The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 591: Meeting the Commander

The reason Ansem misread Leo was due to Leo's actions up until now.

From the start of the war, Leo had always acted according to strategy.

The goal was to pressure the Kingdom Army, and reinforcements from the north and south would deliver the decisive blow. That was the basic strategy of the Imperial Army, and Leo, even while leading an army of 150,000, held a position akin to a supporting role.

He maneuvered to prevent the strategy from collapsing.

The reason he had been on the defensive the whole time was because if Leo's forces invaded the Kingdom, the Kingdom would be forced into a disadvantage no matter how they struggled.

That's why he didn't think he would launch an offense in a situation where reinforcements could be expected. If they lost, the strategy would collapse.

Leo had always acted believing reinforcements would definitely come. Therefore, Ansem also thought reinforcements were coming and acted accordingly.

That's why he was convinced that Leo wouldn't attack.

"Were the reinforcements a bluff? Or despite expecting reinforcements, did he decide to settle things before they arrived?"

Either way, it was certain that Leo had made a different choice than before.

The Kingdom Army was at a disadvantage no matter how you looked at it.

Leo had no reason to rush the game. Nonetheless, he took his chances at this timing.

It was unexpected. It was easy to say that, but it wasn't as simple as that.

Even while leading a large army, it's not easy to drastically change the policy you've been following. Ansem had misunderstood that being on the defensive was advantageous for Leo. He thought there was no reason to abandon that advantage.

So, he was caught off guard.

But to launch an offense to exploit a gap is a double-edged sword.

"If he's here to win, I'll accept the challenge...!"

Ansem had devised various strategies to break through a tough defense. If the enemy has abandoned that strong defense, one could say it saved him trouble.

But the Kingdom Army was a step behind. They were being outplayed.

Their morale and numbers were inferior.

A counter-offensive was necessary.

Just as Leo went to the frontlines and boosted the Imperial Army's momentum.

"Lizette...! Give me the medicine!"

"Your Highness!?"

Lizette, who was starting to prepare for battle, widened her eyes.

He had already taken the medicine.

For him to demand the medicine again meant he intended to overdose.

"Have you forgotten!? If you use multiple doses, your body may be able to move... but the side effects... last time, you almost died!"

Lying bedridden, Ansem had been brought the medicine by the crown prince.

To investigate the medicine, Ansem had tried using multiple doses.

The effects were immense. His body moved as if he was back in his prime.

But after that, Ansem found himself wandering the edge of death. That's how powerful the medicine was.

"If I lose here, I'll die anyway. Milene is looking for my sister. I need to bring victory here and link it to the next... otherwise, I don't know what I'm living for... I can't lose!!"

"If you die, everything ends!"

"I won't die! So give me the medicine! Look at the momentum of the Imperial Army! To push them back, I need to be on the front lines!"

"I'll defeat Leonardo! That should solve the problem!"

"Don't say what you can't do... To defeat Leonardo, who is surrounded by guards... even you can't do that. The only chance of winning is for me to wield my sword on the frontlines. That's how we win as an army. If we win, it leads to the next. Understand..."

As he spoke, Ansem's breathing became rough.

He remembered the pain that almost made him faint last time.

Experiencing that pain again was something Ansem would rather avoid. However, Ansem overcame his fear and demanded the medicine.

If there's something he can do, he should do it.

Supporting that sentiment was a sense of powerlessness he had felt in bed.

This time was different. Now he could move.

He had spent his days hoping someone else would save his country in his stead.

Days when he was frustrated, thinking if only he was in perfect health.

Days when he was struggling to do something.

The powerlessness that tormented him is what fueled his strong resolve now.

"Leonardo has started the game! Even though he could fight a battle he wouldn't lose, that wasn't enough! He started the game! To win against him, I have to start the game too! You've been following me for a long time, you should understand! As a royal who bears this country! As a commander leading the army! As a man! I can't lose!"

As he said this, Ansem extended his hand.

Lizette stared at him, her face on the verge of tears.

She understood his feelings all too well.

She had been watching Ansem, unable to move from his bed, all this time.

But this choice might take Ansem's life.

That's why Lizette hesitated.

She cared more about Ansem than the country.

Nevertheless, Lizette took out the medicine.

She understood.

The man named Ansem hated to lose.

This was different from when they were in the principality. Here, he could go all out.

If he still lost, his pride wouldn't allow it.

Therefore,

"Please... Be safe."

"Don't worry. I won't die."

With that, Ansem took the medicine from Lizette and swallowed it.

■■■

Leo's decision to launch an all-out attack was based on something close to instinct.

The increasing sharpness of Ansem's moves was something Leo knew he could not fully defend against.

More and more, he found himself saved by the abilities of the soldiers on the ground, and his sense of crisis was escalating.

That's why he thought of launching an attack at the same time as the enemy.

Of course, he had calculated the chances of victory.

Ansem, the brilliant commander who had defeated thirty thousand with only ten thousand. Against him, the Imperial Army had shown a remarkable defense.

That same Ansem was struggling to break through.

That was how it seemed to the soldiers, and their morale was high.

They believed they were holding their own.

Given these soldiers, they could at least match the Kingdom Army.

That was the calculation he had made.

Also, he had assumed that Ansem would not expect the Imperial Army to go on the offensive.

After all, even Leo thought it was a foolish choice.

But still, Leo had decided.

He understood. He couldn't win just by defending.

He couldn't win just by relying on reinforcements, whose arrival was uncertain.

It had always been like that.

War involves luck.

But in the end, victory falls to those who never give up on winning.

Leo had learned this from his past experiences.

No matter the situation, Al was always thinking about how to ultimately win. That's why even if he lost the battle at hand, he ultimately ended up winning.

Perhaps it was a matter of personality.

Leo fought to avoid losing, Al fought to win.

If he couldn't win, he wouldn't fight in the first place. That was Al.

Such obsession with winning. Leo thought he could never imitate that.

There was nothing wrong with fighting to avoid losing. If he were obsessed with winning, Leo would have lost to Ansem long ago.

But there were limits to fighting just to avoid losing.

At some point, he had to attack. This was also necessary to avoid losing.

As he fought against Ansem, Leo was reminded of Al.

Always losing, he would end up becoming that Leo.

Somehow managing to put up a good fight. Such consciousness had sprouted within him.

So,

"Haaaaaaa!!"

Leo overcame such a self.

What supported him was a strong will to become the emperor.

People have their strengths and weaknesses.

Still.

If he can't seize victory when it matters most, he can't take the throne.

If he keeps getting wins handed to him, no one will recognize him.

Victory must be grasped with his own hands.

It's important to rely on others, but one shouldn't rely on them too much.

Because to rely and be relied upon is what makes a person.

He must become a person others can rely on too.

"Continue!! Break through to the enemy headquarters!!"

An eagle lion knight of the Kingdom Army tried to intercept Leo, who had risen into the sky, but he was swiftly cut down. Leo descended rapidly, scattering the Kingdom Army on the ground.

Seeing his actions, the morale of the Imperial Army rose even further.

However,.

A voice rose from the Kingdom Army, loud enough to drown out the cheers of the Imperial Army.

That cheer was gradually approaching.

At the same time, Leo gripped his sword tightly.

His intuition told him.

A formidable enemy was coming.

A cavalry unit was charging towards Leo.

At the head of them,

A man dressed in conspicuous golden armor, leaving his accompanying knights behind, slashed at Leo.

A sharp attack.

It was a match for the strongest he had ever fought.

"I'll settle it here! Leonard!"

"That's my line! Prince Ansem!!"

TL's Notes:

I'm backkkk baby! Time to catch up on the war arc... As a special suprise, I am gonna do double chapter releases for this whole week so that you guys can catch up for 1 month worth of chapters that you missed!

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