The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 683: Warmth

"We've located Miss Fine's group!"

"Move in closer! She's only being deceived! Do not harm her under any circumstances!"

Only being deceived.

What a clever way to put it.

Saying it like that avoids making the popular Fine seem like a villain. Currently, about two hundred knights were pursuing Fine's group. They were knights acting on orders from the Imperial Capital and have been chasing Fine and co. with forced marches.

"Everyone, draw your swords! Cut down the demihuman guards! Only protect Miss Fine! She is the Blau Mowe, a treasure of the Empire! Do not let her fall into the hands of the Chancellor's faction!"

Seemingly deceived by the wicked Chancellor. They thought they were the righteous ones for retrieving her and awakening her from her delusion.

They probably genuinely believed that.

"Stand down."

I stepped in between Fine's group and the knights as I spoke. The leader of the knights widened his eyes when he saw me.

"Silver!? What is the meaning of this? This is an Imperial mission! Why is an adventurer like yourself interfering?"

SS-ranked adventurers always need to consider the implications of their involvement due to their overwhelming power.

Since they're a game-changer, after all.

But that's only during peaceful times.

"I don't care. Leave now."

I gave a curt order to the leader and released a clear killing intent. The leader flinched but tried to keep his composure.

"You think that you can scare us off with threats? Silver, you're an Imperial hero so you wouldn't seriously oppose us. We're acting on Prince Wilhelm's orders on the other hand! Everyone, prepare to charge!"

I wondered what gave him such confidence. Some of the knights looked uneasy as they were clearly aware of the danger I posed to them. Yet, they prepared to charge at the leader's command.

I then drew a line in front of the knights.

"If any of you cross this line, I'll consider it an attack on me."

"Don't falter! He's just an adventurer! He wouldn't dare make an enemy of the Empire!"

"...What a hassle."

I muttered while staring at the leader.

Then,

"I'm not in a good mood... So if you're not ready to risk your life, leave now."

I released an even more intense killing intent. The leader quickly foamed at the mouth and collapsed.

He must have seen a vision of his own death. Soon the deputy leader quickly organized their retreat after realizing that I was serious.

"And tell the master of the capital this: I will visit him soon."

By the master of the capital, I meant Wilhelm.

The knights hurriedly departed. Watching them leave, I let out a slow sigh.

"Thank goodness you're safe, Miss Fine. Now I need to quickly know what happened in the capital."

As Silver, I addressed Fine, who was being protected by the demihuman association.

________

"The consort palace burned down...?"

Having moved to a nearby town, I listened to Fine and Sebas as they recounted the events that happened in the capital, feeling stunned by what I heard. This was no time for a joyous reunion. When I asked the reason for Fine's somber expression, this was the response.

"Yes... I've been told that Her Majesty the Empress and Lady Therese stayed in their rooms until the end..."

Fine spoke while holding back tears.

The news I dreaded hearing continued.

"There's also a report that the Chancellor's whereabouts are unknown. Given the circumstances... he was either captured or assassinated."

After hearing Sebas's report, I leaned back in my chair.

My mind was a whirlwind of confusion, and I couldn't find the words. The Empress, the Chancellor, and Therese-nee san... all dead?

I had steeled myself for the worst but this was still the worst-case scenario that could happen. The enemy was Wilhelm. Even if he was an imposter, normally he wouldn't kill his own mother and wife but it happened. Even if the Empress set the fire herself, Wilhelm was the one who cornered her into doing it.

"Mother, Krista, and Rupert...?"

"Princess Krista fled to the south and Prince Rupert to the north. Lady Mitsuba went east to persuade Lady Liselotte."

"As expected of the Chancellor... He made sure that anyone who could be used as a hostage against Leo managed to escape."

"I believe... that the Chancellor may have known you were also alive, Al-sama. Prioritizing their escape was likely for your sake as well."

"..."

The Chancellor had always been the Chancellor since I was a child. He was always supporting the country by my father's side as it was a given that he would be doing so here as well.

"I've caused nothing but trouble for him... I actually planned to apologize to him once the battle for the throne was over."

As Sebas silently left the room, Fine approached me and started to hold my hand gently.

"...You can't cry because you can't afford to, right?"

"I'm deeply saddened... but I can't cry. I feel like I can't afford to cry right now."

There was no time to grieve as the situation was dire.

I couldn't let the shock paralyze me and I needed to pull myself together and plan the next move. But even knowing that, my mind wouldn't work and my body wouldn't move. I truly felt lost. Next to me, Fine quietly wept.

"You must be... grieving too."

"I cried when I fled the capital. I was close to Lady Therese and I respected Her Majesty the Empress and the Chancellor. So I cried. This is for you, Al-sama, who can't cry."

Fine spoke softly through her tears. Hearing this, I squeezed her hand in return.

"If you can't cry, it's okay. I'll cry for you. Not being able to cry doesn't mean your feelings for those who died are less. They surely know that you're grieving for them, Al-sama."

"Why is it that, even though I fought to protect, the everyday things that I wanted to protect are falling apart... How long will this continue? After it's all over... will the people I want to protect still be there?"

All the people close to me were dying. The capital was occupied, and the Imperial Castle was in enemy hands. Even if we win here, would the everyday scenes I longed for still be there? Once that doubt took root, it wouldn't leave my mind.

"I don't know... I really don't. But... one thing I know for sure... is that I'm here. I can't fight by your side, but I'll be here waiting for you to return. Even if everything else is destroyed... I'll still be here for you." TL: Finally some romance

"..."

I felt the warmth of a living person's touch. It wouldn't resolve everything, but it gave me the strength to move forward.

It reminded me that I wasn't alone.

People strive hard to avoid losing what they have. If you focus only on what you've lost, you'll lose even what's currently in your hands.

"You still have Leo-sama, Elna-sama, Lady Mitsuba, Princess Krista, and Prince Rupert. I'm sure His Majesty the Emperor is alive too. Your family, the everyday life that you wanted to protect, still exists. The fear of losing it is natural... but I believe that protecting those that you care about is what makes you strong."

Fine then gently embraced me while comforting me like a baby, and stroked my head.

"It's going to be okay... It will be okay."

"Thank you."

I whispered my gratitude and put my hand on Fine's back.

"I'm glad that you're still alive."

"And I'm glad you're safe, Al-sama."

Fine stood up to make tea, but I held her back.

"Sorry... but let me stay like this a little longer... This time really hit me hard..."

"...Okay."

As usual, Fine gave me a gentle smile and stayed by my side.

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