of the Empire!

What if I become corrupt out of nowhere?! Huh? What if I suddenly go dark and start a ‘revolution’?!

“Tsk. Looking at your face, it seems you’re imagining something ridiculous again, brother-in-law.”

Meanwhile, my sister-in-law seems to read minds and lets out a chuckle.

“Listen here, brother-in-law. It seems you think stepping down is right since you’ve been Chief of Staff for several years, correct?”

“…That’s correct, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

“Then it’s even more absurd. The General Staff hasn’t even been established for five years yet. The Ministry of War will focus on the entire process and preparations for war rather than just combat actions. And the General Staff is the place that will step in when the Empire uses military force.”

Is she right? I nodded at my sister-in-law’s question.

“Therefore, the General Staff should be handled differently from other departments. To think that someone who could be the cornerstone while the foundation is still being laid would step down just because they’ve been in the position for a few years!”

“But I’m worried this may set a poor precedent for the future.”

“Even if it sets a precedent, it’s a necessary action.”

“Still…”

“Anything beyond this is what others in the Empire will have to deal with later, brother-in-law. Now that a talented individual like you has shown a good start, if someone came along to spoil that, it would mean the Empire is already shaking, so it’s hard to see that as a problem.”

From the mouth of no one other than the Crown Princess came the phrase, “If the Empire is doomed…”.

Thanks to that, not only I but even the Minister of the Palace, who was quietly listening, was left gasping, wondering what extreme words those were.

But the Crown Princess, my sister-in-law, continued speaking as if nothing were wrong.

“This part has already been discussed with His Majesty the Emperor. In fact, the Emperor himself brought up such a point first. If such a minor precedent could distort the Empire, then at that moment, it would no longer be an Empire.”

“W-well…”

“The decision has already been made, brother-in-law. So I look forward to working with you in the future, Chief of Staff.”

“I see that is how it is. Likewise, I look forward to working with you in the future, Chief of Staff.”

“…”

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it! Why isn’t someone changing places with me?!

I already have enough on my plate! I feel like I’m dying from being busy!

And I’ve even arranged capable people who can handle things without me in the General Staff!

Why won’t they let me go! I’m just here by luck!!

*

I feel like I’m going crazy. I was looking forward to it, but now that it’s gone awry, it makes it even worse.

I had imagined returning to the castle immediately and having a quiet chat with Bel.

I thought I wouldn’t be so eager to leave work like before for a while. Ugh.

The Chief of Staff position isn’t as busy as during wartime. Fine, I’ll admit that.

But since the Empire hasn’t unified the entire continent, the option of using force must always remain.

No, it’s not just about existing; it must be sharpened even more than before.

So, when something happens, I can cut out just the bad parts.

Thanks to that, the Chief of Staff will always have things to do.

Not being busy doesn’t mean they’re not busy—just that it’s not as busy as wartime.

I’m not exaggerating; until recently, my life was just as hectic as the Minister of Finance’s.

“Welcome, Chief of Staff.”

“…Aide.”

Looking at the aide’s expression, it seems they’re also thinking, “What? Are you really keeping the position again?”

I subtly hinted that their superior would be changing soon, so they probably think something’s off with the sudden appearance of that superior.

“…I’m sorry. It looks like I’ll have to work more with you from now on.”

“Why are you apologizing? I actually think it’s an honor to serve you, Chief of Staff.”

“What’s the point of keeping the aide position? A real officer should at least go out to the field, even if it’s not wartime.”

“Well, this is a bit awkward to say, but I believe being by your side is more rewarding and helpful than many scenes in the field.”

“….”

At that moment, I was uncertain whether that was a compliment or a provocation.

Is it a vague implication that I cause incidents and accidents?

Fortunately, it was said by my aide, so I could let it slide.

I mean, they’re not the type to say such things lightly, and I’ve seen enough of them before.

“…So, tell me the important matters.”

“Yes. There’s a meeting scheduled for next week with the Ministry of Finance regarding the reconstruction of the Imperial Legion.”

That’s the worst. Of all things, with the Ministry of Finance. That’s the one I absolutely don’t want to deal with.

As a military person, there’s no way around it. No, it’s the same for all administrations.

In the end, what we do revolves around spending taxes, so how could we not be careful?

“Anything else?”

“Well, uh… ah. Regarding the maintenance of forces in the West, there’s some coordination with the Ministry of Internal Affairs…”

“The next matter.”

“There’s a request from the Ministry of Land to organize the road conditions in the West concerning troop movements…”

Great. Everything is just a headache-inducing task.

With the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and even the Ministry of Land. Am I really the Chief of Staff? At this rate, am I just a punching bag?!

See, this is why I wanted to escape this position. Honestly, it was easier during the war.

“When I asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the last time, how did that turn out?”

“Are you referring to the matter concerning the Southern Kingdom? A report should come in this afternoon.”

“When that comes in, drop everything and bring it directly to me.”

I can’t take this anymore. I need to vent this anger on some pirates.

Didn’t our Empire not touch them? Ah, who cares? One day we might just deal with them!

If there’s a cockroach in the neighbor’s house, it’s right to exterminate them before they reach mine!