The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 587: Start of the Decisive Battle

The retreating Kingdom army suddenly changed its course and began heading towards the central Kingdom.

In response, Leo calmly began his pursuit.

Both armies maintained an odd distance as they reached a small plain in the central Kingdom.

The center was a plain, but forests spread to the left and right. The small plain alone was insufficient to deploy tens of thousands of troops, so it was a battlefield where it was necessary to utilize the forest skillfully.

A battlefield favored by those proficient in tactics.

With that in mind, Leo faced off against the enemy army.

"Now, I wonder how they will come at us."

Muttering, Leo began issuing orders briskly to his surroundings.

And it was a battlefield chosen by Ansem.

He had to be prepared to deal with anything that could happen.

However, Ansem played a move that surpassed Leo's expectations.

A Kingdom envoy carrying a white flag came towards Leo's headquarters.

And then...

"Prince Leonard! Kingdom Army Supreme Commander Ansem wishes to speak with you! He awaits with a small escort in the center!"

"…Inform him that I will arrive shortly."

A sudden invitation.

It was a risky act.

The danger of assassination was certainly present.

However, everything was proceeding as the opponent intended.

The likelihood of resorting to a method like assassination was low.

That was the reasoning behind his response.

Theodore's defensive unit, which excelled in defense, was also present just in case.

Above all...

"Your Highness, isn't it dangerous?"

"I want to talk. With Ansem."

"Even if you talk, it won't stop."

"I understand that."

Now, there was no talk of peace.

Once they had come this far, they had no choice but to engage in battle.

Even so, he wanted to talk.

Following that sentiment, Leo mounted his horse.

■■■

Both armies faced each other.

In the center were Leo and Ansem.

"It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Ansem, the third prince of the Kingdom."

"I'm Leonard, the eighth prince of the Empire."

They exchanged brief greetings.

Both of them are on horseback.

The top of both armies meeting was unremarkable, but neither was in the mood for a tea party.

"We finally meet. You truly are like your twin. You're just like Arnold."

"I wish I was exactly like him in terms of abilities, but that's the trouble with being the younger brother."

"That's true. If it was your brother, he wouldn't have jumped into a battlefield chosen by his opponent."

Leo falls silent at Ansem's words.

To Leo's silence, Ansem throws out a question.

"Why did you follow me? Even if you knew I was here, did you have to follow me this far?"

"Why did I follow...That's an uncharacteristic question from you. Don't you already know the answer? It's to settle things."

"On a battlefield chosen by your opponent? You still think you can beat me?"

"If it was overwhelmingly advantageous for you, I certainly wouldn't have jumped in. You wanted to lure me in. That's why this is an even battlefield. Given that I have a 10,000-man advantage, at most the situation could be considered a stalemate."

"Hmph...I don't understand. You were cautious up until now, why did you take the bait? You didn't need to comply with me."

Though things were going as Ansem planned, he also felt perplexed.

The Imperial Army didn't need to split into two.

Moving as a large army would have allowed for responding to unforeseen situations.

Bringing the decisive battle into a nearly equal state was nothing but disadvantageous for the Imperial Army, which had an overwhelming advantage.

Despite this, Ansem had no choice but to do so, but he harbored doubts about Leo, who had complied so smoothly.

"On the contrary, I want to ask. You've been cautious until now, why are you rushing to gamble?"

"Hmph..."

"I have a time limit called rations, and you have a limit called the Crown Prince. We both can't afford to drag things out forever. It's not unnatural to want to settle things here."

"The Imperial Army should still have plenty of food, right?"

"I would use it up to the limit if it was just about defeating you. But, this is an invasion force of the Kingdom. The aim is the capital. It's not just about defeating you."

"I see...Still, it's surprising you think you can defeat me."

At Ansem's words, Leo fell silent for a moment.

Then, he muttered a single line.

"I can't win against you alone."

"You're hoping for reinforcements?"

"I'll leave that to your imagination."

Ansem had seen through the strategy of the Imperial Army, and he was also prepared for reinforcements from the north and south.

He was gathering information from all over, making use of various information networks.

The United Kingdom had only just started to mobilize its navy.

To secure their advance route, they need to engage the Kingdom's fleet in battle.

The Southern Allied fleet is still in the Imperial port, and it will take time to arrive even if they set sail immediately.

Especially to enter the Kingdom's waters, there are troublesome obstacles.

They can't come so easily.

North and south. As long as no reinforcements are coming from either side, the reinforcements suggested by Leo are impossible.

However...

"Assuming there are reinforcements I don't know about... Can you hold out until they arrive?"

"You are strong. I acknowledge that. But you're not the strongest. I've seen someone stronger than you by my side all the time. So I won't lose. I can't afford to lose."

"The same goes for me. If decisions were made based on feelings, we wouldn't need tacticians or commanders in war. I'm fully prepared. I'll take your head before reinforcements arrive."

"I'll return those words to you. If I defeat you, it's as good as winning. To come to the battlefield, you're too important for the Kingdom."

"The same applies to you. It's a shame to kill you...but leaving you in a neighboring country is too dangerous. I'll end you here, Leonard."

With that, Ansem retreated towards the Kingdom Army.

Leo also followed suit, retreating back to his headquarters.

Then...

"First wave, charge!"

The decisive battle was surprisingly initiated by Leo's command.

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