The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 595: Emergency Council of Ministers

In the imperial capital, Vilt, an emergency council meeting was being held at the Imperial Sword Castle, the core of the empire. The key figures of the empire were gathered because the current state of the Imperial Navy was made known.

"Indeed, the position of marshal was too heavy a burden for Prince Arnold!"

"The loss to the navy is immeasurable!"

"There's also a report that Prince Leonard is having a hard time. Shouldn't we change the commander now?"

Despite leading an army of 150,000, Leo couldn't corner the enemy in the fortress, and Arnold lost many ships. Both were the targets of criticism. Johannes, who had been listening silently, glanced at Erik standing by his side.

"Erik, do you have anything to say?"

As the Minister of Military Affairs, Erik was in a position where he could express his opinion at any time. And those who criticized Leo and Arnold were all supporters of Erik. They proposed to change the commander because if there was a change, it would be Erik.

"I have nothing to say..."

"It doesn't look like the ministers are convinced. If you judge there's no problem as the Minister of Military Affairs, convince the ministers."

"Your Majesty! Do you think there's no problem!? The navy has suffered a major loss! And we haven't even faced the enemy yet!"

"So, what should we have done?"

"We should have minimized the damage...!"

"How would you minimize it?"

"We should have taken the detour. It's a well-known fact that the Lion's Jaw is a difficult route!"

"We wouldn't have made it in time on the detour. If we can't get the large fleet together in time, we'll be laughed at."

"Then we should have set sail earlier! All the authority was in Prince Arnold's hands! It's Prince Arnold's mistake!"

"The allied fleet has a large fleet, so it has a problem with supplies. If we set sail early, we could be left alone in the king's sea. I don't think I made a mistake in the timing of setting sail. Erik, what do you think?"

Johannes had been responding to the minister's remarks, but since the conversation was getting nowhere, he asked Erik for his opinion. Erik, without changing his expression, stated.

"There was no problem with the timing of the sortie."

"Then what was the problem?"

"The Lion's Jaw is a special place with unstable weather. It's not even clear why it's like that. The problem was that the Imperial Fleet plunged into such a place. If it were me, I would only send the fleets of the two duchies."

"Then, you would have to confront the Royal Fleet with only the two duchy fleets?"

"With the elite Albatross fleet, we can win. It reduces damage to our Imperial Navy and wears down the fleets of the two duchies. It would have been better to do that to maintain our power in the south."

"Indeed, Prince Erik! You have thought about the future! With that strategy, the Imperial Navy could achieve victory without harm! Even if the two duchy fleets lose, the unharmed Imperial Navy can annihilate the damaged Royal Fleet! It might take time, but it's the best strategy!"

Storms of praise.

Listening to this, Johannes sighed.

Then he said,

"Fools. If we did that, it would be perceived as using the two duchy fleets and discarding them. What would be the point of destroying the good relationship we've built? Have you forgotten the failures of the past? The war with the kingdom became a quagmire because we ignored the Albatross Duchy, considering it a small country. That's why we are improving our relationship with the Albatross Duchy this time. Erik's strategy may be beneficial... but it ignores people's emotions too much. That's why I can't leave the command of the battlefield to you. People are creatures who move by emotion. Besides, the strategy of pinching the fortress may collapse. I can't leave an important part to another country."

If they take the detour, they will arrive late. In that case, the task of dealing with the Royal Fleet and the role of pincer attacking the fortress would be left to the two duchy fleets. If any of the two duchies, or both, betray us, the Imperial Army will be in a desperate situation. This applies to both Leo's army and Arnold's army. In the end, there is no choice but to plunge in. Anyone can complain after causing damage.

"Do you have any complaints, Erik?"

"No, if the policy is to consider both duchies, there is no problem. The damage will... be compensated if we win."

"That's right. If we win, there's no problem."

"Your Majesty! If we're talking about feelings, what about the soldiers who lost their lives in the storm!? Many soldiers have died without even fighting the enemy...!"

"Leonard's army also suffered tens of thousands of casualties. By the time they reach the fortress, they'll be fighting the Royal Army. Whether they die fighting the Royal Army or die from the threat of nature, it's the same. If it's a sacrifice necessary to win, we have no choice but to accept it. Soldiers are also citizens of the empire. I don't want them to die. But it's arrogant to be dragged down by their deaths. If you don't want them to die, you shouldn't go to war. Are you going to lament that you didn't want them to die after ordering the soldiers to die? We are the ones who gave the orders. We have no right to mourn. There's only one way to repay them. Just prove that it wasn't in vain. The policy won't change. The situation on the ground will be left to Leonard and Arnold. This is... the decision of the Emperor. I won't allow any complaints."

Johannes silenced the ministers who were about to say something with a glare. The ministers looked at Erik with troubled faces, but Erik didn't say anything.

Erik had already expressed his opinion. He had fulfilled his role as the Minister of Military Affairs.

"Dismissed."

When Johannes commanded so, Erik and the ministers bowed and left the throne room.

Watching them leave, Johannes let out a deep sigh.

And then...

"Arnold, you've really done it this time..."

"The Lion's Jaw couldn't be breached without suffering some damage. However, this doesn't seem like Arnold. I thought he would try to minimize the damage as much as possible..."

"This time, he seems to be disregarding potential damages and focusing solely on victory. Besides... for better or worse, now all eyes are on Arnold. If he manages to win spectacularly from this point on... many people would likely reconsider their assessments of Arnold."

"The prince rarely gets serious. If he is seriously intent on winning, what would happen? He is showing that. The caution towards Prince Arnold will likely increase. However..."

"If he can win, that is. The Royal Fleet is not weak. Erik said that if the Albatro fleet is there, they won't lose, but that's if the enemy's scale is within expectations. They wouldn't be lazing around in the Lion's Jaw doing nothing. They're quite a troublesome opponent. It would be good if things go well..."

As Johannes muttered these words, new information arrived.

A surprise attack from the Royal Fleet, which had been lying in ambush, clashed with the allied fleet.

The message was that the allied fleet had sunk twenty royal ships in a short time without any losses and was heading towards the fortress.

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