I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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The situation around Pavillion has developed very favorably for our 12th Legion.

In the initial stages, the coalition forces of the three nations had a power level similar to ours.

Moreover, with their hostility towards the Empire, their morale was quite formidable.

However, after multiple battles, it became clear that their initial fervor had waned.

At first glance, the losses in battle appeared significant, but there were other reasons at play.

For instance, there seemed to be subtle power struggles within the command.

They were suspicious of one another and fought passively to preserve their own troops.

In fact, the attacks on the two mountains had been assigned to Burgai and Kaden’s forces respectively.

And the opinions given by our legion’s commanders who repelled this onslaught were all the same.

“While the attack is certainly fierce, there’s an odd feeling of them scouting something.”

“If they think their own troop losses will increase, they’ll immediately withdraw from the offensive without hesitation.”

The calculations have already determined that the assault on the area around Pavillion has failed.

Thus, it’s clear they’re watching each other closely to minimize the casualties of their own soldiers.

If the losses are significant, naturally, their kingdom’s voice in the coalition will also diminish.

The reason we persuaded the legion commander to release only the soldiers of the Polrand Kingdom is simple.

In the current situation, it’s easiest to shift responsibility onto someone from there.

Although the three kingdoms have united, there must be one commander leading the military.

They wouldn’t be insane enough to elect separate commanders from each kingdom for command.

Thus, the three nations must have reached some reasonable compromise to yield and share command.

But will that actually work well internally in their forces? If you ask me, the answer is ‘no.’

Rather, I’m sure they all received some sort of hint secretly. To grab hold of opportunities to take the lead.

If they could legally claim command, all the better.

Even in a game where you team up with complete strangers, there’s all sorts of chaos.

Let alone when they were suspicious of each other just a short while ago. No, they still are!

Can you truly just say, “You are now one!” and expect everyone to genuinely become one?

“It’s different from a game. With the massive enemy of the Empire right in front, does that even make sense? Isn’t that a bit of an exaggerated metaphor?”

No, it’s not. Rather, it’s a spot-on analogy.

If asked whether the Empire, a colossal enemy, could be compared to a mere opponent in a game,

one could point out that while there’s no agreement possible with the opponents, such a possibility exists with the Empire.

Why do they keep believing in such strange things? Why suspect conspiracies and secret deals?

It’s because it’s possible. The possibility allows for constant chatter about it.

Right now, the Empire hasn’t even removed the pro-imperial faction from politics.

It’s as if they want to keep a window open for dialogue. They’ve not retracted their offered hand.

I’m sure those with a bit of wit have picked up on this vibe.

“You all can’t be forgiven.”

“But, well. It is still possible to spare the first one who senses the situation and jumps ship.”

“It’s first-come, first-served. Want to join your side friend in death or hold our hand to live?”

Meanwhile, a somewhat rational reasoning has been planted there.

Among the three eastern kingdoms, Polrand is the weakest.

Even if they fought the Empire and won, it would be hard to overturn the order.

In fact, there’s a possibility they could get devoured by the two stronger kingdoms after nibbling on the Empire’s flesh.

They wouldn’t prefer a split Eastern region over one pieced together by the two kingdoms, would they?

“Knowing this, the Polrand Kingdom will overreact whenever the two kingdoms provoke them even slightly. Conversely, Burgai and Kaden will think of the possibilities the moment Polrand moves suspiciously.”

In terms of human emotions and psychology, it has been said that suspicion can never truly be eliminated.

Even if one claims to be unaware, the moment they recognize it, that’s the end of it.

It becomes something that’s hard to dispel; one could say it’s close to impossible.

If such issues can arise between individuals, what’s to say they wouldn’t happen between nations?

“Prince Kael, the Legion Commander is looking for you.”

“Oh, yes. I’ll go right away.”

I had planned to express my sincere gratitude when I found the Legion Commander.

If it hadn’t been for their splendid command, if there had been even a single hole in their ranks,

my somewhat clumsy and half-baked plans would have fallen apart completely.

Occupying not just one but two mountains and using them as strongholds.

Instilling fear in the enemies of side attacks to prevent concentrated assaults.

And even using prisoners to incite internal division.

All of this would have been impossible if our legion hadn’t held strong.

‘Once again, I got lucky.’

Had I not had memories from a previous life or if the situation hadn’t aligned perfectly, I wouldn’t have figured any of this out.

If the 12th Legion hadn’t been fighting well, it would have fundamentally been an impossible task.

Truly, the saying that luck is the greatest ability in the world is absolutely true.

*

“Welcome.”

As I entered the legion command tent, a smiling face greeted me.

When I first saw them, they had a somewhat anxious expression, but that’s all disappeared now.

Honestly, nothing builds a person’s confidence like being on a winning streak.

“It seems we won’t lose our hold on the area around Pavillion.”

“Is that so?”

“Didn’t you see today? The initial morale has completely evaporated. Right now, those guys can’t even decide whether to advance or retreat, stumbling over each other. They call it a coalition, but in reality, it’s just a hodgepodge of the three armies!”

From the Empire’s perspective, releasing prisoners might seem beneficial in reducing their numbers.

However, for the three-nation coalition, there’s the suspicion: ‘Are these guys preparing to swap sides?’

It’s obvious. Burgai and Kaden will definitely assure Polrand that it’s impossible for them to do such a thing.

“Didn’t we unite under the name of the alliance? It’s painfully obvious that this is a tactic to sow discord!”

Of course, their true intentions will differ. They must be quietly investigating behind the scenes.

Wondering if those guys did switch sides or if they might stab them in the back.

If any signs of that appear, we can immediately seize Polrand.

“…And the Polrand folks will surely protest vehemently!”

“At the same time, they’ll calculate the potential gains from such a switch. In the end, the survival of the state is far more essential than trust. Even without that, if suspicions continue to arise, even the most innocent of people can betray.”

“Why Polrand specifically? Is it because the commander of the troops heading toward Pavillion is from there?”

That’s part of it, but there’s something the Empire can gain by securing this area.

“I just received news. Our 7th Legion has safely passed through this vicinity and reached their intended destination.”

“If that’s the case…”

“That’s right. Just a bit further, and we’ll be right at Burgai’s territory. I wonder how anxious they must be to know that their homeland could turn into a battlefield!”

Burgai, the largest territory among the three eastern kingdoms, with the most population.

It’s arguably the kingdom with the biggest stake in the coalition.

Now, Burgai is about to receive the Empire’s legion right within its own territory.

If we could just break through this area, that wouldn’t have to happen.

Why is it that while the other kingdom’s territories remain untouched, we must be the first to suffer such a fate?

It’s natural for fears to arise and for the search for the cause to begin.

And nine out of ten, no, ten out of ten, will point fingers at Polrand.

“Driven by desperation, Burgai will pressure Polrand in every way possible. They might demand a change of command or insist on increased support for this matter.”

“They’ll slice off all the context and connections, won’t they?”

“To them, any fault must lie strictly with Polrand.”

The legion commander bursts into laughter at my statement and looks up at me.

“At first, I thought the rumors about you, Prince Kael, were a bit exaggerated.”

“Did you now? I apologize. I wasn’t able to earn your greater trust.”

“No, it’s rather my stubbornness that was at fault. I assumed you were merely young. Thinking you’d lack experience. I had prejudged you. If it weren’t for the Crown Princess’s orders, I can’t say for certain that I would have lent an ear to your words.”

From the mere act of saying that, the legion commander clearly isn’t a stick-in-the-mud.

A true stick-in-the-mud would’ve snatched up all my achievements and tried to enjoy them for himself.

Then he would pat my shoulder and say, “I’ll remember to take care of you later!”

Or maybe, “Oh, since I contributed here too, I’ll take a piece of this for myself?”

If that had truly been the case, I would have wanted a revolution.

Of course, the Crown Princess was well aware of the possibilities.

There’s a reason they’ve assigned a verified legion commander to this proven legion.

“I think I’ll be slowly returning to the Empire now, Commander.”

“So soon?”

I have nothing more to do. I am neither a commander nor a warrior.

The coalition that came to Pavillion cannot win, yet they can’t retreat either.

The burden of leaving without gaining anything is simply too great.

From here on out, it’s purely a sequence of battles.

Such matters are better suited to the legion commander sitting in front of me and the on-ground commanders who are more the experts.

Moreover, if we push too hard, the situation might well turn back on us.

The ones feeling the crisis could suddenly unite. Such occurrences aren’t rare.

If that were to happen, all the preparations made with such care would become meaningless.

Now is the time to let things simmer, ensuring there’s no “Let’s rally together!” happening.

They’ll naturally explode on their own in this boiling atmosphere.

“Don’t worry. If Polrand truly defects, that would be great. Even if that’s not the case, we’ve sown enough suspicion so that the 12th Legion will hold a significant advantage.”

“Worry? Not at all. It’s actually a little easier now. I’m saddened to see such a great achiever like you returning. The on-ground commanders are already feeling the loss.”

“I’m the one who feels sad. They were wonderful individuals who executed all my somewhat absurd demands.”

In the future, it’ll be good to actively broaden my connections for the good of our family.

For that, I need to build trust, but I won’t overthink it.

What is trust, after all? It sprouts from the kind words exchanged back and forth!

“What are your plans upon returning to the system? Will you join the next waves of forces set to depart for the East? Will we get to see each other again?”

“Hahaha, who knows? I’ll have to see how it goes.”

Though I hadn’t told the legion commander, I actually have plans set.

“When I return, let’s engage in a more serious conversation, Prince Kael.”

That one-on-one with the Crown Princess was the essence of that promise.