
Shadow Court Magician Chapter 26: Post War Operations and the Talk with the Strategist
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We conquered the seemingly impregnable Macaulay Fortress and regained part of the territory occupied by the enemy. After staying in the fortress for about a week, we’ve decided on what to do with the injured and the prisoners of war.
Meanwhile, the princess was extremely busy tying the loose strings.
Seeing us, Victor ironically says.
“… Isn’t it usually the job of a civil servant to complete documents?” (Victor)
Look at me with a scornful look.
“It seems so, but I’m a military officer.”
“You’re a military officer only when it is convenient?” (Victor)
“That’s right. Well, that’s a joke, but I made a contract with the princess. She’ll take care of all the troublesome things. So this, Leon-sama should think only about strategy and tactics, and the future of the nation 100 years from now.”
“Well, isn’t it a waste to put a man like you in the paperwork? In the Kingdom of Ernia. No, there is no better strategist like you in the entire League of Kings.” (Victor)
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“But you should think about your speech before returning to the Royal Capital.” (Victor)
“Speech? What are you talking about?”
“When we return to the royal capital, we will become this country’s heroes. Since we have taken the enemy’s fortress and regained the territory with just one brigade.” (Victor)
“Oh, yeah, we’re going to get a lot of journalists.”
“Purchase clothes for the interview and think about making a speech.” (Victor)
“Thank you for your advice, but I will not be interviewed.”
“What did you say!?” (Victor)
“Are you so surprised?”
“Yes I am, it’s unlikely that you won’t be interviewed.” (Victor)
“It’s possible. In the first place, I’m just a strategist in the shadows, so don’t stand out.”
“There’s no one in the Brigade who doesn’t know your name.” (Victor)
“Yes, because they have to trust me. But not to the outside world, not to the public.”
“What do you mean?” (Victor)
“It’s better for the world to think that the princess is more amazing than a normal human being like me.”
To clarify, I continued.
“From now on, we will carry the princess’ name and reform the military, no, this country. In that case, we have to make the princess become the most suited person to be next queen.”
“Certainly.” (Victor)
“To do that, we have to make them think of her as the strongest general and the country’s hero.”
“You have a point.” (Victor)
“I have ten-step rationale. To do that, I will give her all the achievements this time. I will announce to the upper echelons of the military and the world that all the achievements of the fort capture are hers. She was the one who planned this operation, invented the Three-Step Firing, and got rid of the gargoyles. “
“Is it her idea to have me sneak inside the fortress?” (Victor)
“That’s right.”
“I think it’s fine, but what do you think of the princess?” (Victor)
“The princess has agreed. Since that certain night.”
I remembered the day the princess exposed her naked body in the slum church and the moment I swore my allegiance to her.
“So, I will return to the royal capital soon and prepare, so can I ask you to protect the princess?”
“That’s fine, but what will you be doing back in the Royal Capital?” (Victor)
“I’m going to prepare a collection of interviews with the major newspapers, a statement to the people, and a propaganda campaign for the military, etc.”
“It’s a lot. I don’t think it sounds right while being called a ‘Salary Thief’.” (Victor)
“I liked that nickname, but it might be a thing of the past.”
After I say that, I begin my return to the Royal Capital ahead of schedule.
I arrived at the capital in a flash on the horse the princess had given me and headed for her residence.
It was the princess’s maid who welcomed me there.
Chloe, the girl in a maid uniform, bowed respectfully.
“Leon-sama, welcome back. It seems that you have been awarded for your military prowess.” (Chloe)
“Oh, something like that.”
“Is there a reason why you came back before the princess?” (Chloe)
“Yes. I will overstate the military achievements many times and use them for publicity.”
Chloe seems to understand just by hearing that. What a smart girl.
“As expected of Leon-sama. Not only can you guarantee military achievements, but you can also use the achievements and amplify it many times over.” (Chloe)
“Well, praise me only after I succeed. In the meantime, before the princess returns, I will prepare a collection of questions and answers for interviews with the major newspapers.”
“Yes, sir.” (Chloe)
She then brought me a piece of paper and a pen.
When I received it, I went to the desk.
I puzzled over the questions, trying to come up with a response that would grate on the reporter’s ears.
“Many reporters are nasty. First of all, I have to get them on our side.”
“That’s right. There are a lot of nasty and scummy people, and there are a lot of people backing them up. So they have to make sure they don’t get fired.”
The first question they would ask is how I came up with this strategy, but in order to make this the princess’s achievement, I have to prepare a story.
“In the first place, Leon-sama, how did you come up with the idea of taking a fortress with such a small army?” (Chloe)
“It’s my master’s. To be exact, a hero from another world taught by my master.”
There was a man called Han Xin in a country called China in the Otherworld.
Called the Greatest General, he was a master tactician who helped establish the empire of the largest dynasty in ancient China, the Han dynasty. He has an anecdotal plan called the “Backwater Campaign”.
“You are placed in the backwaters?” (Chloe)
“That’s right. The Backwater Campaign is a formation that intentionally puts your main force with its back on the river.”
Chloe is puzzled. An amateur can’t understand the danger of putting your back against the river.
I will explain it carefully.
“It’s usually against the law of war to put your back to the river. It’s written in all the military books in this country.”
“I see.” (Chloe)
“With the river in the back, the troops can’t move freely, and the soldiers are scared because there is no more room left to move.”
“An army wrapped in fear is fragile, isn’t it?” (Chloe)
“Yes, but Han Xin dared to ignore the military art book and set up a backwater camp.”
“And his intention?” (Chloe)
“Of course, Han Xin deliberately set up a backwater camp to lure enemy troops and force a separate team to conquer the weakened castle.”
“Well, it’s the same as Leon-sama’s.” (Chloe)
“Yes. I imitated his tactics.”
“I think it’s a wonderful application.” (Chloe)
Chloe says softly.
I thought about the people who I could learn more about, regardless of age, whether from the east or west or if they came from the Otherworld. I’m going to continue to imitate them as much as I can
Chloe hears it and smiles again.
“Please guide us with your wisdom and knowledge.” (Chloe)
“I will.”
Then I started thinking about a collection of questions and answers for newspaper companies.
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