I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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“Kaya, you little rascal!”

As soon as we returned to the family estate, Father was there to personally greet us.

To be precise, he was planning to scold Kaya for ignoring him and joining the battlefield at the mere age of fifteen.

“Brother!!”

In response, Kaya cleverly hid behind me instead of our mother or the family servants.

From Kaya’s perspective, she likely did that because she simply liked me the best.

However, hiding behind me also meant she could effectively hold Father at bay.

‘Right now, I’m fighting for the Empire. And for the honor of the Clausewitz family. I’m the firstborn who has returned from the battlefield after making achievements.’

Father was also slowly preparing to pass on the family head title to me.

In that context, he wouldn’t act in a way that could undermine my authority.

Thus, with Kaya hiding behind me, he couldn’t possibly scold her or demand she step forward.

“Kaya, you should apologize to Father right away.”

“U-uh, Mom! I told you I got Dad’s permission!”

“Permission for the campaign, but he specifically said not to engage the enemy directly.”

“Ugh…”

As expected, no matter how clever Kaya might be, she couldn’t win against our mother.

In the end, she crept out from behind me and got caught by mother’s hand.

Sighing heavily, Father remarked, “I wonder who she takes after.”

Hmm. Father, don’t you feel any guilt saying that?

*

“Well done.”

Once I settled into the family head’s office, Father patted me on the shoulder.

He said I had done something remarkable. A glory that would be hard to find again in the Clausewitz family.

If our ancestors could see me now, they would have all applauded, saying how great I was.

“I’m embarrassed. I just said a few words from behind the scenes. The real heroes are the ones who fought on the front lines, aren’t they?”

“No matter how great the soldiers are, the importance of someone crafting the grand strategy cannot be overstated. That’s why I am so proud. Because not only are you leading a battle unit, but you can also oversee an extensive campaign involving thousands as if it were child’s play.”

And that’s just too much pressure and embarrassment, Father.

I am not some chosen one from heaven. I’m certainly not a dragon or phoenix.

“I’ve heard enough good stories, Father.”

“Mm.”

“I’d like to hear about the more serious parts. From you, my father and the head of this family. The lord of the Bertier Empire.”

Having spent quite some time only in the East, I had become dulled to the situations in other areas and the domestic political climate.

After all, I wasn’t a soldier, so I needed to pay even closer attention to such matters.

“So, since you say that, I’ll speak frankly about our current situation as well.”

“I’m all ears.”

Father straightened up and cleared his throat a few times before continuing.

“First of all, our territory as the lord of the Bertier Empire has expanded to more than twice its previous size.”

“Since we were granted the entire Neomess region.”

“That’s just land alone. If we combine the various factors that arise from it, the influence of our Bertier Empire has grown at least fourfold. Do you understand what that means?”

Of course, Father. I can think of a few things right away.

“The balance among the five lords of the Empire that were almost equal has been disrupted.”

“Exactly. In the current situation, our Bertier Empire can wield the influence of at least two, and possibly three, other lords.”

“Then the other dukes are likely looking at our Bertier Empire with discontent?”

Father immediately shook his head at my question.

Could they really neglect the growth of the Bertier Empire?

As he fiddled with the teacup in front of him, he continued speaking.

“The dukes are not the problem. It’s the reaction of the noble factions beneath each marquis that’s the issue.”

Continuing on, Father elaborated.

Being a duke is not just being a noble.

The families that pledged allegiance to the great emperor even before he founded the Empire, before he even sat on the throne.

Even after a long time has passed since the era of the Great Emperor, they remain the sword and shield of the Imperial Family.

They are fundamentally different from the descendants of the powerful local nobles who governed the provinces in the past.

Even though they are all nobles, it is unreasonable to treat dukes and common nobles as equals.

When the Empire flourished or declined, it was always the dukes alone who stood by the Imperial Family.

These five families are tightly knit together, supporting the Imperial Family firmly.

It’s only natural that one of their powers growing would be welcomed.

“On the other hand, the five marquis all descend from royal lineages that knelt to the Great Emperor or from influential families there. They stand in a completely different place from the dukes.”

“But don’t all five marquis remain loyal to the Empire?”

“That’s correct. They are loyal subjects of the Empire. However, there’s an inevitable tension between our dukes and the marquis. There exists a subtle balance: should they support the Imperial Family, which is the Empire itself, or the noble houses that maintain the order of the Empire?”

Each of the five marquis has noble factions that follow them.

This significantly aids in maintaining public order and administrative power in their regions.

It is both an act of loyalty to the Empire and beneficial to the nobles themselves.

This marks a clear difference from the dukes, who follow the Imperial Family without question.

“This delicate yet essential opposition is what maintains the Empire’s stability and peace. However, if one of those duke territories suddenly grows several times larger, it becomes quite uncomfortable for them.”

“It’s not simply the fact that our house has grown…”

“Perhaps concerns arise that the Emperor is ready to suppress the nobles and dismantle the order that has existed thus far.”

What a truly pointless worry, I thought at first.

But upon reconsideration, it seemed quite plausible.

They had sworn allegiance to the Great Emperor back in his days of glory.

It’s natural they would worry for their own growth and stability in exchange for the loyalty they pledged.

It was hardly surprising, given they weren’t the generals who followed the Great Emperor.

Following and leading while calculating each other’s gains and losses is what truly represents a stable lord-vassal relationship.

At such a time, the lord they have followed until now suddenly seems to be trying to cast them out?

Unless they were an extremely small number of retainers, it would be only natural for them to feel anxious and worried.

“With the Empire achieving a considerable victory by breaking the alliance in the Eastern territories recently…”

“It’s an opportune moment, isn’t it? With the names of the Empire and the Imperial Family rising to the heavens, they might take this timing to completely crush the nobles’ power.”

Well, if they were going to misunderstand this much, it’d better have a convincing reason.

But to think the Emperor might really consider such thoughts?

If that were the case, he wouldn’t openly grant such an enormous reward to our family.

Could someone of the Emperor’s caliber genuinely fail to predict such reactions?

“This is where I must be more diligent.”

“Are you saying you will?”

“Since our status has suddenly grown, it’s crucial to take at least minimal action to avoid choking.”

“So you plan to at least make greetings with the noble families you’ve had no connections with until now?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t create factions as a duke.”

What’s important for a person is just making one true friend.

That’s enough to have only one person with whom you can share friendship.

Conversely, what’s essential for a group is to have no clear enemies.

Even with a relationship that’s roughly the same, it’s better than having one clear enemy.

Father meant he would avoid creating enemies at a suitable level.

“Of course, the noble factions are not foolish; if they understand their concerns were unwarranted, they’ll soon restrain themselves. So, Kael, you won’t have to worry.”

“If you put in the effort, I’m all for it. After all, you have more influence in the noble society than I do.”

“I don’t know. I think that might soon become a thing of the past.”

With a shrug of his shoulders, Father moved on to the next topic.

“Now, let’s talk about the international situation.”

“And I will listen carefully.”

“First and foremost, the West is incredibly noisy. No, that doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

“…Is it really that bad?”

Beyond our Empire’s western border, the continent’s western region has always been tumultuous.

The Central region, which had long ago unified into a massive empire. The East, which had comprised three kingdoms for ages.

The North, the homeland of the Demon Tribe, and the South, centered on the Holy Kingdom.

Each has its own order and situation, which starkly contrasts with the West.

“The West has seen military powers emerge and collapse repeatedly for ages.”

“Yes. I’ve heard that thanks to that, wars never cease to occur every year.”

“Then recently, Dedorant has started to rise. More specifically, the third prince, Georg Sistania, has been making astounding efforts.”

Father’s narrative continued to present one surprising element after another.

The once formidable Dedorant military started rampaging after meeting such a great commander.

And they achieved remarkable victories wherever they went.

However, the real shock was just beginning.

“…What? A coup d’état?”

“Correct. He immediately redirected the army at the command of his father to seize the royal capital and oust his father’s subordinates, eventually executing the Crown Prince.”

“And he still hasn’t taken the throne?”

“There’s a big difference between removing a brother and overthrowing a father and king, right?”

I thought he may just be a brilliant military leader, but it seems he’s got some wit under that royal crown as well.

He’s showing a desire not to squander the popularity and support he’s built up through reckless actions.

“Anyway, thanks to that third prince, who has seized all power in Dedorant, the West is in complete chaos. The bigger problem is that the southern continent is also facing trouble.”

“The South as well?”

Then what’s going on there?

“The Holy Kingdom, located at the southern tip of the continent, you know it well.”

“Yes, Father. Isn’t it self-evident?”

The Demon Tribe from the northern continent who worships the god Anbar. Unlike Nobogord, the remaining states of the continent follow the light god Runen.

And the Holy Kingdom is precisely where this Runen is revered.

“A kingdom has emerged that directly opposes the Holy Kingdom.”

“An outright opposition? Did they get excommunicated or something?”

“More like, those embracing religion should only focus on their faith and not interfere in state affairs.”

“And this kingdom’s name is?”

“Benito. The Kingdom of Benito.”

It’s a situation where everything seems ready to burst into flames or drop at any moment.

For those wishing to live peacefully, just hearing about it causes a headache.

“That’s why His Majesty the Emperor has granted you such a reward, Kael.”

“If the situation in the Eastern territories had been delayed any longer, it would have been quite a burden for the Empire.”

“Not to mention the North. There’s also the matter regarding Nobogord. That was the beginning, Kael.”

Thinking that way… hmm. I really did stir up trouble in every direction.

I’m covered in honey and standing in front of a beehive, then whining about getting stung by a bee!

*

“Have you come?”

Isabelle, kneeling before the Emperor, quietly awaited the next words of her father.

There must be a reason for the hurried summons down to the Imperial Palace.

What could be so significant? As she remained composed, the Emperor continued speaking.

“Bel.”

In that moment, Isabelle couldn’t help but be startled, raising her head.

Instead of her title as the Second Princess or her name, he addressed her with a nickname.

That alone was shocking, but the Emperor then spoke something even more bewildering.

“What are your thoughts on Kael Clausewitz?