Chapter 1

Good evening, good afternoon, good morning, everyone. It’s Tamba here.

For those meeting me for the first time, nice to meet you. For those who aren’t, it’s been a while.

This work is a bit different from the previous ones. The main focus is on the protagonist's covert activities in the imperial succession struggle, where the protagonist deceives both friends and foes. I haven’t written a protagonist like this before, so it’s been fun to write. (laughs)

So, even though it’s a rough draft, I’d be grateful if you could read it to the end.

The Ardasia Empire, which dominates the central part of the Vogel continent, is a powerful nation, counted among the continent's three great powers, symbolized by the golden eagle. Its capital, Vilt, was as prosperous as ever today.

In this capital, a big catch appeared at the Adventurers' Guild.

"Wow... it’s real..."

"Hey, and that horn is from a King Minotaur, right?"

"No way... It’s an AAA-rank rare monster... Did he take it down alone...?"

The whispers of astonishment were all that could be heard.

The focus of attention was a black-clad mage dragging a large horn. He had black hair and wore a long black robe, but his face was uniquely masked with a silver mask.

The receptionist, already accustomed to his appearance, responded without surprise.

"Thank you for your hard work, Silver. This is your reward."

SS-rank adventurer, Silver. The receptionist called out my temporary name as usual, smiling and handing over the reward.

A pile of gold coins, more than any of the adventurers present had ever seen, was placed on the counter.

It was only natural. The King Minotaur was a monster individually designated by the Adventurers' Guild, with a substantial bounty on its head.

Until recently, it hadn’t been in the imperial territory, but when an A-rank adventurer party failed to defeat it, it ended up fleeing into the empire.

That’s why I was the one who took it down.

"Thank you. I’m always causing trouble."

"No, we’re the ones who benefit. Having an SS-rank adventurer like Silver in our capital branch is a great honor!"

The brown-haired receptionist smiled.

Seeing this, I chuckled and left a few gold coins before heading towards the guild’s entrance.

"Um... Silver? What’s this?"

"It’s for everyone here. Have a drink. Just, if there’s another high-difficulty quest, I’d like to be given priority."

"Ah, yes! Understood!"

The receptionist happily clutched the gold coins. The adventurers inside the guild started celebrating even more joyfully.

I only take high-difficulty quests. So, the guild gives me priority for such quests. However, there are adventurers who don’t like this. It’s important to let off some steam.

I’m not in a position to move freely, after all.

With that in mind, I quickly left the guild and headed to my usual inn.

There, I took off the silver mask and black robe, changing into upper-class attire. I’m quite careful about this.

"If it were to get out that a prince is working as an adventurer, it would be a big problem."

"If you are aware, then please be more careful, Prince Arnolt."

The one who silently appeared and called my name was Sebastian, the butler who has served my family since my mother’s time. He’s an elderly man with golden hair, over sixty years old, but his back is straight, and he wears his butler’s uniform impeccably.

As evident from his silent appearance, he’s a formidable old man whose skills haven’t diminished.

And as this butler said, my name is Arnolt Reks Ardla, the seventh prince of this empire.

"I’ve told you many times not to appear silently, Sebastian."

"It’s a habit, please forgive me."

"And I don’t want to hear lectures. What the 'worn-out prince' does is his own business, right?"

I have a twin brother.

He’s brave, intelligent, and has a good personality. He’s a genius who reaches the top in whatever he does.

Despite having the same face, he’s praised for his elegance and grace, while I’m criticized for lacking vigor and strength. He has a constant stream of marriage proposals, which is frustrating, even to me as his brother.

On the other hand, I’m the incompetent, apathetic, and hopeless prince. I’ve always been a playboy, and many of my tutors have given up on me. My reputation spread throughout the capital and the empire, earning me the nickname 'worn-out prince,' who has had all his good qualities drained by his brother. I’m looked down upon and gossiped about by everyone in the castle.

I’m a prince who is expected by no one, a bottom-dweller among the royal family. That’s me as a prince.

"You shouldn’t take the words of such small-minded people to heart. They don’t know your true strength."

"I don’t care. I just get treated this way. There’s no reason to talk about my duties as a prince."

While it might be a cowardly excuse to say I act this way, it’s thanks to this that I can live freely.

However,

"I understand your reasoning, but the situation has changed. Please return to the castle immediately."

"…What happened?"

"General Dominic has passed away."

"That old general?"

He was the honorary general of the capital’s defense force. Though retired, he had no particularly outstanding military record but had survived over fifty years on the front lines.

Due to his contributions, he was appointed as the honorary general of the capital’s defense force and held a position similar to an advisor.

He was old and had a heart condition, but it wasn’t a condition that would cause sudden death.

The word 'assassination' flashed through my mind.

"One of those 'three'...?"

"The details are unclear, but the culprit won’t be found."

He’s a blunt speaker who easily makes enemies, but if it’s an assassination, the cause is clear.

Recently, General Dominic had gotten involved in the imperial succession struggle. He had always criticized the princes and princesses but had started to favor one prince.

Those who saw this as a threat, the leading contenders in the imperial succession, likely had him assassinated.

After all, he was just an honorary general. The empire won’t suffer any real damage. His death will be treated as natural.

The only one who will be hurt is the prince who lost an ally.

That prince is the eighth prince, Leonard Reks Ardla, my twin brother.

"Leo naturally attracts allies... He probably didn’t intend to create a faction to become emperor, but..."

"The problem is that he was seen as a faction. Now, Prince Leonard is recognized as an 'enemy' by those vying for the throne."

Sighing at Sebastian’s words, I realized the situation.

Among the imperial succession contenders, the three most powerful are the second prince, second princess, and third prince.

Each of these three has their own faction, and the likelihood of one of them becoming emperor is extremely high.

The other succession contenders have two paths: join a faction or at least remain neutral, or oppose them and aim for the throne.

If they choose the latter and lose, the three’s personalities mean they’ll likely be exiled at best, executed at worst. The punishment will extend to those involved, including our mother and me in Leo’s case.

Leo has inadvertently chosen the latter path.

It’s too late to join a faction or declare neutrality. There’s no other choice.

"Leo has to become emperor, then..."

"Is there no path for you to become emperor...?"

"Me, emperor? That’s not my style. I’ve always passed the difficult tasks to my brother. I’ll do the same this time."

I wanted to live a carefree adventurer’s life, but this path leads straight to execution.

It’s a hassle, but there’s no other choice.

I’ll work behind the scenes for my brother.

■■■

Returning to the sword-like castle in the center of the capital, the Imperial Sword Castle, I headed straight for Leonard’s room.

However, I ran into several ministers and nobles along the way.

"Prince Arnolt, you look well today."

"Thanks to you."

"Yes, Prince Arnolt always seems so carefree and enviable. In contrast, Prince Leonard is said to be diligently practicing various skills every day."

"He’s better than me."

"Absolutely! Following in the footsteps of the three elder siblings, he’s also planning to join the imperial succession struggle. Prince Arnolt can’t afford to fall behind."

"Comparing Prince Leonard to you is unfair! The twins may look the same, but there’s a difference in talent!"

"Oh! You’re right, you’re right. My apologies."

"Don’t worry. It’s all true."

With that, I passed by them.

They bowed respectfully, but they all looked down on me. Their polite tones and words come from knowing I won’t report to the emperor, and even if I did, I wouldn’t be listened to.

Among the royal family, only I am not treated as a prince. While provincial nobles might be different, the nobles and ministers in the capital thoroughly look down on me.

Well, it’s because I act this way.

I think it’s fine to keep acting this way. Because no one pays attention to me, I can act as Silver and do what I want.

If I want to do what I like as a prince, I have to be in this position.

With that in mind, I reached Leo’s room.

"I’m coming in."

"Brother..."

I entered the room without knocking to find Leo sitting in a chair, his head hanging low. He’s eighteen, the same age as me, but he often looks older due to his maturity.

We look exactly the same, but while Leo keeps his hair neatly styled, mine is messy. He dresses neatly, while I’m more casual. His posture is straight, while mine is slouched. We’re rarely mistaken for each other anymore.

Leo’s face was exhausted.

Seeing his identical face so downcast brings my mood down too.

"I heard about the old man’s death."

"Yeah..."

"They say it was probably an assassination?"

"…Most likely."

He’s not naive enough to think his siblings or cousins would refrain from assassination.

Given the circumstances, assassination is the most likely scenario.

"What are you going to do?"

"…I don’t want to fight within the family."

"I expected that."

Leo had no intention of vying for the throne.

It was just that those around him, drawn to his character, had that intention. The foremost among them was Dominic.

Leo himself was against fighting within the family.

However, with his talents and character, he had become the fourth faction, following the second prince, second princess, and third prince.

That’s why those who incited him were assassinated.

However, this doesn’t mean Leo will be safe. No matter who becomes emperor, his future is bleak.

"You’re already seen as an enemy. If you don’t join the succession struggle, death is the only outcome. And that includes me and Mother."

"…I know… I’m sorry."

"Don’t apologize. Instead, decide on a plan."

"…I have no choice but to join the succession struggle."

Leo’s expression was one of bitter resolve.

If it were just him, he might have backed down even at the risk of his life. But the possibility of harm to those around him forced him to aim for the throne.

That’s why everyone wants to help him and push him to become emperor.

To me, he seems too kind to be an emperor, but there’s no point in saying that now.

Given the situation, he must become emperor.

"I’ll help as much as I can. You need to gather allies and build a faction. The bigger you get, the harder it will be for them to act against you."

"…What about you, brother?"

"I’ll look for allies too. But don’t expect too much. The powerful ministers and nobles are mostly aligned with the top three."

"Understood… Thank you, brother. I think you’d make a better emperor than me…"

"Stop it. If you become emperor, I can’t just play around. I have a life plan of marrying a beautiful wife and living a carefree life. I’ll make sure you become emperor for that!"

I patted Leo’s shoulder as I said this.

His body was trembling slightly.

Well, it’s understandable. Even to the capable Leo, the top three are like monsters.

Any of them becoming emperor would ensure the empire’s stability, and their factions are powerful.

But no matter how powerful, they’re not invincible. The fact that they’re fighting each other gives Leo a chance.

"Let’s start by gathering allies and getting Father’s recognition."

"Right. Ultimately, Father will decide the successor."

"Well, how do we get the emperor to recognize us?"

And so, our twin’s imperial succession struggle began.