I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist - Chapter 6

After confirming the retreat of the Norvogrod army, we too set out on the journey back.

As far as I can recall, there were several skirmishes with small units, but we never engaged in a proper battle.

The enemy didn’t suffer a devastating blow leading to surrender or retreat. It was all rather inconclusive.

Yet somehow, among the soldiers, there was an exuberant atmosphere as if they had achieved a great victory.

“Blood runs deep, blood runs deep, what kind of bloody mess is this! Blood runs deep, blood runs deep, what kind of bloody mess is this!”

The soldiers were cheerfully singing, a somewhat eerie tune.

Curious and slightly startled by it, I discovered it was a military march.

“Hmm. Father always emphasized memorizing the Imperial Army anthem, but this seems quite different…?”

Standing at the forefront and fighting for justice, fighting for the glory of the Empire.

That was the gist of the anthem I knew, but what the soldiers were singing was completely different.

…I don’t understand. Whatever it is, as long as the soldiers sing it with fervor.

Upon asking the soldiers nearby, I learned that such songs boost morale.

Any military anthem will do as long as it’s not the army’s Tiger cadence.

“Sir Kael!”

Turning my head, I saw the princess approaching, leading her entourage towards me.

Since we were on the move, I couldn’t offer a formal greeting, so I inclined my head.

“Your Highness.”

“Did you see our soldiers? They seemed so exhilarated!”

“Yes, Your Highness. Considering we returned without significant casualties, it seems fitting.”

“Also, your contribution was quite significant, Sir Kael.”

I wonder if the princess is aware of the extent of her involvement in the chaos I caused.

Honestly, I might have intervened had the princess not looked at me with those sparkling eyes.

“Replacing a fallen meteor with a soaring kite to boost morale was admirable, but honestly, your subsequent strategy was even more impressive. You managed to hit Norvogrod without engaging in battle.”

“Hahaha. Indeed.”

“When we return, everyone will surely talk about this incident. Aren’t you excited?”

“Well, honestly, I feel more embarrassed than excited, Your Highness.”

“Embarrassed? Why?”

The princess widened her eyes as if not understanding what I had said.

Her expression was quite cute, very nearly inducing a chuckle from me.

Of course, one shouldn’t do that and subsequently suppress the urge to do so.

“Both Your Highness and the Commander-in-Chief, as well as many others, are downplaying their significant contribution to the success of my strategies.”

“Those strategies were truly spectacular regardless of our contributions.”

“Your kind words leave me at a loss. However… from my perspective, those were tactics that I feel embarrassed to call strategies.”

“Why? Why are you so certain?”

“It was just luck. Pure and simple luck. Your Highness. I am by no means a remarkable individual. Let alone a strategist.”

It was luck. Incredibly good luck. That was the reality and the fact.

I wanted to share this fact with the princess to temper her soaring expectations.

“Ah, I see. Sir Kael.”

“…Your Highness?”

“Well understood.”

“Your Highness?”

You say you understand well. But your expression doesn’t show understanding at all?!

It seems more like, ‘Ah, this person. So humble too! Amazing!!’ if anything!

****

“Beware the arrogant. Keep those who hold themselves in high esteem at a distance.”

Words from a kind father, a noble patriarch, and at the same time, the great Emperor of this empire.

Perhaps Isabelle would engrave those words deep in her heart for a lifetime, even until her final moments.

In that sense, Sir Kael next to her was the opposite.

“There is a saying about beginner’s luck. Quite literally, this time, luck was on our side. Your Highness.”

Everyone praised me as if I had performed miracles. The soldiers cheered, and the commanders applauded.

Even the dignified generals, usually stern, patted my back like children, smiling.

Even the princess spared no praise, so a little pride was permissible.

But Kael showed no sign of such feelings. Instead, he expressed embarrassment.

He wore an expression that said it was all just luck, and he felt the weight of it.

‘I am by no means a remarkable person. Let alone a strategist.’

Perhaps, indeed. This man called Kael might not be such a remarkable person after all.

There’s a possibility he just lucked into it. Perhaps the gods briefly favored him.

But then what? How did Kael act next?

Some people, even when luck favors them, go from being excited to becoming arrogant.

Even if it’s not to that extent, they can’t hide their excitement and joy.

‘In contrast, Kael, you are incredibly level-headed about yourself.’

For that reason, Isabelle couldn’t erase her favor towards Kael.

Instead, it grew stronger. She began to think of him as someone truly reliable.

“I see. Sir Kael.”

‘Alright. As you say, I won’t entirely exclude the possibility of luck.’

‘But I won’t relinquish my expectations of you.’

‘On the contrary, I’m even more curious. How far will your luck reach?’

“But let me tell you, Sir Kael.”

I felt compelled to say this to a man who simply attributes his success to luck.

“Luck is a gift that only visits those with sufficient worth.”

“Your Highness?”

“And furthermore, if luck comes not just once, but twice, three times in a row… can we truly call that luck? Perhaps that’s genuine ability?”

Saying this, Isabelle smiled brightly at Kael.

****

Three days’ journey from the capital by carriage lies the Imperial Principality of Berti.

There have been many outstanding military figures produced by the Imperial Principality since then, among them first-class guards and warriors who served the Emperor. 

The current owner of the Berti Estate and the Clauwitz family, Arthur Clauwitz von Berti, was no exception.

Having made a name for himself as a renowned warrior on various battlefields and later gained fame as a commander.

Now retired due to age, he exerts his efforts as the head of the Clauwitz family.

Yes, the current owner of the Berti Estate and the Clauwitz family was a count of the empire.

Therefore, all official correspondence coming to this place must first be scrutinized by him.

It’s a natural right, given his position as the head and count.

“No, miss. If the master were to find out, it would be a serious problem.”

Thanks to this, at this very moment, the steward of the Clauwitz family was sweating profusely.

“Hurry up. That letter’s related to Kael, isn’t it?”

“It’s not a personal letter, it was sent from the warfront. If it’s intended to be presented to the master, you’ll receive its contents soon. Just endure it a bit—”

“Kael’s news is right in front of me, how can I wait! Give it to me, steward! Quickly!”

“Miss!!”

The girl snatched the letter from the steward’s hand and ran out without looking back.

Her disappearing figure was like a squirrel disappearing between the branches after grabbing an acorn.

The steward, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, stood there speechless.

Eventually, feeling a sense of urgency, he glanced back.

“My Lord.”

There, the count was lightly biting his tongue.

“I-I’m sorry, My Lord. I’ll quickly…”

“Wait, steward. You don’t know this yet, but that child is always quick to pounce on any news of her brother.”

“But, this is a warfront letter sent specifically for you.”

“Don’t go after her, she won’t discard it. Once she’s finished reading it, she’ll hand it back. What I am worried is that there won’t be news about Kael inside.”

“Oh.”

“If that happens, it’ll sadden her immensely.”

The count’s daughter always doted on her elder brother despite the six-year gap between them. 

It might have seemed a bit excessive, but he presumed she would grow out of it eventually.

Yet, lo and behold as she reached fifteen, she remained fixated on her brother.

‘When I sent Kael to the training camp, she embroiled herself with perpetual wailing and painful remarks, accusing me of hating her brother. Even more so after his enlistment.’

‘As her father, it was endearing to see the strong bond between them as siblings but when she told me she hated me for what I put her brother through, it broke my heart.’ 

‘I’ve come to accept that now. I can only hope it’ll get better for her once she finds someone she fancies someday.’

‘…No. Thinking of the supposed rascal who’ll marry my daughter just makes me furious inside.’

The count harbored an odd mixture of expectation and discontent towards the prospective son-in-law who had not even made an appearance yet.

“…Ah. My Lord, look. The young lady is returning.”

“Really? She’s coming earlier than expected.”

I wonder what was written in that letter. Perhaps there was nothing of interest in the letter?

It’s so inconvenient not being able to receive news immediately after retiring from active duty—

“Daddy!”

The urgency in Kaya’s response as she ran towards him was palpable.

For a moment, his heart raced, wondering what might have happened.

“Kael! Kael’s done something tremendous!!”

“…What?”

It truly seemed that something extraordinary was unfolding.