NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
The day after the Princess said, “Keep my identity a secret, alright?” and smiled before disappearing.
“It’s incredibly foggy, Young Master.”
“It is.”
Just a few days ago, the weather had been splendid, almost as if pushing us to fight, but it had suddenly changed. I thought it would just be a brief morning fog, but it lingered all day long.
It seems this fog isn’t something that will clear up easily.
“Alexei.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Are you not going to ask?”
“What do you mean?”
“About the guest who visited yesterday.”
Then Alexei started, “Oh, why would I?”
“I’m not a rookie who just entered the mansion. It’s been over ten years since I entered the Clausewitz Family and served you.”
“It has been a long time.”
“Yes, it has. Thanks to that, I can distinguish what I should be curious about and what I shouldn’t.”
Alexei smiled at me, and I returned the smile at my attendant.
Indeed, to serve in a noble household, one must reach such a level. Thinking back to my past life, it seems absurd that strange things are happening in the novel world.
The attendants of the noble families are all seasoned professionals with extensive experience.
“Young Master. One moment.”
As I saw someone approaching from ahead, Alexei ran to meet them.
I could guess what was going on. When such a figure arrives at the military camp, it’s usually—
“It’s a summon order, Young Master! The Legion Commander has issued a full summon to the command tent.”
As expected. Just as I thought.
But wait, what could this be about all of a sudden? A full summon must mean it’s something serious.
Knowing the Princess was at the camp, it would be best to rush over.
So, I quickly finished preparing and hurriedly entered the command tent.
“Oh, welcome! Our young strategist!”
With a hearty laugh, the Legion Commander greeted me warmly.
It wasn’t just him. Other operational staff members also welcomed me with smiles.
It feels like just yesterday when they were casting doubtful glances at me as I first joined the campaign.
“I came right away after hearing the summon order, Legion Commander. What’s going on?”
“Please wait a moment. We’ll discuss it after the other commanders arrive.”
Nodding, I settled in a corner, observing those entering.
As the field commanders arrived in succession, my eyes locked onto a female officer.
“….”
When our gazes met, the officer smiled at me and then made a shushing gesture!
There’s no doubt. That person is the Princess. More accurately, the disguised Princess.
Look at how her appearance transforms just with a pair of glasses! Truly impressive.
“When everyone is in place, we will begin.”
As the command tent filled, the Legion Commander got straight to the point.
“According to the recent reconnaissance report, it appears the Demon Tribe is preparing to retreat from the camp.”
The Demon Tribe is retreating? This soon?
Not just me, but other commanders were busy whispering among themselves in confusion.
“Quiet. Also, there’s news from the Ministry of War. It seems that internal strife within the Demon Tribe has leaned towards a more moderate faction. This was based on information from a few days ago, so they should be aware of their situation.”
The Legion Commander paused for a moment and suddenly looked at me. Why me all of a sudden?
“Right at that time, a meteor fell and rose again, which has plummeted the spirits of the military. It appears they concluded they have to retreat.”
In other words, it all fell into place. They got lucky, and everything coincided perfectly.
Yet, I don’t understand why the commanders are suddenly looking at me and nodding or clapping.
“Then, Legion Commander, are we also retreating?”
“If the Demon Tribe completely retreats, then yes.”
“Won’t we strike at their rear?”
“It has been concluded after consultation between the Ministry of War and the Foreign Affairs Ministry that there’s no reason to strike at them and inadvertently strengthen the Demon tribe’s internal factions.”
Of course. Then the Legion Commander smiled suddenly and continued.
“However, we can’t just let them go easily. When they begin to retreat, the command is to show a semblance of pursuit without causing direct harm, allowing them to run away with their tails between their legs.”
The faces of the commanders also broke into smiles.
Since they would be tormenting an already demoralized enemy, it would be like taking candy from a baby for them.
They think how lucky it is that they are winning without fighting!
If this ended with everyone happily wrapped up, that would be wonderful!
*
“Oh no, this is a problem.”
The next day, the Legion Commander could not hide his discomfort as we gathered again in the command tent.
The other commanders beside him were no different.
“Is the fog still not clearing?”
“Yes, Legion Commander. We can’t see a foot in front of us.”
“Wasn’t it just a fog that started yesterday? Why hasn’t it disappeared yet?”
“That’s…”
There’s no way to answer that. It’s the whim of nature—there’s nothing humans can do about it.
“At this point, the Demon Tribe should be nearly finished preparing for retreat. No, perhaps the advance party has already left through the fog.”
“To accomplish what the Ministry of War requested, our forces need to move, but the fog between our camp and the Demon Tribe’s makes movement extremely difficult.”
“We could move the cavalry, but we must consider the possibility of ambush, so even that is not easy, Legion Commander.”
The operational staff members were each providing reasonable suggestions. Just as expected from the Imperial Army officers.
Having only fools supervising an empire is honestly tragic.
“Then right now, the best option is just for both sides to retreat.”
“Sadly, that seems to be the case.”
“Sigh. It’s disappointing, but what can we do? We should be grateful that our soldiers aren’t being harmed. Still, thanks to the clever strategy of some young man, we might leave with the appearance of victory.”
Legion Commander! Must we keep this up? I’m starting to worry for you.
I’ve had enough of this praise; it’s embarrassing!
As I scratched my head and tried to turn my gaze elsewhere, I realized—
“….”
The Princess was staring at me intently. Of all places, our eyes met.
That look! It’s the gaze of someone expecting something. It’s as if she’s asking, “Don’t you have anything?”
I quickly turned away, pretending not to notice.
I don’t know. Seriously, I don’t know. That’s impossible! This isn’t even in the hero’s lore!
“So then, it seems….”
“…in this manner, it is—”
I only want this awkward moment to pass quickly.
It’s so burdensome. It’s the Princess, of all people!
“Then our army will slowly prepare to return….”
“Wait, sorry to interrupt. Legion Commander.”
Hmm? What is that voice? Could it be?!
When I turned my head, the Princess, who had simply stood still until yesterday, was now stepping forward.
“It feels a bit disappointing to end things this way. The momentum is on our Imperial Army’s side.”
She said this, removing her glasses and wiping off her unusually done-up makeup.
The initial surprise on the faces of the commanders turned to shock in an instant.
“Your Highness the Princess!”
“Forget the formalities. Instead, I should apologize for deceiving you. More than that, what’s truly important right now is not me.”
The Princess said, and … um, wait? Why is she coming closer to me?
“I’d like to borrow your wisdom once more.”
“Me, Your Highness?”
“Prince Kael. What brilliant strategy do you plan to come up with this time?”
Hahaha! You must be kidding! You’re really springing this on me?
Wisdom? Strategy? I have absolutely none!
If only the Princess were holding malice towards me, I could accept it.
But the light of pure expectation and favor in her eyes only drove me more insane. It made things even more burdensome!
“Kael! Do you really have a plan?”
The worse part is that even the Legion Commander seems to be smitten by the Princess’s words, and he’s looking at me like that.
Moreover, all the staff and field commanders have turned their gazes towards me.
‘This is insane. Your Highness! Why are you putting me through this trial?!’
I actually understand why the Princess is acting this way. She must firmly believe I have some sort of solution.
After all, I’ve been active in providing solutions immediately after the meteor incident.
Plus, our family has a long history of remarkable achievements, so it makes sense that she would trust me.
“Hmmm….”
Trying to appear calm, I was mentally scrambling to find a way out of this situation.
What can I do to escape? Or is there truly no way out?
‘…Wait a second.’
Suddenly, some thought flitted through my mind, in conjunction with the current situation with the Demon Tribe.
“Legion Commander, is it certain that the Demon Tribe has no will to fight?”
“Indeed. There’s the reconnaissance report, and the leadership on their side has likely moved to withdraw their forces.”
“Our Imperial Army isn’t exactly planning to engage in battle either, but rather, we aim to chase them just enough to bolster our morale while demoralizing the enemy.”
Once I got confirmation from the Legion Commander, my mind began to clear up.
It seems neither side feels like engaging in a fierce battle, as they all aim to receive or are likely to receive a withdrawal order.
And with the fog obscuring everything, they would not want to approach us carelessly.
In such a scenario, would they truly choose to launch a frontal attack if they discovered we were nearby?
Or would they prefer to simply drive us away, saying, “We don’t want to fight, so why don’t you just leave?”
‘Even if magic is a concern, a magical attack in such a fog would only reveal our wizards’ positions, reducing its likelihood. That leaves…’
“Legion Commander.”
Hmm. Suddenly, I really want to hold a torch in my hand.
“Could you lend me some leftover straw or hay for a moment?”