I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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One day. Just one day. Burgai flitted between heaven and hell.

It took just about that long for all the powers he had amassed to lose their way and wander aimlessly.

He boldly stood in front of the approaching 7th Legion, preparing for a defensive stance and counterattack.

The morale of the Imperial 7th Legion was tremendous, but Burgai’s forces were no less impressive.

He concentrated every available soldier. They were comparable to the Empire’s legions.

‘Come at me with that same bravado as last time. I’ll crush you all just like before.’

He was confident. Beyond mere anticipation, he harbored a faint certainty.

All military strength had been mobilized, and the enemy’s secondary forces hadn’t even arrived yet.

If they seemed to be dragging things out, he was ready to attack at any moment.

Yeah. Until the unexpectedly shocking news began pouring in.

“Urgent report from the Pavilion Theater! The Imperial 12th Legion is on the move! The Imperial 12th Legion is charging through the Pavilion Theater and approaching!”
“An urgent message from the rear! The Polrand forces are mobilizing. They’re conducting military operations near the border facing us!!”

What in the world is this nonsensical talk?

Why is the Imperial Legion at the Pavilion Theater on the move? They’ve only been focused on defense until now.

Wasn’t their purpose to secure and maintain the Pavilion area from the beginning?

But a breakthrough? What is our allied army there doing?

As for Polrand, that’s impossible too. Most of their forces have been mobilized.

Knowing this, they must have also drafted troops from the border areas.

Clearly, they acted with the confirmation that they had no manpower to spare.

These perplexing questions from Burgai’s leadership would soon be resolved.

“Upon confirmation, the Polrand forces are those that were led by Commander Bethel from the Pavilion Theater! It appears they withdrew from the Pavilion Theater and returned to Polrand!”

“What nonsense! If the Imperial 12th Legion moves, the first to encounter them is the Polrand army. How can those guys return to Polrand….”

Oh no. They were done for. They had let their guard down too much.

Could it be that Polrand would truly betray them? Could they have sided with the Empire?

“Wh-what about Kaden? What are the Kaden forces in the Pavilion Theater doing?!”

“News just in that part of the Imperial 12th Legion intercepted them.”

“Are you telling me they were defeated?!”

“Not at all. They’re simply at a standoff with no battle occurring!”

Just a standoff, and yet no actual battle?

‘You’re just going to stand there and watch? Now?!’

Polrand followed by Kaden turning their backs on them. Why? What for?

Burgai had won against the Empire.

There was an opportunity to diminish the Empire’s influence from the eastern continent!

‘Damn it. In the blink of an eye, a three-front war?!’

‘How could they move so rapidly and decisively?’

The leadership of Burgai fell into chaos, but soon regained composure.

Regardless, what mattered now was the battle against the 7th Legion.

Even if the Imperial 12th Legion was moving, friendly forces were also present there.

While they might not be able to repel them, they should be able to buy some time.

And as for Polrand, they could hold out a little with the border defense forces.

Even if the main forces of Polrand had returned, they must have suffered considerable losses.

Even if they moved right now, their chances of getting stopped at the border were exceedingly high.

Just hold out for a little longer. Just a bit more. If only they could—

“We’ve been deceived. We’ve all been deceived!”

Damn it. What does that mean?

The messenger screaming these words was met with anxious gazes from the leadership.

“The Empire’s secondary forces aren’t behind the 7th Legion! The Imperial 3rd and 10th Legions have emerged at the Pavilion Theater! They’ve swiftly pushed our forces back and are ravaging the area near the border!!”

What? In an instant, the leadership of Burgai felt overwhelmed.

Then, without realizing it, they blankly stared at the sight of the Imperial 7th Legion before them.

So, the sheer force they had displayed as if they could obliterate Burgai at any moment—

That the princess, who came to offer support, hadn’t slipped away but moved alongside them.

That the so-called genius tactician was affiliated with the 7th Legion, ready to unveil schemes at any time.

“Every single one of them… was an act of deception? That everything was a bait to trap our attention here?!”

This is madness. There’s no way this is real.

Those overwhelming forces. The Emperor’s princess. The renowned genius tactician.

Were all merely tools used to deceive them?

“Ha, ha ha! Hahahaha!”

They had been completely played. From start to finish, everything moved exactly as they intended.

Were they foolish for being so? If that were the case, it would be better.

That would mean they weren’t that incredibly dumb. If it had merely been a collection of idiots, things wouldn’t have turned so dire.

The opponent had made Burgai move just as they wanted.

How? They grasped the whole situation and set the stage for their misjudgment.

They’d led them to desperation, leaving no room for other possibilities.

Forcing them to run straight ahead. Rendering them blind yet awake.

Having been brought down so helplessly because of that greed.

Just once more. Just once more! Hypnotized by that, they had failed to remain vigilant.

And the enemy laughed out loud as they reeled them in.

“…It’s not over yet.”

“If the Imperial 3rd and 10th Legions aren’t here, then against the 7th Legion, we still have the upper hand! Even with the support of the 17th Legion, we still hold the advantage!”

“We just need to win. Whatever it takes, we just need to win! If we can wipe out the 7th Legion and if luck is on our side and we capture the princess! We might still have room for negotiation!”

The journey from Pavilion Theater to Burgai’s royal capital takes around three days at the earliest.

They just had to secure a victory within that time frame. They had ample time to decimate the 7th Legion.

With the princess presumably inside, capturing her would pave the way!

*

“Your Highness the Princess. Burgai’s army will soon arrive. You should hurry and….”

“I told you my mind wouldn’t change. Did you think my words were a joke?”

“N-no, not at all! We just….”

“What you should do now is ensure you don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. Of course. That’s why I’ve come to offer my support, and why His Majesty the Emperor and Your Highness the Crown Princess personally sent letters!”

Wow. Is that what you call an invisible threat?

While she had shown a warm visage to the soldiers, it was different for the commanders.

She wouldn’t inquire about past mistakes, but the stakes were higher if they lost again.

Under the princess’s warning, the commanders no longer insisted that she leave.

“Now then. Prince Kael. Do you have anything to say?”

“None whatsoever. I’m grateful you are joining us.”

“What else? Given that we’re all in this together, it’s the least I can do.”

Originally, I had intended to proceed with just the 7th Legion.

The princess had pointedly attempted to dismiss me, throwing hints.

But her response was a flat refusal; she insisted on accompanying me.

She claimed it would be best to keep her name at the forefront to focus the enemy’s attention here.

“Prince Kael said it, didn’t he? We are the anvil while the legions at the Pavilion Theater are the hammer.”

“Indeed.”

“The 7th Legion is already solid, but having me there would only make it stronger, right?”

“That’s indeed true, Your Highness.”

An anvil and a hammer—a strategy that could lead to catastrophe if anything went slightly wrong.

A fleeting moment of fear washed over me, but it was soon shaken off.

One needed to see things straight. To face the reality of war.

This was absolutely neither a game nor a joke. It was a harrowing reality.

Thus, one had to grow accustomed to it. They had to learn something, anything.

So I did not depart. I followed the princess, accompanying the 7th Legion to this place.

“Phew.”

Am I not tense? Of course I am. Frankly, I feel like I might die from anxiety.

Burgai would have lost their minds. They’d be trying to tear this place apart at all costs.

If they could crush the Imperial Legion here, they could at least destabilize Kaden.

If by some chance they captured the princess, the Empire would think twice about their next move.

Carefully, I reached out and ruffled the tousled hair of my younger sister beside me.

“Don’t worry, brother. I will definitely protect you.”

She has followed me this far without a single complaint, my little sister, Kaya.

And again, with a bright smile, she promises to protect me.

“Uh, Prince Kael. Having the protection of a younger sister who’s not even an adult is a bit….”

In the midst of it all, the princess, who still didn’t know Kaya’s true prowess, said that.

Just wait and see. You’ll soon witness Kaya’s incredible feats in a critical moment!

*

“Waaah!”

“Uwaah!”

—Clang! Clang!

—Clank! Clank!

Burgai’s offensive was ferocious. Their expectations had grown even higher than before.

The pressure of needing to achieve victory combined with the confidence from prior triumphs fueled their determination.

Most importantly, flipping from the defender’s position to that of an attacker invoked terrifying momentum.

However, the 7th Legion did not lag behind. In fact, they held their ground splendidly against the onslaught.

Thanks to someone’s efforts and someone’s strategies, morale had been revived. And the thirst for revenge from their earlier defeat also contributed.

Now, these two massive armies were locked in an intense struggle, with each side wrestling for dominance.

It was so fierce that neither side could dare predict the outcome.

But ironically, because of this, even a minor shift could easily throw everything off balance.

And today, unfortunately for Burgai, that change began on the Empire’s side.

—Dududud!

Someone rode into the fray, spear in hand, charging at Burgai’s forces.

Their stature wasn’t very large. For a man, it was fair to say he was overly petite.

Yet the aura emanating from him could easily devour any average man.

—Grit!

The girl atop the horse gritted her teeth.

Reflecting on someone who had just collapsed from an arrow that suddenly flew in moments ago, bleeding.

As soon as she recalled that scene, a fiery urge surged within her, refusing to let her stand idle.

Apologies for failing at her duty of protection could wait for later.

Right now, she felt the need to deal with the culprits who had caused all this!