The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

"Will we be able to make it in time...?"

After having broken through the fortress that was guarded by the Southern Border Defense Army, Diethelm entered the Empire and headed towards the western part of the country.

To enter the Empire from the Perlan Kingdom's territory, they had to enter from the west. Since there was still no information about the allied forces making any moves, this meant that the Emperor had not yet entered the Empire's territory.

"Can we stop the Emperor?"

"If possible."

"I doubt that he'll stop. His beloved eldest son was ridiculed, his legitimate wife and daughter-in-law were killed, and the crime for the murders was publicly attributed to his best friend. It's impossible to tell him not to be angry."

"Even so, we must stop him. This is definitely a trap."

"Indeed, it seems so."

Inside the moving carriage, Egor suddenly stood up. He opened the door and climbed onto the roof of the carriage.

"Egor!?"

In the direction that the carriage was heading, a young man stood in front with his sword drawn, ready to attack the carriage.

Egor suddenly unleashed a slash at the man. Though it was a light slash, it was still the Sword Saint's slash and an average swordsman wouldn't be able to react in time, let alone stop it. However, the man effortlessly blocked the attack.

Recognizing him as a strong opponent, Egor leaped off the carriage, overtook it, and engaged the man in close combat. The clash of their blades halted the man's movement, allowing the carriage that was carrying Diethelm to continue on its way.

"A white cape..."

Egor muttered as he recognized the familiar cloak that the man was wearing. The man introduced himself.

"I am Burkhardt von Altenburg, the Captain of the 10th Imperial Knights Corps. Remember my name, Sword-Saint Egor."

"Don't talk nonsense to me, boy. That title is only for those who pledge loyalty to the Emperor. What are you doing here?"

"I am loyal to my Emperor."

"Your loyalty is your own business... But what about your loyalty to the current Emperor? The oath that was sworn on your sword is a swordsman's pride. Wearing that cape here without true loyalty is an insult to all the other swordsmen. 'The Imperial Knights exist within the Empire.' This reputation was something that was built by the honorable predecessors who were all excellent swordsmen. I will not tolerate such desecration of the swordsman's pride."

While living for hundreds of years, Egor naturally had many interactions with the Empire and during that time, he had seen many Imperial Guard Knights. They were all talented and proud swordsmen, worthy of respect even from Egor himself.

Egor pushed Burkhardt back, but Burkhardt remained unshaken and regained his stance.

"As expected of the Sword Saint... you are indeed formidable."

Burkhardt attacked by bringing his sword down from above. Egor deflected it to the right and twisted his wrist to slash at Burkhardt's side. However, something felt off. It didn't feel like he had cut through flesh. Egor stepped back while Burkhardt, looking unperturbed, launched a counterattack at him. The sword didn't reach Egor but had he not moved, it would have been dangerous for him.

"How curious..."

Egor had definitely cut him, but there was no damage to Burkhardt's armor. Such an armor that could withstand Egor's slash was dubious.

"As expected of the Sword Saint. I didn't anticipate your second strike to be so powerful."

"Then I'll aim to finish this in one blow."

Egor slowly drew his sword back in preparation to thrust it. The stronger the opponent, the less predictable their next move should be. If the attack can be anticipated, no matter how fast it is, it can be avoided. Yet, Egor took an obvious stance. Burkhardt started to ready himself for the incoming technique.

"Sword Saint Style, Southern Form—'One Arrow'."

With a twist of the blade, Egor unleashed an instantaneous thrust. The stance was to deliver the fastest possible thrust. It was impossible to see, dodge or deflect. And Egor's thrust struck Burkhardt's chest directly.

However,

"This isn't magic..."

The thrust had landed on Burkhardt's chest, but his armor was unscathed. This unusual phenomenon led Egor to squint.

"Indeed."

Burkhardt swung his sword horizontally while aiming for Egor's torso, causing Egor to immediately evade. He wasn't shocked by the blocked attack, but rather puzzled by its nature. He had seen many kinds of magic, but this was different.

It seemed more like a...

"An Authority...?"

Burkhardt didn't respond, standing firmly before Egor. His posture was imposing, causing Egor to smile faintly.

"Interesting... to be not possessed by a demon, yet wielding a power that is akin to authority. How curious."

Egor couldn't identify who or what Burkhardt was, but he was currently an opponent who couldn't be cut and that was a rare occurrence.

"Usually, once I gauge one’s hardness, I can normally cut through them... this is a unique experience."

"I'm not accustomed to taking hits either. So this is a novel experience for me."

"Then, let's see how you handle a barrage."

"Shall we?"

Egor couldn't penetrate, while Burkhardt couldn't evade. The battle dragged on, with Egor's focus shifting to breaking through Burkhardt's defense.

From every angle that Egor attacked, each one was blocked by Burkhardt. This was truly an enigmatic ability—Egor had already sensed that Burkhardt wasn't a demon, but his power was similar to a demon’s Authority.

Yet Egor concentrated solely on overcoming this formidable opponent.

"I know your strength."

"Then what will you do?"

"Not fighting is also an option."

Suddenly, a cylindrical magical device was thrown before Egor. Instinctively, he slashed at it.

"What!?"

It was a teleportation device and before he realized it, Egor found himself in an unfamiliar forest.

"They got me... they really know my weakness well."

He was probably outside the Empire, yet Egor couldn't discern the direction towards it.

He needed to find his way back, hoping he could still make it in time.

The enemies knew his weakness and exploited it.

What was their objective? Egor didn't know but he knew that he had to move quickly.

TL's Notes:

Damn, the first SS class defeat to ingenuity