---

“Onee-chan!”

The Crown Princess, who had been bestowing mercy upon the three kingdoms in the East for nearly half a year, finally returned. Isabel welcomed her sister with overwhelming joy.

“Hehe. It’s an honor to have the noble Crown Princess of the Empire come to greet me like this.”

“W-What’s with the sudden formality? Did I do something wrong?”

“Of course not. I’m simply stating the truth.”

When I headed East, I discovered that public sentiment towards the Second Princess was even more favorable than I had imagined. It seemed that directly participating across the Eastern region and encouraging the soldiers who had lost battles contributed to this.

In particular, the story of her personally serving food to the legion soldiers was still being praised.

“That story is embarrassing. I didn’t even want to do it; I just followed Kael’s orders.”

“It’s not easy to simply follow orders. If you showed any dissatisfaction or made mistakes in the process, no matter how brilliant a strategist you are, it wouldn’t have mattered.”

An exceptional strategist never remains close to fools. The Crown Princess knows this well, and it made her quite happy.

Kael Clausewitz. It meant that this genius recognized Isabel.

“Oh! Speaking of which, I heard some news on my way here. You’ve been appointed as the Imperial Chief of Staff.”

“Kael? Yeah. His Majesty the Emperor handpicked him for that position.”

“Is that so?”

As she said this, the Crown Princess stared intently at her sister. Isabel asked, “Why?”

“Well, it’s just that your reaction seems so calm.”

“His Majesty appointed Kael as the Imperial Chief of Staff? Kael has been so busy lately. I think it might be a favor to give him a break since overworking him isn’t good. I’m not worried. Seems like Kael isn’t either.”

“…I see.”

It appeared that Bel hadn’t heard the news yet. The Crown Princess thought about a report she had received secretly not long ago.

“The Marquis of Consloker and his faction are particularly active this time, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

The Marquis of Consloker. Although aligned with the ruling faction, they were notably not a military family. They had instead started out as ordinary administrative officials of the Empire like those from the reformist faction.

Yet, there were two reasons why they could be the backbone of the ruling faction.

First, they are nobles from one of the highest-ranked noble families in the Empire.

Second, it’s because of the advisory or strategist role derived from that bureaucratic experience.

“I heard that those from the Marquis of Consloker and other nobles in their faction hold many advisory positions in each legion.”

While lacking commanding talent, they are confident in support and administrative duties. That was the backdrop for the current high position of the Marquis of Consloker and his faction.

However, this was about to be shaken by a newly emerged genius strategist. It just so happened to be from the Duke of Bertier Empire. Not just any noble, but a Duke.

Here the Marquis’s faction naturally became tense.

Are the Dukes, under the Emperor’s intent, now aiming for advisory positions in each legion as well? Has the countermeasure against those who do not offer unconditional loyalty finally begun?

“Such worries put enormous pressure on our efforts.”

Indeed, when the orchestration plan for the First Legion was announced, many advisors from that faction supported and were dispatched.

They would probably try to reclaim the strategist or advisor roles that had been overshadowed by Kael until now. This might be their last chance, and they would surely aim to seize it.

What must be noted is that their worries and jealousy are not the foolish actions of the incompetent.

They are not to be underestimated, being the Marquis and his faction. The experience they accumulated while working as strategists truly cannot be overlooked.

It’s quite possible that this creates a rather decent competitive landscape.

“It feels like His Majesty is momentarily sidelining Kael with consideration for their inner motives.”

The Crown Princess nodded. Honestly, it seems that way.

Just as Isabel said, Kael had been very active lately.

While he had received various rewards, he is a man with little greed.

It wouldn’t be bad to let him take a break since the continuous duties could become burdensome.

“But you know, Bel, just because you’re the Imperial Chief of Staff doesn’t mean you’ll be resting all the time.”

“Why?”

“Actually, Nobogord and a few from the Eastern kingdoms, as well as the Southern Kingdom, have voluntarily expressed a desire to send reinforcements. The Imperial Chief of Staff, who has relatively more leeway, may have to manage that.”

It just so happens that based on his qualifications and reputation, Kael would find it extremely easy to deal with them.

It had been revealed through Charlua that the Demon Tribe viewed Kael very positively.

After being severely defeated by Kael, the Eastern kingdoms regard him with both fear and admiration.

In the South, he is seen positively as the strategist who smashed Benito.

Dealing with support troops from foreign nations is extremely difficult.

However, if someone with the reputation to reign them in from the very beginning exists, then using him would undoubtedly be a good thing for everyone, right?

“Ugh. I told Kael he could take a bit more of a break.”

“Then why don’t you go enjoy some leisure time with the Imperial Chief of Staff?”

“Are you saying I should learn a bit more before heading to the West later?”

“…?”

How does that even get interpreted that way? The Crown Princess looked at Isabel with a startled expression.

There’s definitely a favorable impression, and it doesn’t seem like Isabel is trying to hide it.

But why does she respond that way only when this topic comes up?

Something needs to be done. It might be good to instill a little sense of urgency.

Though I have to add quite a few lies, the position of Crown Princess helps in situations like this.

“Lately, there’s been a rumor going around. Do you happen to know it, Bel?”

“What rumor?”

“They say, what if we strategically marry Kael, our Imperial Chief of Staff, to Charlua Estania, daughter of the Chairperson of the Nobogord Demon Tribe Council, who recently came into the Empire?”

“…What?”

Oh! It seems like I’ve got a bite here.

Having enjoyed fishing occasionally (whether it’s actual fishing or fooling my siblings), I can’t help but smile as I observe Isabel’s reaction.

“Nobogord just provided us with a tremendous gift. It’s a perfect justification toward the West, specifically Dedorant and Atria. Additionally, if we can completely draw Nobogord to our side, it would provide even greater benefits for the Empire, so I want to solidify this.”

“And so, you’re saying to connect Kael with Charlua?”

“Nothing is certain; it’s just a rumor circulating.”

“…”

A brief silence. That seems to have been a decent reaction.

Just as the Crown Princess was about to continue speaking, Isabel spoke up first.

“It wouldn’t be bad.”

“Right. Obviously, they complement each other—wait a minute, Bel. What did you just say?”

“I said it wouldn’t be bad.”

What on earth is she talking about? The Crown Princess is taken aback.

This was the same Isabel who had previously shown affection towards Kael. How can she say something like that so suddenly?

“Actually, that Charlua girl is really a passionate supporter of Kael. She’s even studying Kael and his strategies, and to be quite honest, even I was surprised by her dedication.”

“Uh, um.”

“That girl is clearly sincere about Kael. I don’t know Kael’s feelings, but honestly, she doesn’t strike me as someone who would cruelly push away those who express their liking for her.”

Could it be that I’ve misjudged the situation? What in the world? How am I making such mistakes?

The Crown Princess, experiencing failure for the first time, is left speechless.

I never imagined my predictions would be so off base.

This wasn’t the response I expected. If it goes like this, then—

“But, Onee-chan, even so, a political marriage seems a bit off.”

“Ah. Ah! Surely, surely that’s right?”

“Yeah. No matter what, using our Imperial Chief of Staff as a pawn for alliances with other nations just doesn’t make sense. Honestly, if I had to choose between Nobogord and Kael, I would definitely choose the latter.”

“True, I think so too.”

For the first time in her life, the Crown Princess couldn’t grasp her sister’s inner thoughts.

Was her decision as a princess purely rational judgment?

Or was it an intense opposition stemming from high-level acting and patience?

“That aside, the first marriage partner of the Imperial Chief of Staff must be an imperial citizen. That’s the right thing. Otherwise, those who have remained loyal to the Empire will think of themselves as nothing more than expendable pawns.”

“Exactly, exactly! I would immediately put a stop to such discussions if they were to arise.”

So, I ask, can’t you two just make a little progress on your own?

*

On the first day of being appointed as the Imperial Chief of Staff, I found myself spending time with the Princess.

The Emperor was reporting to the other ministers, while the Crown Princess headed back to the West as soon as she returned.

The Crown Prince was still surveying public sentiment in the South.

What is this? It feels like it’s just the Princess and me left behind?

“This time, there was contact from Ross Tanika sent through the South Sea. It reached our Empire.”

“There wasn’t really a significant connection between Ross Tanika and the Empire, but that isn’t the case anymore.”

“They absorbed the defeated soldiers from DeGale, yet their land forces are still inferior compared to Dedorant. If the Empire doesn’t take action quickly…”

“Then they’ll swallow up Ross Tanika right after DeGale.”

We must repay the nightmares that have been solely suffered by our Empire.

Open a two-front war. We must avoid haphazard concentration on any one side with enemies on both.

No, considering Benito, it may even be reasonable to call it a three-front war.

While deeply engrossed in discussing the Princess and the current situation…

“Kael, may I ask you something?”

The Princess posed a question. It seemed significant and not trivial at all.

“Yes, Your Highness. Please ask away.”

“Do you have someone you like?”

But the question’s content was anything but trivial.

 

---