Chapter 181: The Sixth and the Ninth Prince

Then the Sixth Prince Conrad will take care of the dignitary from the Principality of Albatro and the dignitary from the Principality of Rondine will be taken care of by the Ninth Prince Henrick. The Seventh Prince Arnold will continue to be the entertainer of the Celestial Princess of Mizuho. Thats good?

Father assigned us the task at the throne room.

Including me, the three princes quietly bow our heads.

Fathers decision is absolute. There is no room for objection.

The gathered princes this time are the princes who have a supporting role in the succession war.

Thus we are only assigned to small countries.

The implication is that we are enough to take care of their country. Well, as for Mizuho, I was only assigned because of Orihimes nomination though.

There were some countries that did not accept our invitation but most of the major countries will be coming to visit us. Do not judge the dignitaries based on the scale of their country. Try and take an arrogant attitude toward them and I will rid you of your status as a prince, you hear me?

Father narrows his eyes as he advises us.

It was the Ninth Prince Hendrick who responded to such advice.

Please leave it to me, Your Majesty. As a part of the Imperial Family, I will never act in a way that will compromise the honor of our family.

The one I am most worried about is you though.

Father tiredly said so.

The Ninth Prince Hendrick is 16 years old.

He has half-length green hair as his characteristic feature. His mother is the Fifth Consort Zuzan and is the direct little brother of the Second Princess Zandra.

Since they have quite a distance between each other, he was let off with only a punishment.

Should I say that he took after his mother or his sister here?

His pride as a member of the Imperial Family is high and he always harsh on others. I understand why Father is worried about him being arrogant.

He probably doesnt understand what an entertainer is. Maybe he is thinking that its alright as long as he shows up and welcomes the guest.

Even now, he is distorting his face when he was told that it was he who is the root of Fathers worry. He probably felt humiliated by that.

The fact that he acted like that even to Fathers words is already enough for us to worry.

Excuse me, Your Majesty. But rather than me shouldnt you be more worried about Arnold?

Henrick said so and directed the talk toward me.

This guy has been seeing me as his enemy for a long time and he has an intense feeling of rivalry toward Leo.

Apparently, he cant endure the fact that we were born from a commoner mother to rise above himself. Thats why this guy doesnt treat us like his older brother.

To be honest, hes a pain.

Yes, yes, I will be careful.

Henrick glares at me who casually let his comment pass.

He probably dislikes my reaction as well.

Well, if I take him seriously he will glare at me all the same so its the same result either way.

Well, the young ones sure are cheerful. An old man like me really cant keep up.

You are still only a young man in your twenties, what are you saying.

I am already 21, Father. Compared to my teenage brothers, I am already an old man you know.

The one who said such an old man thing is the Sixth Prince Conrad.

This prince is characterized by short red hair and a soft smile on his face.

His mother is the Fifth Consort and his older brother is Gordon. He was supposed to be raised as a warrior but his lack of motivation is the same as me.

That soft smile and light attitude is probably some kind of mutation from his bloodline.

Well, maybe Fathers blood is just stronger in him.

The difference between him and me is that he does put in the bare minimum effort to not be scolded at.

That being the case, can I leave now? It is very tiring to mingle with young people after all.

Haa..both you and Arnold, why have you two turn out like this?

We just took after you, Father.

Saying so, Conrad turned back without waiting for Fathers permission.

Then without looking back.

Please rest assured. I will properly do my job.

I am not worried about that part. Seriouslyyou two are dismissed too.

Saying so, Father dismissed me and Henrick.

After I left the throne room, I immediately tried to head back to my room but I was stopped by Henrick.

Wait, Arnold.

What? Henrick.

Dont address me without honorifics! Think of your position! You Dull Prince!

Henrick said so in anger.

Thinking about my position huh. I am the older one here so you are the one who should watch out how you address me though.

Dont think that you are the same as me alright? I have my sisters faction on my back. I will be entering the succession war myself!

Okay. Well, do your best.

After I casually brushed him off like earlier, I started walking.

Certainly, Zandras faction is now under Henrick.

However, its power is only about 60% of how it was during its prime. Half of the missing 40% went to join Erics side and the other half just dropped out from the succession war.

Its fine if he wants to prop himself up with it but his faction is too small to be considered the fourth candidate.

It would be almost impossible for him to aim for the emperors seat. Moreover, when he flaunted the power he borrowed from others, that ambition of his just looked pathetic.

Wait! You are making fun of the fact that I will be joining the succession war!?

..I wont say anything bad about it but it would be better if you just give up.

When I advised him so, Henrick started to laugh mockingly at me.

His laughter continued for a while.

What was so funny. I couldnt understand that so I decided to wait for him to say something.

Ahaha!! This is the best! Do you think that just because I will take part in the succession war, I am aiming for the emperor seat myself?

Am I wrong?

Hmph, I am not thinking about winning the war with this faction. I have a smarter way. I will be lending my help to other factions and secure a solid position for myself after the succession war is over!

..do you think that it would go well?

It will. I already have a collaborator after all.

Saying so, Hendrick looks behind me.

Looking back, I saw Gied standing there.

Yo, Arnold.

.Horsvath house huh.

Thats right! I already obtained the help of Duke Horsvaths house! With this, you have no chance of winning! Why? That is because I will never cooperate with you!

What a shame, Arnold. If you only accepted my invitation at that time, it wouldnt turn out like this!

Birds of the same feather really flock together huh.

They both begin to laugh mockingly at me.

They both possess a high amount of pride and they are the type of people that satisfy their self-esteem by looking down on others.

I wont say anything bad about them. After all, a persons capacity varies from person to person.

Even so, as a person, these guys are just too small.

I will look forward to your work then. I hope you can enjoy the succession war to your fullest.

Saying so I tried to walk past Gied to leave the place.

However, Gied grabs my arm.

Is there anything else you want from me?

This is mercy. Arnold. Grind your head on the ground and pathetically apologize to me. If you do that I will convince His Highness Henrick to help yours and Leonards faction.

Haha, thats good. Now, apologize to him, Arnold!

Their noises echo in my head.

Seriously, these guys really are a bunch of idiots.

Even if I bend over and beg, nothing will change.

Henrick has hated us ever since he was born. As long as that hatred is there, he will never help us even if Gied tries to convince him.

Since I know that, I brush Gieds hand away.

Sorry, but I cant show such pathetic appearance like that anymore. It will damage Leos reputation.

Now you suddenly care about Leonards reputation!? You are making me laugh! You are already a dirty spot on Leonard! Leonard is probably cursing himself for having a brother like you!

The moment Gied said that to me.

The hallway was filled with intense killing intent.

There is no need to look at the source of that. I can count the number of people who can release this level of killing intent with one hand.

Do you have any other last word? Gied.

E, Elna!?

Seeing Elna walking toward us while glaring at him, Gied lost his balance and fell on his butt.

Her gaze moves from Gied to Henrick.

It seems that even Henrick couldnt say anything in front of Elnas killing intent. He only stepped back in fright.

Elna. dont threaten them too much.

Thats rude. This is not a threat you know.

Elna then put her right hand on her sword handle.

Didnt expect that she would do that, Gied raised a scream while Henrick tried to threaten her.

H, Hmph! Try it if you can! You should know how heavy a crime it is to turn your sword toward the imperial family!

Thats true, Prince Henrick. Do you also know that blocking the way of the imperial family is also a crime?

Th, that is.I allowed it so its okay!

Henrick uses sophism to let Gied escape Elnas punishment.

Seriously, theres no point in dealing with them.

Thinking so, I try to pull Elnas hand and leave the place.

-then I will allow it. You can kill him, Elna.

Understood. Now I have the permission as well.

Haa..

Elna gladly tries to pull out her sword.

I put my hand over hers and looked at the person who gave her such a permission.

Dont stir up trouble, Leo.

Retaliating when someone picks a fight with you. That is Nii-sans policy right?

Said Leo as he walks toward me with a large group of nobles behind him.

They are all nobles who are supporting Leo. He must have just finished the meeting with them.

The number of the nobles behind him signify Leos current power.

Then, Leo, who is being followed by so many supporters, looks straight at Henrick.

Henrick. If you are planning to stand against me then I will not show you any mercy.

Kuh..! Dont get ahead of yourself, you lowborn! You people stand no chance against Eric-aniue! Without my help, you will never stand a chance against him you know!

I have won many battles with no chance of victory just fine so far. We are not weak enough to be scared by that attitude of yours. Ive been aware of how harsh this path is from the beginning. Only when I overcome its harshness, I will become the emperor everyone recognizes. It would be better for you not to stand against us with that half-baked resolve of yours.

Leo gave Henrick advice.

At the same time, it is the final warning.

This is his last chance to withdraw.

However, Henrick distorted his face and chose to continue.

I am not joining this battle with a half-baked resolve! I am prepared to die for it!

And I am telling you that your resolve is half-baked. We are fighting because we dont want us or anyone to die! Spare me from any more senseless bloodshed. Get out of my way! Henrick!

I will not! I will never accept it! I will never accept the like of you!!

Saying so Henrick ran away.

Gied who was left behind tries to escape without being noticed but Leo stops him.

Gied von Horsvath.

Y, Yes!?

Tell this to your father. Dont disturb the succession war any more than this.

Un, understood!

Alsoyou should change the way you treat Nii-san. Both mine and Elnas hand tend to reach for the sword when people make fun of him you see.

HIII!

Gied leaves the scene with a frightened look.

After seeing that, I turned to Leo.

You purposely did that right?

Henrick is being hostile toward us after all. If he is going to become our enemy anyway I thought that I should scare him a bit.

Saying so, Leo sticks his tongue out.

Seeing that playful gesture, I sigh.

At the beginning of the succession war, he would never play this trick on anyone. Talking about his growth, I think this also counts as one but I think that his method has become a little similar to mine lately.

You look like you have some complicated feeling huh?

I feel like my pure brother has been tainted.

And who do you think is the one who tainted him.

Hearing Elnas retort, I frowned.

Should I be happy or sad about my brothers growth?

Thinking so, I parted with Leo and his supporters.

What are you doing here today?

I was summoned by His Majesty. Maybe it will be the talk about reinstating me into the Imperial Knight Order.

Is that right. It is finally the time huh.

Yeah. I want to be free from that position a while longer but..well, if he reinstates me I will obey. After all, there is a lot I can help you with from inside the Imperial Knight Order too.

Elna said so with a smile and headed to the throne room.

I can see Fathers intention in wanting to perfect his preparation to welcome the dignitaries at the ceremony by reinstating Elna into the Imperial Knight Order.

The ceremony was about to begin.

I hope that nothing bad happens..but Im sure that it is a dream that wont come true.

Thinking so, I went back to my room.

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