I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist - Chapter 19

To the east of the empire lie three kingdoms.

In order of size: Burkhai, Caden, and Forland.

Together, they are collectively referred to as the Eastern Three Kingdoms within the empire.

Their territories, average. Their populations, average. Their resources, average. Everything else, also average.

In every sense, they embody the textbook definition of kingdoms.

With one exception: their histories run as deep as that of our empire.

What does this mean? It means they possess a certain pride born of their own long-standing legacies.

They have watched the empire’s growth with growing wariness, and at times, they have even gone to war.

As recently as ten years ago, the phrase “eastern regions of the empire” was synonymous with a dangerous war zone.

Had these lands not been divided among three kingdoms, but instead unified into one, I daresay the empire would have had its hands full dealing with them.

‘All three kingdoms hated to see any one of them grow too strong.’

It is a common truth: people are more bothered by a flourishing neighbor than by one in the distance.

Whenever one of the three kingdoms began to show any signs of prominence, the others would band together to pull it back down.

Thanks to this, the empire had no need to expend excessive resources or time on the eastern regions.

And yet, the words that just escaped the Crown Princess’s lips flipped that dynamic on its head.

“Sister? What do you mean… the unification of the Eastern Three Kingdoms?”

“It’s a report from the Special Affairs Bureau. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also believes the likelihood to be very high.”

“That can’t be….”

As I’ve said, the Eastern Three Kingdoms are unremarkable when taken individually.

But that’s only when considered one by one. Now, as of this moment, they’ve effectively tripled in strength.

…No, not just tripled. It’s likely even greater than that, thanks to the synergy of their union.

‘The unification of the Eastern Three Kingdoms. What this suggests is… only one thing.’

“Lord Kael. What is your opinion?”

The Crown Princess turned her gaze to me and posed the question.

Without hesitation, I gave the only answer possible.

“I believe they will make military movements, Your Highness.”

“And?”

“…At worst, the east could be engulfed in the flames of war.”

Surely, the Eastern Three Kingdoms haven’t united with the noble intent of declaring, “Let’s all get along with the empire!”

These kingdoms, which had spent centuries tripping over each other in petty disputes, have suddenly joined forces?

This is nothing more than an effort to call for reinforcements, because fighting alone would be too burdensome.

“Indeed. As you have said. It seems the Eastern Three Kingdoms are prepared to risk war against our empire.”

For the Crown Princess to say such a thing herself?

It is almost certain that the Eastern Three Kingdoms will soon show hostile intent.

Within two days at most, the empire will also have to take decisive action.

“Sister. Then shouldn’t we immediately pressure the pro-peace faction of the nobility?”

“Pressure them, you say.”

“Yes. Doesn’t this prove that the diplomacy they’ve been preaching is utterly useless? How much time, resources, effort, and dedication has the empire poured into the east until now?”

As the princess said, the pro-peace faction had focused on the eastern regions, which were considered the most promising target.

They believed that if the three kingdoms, busy restraining each other, could be properly approached, their resistance to the empire might be softened.

That was their reasoning, and they supported pro-empire factions in the eastern regions through various means.

But the result? The three kingdoms have united, and the Eastern Three Kingdoms are on the verge of pointing their swords at the empire.

If this were left unchecked, other neighboring kingdoms could also begin to stir.

The empire’s response was inevitable. At the same time, internal affairs would need to be addressed.

This was the argument the princess made before her sister, the Crown Princess.

“Tsk, tsk.”

But the Crown Princess, instead of agreeing, clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“It seems, Bel, that you still have much to learn.”

“Sister? What do you mean…?”

The princess appeared visibly flustered, unsure of how to respond.

“Lord Kael.”

The Crown Princess turned her gaze toward me and continued speaking.

“What do you think? Should the pro-peace faction truly be purged from the political stage at this time?”

“….”

I am the eldest son of the Count of Bertie, a family with a long tradition of serving in the military.

I have fought on the battlefield, and even during my time in the capital, I have been aligned with the pro-war faction.

Thus, to others, I must appear as a staunch advocate of war.

And now, the Crown Princess herself is asking me what should be done about the pro-peace faction.

‘…Was the Crown Princess pro-war?’

No, she leans closer to neutrality.

…No, that’s not quite right. She is an absolute force. She has no need to take sides.

What seems like neutrality is simply her ability to choose or discard alliances at will.

Before such a figure, what is the right answer I should give?

What words must I utter to win the favor of this absolute authority?

My mind raced furiously, and it took only a few seconds to deliver my answer.

“No, Your Highness. On the contrary, I believe that it is precisely during times like this that the pro-peace faction must not be removed.”

“Sir Kael?!”

“Ho.”

The Crown Princess looked intrigued, while the princess glared at me as though I were a traitor.

No, Your Highness, please don’t look at me like I’m some sort of turncoat. That’s not what this is.

“I would like to hear your reasoning. May I?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I steadied my breathing for a moment before organizing my thoughts and speaking.

“First and foremost, the pro-peace faction within the empire has not entirely failed.”

“It has not failed? Is this current situation not a failure? The three kingdoms have united, and the eastern front is at risk of collapse.”

“That is how it appears. At first glance, Your Highness.”

Indeed. If it were truly a failure, events wouldn’t have escalated so suddenly.

“The suddenness of this union among the three kingdoms must have a reason. For example, it could be to suppress the rising pro-empire factions within their own territories. They may have sensed a threat from within.”

“The anti-empire factions, growing desperate, orchestrated this alliance?”

“It’s not impossible, considering that the anti-empire factions still hold more power in the three kingdoms.”

I’ve seen this play out countless times in my past life.

In politics, the easiest way to crush an opponent is to create an external enemy.

And then, to claim that your internal political rival is connected to that external enemy.

This naturally fractures internal support and leads to chaos.

“To provoke another war with the empire just to crush a fledgling pro-empire faction… Sir Kael, are you not underestimating the intelligence of their leadership?”

“I sincerely hope that I am wrong. That their leadership is wiser than I expect.”

“And why is that?”

“Those in power fear losing the source of their power more than they fear losing their nation. Even when the future is clear, they cannot help but fear the immediate backlash of public opinion.”

The Crown Princess nodded silently.

The sound of her fingers tapping against the table echoed faintly.

“And. The pro-peace faction within the empire must remain intact for what comes next.”

“For what comes next?”

“Even in such a situation, leaving a group that advocates for dialogue over war sends a message to other kingdoms. It creates the perception that ‘the empire always leaves room for peaceful solutions.’ If we can navigate the current eastern crisis successfully, this will work greatly to the empire’s advantage.”

At my words, the Crown Princess smiled and added, “And we can also establish the justification that ‘the empire extended the olive branch to the end.’ Is that what you mean?”

Of course, she had already grasped the full implications of what I was saying—and more.

“Indeed. Lord Kael, you are correct. Remarkable. That you’ve discerned all of this.”

“I am honored, Your Highness.”

“You said you were only twenty-one, did you not? You hardly seem it. Truly fascinating.”

Well, if we’re being honest, Your Highness, you’re only twenty-four yourself and yet you have seen all of this just as I have.

And unlike me, you don’t have the benefit of memories from a previous life. That’s even scarier.

I was merely rambling to get through this situation!

“A-ah….”

At that moment, the princess, who had been quietly listening, let out a sigh.

Then, lowering her head, she offered an apology to the Crown Princess.

“I-I’m sorry, Sister. I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I was so ignorant of the bigger picture….”

“It is only natural not to know, Bel. If anything, it is the man beside you who is abnormal to a terrifying degree. You’ve caught quite the prize. Hahaha.”

“…?”

A prize? What prize? What are you talking about?

“Well then, shall we move on?”

At the Crown Princess’s gesture, maids emerged from seemingly nowhere to clear the table.

The speed with which they moved was so astonishing that I only realized what had happened long after.

As expected of the palace maids. They’re said to be capable of doubling as bodyguards, and now I believe it!

“Take a look at this, Lord Kael. Do you know what it is?”

“…If I may offer my humble opinion, it appears to be a map of the empire’s eastern border and the territories adjacent to the three kingdoms.”

“Correct. It is a detailed map of the terrain in that area.”

As expected of the empire. This tactical map is so detailed, it might as well be a modern satellite image.

“Their confidence in provoking us stems from this: there are many roads that lead into the empire, while only a few lead to them. If even one of these key routes is blocked, their supply lines will be severed.”

The Crown Princess pointed to one such route.

“This pass, which we call Pavilion. We plan to station elite troops here to hold it. The War Ministry and the military will soon issue the operation orders.”

“I see.”

“And I would like you to accompany them, Lord Kael.”

“Me… Your Highness?”

I had anticipated something significant, but… another campaign, already?

And this time, it’s a direct order from none other than the Crown Princess.

“I wish to borrow your ingenuity once more. Will you aid me?”

“Your Highness. I am always ready to serve the empire. However—”

“Your age. Your experience. None of those will be an issue. I promise you.”

Damn. This is serious. A poisoned chalice, if ever there was one. To have the expectations of the second most powerful figure in the empire thrust upon me!

If I succeed, all will be well. But if I fail, it won’t just tarnish my family’s honor—it will be catastrophic.

“…I will do my utmost, Your Highness.”

Not that declining was ever an option.

A request—or rather, a command—from the Crown Princess herself.

Still, if I can excel here, my family’s prestige will soar to unprecedented heights.

“An admirable answer. Then let me ask: if you were on the ground there, how would you act?”

“If I were there, I would…”

The key choke points for the imperial army. Positions that must be held at all costs.

Beside one of the more defensible routes lay a range of mountains.

‘Mountains. Mountains, huh.’

After some deliberation, I pointed to one spot on the map.

“I would make use of this location, Your Highness.”

The mountains beside the pass. When I indicated that spot, the Crown Princess’s expression grew curious.

Was she caught off guard? I’d ignored the obvious defensive position and instead pointed to a less conventional one.

But worry not, Your Highness.

I’m not some naive mountain enthusiast like the ill-fated General Ma Su.