The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 700: I Don’t Want to Fight

At the western border of the Empire, Diethelm stood at the border while waiting to meet with Emperor Johannes.

“Leonard, where is my brother!?”

“Uncle!? Thank you for coming! He should be arriving soon!”

“So I made it in time!”

The allied forces were currently split into two divisions: an advance team that was led by Leo and the main force that was commanded by Anselm and William. As the supreme commander, Leo led the advance team in order to prioritize speed.

The allied forces, having lost many soldiers in the previous battle, needed to reorganize more urgently than replenishing supplies. Since numerous commanders had fallen, their units were left in disarray.

Anselm and the others had worked to reorganize the main army while Leo aimed to enter the Empire with an elite force, given that his younger siblings had already risen as opposition forces and needed their support.

However, when Leo reached the western border, news of Johannes’ departure arrived from the rear.

The feared situation had materialized.

“Of course. He must be furious, but we’ll stop him together.”

With that resolve in mind, Diethelm and Leonard waited for Emperor Johannes to arrive.

_________

“I have no intention of relinquishing command. I am heading to the capital on my own.”

“That’s reckless! Please, calm down!”

“Indeed! Brother, you are still recovering from serious injuries! Please, rest!”

“My body is still able to move. That’s more than enough.”

While trying to remain calm, Johannes had informed the two as such while they were trying to persuade him.

Their sense of foreboding deepened. If Johannes were merely enraged, they could reason with him. But the Johannes they are facing now was masking his uncontrollable anger with a veneer of calm, determined to head to the capital despite his intense emotions.

How could they break such a strong will?

“Then, at least let me accompany you.”

“No need. I will go as a separate unit.”

“Stop being stubborn, brother. If you must settle this personally, then going with Leonard is the best chance you’ve got.”

Realizing that they couldn’t stop him, Leo proposed that they go to the Capital together. If Johannes were left unchecked, he would head to the capital regardless of any obstacles.

It was a compromise. And rejecting it would mean admitting he was acting on emotion, prompting Leo and Diethelm to highlight his contradictions and to try to keep him there.

“...Very well. I will comply.”

Johannes nodded quietly.

Feeling relieved, the two exhaled deeply. Given the situation, one of them should ideally stay behind, but knowing Johannes wouldn’t be stopped, they decided to go together.

“Then, once our reinforcements arrive, we will enter the Empire.”

Leo’s advance team was composed of elite members but numbered less than ten thousand. Leading them alone was one thing, but with the Emperor, their current forces now seemed insufficient.

The overall reorganization of the allied forces would take time as only a few of their units had managed to fully restore their command structures. Still, since some units were ready, Leo intended to request their deployment.

Suddenly, the meeting was interrupted.

“Pardon the intrusion.”

It was a woman’s voice.

A hooded woman teleported into the room.

The guards quickly reacted, but the Emperor restrained them.

“Wait…”

His voice trembled while recognizing the woman’s voice.

He couldn’t mistake it.

Johannes immediately silenced the room.

“Emperor, Prince Wilhelm has a message for you. ‘I don’t want to fight. And I don’t want to see you like this. Please, stay behind.’”

After placing a wooden box on the table, the woman took out a magical device, indicating she was about to leave.

Leo moved, drawing his sword to attack her but she managed to deflect it with her own sword while letting the hood fall back, revealing her long red hair: the Empire’s fourth consort, Sofia.

“Is this our first time crossing swords, Leonard?”

“How far will you go…!?”

Looking angry, Leo swung again but Sofia had already teleported away. His sword sliced through the air and Leo wore a bitter expression.

“They are desecrating the dead and provoking the Emperor further. That box is just another provocation.”

Understanding this, Leo suggested:

“We should dispose of it without opening it, brother.”

“It needs to be confirmed…”

Diethelm’s proposal was reasonable as there was no need to see it. Leo looked at the nearby Brave Duke, who then moved the box aside.

“Let me check it first. Please step back, Your Majesty.”

Trying to shield the Emperor, the Brave Duke opened the box, revealing a human head that was adorned with makeup.

“Your Majesty should not see this…”

“I understand from your reaction…”

Johannes staggered towards the box and embraced the head inside it.

“Forgive me… I’m sorry… Franz…”

It was the head of Chancellor Franz.

After embracing it, Johannes gently placed the head back in the box.

“What do you mean… ‘I don’t want to fight’…”

Muttering, Johannes started walking away. Diethelm grabbed his arm to stop him but Johannes shook him off.

“Outrageous!! If you want to enrage me so badly, then let it be!! I shall head to the capital!!!”

Leo tried to stop him but Johannes glared at him with bloodshot eyes, halting his movement.

“I am going. Do not try to stop me, Leonard.”

“Father…”

“I no longer feel any anger… Only the urge to destroy the source of all evil… I will go!”

With that, Johannes ran. Unable to stop him, the Brave Duke followed while knowing that the Emperor was driven by profound rage but feared that he might collapse from the shock.

Leo and Diethelm couldn’t leave them alone.

“Damn it! We’re going too! All forces, advance!”

“Make sure not to overextend, try to persuade him if you can!”

Since enemies lurked everywhere, entering the Empire wouldn’t be easy for them.

Charging ahead could be fatal and they needed to avoid that at all costs.

Diethelm hurried to catch up with Johannes.

“Brother! Please wait for Leonard to mobilize!”

“I go alone! No one else is needed!”

“Brother!”

After mounting his horse, Diethelm followed Johannes.

“If you’re going, then I’ll join you! I won’t let you go alone! Don’t be seeking a death wish!”

“Do as you please.”

With that, Johannes spurred his horse. Their sudden departure caused confusion at the western border, but soon Leo also followed the Emperor.

Seeing the Emperor lead the charge, the soldiers’ morale soared, while others observed.

“The Emperor, Leonard, and Duke Bergwein have entered the Empire. Additionally Traugott, now a provincial lord, has entered the North as reinforcement. In the East, Lieselotte is leading an army toward the capital.”

A report that would normally spell despair was in fact eagerly awaited.

“Having Traugott and the others enter the Capital simultaneously is advantageous.”

While whispering such, Wilhelm placed five Rainbow Heavenly Orbs on the pedestal in the “Sky Room” ritual chamber that he had prepared.

“The Grand Barrier: Celestial Firmament Kugel. A defensive magic that protects the capital. Only royalty can activate it. Once activated, no one can enter or leave. At maximum activation, it’s the Empire’s strongest barrier magic. It’s a decent spell, but it can be further improved.”

Normally, five Rainbow Heavenly Orbs were required for its activation, yet when Wilhelm connected the ritual to the Divine Orb, it caused six lights to rise into the sky above the capital.

“Divine Barrier: Celestial Eagle Firmament Kugel Adler. It encompasses the entire Empire and isolates it. Entry and exit require an Adler’s permission.”

Binding vows are necessary for stable magic. Even with the requirement of Adler’s blood, encompassing the entire Empire is a heavy burden for them. Thus, the constraint of needing Adler’s permission for entry was added. This limitation allowed internal containment while ensuring Wilhelm’s control over exits. TL: Ain’t no way I am seeing a binding vow here, what is this? Jujutsu no Ouji?

Wilhelm knew all the royals who were remaining. Gordon’s child being the exception in the United Kingdom as she was still an infant and thus couldn’t give permission. Rupert in the North, Christa in the South, Lieselotte in the East, with Leonard, Johannes, and Diethelm in the West. Also included were Traugott and the bedridden Carlos who was still in the provincial state. Eric and Conrad who are currently in the capital were also counted. TL: But no Arnold… Heh

“The Empire’s internal forces must now conquer this capital, which is impossible.”

Even with the modifications, the barrier protecting the capital remained intact. As long as it stood, the capital wouldn’t fall. Now that the army is separated from the SS-rank adventurers and the current hero, Wilhelm laughed.

“Now, let’s open the gates.”

Seeing this, Eric narrowed his eyes. Each step that was taken indicated Wilhelm’s caution towards Adler and humanity, demonstrating the endless depths of his strategies.

Breaking one plan only revealed another, proving why “Wilhelm” was once called the Grand Strategist of the Demon King’s Army.

Impressed, Eric muttered:

“Indeed... there is no such thing as a perfect plan without its flaws.”

TL's Notes:

I have an important announcement for the month! Stay tuned!!

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