I Became the Academy’s Weakest Strategist

The world is currently undergoing tremendous upheaval.
Prevailing universal values are declining, and the knights who once championed freedom and love have long since faded into the annals of history.
Thoughts are changing.
Mindsets are shifting.
Souls are transforming.
As mental philosophies gradually evolve, people’s behavior also begins to change.
People no longer blindly believed in deities, nor relied on them during adventures.
Humanity was becoming increasingly rational,
Looking after their own interests and seeking power.
Those who realized the world was an arena of constant conflict strove to survive amidst the plots and machinations.

Thus, the talented began flocking to the imperial capital.
An era of great upheaval, where geniuses across the land unleashed their abilities.
By this point, social stratification had become largely irrelevant.
The capable rose, the incapable fell to the ground.
Guilds emerged, and commoners steadily grew wealthy.
The world began calling them ‘new nobles’, who used their fortunes to amass greater influence.

The Pope’s once unrivaled authority to dethrone emperors with a mere gesture had long since crumbled.
Rife with corruption and decadence, the churches could hardly be called sacred anymore.
The catalyst was the indulgence trade – the outrageous doctrine that temporal sins could be absolved through purchased indulgences.
People rushed to buy them en masse.
This caused the churches’ coffers to overflow with ill-gotten gains, sowing widespread doubt among the populace.
The accumulated distrust finally erupted.

In a land quite distant from the empire, the bombshell of religious reformation exploded.
Its shockwaves reverberated globally, ultimately triggering the cataclysmic Argnon Schism.
The catastrophic event of five simultaneous rival Popes emerging in the region known as the churches’ holy ground.
This precipitated the Pope’s loss of true authority, as people ceased blindly believing in deities.
The central value system shifted from the divine to the human, as humanity gradually adapted to this new era.

When the collective psyche transforms, national trajectories inevitably change as well.
The northern nomads steadily expanded their reach, while the western Especia Kingdom amassed wealth through maritime trade.
To the south, the Holy Rus Empire grappled with its southeastern rival, the Otman-Thurki Empire.

Yet amidst this global political turmoil, the empire remained static.
Still mired in an antiquated, pervasive class system that barred the capable from rising, regardless of merit.
These factors were eroding the empire from within.

“…You pose a difficult question, Lord Rommel.”
“Take your time considering it.”

The princess furrowed her brow, swirling her coffee with a teaspoon.
Deep in contemplation, a drop of coffee splashed onto the white lace glove covering her arm.
Yet her gaze remained fixed solely on my eyes.
The occasional “Um…” slipped from her lips as she mulled over her answer.

“…Politics is ever-changing, you know. No matter how boldly I declare my future ambitions from this humble café, circumstances could always alter them.”
“Precisely.”

Indeed, the princess spoke true.
Politics is always fluid, never static but dynamic.
Hence, we must adapt to the oncoming tides of change and strive to survive within them.
The immense shifts that lay ahead – my query to the princess encompassed that meaning.

“The northern nomadic tribes are on the move.”
Flinch.
The princess’s body jolted slightly at the mention of nomads, but I pressed on undeterred.

“To the south, the Holy Rus Empire and the southeastern Otman-Thurki Empire are baring their fangs at each other.”
The traditional powerhouse Holy Rus, and the rising upstart Otman-Thurki.
Like two suns unable to occupy the same sky, the southern powers turned on each other.

“Moreover, the western Especia Kingdom is steadily building its might through maritime trade.”
Especia bordered the sea.
Yet most viewed the oceans with trepidation – voyages often proved fatal, beset by unidentified diseases that caused gums to bleed profusely, claiming countless sailors’ lives.
But Especia persevered.
Subjugated by our empire’s might for centuries, they formed an expedition led by Admiral Barse to overturn that humiliation.
Ultimately, they succeeded in charting new trade routes.
The influx of exotic goods and spices through these routes brought Especia immense prosperity.
Especia was now honing the blade of vengeance against the empire.

“And what of our empire amidst all this?”
Numerous nations rising in prominence, and not just the ones I mentioned.
Similar events likely unfolded across distant continents as well.
Existing realms crumbling, new ones arising.
The weak transforming into powerhouses, erstwhile powerhouses declining into insignificance.
An era of sweeping change – yet the empire remained utterly stagnant.

“Doing nothing at all.”
Rising from my seat, I arranged the shattered cookie fragments in the center of the table.
Then placed the remaining pieces in the cardinal directions around it.
The central empire, surrounded by the southern Holy Rus, northern nomads, and southeastern Otman-Thurki.
Possessing strength, it could extend outwards, yet the current empire was but a paper tiger, easily torn apart from all sides.

A prime example being the ancient Han kingdom during the Warring States period, once among the vaunted ‘Seven Martial Powers’, collapsing upon itself for failing to develop while encircled by stronger neighbors.
Being geographically central made one perpetually vulnerable to invasion, a grave disadvantage.

“Hence, the empire must change. It must grow stronger, lest it perish.”
Grow powerful, so none would dare underestimate the empire.
To preemptively deter foreign aggression, it must instill awe in all.
The times were shifting, and the empire had to ride that wave of change.
Reforming society, transforming the populace’s consciousness, remaking the nation itself.
Only then could it avoid being devoured.

“…It seems I misjudged you not.”
After intently listening to my impassioned oration, the princess graced me with a tender smile.
The sort of smile one would expect from a girl her age, yet tinged with an alluring demeanor as she gazed at me.

“Lord Rommel, it seems I cannot give you up after all.”
The serpentine intensity in her eyes caused an involuntary shiver to run through me.

“Indeed, you must become my tutor.”
As if having reached a firm decision, the princess rose and took my hands in hers.
“Stand by my side, Griff Rommel.”

As the princess began slowly closing the distance between us, I instinctively backpedaled to evade her approach.
This could not happen.
If any misunderstanding or untoward incident occurred here – or if anyone merely witnessed this –
The situation would spiral disastrously out of control.
Rumors would undoubtedly implicate me as well, and as a minor noble, I would not survive this ruthless world.

I had heard the princess described as gracious and warm, yet her current demeanor vastly contradicted those accounts.
Which was her true face, I wondered?
The gracious, warm princess – or this persona obviously aimed at recruiting me?

Even as my mind reeled in turmoil, the princess continued her unhurried approach.
Then—

“Your Highness, you summoned…”
Creak.
The door swung open, a girl with crimson hair and smoldering eyes like blazing fire entering the room.
An elegant sword hung at her hip, complementing her cute Montegro Academy uniform.
And that fluttering, short skirt.
Edinburar Rose – it was her who now beheld us.

“Oh…?”
“Oh no…”
“Your Highness…?”

Caught in this abrupt situation even the princess seemed unprepared for, simply gawking wide-eyed at Rose.
While Rose, realizing our compromising position, flushed beet-red.

“Your…Your Grace, why are you here…?”
“Ro…Rose? This…this is a misunderstanding. There are complex circumstances…”
“I…I’m terribly sorry!”
Slam!
Belatedly grasping the situation as the princess moved to explain, Rose swiftly shut the door and fled.

For a long while, we could only stare at the door Rose had exited through.
Though our thoughts differed, our expressions were undoubtedly identical in that moment.