episode_0093

“Sister!”

The crown princess who stayed in the east for nearly half a year, showing mercy to the three kingdoms.

When she finally returned, Isabel was the one who welcomed her sister more warmly than anyone else.

“Hoohoo. It’s an honor to have the noble princess of the empire come out to greet me like this.”

“, why are you suddenly like this? Did I do something wrong?”

“No way. I’m just stating the truth.”

Heading east, I found that the public sentiment toward the Second Princess was better than I had expected.

Perhaps it was because he had directly participated in the war across the eastern region and had comforted the defeated soldiers.

In particular, the story of him personally distributing food to the soldiers of the corps is still receiving praise.

“That story is embarrassing. I didn’t even ask to do it. I just did what Kael told me to do.”

“It’s not easy to do as you’re told. If you had expressed your dissatisfaction or made a mistake in the process, even the most excellent strategist wouldn’t have been able to do anything.”

A good strategist never stays with a fool.

The Crown Princess knows that fact. That’s why my younger brother was very happy.

Kael Klauwitz. Doesn’t that mean that the genius acknowledged Isabel?

“Ah. By the way. I heard the news on the way here. He was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family.”

“Kael? Yes. His Majesty the Emperor pointed to that spot and made him sit there.”

“I see.”

The crown princess, who said that, stared at my younger brother.

Then Isabel asks, “Why?”

“No. Because your reaction is indifferent.”

“His Majesty appointed Kael as the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff? Kael has been very busy lately. I think he was considerate enough to let him rest in the rear so that he wouldn’t get sick from overwork. I don’t care. Kael seems to be the same way.”

“… I see.”

It seems Bell hasn’t heard the news yet.

The Crown Princess thought about this and recalled a report she had received secretly a while ago.

“The Conslocker Marquisate and its faction are particularly active this time. Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

The Conslocker Marquisate. Belonging to the main lineage, but strangely not a military family.

Rather, he started out as an ordinary imperial administrative official, like the figures of the peace faction.

However, there are two reasons why he was able to become the main force of the peace faction.

First of all, because he is a nobleman from the most prestigious family in the empire, the Marquis.

And the other thing is, thanks to that bureaucratic experience, a kind of staff or advisory role.

‘These are the Conslocker Marquisates and other nobles belonging to the faction. I think they all hold many staff positions in each legion.’

He has no talent for frontline command, but he is confident in assisting with work and other areas.

That was the background that allowed the Conslocker Marquisate and its faction to occupy their current high position.

But this time, it was shaken by the appearance of a new genius book publisher.

That person happens to be Imperial Count Berthier. He’s not just any noble, he’s an Imperial Count.

Here, the Marquis factions naturally became tense.

Perhaps, by the Emperor’s will, the Imperial Counts are now aiming for the positions of staff of each legion.

Has the containment finally begun against those who do not pledge unconditional loyalty?

‘Such worries put a lot of pressure on the public to establish a reputation.’

In fact, when the 1st Army formation plan was released, many staff members from that faction applied and were drafted.

He will try to regain the position of strategist or staff member that has been largely hidden from Kael.

This might be the last chance, so I’m sure he’ll try to do it.

What you should know is that their worries and jealousies are not the stupid actions of incompetent people.

It is not for nothing that he is called the Marquis and his faction. His experience as a staff member cannot be ignored.

It is not entirely impossible that they could present a rather decent competitive landscape.

‘I feel like His Majesty has taken Kael aside for a moment, considering their intentions.’

The Crown Princess nodded. Honestly, that makes sense.

As my sister Isabel said, Kael has been too active lately.

Although there were several immediate rewards, he is not a very greedy person.

Since continuous work can be burdensome, it’s not a bad idea to give them a break for a while.

“But, Bell. Just because you’re the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family doesn’t mean you always get to rest.”

“Why?”

“Actually, Novogord, the three eastern kingdoms, and some of the southern kingdoms have expressed their willingness to send reinforcements. The Imperial Chief of Staff, who has relatively more time on his hands, may need to take care of them.”

In terms of legitimacy, ability, and reputation, it is very easy for Kael to deal with them.

It was revealed through Charlo that the Demons had a very positive opinion of Kael.

The three kingdoms in the east are both fearful and amazed after being badly beaten by Kael.

In the South, the book that destroyed Benito is naturally viewed very positively.

Dealing with foreign reinforcements is a very difficult task.

But if there is someone with a reputation that can control them from the start.

Wouldn’t it be better for everyone to use him?

“Ugh. I told Kael he could rest a little more.”

“Then how about you go quickly and enjoy some more leisure time with the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family?”

“You mean learn more before you head west later?”

“… ?”

Is that how it is interpreted? The Crown Princess looked at Isabel with a momentary bewilderment.

I definitely have feelings for him. Isabel herself doesn’t seem to be hiding it.

I really don’t understand why, whenever this story comes up, such a predictable answer comes out.

I don’t think it’ll work. I think it would be better to instill a little bit of a sense of crisis.

You’ll have to tell a lot of lies, but being crown princess helps in this regard.

“There’s been a rumor going around lately. Do you know anything about it, Bell?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Charloa Estania, the daughter of the chairman of the Novogord Demon Council who entered the empire a while ago. How about we arrange a political marriage between her and our Kael Imperial Chief of Staff?”

“… What?”

Oh. I think this is starting to get a little annoying.

As the Crown Princess sometimes enjoyed fishing as a hobby (whether it was real fishing or just fooling her siblings), I couldn’t help but smile when I saw Isabel’s reaction.

“This time, Novogord has given our empire a great gift. It is the perfect pretext to head west towards Dedorant and Atria. In addition, the empire will benefit more if Novogord is fully brought on board, so I want to solidify this.”

“So you’re connecting Kael and Charloa?”

“It’s not certain, it’s just rumors going around.”

“… .”

A brief silence follows. It seems like a pretty good reaction.

So, just as the Crown Princess was about to continue speaking, Isabelle spoke first.

“That’s not bad.”

“Yeah. Of course it doesn’t match… Wait, Bell. What did you just say?”

“I said it wouldn’t be bad.”

What is this guy talking about now? The Crown Princess is flustered.

Why would a guy who clearly showed affection for Kael suddenly say something like that?

“Actually, that Charlois. She’s a very passionate supporter of Kael. She’s even been studying Kael and his strategies, and even I’m surprised by her sincerity.”

“Uh, um.”

“That woman must be sincere to Kael. I don’t know about Kael’s feelings, but… Honestly, she doesn’t seem like a twisted person to push away someone she likes.”

Did I get the wrong number? Oh my god. How could I make such a mistake?

The Crown Princess is speechless at the feeling of failure she experienced for the first time.

I never imagined that my prediction would turn out to be this wrong.

I didn’t expect this kind of reaction. If it turns out like this, then…

“But you know, sis. I still don’t think a political marriage is right.”

“Ah. Ahh! As expected, as expected?”

“Yeah. No matter what, it doesn’t make sense to use our Imperial Chief of Staff as a card to lead an alliance with other countries. Honestly, if I had to choose between Novogord and Kael, I would definitely choose the latter.”

“This older sister is like that too.”

For the first time in her life, the Crown Princess was unable to understand her younger brother’s inner thoughts.

Now, I wonder if that is a perfectly rational decision for an imperial princess to make.

Or is it just fierce opposition, marked by great skill and patience?

“I don’t know about anything else, but Imperial Chief of Staff Kael’s first marriage partner should be an Imperial. That’s right. Otherwise, all those who have been loyal to the Empire will think of themselves as expendable.”

“That’s right. That’s right. This older sister thinks so too. So if that kind of story comes up, she’ll immediately cut it off, saying it’s impossible.”

So what I’m saying is, can you please make some progress among yourselves?

*

On my first day as Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family, I got to spend time with the Princess.

The Emperor was receiving reports from other ministers, and the Crown Princess headed west again as soon as she returned.

The first prince is still in the south, observing the public sentiment of the kingdom.

What should I say about this? Should I say that it looks like only the princess and I were left behind?

“This time, a ferry was sent from Los Tanica through the South Sea and reached the country. It even reached our empire.”

“Ros Tanica and the Empire didn’t really have much in common, but that’s no longer the case.”

“After the defeat of Degalle, they absorbed the remnants of their army, but their army is still inferior to Dedorant. If the Empire does not act quickly… .”

“After Degalle, you’re going to swallow up Los Tanica too.”

We must give them the nightmare that only our empire has been able to endure so far.

A double-sided battle. With enemies on both sides, you can’t concentrate your efforts on one spot.

No. If you consider Benito, it might be right to see it as a three-front war.

While we were having such a heated discussion about the princess and the current situation.

“Kael. I have something to ask you.”

The princess asks a question.

As it was just a passing thing, it didn’t seem like it was anything trivial.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please ask.”

“Do you have someone you like?”

But the question was not trivial at all.