The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 106: The Knight Commander

The letter has reached Fathers hand and he already placed both Zandra and the Fifth Consort under house arrest. It seems that they denied any involvement though.

I explained the situation to Elna on the carriage as we are on our way to the Narbe Ritter Garrison.

Elna doesnt have a good history with Zandra and the Fifth Consort so I thought that it might be refreshing for her but theres not much reaction from her at all.

Yeah. they would certainly say that.

You seem indifferent to the news though?

I dont care about them. It just.when their brother and uncle are under suspicion from His Majesty, the first thing they do is to deny any involvement? I think that is very much like what they would do. I am convinced of that but I still cant understand them.

Do they even have the concept of family?

Surely, those twos concept of a family is different from ours. I cant understand them either.

The South is Zandras important support base. If it is lost, Zandra will definitely drop out of the succession war. Thats why Father immediately put her under house arrest. It would be troublesome if Zandra suddenly claimed the throne using the Southern rebellion as a chance after all.

It seems His Majesty also has it tough huh. He has to continue keeping tabs on the succession war while running the Empire after all.

Thats just how a succession war is. Its not something thats easy to handle in the first place.

.recently, Otou-sama, said something strange.

Elna mutters while looking out from the window of the carriage.

Its rare for Elna to talk about the Brave. He is someone who is always traveling around. There are only a few opportunities for them to meet in the first place.

What did the Brave say?

He said that the succession war this time is strange.

Strange?

To be specific, what he meant was the recent development. From my fathers perspective, it looks like that it has gone too far this time.

Gone too far?

What does he mean?

Elna doesnt seem to fully understand either.

She tilts her head while answering my question.

He said that Her Highness Zandra and His Highness Gordon have changed a lot.

They kept it hidden until now but isnt it just because their true nature finally emerged?

I told him that as well but Otou-sama said that he wasnt convinced. Even if it was their true nature, he said that both of them should be capable enough to suppress it.

The Brave have known them ever since they were children after all. Maybe he just finds it hard to believe what they are truly capable of?

Its a common story. Its understandable to be in disbelief when you see a good child changed into a bad person.

Still, I think that the Brave may have understood something like that more than I do.

If he said it like that then there must be something that aroused his suspicion.

I think so toobut he said that recently, they began to stop caring about the benefit of the Empire. Im certain that every candidate never did something like that up until now. It would be a disaster if you inherit a ruined empire after all.

Thats right. If you put it like that then it is certainly strange.

We can settle it with that they have been affected by the poisonous nature of the succession war but

Lets ask Gramps next time.

He is the person who has witnessed the most succession wars among us. He may be able to grasp something. Well, I dont know whether he will give me a serious answer though.

Lets leave it at that for the time being. We cant afford to think about their changes right now.

Thats true..they are already watching us.

Saying so, Elnas gaze turned sharp.

We are currently traveling on a straight path in the woods.

So they already started observing us from the forest huh. Quite thorough of them.

Do you think I can convince them?

Have some confidence. It will be fine since its you, Al.

Even if you say thatthey are the former knights of justice you know?

Thats exactly why it will be fine. Im here with you too. If push comes to shove then I will just beat them all up.

That will break down the negotiation and there wont be any meaning that I come here right.

While sighing at Elnas words, the carriage stopped.

It seems we have arrived.

The one single Knight Order in the Imperial Army.

The Narbe Ritter Garrison.

-

It is a garrison that gives off the feeling of a military base.

I step foot inside.

They should already have been notified of our arrival right..

It seems that the notification may not reach them yet.

The Narbe Ritter inside the garrison only observes us from a distance without approaching us. They dont seem like they have any intention to come to talk to us either.

It is truly uncomfortable to be stared at by such a large number of soldiers. 

This feels bad.

Lets go.

They still havent sent out a guide yet you know?

They probably dont have one in the first place.

If you want to look, look, if you want to find someone then do it by yourself.

Getting such an impression from them, I begin walking into the garrison.

The facilities are quite good. Since they are a special unit created by the Emperor, they must have received a lot of budgets.

When I was thinking about that, I heard a voice from behind.

Look, its that rumored prince.

Is he here on a social call or something?

So he cant even do a social call without someone from the Brave house as an escort huh. Pathetic.

Two soldiers pointed at me and grinned.

At that moment, I immediately grab Elnas arm.

Elnas right hand had already touched the handle of her sword.

Let go.

I dont mind so calm down.

I do mind.just let go already.

If you really want to you can just pull it off right?

Hearing that, Elna releases her hand from her sword with an expression that is a mix of sadness and anger.

If she pulls her sword out here it causes an uproar and we can forget about negotiation.

But they are quite something. They can stay calm while looking at the angry Elna after all. They should have known how strong she is but their courage to stay calm in the face of that is really impressive.

As expected of the former knights who have corrected the wrongdoings of their lords huh.

Whats wrong? Your Highness? Are you fine without being protected by that young lady from the Brave house?

My knight has been rude. She is a real knight after all. Its normal for her to get angry when her master got ridiculed. Shes different from someone who doesnt have any sense of loyalty dont you think.

When I provoked them in a loud voice, the atmosphere in the garrison completely changed.

It has been only lighthearted ridicule before but now the whole place grew tense.

No matter how I think about it, the words I said were a step too far. Well, the one who started all this was the other side though.

What are you trying to do by provoking us?

Its fine, isnt it. You have been the one trying to test me earlier after all.

Why did you stop me in the first place then.

The one they were testing was me right.

While I was saying that, the soldiers kept gathering around us.

They are all robust men. Being as well trained as they are, they can probably kill me without using any magic or weapons.

What? Are you angry now?

I will have you take it back. Your Highness.

That thing about loyalty? The Scarred Knights that scarred the family crest of their lords. Dont you think that description is quite fitting for you guys?

The soldiers who couldnt stand such ridicule close the distance.

I was completely surrounded. The fact that they are able to have such an attitude toward a royalty like me clearly shows each of their strengths of will.

They will never lower their heads for someone they do not recognize. Thats the kind of will they have.

Quite an interesting bunch huh.

Your Highness.this our last piece of advice. Retract your words.

If you want me to retract it then show me something else with your action. You guys are the ones who started it first. Dont tell me the glorious Narbe Ritters dont even have the resolve to be hit back when they nonchalantly started ridiculing others?

I can hear the sound of them gritting their teeth.

When a young knight took a step in front, a voice came toward us.

The Knight Commander is here! Make way!

The moment they heard that all the soldiers stepped aside and immediately stood upright.

Thats quite a big change.

However, it seems that the Knight Commander has complete control of them huh.

The soldiers who were full of vigor until now turned nervous.

Then, a man walks toward us using the path opened by the soldiers.

He is probably in his mid-thirties I guess. He is a man full of adults charms. His face was so beautiful like a stone statue crafted by an artist.

The man looks at me with a fearless smile on his face.

His smile was as if he just found something interesting.

I didnt stop them because I thought that you were just a prince that visited us on a whim so I was thinking about having my subordinates chase you off. Forgive me.

Saying so, the man salutes.

Following him, all the soldiers also saluted me.

I am Colonel Lars Weigl, Commander of the Narbe Ritter. Please forgive my subordinates for their rudeness, Your Highness Arnold.

No, it was quite an interesting performance, Colonel. If Elna wasnt with me I would have run away already.

Please, you are joking. I can spot a coward with a glance, Your Highness. Please, this way. Wed love to hear what you want to say.

Thus I met the leader of the Scarred Knights.