episode_0092

“Kael! Ah, should I call you the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household now?!”

“… I think a bookstore might be better.”

If it seems like the burden has increased because you are a staff member, am I misunderstanding?

Or maybe he got used to being called a bookseller so much.

When the princess calls me over, my face feels hot for no reason.

Whatever it is, my official title is now Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household.

Still, when people talk about me, they say I’m a genius bookworm or something.

And I’m also more familiar with the word “chief of staff” than “chief of staff.”

“Don’t worry, Kael. Even if you’re called Chief of Staff, your work won’t be any different from when you were a strategist.”

“Actually, there was a time when I was a bookworm… Yes. No. I made a slip of the tongue. I’m sorry.”

When the princess rolled her eyes, he quickly took back what he was about to say.

The princess was already overflowing with trust in me.

But after meeting Charleroi, it grew even more explosively.

I got goosebumps listening to Charlois’ story. He really did research on me.

In this situation, why did you choose this strategy and what were the reasons for that decision?

How did you overcome the anticipated problems and get the most benefit?

As I kept saying that in front of the princess, the situation turned out like this.

The funny thing is, that wasn’t what I actually said or thought with that intention at all.

Most of the time, I just think, ‘Oh, this sounds good,’ and buy it without thinking.

It’s like saying to a famous artist, ‘Oh, that’s what you meant, right?! Right!?’

It seems like the artist was just tired or distracted by the deadline.

“I, but. Your Highness.”

“Speak, Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff.”

“… Can’t you just be comfortable with me?”

I’m so scared I could die.

The princess nodded and laughed at my earnest request.

“Why on earth did I receive the grand title of Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household? Of all places, I am directly under the Imperial Household. So… .”

“Isn’t it that you’re only wearing Kael? Are you worried about something like that?”

“… To be honest, that’s true.”

Jealousy is not something that happens simply because someone is better than others.

When others support someone. That’s when it comes out.

Until now, I have been an object of admiration rather than jealousy.

That’s understandable, because he was a person who accomplished things that others couldn’t.

(Of course, from my perspective, it just happened because I was lucky.)

Their performance would have left a much stronger impression on them than the reward.

But now he has gone beyond the rank of lieutenant and has been given a formal title.

And that too, to the position of Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family, which would be a real power position that would openly receive the favor of the Imperial Family.

If this happens, it is unclear how those who have been taking a neutral stance will turn around.

I’m a coward. And I’m the type of person who hates making sure enemies.

If that happens, I prefer to push them away before they become enemies.

In that case, no matter how I think about it, this personnel order is… .

“It was His Majesty the Emperor’s will. Kael.”

“Your Majesty, are you speaking?”

“Yes. He added that if you put him in a position like Chief of Staff, he would have to go straight to the battlefield.”

What does that mean? As I tilt my head, the princess continues speaking.

“Kael has been touring all four borders of the empire so far. This time, it seems like he is taking a break to observe the situation and then moving on. It’s not like there aren’t other talented people in the empire.”

“Why was the position of Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family created―”

“If you were in another Chief of Staff position, you would have to go straight to the battlefield. You haven’t had enough rest yet, and you don’t plan on using the card called you yet.”

I think I know. Why the Emperor appointed me to this position by imperial decree.

At first glance, it seems like a great position that receives the emperor’s favor.

It’s not a place where you can immediately rush to the battlefield to make a contribution.

This is the Emperor’s mercy to give me a little more rest, from my perspective.

From the perspective of others, it seems like it has been pushed back for a while.

It is the Emperor’s arrangement to give others in the empire a chance to achieve merit.

By doing so, I can somewhat alleviate the jealousy that will pour down on me.

And these predictions were confirmed to be true after meeting the Emperor.

“Be frank, Kael Klauwitz. I don’t want to find fault with you.”

“Your Majesty?”

The Emperor met with him again before he was officially appointed to the position of Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household.

There, the giant committed an outrageous act of showing his sincerity towards a mere nobleman.

Thanks to that, he smiled while I was flustered and at a loss.

“Are you upset? Because you are in a relatively low-level position.”

“How could that be? I am simply moved by His Majesty the Emperor’s benevolent heart.”

Not flattery, really. Seriously. Who would say no to a little more rest?

If I were the one who rolled my eyes at the prospect of winning, then that would be understandable, right? That’s not the case, is it?

So I showed my true feelings with my whole body, and the emperor laughed and said, “Hehehe.”

“No. Even though he is the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family, he is ultimately positioned in the rear. How disappointing must you be, as a strategist who has been active on the battlefield.”

“… .”

No matter how many times you tell him that it’s absolutely not true, he’ll just say, “Yeah. I see. That’s why you’re so upset.”

So I just gave up and stayed quiet, and the emperor nodded as if he knew that would happen.

“You must have heard. I will expand the Western Legion to 11 legions by selecting 2 legions from each border, and then organize it into the Empire’s 1st Army.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What was the first thought that came to mind when you heard this?”

The emperor’s words took a moment for me to gather my thoughts.

Well, the emperor before my eyes is not an ordinary person. He is the master of this great empire.

And the more giant one is, the more coldly and strictly one views the situation.

I’m not the type of person who would sit me down and only hear nice things or flattery.

‘Then I guess you’re asking us to look at the current situation from a critical perspective.’

The Empire faces other kingdoms on all its borders.

However, not all legions within the empire are deployed in a rotational manner to all borders.

Each legion has a designated area, and they rarely leave it.

The good thing about it is that, of course, it has the best combat efficiency in that environment.

Because the soldiers are familiar with the area, they do not lose confidence and do not get lost in the geography.

Lastly, to the point where you become the pride of the region and have pride in yourself.

“… In my opinion, ”

Now that I think about it, I think the Emperor might know why I asked that question.

“Of course, since the great power of the empire was gathered, it was truly spectacular and I thought it would be overwhelming. However, since the legions operating in different regions gathered, there was a little bit of friction… .”

“A quarrel.”

I tried to beat around the bush, but the emperor just cut me off.

As I was coughing dryly without realizing it, I heard laughter.

“What are you so surprised about? Didn’t you already know that?”

“That’s….”

“It can’t be otherwise. The commanders of each legion, their subordinate commanders, and even the soldiers of the legion who were active in different regions. Everyone with their own pride suddenly gathered in one place. But if everything went smoothly without any problems, what kind of country would that be?”

It’s so cold. It’s so cold that I’m speechless.

If it were an incompetent leader, he would say, ‘Oh, that won’t happen,’ or ‘I’ll take care of it.’

“Of course. The existing legions in the West are naturally like that because this is their territory. The legions coming from each border are all those who have achieved great feats, big or small. They have even recently fought in actual battles. The situation is different from the relatively quiet West.”

“Peha’s words are correct.”

“Everyone will want to prove their superiority. Especially since they are truly the ones who lack nothing.”

The Emperor’s words continued.

For a number of reasons, there will be a lot of growing pains for a while.

Because now, it is a tangled formation of legions gathered from each direction, east, west, south, and north.

Until some more time had passed and it was finally fully operational as the First Army of the Empire.

That’s why they didn’t assign me to the position of Chief of Staff, which would most likely lead to me joining the military right away.

The idea is to put him in the position of Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family and have him step aside for a while to observe the situation.

It would be a shame if an unnecessary flaw were to arise and damage my reputation.

“And don’t you feel burdened by the unnecessary jealous gazes?”

“… I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Yes. The Emperor gave me the position of Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff after guessing my true intentions.

If you try again right now, you’ll only get more jealousy and envy.

Before that, I meant to put it aside for a moment and turn it out of sight.

It’s amazing. The Emperor cares so much about me.

I can clearly feel the care being taken to avoid even a scratch on my skin.

Why on earth are you doing this? That question is right at the bottom of my throat.

Should I ask? I should just keep my mouth shut and do as the Emperor wishes… .

“Imperial Chief of Staff.”

“, Yes! Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“I would like to spend time with the 2nd princess while staying in the system.”

“Is that what you mean?”

The emperor nods his head to my question.

“Perhaps, as time goes by, the second princess will also head west. There, she may be able to unite with you again, so I think it would be better to teach her a little more of your wisdom.”

“… .”

Your Majesty the Emperor. You really only want to impart wisdom, don’t you?

But why does the image of His Majesty the Emperor that I see somehow make me want something more?