I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist - Chapter 7

I have already mentioned that I have not formally enlisted in the Imperial Army.

It’s merely about enlisting to receive basic training and to learn the nature of the battlefield.

Well, the fact that the training lasted six months instead of the anticipated one month was quite the twist.

Anyway, for that reason, as soon as things were over, I planned to return directly to my family estate.

I miss my parents, I miss Kaya, and I miss the skill of our head chef in the kitchen.

Home-cooked meals are the best, a certainty that holds true in this life and the past.

“Oh! This lad. That shouldn’t be the case!”

However, my grand plan was thwarted before it even began.

The commander-in-chief vetoed the idea of going straight back home.

“There are many waiting to hear your story. It would be quite unsatisfying if you were absent from the victory celebration for our legion.”

“Commander, I understand everything else, but why the victory…?”

“Well, the Norvogrod bastards took a good hit. We ridiculed them thoroughly! Winning doesn’t just come from fighting! Breaking the enemy’s morale is enough! Didn’t the count teach you that?”

Hmm. My father always just said to give your best in a fight.

If he hears how I won, he’d probably ask, “What victory is this?”

“And also, it seemed that even Her Highness, the princess was subtly anticipating your arrival, Kael.”

At the commander’s words, I let out an involuntary sigh.

Are there any other routes to escape this fate?

Feeling perplexed, I fidgeted as the commander came in to drive the point home.

“Even though it was a covert military action, you did participate, didn’t you? Celebrating the victory over Norvogrod is a commemorative event. Her Highness would be embarrassed if the key figure was absent from said celebration.

“Yes, of course….”

It is unbearable for a noble of the empire to cause embarrassment to a member of the royal family.

Although I am not a noble to the bone, I can still distinguish between what is acceptable and what is not.

“Understood, Commander. I wonder what use a greenhorn like me has at a military gathering for high-ranking officials….”

“You remain humble to the end. The count raised his eldest son well in humility.”

“Hahaha. Thank you.”

It’s maddening. I keep repeating, “It was luck.” But everyone who hears it responds with, “Oh. Stop being so humble!” It’s infuriating.

Come to think of it, wasn’t I emulating my teacher Zhuge Liang’s strategies?

These people may not know the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but they sense something remarkable.

After agreeing to attend the celebration, I sought out my aide, Alexei.

I had to inform him that my plans to return to the estate upon arriving in the capital had been altered.

“You mean the celebration, my lord?”

“Yes, that’s right. Sorry, Alexei. It would have been nice to return to the estate.”

“Following your wishes is only natural, my lord. I’m more concerned about your well-being, though.”

I smiled and nodded at Alexei’s words.

Is everything fine? Certainly not. What kind of celebration is this? And I’m the main attraction!

I thought I had already created enough embarrassing moments. I had even mentally reserved a pillow-kicking session.

Now, I have to attend the event and listen to praises like ‘Oh! What a brilliant strategy! Oh! What a great tactician!’ I feel my head spinning already.

If I were to die at the celebration, the cause of death would one hundred percent be of embarrassment.

“Sure, it’s burdensome. But, Her Highness insisted that you must attend.”

“Oh. Then I must go. Even if I have other plans, I must cancel and go.”

“…Is it that serious?”

“Your father would have said the same.”

If your father said it, it must be true. I guess I had to go no matter what.

Alright. If I can’t avoid it, I might as well enjoy it. Since it’s come to this, let’s make the most of it.

Maybe there will be an event for me and our family at the gathering?

****

Upon returning to the empire, a larger crowd welcomed us than expected.

It felt like a massive victory had been achieved, though it wasn’t the case.

However, once I heard people humming a song, I immediately understood.

“The foolish Norvogrodians, when frightened, offer arrows as gifts!”

“When demons come, bring out the straw. Exchange it for arrows and watch them flee!”

“Oh, our kind demons. Oh, our kind neighbors from Norvogrod!”

Without anyone leading, the gathered people in the room were singing together.

If there were Norvogrodian envoys present, their faces might not have remained unchanged.

“The Empire seems to be more concerned about Norvogrod than I thought.”

While verbally saying they’re not worth the Empire’s attention, internally they seem to be worried about what if these “insignificant demons” become a threat.

“If anyone sees us, they might think we’ve achieved a great victory.”

“That’s right, my lord.”

The subsequent events unfolded according to regulations.

The commander-in-chief filed a formal report at the warfront, and per orders, relinquished the command rights he had been granted.

The soldiers who returned alive found their respective places or returned home.

“If it were a significant battle we had won, His Majesty might have sent someone to commend us.”

“High-ranking officials might feel a bit disappointed, but the soldiers would prefer it this way.”

After a somewhat spirited post-battle cleanup, we made our way to the banquet.

Originally, I planned to quietly observe from a corner and leave early.

But upon arriving at the event, I found that there were many important figures present, so I couldn’t just slip away.

“Oh! Kael! It’s been a while. How is your father doing?”

“He is doing well!”

“Haha. How’s his retirement treating him? Does life from active duty fair better for him?”

“No. In fact, he’s antsy. Everyday life is quite boring for him.”

“I suspected as much. He never listened when he told him to delay retirement.”

I met with the military elders who had been with my father and conveyed news about him.

“Greetings again, Kael.”

“You attended my father’s retirement ceremony, Sir.”

“Haha! You remember. I heard you achieved something remarkable this time. Does this mean you are truly joining the army?”

“Well… I’m still contemplating that.”

I also met people from other families connected to the Clauwitz family to exchange conversations.

‘Eugh, busy, busy!’

As the eldest son of the family and the next heir, networking is essential. Even if exhausted, I couldn’t show such signs.

If a flaw is found in me, it would not only affect me but also my father, mother, Kaya, and our family.

‘Please, stop those fleeting glances…!’

I can tell what those glances mean. They resemble the eyes of a farmer who has found a fine ox.

With my recent ‘exploits,’ combined with my prestigious Clauwitz lineage, expectations were high.

“Haha. The count has raised his eldest son well.”

“Agreed. The most difficult thing to attain is humility.”

“Tsk. My son is so childlike compared to you Kael, even though he is two years older than you, eugh!”

It seems there’s no way out of this, it’s as if I’m a slave to my current predicament.

“Now, had it been a grand battle won, His Majesty might have sent someone to commend you.”

While trying to emphasize that I am not truly a strategist to them when— 

“Your Highness, the guests of honor have arrived!”

The noisy banquet hall suddenly fell silent as the Second Princess entered.

Amidst the silence, the sound of footsteps from the stairs could be heard.

“Ahaha. Why are you all so bashful? Enjoy the festivities. I am not the main person of this event here, after all.”

The familiar voice belonged to the princess, with whom I had been conversing all day until yesterday.

But the sight that met my eyes was far from familiar. 

“An attire makes the person.”

In place of the usual military attire, she was in a vibrant dress.

With makeup enhancing her already beautiful face, she appeared entirely transformed.

Above all, the aura she exuded was truly that of a princess.

“Ah. Sir Kael!”

The princess descended the stairs and approached me.

“Are you enjoying the banquet?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It has been a very enriching time…”

As I responded, I glanced around, realizing that a major event had just taken place.

The princess had arrived, and she had come to me, initiating the conversation.

From now on, I was truly the center of attention at this banquet.