The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

“That’s the truth, Your Majesty. Everything was my daughter’s doing, it is completely my fault for not keeping an eye on her.”

When the Brave went to discuss the future course of action with the ministers, he bowed down and told that to the Emperor.

Elna is also bowing down beside him.

In response, the ministers only complained about Al.

“If that’s the case then he should say so in the first place…..”

“The honor of the Brave house is important but the Imperial family’s honor takes precedence! But since we already declared that it’s his fault in front of the ambassador, we can not afford to change it now!’

“The matter is getting more complicated….they will surely take advantage of this as a disgrace to the imperial family. If the fault of the daughter is the fault of the Brave, the fault of the prince will be the fault of the Emperor as well. Why couldn’t he understand that!?”

“In the first place, it was Prince Arnold’s fault because he crawled through that vent wasn’t it. Isn’t that already a problem in itself! What was he thinking! Seriously!”

“This is no longer just a problem of the jewel being broken. There is now a fact that a member of the imperial family has broken it. We can’t say anything back to them even if they don’t want to ally with us anymore!”

Every one of them was criticizing Al.

Elna wanted to say that was wrong and it was all her fault but she knew that she was in no position to say that.

That’s why Elna endured it with tears in her eyes.

Looking at such Elna, the Emperor sighed.

“I knew that Arnold was trying to protect someone but I never thought that it would be the Brave’s daughter.

“You knew? Your Majesty?”

The Emperor nodded to the Brave’s question.

“That jewel box had magical protection installed in it. No matter how good the sword is, Arnold wouldn’t be able to cut it open. That’s why I tried to confirm it with him. Still, he insisted that he did it. He can’t afford to say that he didn’t do anything in front of the ambassador after all. He had no choice but to say that it was his fault.”

The Emperor heaved a huge sigh and leans back on his throne.

My initial plan is gone. Even if we prepare another jewel, Sokal will probably not accept it. The prince will surely use this as a bargaining chip to demand the mining rights from us.

That’s why the ambassador turned down the offer to investigate the matter on the spot. He will not believe the result even if we truthfully told him that it was Elna who did it. I can see through what he is thinking.

As long as there is the fact that Al was there, there’s no other hand to play. Because he knew that, the Emperor put Al in prison.

“It’s like that, Brave. I’m sorry but there’s no meaning even if Elna admits it herself. Right now, we can’t afford to let Al free.”

“No way……!”

Elna suddenly utters.

Everyone’s gaze turns toward Elna.

Exposed to the cold eyes of the adults, Elna is frightened but she doesn’t avert her eyes.

Meanwhile, a woman entered the room.

“That’s no eye to be looking at a child with right?”

The person who said that was a black-haired woman in a black dress.

She’s the Sixth Consort of the Emperor as well as Al’s mother, Mitsuba.

Of all the places she could be, why is she here?

That was what the expression of the ministers was saying. 

If her son was taken to jail, of course, she would move.

However, unexpectedly, Mitsuba didn’t say anything about that and headed over to Elna first.

“You are the Brave’s daughter?”

“Y, Yes…..”

“You are an honest one aren’t you, good girl. I guess Al would be satisfied knowing that he has gone to prison in your place.”

While saying that, Mitsuba smiled and stroked Elna’s head.

The ministers’ eyes opened wide at that scene while the Emperor only smiled bitterly.

“Mi, Mitsuba-sama…..Did you not come here to talk about Prince Arnold’s matter?”

“I’m only here because I was called. I don’t really have anything to say about Al’s matter. That child acted on his own judgment and took the fall for this child. It’s only natural that he would be receiving the punishment in this child’s place right. He already knew this when he did that so it is the responsibility of that child to go through with it.”

“Is, Is that the case……”

“Besides, would His Majesty release Al from prison if I beg for forgiveness in his stead? Even though he decided to protect a girl on his own, if he ended up being saved by his mother, that child’s pride will be hurt right? It was his decision to save this girl. That feat belongs only to him. I have no intention to take away a child’s achievement. Moreover, even if Al regrets his decision inside the prison I think it will be to his own good. He has to know that saving someone is not something that can be done half-heartedly and with this, he should realize how privileged the environment he has been living in is as well.”

The ministers closed their mouths after hearing Mitsuba’s words that can be received as cold.

To be able to remain so calm when her son, a prince no less, was sent to prison, all of them think that Mitsuba is abnormal.

Most of the consorts the ministers knew are all doting parents who only think how cute their child is.

“It was me who called Mitsuba here. I did think about letting Arnold out of the prison if you pleaded with me though.”

“There’s no need. I have always let that child do as he pleased. He always says that everything is his own responsibility. He always neglected his studies and head out to play on his own. But it is that child’s choice not to acquire more knowledge. It is the consequence of his own action that he is being criticized and ridiculed by others. This matter is the same. He moved under his own judgment and as a result, he managed to protect this child and got sent to prison. Every responsibility here is his to bear.”

“Fuu…..you saying that I shouldn’t let him off right.”

Troubled, the Emperor scratches his head.

As an emperor, he can not show leniency toward his child. That’s why he called the child’s mother, Mitsuba here. With a direct pleading from Mitsuba, he can treat this matter like he couldn’t help but release him after all.

However, the reality now is that the Emperor wants to pardon his child while Mitsuba is telling him not to do it. 

This is something that will never happen with other of his consorts.

“Mitsuba-sama, forgive me but it is due to your education policy that has led us to this incident, I understand that freedom is important but I would like to request you to lessen the prince’s freedom in the future.”

“Is there a problem? We can just prepare another jewel for Sokal’s ambassador, aren’t we? Compared to other princes and princesses, Al doesn’t personally spend that much money anyway. A single jewel wouldn’t cost that much now would it.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs who voiced his opinion’s expression turned sore.

There are many ministers and nobles who would dismiss Mitsuba as just a dancer. They may be polite on the surface but on the inside, they think of her as just an upstart.

If Mitsuba was more modest, the ministers could respond to her with a smile  but Mitsuba was not a woman who would rely on flattery.

“This is not the problem of money. The matter at hand is that the imperial ambassador will no longer be satisfied with only the jewel.”

“Then he can just go back.”

“Haa…..seriously. It was my fault to bring up politics with Mitsuba-sama.”

Those words were close to insulting an imperial consort in front of the Emperor.

Franz was about to admonish the Minister of Foreign Affairs for going too far but the Emperor raised his hand to stop him.

He then looks at Mitsuba as if he is enjoying the show.

“Politics is it. Certainly, I don’t know much about politics myself. But if I am in your shoes I would not participate in a war with such a poor outlook in the first place. The Principality of Albatro would definitely support the Kingdom of Perlan from the sea in case we choose to go to war with them. We may be able to cut out their supply line several times but if they can be resupplied via sea route that will render our efforts meaningless. Originally, we should have entered into a non-aggression pact with the Sokal Empire so that we can keep Albatro in check through diplomatic means first. I wouldn’t dare to declare war on Perlan without that much preparation in place.”

“Th, that is…..”

“Of course, that is something a person who isn’t familiar with politics like me can understand. Surely our wise Minister of Foreign Affairs should already be aware of those facts. Naturally, this situation should be well within your expectations. There’s no way that a wise minister such as yourself would say that we have no choice but to show such a weak attitude toward the Sokal empire. With that said, can you please enlighten a person who is so unfamiliar to politics like me on the way we can resolve this situation?”

“…….I, I’ve overstepped my bounds. Please forgive me…….”

Said the Foreign Minister as he lowered his head.

Half of the surrounding ministers give him a look of sympathy while the other half mock him for his foolish conduct.

Mitsuba who has traveled to various countries is particularly knowledgeable among all the other consorts. She is not a woman with a sheltered upbringing. One can expect such retaliation from her if they think that she is the same as the other consorts.

The Emperor nodded happily seeing Mitsuba’s sharp reply.

However, Mitsuba’s tongue turned to the Emperor this time.

“Your Majesty. This is a good opportunity so allow me to tell you this.”

“U,Umu….what is it?”

“Please behave yourself like an emperor. I don’t remember becoming a wife of someone who would be so troubled over another country’s problem.”

The Emperor frowned at her harsh words while Franz put his hand on his forehead next to him.

To the two of them, Mitsuba continues.

“Handing the jewel to the Sokal empire was only a measure to buy time in the first place right?”

“That’s right, Mitsuba-sama.”

“It’s a good decision given the state of the Empire but weak diplomacy can make our opponent grow conceit. The Empire has never broken our superior stance in Your Majesty’s generation. I’m afraid that showing a weak attitude now would create a misconception that we have grown weak though?”

“That is exactly the case however until we can reach a ceasefire agreement with Perlan, we can not do much against Sokal.”

“Then we should dispatch the Minister of Foreign Affair and let him finalize the ceasefire agreement immediately.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs in question jumped in surprise.

Don’t tell me that you can’t do it alright. Such implications can be felt from Mitsuba’s words. It is the duty of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to secure diplomatic lines with enemy countries even after the war has already broken out.

“If that’s the case then there is a possibility that Perlan might take advantage of us.”

“It is still better than leaving the situation as muddy as it is. Breaking the Perlan Kingdom’s sea supply route is a difficult task. Moreover, Perlan probably wouldn’t try to take advantage of us. If we show them that we are firm on our stance, they wouldn’t dare to poke their hand into our business either.”

“Our stance?”

“What I mean is our stance to protect the demihumans. We already declared that this is our stance the moment His Majesty accepted the Dwarves into the Empire. The reason the Empire wants an immediate ceasefire is to protect the demihumans. If they want to take advantage of us knowing full well of that fact, dissatisfaction will raise from both inside and outside of the Perlan Kingdom.”

This is something that Mitsuba who has traveled to various countries can confirm.

There are not that many demihumans inside the Sokal empire while large amounts of the Adraxia Empire and Perlan Kingdom’s population are demihumans. As long as that is the case, there is only one path both nations can choose when their decision affects the lives of demihumans.

“Your Majesty has already decided to protect the demihumans, haven’t you. Why did you want to change your mind now?”

“It was for the country.”

“If you think about the country then you should act as a strong emperor. Your Majesty, children are smarter than adults give them credit for. Al probably put in a lot of thoughts before he decided to save that child. About the Empire, about Your Majesty, and about the girl that is crying right now. He decided to take all the blame after he considered all of that. Your Majesty’s plot, and how he would damage the imperial family’s honor. Both are what a prince must think about. However, as a prince, and a man, he made his resolve and came through with it. Even if many people would criticize him, I want to give him praise. Because he showed me a certain quality as a prince. He went through what he decided on. This is something that is important for a prince. It is the same for an emperor. There is nothing your son can do but you can not, Your Majesty.”

In response to Mitsuba’s words, the Emperor looks up at the ceiling for a while.

Then let out a huge sigh.

The wrinkles on his face ever since the Dwarven country was invaded finally disappeared from his face.

He was finally unshackled.

Both by the words of his consort and the action of his son.

“Franz. Any objection?”

“I still recommend that a safer option should be taken…….but I understand that it is against your principles, Your Majesty.”

“Umu. it is as Mitsuba says, Al made his resolve and went through with it. I want to accept and recognize his resolve. Who beside Mitsuba and I would? Who else would recognize that resolve of his? We are his parents. Therefore we have to act like ones. There are no children that would recognize a father who falls behind his own son. Both as a parent and emperor, I will show him a figure that he can be proud of.”

The Emperor said that with a radiant expression.

Next to him, Franz heaves out a huge sigh. Even though he went out of his way to prepare so many precautionary measures, it still ended up like this.

Franz looks at Mitsuba with some bitterness but Mitsuba has already turned her heels.

Seeing such a figure, Franz muttered.

“Your Majesty. I’m really not good with Mitsuba-sama…..”

“What a coincidence, me too……..”

“Then why did you take her in as a consort…..?”

“I thought she was a good woman…..and it seems I wasn’t wrong.”

Nodding satisfactorily, the Emperor stands up.

Then, he started giving out his commands.

“Gather all the Imperial Knight Captains. The Brave can back down for now. In the unlikely event that something happened, I will immediately call on you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, and bring Al here too. I have to show him what an emperor looks like.”

The Emperor grins.

Astounded by the child-like Emperor, Franz began to act according to the Emperor’s command.

————————————-

The Emperor and his Prime Minister are standing before the lined up knight captains inside the throne room.

Surrounded by the proud knights of the Empire, the ambassador nervously raised a question.

“Y, Your Majesty….What exactly is the thing that you wished to discuss……?”

“Umu. My son was rude to you earlier. As an apology for that, we will prepare you another jewel. I want you to take that and bring it back to your country.”

“So it is about that……Your Majesty, my country certainly needs the jewel. However, we have already obtained a certain number of jewels from the Dwarven nation. What we need now are their skills and techniques to process them. Please give me a dwarf. If that is impossible then we would like to request something of equal value. Otherwise, I have no choice but to tell my country that the Empire does not to be on friendly terms with Sokal.”

“Hmm….then do it.”

“…..Yes?”

The ambassador who was overconfident in himself couldn’t understand the Emperor’s words for a moment.

However, after accepting the sharp gaze of the Emperor, he immediately understood the Empire’s intention.

“……Are you implying that you wish to be hostile toward my empire?”

“That’s right. The Empire doesn’t have the habit of kicking out its people once they have already been accepted. If you are unhappy with the jewel then any more negotiations are meaningless.”

“……I’m aware that the Empire is currently at war with the Kingdom. I don’t think it would be such a wise idea to antagonize us though?”

That’s a bluff.

And the Ambassador is calling on it.

They just appeared to be strong but they can not possibly afford to start another war right now.

That was what the ambassador thought so he still has a carefree expression on his face.

However,

“I’ve already sent a messenger to the Kingdom for a ceasefire agreement. It’s a fight to protect the demihumans. The Kingdom will understand our intention.”

“No way…..”

“You can’t understand unless I say this directly huh? Alright. The people who have flown into my country are my subjects. The people who are living in my Empire’s territory right now are those who I must protect. I will not hand any of them over. If you want them then feel free to try taking them away. But if you are going to do that then I will assume that you have made your resolve. I will personally lead all the imperial knights here to fight you.”

Cold sweat dripped down through the ambassador’s cheeks.

The Empire’s imperial knights. If the Emperor says that he would lead these matchless warriors into battle himself then it means that the Empire is serious.

No matter how many messengers he sent to the Kingdom, there will be no immediate result. In the meantime, if the Sokal empire attacked, they will be forced to fight the war on two fronts.

However, the Emperor had said that he is willing to do so.

“…..are you going to dispatch the Brave house as well?”

“Of course.”

“…..I don’t know what the other countries will say if you utilize the holy sword indiscriminately you know?”

“It’s a fight to protect the demihumans. The cause already exists. Even if we use a property of mankind like the holy sword here, no other nations will complain, even if we were to use it to bring ruin to the Sokal Empire.”

If they are going to do it then they will give it their all. The Emperor is talking with the ambassador with the resolve to destroy the Sokal empire.

While being pressured by the Emperor, the ambassador bitterly began to speak.

“You will regret this…….!?”

“Don’t underestimate the Empire. My country doesn’t care about what your country thinks, nor will we make any pointless sophism. We are not afraid of war but we will not tolerate being made light of! We are a strong nation and I am a strong Emperor! Go back and tell your country that the negotiations have failed.”

At the Emperor’s shout, the ambassador left the throne room with a distorted expression.

Then the Emperor made the gathered knight captains fall back and call out Arnold who has been observing everything that happened in the throne room.

“Arnold.”

“Yes, Father……”

The Emperor puts his hand on Arnold’s head.

Then, he slowly stroke his head.

“This is what your father’s job is like. To make decisions, that is the duty of an emperor. Whether good or bad, making decisions is still an emperor’s duty. Realizing those decisions is the duty of the subjects.”

“It seems quite tough.”

“Forgive me….I thought that I have to show this to Arnold. This figure of a righteous Emperor. Listen, Arnold. In the future, when you aim for the throne or when you want to put someone on it, remember this figure of mine today. If you want to become an emperor then aim to be like me. If you want someone else to become an emperor then support someone that is similar to me. This figure of mine is your reward. Now be obedient and head back to jail. Alright?”

“Yes!”

Seeing the mischievous smile on the Emperor’s face, Al put on a similar smile.

Seeing them together, Franz thought of how alike they are but immediately after, he felt depressed at the amount of work that is waiting for him.

———————————————

Returning to the present.

“Okaa-sama. Why is only half of the jewel displayed here….?”

“That’s a lucky jewel you know.”

“Lucky? Even though there’s only half?”

“Yeah, thanks to that jewel, Al was able to obtain a treasure after all.”

Mitsuba puts Christa on her knees and remembers that day.

After the Emperor hardened his resolve, Elna chased after Mitsuba.

She apologized to her together with the Brave.

In return, Mitsuba told her, [If that child ever got himself in trouble, give him a hand, alright]

Responding to that, Elna borrowed the Brave’s sword and took an oath before Mitsuba.

[I will never abandon Prince Arnold ever again].

On that day, Al unknowingly obtained the strongest sword of the Empire.

Mitsuba did not tell him that the girl from that day was Elna. It was because she thought that someday Elna would tell him herself.

“What kind of treasure?”

“A sword. A very very good sword. It might be too much for Al though.”

“Yeah. A sword doesn’t suit Al-niisama after all.”

Saying so, Christa and Mitsuba laugh together.

Even then, Mitsuba still thinks about Al.

Al saw such an ideal statue of an emperor. That’s why he wants to make Leo into one.

To Al, an emperor is not what you become but what you are seen as. Therefore, Al doesn’t want to become an emperor himself.

It is no exaggeration to say that seeing Leo become a great emperor is Al’s dream. That’s why Mitsuba is a little worried about him.

Because she felt that the future that Al has painted in his mind doesn’t have himself included in it.

“Reporting. We’ve just received a report from our messenger that Prince Leonard and Prince Arnold will be returning soon.”

“Really!?”

“Ara, let’s head out to welcome them then.”

Mitsuba put her little worries away in her heart.

It is not the time to think about it yet.

“Cough, cough…….it’s quite chilly, isn’t it. Let’s put on some jackets shall we……”

“A cold again?”

“Yes, I will get well soon.”

Saying so, Mitsuba and Christa held hands and headed out to meet the returning princes.