The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 335: Reason for the Stubbornness

Chapter 335: Reason for the Stubbornness

I can protect both the north and my house huh.

Duke Lowenstein muttered and touched the armrest of his chair.

I showed him my hand.

Considering the situation, the duke should accept my proposal.

Initially, the northern nobles as a whole did not side with Leo. There was bad blood between them and the Imperial Family so even if there were some that went out to help him, there were still some bad feelings lingering around.

Gordon lost his momentum with his defeat in the Imperial Capital. Still, our initial plan to combat him was to surround him and lock him into a battle of endurance. With that being the case, all the achievements will go to Lize-aneue who will march to the north later.

They have no reason to participate in the war if they can not gain credit. Many of the northern nobles used many excuses to decline Leos request to participate in the war at first because Leo has the advantage at the time.

However, the situation has completely changed.

While they were declining his request, William rebuilt Gordons force, Leo was cornered, and they lost the timing to participate.

Moreover, the cause of Leo getting cornered was the rout of the few northern nobles who had joined Leo.

It is obvious that they might get punished for their delay which led to the Emperors side disadvantage.

Thats why the northern nobles did not move.

However, with my proposal, the story will turn to one that the northern nobles have been moving to support the Emperor in secret.

With this, their delay will not be a problem and it is possible to cancel out their failure.

After that, if they lend us their power to defeat Gordon, they will be able to build a huge debt to the Imperial Family. There is no doubt that their treatment will be much more favorable in the future.

Looks like everything went according to your plan huh?

Not at all. If everything went according to plan then I would still be sleeping in the Imperial Capital after all.

I am here against my will.

When I told him that, the Duke mockingly smiled at me.

What an irresponsible man. You are saying that you are not even willing to talk to me personally in the first place?

Of course. I wouldnt come to the north unless Leo was in trouble.

The duke squinted at my words.

Seeing that, I shrugged.

After all, I just gave him what he wanted to hear.

Since your brother is in trouble, you want to help him no matter what. Is that right?

Exactly.

And it requires our power to do that. Which means we have the advantage here.

You think that you have a future with Gordon?

I will not rely on such a tyrant. But the Dragon Prince of the United Kingdom is quite capable. If he presents me with a peace treaty with the north then cooperating with him is not so bad.

Instead of Gordon, you are willing to listen to the Dragon Prince huh.

It is not an impossible plan.

If he truly dislikes the Imperial Family then leaving the Empire is one of the options.

Fortunately for them, the United Kingdom has allowed the Dominion to keep its autonomy. With the same agreement, they should be able to rule over the north.

If all the northern nobles turned, the northern border would disappear. The army of the Dominion and the United Kingdom will march south undisturbed. The situation will completely change again.

Still, Duke Lowenstein probably will not choose that plan.

If the situation turns to that, the Empire will no longer care about appearance.

A non-aggression pact will be signed with the Sokal empire under some unfavorable conditions and Lize-aneue will march north.

If that still can not handle the situation then even the use of the holy sword might be considered.

If that happens, the North will be thoroughly destroyed. After all, it will become the frontline where large armies collide.

The northern nobles who have endured the cold treatment for the sake of the north so far would not consider that as an option.

They may no longer have any loyalty toward the Imperial Family but they have not lost their pride in protecting their territory and people.

If they have already lost that pride then would have joined Gordons side by now.

He only promoted his advantage to negotiate with me advantageously.

Looks like he wont easily accept the proposal huh.

What do you want in return?

Nothing.

That is strange. If you hope for nothing then why did you bring up negotiating with the Dragon Prince?

I am just saying that I will not let everything go your way.

I have proposed to you a method that causes the least damage to the north and its people though? What are you dissatisfied with?

While listening, the Dukes eyes kept on observing me.

There is suspicion in his eyes.

The Duke still doesnt trust me so the negotiation is not concluded yet.

If I can not somehow gain his trust then this negotiation will not be settled.

Originally, I planned to have Marquis Zweig intervene here since he already has the Dukes trust. It really hurt since I cant use that plan now.

What I am dissatisfied with is you. I can not trust the Imperial Family, let alone a prince who resembles the Emperor so much like you.

You think I will go back on my word?

The Imperial Family has already betrayed me once. I allowed my daughter to marry the Emperor as insurance in case something happens to the north. And what has become of that? We were unjustly blamed and treated coldly for the death of the Crown Prince!

That is certainly a sin of the Imperial Family. Even so, the Emperor had a lot on his plate at the time. You should know well how he had no choice but to leave the problem of the north alone at the time, Duke.

At that time, Father had already begun the preparation for his abdication.

However, the heir he was delegating his power to suddenly passed away. Father had to work hard to bring the Empire under his rule again.

Of course, somewhere in his heart was a resentment toward the north since they couldnt rescue the Crown Prince in time.

Thats why he wasnt that enthusiastic to solve the problem of the north. It can be said that he left it unattended until he was free. There was a mountain of other things to do after all.

Duke Lowenstein couldnt forgive that.

Those things have nothing to do with it! Even though my daughter was young, she made her name as the best swordswoman in the north! She wanted to live on the path of the sword! I lost my wife and raised my children all by myself! I wanted them to be happy! I wanted them to live their dreams! Even so, I had to marry off my daughter! All for the sake of the north!

When he married the Fourth Consort, Father was still a crown prince.

Even so, the power delegation was almost at its end and he was about to ascend the throne.

He had other consorts and it was not a marriage of love.

It was only to strengthen our bloodline and stabilize the national power. A complete political marriage.

As someone who wanted to live as a swordswoman, it was probably humiliating for the Fourth Consort to be married off as a woman.

Still, that is what being a dukes daughter is.

There may be many noble ladies who are more than willing to become the emperors wife. One could say that it was unfortunate since she was not your typical noble lady.

When I sent off my daughter, I lowered my head to both the emperor and the crown prince asking them to take good care of the north! Still, even after they acknowledged that and my daughter became an imperial consort, they abandoned the north! How can I believe in you!?

Leaving believe or not believe aside, you surely are aware that you have no other choice.

What if you break your promise? Who will guarantee that you will give the credit to the north? Right now, you only want the power of the northern nobles to save your younger brother. But what if the war is over? The next thing you want is an advantage in the succession war. You would need achievements to win that. You will probably gladly take all your credit and make a big leap forward for your brother right!

I wont do that. If I make a big achievement, it will divide our support. Moreover, we will lose the trust of the northern nobles. I will not make such a stupid move. It is obvious that working for you and obtaining your support is better.

You can say whatever you want with just words!

Strange.

He is too stubborn.

The Duke shouldnt have any merit in prolonging this negotiation.

If you want me to accept your proposal then bring either the Emperor or the Prime Minister here! Without a written pledge, I will never trust you!

Dont be absurd. Under these circumstances, there is no way that either of them can leave the Imperial Capital.

Then bring me a pledge. Do whatever you need and bring me a pledge. That is my demand.

With that said, the Duke stood up from his chair as though he no longer has nothing left to say.

However, for a moment, the Duke staggered.

After a coughing fit, the Duke left the place.

Ojii-sama! Please wait!

Char follows after him but Duke Lowenstein ignores her.

Char is the daughter of his dear son and the granddaughter of his close friend.

She should be important to Duke Lowenstein.

I can see that from the anger he showed before the negotiation.

However, his attitude right now is too cold.

How do you see it?

Probably the same as you, Arnold-sama.

..I see.

I listened to Sebass reply and turned back.

The duke is probably ill.

Thats why he needs clear evidence.

Something his granddaughter can use after he passes away.