The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 624: Karma

"Report! General Leonard has requested reinforcements!"

"What are the details from the front lines?"

"Sir! There are 20,000 fake human soldiers and 30,000 fake beast soldiers. Additionally, the royal capital is protected by a barrier, and we have yet to make any progress in capturing it!"

More than expected.

Upon receiving the report, I pondered quietly.

We have 30,000 reserve troops at the headquarters.

Furthermore, Vin is managing an additional 20,000 troops at an intermediate point.

In total, we can send 50,000 troops. However, sending troops alone won't make a difference.

"I can of course, but... what about your personal guard, Commander-in-Chief?"

Fin is currently the only knight by my side.

Sending him means that my personal security will be compromised.

However,

"Leave 10,000 troops here as a precaution. Send 20,000 from here to Vin's location, and combine them to send 40,000 as reinforcements. You can hurry to Leo’s side."

"If that's the case..."

Fin reluctantly nodded, bowed, and immediately left the room.

The front lines are struggling; that's a fact. The most capable person who can rush there is Fin, and he knows it.

That's why he acted quickly.

After confirming his departure, I issued my orders.

"Send 20,000 troops to Vin's location. Leave their command to Vin!"

"Understood! But... is it alright for you, Commander-in-Chief, not to lead them yourself?"

The soldier probably expected me to lead the reinforcements personally.

He asked, and I gave a wry smile in response.

"There are enough commanders. Me going there now won't make a difference. Besides, in the unlikely event that the Allied Forces have to retreat, I have to be the one to accept it."

Having the Commander-in-Chief in the rear isn't a mistake.

It's to prevent a total collapse.

The soldier understood, saluted, and left.

I then left the room and headed to the long-distance communication room set up within the headquarters.

I strictly ordered the escorting knights not to let anyone in and initiated the long-distance communication.

It's not connected to any branch.

It's the long-distance communication room set up in the Imperial Sword Castle.

A direct line.

It was installed with the condition that it could only be used once.

The Adventurer's Guild has no involvement in this communication.

"This is Commander-in-Chief Arnold. I request to speak with His Majesty."

"Understood!"

A knight, who must have been on standby, hurriedly went to fetch my father.

This is a one-time communication.

It was allowed because I was given full authority over the Allied Forces.

I needed a way to convey my words to the Emperor of the Empire without any interference.

"—Sorry to keep you waiting."

My father arrived promptly.

This is the Empire's top priority.

Even if he was in a meeting, this would take precedence.

"No... let's get straight to the point. The Allied Forces are currently struggling."

"I've heard the report."

The communication from Leo goes through the Adventurer's Guild, so it's also conveyed to each branch.

It must have been conveyed to my father through the Imperial Capital branch.

That's how the system is set up.

Because, in case of emergency, the Emperor of the Empire has an important role to play.

This direct line exists to prompt that.

"...Father, it's time to make a decision."

"...Do you understand what you're saying?"

"Of course."

I looked straight into my father's eyes and nodded.

Seeing that, my father gave a slight smile.

"You've become quite reliable in the short time I haven't seen you, Arnold."

"I have to be reliable to fulfill my duties."

"It's unexpected that I would be prompted to make a decision that will go down in history as the Emperor, by you. However... Strangely, I can accept it. If you're the one prompting it... my heart tells me it's the right choice."

"There's no concrete evidence yet. However... we can't afford to be on the defensive. Therefore—As the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces, I request His Majesty, the Emperor of the Empire, to decide at the Council of Wise Kings to gather the strongest forces of the continent under the Allied Forces. The enemy is a demon."

"...We haven't confirmed the presence of a demon yet, but you're saying we should decide anyway?"

"Yes. It will be too late once they appear. It will take time to gather forces. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces... I declare the Kingdom a 'threat to the continent.' I would like all countries and races living on the continent to dispatch their strongest forces."

The Kingdom, declared as the "enemy of the continent," led to the formation of the Allied Forces.

The "threat to the continent" is a level above that.

It's a recurrence of the situation 500 years ago, where the entire continent's forces are used in a battle for the survival of humanity. If this is declared, even SS-rank adventurers will be targeted. However, it's not a decision that can be easily made.

If there's no demon... the Kingdom will be scorched by excessive forces, and future declarations will be hesitated upon.

It's a double-edged sword.

Even so,

The ones who will pay the price if we don't act now are Leo and the others on the front lines.

"Father... I believe that the reason the Adler family has continued to refine its bloodline, and the Empire has maintained its powerful armaments, is for today, for this moment."

"The burden we Adler carry is heavy. The only thing that's permissible is to bring peace to the continent. Very well... let's settle this between humanity and demons."

My father stood up and said,

"Arnold, I'm going too. But... I've aged. I'm not what I used to be. How do I look to you now?"

"...Father, you are now and have always been... the Emperor I admire."

"Is that so? Then, I must do my best."

With that, my father left.

I almost called out to his retreating figure.

My father trusts me, trusts my words.

He's not worried because I promised to return alive.

I'm betraying that trust.

But I can't reveal everything just to escape from my guilt.

This is my karma.

"May fortune be with you..."

With that, I cut off the communication.

And then,

"Are you ready?"

"Of course."

In the supposedly empty long-distance communication room,

Henrick emerged from the darkness.

I put on the silver mask and transformed into Silver.

Henrick transformed into me.

"This is the crucial moment. Let's go—it's time for covert operations."

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