The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 389: Serious Talk

Chapter 389: Serious Talk

Alright, lets start the serious talk.

Night.

We completely cleared out the room before we started the talk and only me and the Brave are inside the room.

Is this not only about the Dwarves right?

Of course. His Majesty wouldnt send me here just for that. But naturally, the Dwarves case is important as well.

Then may I hear the reply regarding the Dwarves first?

Alright.

The Brave answered with a smile and sip his tea.

As usual, this person always does things at his own pace.

Regarding the Dwarves case, the Emperor mostly approved it.

Mostly?

From now on, the north has to accept immigrants from other countries.in other words, they have to accept not only the Dwarves settlement here.

You mean that Father intends to accept refugees from the Dominion?

It is not just the Dominion. The people of the Kingdom may wish to migrate here as well. And with the problem with the Dark Elves, we might have to accept Elven refugees too.

Is he planning to push all of that on the north?

Allowing such a settlement is unprecedented. If we set a precedent here, you have to continue doing it or there will be trouble later.

The amount of land the north has to provide is limited.

Apparently, His Majesty intends to let go of some Imperial Territory.

I was a little surprised.

The Imperial Territory is territories that are under the Emperors direct control located all over the Empire.

Usually, they are lands that have special characteristics such as mountains that gold and jewels can be mined from. Letting go of those territories means that he is fine with us giving those to the northern nobles.

So he intends for us to negotiate for their lands in exchange for compensations huh. If that is the case, the northern nobles should be more than happy to hand over their land.

The relationship between the center part of the Empire and the north had been deteriorating. That was the reason why the north is more isolated from the outside compared to the other regions. His Majesty wants to tackle that problem.

So the Emperor doesnt want to forcefully acquire the land from the northern nobles because he considered their feelings?

That is probably the case.

I think that the value of the Imperial Territory is much higher than any land the north has to offer though.

I can understand that the northern nobles will be upset if the Emperor forcefully takes their lands after they have raised great achievements in the previous war.

Thats why I understand his reason for wanting to give them some kind of compensation.

However, the value of that compensation is too high for the land in question.

His Majesty can reward them normally but he probably thinks that wont be enough.

So he is making amends?

That is probably right. And it also serves as an investment. If the Emperors interests are in the north, the north will prosper. The reconstruction should go smoothly as well.

That would be helpful butwhich northern noble is he going to offer it to?

He entrusts that choice to you. It seems that His Majesty will be leaving the matter regarding the handover of the Imperial Territory entirely to you.

So hes pushing it all to me.

His Majesty judged that rather than giving it to them personally, having it coming from you might make it easier for them to accept.

If thats the case then their opinion of Father will not improve.

I told him the same thing but His Majesty said that there is no need to worry about the reputation of the Emperor who will soon be replaced.

He plans to abdicate the throne without resolving the norths grudges against him huh.

So he wants to take it with him.

The ill will towards the Imperial Family in the north has diminished. However, the ill will toward the Emperor himself still remains.

He is wasting himself..

Can you really say that about someone else?

After answering me with a smile, the Brave stood up from the sofa.

He walks around the room.

He must be on the lookout for any prying eyes.

Sorry, I was told to not let anyone else know about this conversation you see.

I dont mind. If that is the case, should we change the place?

That would be unwise. Making a move that is too noticeable is counterproductive after all.

I think the fact that you personally came here is the most noticeable thing possible though?

Theres no problem about that. My official business here is to retrain Elna after all.

there were suspicious movements?

It is just a precaution. Well, lets get to the main topic.the Imperial Family is under attack. This succession war may have been in the palm of someone else.

The succession war this time is strange.

Two people have said that.

One is Sonias step-father, the genius strategist, and this Brave in front of me.

Both are people with keen eyes.

However, there was no clear evidence.

Still, I never thought that Father would conclude it as the Imperial Family being under attack before we found the evidence.

.have you found the evidence?

There is nothing concrete. However, in the view of His Majesty and Mitsuba-dono, they are doubting that the members of the Imperial Family may have been influenced through the consorts.

My mother also shares the same idea?

Rather than sharing the same opinion, Mitsuba-dono was the one who arrived at that answer. There was the last will of the Second Consort. She told the Emperor that he should not trust any consorts beside Mitsuba-dono.

since she does not interfere with her childrens education, she can be trusted. Is that the logic?

Thats right. The Second Consort deliberately concentrated the curses onto herself and died. Perhaps when she felt the changes in herself she made the decision to take her own life. She was the closest consort to His Majesty after all.

Certainly, both Gordon-aniue and Zandra-aneues education were heavily influenced by their mothers. So the theory is that they may have been influenced over time and their personality gradually changed?

It is possible. We dont have all the details yet. In the end, what we have is just a speculation based on the will of the Second Consort. Butconsidering the situation, it makes sense.

Rather than saying that this situation is normal, it is easier to think that someone is pulling the strings from the shadow.

However, if that speculation ends up being correct.

So the remaining concerns are Eric-aniue and Conrad-aniue?

That would be the case. Prince Conrad was not raised by the Fourth Consort but he was taken care of by the Third Consort instead.

I think that he has taken distance from her when he became an adult butsince he is now siding with Eric-aniue, we can expect that they have been in contact behind the scenes.

It is concerning enough when he killed his own mother after all. It is not official but Prince Conrad is currently under house arrest. It seems that His Majesty cant really reward a prince who killed his own mother.

Naturally. There were Imperial Knights nearby so he had no need to do it himself. If he is with Eric-aniue then all the more reason he shouldnt do that. There will always be doubts that he might stab Father in the back after all.

Thats right. Thats why your role has become much more important now, Al.

There is a reason he is telling me this.

If Eric is under some kind of curse then the ones in danger would be me and Leo.

However, there is no evidence.

Thats why he wants me to move.

So Father wants to lure the culprit out?

Yes. His Majesty wants you to act like you have noticed what is going onnot because His Majesty noticed it himself. When you invade the Dominion, His Majesty wants you to appeal for reinvestigation of the Crown Princes death.

So I am to act as a decoy?

That would be the case. Even if you refused

No, I will do it. But I have one condition.

Saying so, I drank the already chilled tea.

Making me a bait means that I have to move in a flashy way.

The thing I have to be most vigilant about would be an assassination.

The success for that is unlikely.

Moreover, the enemy cant aim at both me and Leo at the same time.

They will probably try to get rid of the troublesome one first. Thats why I must make myself an obstacle for them.

Interesting.

Lets hear it.

I will do it my way. If you can trust me until the end, I will accept.

..no problem. Among His Majestys children..you are the one that he trusts the most. Ever since the day when you entered that prison on your own.

Hearing him say that put a grin on my face.