I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist - Chapter 2

I endured for what seemed like ten years. Coincidentally, it was precisely at that moment when suddenly everyone fell silent.

I was on the verge of becoming a naive, undiscerning youngster who mocked others without regard, trusting only in my lineage.

Even if a harsh command was issued, it was not surprising. In the worst-case scenario, I could have been expelled from the command post.

Fortunately, I possessed something special that they did not have – the memories of my past life.

Occasionally, thoughts like missing cola or craving stew instead of soup crept in, trivial matters that preoccupied my mind.

However, as I watched the perplexing situation unravel at the command post, thoughts unexpectedly surfaced in my mind.

In an era when mobile phones were not widespread, there was a famous Korean biography that everyone had read at least once.

About a meteorite that fell, and there was a person who said, ‘Yeah, whatever’ and simply brushed its significance aside.

One concern was how one would manage without matches in this world. However, matches were a well-used item even here.

Especially in measuring wind direction and speed, nothing excelled matches.

Upon hearing my story, the commander immediately ordered matches to be brought and began the modification process.

Bigger than the originals, they needed to burn well for a long time, so preparations were made accordingly.

Watching that scene unfold, I decided to offer one more piece of advice.

By the way, this was not something I read in biographies, but rather based on my own experiences.

“Commander, matches are matches, but there is one more thing we need.”

“What is that?”

“There must be individuals who can sway the hearts of soldiers who may react late to the situation.”

When it’s the enemy, it’s manipulation, but when it’s us, it’s about winning hearts.

After all the hard work, if the soldiers ask, ‘What is this?’ it can be quite disheartening.

Understanding my intention, the commander discreetly gathered trustworthy individuals.

Thus, when midnight fell, our soldiers witnessed the rise of the meteorite that had fallen the night before.

Initially, as expected, they were confused, but soon erupted into tremendous cheers.

A few who had been deployed as windcatchers exclaimed, ‘This is truly the will of the gods! It is a clear sign that the empire will not be defeated!’ – a secret of the command post.

Anyway, just like that, the atmosphere that had seemed forlorn the day before suddenly became fervent.

What does it mean for our morale to plummet and suddenly soar like mad?

Who knows. The changes in our enemies were like night and day. The demons by now, were likely cowering like children. 

And the reconnaissance report that came in the next day only confirmed my suspicions.

“The momentum of the demons has greatly waned. They’ve been trying to conceal it, but it’s gotten so serious that even the scouts have noticed.”

“Hahaha! Of course, it should be that way! How can they remain steadfast when the meteor is rising again!”

“Sir, Commander. Do you remember that it wasn’t a meteor that rose, but a match?”

It’s fortunate that things worked out well. It was almost like a last-minute improvisation, done in a rush.

Amidst the chaos of dealing with the demons, I left the command post behind and stepped out of the headquarters.

I never officially enlisted in the Imperial Army, nor am I an actual commander.

There’s no extraordinary strategy or admiration that I can conjure up.

I might as well leave before my incompetence is exposed!

“My liege.”

However, as I saw my attendant, Alexei, waiting with an unusual expression, I thought it might be better to just stay quietly in the command post.

“What’s wrong? What’s happening?”

“That… “

Where Alexei gestured, there stood a man dressed in an officer’s uniform.

Apart from a slightly more rigid demeanor than others, there was nothing particularly unusual about him.

“It’s not that. Quickly, inside.”

Without properly explaining the situation, Alexei kept muttering ‘inside’ repeatedly.

Alexei was neither stupid nor lacking in some way, so why such a reaction?

Being a member of a noble family, one should recognize the significance of this.

Inside my tent, a very important person had paid a visit.

The man who appeared to be an ordinary officer was actually a disguised close escort.

As this conclusion was drawn, I immediately checked my appearance from head to toe.

“Phew.”

How impressive must the person inside be to warrant such behavior?

Could it be that a member of a noble family is serving incognito without anyone knowing?

I recall a novel from a past life where a healthy nobleman enlisted as a soldier. Could it be true?

Lost in various thoughts, I entered and found a woman seated there.

At that moment, my mind began to whirl like mad.

“This is clearly a battlefield. Our family never falters nor lowers its guard wherever we tread. Yet, Alexei’s unease is visible. The cause of such unease was a woman of my age.”

With these thoughts, the answer naturally emerged. It was a straightforward outcome.

I immediately knelt on one knee and lowered my gaze.

“I, Kael, eldest son of the Claubitz family, greets Her Highness, Princess of the Empire.”

During my greeting, I actually heard what sounded like a subtle “Hmm” float inside the tent.

With what’s happened, the most probable question that will be thrown my way would  be―

“How did you know?”

Well, when you gather various pieces of information, the possibilities narrow down.

If our attendant is so tense, then at the very least, it signals someone of higher rank than a Marquis.

But no matter how much I think, there’s no one from my noble family of my age here in the military camp.

If there were, the news would have somehow spread, but such an occurrence is non-existent.

Then it dawned on me. Someone who shows profound interest in the military and can keep it a secret from everyone.

‘That would be the Second Princess, Her Highness Isabelle.’

As I was about to confidently mention my deduction, the princess suddenly let out a sigh.

“No. I mean, never mind. I asked such a silly question.”

“Your Highness?”

“If you are a person with an extraordinary mind like yours, such deduction should be a piece of cake. I should blame myself for not approaching more cautiously.”

“…?”

Princess? If she answers her own questions, what does that make of my carefully sorted thoughts?

Whether she knew my inner thoughts or not, the princess gestured for me to rise.

I cautiously took a seat opposite her.

“Kaël Clauwitz, Your Highness.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Have you ever studied astronomy?”

I can’t understand why she suddenly asked such an irrelevant question.

“Unfortunately, I am far from being knowledgeable in astronomy.”

“You’re lying.”

The princess categorically dismisses my response as a lie. Slightly taken aback, she continues.

“A person who knows nothing about stars wouldn’t say that.”

“Your Highness, I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re referring to.”

“One must know when a meteor is about to fall to come up with such contingency plans.”

“Oh.”

That’s what it was about. It seems she was quite impressed with the wisdom I received from General Yushin Kim.

“In the battlefield, even a seasoned commander wouldn’t have thought of something so sudden.

It’s not common for a meteor to fall. And for it to fall toward the military camp, even more so.

In that situation, it’s strange that I, who proposed a solution so naturally, am the odd one out.

“I really am far from knowledgeable in astronomy, Your Highness.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

It’s not a lie. Truly, I know nothing about astronomy, not even the basics.

Pretending to know and then being exposed later as a fraud can be quite exhausting.

It’s not just about being ridiculed for pretending; it becomes a lie in front of the princess.

This is the noble truth for preparing for any eventuality.

“Just a moment. So, what about yesterday?”

“That is…”

“If you knew nothing about astronomy and therefore didn’t know in advance that a meteor would fall, then you must have been as surprised as everyone else there!”

“So…”

“In that situation, to come up with such a clever and admired strategy so effortlessly! You truly are remarkable!”

“…”

She’s not listening to me.

“So, Kaël, why a match?”

“Yes?”

“You could have easily done it with magic. Why a match? Why go for a match when magic would suffice?”

I remember General Kim Yushin using a match.

The princess might not understand, but in their world, there’s no such thing as magic.

That’s all there is!

‘…Saying more might make me sound insane.’

Why a match? Why think of a match when magic could have been used? Why did you think of a match?

As the princess asked that question, my mind began to whirl like mad.

“That’s…”

It’s daunting. The look the princess is giving me is incredibly daunting.

She seems to be expecting something significant, waiting for a remarkable answer.

I’ve simply told her the answer I already came to.

“Well…”

“In fact? Really? What is it?”

“Hmm… Well, as Your Highness is aware, magic surprisingly has many flaws.”

I didn’t expect to receive such a question, so my words stumble out.

“Important thing is not that a meteor fell. It’s that our troops’ morale hit rock bottom. Therefore, whatever it took to boost the soldiers’ morale was the most crucial.”

“That’s right.”

“Magic is certainly a good method. However, using magic can leave traces of mana, and above all, wouldn’t it end too abruptly?”

“…Oh! I understand now. The reason you used a match! So, to ensure that our entire army could see. It was necessary to slowly show that scene!”

“That’s it!”

I quickly compliment her words, praising her and boosting her confidence.

This way, people will never harbor suspicions. If they don’t suspect, they won’t be suspected themselves.

“Impressive, Kaël.”

“You flatter me. I simply shared a bit of wisdom.”

“Just a bit? No. Is it easy to turn around or even boost the morale of the army overnight?”

“Hahaha! That’s—”

“Brewner, the Imperial Marshal, was a splendid warrior. And Kaël, the eldest son of the Clauwitz family, is an exceptional strategist!”

What? A strategist? Who? Me? I was too taken aback to correct her.

Me, a strategist. Your Highness, this is a huge misunderstanding…

“I look forward to it. What clever and witty strategy will the strategist Kaël come up with next? We can expect, right?”

“That’s…”

I should deny it. But it’s the esteemed person from the royal family, making it hard to disappoint someone with such high expectations.

“I, I mean, Yes, Your Highness.”

I found myself answering without even realizing it.

“It’s fine. It’s fine. There’s no need to go further!”

A few days later.

“Kaël, what brilliant strategy do you plan to unveil this time?”

“Hahaha…”

Revealing my identity in front of the entire command post.

The princess gazed at me with her eyes sparkling, asking directly.