I Became the Strategist the Monarchs Obsess Over

Chapter 34

"You want to conquer the world."

"My goal is to unify the Tasphilia Peninsula within three years, the South within seven years, and the Arcadia Continent within twenty years."

That's an incredible ambition. But there's one problem.

"But is it okay to reveal such a secret to someone you've just met? How do you know I won't go around spreading it?"

"You're saying things you don't mean. I know about you. My baby birds are even in His Highness the Crown Prince's camp. The baby birds whisper. They say that you have achieved accomplishments while walking a dangerous tightrope, never knowing when you might die. That's probably because you have a goal more precious than life itself, isn't it? Would such a person easily go around talking about someone else's dream? I think not. You and I are of the same kind. You will empathize with my dream, won't you?"

Honestly, I don't empathize. But I do share something in common. I, too, have no choice but to aim for world conquest, even if it's not my will.

"That's why I'm making this proposal."

"What kind of proposal?"

"Something no one else in this world can offer. I will give you the position of Commander-in-Chief of my army."

Commander-in-Chief! I pondered for a while. This woman is undoubtedly a good option. She has an enormous amount of money, while most of the commanders in her army are foreigners, meaning less discrimination. And on top of that, she's offering the position of Commander-in-Chief. At just 17 years old? This woman was making a truly radical proposal. Although I don't know how the international situation will unfold in the future, she is undoubtedly one of the strongest options. So, I want to keep her in reserve if possible...

The problem is that I want to graduate from Arcadia Academy first. While keeping her as an option, I need to find an appropriate way to decline for now. I was struggling with this difficult decision when the solution unexpectedly appeared. That's because...

"Sit for a moment."

Her Highness Princess Leonia von Arcadia said this and sat beside me. Startled, I shouted.

"Your Highness?"

"You don't have to call me that so loudly. I'm right here."

"No, that's not it. Why are you here...?"

"Charles, I heard you returned, so I came to see you."

As she said that, Princess Leonia was glaring not at me but at Lucrecia.

"Lucrecia di Flos. It's been a while."

"Your Highness Princess Leonia."

The gazes of the two women clashed in midair. It was as if they were glaring at each other like mortal enemies. What is this? Are they on bad terms?

"Duchess, what brings you here today?"

"I wanted to see the face of the War Hero, so I came to visit."

"It seems you've had enough conversation. Wouldn't it be better for you to leave for today?"

At Leonia's words, Leonia and Lucrecia began glaring at each other. And after a moment of silence.

"For today, I'll step back. Charles, see you next time."

Lucrecia di Flos withdrew with a wry smile and a wave of her hand, while Princess Leonia nodded in satisfaction. Meanwhile...

"Your Highness? What on earth brings you here?"

I was puzzled. Why did this woman suddenly come to find me and sit beside me, only to drive out the Duchess of Flos?

To that series of questions, Princess Leonia responded like this.

"Do you have any plans today?"

"No, I don't."

If I were to nitpick, my plan was to lounge around.

"Then spend the day with me."

All of a sudden?

-----

Twenty minutes later, we were heading toward the Princess's Villa near the capital. Princess Leonia was rumored to have gathered various items at her villa for her hobbies, and today was the day to confirm that rumor.

And on the carriage ride to the Princess's Villa, I asked.

"Your Highness, are you on bad terms with the Duchess of Flos?"

Then she suddenly laughed. When I, flustered, asked why she was laughing, she answered like this.

"Lucrecia di Flos is similar to me."

"Similar to you, Your Highness?"

That's strange. From appearance to personality, there's nothing similar. At best, they're both blond.

Then, as if finding my reaction amusing, she laughed and said.

"In ancient times, there was a tradition in the Arcadia Empire. The successors of the empire must graduate from Arcadia Academy with excellent grades."

"Yes, I've heard of it."

To be precise, I've read about it. In the lore book.

"But that tradition has become meaningless. The current Crown Prince only attended Arcadia Academy for one year. Even then, he barely showed up. Yet, he could still become Crown Prince."

"Yes."

"Now that Arcadia Academy holds less significance compared to the past, who do you think attends Arcadia Academy for all three years?"

"Hmm... I'm not sure."

I pretended not to know, but I could roughly guess.

Those lacking in some aspect attend in order to make up for it.

"Those who are deficient in some way attend for the full three years. For example, peripheral nobles who want to join the central aristocracy, heirs lacking legitimacy, young nobles who want to improve their social reputation, and those who want to prove their competence. Such people attend Arcadia Academy for three years to earn good grades and prove through the prestigious Arcadia Academy that they are capable nobles."

I roughly knew that. I had a similar aspect myself.

"Those who can easily obtain what they want without effort do not attend Arcadia Academy. Charles, in that case, let me ask. What's your reason for attending Arcadia Academy?"

"Because all I have is deficiency."

No money. No power. No backing. Lacking everything, I had no choice but to attend Arcadia Academy to obtain those things.

"Indeed, that is correct. Just a few months ago, you were in a desperate situation."

The three small-time villains whose names I can't even remember now harassed me persistently. Had I not fought back, they would have driven me to expulsion. The less competent someone is, the more malicious and persistent they become.

With nothing, my only choice to gain power was to attend Arcadia Academy. If the title of an Academy student was stripped from me, what would remain? Absolutely nothing.

"Being an Arcadia Academy student is synonymous with being an elite and envied by all. But isn't it amusing that, in reality, it's a haven for those lacking something?"

"Now that I think about it, you're right."

If that's the case, I had a question.

"What is it that Your Highness is lacking?"

That is, why does Leonia attend Arcadia Academy? I had some guesses, but I wanted to hear it directly from her.

"For me..."

"Your Highness?"

"I'm lacking power."

Power, indeed. As expected.

"If I had a faction as large as the Crown Prince's, I wouldn't attend Arcadia Academy. But my faction is far inferior to that of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. Even my confidants betrayed me and sided with the Crown Prince. The difference in power is despairing. So, I attended Arcadia Academy. I wanted to graduate from Arcadia Academy with overwhelming grades that surpass the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, proving that while the Third Princess may lack territory and military power, her talent is unmatched. I hoped that while past talents abandoned me, future talents wouldn't."

I know Leonia's story. When she inherited her territory, she was too young, and her competitors were too strong, causing all her close aides to betray her and side with her rivals. That incident likely became a trauma for Princess Leonia. So, she chose to become a hero instead of a powerless, abandoned princess. Because she didn't want to be forsaken.

"Charles."

"Yes."

"The Duchess of Flos also lacks power. To be precise, she lacks military power. The Tasphilia Peninsula, where Flos Duchy is located, has long remained disunited, with numerous duchies, kingdoms, and republics coexisting. Lucrecia di Flos wants to swallow up the many countries scattered across the Tasphilia Peninsula and walk the path of unification. Using her immense wealth and her talents to make it happen. The Flos family, which possesses the most wealth in the world, lacks only military power. That's why she attends Arcadia Academy—to find and recruit those with exceptional military talent. There's no place in the world with as many unclaimed talents as Arcadia Academy."

I see. So that's why the Princess said she and the Duchess of Flos are similar. They're both attending the Academy to recruit talents.

"Charles. The Duchess of Flos may seem like a good option at first glance. If you were scouted by Flos Duchy, your rise would be much faster than in other nations, and you could earn as much money as you wanted. Flos Duchy, with its endless fountain of money, is undoubtedly strong, but even the Duchess of Flos lacks something."

"What is that?"

"The justification to swallow the empire. The legitimacy to claim the throne."

Ah. If the Duchess of Flos were to conquer the empire, it would be a revolutionary act. But if Princess Leonia were to do it, it would merely be a succession battle within the Arcadia Family.

In other words, the Princess was saying this.

Not the Duchess of Flos, but come to her instead.