The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 598: Bluffing

The intensifying rain severely dampened the morale of both armies.

The soldiers were exhausted from the prolonged battle.

Yet they could still continue to fight because their supreme commanders were still battling each other.

However,

"Ugh...!"

"Kuh...!"

Twisting their faces in pain, Leo and Ansem swung their swords.

Leo was nearing his physical limit, and Ansem was slowly losing sensation in his body.

The soldiers were tired, and the rain was getting more intense. It could even be called foolish to continue fighting in these conditions.

Yet Ansem would not retreat. Therefore, Leo would not retreat either.

But, Leo didn't retreat because if he showed any weakness, he would be overwhelmed.

Ansem did not retreat because he had no way out.

If he retreated now, he would no longer be able to fight.

Knowing this, he couldn't choose to retreat.

"Haahhhhh!!"

In Leo's mind, there was the idea of retreating.

Of course, there was a thought that he should retreat.

However, as long as Ansem did not retreat, he could not retreat either.

Still, such half-hearted determination wasn't enough to stop Ansem now. Ansem was risking his life.

The vigorously swung down sword knocked Leo away.

His feet got caught in the mud and he couldn't brace himself.

As he crawled, Leo quickly readjusted his posture, expecting Ansem's pursuit.

But, Ansem's pursuit didn't come.

Ansem just stood there.

"...Is it...time already..."

Ansem muttered, clutching his chest.

Pain was running through his body, which was slowly losing sensation. The most severe pain was in his heart.

It was a severe pain that made it difficult even to stand.

Still, Ansem smiled.

He showed a smile.

"I pushed myself a bit too much. Let's continue this another time."

If his condition was perceived, his entire army would be destroyed.

So, Ansem showed as much composure as possible and turned his back on Leo.

And then.

"All forces retreat!"

Both armies were completely exhausted.

The Imperial Army would not pursue them at this point.

Neither would Leo attack from behind.

The order to retreat was made with full understanding of everything.

The order was given while Leo was off balance, so the Kingdom’s Army, which felt like they ended with an advantage, retreated with cheers.

Watching that, Leo quietly stated.

"Our army will also retreat."

If Ansem retreats, so should they.

Although the other side seemed to have an advantage while retreating, such a difference in morale was minuscule.

Above all, Leo understood that it was crucial to let the tired soldiers rest.

■■■

"Please forgive me... Your Highness..."

At the Kingdom's main camp, Lizette comes to Ansem who has somehow managed to return to his tent despite being tormented by severe pain. Her body is covered in wounds, particularly a severe one on her left shoulder, rendering it nearly immobile. Yet, even so...

"You're a mess... But still, to have faced Theodore and to still have kept your head... I suppose that's commendable..."

"Almost all of my troops have been decimated... And we failed to kill Theodore..."

"You stopped the enemy's surprise attack... You and your men fulfilled your duty... Don't fret."

Gasping for air, Ansem reassures Lizette. But that was his limit. Reaching the bed, he collapses onto it, incapable of standing any longer.

"Your Highness...!!"

"Don't cry... I'm not going to die... Rest assured..."

"Yes... I believe in you...! I'll take on the trouble... So order a full retreat to the nearest city... Just... buy me time until I wake up..."

"I swear on my life, I'll make it so!"

"Stop talking nonsense... I forbid you to die until I wake up... Understand? I have not... given up on victory yet... Got it?"

"Understood."

Satisfied with Lizette's response, Ansem closes his eyes. The intense pain makes it impossible for him to stay conscious. He sinks into darkness. Later that night, the Kingdom's army began its retreat.

■■■

"Please forgive me, Your Highness."

"It can't be helped. It's my fault for not anticipating the enemy's move."

At the Empire's main camp, Leo is accepting Theodore's apology. Theodore is unscathed but doesn't feel any pride in that.

"But if I had broken through..."

"The enemy has the heart of a lion. Considering you were outnumbered and didn't get killed, that's quite an accomplishment."

"Thank you..."

Due to Theodore's exceptional defense, he didn't fall. That much is true. However, his mission was to break through the enemy's main camp, and his failure to do so was his fault. The Second Guard's surprise attack and the lion-hearted opponents inflicted damages on both sides, leading to a retreat. The Guards could fight evenly only because Theodore was there, but facing the enemy's desperate onslaught, Theodore was fully occupied with defense, leaving him feeling nothing but humiliation.

"Please, give me another chance. Next time I will surely succeed!"

"Of course, I'll leave it to you again, Theodore. But first, the entire army needs to rest. Even from the reports coming in, the damages are substantial. Morale is down, and we won't be ready to fight for a while."

"Please rest, Your Highness. Leave the guard duty to me."

"Thank you, I'm counting on you. The Kingdom's army is probably in a similar state, so I doubt they'll attack... but with an unpredictable enemy, don't let your guard down, okay?"

"Yes, sir!"

With that, Leo lays down. He had been holding on with sheer willpower, but his physical strength was now at its limit. Commanding the battle while dueling with Ansem was more mentally draining than he had imagined. Though initially outmatched, in the end, it was a fair fight. He resolves to win the next one as he drifts off to sleep. Therefore, when he awakes to the news of the Kingdom's army's retreat, he is nothing but surprised.

TL's Notes:

Last double chapter of this week guys! We are back to normal releases starting next week...

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