The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 597: Alone

Rain had started to fall on the battlefield.

The ground turned muddy, where blood flowed.

Yet, the outcome was still not decided.

A counteroffensive by the Imperial Army.

In response, the Kingdom Army countered with a full army offensive.

This confrontation, where swords meet swords, inflicted heavy casualties on both armies.

Especially devastating was the central army, where both forces had positioned their main units.

At the beginning of the clash, the central command was in favor of the Kingdom Army.

This was because Leo, the commander-in-chief, was dueling one-on-one with Ansem, so the orders were not coming from Leo. The generals assisting Leo were not incompetent, but they were at a disadvantage against Ansem.

However, a few hours after the clash began,

The Imperial Army gradually began to push back.

The reason was clear.

"Third squad! Head to the reinforcements on the left! Seventh squad, retreat temporarily! Reorganize your units!"

Instructions were flying in quick succession.

Becoming covered in mud, Leo had a firm grasp of the situation on the battlefield.

In a matter of moments, he found weak spots and dispatched troops there.

And he pulled back any unit that was about to collapse.

Being on the front lines, Leo was able to keenly sense the changes at the front.

That's why the Imperial Army was able to regain its footing.

After issuing instructions, Leo took a deep breath and started to run.

At the same time, Ansem ran towards him, and as they passed each other, they each struck with their swords.

Leo got a light wound on his right shoulder, Ansem on his cheek.

But they didn't care.

Their bodies were already full of wounds. Even so, neither of them backed down.

They understood.

Whichever side lost this one-on-one fight, their army would collapse.

However,

"You're starting to show signs of fatigue, Leonard!"

"Heh, heh, heh... aren't you the one panting at the shoulders?"

They exchanged words as they swung their swords.

Their attacks were not just about raw power, but involved skilled offensive and defensive tactics.

It was a fight befitting the two who had been learning swordsmanship since they were children.

However, Ansem was more than just that.

For a moment, he put some distance between himself and Leo.

Leo tried to strike again, but Ansem kicked up the muddy ground.

Mud splashed on Leo's face, momentarily robbing him of his vision.

Leo quickly wiped off the mud, but in the meantime, Ansem caught his breath and charged at Leo in perfect condition.

Leo tried to respond, but Ansem forcefully hit Leo's sword with his own.

And then, he kicked Leo away as he was unable to use his sword.

Both Leo and Ansem were raised in the castle.

Swordsmanship cultivated among the upper class was the basis for both of them.

However, Ansem had also incorporated a battlefield-style honed through experience.

Leo was a veteran who had been through many battles, but Ansem had a longer war record and had not always fought in such favorable conditions as Leo.

There were many times when he had to fight a large number of opponents with a small number. Not all of his fights had been glamorous.

He had fought covered in mud.

In such situations, refined and sophisticated swordsmanship alone was not enough to survive.

Those experiences supported Ansem's strategies and shaped the current battle.

Even so, Ansem was not at ease.

"You're persistent...!"

Seeing Leo getting up immediately, Ansem couldn't help but exclaim.

The one-on-one fight had been going on for more than a few hours.

Although it was almost even, the fatigue was more visible on Leo's side.

It wouldn't be strange if he ran out of energy soon.

But Leo kept hanging on.

Moreover, at the beginning, he couldn't command while dueling.

Leo was now mimicking the technique that Ansem had acquired over many years.

Slowly, he mimicked him and moved closer.

Without a doubt, Ansem had been on a higher step at the beginning of the war. But now, he could hear footsteps coming up the steps behind him.

It was ridiculous.

His hard work was being copied so easily.

His years of effort were being shortened so easily.

It was an unfamiliar sensation for Ansem.

There had been people who surpassed Ansem.

Those superior in swordsmanship, strategy, politics.

He had overtaken them all.

And left them behind.

There was no one who could surpass him, let alone approach him from behind.

That's why Ansem was only looking ahead.

His goal was Wilhelm, the crown prince of the Empire.

He had decided to overtake him one day. But at the same time, he was aware that he hadn't yet caught up.

The brother of Wilhelm was slowly creeping up from behind him.

As if he was merely a checkpoint to be passed.

"Haaah!!"

Leo's sword swing was avoided by Ansem with a step back.

Against such Ansem, Leo further extended his sword.

When that was intercepted with a sword, Leo swung his right fist.

A similar technique.

That's why Ansem dodged his body, neutralized Leo's sword, and aimed for Leo's right fist with his own sword.

Swinging a blow to someone holding a sword is dangerous.

Most people who are hit with a sword get injured. Only those extraordinary monsters who can break anything with their fists.

Ansem was thinking about such things, but seeing Leo's fist suddenly open, he clicked his tongue.

Leo had grasped mud in his right hand.

Was it a tit-for-tat from earlier?

Ansem tilted his head at once to avoid the mud.

All surprise attacks. If you understand them, you can deal with them in any way.

It's only effective because it's used suddenly, just imitating it won't be as effective.

However, Ansem's movement was at the limit of his range, having dodged and moved his head.

In such a situation, Leo grabbed Ansem's collar, drew him close, and headbutted him.

"Guh...!!"

At the unexpected attack, Ansem staggered, taking a few steps back.

His posture was certainly broken, but it was also due to Leo's unexpectedly rough attack that he was slow to react.

"How is it? I have confidence in the hardness of my head...haa...haa..."

"Underestimating act...!"

Ansem muttered, wiping his nosebleed.

The damage itself is minimal.

Yet the attacks have started to land.

Despite visibly exhausted, Leonardo continues to grow.

I have to defeat him before he grows any further.

I think so, but I can't finish him off.

Impatience rose in Ansem's heart.

There was a lot to do.

Dealing with the Crown Prince, dealing with the reinforcements that Leo is waiting for, dealing with Al.

And dealing with Leo right in front of him.

The enemy is the Empire. A treasure trove of personnel and huge military power.

I understood. I can't handle it all by myself.

Yet, I had to do it myself.

I've been telling myself that.

In fact, it was most efficient for Ansem to bear everything alone.

If I do everything alone, I don't have to clean up after other people's failures. I can always come up with the optimal solution.

However, that can't last long.

I can't handle everything alone.

If only I had someone who could replace me.

Ansem couldn't help but think that.

I won't say it's extravagant.

I'm not saying it's equivalent to me. Just stand shoulder to shoulder with me, that's enough.

If such a person existed, how much easier it would be.

If I had a brother I could believe in...

I can't help but think that when I look at Leo.

"How ironic... the princes of the empire, who are made to compete for the throne amongst brothers, have better relationships than the princes of the kingdom that values eldest inheritance..."

Ansem mumbled as he wielded his sword.

Even so.

It's not a reason to break the will to fight.

It's not a reason to give up.

It's true that I have no one to stand next to me. But I have subordinates who adore me.

Ansem had a responsibility to them.

Ansem launched an attack against Leo.

My body is still moving. My willpower is not declining.

However,

I don't feel tired.

I know what that means.

There's no way that could be. I can tell by looking at Leo.

There's no way I can't be tired after fighting for so long.

This must be the effect of the drug.

If it wears off, it's over.

Understanding this, Ansem launched an all-out attack.

In response to that, Leo stood and received it.

The momentum of the rain is increasing.

However, no conclusion has been reached yet.

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