The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 230: Fool

Its been an hour since the tournament started.

As she looked at the arena, Orihime noticed that the spectators were acting strangely.

Mu?

The spectators in the arena look like they are getting sick.

And it is not just one or two people.

Seeing peoples complexion turned pale one after another, Orihime frowned.

Your Majesty.

What is it? Celestial Princess-dono?

Do you feel something strange?

Hou? What a coincidence. So Celestial Princess-dono also feels that something is off too huh.

At best it is only a feeling that something is off.

Since the event is being held at midday, it is normal for a few people to get sick.

That is a normal thought process.

Even so, both Orihime and Johannes noticed that there is something strange going on.

Bring all the VIPs here. If something happens I will protect them all with my barrier.

I am grateful. Franz, do you agree with this plan?

There is no problem. I will immediately arrange it.

It would be rude if we just call them here. Empress, go invite them.

As you wish.

Saying so, Franz and Brunhild leave the room.

When she saw Johannes ask for approval from the Prime Minister, the expression of suspicion floated on Orihimes face.

After all, it is strange for an emperor to ask permission from his subordinate.

Why does Your Majesty need approval from the Prime Minister?

I cant afford to interfere with the Prime Ministers plan you see. I have left almost everything to the Prime Minister this time after all.

..so even if there is a rebellion Your Majesty will not move?

Johanness eyes slightly widen at Orihimes words. He then showed her a bitter smile.

Did you hear that rumor from Arnold?

That is no rumor. I know it will happen. Theres a bad smell lingering in this city. Something will definitely happen, you know?

It is not a certainty yet.

So you will not move without a confirmation huh? I thought that Your Majesty is better than this but was that only my misunderstanding?

Johannes let out a small sigh at Orihimes words.

He then turned to look directly at Orihime.

I do not mind how you think of me. I will never doubt my son without proof. My son is not so foolish to cause such great damage to the Empire.

People will lose their lives because you are being emotional you know?

I am not being emotional. There simply is no proof. What if I make a mistake? If the Emperor apprehends one of the candidates for the throne without proper evidence during the succession war, the succession war itself will go to waste. Gordon has much control over the military. They will surely take decisive action to clear his name. If that is the case, we will end up with a civil war.

If he moves, there will definitely be a civil war. That is Johanness position.

It doesnt matter if Gordon is actually plotting a rebellion or not.

If Gordon is punished, those under him will not sit still without proper evidence. They might take action even without Gordon and perhaps some will hold the Emperor forever in contempt.

The succession war is there to decide the next emperor. If the current emperor were to forcefully interfere, he will have to deal with the rebellion from all sides.

Its not so simple to just end the matter with Gordons head.

Then what are you planning to do?

Nothing. Personally at least.

That was Johanness answer.

If the Emperor couldnt move, all he had to do was just let his subordinates handle it.

Thats why Johannes left everything to the Prime Minister.

There should be a limit to what the Prime Minister can do. Since it is difficult for Your Majesty to intervene personally, the Prime Minister shouldnt be able to take direct action either. The only thing he can do would be to prepare for whats coming.

Exactly. All we can do is prepare ourselves. If he can break through everything and take the Empire into his hands then thats fine. That is one way to win after all.

There were indeed a small number of candidates who tried to take control of the succession war through brute force before.

However, none of them succeeded.

You need the Emperors permission to mobilize the army. It would be considered treason if you do so without permission. Not to mention that not only the other candidates but you will also be turning the present emperor into your enemy as well.

Thats why the succession war mostly consisted of secret maneuvers and working behind the scenes.

After all, all the candidates are well aware that it is foolish to turn the Emperor into their enemy head-on.

So causing a rebellion to win the throne is also a way to win?

The essence of the succession war is to give birth to a strong emperor. If a strong emperor is born from the result, the process can be ignored.

Saying so, Johannes leaned back on his chair.

To Orihime, his face looked terribly aged.

Even though he said that, his true feelings must be different. So Orihime thought.

if my firstborn is still alive, I wouldnt have to be worried like this though.

The deceased Crown Prince huh. I heard that you didnt allow the succession war at first but why did you only do that for the Crown Prince

Because everyone acknowledged him. It was obvious that he would win and there was no one who wanted to compete with him either, thats why there was no need for the succession war. Everyone was looking forward to seeing their ideal emperor. He was to be the one who ended this long history of the succession war. That was how it was supposed to be

If everyone is satisfied, there is no need for conflict.

If everyone recognizes that he will become a strong emperor from the start, there is no need to compete.

Thats why the Crown Prince was supposed to be the first emperor to take the throne without going through the succession war.

It was supposed to be the end of the tradition.

No one doubted that he would accomplish many great things in his reign.

Johannes was sure that he could come up with an alternate method to choose his successor.

My ideal successor is no more. Thats why this succession war was brought back. I tolerated it because I thought that for anyone beside him, the struggle of the succession war would be necessary. But, sometimes I still wonder if that was indeed a correct decision.

You seem timid, Your Majesty. Is that how the Emperor of the Empire is like.

An emperor also has moments where he can be timid. I had expectations for my children. I thought that using this succession war, my children could grow stronger. However.even since the succession war began I cant see them grow at all. On the contrary, I can see them growing more foolish. Even so, I want to believe that none of my children would be so foolish to shake the Empire for their own gain.

It was something like a wish.

However, that wish does not come true.

When the Empress and the Prime Minister returned with the VIPs.

Orihime felt a swirl of huge magic power.

That swirl of magic came from underneath the arena.

What!?

Its a curse.

Orihime promptly erected a barrier that covered the entire room and identified the magic that was activated under the arena.

A huge barrier of hex magic.

It was prepared underneath the arena and is now spewing curse into it.

The sick people they saw were the ones who were affected by its effect before its activation.

Inside the arena, people started to cough.

Not only the spectators but also the contestants, soldiers, and knights who were participating in the tournament as well.

It is not a curse that will instantly kill you but it can easily render you to a state where you cant fight.

To think they would be able to activate something like this on such a scale.they must have prepared it for a long time huh?

Muttering so, Orihime turned her eyes to Johannes.

It is a weakening curse. They must have covered the entire arena with it. You will be fine as long as you are within my barrier but if thats the case then we cant put up a proper fight.

That seems to be the case.

Saying so, Johannes turned toward the Prime Minister.

If the curse is only affecting people in the arena then all they have to do is get outside but if the opponent planned to utilize such a thing, they shouldnt make it easy for them to escape.

I see. I was wondering what Grimoire was doing underground but it seems that they were preparing this.

Its too late to reflect on it now. You do have an appropriate countermeasure right?

Of course, Your Majesty. However, allow me to apologize first. I have completely overstepped my authority, please forgive me.

While getting a bad feeling from his Prime Minister who lowered his head to him, Johannes gives him a nod.

Since he has left everything to him, he has no intention to complain no matter what he did.

Then, accepting the Prime Ministers proposal, Orihime and the Emperor along with the VIPs tried to leave the arena.

However

I have been waiting. Father.

At the exit, Gordon was waiting for them, fully equipped.

Behind him are soldiers armed to the teeth.

They have surrounded the arena from all sides.

Seeing that, Orihime whispered in a small voice.

So there really is a fool here.

It seems so. I never thought that my son would be so deplorable.

It is your fault, Father. You should have made me the Crown Prince from the start.

It is your own fault for not showing me the caliber that would suit such a position, Gordon.

Saying so, Johannes slowly pulled out the sword that he had hanging from his waist.

My foolish son. At least take this as a mercy from your father. Give me your head now. If you do that, I will at least bury you as a prince.

You must have gone senile, Father. Do you not understand your current situation? I have many generals supporting me! The army is now under my control! Right now, there is an overwhelming difference between our power! You have no chance of winning!!

Saying so, Gordon pulled out his sword and raised it high.