I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist - Chapter 9

Keeping my self-esteem in check is something I do for my benefit. It happens more than often on occasion. 

However, that changes when my family’s honor is at stake.

While I’ve been mindful of any bragging, I won’t belittle myself anymore. 

Even if it leads to greater misunderstandings, I will bear them.

When the nobleman by the prince’s side uttered those words right then and there, my bl00d started to boil.

The noblemen talked about Kael’s cleverness but also mentioned the importance of stability.

In such formal settings, self-deprecation might be seen as humility.

But belittling others, even indirectly, is a clear act of provocation.

Even if it’s just a remark that anyone with fleeting wit could think of.

It’s one thing for someone to lower themselves knowingly, but when others do it, the dynamic changes.

Kael felt pressed, knowing it was the nobleman’s way of challenging me.

‘Look at him. Does he expect to get a rise out of me from the safety of the prince’s side?’

‘Or does he assume the subtle jabs will go over my head?’

‘Am I just some young newcomer he thinks he can brush off without a second thought?’

Kael hesitated. 

Kael wanted to grab him by the collar if no one else was around.

The rationale behind his provocation is clear-cut. As a noble from the prince’s faction, he was trying to keep Kael in check, as the Clauwitz lineage as well as the county of Berti supported the war. 

This type of political maneuvering was commonplace in the political landscape. 

As Kael voluntarily lowered himself, it seemed fitting.

‘But unfortunately for the nobleman, I’m not kind-hearted. 

I’ll go ballistic when it concerns my family and heritage. 

‘I’ll make sure they know their place, without fail.’

By no means will I treat them with the same disrespect, sullying their reputation.

This would tarnish our family’s honor, so I must refrain.

Looking back now, it wasn’t anything impressive, so let’s not draw too much attention to it.

That out of the way, what would be the appropriate response for someone who said such things?

“…Ah.”

The finger food was arranged at one corner of the banquet hall. And there, the hard-boiled eggs.

Upon seeing them, something flickered across his mind. A perfect scenario was about to unravel.

In reality, regardless of who started it or how flawed it was, if everyone claims it’s all lies, would anyone here actually acknowledge it? Could they refute it? It’s impossible.

***

“There is nothing incorrect in the nobleman’s words.”

Approaching the center of the banquet hall, Kael bowed slightly, as if offering an apology.

“As this person mentioned, the strategy I employed…Ah, it feels embarrassing to call it that. No, it was just a momentary stroke of luck that anyone could chance upon with a little thought.”

Isabel was about to interject with a ‘No! Your strategy was undoubtedly remarkable! Who could come up with such wit in a moment?!’ but hesitated.

“It seems the atmosphere has dulled a bit because of me. As a gesture of apology, I propose a very interesting quiz.”

A quiz? Out of nowhere?

“Everyone.”

Kael, holding the hard-boiled egg, continued his speech.

“Is there anyone who can balance this egg on the table?”

A sudden suggestion. A random question. Heads are tilted in confusion.

Balancing an egg on the table? How on earth?

Some people who enjoyed a challenge volunteered to try.

However, all attempts failed. It was expected.

How could anyone balance an egg upright on a curved table?

“Is there no one else?”

After scanning the room briefly, Kael suddenly approached someone.

It was the noble who was trying to keep him in check.

“I am curious if you know something.”

“….”

“Do you not have a clever solution?”

Kael’s courteous tone felt more like a blatant provocation than anything else.

The noble decided to offer his best response.

“What about trying it yourself, Kael? Since you presented the problem, you must know the solution as well.”

“That’s correct. Well then, I will show you the answer to this problem.”

Approaching the table with the egg in hand, everyone watched Kael.

Although everyone pretended not to notice, there was tension between the two.

The warring faction and the peaceful faction. One emerging onto the political scene and the other already established. 

Which of these would win this battle of pride?

“This is how an egg’s balanced….”

—Crack!

“Behold.”

Slightly cracking the eggshell’s bottom created a flat surface for it to be set on the table.

That was all that was needed.

The onlookers express their disbelief. 

They had expected a demonstration brimming with wit and were surprised at the simplicity!

“Is that all?”

“Yes, that’s all.”

“Kael, this is almost child’s play—”

“It seems easy. It appears that anyone could do it. Yes, that’s correct. It’s simple. Anyone can do it.”

Stepping back from the table, Kael pointed to the egg.

“This here. This situation. When you look at it this way. From a distance. It makes sense only after knowing the answer.”

As the murmurs gradually subsided, people began to understand why Kael said and did what he did.

“That’s it. Something that seems easy. Something anyone can do. That’s because we already know the answer. The start’s always puzzling, but if the same difficulty persists thereafter, isn’t that a sign of inadequacy on the person’s part?”

A wit that anyone could think of? 

Could you have done the same if you were in that position?

And to discuss past events with disregard. 

Yet, you were unable to stand a single egg upright.

Second-guess yourself before deeming something insignificant with your repulsive discourse.

With a bright smile, Kael finished peeling the eggshell and took a bite.

****

‘You claimed you weren’t a strategist. That it was just a stroke of luck!’

Then what’s this? Adding a little action and a few words to belittle and suppress the opponent—what is that?

Though sighing internally, Isabel managed to maintain her composure.

She needed to quickly clean up the mess that had unfolded as the banquet’s host.

“Well, well! It was truly an intriguing quiz, Kael. Thanks to you, the atmosphere at the banquet has improved!”

Had the atmosphere truly improved? She wasn’t sure. But for now, it felt satisfying.

Damn, those peaceful faction noblemen. They think they’re the only ones with brains!

In response to Isabel’s words, the gathered people began to blossom into conversation once more.

But even as they conversed, they cast glances in a certain direction.

Kael, flashing a bright smile, was certainly the center of attention.

“Isabel.”

Turning his head, the prince beckoned to her.

Normally, she might have said, ‘Yeah, I’m not coming.’ once and ignored it.

But this time, Isabel silently followed in her brother’s footsteps.

The two siblings leaned on the railing and took a moment to breathe in the fresh air outside.

“Hurry up. The host can’t leave the seat empty for too long.”

“Right. I’ll get to it.”

The prince, who had been toying with the cigarette in his hand, finally let go.

“That young man from earlier.”

“Kael.”

“Yes. Kael, the eldest son of the Berti county.”

Isabel nodded in response.

The prince felt a strong urge to smoke again after that confirmation.

“I’ve not heard of such a person in the Clauwitz family.”

“Well, neither have I. He’s seemingly just appeared.”

During the ego demonstration, the prince was filled with goosebumps.

Was it because of his eloquence or his quick wit? No. It was because of the truth he had hidden behind the visage.

‘The person who humbled himself suddenly seemed to be on the brink of a killing spree.’

Lady Luck didn’t shine on us today. He presumed Kael was someone he could handle.

But he was wrong. This opponent was far more cunning than expected.

For his age, he seemed unusually wise. There were no rumors about him, no information at all.

“It seems like we provoked quite a formidable ally.”

“I have another thing to tell my sister.”

****

After Kael’s egg stunt, more greetings were extended.

Everyone attending learned firsthand he was no person to scoff at. 

Anyone would be mistaken to assume Kael was bold because he was young and inexperienced. 

He smiled warmly, but if instigated, he would be unpredictable! A wild-card.

‘It’s irksome and challenging, but I think it’s all for the good of our family.’

‘So why bother someone who’s minding their own business and risk a lost cause?’

‘I promised not to act out, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.’

‘It’s all very ambivalent.’

As expected, the next day, invitations began pouring in from all over.