Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Being Misunderstood as a Genius Strategist
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As I mentioned before, I'm not officially enlisted in the Imperial Army.
I've just tagged along after basic training to learn what the battlefield is really like.
Well, that training lasted six months instead of the one month from my past life, but still.
Anyway, for that reason, I planned to head straight back home to the family as soon as we returned.
I missed my parents, Kaya, and especially the chef's cooking.
Home-cooked meals are the best—that held true in my past life and this one too.
"Hey now! You can't do that!"
But my grand plan sank before it even set sail.
The Legion Commander blocked my request to go straight home with an "Eh-hey!"
"There are so many people waiting to hear your story. And more than anything, wouldn't the victory banquet for our legion feel empty without you?"
"L-Legion Commander, I understand everything else, but why is this a victory...?"
"Because we gave those Norobogord bastards a proper thrashing, and we got to laugh at them plenty! You don't have to win by fighting to claim victory! Breaking the enemy's morale is enough! Didn't the Imperial Count teach you that?"
Hmm. My father always just told me to give my all in battle.
I doubt he'd accept "We won because they got pissed off."
"And besides, Her Highness the Princess seemed to be quietly looking forward to your return, Kael."
I let out an involuntary groan at the Legion Commander's words.
This completely blocked any escape route.
As I scratched my cheek awkwardly, the Legion Commander drove the nail in deeper.
"Even if your service was kept secret, Her Highness was still part of this campaign. We landed a solid blow on the Norobogord side, and this is the celebration for it. If the key figure isn't at the banquet, it'll put Her Highness in a tough spot."
"I... see..."
As a noble of the Empire, I couldn't ignore that Her Highness would be embarrassed.
I'm not a noble to the bone, but I can tell what's acceptable and what isn't.
"Understood, Legion Commander. I wonder what use a greenhorn like me could be at a banquet for military officials, though..."
"You never lose that humility. The Imperial Count raised his eldest son well."
"Hahaha. Th-thank you."
This is driving me crazy. I'm just stating the plain truth: It was pure luck.
But everyone who hears it goes, "Whoa, stop with the humility!" It's infuriating.
Come to think of it, the ploy I mimicked was from our Master Zhuge Liang.
People here don't know Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but they still sense it's something impressive.
After agreeing to attend the banquet, I went to find my attendant, Alexei.
I needed to let him know my plan to return home immediately upon reaching the capital had changed.
"The banquet, young master?"
"Yeah, that's how it turned out. Sorry, Alexei. You must've been looking forward to heading back to the family."
"It's only natural for me to follow your lead, young master, so it doesn't matter. If anything, I wanted to ask if you're alright first."
I shook my head with a smile at Alexei's words.
Am I okay? Of course not. What kind of banquet is this? Especially with me as the star!
I thought I'd already piled up enough black history. Now I've got blanket-kicking sessions booked for a while.
Having to go to the banquet and hear "Ooh, what a brilliant strategy! Ooh, what a genius strategist!"—my head's already throbbing.
If I die at that banquet, it'll be 100% from embarrassment.
"It's a bit burdensome, but Her Highness insisted I attend."
"Ahh, then you have to go. Cancel everything else, no matter what."
"...That serious?"
"The family head would say the same."
If even Father would agree, then I have no choice. Guess it's mandatory.
Fine. If you can't avoid it, enjoy it, right? Might as well make it worthwhile.
Who knows? There might even be some event at the banquet for me and the family.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Upon our return to the Empire, even more people than expected welcomed us.
I wondered if this was overkill since we hadn't won some massive battle.
But then I heard the tune people were humming, and it all made sense.
"The dumb Norobogord fools gift us arrows when they get scared!"
"If demons come calling, lay out some straw. They'll swap it for arrows and run away!"
"Ooh, our dear demons. Ooh, our sweet Norobogord neighbors!"
Everyone joined in the chorus without anyone starting it.
If a Norobogord envoy had been here, their face would've turned beet red.
The Empire cares about Norobogord more than I thought.
They talk big like "Those demon scum aren't worth relying on compared to the Empire,"
but deep down, they're worried: These guys can't get too strong.
"Anyone would think we won a great victory."
"Indeed, young master."
After that, things proceeded by the book.
The Legion Commander formally reported to the War Ministry, relinquished the command authority granted by imperial decree,
and the surviving soldiers returned to their posts or homes.
"If we'd fought and won a big battle, His Majesty might've sent someone personally to commend us."
"The higher-ups might be disappointed, but the soldiers would prefer this."
With the somewhat chaotic aftermath wrapped up, we headed to the banquet hall.
My original plan was to hole up in a corner, keep a low profile, and slip out early.
But when I got there, I recognized quite a few faces, so that wasn't feasible.
"Oh! Kael! Long time no see. How's your father?"
"He's doing well, sir!"
"Heh heh heh. That guy's been loafing around since retiring from active duty?"
"No, actually, he's bored out of his mind and fidgety."
"Knew it. I told him to put off retiring, but he never listens."
I shared Father's news with the military elders he'd served with.
"Good to see you again, Young Master Kael."
"You're the one from Father's retirement ceremony."
"Haha! You remember. I heard you made a real contribution this time. Does that mean you're truly joining the army?"
"Well... I'm still thinking it over. Haha!"
I chatted with people from families connected to the Clauvitz house.
Damn, I'm busy!
As the eldest son and heir, networking is essential. I couldn't show any fatigue.
If I slipped up here, it'd reflect badly on Father, Mother, Kaya, and the whole family.
Get it together. If anything, this might be my real battlefield!
After mingling and being dragged around, an hour flew by.
The greetings were winding down, so I tried to sneak out discreetly.
But then the Legion Commander from our campaign grabbed me.
"Come on over here, Kael! Lots of people are waiting for your heroic tales!"
It's not heroic tales! I didn't even fight! And it was luck, I tell you!
I screamed internally but kept a perfect noble facade outwardly.
Then I had to recount the events again to the crowd gathering around with sparkling eyes demanding "Spill the details!"
"The meteor fall wasn't the key point. Whether it was a sign from the gods or not—I’m no priest, so I wouldn't know. As a member of the legion command, I just thought about the soldiers' morale."
"It wasn't because I'm so great. I simply considered the fastest, most effective option. And the conclusion was to launch the fallen meteor back at them."
I started by explaining how I'd restored the plummeting morale.
Everyone listened intently—especially the War Ministry folks.
I wanted to tell them to go drink, but no choice. Gotta endure.
"And after that... it can be summed up in one word: luck. If things had gone even slightly off, we never would've gotten this result."
"I did come up with a clever method, sure. But it was not a brilliant strategy!"
Why do I keep insisting I'm not that great? Simple!
I might get shipped off somewhere. But if they learn I’m a total fluke?
It won't end with me looking foolish. The fallout stops with me? No way.
Father, Mother, Kaya, the whole Clauvitz family—they'd all take the hit because of me.
So please, tone down those gleaming stares already...!
I know that look. It's the farmer eyeing a sturdy ox that looks like a hard worker.
With my "feat" this time, plus being from the Clauvitz family, their expectations are sky-high.
"Heh heh heh. The Imperial Count raised his eldest son perfectly."
"Indeed. Humility is the hardest virtue to instill."
"Tsk tsk. My boy is two years older than Young Master Kael, but still acts like such a child. Sigh!"
I can see it. If I don't escape, I'll be caught and turned into a prized slave.
No matter how I explained, they wouldn't hear it. As I tried appealing again that I'm no strategist—
"Her Highness the 2nd Princess is entering!"
The noisy banquet hall fell pin-drop silent in an instant.
Through the hush, the click-clack of heels echoed from the stairs.
"Ahaha. Why make it awkward? Keep enjoying yourselves. I'm not the star of this show, am I?"
A familiar voice. The Princess I'd spent the whole previous day talking with.
But the sight that met my eyes was anything but familiar.
Clothes really are wings.
Gone was the plain military uniform; now a vibrant dress.
Her already beautiful face enhanced with makeup made her seem like a different person.
Above all, the aura she exuded was pure "Princess."
"Ah, Young Master Kael!"
The Princess descended the stairs and approached me.
"Are you enjoying the banquet?"
"Y-Yes, Your Highness. It's been... very enlightening."
As I answered, I glanced around. And realized I was in deep trouble.
The Princess had arrived. She'd come straight to me and spoken first.
From this moment, I was undeniably the star of the banquet.