The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Throne room.

Inside were Emperor Johannes and Prime Minister Franz.

“It’s been a long time, Prince William……no, should I call you Dragon King William now.”

“It has been a long time. Your Majesty.”

“Since the rebellion huh……..Back then, I thought that I would never see you again.”

“Me as well………I never thought that I would be able to meet Your Majesty face to face again.”

One was the Emperor whose rule was rebelled against, and another was the person who helped orchestrate that rebellion.

No matter the outcome, their positions made it difficult for them to meet each other again.

However, through a twist of fate, they are once again in the same room together.

“The United Kingdom of Eaglet wishes to express our sincere apology for our intervention during the Civil War. Everything happened due to the order from our former king. From now on, we hope that we can work together for a brighter future for both our countries.”

“It is a tad bit too late for that, don’t you think…….the Civil War is already over, our invasion of the Dominion is completed, and we already scheduled a ceasefire with the Kingdom. How would your country benefit us in an alliance this late in the game?”

“The ceasefire agreement between you and the Kingdom is only temporary. Once the Demon Crisis is resolved, there is no guarantee that the Kingdom’s hunger for power will disappear. After all, they did abandon the Saint who was a symbol of their country in pursuit of their ambition. The war will surely continue. When the time comes, I offer my Dragon Knights’ aid to the Imperial Army.”

“You are going to break your alliance with the Kingdom?”

“The original plan was for the Kingdom’s army to break through the western border while we hold part of your forces in the north. With them unable to fulfill their end of the agreement, we see no meaning to continue it.”

“Certainly. The Dominion and the United Kingdom did hold up your end of the deal. It is exactly as Emperor Mikhail said during the Summit. You chose a poor ally. Well, one could say that you made that mistake though.”

“Then we would appreciate it if you give us a chance to make up for it.”

The United Kingdom is an island country.

No matter what kind of war is happening on the continent, they have the privilege to stay neutral.

Additionally, they have a large number of Dragon Knights as their air force giving them the ability to launch their attack on their enemy with no regard to the location while their homeland is located in a place that is difficult to attack.

It is better to keep them as an ally rather than turning them into an enemy.

If we can forgive the Dominion then we should be able to forgive the United Kingdom.

However.

“It is up to you whether you earn this chance or not.”

Saying so, Johannes turned his eyes to the person who was behind William.

Responding to that, Henrick stood up and came forward.

“……Greeting, Father…….it has been a long time…….”

“Indeed……..I can’t stomach your audacity for showing your face here after your betrayal. Do you know how much blood has been shed because of your actions!?”

“…..it was all my fault for being so foolish.”

“Exactly! You were always competing with Leonard and looked down on Arnold! You were in a position that can lead our people to fight the rebels! Unlike Zandra, you should have served the Empire as a member of this Imperial Family! I expected that of you! Even so! You just went to join Gordon! How could you throw away your pride as a part of this family so easily!? We have the respect of the people because we have the obligation to protect this country in the face of a crisis! You only took advantage of your privilege and turned your back to the citizens who needed you! Shame on you!”

Johannes expressed all the emotions he had been suppressing.

He thought that Henrick was killed in the final battle like Gordon.

Although Henrick had turned hostile toward him, he thought that his son had already paid for his mistake and made peace with it.

However, Henrick couldn’t even die while letting him think that he was only swept away by the situation.

“Fleeing from the Imperial Capital, Feeling from your battle, Fleeing to the United Kingdom…….you have done nothing but flee haven’t you!? What did you come here for!? Have you not disappointed me enough!? You are not even the one I wish to see here! I already told you, King William! If you want me to let bygone be bygone then bring me Gordon’s wife and her daughter!”

The existence of Gordon’s daughter was kept secret. She is the granddaughter of Emperor Johannes.

And Johannes is already aware of her existence.

That was why he ordered the army that went to pursue William to withdraw.

The rout should have been harsh enough for them. If he sent pursuers after them then the child’s life might be endangered.

Everything was for the sake of his granddaughter’s safety.

“Your Majesty……Gordon’s daughter is being raised by her mother in my country. She doesn’t know anything about Gordon. I think that we should allow her to live quietly.”

“IT IS NOT YOUR PLACE TO DECIDE THAT! THE BLOOD OF THE IMPERIAL FAMILY IS THE TREASURE OF THE EMPIRE! NOT TO MENTION THAT SHE IS MY FIRST GRANDCHILD! I WILL NEVER LEAVE HER UPBRINGING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY!”

“……Father.”

Johannes thought that he can pardon Henrick if it was for the sake of Gordon’s daughter.

Albeit being a traitor, Henrick was not a mastermind of the incident. He was only a coward who was swept away by the situation. Even if he left him alone, Henrick would not pose any danger.

He does worry about his son but it is just a matter of putting up some surveillance on him.

What’s more important is Gordon’s daughter.

Henrick decided to come here because he understood that intention from his letter.

He realized that it was time to use his life.

“YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CALL ME FATHER!”

“EVEN SO…..I WILL…..! Father! Please, settle this matter with my head! The world still doesn’t know about Gordon-aniue’s daughter! Very few people know of her existence! It is obvious that she would have to suffer if she returned to the Empire as the daughter of a rebel! Letting she lives in the United Kingdom without knowing anything would be for the best!”

“It is the duty of the Imperial Family to leave behind our bloodline! That child is the only grandchild I have! As long as I have no other grandchildren, she must be within my reach!”

“Please make a wise decision……not as an emperor but as a father! No, as a grandfather! If she is raised up as the daughter of a rebel, eventually she will break! This is for the sake of the future! Father still has many sons left! You will have many grandchildren in the future! Please……..overlook my niece!”

After saying all that in one go, Henrick’s breath turns rough.

And before anyone noticed, blood was already spilling from his mouth.

He can no longer feel his body.

Even so.

Henrick turned forward.

“Henrick…..you…….”

“……I don’t want…..to burden you, Father……I am aware of my crimes…….that’s why I have already taken my own life…….”

“Stop speaking! Call a doctor! I won’t let you selfishly die on your own like this!”

“I still haven’t heard your reply yet…….! As long as there is life in me, I will never move from this place! As worthless as it is, I decided to use my life here! Please allow Gordon-aniue’s daughter to live her life…..!”

“Do you think that I will be moved if you put your life on the line!?”

“I do! You are kind, Father! Even after my betrayal, if your son dies in front of you, you will move! I understand…..! That it is cowardly of me to do this…….but please listen to this last request from your son…….the responsibility that comes with this blood is heavy……it would be for the best……if she doesn’t have to carry it……..but if……you can not let her go……at least please wait until she turns 16……..only for the number of years I have lived……if she grows up……and becomes someone who is worthy enough to bear the Adler name…….she will be able to bear the responsibility placed upon her…….”

Henrick bowed as he spitted out blood.

Behind him, William also lowered his head.

“I’d like to ask this as well! I swear on the life of my friend! I will never use her for my own gain! Can you please believe in someone who has already gone to war for the sake of his friend!”

“…..why do you go that far…..? Is Gordon’s daughter that important to you?”

“…..I have a pain in my heart……it was the pain of losing a family…….I could only watch as Gordon-aniue charged into the Imperial Army. I could only watch…….I still can’t forget that pain…….I allowed countless people to experience that same pain…….I’ve abandoned many soldiers on the battlefield and dropped them into hell……….Those people had their own family…….that’s why…….I have to at least protect my family……so that I can turn myself into someone that those people can be proud of……”

“I am not going to kill her!”

“Sometimes you can prefer to be killed rather than continue living…….if people found out that she is the daughter of a rebel, her life might be targeted……Also……even if Father has no intention of killing her…..the others do not feel the same way…….if someone tries to use her, there may be others who wish to kill her……Hiding her existence is also for her own protection…..I can’t let her stay in the Empire…….please, make a wise decision……..”

Henrick says that with a smile.

Because he already knew what his kind father is going to do.

“…….Alright. Gordon had no daughter and his wife is already dead. That is enough right?”

“Thank you……and……I’m sorry….I couldn’t make you proud……but…..please rest assured……..you still have other sons to be………proud of……..”

With that said, Henrick slowly closed his eyes.

His vision has gone dark.

And pleasant darkness welcomed him.

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