The next day, Duke Albatross finally came to seek mediation with Rondine.
It was fortunate that we had some time, but the response as a country was slow.
It probably means there's a lot of resentment between us and Rondine, but if they perish, that's the end of it.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Prince Leonardo."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll take care of it."
"B-but, are you really going by sea...?"
The Duke looked at the sea with a mixture of fear.
We are now at the port. After receiving the request, I ordered the ship to prepare for departure.
The people of the Duchy of Albatross, who thought we would go by land, seemed taken aback and still looked at me as if they couldn't believe it.
"It's faster by sea. Rondine's capital is also a port city. We can arrive in two days. I don't want to waste any extra time."
"But... there's the Leviathan in the sea."
"We also have the magic cannons borrowed from your country. Besides, the Leviathan won't attack unless provoked. If I were in their position, the most cautious thing would be the resealing. In other words, the Leviathan's attention is here. Please be careful."
"Y-yes... I'm sorry for the trouble. Please do your best."
"Though I am not the most capable, I will do my best."
With that, I parted ways with the Duke, but someone called out to me.
"L-Leonardo Prince! Please wait!"
"This is Prince Julio. Are you feeling well enough to stand?"
Julio appeared, accompanied by people.
He should still be resting.
Still, Julio came to me alone and bowed deeply.
"I wanted to thank you before you depart. I deeply appreciate that you saved so many people."
He didn't mention saving me or my sister but first thanked me for saving many survivors.
His way of thinking resonates with Leonardo's.
Julio must be a kind person too.
"I just helped people who were in need. I didn't do anything special."
"Still, it made a difference. I will never forget this kindness."
"...That's quite an exaggeration. But I don't mind. I'll take it as a favor to be returned someday."
With that, I smiled like Leonardo and turned to leave.
Julio called out to me again.
"Prince Leonardo! I... I want to be like you! How can I become as great as you!?"
It's difficult to answer that question.
I think Leonardo is amazing, but I don't think he's particularly great.
He has strengths and weaknesses. That's who Leonardo is.
I might as well be honest.
"Prince Julio, Leonardo Lakes Ardor is not as great as you think. Some people think I'm kind, but many also think I'm too soft. Some praise me for being brave, but others criticize me for being reckless and thoughtless. I myself think my idealistic thinking is a flaw in a position that requires practical judgment, like an emperor or a prince. You see me as a hero, but I'm not as heroic as you think."
"B-but...!"
"Y-yes, I understand. If you still think it's good, I'll give you one piece of advice. I don't hesitate when I think I'm right. I'm proud of that. Many of my other flaws are compensated for by my subordinates, but the king is alone in making decisions. So, I don't hesitate when I think I'm right. When I helped the survivors, I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do. No matter the outcome, I act decisively when I think it's right. If you want to be a proud prince, don't hesitate when you think you're right."
"Y-yes! I will keep your words in my heart!!"
With that, Julio bowed his head.
Those words are my honest impression of Leonardo.
Leonardo is, to be honest, not suited to be an emperor. His older brother, the crown prince, was kind but could make judgments without being swayed by emotions. However, Leonardo is too soft in that regard. He is easily swayed by emotions.
But even so, Leonardo doesn't hesitate. Softness and idealism can be managed by subordinates. The ability to make decisions is what an emperor needs most.
One doesn't need to be perfect.
One doesn't need to be strong. One doesn't need to be a master of intrigue. As long as one thinks of the empire and can make important decisions, that's a good emperor.
That's why I support Leonardo as emperor.
The other three have abilities, but they are too self-centered. First themselves, then the empire. If they become emperor, they will be that kind of emperor.
That must be prevented.
"If I tell Leonardo, he might say, 'Then why not you, brother?'"
I muttered to myself, making sure no one heard, and boarded the ship.
I am not suited to be an emperor.
Even my teacher, the former emperor and my great-grandfather, acknowledges this.
According to my great-grandfather, what an emperor needs is ambition. Without it, even if one meets all other criteria, one is not suited to be an emperor.
In this case, ambition doesn't mean ambition for the throne. It means ambition for many things. In other words, a lazy person is not suited to be an emperor.
I completely agree with that.
Just a few days of pretending to be Leonardo has left me mentally drained. I can't wait to be lazy again.
"Set sail! Our destination is the Duchy of Rondine!"
With that thought, I gave the order.
Meeting Leonardo will make things a bit easier.
I suppressed my wandering mind and set out to sea, where the sea dragon resides.
ā ā ā
The day of departure passed without incident.
Then, on the second day.
As we left the waters of the Duchy of Albatross and entered the waters of the Duchy of Rondine, it happened.
A sudden roar echoed from the depths of the sea.
"W-what is it!?"
"Is the sea making a sound!?"
"Damn! Everyone, battle stations!"
The ship was in chaos.
I calmly left my room and went to the deck.
A barrier was already set up on this ship. It's a barrier that conceals our presence. That's why I chose the sea route. However, I didn't expect to encounter it here.
"Everyone, be quiet! It's too late. We can only hope to pass by unnoticed."
"Y-Your Highness..."
"It's already below us."
We couldn't see it.
It was probably moving in the deep sea.
Without the barrier, we might have been sunk for fun.
According to the legends of the Duchy of Albatross, it has a body over fifty meters long and wings and four legs like a dragon, but we couldn't confirm any of that.
However, it was definitely below us.
Everyone here seemed to realize it instinctively as humans. The fact that everyone was holding their breath was a good sign. Everyone felt the danger to their lives.
Dragons are predators, and humans are prey. It's almost an absolute rule.
After a while, I confirmed the Leviathan's passage. However, I didn't say it out loud.
In the end, no one moved for over an hour, and finally, Mark said it was probably safe, and the ship set course for Rondine.
"I thought it was over..."
"Y-yeah. I didn't expect to encounter it here, so I was off guard."
"True. But why was it here?"
"...To the Leviathan, all humans are enemies. It doesn't recognize countries. It might have been trying to do something in Rondine, or returning after doing something. Either way, Rondine is probably in trouble."
As if to confirm my ominous words, a loud report came.
"Prince! Rondine is being attacked by monsters!"
"Figures..."
"Your Highness, can you please refrain from saying such things even if you think them?"
"It's better to be prepared."
"You make it come true by saying it."
"I don't have that kind of god-like ability."
With that, I went to the deck and looked at Rondine's capital in the distance.
Indeed, it was being attacked by various monsters.
In the midst of this, one ship had set sail to stop the monsters at sea.
The flag it flew was the empire's flag.
As expected, he makes quick decisions.
"Full speed ahead. We'll support my brother!"
"Understood! Everyone, battle stations! Get the magic cannons borrowed from the Duchy of Albatross ready!"
The captain gave the orders with enthusiasm.
He must be excited to use the weapons borrowed for the sea dragon.
I reluctantly attached Leonardo's sword to my waist, but it was heavy. I wouldn't be able to wield it satisfactorily.
"Well, well, is there a chance to go back to the way things were?"
With that thought, we headed straight for Rondine.
It seems the story is about to get moving!
I'm sorry for not updating at noon today.
The Wi-Fi was acting up, and it took time to deal with it, so I couldn't write something satisfactory.
It's still not fixed, so I might have to skip the noon update tomorrow as well.
I'll fix the environment as soon as possible, so please bear with the slow pace (Ā“ć»Ļć»`)