I Became the Strategist the Monarchs Obsess Over

Chapter 18

"You want to work as a temporary strategist in the upcoming Northern Conquest?"

At Dian de Balboa's question, Charles replied.

"Yes."

Dian groaned as if finding it difficult and then spoke.

"Do you even know what the Northern Conquest is?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince recommended that the Lord of the North, Duke Chronor, become a vassal, but the Duke refused, saying the Chronor Family has only taken orders from the Emperor for 200 years and that they should return once the Crown Prince ascends the throne. Enraged by this, His Highness the Crown Prince decided to lead an army for the Northern Conquest."

For the record, the Crown Prince loses. At least, in the original story.

"Do you know what it means to work as a strategist there?"

"It should be in the Academy's regulations. Academy cadets can be drafted into the army as knights during wartime."

"That is... technically true. But if you go to the battlefield, I will treat you as a soldier, not a student. Are you okay with that?"

"I am prepared."

Dian rubbed her forehead. Already stressed by the war, it made sense that the idea of a student she taught wanting to work as a strategist would give her a headache.

The problem, however, was that the student in question had placed second in the mock battle and scored top marks in Political Diplomacy. Even hiring an ordinary professor wouldn't yield such results. Bringing Charles along would undoubtedly be useful, as he was the man who even defeated her prized pupil, Yuria Russell. However...

"Charles, if you die, the one responsible will be me."

"But, if I perform well, the one who benefits will also be you, Professor Dian."

"Benefit?"

"I know why you wanted to bring me into the Crown Prince's faction."

"Oh? Interesting. What's the reason?"

"Professor, you fought your first battle at the age of 14."

At those words, a nostalgic look briefly crossed Dian's eyes.

"That's right. I was young back then."

"And you've survived dozens of battlefields for 15 years. I also know you earned the nickname 'Dian the Charger' because you're always at the forefront of the frontlines shouting for a charge."

"That is also true."

"But you have some weaknesses, don't you?"

At those words, Dian's face showed surprise.

Command Stat: A Rank.

Martial Power: High A Rank.

Dian de Balboa, the strongest Sword Master in the Academy, possessing the second-highest martial power in the world.

Although she could be called the highest-tier warrior, she had a critical weakness.

"You're slow at reading maps."

She flinched. It seemed he had hit the mark.

"You're weak at logistics and personnel appointments."

Dian's army operated chaotically. The more their numbers grew, the more inefficient their operations became.

"And when you regain your senses during a fight, you often find yourself too far ahead to grasp the battlefield situation."

Dian the Charger. It was a nickname she earned for always leading the charge at the front. But it also meant she smelled blood and charged at the enemy alone without any subordinates nearby.

"How do you know that..."

"Let's just say I have my ways of gathering information."

"To think you've already gotten that close to Her Highness the Princess."

No, it's game knowledge. Well, should I just let her misunderstand?

"I can compensate for those weaknesses. If you bring me along, you won't regret it."

Dian hesitated for a while, clearly finding it a difficult decision.

After about five minutes, she finally spoke.

"There's no harm in having more talent. I'll trust your abilities, as you defeated Yuria Russell."

Dian de Balboa extended her hand, and I shook it. Then, I prepared to head to Dian's stronghold in Crothea.

-----

That early morning.

I woke up to go to the bathroom, but the lamp inside was broken. Annoyed, I headed to the dormitory communal bathroom.

After relieving myself and even washing my face, I sat in the hall to rest for a while. The pre-dawn air felt strangely special. Then, from afar, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

'Huh? Someone at this hour? A guard?'

Thinking that, I didn't give it much thought, but the sound of footsteps grew closer and stopped about 20 meters away from me.

The moonlight was faint, making it hard to see the person's face. Still, based on the silhouette, I could vaguely tell it was a woman.

"Who are you?"

Thinking it might be someone I knew, I asked, but she didn't answer. I began to feel cautious. When I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword, she spoke.

"The Goddess."

At those words, I couldn't help but be startled. Her voice was the most beautiful I had ever heard in my life. Even the Princess's voice, which was also beautiful, didn't compare. Her voice had a mysterious quality to it.

'I don't think I know her.'

A voice this pretty? There's no way I would forget it if I had heard it before.

"The Goddess has spoken. She told me to come here and meet you."

Who is this person? Her voice is beautiful, but is she crazy? Or maybe...

"So, now that you've met me, what do you think? Am I handsome?"

"No."

Thinking she might be flirting, I tested her, but she answered immediately. Apparently, I'm not handsome. How embarrassing.

"But."

"But?"

"Rest assured. The Goddess of War favors people like you."

After saying that, she left.

So, what was that about?

A cultist?

-----

The vacation began, and Dian de Balboa immediately headed to her territory, Crothea. Of course, Charles and Glasia went as well.

However, since Northerners could exist even in the Imperial capital, Dian's escort was on high alert. Dozens of cavalrymen escorted Dian, with the carriage carrying Dian and Charles at the center.

"Everything fine inside?"

Glasia knocked on the carriage window and asked. I opened the window and replied.

"Comfortable."

As expected, a carriage for a Count was on a different level in terms of comfort.

"This is the second time I've had a disciple ride in this carriage."

"The first was Yuria, right?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

Game story.

"Let's just say I have my ways of gathering information."

At that, she chuckled softly.

"The first time Yuria Russell came to our house, she was just a nine-year-old child. A quiet, timid girl."

"Yuria? Knowing her current personality, I can't even imagine that."

"I think so, too. The previous Yuria had a soft voice and was hesitant to speak to people. Plus, she struggled to adapt to being an uninvited guest, so I remember making a lot of effort back then to become close to her. Eventually, thanks to that, Yuria grew attached to me, and learned many things from me."

"Things like Strategy and Tactics or Swordsmanship."

Dian nodded. Dian de Balboa. A powerful individual with the second-highest martial power in the world and a Sword Master. And her disciple was destined to become a Sword Master in the future. What an extraordinary mentor-disciple relationship.

"What do you think of Yuria now?"

"Honorable, confident, and loyal. She's so loyal to Her Highness the Princess that she sometimes gets jealous of me."

"But that loyalty is only on the surface. Deep down, she's still a timid and passive child. So..."

Dian looked at me and spoke.

"I leave that child in your care."

"Even if you say that... I don't have any power."

"Don't say things you don't mean. From what I see, you'll soon become a central figure in the Academy."

Who knows about the future? For now, I just nodded.

"If there's anything I can do to help Yuria, I will."

"Thank you."

With such conversations, we traveled for several days, heading toward the North. Eventually, we arrived at a place called Glintor Castle.

The moment we reached the castle, I was astonished. The entire Crown Prince Legion was gathered there.

35,000 soldiers. The strongest military force on the continent was present.

-----

Upon entering the Crown Prince's camp, Glasia and I took off our Arcadia Academy uniforms and changed into military uniforms. Wearing armor over the military uniform made me feel like a soldier from the Medieval Era, which was quite fascinating. Dian, heading toward the inner fortress, spoke.

"Charles, let me tell you your role."

"Yes."

"From now on, you will command the scouts and messengers. Your duties will include collecting maps, scouting the villages surrounding the army's route via the maps, and checking for anomalies or ambushes. You will compile the gathered information and present your opinions to me regarding future commands. That is your role."

In short, it seemed like a staff officer role. It was a perfect fit for me because I was confident in gathering information.

"Yes."

"And now, I will introduce the subordinates you will lead. Paul! Hugo! Come here!"

At Dian's shout, two middle-aged men came running from afar and stood at attention.

"Listen carefully. This is Charles Jean Rochefort, a cadet from the Academy and my disciple. From today onward, he will be your superior."

"What?"

"This kid is our superior?"

The expressions of the two knights, called Paul and Hugo, twisted.