I saw the moment when the points reached exactly 30,000. I felt like I had gained something (*ยด่ธ๏ฝ).
Three days after the incident.
I was the last among the emperor's children to arrive in the city of Kiell. Although the other children didn't make it in time for the defense, they had been riding with the knights non-stop and were almost all present by nightfall.
"They'll make fun of me again."
"Just let them. Just let them."
While having such a conversation with Sebastian in the carriage, I got off in front of the mansion.
To my surprise, there were people there to greet me.
"Big brother...!"
"Whoa, Christa. What's wrong?"
"I was scared..."
Christa, who always carries a rabbit plushie, came running up and hugged me.
After patting her head a few times, I took her hand and moved forward.
Fiene and Leo were there to greet me, and then...
"Welcome back, Al."
"Welcome back, Prince Arnold."
"Ah, I'm back."
Erna and her subordinates were lined up to welcome me.
From what I could see, no one was injured. I let out a sigh of relief and turned to Leo.
"Erna and the others, of course, but you made it just in time, didn't you?"
"Silver helped us."
"Sure enough, an SS-class adventurer. You're a real human being, aren't you?"
"Al, what do you mean by 'real human being' for a guy like that?"
Erna looked displeased.
I shrugged in response.
"He helped, didn't he? The empire."
"It's just a whim. I can tell."
"A whim is fine. We were saved, weren't we, Christa?"
"Uh-huh."
"See?"
"K, it's unfair to agree with Prince Christa!"
We entered the mansion while having such a conversation.
On the way, when I met Feine's gaze, she gave me a gentle smile. She seemed to be saying it was fine to wait. Interpreting it to my advantage, I moved forward with Christa, who still held my hand.
Father had announced that he would start the meeting as soon as I arrived.
However...
"You're late, Arnold. What were you doing?"
"This is Prince Eric. I was waiting for the escort because I didn't have any accompanying knights. I apologize for the delay."
"There's no need to apologize. You don't feel sorry, do you?"
A blue-haired man with glasses.
The second prince, Eric, stood in front of us.
His eyes, even through the glasses, were as sharp as ever. They seemed to judge everything and everyone as valuable or not.
Christa, perhaps scared by those eyes, hid behind me.
"I do feel sorry. A little."
"I misspoke. You don't feel sorry to us, do you? You're that kind of person."
"Well, if you put it that way, you're right. I don't feel sorry. I didn't cause any trouble."
I only feel sorry to those close to me.
I don't feel sorry to Eric and the other siblings, or even to Father.
Eric laughed at my answer.
"You're still interesting, Arnold. Sending Erna ahead was a good decision. Make the right decisions from now on. If you have value to me, I won't treat you or Leonardo badly."
"You talk as if you're the emperor."
"I am the next emperor. You, of course, Gordon and Zandra, no matter how hard they try, can't change that fact. Remember it well."
After saying that, Eric glanced at us and then stopped at Leo.
Leo met his gaze head-on.
That's right. There's no need to flinch, even if it's Eric.
"Don't get too cocky."
"I'll keep that in mind, Prince Eric."
Eric turned and headed deeper into the mansion, while we didn't move a step.
That was a declaration of war.
This time, we both did a good job. I sent Erna in early, and Leo led the knights to the scene.
Even with Silver's help, it was still a good job.
Eric declared that if we got cocky, he would crush us.
It seems the next emperor's top candidate can no longer be ignored. But it's probably just a warning. He wouldn't use such a simple method to crush us.
If we grow, he would probably team up with Gordon and Zandra to crush us. I would do the same.
"Big brother..."
"What's wrong? Were you scared?"
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to Christa. Of course, nothing will happen to us either."
With a wry smile, I nodded at Christa, and we moved forward.
"Ah, Leo. If Father asks you this, answer like this."
On the way, I whispered something to Leo.
Leo's eyes widened. But I pressed the point.
"Got it?"
"Are you sure it's okay?"
"Yes, you're the only one who can say it, and it will help that person."
โ โ โ
Father stayed in Kiell after the incident and was directing the reconstruction of the eastern region. But that was just a front. The tsunami didn't cause much damage.
What Father was doing was investigating who was involved in the incident.
And because there was progress in the investigation, he waited for my arrival and gathered the children and the royal guards.
"You all have worked hard."
Father's face was clearly tired.
He's not young anymore, and after going to the battlefield and working non-stop for several days, it's natural to be tired. Plus, he must have learned that his foolish son was deeply involved in the incident.
"This time, I gathered you all because you have the right to know. What I'm about to say must not be repeated. Last night, Carlos, who was critically injured, woke up. When we showed him the evidence we gathered over a few days, he admitted to being connected to a pair of vampires. Carlos promised to remove the bounty on the two in exchange for them hunting monsters with the flute they had and winning the festival, and then retreating when Carlos arrived in Kiell. It was a foolish plan!"
"So... the monster outbreak was Carlos's scheme?"
"That's right. Technically, he was used by the vampires, but he endangered not only me but the entire empire for his own benefit. It's unforgivable!"
Father's eyes were bloodshot. He must be extremely angry.
However, Eric knelt and pleaded to Father.
"Your Majesty, please be lenient. He may be foolish, but he is my brother."
It was a hypocritical act.
Gordon and Zandra followed suit.
They weren't pleading out of concern. They weren't worried about being investigated either.
They knew the emperor wanted it.
If he wanted to kill, he would have done it already. He gathered everyone to show his anger because he couldn't forgive it on his own.
He would forgive it if Eric and the others asked him to. Otherwise, the emperor's dignity would be at stake.
Besides, there was no need to kill.
Carlos lost his right hand to Sam's attack and couldn't move his lower body. He would be bedridden for life. Even Father couldn't bring himself to kill a son in such a state.
But this was problematic.
If everyone pleaded for mercy, it would look like the emperor gave in to their pleas, which would be bad for his image.
"Leonard, you were the first to make a significant contribution this time. What do you think?"
"Then I will say it. He should not be forgiven. He should be executed."
Everyone's face froze at that moment.
It was an unbelievable statement from an unbelievable person.
Father himself seemed quite surprised.
"...Why do you think so? He is your brother."
"He is a traitor to the empire before he is my brother. If we forgive him, it will set a bad precedent. How can I explain to the knights who shed blood?"
"I will not tell the people or the general knights. This is a matter for this room only. You don't need to worry about it."
"That is not acceptable. He should be executed and the truth should be told. The emperor should show his fairness to the nation and the world. Even if he is a son, he must be punished for his crimes. Only then will the people be at peace."
Leo spoke with a strong tone.
Now there were two opinions. Whichever one Father chose, it would cause problems.
In other words, Father could make an excuse.
He would spare Carlos but not ignore Leo. So, he would appoint Leo as the ambassador, equal to Gordon.
This was the scenario Father wanted.
Satisfied with Father's dilemma, I noticed he glanced at me. Seeing my calm face, he looked annoyed.
"Did you put him up to it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Hmm... Never mind. I will respect Eric's and the others' opinions and spare Carlos. But I am not ignoring you, Leonard."
Father called Leo to the front.
Leo knelt respectfully.
Father handed him his sword.
Leo accepted it.
"Since I didn't prepare, you'll have to make do with this. Leonard, you are the winner of this festival. Carlos is disqualified, and so is Arnold in second place. Third place is a tie between Leonard and Gordon. However, Leonard has led the knights and is popular in the eastern region. By making Leonard the winner, we can suppress dissatisfaction. Is that clear, Gordon?"
"...As you wish, Your Majesty."
Gordon bowed with a pained expression.
His voice was trembling, and he must be very upset.
But he couldn't argue. He had no grounds to do so.
Erna stepped forward amidst this.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to plead."
"What is it?"
"Please cancel Prince Arnold's disqualification. The disqualification was for sending a knight. It was a commendable act. The stain of disqualification is too much."
"I beg you, Your Majesty!"
Erna's subordinates also knelt.
Father closed his eyes.
Then...
"Arnold... You 'accidentally' broke the bracelet, didn't you?"
"Yes, I accidentally broke the bracelet."
"Then I cannot cancel the disqualification. If you had intentionally broken it and sent Erna, it would be a different matter, but rules are rules. Leonard is the winner."
Erna looked at me in disbelief, but I ignored her.
Even if I said I intentionally sent Erna and the disqualification was canceled, I wouldn't become the ambassador.
At most, I would get a compliment. As Father said, Leonard is the winner because he is popular in the eastern region.
No one would be satisfied with me.
So, I was fine being the clumsy prince who accidentally broke the bracelet and lost the chance to win.
But...
"However, it's true that we were saved thanks to Erna. In other words, Arnold's mistake saved me. I will reward that mistake."
"Reward?"
"I will appoint Arnold as the assistant ambassador. You will assist Leonard."
"...Father?"
"Your Majesty, Arnold."
"Um... I... don't have the ability..."
"You can leave everything to Leonard. It's time to do some work and prove yourself. This discussion is over. I will announce it officially tomorrow. Rest until then."
Father stood up from his chair.
As he left, he gave me a mischievous smile.
That father, on purpose...!
Damn! My plan is completely off track!?
Who will command our forces if Leo and I go to another country!?
This is bad!!??
I was stunned by the unexpected turn of events. My rivals looked smug.
This is bad... If we're not here, our forces could be destroyed.
"Good for you, Al!"
"..."
"What's wrong, Al?"
"You should stay away from me..."
"Why!?"
Holding my forehead, I shooed the happy Erna away.
But I knew it wasn't her fault.
I had expected Erna to try to cancel my disqualification. What I didn't expect was Father's reaction.
Father's unexpected action was because I seemed too calm. He must have felt offended, thinking I was underestimating him.
This is entirely my fault...
I ended the meeting, holding my head in frustration.
With this, Part 1 is over. From now on, it's Part 2.
If you haven't bookmarked it yet, please do so.
I will continue to work hard, so please support me m(__)m