I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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Nobogord Demon Tribe Alliance. Eastern Three Kingdoms, Burgai. Kaden. Polrand.

And now extending to the former Dedorant region, now designated as the New West of the Empire.

The ways of life. The climate. Each one’s history and thoughts. Everything is different.

If I were to cite a common point among these places, I would probably point to this.

Empire’s Strategist, Kael Clausewitz. A place marked by the footprints of that giant.

*

“You’re asking how it was when I first faced the Duke of Neomes from the Empire? Hmm. Well, how should I put it? It’s incredibly hard to organize my thoughts on this.”

Recently, Polrand has indeed seen the most growth among the Eastern Three Kingdoms.

There are multiple reasons, but one of the significant factors was the existence of Commander Bethel.

A figure who led reinforcements during the Empire’s war with Dedorant.

Thanks to that, he had some interaction with the Empire’s finest strategist, Kael.

In fact, he has even been invited as a distinguished guest several times, so it would be strange if his position didn’t rise.

Now, Bethel was responding to inquiries in one of the conference halls of the Three Kingdoms Alliance.

“If I were to express it, I would say it’s like fighting against fog. You can’t really know for sure what you’re dealing with or what they’re targeting. So, when you think it’s easy for a moment, you suddenly find yourself in a situation where you can’t see an inch ahead, surrounded by cliffs. Yes, that would be a correct view.”

Unlike before, there’s no stupid talk about toppling the Empire or anything like that.

Now, it has turned around; the discussions revolve around how to become more like the Empire.

“The Duke of Neomes was, quite literally, a strategist sent from the heavens. He was particularly adept at seeing into the hearts of people. Because of him, the early alliances of our Three Kingdoms Alliance were completely thrown into disarray.”

“Look at the news from the Empire recently. When they say they’re preparing to eliminate pirates, what do we do first? Yes, that’s right. Of course, we repair our ships and train our sailors. That’s the normal thought process and common sense for people like us. But the Duke of Neomes was different.”

“The first thing he did was to open the doors of the Empire on a grand scale. Even now, those pirates, who never thought it was their future, are being told to hurry and embrace the Empire.”

At first, there were many worries. What benefit could there be in embracing pirates?

Wasn’t it better to reject them than risk them causing trouble by coming to the Empire?

It would be unsettling to see things as suspicious in the Three Kingdoms Alliance, but I can only imagine how much opposition there was within the Empire.

However, Kael pushed forward with conviction and confidence.

The General Staff, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs all supported and assisted the Chief of Staff.

And after some time, the reason why he insisted on leading the pirates’ conversion became clear.

“What the Duke of Neomes wanted was simple. The division of the opponent. A tactic where one has no choice but to fall into it, even while being aware of it. Even when it is obvious that the enemies are aiming for this, they are forced to overlook it. That was what he was selectively imposing on them.”

*

Nobogord Demon Council. Charlua has now become a member of that council.

I cannot say there wasn’t any influence from her father, the previous chair.

But the reason she was able to become the youngest member lies elsewhere.

She is an exceptional politician in her own right. And crucially, she has a solid connection with the Empire.

“The Chief of Staff of the Empire does not merely excel at calculations and psychological warfare. The decisive reason he could make a name as a genius strategist is that he’s exceptionally skilled at making enemies come forth to their disadvantage.”

In front of the council members, Charlua speaks about the Empire’s efforts to eliminate pirates.

Trying to act nonchalant, she’s quite flushed with excitement.

“When we look at it, persuasion seems simply like a ploy to weaken the enemy’s power or induce internal division. That’s how it appeared, right? But there’s something much bigger hidden within.”

“From the pirates’ perspective, several important figures have crossed over to the Empire, and because of that, there’s the fear that their main routes and hideouts might be exposed. Whether those who have surrendered are truly aware of this or not doesn’t matter. The moment such worries arise, insecurity tends to spiral out of control.”

“The Chief of Staff is someone who can amplify the opponent’s anxiety or anger, forcing them to relinquish their advantages and come forward. Either that, or he makes our forces engage from a favorable position.”

Having seen such tactics and strategies several times on the Dedorant frontline, Charlua admires and respects Kael greatly.

While others can see one or two moves ahead, he is already envisioning a dozen.

In the case of Dedorant, there was at least some degree of ‘state’ that could withstand it.

But when it comes to pirates, there is initially no solid leader or supported hierarchy.

Once shaken, chaos rises to its peak, and this is precisely what Kael relishes.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that, but if by chance we were to face the Chief of Staff as enemies, I can offer just one piece of advice. If you come up with some grand plan, know that it has likely already passed through the Chief’s mind several times.”

It’s not an exaggeration or fabrication. So we should just keep moving forward with the Empire.

Charlua’s assertion had the council’s demon members nodding in agreement.

Since the children are all attending school in the Empire, it would benefit Nobogord’s status on the continent to become an ally of the Empire.

*

“…As expected. This is how it will turn out.”

Empire’s New West Count, Paelus Gusthagen von Westpoint.

A figure from Dedorant, who now serves loyally to the Empire.

He nodded as he confirmed the news that had come up from the south.

“What happened?”

Once again, the aide who originated from Dedorant and had served under Paelus, now a retainer, asked.

He had heard that the Empire had intervened in the pirate issues that were troubling the southern kingdoms.

And that the one leading it was their benefactor, Chief of Staff Kael Clausewitz.

“That’s a question with an obvious answer. Would there be a failure in something led by the Duke?”

“Indeed… But it’s still surprising. It’s only been two months since they declared a pirate cleanup, and they’ve already wrapped it up.”

“It’s similar to what we once experienced from the Duke.”

In the past, those who led Dedorant into madness were turned to ashes before the “Anger of the Empire.”

What remained were those from the military, and that is precisely why fear and reverence towards Kael grew.

When selecting candidates for the Imperial Military Academy, many aspire to become like Kael, leading to much effort in screening.

They are the backbone of this New West, so they are somewhat familiar with Kael’s tactics and strategies.

“If things are unfavorable, take the opposing force’s advantages, and when it’s balanced, tilt the scales with overwhelming support. If it’s favorable, shake their resolve and ensure there is not even a hint of a chance for a comeback. He must place the enemy squarely in his palm. That’s the Duke.”

Kael tested the pirates’ unity by persuading them first.

Then he leaked some trivial information to make it seem as though they had comprehensive knowledge of the pirates’ major intel.

Although they certainly knew the coastal routes, that very knowledge became their Achilles’ heel.

As they would be vulnerable to surprise attacks using the same path, concern would naturally arise.

Despite already having a favorable situation, Kael never allowed any leeway whatsoever.

The enemies are pirates. Not the regular forces of kingdoms like Benito or Dedorant, or Atria.

Because of this, many people would typically attack once the opposing forces seemed evenly matched.

Those accustomed to plundering merchant ships would undoubtedly fall short in naval battles with regular forces.

But Kael led the General Staff and garnered the support of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Finance.

He subsequently organized overwhelming naval power and sent a fleet to cleanse the entire southern seas.

The sheer number was such that there were at least two warships assigned for each pirate vessel.

Even considering the training level and elite ships, they already outnumbered the pirates, so what could the latter do?

“Sometimes, I think he’s truly relentless. Most other commanders might consider this level sufficient and take action, but the Duke prepares and waits for our forces to prepare to the utmost. Simultaneously, he induces the enemy to let their guard down.”

“Due to that, we hear rumors that the Ministry of Finance is in a tizzy.”

Some say that the Chief of Staff is not such a remarkable figure after all.

That his overwhelming advantage is only something that could happen within the Empire.

It seems reasonable to think, but what’s so impressive about it?

‘Fools. It’s not just about fighting from a position of advantage. In fact, that’s the most challenging task.’

Are the enemies fools? Do they just sit around waiting for their opponent to gain the upper hand?

Paelus and everyone else considers Kael to be exceptional precisely because of this.

He knows how to bind the enemy. He can grasp and shake them until the army’s position reaches its peak.

Only those capable of doing that can truly fight from a position of advantage when the time comes.

*

“Reporting, Chief of Staff. The Imperial Navy is returning after clearing the southern seas.”

“What about the damage?”

“Fortunately, it seems to be minimal.”

That’s a relief. I replied that and turned back to the paperwork.

The aide chimed in with congratulations, but I simply waved my hand dismissively.

The true victory lies with the Imperial Navy. It’s only right that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is recognized for that achievement.

Honestly, I did almost nothing. I merely went to the Ministry of Finance to secure funds and gathered support from the Ministry of War.

I’m practically a novice when it comes to naval warfare, so I stepped back quietly. In the end, all I truly did was offer minimal assistance.