I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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“Nice to meet you all. I am Charlua Estania from Nobogord.”

The Imperial Academy was thrown into a great shock on that day.

As far as they knew, Nobogord was a land inhabited by barbaric Demon Tribe people.

They thought their behavior would be incredibly rude and that they would resemble monsters in appearance.

The fact that the Academy was located in the South, directly opposite Nobogord, added fuel to the fire.

However, the Demon Tribe member named Charlua who suddenly appeared before them was entirely different from their imagination.

There was nothing fierce about her tone and she was extremely cautious in her actions.

Moreover, her appearance was almost indistinguishable from that of a human. In fact, she was quite beautiful!

But the surprise from the Academy didn’t stop there.

“I have a question, could you help me?”

“Here. This part is a bit hard to understand. As far as I know—”

“Hmm? Ahaha! Just because it’s Nobogord, doesn’t mean we’re lacking this much. Here, this is….”

Charlua’s academic prowess was remarkably high.

To the point that the students of the Imperial Academy could easily be surpassed.

She was at a level where she could engage in somewhat deep conversations with the professors.

Thanks to this, many found it insufficient to simply say they were “surprised.”

When people think of the Demon Tribe, the first image that comes to mind is a warrior obsessed with battle.

Regardless of age or gender, they picture themselves shouting and rushing in like “Uwaah!”

In reality, Nobogord has the highest number of troops compared to its population.

Even the Empire, with a population of about 50 million, barely maintains a total military force of 400,000.

Opinions are constantly raised about needing to reduce the legions as well.

Yet Nobogord, with a population of around 8 million, boasted a force exceeding 80,000, nearing 90,000.

There was no other place that had more than 1 percent of its population as military force than Nobogord.

Thus, the people of the Empire conjured images of the Demon Tribe, and Nobogord, tied solely to battle.

Only fighting. Only combat. Only strength. They believed that was the reason for their existence.

But this Charlua was completely shattering all those notions.

[ Charlua Estania. Adapting remarkably well to the Academy ]

Thanks to that, those sent from the Empire to observe her also felt somewhat relieved.

If Charlua were to struggle with her adaptation or display some strange behaviors,

the carefully built atmosphere towards Nobogord might change dramatically.

To prevent that, they had assigned individuals not just for protection, but also to monitor her.

There, from Charlua’s perspective, and from the Empire’s perspective,

a pleasant Academy life was just beginning to unfold.

“Have you heard the news? Charlua?”

A girl who had become somewhat friendly with her timidly approached.

“They say there’s a war!”

“…What?”

“They say there’s a war beyond the southern border! Benito Kingdom and the Holy Kingdom have declared war on each other!”

In an instant, Charlua felt something was amiss.

As she understood, many nations on the continent, including the Empire, served the God of Light, Runen.

Furthermore, the Holy Kingdom was the land where the first miracle of Runen manifested.

It was only natural that all believers in the Light held this land in high regard.

“Wait. Is that possible? Even if the Holy Kingdom isn’t powerful, they have the headquarters of the Church of Light, so practically all believers in Runen are said to belong to the Holy Kingdom.”

“Right. However, it seems the various kingdoms directly south of the Holy Kingdom are in a different situation.”

“What do you mean by different?”

“I don’t know the details. What is certain is that after the Holy Kingdom dispossessed King Benito, other kingdoms haven’t taken the opportunity to attack, but have instead remained silent.”

At that moment, Charlua’s eyes sparkled with realization.

Those unaware would simply see her as the only daughter of the chairperson of the council, believing she lived a carefree life.

They would think of her as a sheltered flower, raised with utmost care, knowing nothing of the world.

Of course, that was utter nonsense. If Chairperson Caland had heard that, he would have laughed heartily.

Even her father, seasoned in politics, was unaware she had her own eyes and ears planted within the council.

Charlua possessed a political sense sharp enough to turn ordinary council members into dust.

A very familiar scent began to swirl around her.

This was, indeed, the unmistakable aroma of the turbulent whirlpool of political strife, filled with numerous dirty tricks.

“Anyway… what should we do?”

“What do you mean?”

“The situation beyond the border seems worse than expected. There are rumors that the legions are being redeployed and that the Academy might go on temporary leave.”

“Temporary leave? Why all of a sudden? The war isn’t happening in the Empire!”

As Charlua panicked and asked for clarification, the girl also admitted she didn’t know.

She had merely heard such rumors from others.

“No….”

Charlua placed her chin on her palm and let out a sigh.

Having come all the way to this far-off southern part of the Empire as the first international student,

she had endured the sweltering heat she found unbearable.

She had just begun her Academy life, overcoming the prejudiced gaze against the Demon Tribe!

Unable to comprehend, Charlua sought out the professors.

She didn’t bluntly state her reason for visiting. That could have come off as rude.

And she had learned not to reveal her inner thoughts carelessly anywhere.

Especially when she wanted to ask for something or gain information, she had to keep it hidden.

“Professor, I’ve brought the materials you needed.”

“Oh, thank you, Charlua. You didn’t have to do this; I could have sent a teaching assistant.”

“It’s nothing. I learned a lot from our last academic discussion.”

Feeling guilty for letting her go just like that, the professor of the Academy personally made tea for her.

As they chatted, the topic naturally shifted to the current issue.

“By the way, Charlua, do you have a place to stay?”

“Although I might look like this, as a guest of the Empire, I believe I could manage. But why do you ask?”

“They say there’s a war beyond the southern border. It was due to a dispute between the Holy Kingdom and Benito.”

“I see. My word. A war, you say.”

It was all too natural of an act. Anyone would think it was her first time hearing this news.

The unexpected professor only wore a look of regret.

“The battlefield is too close. From the Academy’s perspective in the South, we have no choice but to prepare for the worst.”

“I understand that Benito and the Holy Kingdom both have some distance from the Empire, however….”

“It seems the situation isn’t just a simple dispute between the two kingdoms.”

Playing with her teacup, the professor continued.

“In the past, as soon as the news of the expulsion sounded, the Southern kingdoms would have reacted immediately. It was the perfect justification. However, they say this time it’s different. They’re watching the expelled Benito and even subtly providing assistance.”

“If they’re observing and even helping….”

“It means the Southern kingdoms have turned their backs on the Holy Kingdom.”

The southern order that had maintained for over a century. The position of the Holy Kingdom that had never wavered until now.

Now, that position was swaying not just slightly, but quite violently.

As things took a turn for the worse, the Empire was also preparing just in case.

“Ah, but there’s no need to worry too much. This is, after all, just a possibility. Unless the Empire joins the fray and the situation in the South worsens, there won’t be any temporary leaves.”

*

What in the world is this random thunderbolt!

“What on earth is this random thunderbolt?!”

She had communicated flawlessly with the princess, down to the very last particle.

Under normal circumstances, she would have laughed and exclaimed, “Haha!” while discussing it.

But now, having no room for such leisure was practically impossible.

[ Benito. Declared war against the Holy Kingdom ] [ Holy Kingdom. Expulsion of King Benito ]

Something felt off about the situation, but it didn’t appear to be as strange as in the West.

That’s because the South was heavily influenced by the Holy Kingdom.

So much so that bishops and priests often surpassed the nobility in status.

Thus, it seemed that Benito would manage a reasonable reconciliation with the Holy Kingdom.

Yet, that was a load of nonsense. Benito simply went ahead and made the move.

Whether expelled or not. Whether the neighboring countries served Runen or not.

It was as if she was watching the actions of a lunatic who lived for the moment.

‘But that wasn’t the case. There was a solid ground behind it!’

[ Responses from the Southern Kingdoms vary ] [ Criticism of Benito. Calls for reconciliation. Volunteering as mediators ]

At first glance, it appeared that everyone was siding with the Holy Kingdom.

But no. If that were true, they should have deployed troops to Benito the moment they heard of the expulsion.

Not just criticizing Benito with words or calling for reconciliation as they were now.

All of this indicates but one possibility.

“Kael, do you really think the Southern kingdoms are turning their backs on the Holy Kingdom and siding with Benito?”

At the princess’s inquiry, I thought for a moment and carefully nodded.

Without that, it would be impossible to accurately explain the current situation.

“The reasons will need further assessment of the Southern situation, but in my prediction, that’s the case.”

“If Kael says so, then I suppose it must be.”

The princess stated that without hearing the rationale.

So I couldn’t help but let out a brief sigh.

“Still, I’m curious about the reasons. Could you share?”

“Oh, yes. I believe it’s probably due to the lingering resentment against the Holy Kingdom that has built up over time.”

In the past, the continent was under the order led by the Holy Kingdom, which worshiped the God of Light, Runen.

The power of religion was immense. Didn’t some say that religion was akin to a drug?

Anyone making even slightly disrespectful comments about the deity was condemned regardless of their rank or position.

But nothing lasts forever. The power of that religion gradually weakened.

It wasn’t that people no longer believed in Runen. The faith still played its role as faith.

It simply meant that the influence in various societal aspects had significantly diminished.

The Empire experienced this, as did the three kingdoms in the East and the kingdoms in the West.

Religion became an act of faith alone. It should not interfere with the affairs of the state.

“…However, the South’s circumstances were a bit different.”

“I see. The South has the Holy Kingdom right next door. Thus, the reduction of its influence would be noticeable compared to other places.”

“Your Highness is correct.”

Indeed, the influence of the Holy Kingdom remained strong in the South.

Naturally, the social standing of the bishops and priests in each country remained elevated.

To the point that their opinions would sway the decisions of the kingdom on all matters.

Such things must have been quite irksome to the rulers of each country.

In the meantime, as Benito rose first, they pretended to side with the Holy Kingdom while inwardly hoping Benito could finally place the Holy Kingdom in its place.

“…Really now. No matter where you go, such power dynamics exist.”

The princess responded with a look of exasperation, but I merely shrugged.

And after a while, the princess and I finally arrived in the southern part of the Empire.