The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Arc 57: The Living and the Dead

Chapter 662: Obituary

Imperial Capital, Imperial Sword Castle.

The situation at Imperial Sword Castle was currently in chaos as they were always receiving unclear reports about the status of the front lines.

"What is the situation on the front lines? Have there been any reports?"

The Imperial Chancellor Franz had full authority over the Imperial Sword Castle. Currently, all the real power of the empire was under Franz. However, no information was reaching him and it was difficult to gather intelligence about the events that are happening outside the empire.

"Communication with the Adventurers' Guild's observation team has been cut off!"

"What are the nearby units doing? Has there been any contact from the headquarters?"

"We can't reach the headquarters either!"

Reports had been coming in regularly since the allied forces began engaging the demons. However as the battle reached its climax, the reports became sporadic as the fighting had intensified. The observation team, stationed a little away from the battlefield, had continued sending information to the guild and the empire. The last report mentioned that Silver, Elna, and Leonard were confronting the enemy demon’s leader. The current outcome of their battle was unknown; as all communications had stopped there.

"Is there no unit we can contact?"

"We only had communication lines with the headquarters and the observation team..."

"How about the Adventurers' Guild's branches?"

"The information is confusing! What seems certain is that a crisis akin to a natural disaster has occurred within the kingdom!"

"A battle that causes natural disasters huh..."

Franz frowned and instructed them to gather any information they could, then took a deep breath and rested for a moment. The empire had committed too many human resources to this war. If the allied forces were to be annihilated, the empire would not be able to recover. More importantly, the emperor himself was part of the allied forces. While the empire could function under Franz's rule, he did not have the power to quell the chaos. Franz lamented that if he only knew about the emperor's condition, he might be able to reduce the chaos within the Empire.

At that moment, a messenger rushed in.

"Chancellor! Urgent news!"

"Where is this information from?"

"It's from the supply unit led by Lord Vinfried!"

The number of the allied forces was immense, and as such a unit had been placed at a midpoint to the headquarters to manage the supply materials, that unit was led by Vinfried. They had earlier received reinforcements from the headquarters and were headed to support the main allied forces but arrived after the battle had ended. The information from Vinfried was quite close to the frontline.

"Let's hear it!"

"Chancellor... if possible, could we clear the room?"

"What do you mean?"

"Lord Vinfried has requested that the message be delivered to you alone."

"Come with me."

Franz led the messenger to his room and then asked.

"Now, speak. What has happened?"

"According to Lord Vinfried... the allied forces, along with the royal capital, have vanished. And..."

"Is there more?"

"...the headquarters was attacked... with Marshal Arnold missing and presumed to have fallen.

"What did you say?"

"There was a huge explosion centered around the command room, and it was confirmed that Marshal Arnold was definitely there..."

"What a disaster..."

The emperor and the prime candidates for the crown prince were missing, and now the prince that was leading the allied forces was also missing, now presumed to be dead. Overwhelmed by the report, Franz collapsed to his knees. R̃АƝΟΒƐṣ

"Chancellor!?"

"Where is Prince Erik...?"

"He has gone east, to be able to cross into the imperial lands if necessary."

"Call him back immediately..."

Currently, Erik was undoubtedly the highest-ranking surviving member of the royal family. Therefore, Franz prioritized getting in touch with Erik and having him come to the capital. Then...

"Request the empress to appear in the throne room..."

Franz issued the order in a deflated voice and slowly stood up.

In the throne room, Franz reported the known facts to Empress Brunhilde.

"His Majesty the Emperor had prepared a will for just such an emergency, designating Leonard-sama as the crown prince. However, with both of them missing, the next in line would be Prince Erik."

"I agree with that decision. Until the situation is clearer, Erik should be treated as the temporary crown prince."

"Yes, that shall be so."

The empress was also a representative of the emperor's authority. In the emperor's absence, she held the highest authority within the Empire. It was with her approval that Franz could act as the powerful chancellor.

However...

"However, it is strictly temporary. The empress has the right to appoint a crown prince in the emperor's absence, but I have no intention of using that right."

"But to quickly stabilize the empire..."

"You are more than capable of stabilizing the empire yourself. Be strong. The emperor's greatest achievement was appointing you as the chancellor. I have never doubted that reputation. Nothing is clear yet and it’s too early to despair."

"Your Majesty..."

"The Emperor decided to appoint Leonard as the crown prince. Therefore, we should strive to the end without giving up. Make sure to clearly convey to Erik that this is only a temporary arrangement."

"Understood."

The empress's will was clear. Franz bowed deeply, aware of his own part in possibly giving up too soon on the emperor and Leonard, yet the empress herself had not given up yet.

"The empire has already lost a crown prince once. We cannot afford to lose the emperor and the next crown prince as well. We must expect that everyone remaining in the battlefield will prevent that. We should have faith in the empire's finest, the Imperial Guards."

"Yes..."

"If there's anything you need, let me know. I will handle the rest of the consort. I won't let anyone do as they please."

If Erik became the temporary crown prince, his mother Camilia might try to interfere. However, the empress declared she would not allow it. Her authority was undeniable, not by anyone.

"Thank you."

"Let's protect a place for them to return to... The wounded need a home to return to. And... keep quiet about Arnold's situation. He was beloved by his younger siblings. We shouldn't burden the younger children all at once."

"Understood."

While the fate of the emperor and Leonard was unknown, as they were only described as missing in action, the situation with Arnold was more definitive. Though there was no evidence, it was almost certain he was dead. Franz lowered his eyes at this reality.

"His Majesty... will grieve about this."

"There was never a time when His Majesty didn't mourn the death of a child."

With that, the empress left the throne room.

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