I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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“Considering what was shown throughout the East, I wouldn’t even call that a strategy.”

…Did I just mishear that? What did she just say?

“When viewed from the perspective of someone like the Prince.”

What nonsense is this demon woman spouting? I was just as tense during the Eastern conflict as I was back then. How did they both get so lucky to have the circumstances align like that?

“But you see, thinking of our Nobogord’s loss, I would appreciate it if you could regard it as a strategy.”

“No…”

“I beg you, Prince Kael. Could you help restore some pride for Nobogord?”

That’s just a joke. Sure, that’s the only explanation for that smile she has on her face. But it somehow looks serious enough to be ridiculous as well. Does that mean I shocked her that much with my skills? That’s surprising.

“There’s no need to worry, Miss Charlua.”

The answer didn’t come from my mouth but popped out from beside me.

“Prince Kael always gives his best, no matter the time or moment.”

I wasn’t the only one here. The Princess was also present.

I heard I was the only one invited, so why is she here?

I don’t know. She just suddenly appeared and took the seat next to me. I suppose she got some whisper from the Emperor or something.

Well, it wouldn’t make sense for me to be hosting the daughter of the Council Chair all by myself.

“Speaking of which, the Princess was there during the friction between Nobogord and the Empire.”

“Yes, I was very interested in military affairs and specifically requested to join.”

“What was it like? Seeing Prince Kael present his strategies right next to you.”

“How could I put it? It was amazing. I couldn’t help but admire him.”

…Ugh. Listening to their conversation makes my cheeks burn.

Hearing someone say I’m amazing feels so torturous.

I tried to cough a few times, acting like it was nothing. Silently conveying that I wish they would stop talking about this.

“The Princess shares the same feelings as I do!”

The issue is that this demon woman named Charlua shows no signs of backing off. Even the Princess doesn’t seem inclined to change the subject.

“In fact, ever since returning home, I’ve gone over Prince Kael’s strategies night after night!”

“…??”

Why are you going over that?! Don’t do that! It wasn’t worth it!

“In fact, some like-minded individuals and I are studying Prince Kael’s tactics systematically.”

Are you out of your mind?! What do you mean ‘studying’?

“I understand. Not just regarding the conflict with Nobogord, but what Prince Kael has shown our Empire in this Eastern campaign was beyond that.”

Princess. Please stop smiling like you’re bragging about yourself. Ah, don’t smile!

Whether she knows my inner turmoil or not, the two women continued their conversation.

“Actually, the reason I sought this personal meeting was to talk more with the brilliant strategist known as Prince Kael.”

“They say there’s no border to the willingness to learn. Miss Charlua, you are indeed a person of a commendable mind.”

Hmm. It seems that even women from different tribes can understand each other’s thoughts.

That’s a good thing. One is the Princess of the Empire, and the other the daughter of the Council Chair of Nobogord.

Can I even call them people? Ah, let’s brush that aside.

If those two become closer, it’s bound to benefit both countries!

*

I don’t like this. All of this makes me feel utterly displeased.

Isabelle tried to calm herself while looking at the demon woman sitting across from her.

At first, it was just absurd. A guest, regardless of status, is still just a guest, isn’t she?

Is it fitting for a foreign guest to audaciously seek a personal meeting with the nobility of the Empire?

The moment she heard that, Isabelle stayed right next to Kael.

‘It’s well-known that demons are crafty. Who knows what scheme they’re devising?’

Moreover, Kael was under some suspicion from the Emperor (not that it matters).

A pointless meeting could become a weakness, so it was better for her to be present. If she did, she could swiftly prevent any rumors about strange conversations.

And Isabelle became convinced that her gut feeling was right.

“Actually, ever since returning home, I’ve reviewed Prince Kael’s strategies night after night!”

What on earth is this demon woman blabbering about? The thought echoed in her mind.

Is she out of her mind? Thinking of Prince Kael every night? Is she sane?

No matter how impressive he is, how dare she have ulterior motives on the nobility of the Empire?

(She completely disregarded the ‘strategies’ part.)

“I understand. Not just regarding the conflict with Nobogord, but what Prince Kael showed our Empire during the Eastern campaign was beyond that.”

Yeah, I understand. It must sting since you demons don’t have anyone as remarkable as him.

I heard you tend to regard strength as the greatest virtue, so it makes sense.

Hmm.

Meanwhile, Charlua felt a strange alertness coming from Isabelle, who was sitting across from her.

From the very start, it felt as though she was keeping a watchful eye while sitting beside Kael.

Hasn’t she been speaking up in place of Kael?

This position was definitely one she had personally requested, yet she never expected the Empire would deploy the Princess as a guard.

Could it be due to my status?

The only daughter of the Council Chair. Though it means little now, it’s not absolute.

Being the Chair’s daughter, she could swiftly rise to a high position upon returning.

Could the fact that such a person is talking to the Empire’s genius strategist be bothersome to them?

“Actually, the reason I sought this personal meeting was to converse more with the brilliant strategist known as Prince Kael.”

Thus, she tried to imply her true intentions more blatantly.

I definitely wanted to have a private conversation with Kael alone.

So why is this Princess interrupting and obstructing my wishes?

What’s wrong with having a straightforward conversation? Must she oversee everything?

“…”

The meaning behind her words made Isabelle’s eyes narrow.

Immediately putting on a smile, she casually replied.

“They say there’s no border to the willingness to learn, Miss Charlua. Although you are from Nobogord, you are indeed a person of commendable mind.”

The meaning was clear.

Do not act overly familiar as a foreign guest and stay out of our way.

Do not create a situation that risks Kael’s weaknesses with unnecessary actions.

A peculiar battle of wits was silently taking place between the two women.

—

Meanwhile, the one causing this tension, Kael, was leisurely sipping his tea.

*

The next day, just like yesterday, Charlua sought out Kael.

And just like yesterday, Isabelle was with him.

‘This Princess is here again today. This is going to be quite awkward.’

She wanted to converse with Kael, who lived up to the title of genius strategist.

She wanted to discuss the strategies he had used until now and exchange various opinions.

She wanted advice on how to better handle emotions.

And as a bonus, there was that matter that’s been causing turmoil within Nobogord lately.

She also hoped to gain his help with the stress it was causing her father and the council members.

“But I’m curious. Why is Miss Charlua so interested in Prince Kael?”

In a display of impatience, Isabelle was the first to demand a direct answer.

She kept her smile, but there was a strangely sharp tone in her voice.

Asking why a foreign guest was ordering around one of their own noblemen.

Typically, one should avoid such questions.

Even when answering, it’s best to either tell a lie or be indirect.

“Actually, you see, I was hoping to ask for some help from Prince Kael, Your Highness.”

But Charlua didn’t take either of those routes. Instead, she chose a direct approach.

This stemmed from her inherited wits from her father and her keen ability to gauge situations.

‘She’s wary, but she’s not twisted. Rather, as the Empire’s Princess, she seems keen on protecting her country’s talents. Furthermore, she showed a remarkable interest in national affairs, even serving twice in the military.’

So let’s go for honesty. Let’s provoke the fact that I’m speaking with a foreign noble.

If a foreign dignitary suddenly says something like this, she’s bound to react in some way.

“What do you mean by ‘help’?”

Just as expected, Isabelle’s eyes widened in surprise as she asked.

“It’s as it sounds, Your Highness. I wish to hear the advice of Prince Kael, an outstanding strategist.”

“…”

After a brief moment of looking at Charlua, Isabelle dismissed her words, saying they were nonsensical.

She had heard that they hadn’t sent such a message through their envoy.

If that were the case, it meant Charlua was acting unilaterally, which would be impossible.

It’s more probable that she’s just playing a prank on Kael and herself.

“The internal situation of Nobogord is currently very tumultuous.”

However, when a surprising news came from Charlua’s mouth, Isabelle had no choice but to be shocked.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you disclosing your nation’s secrets to a foreigner? If you’re aiming for defection, you should head to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.”

“It’s not defection, Your Highness. That will soon be known anyway, and as I said, it’s only right to inform you of the situation first if I’m seeking advice.”

Isabelle’s expression grew even more rigid.

Yes! That’s exactly what doesn’t make sense!

Why are you seeking advice about your national issues from a foreigner?

Especially when the two countries have lingering tensions?

And that too, coming from the Chair’s daughter? Who would believe such a thing!

“Right now, the unrest with the Menwa Tribe is intensifying within Nobogord.”

Yet, Charlua was unconcerned and went ahead with her explanation.

“What’s the Menwa Tribe?”

For the first time, Kael, who had been silent until now, spoke with a question.

Along with a small sigh, Charlua continued her explanation.

“You know that Nobogord is a union of various demon tribes, correct?”

“Of course.”

“There are various factions within those tribes. Broadly speaking, they can be divided into moderates and hardliners, but even within those factions, there are further splits.”

“….”

“And the Menwa Tribe is a group among the hardliners, those extreme hardliners. They are currently planning to break the agreement with the Empire and launch a surprise attack on the northern side of the Empire.”

Having heard that, Kael and Isabelle could finally get a clearer picture of the situation.

If that’s true, it’s definitely a delicate matter to discuss openly in a public setting.

Bringing it up in front of the Empire’s high-ranking officials could lead to quite the uproar.

That could easily provoke opposition, so they need to tread carefully.

They must have delivered the message secretly to the Emperor himself.

Their seriousness was such that they wanted someone to keep an eye on it.

Charlua’s sudden move might also have been pre-arranged.

“Recently, they even dug up the grave of a person who had worked to improve relations with the Empire.”

“What? Did they disturb a dead person’s resting place?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Whether here, in Nobogord, or in any nation on the continent,

there is a strong consensus that you don’t disturb the resting place of the dead.

Yet, if they have done so, it serves as a testament to the Menwa Tribe’s great hostility towards the Empire.

“Initially, we thought to raise an army to punish them. But…”

Charlua directed a subtle gaze toward Isabelle.

More precisely, she was looking at the Empire itself behind her.

From that glance, Isabelle could tell what it implied.

‘The Empire wouldn’t want to disturb Nobogord unless absolutely necessary.’

Since we chose peace first, we won’t be the ones to break it.

We won’t provoke you. But still, can the Empire lend us a helping hand?

Isabelle finally realized Charlua’s, no, Nobogord’s genuine motive.

“If I openly ask for help, then Nobogord will be labeled as relying on a foreign country, and the Empire will be seen as meddling in foreign affairs. Hence, I’m seeking advice in this personal capacity.”

Directly to you, Kael Clausewitz.

Charlua and Isabelle’s eyes locked onto Kael, who was holding a teacup.