I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist - Chapter 3

The princess said, “Keep my identity a secret. Understand?” and vanished with a smile.

“The fog has thickened significantly, my liege.”

“That’s right.”

Just a few days ago, the weather was pleasant, as if pushing us to fight, but it suddenly changed.

It was only like that in the morning, so I thought, but it remained dense all day.

It seems this won’t clear up easily.

“Alexei.”

“Yes, my liege.”

“Why haven’t you asked yet?”

“What do you mean?”

“About the person who visited yesterday.”

Upon that, Alexei exhaled, “Ah, about that.”

“This isn’t my first foray. It’s been well over ten years since I entered the Clauwitz family as your attendant.”

“Quite a long time.”

“Yes, it has been a long time. Thanks to that, I can distinguish between what I should and shouldn’t be curious about.”

Alexei smiled at me, and I smiled back at my attendant.

Indeed. To be an attendant in a noble family, one must reach that level.

Recalling memories from a past life, amateurish servants causing ruckuses in novels make no sense.

Servants and attendants in noble families are all highly skilled professionals with extensive experience.

“My liege, a moment.”

As someone approached us, Alexei hurriedly went to meet them.

I roughly knew what was going on. When such figures arrive at the military camp—

“It’s a summons, my liege! The commander has issued a general summons to the command post!”

Just as I thought.

What exactly could ilcit such a response this time? A general summons must have a significant reason.

Since I knew the princess was at the military camp, it’s best to go there quickly.

After swiftly preparing, I hastened my steps towards the command post.

“Oh, come in quickly, our young strategist.”

The commander greeted me warmly with a chuckle.

Not just the commander, but the other staff officers also welcomed me with smiles.

It feels like just yesterday they were sending doubtful glances when I first joined the military.

“I came right away after hearing the summons. Commander, what’s the matter?”

“Wait a moment. Let the others arrive, and then we’ll talk.”

Nodding, I entered a corner, observing the incoming personnel.

“While the on-site staff were arriving one by one, my eyes met with a female officer.

“…”

As our gazes met, the officer smiled brightly and even gestured for silence.

No doubt about it. That person was indeed the princess in disguise.

Its genuinely impressive how much one pair of glasses can do to alter a person’s appearance. 

“Once everyone is seated, we will begin.”

As the command post filled up, the commander immediately got to the point.

“According to a recent scouting report, it seems that the demons are retreating from their camp.”

The demons retreating? So swiftly?

Not just me, but the other officers seemed equally puzzled, murmuring amongst themselves.

“Quiet down. Additionally, there’s news from the Ministry of War. It seems that internal strife among the demons is leaning towards the moderate faction. Given that this was a few days ago, they must have learned of their own situation.”

The commander paused for a moment and then looked directly at me. Why me all of a sudden?

“Coincidentally, around the same time the meteor fell and boosted our morale, it seems they have concluded to retreat.”

In other words, it was a perfect outcome. It just happened to work out in our favor.

But why were the staff suddenly nodding at me or applauding me?

“Commander, shall we retreat too?”

“If the demons completely retreat, then yes.”

“Are we not going to strike at their rear?”

“It appears there was an agreement reached between the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There’s no need to unnecessarily provoke the hardliners within the demons by pursuing them in this situation.”

“Of course,” the commander suddenly smiles and continues.

“We can’t let them off too easily. The directive from higher-ups is to show a pursuit style that doesn’t directly cause harm but makes them flee in fear.”

Upon hearing this, smiles spread across the officers’ faces.

It’s easier for them to harass demoralized enemies than to engage in combat.

They feel really lucky, not having to fight and still winning.

Within a very positive atmosphere, the assembly concluded! How nice it would be if it ended there.

The next day. Once again gathered at the command post, the commander’s expression revealed his puzzlement.

This feeling was mirrored by the staff standing beside him.

“The fog still hasn’t lifted?”

“Yes, Commander. We can’t see a thing ahead.”

“Wasn’t the fog there since yesterday? Why on earth is it not disappearing?”

“That…”

There seems to be no answer. It’s a natural phenomenon; what can humans do about it?

“By now, they must have almost finished preparing to retreat. Or perhaps, even earlier, the vanguard group might have set off after piercing through the fog.”

“To achieve what was demanded at the warfront, our allies need to move… But unfortunately, the thick fog between our military camp and the demons’ camp makes it difficult to maneuver.”

“We could move the cavalry, but we must consider the possibility of ambush, so even that isn’t easy. Commander.”

The staff officers each offered their respective opinions. Truly, they were typical Imperial Army officers.

Though, I suppose, if they claimed to be the imperial army and couldn’t do what was expected of them as officers, any semblance of an empire would collapse.

“Well then. The best course for now is for both sides to retreat.”

“Unfortunately, that’s the case.”

“Sigh. It’s regrettable, but what can we do? We should be relieved that our soldiers are unharmed. Still, thanks to a young friend’s appropriate strategy, we can turn this around as if we’ve won.”

Commander, giving any further compliments isn’t wise, I’m getting uneasy.

That’s enough, please stop now. All this embarrassment makes me want to sprout wings and fly off.

Scratching the back of my head and shifting my gaze elsewhere, I dreaded what I saw.

“…”

The princess was staring directly at me. Our eyes met right at that moment.

That’s it. The gaze of someone expecting something. It’s like she’s asking, ‘What’s wrong with you?’

I pretended not to see and quickly turned my head away.

I don’t know. I really don’t. It can’t be possible. This wasn’t in the epic tales.

“Well then…”

“…By doing this, we can proceed—”

Whatever they are chattering about, I just hope this time passes quickly.

It’s daunting. It’s really daunting when it’s none other than the princess acting like that!

“Then our troops should start preparing to return…”

“One moment. I apologize for the interruption, Commander.”

Oh. That voice. Could it be? Could it be??

As I turned my head, the princess, who had been quietly standing before, was now stepping forward.

“It’s a bit disappointing to end it like this. The momentum belongs to our Imperial Army.”

Saying this, the princess takes off her glasses, removes the peculiar makeup, and starts wiping it off.

In an instant, the commanders’ reaction changes from ‘What?’ to ‘Your Highness!’

“Princess!”

“Please stop with the formalities. I should be the one apologizing for deceiving you all. Most importantly, it’s not about me right now.”

Saying this, the princess… Why is she coming towards me?

“I also want to borrow your wisdom this time.”

“Me, Your Highness?”

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

Hahaha. I might go crazy. Just because you’re pushing this so hard?

Wisdom? Strategy? I’m telling you, I really don’t have any of that!

If the princess was doing this with ill intentions, I might have understood.

Yet, in the princess’s eyes right now, there was only pure expectation and goodwill.

That fact made me even more burdened to the point of losing it.

“Kaël. Is there really a way out?”

What’s more of a problem is that even the commander seems swayed by the princess’s words.

Moreover, all the staff officers and on-site personnel, all turn their gaze towards me.

‘I’m going crazy. No, Princess! Why put me in this ordeal!’

I know the reason. Why the princess is acting this way. She must believe I have a solution.

A solution that would immediately provide answers reminiscent of the one when the meteor fell.

Given that our family has a long history of distinguished achievements, they would have even more trust in me.

“Um…”

I pretended to be calm, but inside I was frantically thinking of a way out.

How can I get out of this situation? No, can I even get out of it?

“…Wait a moment.”

A sudden passing conversation. And the current situation facing us and the demons.

“Commander, are we certain that the demons lack the will to fight?”

“Yes. Based on the scouting reports and the fact that the demon leadership seems to be moving to call in allies.”

“Our Imperial Army also has no intention of engaging in combat but rather to pursue the enemy suitably to boost our allies’ morale and diminish theirs.”

As I grasped the commander’s clear answer, my mind began to piece things together.

There’s no intention to fiercely fight and shed bl00d while facing each other with drawn swords.

Everyone is either receiving or will receive orders to retreat, with the intent to return without casualties.

Moreover, the fog has settled in. It’s not just any fog but so dense that movement is nearly impossible.

In such a situation, if we approach, will they opt for a full-on attack?

Or will they simply repel us and say, ‘We have no intention to fight, so just go away’?

“I’m worried about magic, in a situation where visibility is limited, a magical attack only confirms the position of our allied mages and is less likely. So, then, arrows….”

“Commander.”

Hmm. Suddenly, I felt an idea in the form of hay taking hold.

“Perhaps, could you lend me some remaining hay or straw for a moment?”