The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 339: The 47 Clans of the North

Chapter 339: The 47 Clans of the North

It was two days later that the northern nobles assembled at a camp on Gnade hill.

There are 47 heads of the northern noble houses known as the 47 Clans of the North.

7 of them are currently at Leos side and 40 have gathered at the hill.

Duke Lowenstein has already finished his war preparation and the others could probably guess that they are going to war.

The question is which one of them will be against it.

Inside a huge tent, a long desk was prepared and Duke Lowenstein sat on the highest seat. From there, the northern nobles line up and Char sits in the lowest seat. Behind her, I stand waiting.

The reason Char is at the lowest seat here is that she is considered Marquis Zweigs representative and out of consideration for the other northern nobles.

Chars lineage is certainly the highest in the north but if a little girl suddenly takes a big position it might lead to her being distrusted by the others.

Duke Lowenstein is acting as the highest seat of this table. Char was the one who decided on the seat arrangement.

Everyone. Thank you for traveling so far for this meeting.

What are you saying? With a letter from the late Marquis Zweig and the news of Duke Lowensteins departure, there is no way that a member of the 47 Clans would not respond.

Exactly!

Duke! Please tell us your plan!

Lets work together and solve this crisis of the north!!

They raised their voice one after another.

It was a response that I couldnt think belonged to those who denied Leos request without giving it any consideration.

After waiting for them to settle down, the Duke started speaking to them.

I will fight. But this is my personal decision, it does not represent the decision of everyone in the north. The late Marquis Zweig sent you all a letter, hoping that you would agree to fight. What do you all think of this situation?

His Highness Gordon has gone too far!

That is exactly right! He spilled the blood of the north while not thinking about the north at all!

But the Emperor is also to blame! He sent a prince with no experience in large-scale warfare to suppress the rebellion and prolonged the battle! He is supposed to form an alliance with the Sokal empires as soon as possible and end this civil war but instead, he has done nothing but damaging the north!

Thats right! If the Princess General came to the north from the start, we wouldnt take a wait-and-see approach! It was the Emperor who created a situation where either side could win!

The opinions are split in half.

However, there is no one that wants to side with Gordon.

They dont want to side with Gordon but they also have their dissatisfaction toward the Emperor.

Gordon should have tried to assimilate the northern nobles when he fled here but it seems that he was not in the condition where he could move properly due to his defeat in the capital.

Thats why William took command and they ended up earning no cooperation from the northern nobles.

He probably cant blame William either. If they do not solidify their base in the north, they will have no choice but to escape to the Dominion. And the only way to do that was to forcibly seize territories from the northern nobles.

After all, there is a limit to what William who is a prince of another country can do. Still, it was thanks to William that they managed to last this long.

Do you have an opinion on this, Duke?

My opinion huh.Gordon is the son of my beloved daughter. Even if he belongs to the Imperial Family, he is still my grandson. However, blood is nothing compared to the bond we share in the north. I will not side with Gordon.

Then what about the Emperor?

Hmph..Its a shame. Before the war began, my daughter came to me for the first time in a while. She asked me to help Gordon. While flaunting her power as well. My daughter was never so unsightly. It was because she entered that devils den of an inner palace. The Emperor is to blame for this.

He said that as though he wanted to puke.

When the others heard that, they all looked confused.

With such an attitude, they cant think that the Duke would support the Emperor at all.

He has no plan to work with Gordon nor the Emperor.

Then who will he side with?

The answer to that question lies at the end of the Dukes line of sight.

Char was at the receiving end of his stare and the eyes of the northern nobles began to turn toward her.

It seems that Lady Charlotte has the answer we seek. Can you tell us?

Then, Id like to propose something. I am currently here as Marquis Zweigs representative. It was me who sent his letter to everyone here. I-wish to form the Union of the Northern Lords. To put an end to the cause of the turmoil to the north, Gordon.

.you propose that we take the Emperors side?

No, I propose that we take the side of the next emperor. I intend to have the person who has a direct connection with him be the leader of this union.

Saying so, Char vacated her seat to me.

I paved the road for you, the rest is in your hands huh.

Certainly, the other nobles would not suddenly leave the meeting at this point. They have no other choice after all.

With the Duke leading us, the morale is high.

However, as long as I am involved, I can not deny that morale might decline in the future. The distrust the northern nobles have toward the Imperial Family is that great.

Thats why she pushed this absurd task to me.

Its an absurdly hard task but..Char also invested a lot in me.

I can not and must not refuse this.

Most of you would be meeting me for the first time so let me start with a self-introduction. I am the Seventh Prince, Arnold Lakes Adler.

I took off the black hood I was covering my face with and showed myself to the northern nobles.

At that moment, their gazes were filled with hatred.

A pressure that would render a weak-minded person unable to speak.

However, I am already used to this much pressure.

Dull Prince!

What is the meaning of this? Lady Charlotte?

It is as you see. We will ally ourselves to Prince Leonard and form the Union of the Northern Lords centered around Prince Arnold. This is the only way for the north to be safe after the war.

No one argues against Chars words.

It is not uncommon to attach yourselves to the next emperor. It might be rarer in the rural area but it is still not that strange.

After all, the reward will be great.

They may be dissatisfied with the current situation of the battle but Leo is still fighting with the north in mind. There is a big difference compared to Gordon. Thats why theres no objection.

However, their consent is not without antipathy.

You all seem like you wanted to say something huh. Do you hate the Imperial Family that much?

Hate? That word is not enough to explain our feelings, Your Highness.

You looked like you wanted to kill me huh. So, why dont you give it a try?

Thats how I want it! I will send your head back to the Emperor!

One of them vigorously stands up but the surrounding nobles stopped him.

That is the answer and also their strength.

Whats wrong? You are not going to kill me? Its not like you cant just push them aside right?

Ugh..!

.I apologize for my rudeness earlier. I know that the other would try to stop you so I provoked you.

What!?

I slightly bowed my head and started walking.

This is to see the face of each northern nobles gathered here.

Everyone here has been treated coldly by the people of the central part of the Empire. It was due to the death of the Crown Prince at the northern border three years ago. Their sadness turned into anger and they use you, the nobles of the north as their outlet.

Nobody says anything.

They only keep their eyes on me.

You have endured it. Marquis Zweig took the brunt of it but I am sure that you all have suffered. Stillyou did not retaliate. You all chose to endure. Why? Such treatment must have been a humiliation for the brave nobles of the north. Starting a rebellion must have also been an option for you. So why did you not do it?

Arriving at the end of the long desk, I looked at Duke Lowenstein.

His eyes were sharp but it seems that he still finds this situation amusing.

Being encouraged by his eyes, I look back.

The answer is that you are protecting this land as a noble of the north. Your pride couldnt allow it to be destroyed! You know that if you lash out, the north would be engulfed in the flame of war and the people of the north would suffer. Thats why you all chose to endure. But..right now, the north has already become a battlefield. What you have endured so much to protect is being trampled. Are you all fine with that? No way!!

I put my fist on my chest.

These people resemble me.

They only move with their own belief. For something that they can not give up.

The people of the Empire have ridiculed me as the Dull Prince. That includes you all and Im also thinking of myself that way. My brother may have a lot of things on his shoulders but it doesnt mean that I am not carrying anything. Even I have something that I carry. The responsibility to the Imperial Family, the responsibility to my younger brother, and the responsibility to the people. There would be no end if I have to keep going. No matter how much I try to squeeze out there will always be something left. Is that not the same for you? When you lose your loyalty toward the Imperial Family, you should still have your feelings for the north. Even if you have no respect left for the Imperial Family, There must be a feeling toward the people of the north left in you. You have endured so much because you couldnt give that feeling up! Thats wonderfulIt truly touched me!

I tell them the same words I received from Marquis Zweig.

It feels good to be recognized. No matter by who.

As long as they endured, they will want to be acknowledged. It is normal for a human to seek recognition.

I used to be like that.

These people got used to enduring.

The northern nobles were always passive. If Marquis Zweig did not write his letters, they will not gather like this and if Duke Lowenstein doesnt move, their morale will not rise.

Even if they have their own opinions, they will not act.

There is no strength in following the strong.

Surely, sparks might fly all over the north if they move individually. It must have been due to that risk that they chose not to move.

After all, their movement is restricted by that fear.

However, it should not be like that.

I am not going to rule over them. I am here to lift them up.

To let them protect what they want.

Enduring alone is not enough anymore! The land of the north is being devastated! This should give you enough reason to rise up! How long are you intending to be on the receiving end!? Why did you not stand up for yourselves when the north was being devastated!? You all waited for my brother to arrive and now that he is here, you are still waiting! To whom does the north belong to!? Does it belong to the Imperial Family!? Then why have you all endured so far!? If this land is not important to you then you can just abandon it! You endured everything because you love this place right! How long are you people going to stay still when the people of the north suffer!? What kind of noble are you if you can not even protect your own land! This land was created by the bravery of the noble of the north! Can you face your ancestors like this!

If you want to say something then say it!!

What does a prince who grew up in a warm castle know about our suffering!?

Like hell I know! But I am here! I am ready to face the problems of the north! You all are already a step behind the Dull Prince! If you want to laugh at the Dull Prince then laugh! If you want to mock me then mock away! But I have no intention of being ridiculed by a bunch of incompetent fools that cant even take a step forward! I am the Dull Prince! A fool that is being ridiculed by everyone in the Empire! But-I will not allow anyone who can not even overtake me to mock my effort!

Saying so, I strongly hit the desk.

And says.

I am giving you an order..the enemy is the rebel, Gordon! For the sake of the north, I am going to defeat him without fail! You are to unite as the Union of the Northern Lords!! Any noble who has enough backbone to not lose to the Dull Prince! Proudly give me your name and state your support!!

The room turned silent for a moment.

The first one who took a knee first was Char.

The Zweig house swears fealty to Your Highness.

Seeing that, two young nobles also kneeled.

Viscount Bornefled of the Bornefeld house swears fealty to Your Highness. We only have less than a hundred knights but their ability on the battlefield is second to none. It is my pleasure to serve.

Earl of Zenkel swears fealty to Your Highness. If Your Highness has a need for vanguards, please rely on my house.

Starting with them, the northern nobles began to kneel one after another.

They all sound proactive.

Then finally, it is Duke Lowensteins turn.

The Duke of Lowenstein swears fealty to Your Highness. We, the 47 Clans of the North are at Your Highness Arnold and His Highness Leonards command. Wed like Your Highness to be the leader of our Union, will you accept this position, Your Highness?

I accept. But it is only in name. You have full authority over this Union, Duke.

Thank you, Your Highness. To strengthen our force, we will wait for all troops to gather here. In the meantime, the nobles who are near the frontline will head to His Highness Leonard as reinforcements.

I leave everything to you.

Hearing that the Duke gave me a nod and ordered every noble to gather their soldiers.