I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist - Chapter 1

The trigger that brought my past life to mind was unusual. I was lying down reading a book when something suddenly struck my forehead.

“Ow!” I exclaimed. As I rubbed the aching area, I pictured myself gaining a lightning-shaped scar on my forehead, gifting me the ability to converse with snakes like a certain someone else. 

Then, I questioned what kind of thoughts I was entertaining. A lightning-shaped scar?A snake whisperer?

Then all manners of information I had never recognized came flooding into my mind.

At first, I thought I was absolutely losing my marbles.

However, as each memory grew clearer and intertwined with my own, I could finally come to terms with the fact that I had been reborn into this world after passing away in the modern era.

“This is life; it is a challenge.”

Presently, I am a scion of a distinguished family even within the empire.

Having lived a virtuous life in my past existence, I couldn’t help but feel that I was now receiving just compensation.

Of course, I had my worries.

Perhaps our family might get entangled in unfortunate events or be surrounded by peculiar intrigues.

Yet, nothing of the sort occurred. I drew in a deep breath while observing our prosperous lineage.

Ah, this scent is reminiscent of honey. 

Indeed, it is the fragrance of honey! The commencement of a joyful life in this new world!

“Dammit.”

Condemning my past self as I swallowed the sands of time.

The joys of this new world shall soon turn to frost. The issue lies with this cursed mouth of mine.

“You too must now serve in the military. It is expected of a member of the Clauwitz family.”

On the day I came of age, my father visited me and uttered those words.

Initially, I considered it an unserious suggestion.

However, the very next day, I was dragged off to a training camp without any chance to negotiate, treated with sheer audacity.

‘It was not a proposal but a decree, Father!’

It was unjust. Unjust beyond measure. To endure military training twice. To be enlisted twice.

Had I known even my soldierly life had to be repeated twice, I would have clutched at the key to the next world.

“We shall conclude the basic military training here. Thank you for your cooperation!”

For a brief moment, I let my guard down when the drill instructor remarked about the toils he endured while shaping me like a mouse.

Is it over now? Can I just return home? Not a chance!

“I have arranged a military post for you. With the conflict between the Imperial Army and the Norvogrod Pact escalating due to the Demon Coalition, you will be stationed at their headquarters. Though it is a lowly position, consider it a valuable hands-on experience and give it your best.”

Father. Father. Father…! Stay! Halt! Do you not even consider my opinion!

I wondered if Mother might intervene. I harbored a slight hope.

But Mother simply bid me farewell with a reminder to take care of myself.

“Dad, I hate you! Why are you tormenting my brother! Don’t take my brother away! I will yell at Dad for this!”

The solace of my heart was found in my younger sister, who had always been very close to me since childhood, despite the considerable age difference.

“I shall return safely. Father, Mother. And Kaya? Listen well to our parents.”

“Learn as much as you can.”

“Take care.”

“Oh… I’m sorry, brother. I’m so sorry…!”

After bidding farewell to my family, I climbed into the carriage. It was off to the battlefield. My heart pounded wildly as if possessed.

It was from that moment that my life began to take on a strange turn.

****

[ Last night, a shooting star fell. The morale of the soldiers was rock-bottom. ]

The historian painstakingly recorded it briefly, yet the situation was anything but simple.

While it might be normal in peacetime, it was far from ordinary in wartime, especially on the frontline where a battle could erupt at any moment.

A meteor of immense size, visible to the naked eye, fell with an eerie sound, landing squarely in the midst of our allies.

The occurrence was viewed as the pinnacle of ominousness.

Claiming it to be the will of the gods foretelling a great defeat, officers and soldiers alike were in disarray.

As signs of the entire army wavering began to show, all the commanding officers were summoned immediately.

“The current situation is-.”

“Not favorable at all. The morale of our troops has plummeted drastically in just one night.”

“The movements of the demons are in stark contrast to our forces. According to the scouts, their momentum seems to pierce the sky like they are about to make a decisive move at any moment.”

Of all times for such an event to occur while we are facing the demons. It is almost as if the heavens are indifferent. To be thrown into disarray over a mere shooting star.

“Damn it.”

Unknowingly letting out a curse, I was met with a stern look from the commander.

“…”

Isabel, the Second Princess, acting staff officer.

She was merely here to gain experience, not to directly intervene in frontline command.

She did not represent the royal family. Acting solely in a personal capacity, there was no need to be mindful of appearances.

No one, except the commander himself, would know the truth of her involvement in this battle.

Not needing to fret over the princess, the commander could focus on his duties.

…these assurances were given, but regardless, she was of direct royal lineage. Could one truly afford to ignore appearances before the most noble figure in the empire?

It troubled me deeply that I had uttered such uncouth words in front of the most noble individual in the empire.

However, Isabel seemed unfazed by the commander’s words. Instead, she appeared contemplative, as if pondering the current situation.

“Perhaps retreating the camp temporarily might be advisable,” suggested one advisor.

“Check yourself. Is it reasonable to withdraw the army over a single shooting star?” berated another.

The voices in the command post grew increasingly louder.

“Merely a single shooting star causing a collapse in military morale is no trivial matter. Moreover, against what ordinary foes must our soldiers contend? The demons, it is the demons! Even in the most advantageous of circumstances, engaging in battle with a demoralized army is tantamount to an act of self-destruction!”

“Would the glorious name of our Imperial Army not be ashamed?!”

“If enduring a momentary shame can avert defeat and save the lives of our soldiers, then so be it!”

A heated discussion ensues. Among the staff officers, sharp differences of opinion are vividly expressed.

Though he could intervene as a commander, the current situation makes it impossible for him to do so.

Deeply troubled by how to handle this absurd situation himself.

Withdrawing the army would mean giving up a strategically advantageous position that had been secured.

However, staying put here would only exacerbate the soldiers’ anxiety.

The commander, who had been silently observing the situation, locks eyes with Princess Isabel.

Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to start pulling back now? Such a question faintly lingered in the air.

The commander promptly tapped the operation table, marking an end to the heated situation.

A momentary silence fell over the command post as the commander’s decision sank in.

“Was the falling star a sign of fate?”

The impeccably timed final words of someone echoed loudly.

It must have been a muttered remark. It was surely a spur-of-the-moment utterance amidst the noisy surroundings.

Yet, the timing was off. The place was inappropriate. And to top it off, the princess was present.

Who could have made such a mistake, the commander wondered angrily.

“Who was that just now? Uttering such reckless words in such a crucial moment.”

“…”

Naturally, the culprit did not immediately come forward.

Seeing the commander’s expression, the individual who had made the muttered remark hesitantly raised their hand.

“You. Your name.”

“…Kael, son of the Count Berti, once Imperial Marshal.”

“If you are who you say you are, then you are of the Clauwitz lineage.”

The Clauwitz lineage, a prominent lineage in the empire’s history as one of the central pillars of the military. They were known for producing many exceptional commanders.

Perhaps for this reason, the decision to enlist the eldest son for experience this time seemed appropriate, but making such a mistake was unforgivable.

“Hmm. A rather young lad indeed. Very well. Since it seems you are not well-versed in the peculiarities of the battlefield, I shall offer a few words of advice instead of reprimanding you.”

The commander spoke in a comforting tone, as if soothing a child.

“While it may seem like a simple shooting star under normal circumstances, on the frontlines, it can vary. In situations like this, where the star falls into the allies’ camp, it can turn into an omen of calamity.”

Coincidence or a divine example, the critical matter is not that; it is the existence of those who believe so.

A passing squall, a momentary tempest, even a fleeting mist swiftly changes amidst the rapidly evolving situation, with deadly consequences.

Especially if that person’s resolve is on the brink of breaking, their influence could be monumental.

As the commander explained these aspects, the young man who introduced himself as Kael scratched his head in embarrassment.

“I am truly sorry, Commander. I have no words to offer regarding my mistake.”

“Such an attitude is commendable. Be more cautious in the future. Of course, the second point is…”

“However, I truly question the decision to withdraw the entire army over a single falling star.”

In that instant, everyone in the commander’s tent looked at Kael with incredulity.

After the commander had patiently explained, it was surprising to hear such words still.

If his background had been from an ordinary family, someone might have stepped forward to voice dissent.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“If the issue was caused by a falling star, wouldn’t the solution involve the falling star as well?”

This was an utterly absurd statement. What was this young, almost childish man saying?

Was he raised in such an unusual family that he knew nothing about the ways of the world?

Unable to bear it any longer, someone was about to interject and put an end to the nonsense.

“Do we have a kite somewhere?”

****

That night, the Imperial Army cheered as shooting stars lit up the night sky once again, painting it crimson.

They rejoiced, believing this to be a spectacle where the gods had forsaken even their original intent to choose victory for themselves.

Conversely, the demons facing them were thrown into disarray, deeming it an absurd turn of events.

Despite the demon commanders’ attempts to calm their ranks, no amount of reasoning seemed to persuade them.

The battlefield was a place where even the smallest things could cause great commotion.

The Imperial Army’s commander chuckled, stating that the young man had taken after his father and made a mental note to relay this tale to the Clauwitz family head.

And then…

“…”

The Second Princess, Isabel, began to regard the noble youth named Kael with a curious gaze.

He was an intriguing man. Around her age, this was his first deployment. Yet, how could he come up with such an extraordinary plan and present it right away?

Unable to contain her curiosity, she immediately summoned guards and issued some orders.

At the same moment, Kael was in the midst of greeting someone.

“Thank you. Thank you! General Yushin Kim!”