Chapter 374: The Prince’s Triumphant Return
Chapter 374: The Prince’s Triumphant Return
Chapter 374: The Prince’s Triumphant Return
Two weeks after Leo defeated Gordon.
The Imperial Capital was in celebration.
After all, the Hero Prince who defeated the rebels has just made his triumphant return.
Prince Leonard!!
Hooray, the Hero Prince!
Cheers to our Prince Leonard!!
With the achievement of defeating Gordon, the hated rebel who plunged the Imperial Capital into turmoil and despair, Leos reputation has reached an all-time high.
While receiving great cheers from the citizens, Leo and the army led by him entered the Imperial Capital and proceeded to enter the Imperial Sword Castle.
Even after his figure disappeared into the castle, the cheers did not stop.
While listening to those cheers, Leo has reached the top floor of the castle.
His destination was the throne room.
I have returned, Your Majesty.
Hm, good work rooting out the rebels.
I apologize for taking such a long time.
It was not your fault. You did a good job. Im proud of you, Leonard.
I am grateful.
After a short conversation, Emperor Johannes leaned back on the throne.
Leo also raises his face up to meet his father.
A bitter smile floats up on his face.
This is because of the dissatisfied expression on Johanness.
NowI have one thing I have to ask you.
Yes. What do you wish to ask, Your Majesty?
My order was for you and Arnold to return together. Why are you the only one returning here?
Leo gives a vague smile in response to Johanness cramped cheeks.
Certainly, both princes were ordered to return together.
However, Leo returned alone.
It is a clear violation of his order but it doesnt matter much.
After all, they have produced results.
Regarding that, I was instructed to give Your Majesty this letter.
Saying so, Leo produced a letter from his pocket.
It was written by Al.
Johanness frown deepened as he received the letter via the Prime Minister and roughly opened it.
The content was more decent than Johannes had expected.
Please forgive me for greeting you with such a letter, Father. I still can not go back to the Imperial Capital. The North is currently still unstable. With the loss of Duke Lowenstein, the pillar of the north, rather than a victory celebration, the whole northern region is in mourning. They need someone to support them. That is why I chose to stay.
Reading the first paragraph, Johannes smiles mockingly at the letter.
Johannes was well aware of that.
He already intended to entrust the maintenance of the north to Al, who had gained the trust of the northern aristocrats. The reason he wanted him back in the first place was to personally give him the official appointment.
However, Al refused to come back.
Thinking that there must be a reason behind it, Johannes continues reading the letter.
I believe that youve already heard about this in the report but Duke Lowenstein had contacted me since the early stage and gave me advice while waiting for a chance to make his move. The loyalty of the northern aristocrats always lies with Father. All that I have achieved was due to their help. I have made a promise to prove that to you. Using my position as a prince as a guarantee, I promised them that you would give them the appropriate reward and give them the respect that they deserved. I will not move away from this place until that promise is fulfilled. If that is done, I am willing to accept any command.
Johanness frown loosened a little.
In a sense, this letter is a threat to Johannes. With a prince who gained the trust of the northern nobles holding himself up in the north, this can give birth to a second Gordon.
In fact, if Johannes punishes the northern aristocrats, Al will use force to fulfill their demand. Thats the meaning behind his choice to remain in the north.
However, that was not what Johannes was frowning at.
..It appears that my son is wiping my ass for me. Franz.
The cold treatment the north received was not your doing, Your Majesty. You simply did not put an end to it.
I always know what was happening but I kept putting it off. I could stop it but I didnt. Im sure that they resent me. I have thought that this relationship couldnt be fixed within my reign. An emperor can never bow to their vassal. If I admit my wrong then it will only shake the authority of the throne. In other words, it will only make the Empire unstable.
However, now he gets the chance to right his wrong.
With the story being that it was not Al but the Northern Aristocrats who raised this big achievement, It has become easier for him to reward them and shut up the other nobles.
A letter addressed to Al by Duke Lowenstein had already been delivered to Johannes.
And Johannes did not pursue the truth behind it.
Forging such a letter is very easy but the fact that the northern aristocrats had been on the Emperors side since the beginning and made many meritorious deeds in the war was more convenient.
I shall declare it here. The role that the northern aristocrats played in this rebellion was truly remarkable. They have moved in conjunction with the Seventh Prince Arnold and made many outstanding achievements. I shall reward the northern aristocrats for their great deeds at a later date. They are our heroes. From here on, any insult directed to them will be equivalent to an insult toward me. Such a thing is unforgivable. Let it be known.
Declaring so, Johannes looks at the bag of the letter.
The text there was written crudely which was in contrast to the previous page.
That being said, that was just a front. I dont want to come back because you might get angry since I brought out the Imperial Flag without permission. I have done it for the country. If you find it in your heart to forgive me, please write me a letter and I will come back in no time.
That idiot son! I absolutely will not forgive him! If you are going to do something like that then tell me so from the start! Im going to teach him some manners after he comes back!!
After shouting so, Johannes angrily throws away the letter.
The Prime Minister picked it up and took a quick look at it.
Then.
It seems that His Highness will not be coming back for a while.
Argh!! This is so irritating! He just used the fact that his presence in the north is good for the country as a cover! He just doesnt want to get scolded when he comes back!
Well, all things considered, everything went according to the schedule, No?
..Theres no helping it.
Johanness expression looked like he just bit into a can of worms.
He stood up from the throne and declared to everyone present in the throne room.
With the cooperation of the northern aristocrats, the Seventh Prince Arnold has made a great achievement! As a reward for that achievement, he will be given the title of [The Warden of the North] and entrusted with its rule.
On behalf of my brother, I thank you.
Leo said.
Looking at him, Johannes sighs.
Once in a while, I think that its okay for you to force Arnold to come along with you, you know?
I cant beat Nii-san so
Seriously.you should rest for a while. The Kingdom front is in a stalemate. We will swap out the army soon. Once I recall Traugott, I will entrust you with the battle with the Kingdom.
As you command.
Another frontline.
Still, Leo wont complain.
Since it is a war with the Kingdom, he thought that he should settle it with his own hands.
Leonardthis war with the Kingdom. If it ends well.your wish will come true.
Thank you very much.
When he was about to depart to the north.
Leo had requested a private talk with Johannes.
He wanted his permission to marry Saint Leticia.
However, the situation at the time was just too bad.
Thats why Johannes didnt give a clear answer back then.
But it is different now.
The one they are at war with is the faction that wants to eliminate Leticia in the Kingdom. If he can defeat them, Leticia will return to being the symbol of the Kingdom.
If the Hero Prince of the Empire and the Saint of the Kingdom get married, perhaps a new path can be opened for both countries.
I shall give it my all to meet your expectations.
Dont be so stiff. You do not have to rush. Just do your best at your own pace.
After he gave Leo those parting words, Johannes left the throne room.