The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 107: Personal Feelings

Allow me to apologize again for my subordinates rude behavior. Please accept my apology.

Its fine, dont worry about it.

About that. It seems that Miss Elna is angrier about it than you do.

..I think that you guys were more gentlemanly when I visited you last time though?

Hearing Elna, Lars smiles as we keep walking.

He then drops the bomb.

Its because my subordinates hate Prince Arnold type.

Hate..?

Elna raised her eyebrows.

Lars plainly nodded.

I involuntarily laughed. He really is a blunt man.

Hahaha, well, of course. Considering their past, I would be the type of person that they hate the most huh.

Yes, we dont like those who sit at the top. Of course, that also includes me as well.

Lars stares straight at me.

If a woman looks at me like this my heart would already skip a beat but unfortunately, hes a man. It seems this Lars guy is still trying to test me huh.

When I shrugged and responded, Lars also lightly laughed as we kept walking forward.

Lars guided us into a room inside the garrison.

The room was decorated with a shield bearing a diagonal cross, the symbol of Narbe Ritter.

Please, sit down.

Excuse me then.

I said so and sat down on a chair.

Elna also sits next to me but her gaze is still sharp.

No matter how you look at it, the Narbe Ritters do not welcome my arrival.

Now, what kind of work can we help Your Highness with this time?

We have a request for you but..I guess it is kind of impossible huh.

I smiled bitterly at the soldier who stood next to Lars.

The eyes he looked at me with were clearly different from the ones he used to look at Elna.

He is giving her his respect but there was not a shred of that for me. Im already used to it but I can feel that it is kind of different from usual.

I can feel that there is a deep trench between him and me.

We wont know if its impossible or not if you dont tell us. I can have my subordinate leave for the time being though?

No, its fine. More importantly, I want to hear more about you guys.

About us?

Yeah, you guys are former knights who chose justice over loyalty right. I heard about you guys before but it seems you guys are kind of different from what I was told.

Hearing me, Lars smiles.

Its not just some small impression. I can say that their image is the total opposite of their reputation that was known to the general public.

They are so crude that I doubted if they were real knights.

There must be a reason for that. Unless I can get that answer from them, I can not ask for their help.

Justice is it

Lars murmured.

He then sat down on a chair and looked straight at me.

His gaze was one that if he used it on those who are faint of heart, they would already start shaking. It is the gaze of a man who has crossed many dangerous lines in his life.

While staring at me with such a gaze, he started talking.

We do not like that word as much as the people think we are.

Hou.

I turn my sight toward Elna.

Then I ask her in a small voice.

Is this why you dont want to recommend them?

Yes, but this might be even more serious than I expected.

The reason why Elna said that I am more suited to this task than Leo is probably they have a fault or two.

If they dont idolize Justice then I am certainly better to negotiate with them than Leo.

Your Highness. We all are those who once showed our disloyalty. We can not deny that we betrayed our lords.

But the one who truly committed the crime were your lords right.

Exactly. That was why we resolved to break our oath and betrayed our lords. We thought that what we did was for the country and the people. However, what was waiting for us was a hell where we have no place to belong. Everyone sings us praise but no one dares to approach. That was how we got here.

You lost the place you belong for justice. Thats why they turned more coarse?

Well, to summarize it, yes. For His Majesty, he felt that it would be a shame to not have someone like us around but once we betrayed our lords, we can no longer be trusted. On the other hand, if things went on as it was, we would disappear. Thats why this unit was created. We were formed because of justice but we are being treated like a nuisance despite the fact that we did what we did for country and people.

What he said is true.

If there are people like the Narbe Ritters, it will keep the nobles in check. Well, the effect of that is not significant but its better to have them than not.

However, they cant expect to be welcomed. This is because people who prioritize their own justice are difficult to handle in an organization.

Even if it is for the sake of the country or the people, the ones who choose to move are them as an individual. They did not move because they received an order from the emperor.

But the Narbe Ritters strength is even recognized by Elna. For what reason have they become so strong?

It cant be helped being rough or rotten as they like right? Their values are something they created themselves. Strength is simple. The stronger you become, the more of their value they can assert.

I see.

I mostly understand them now. They are both former knights and former upholders of justice.

They have been those who put their ideal and justice above everything else in the past. As a result of their decision, they have become a realist and their nature changed from a knight to that of a soldier.

But the essence of a person doesnt change so easily.

People say that you guys betrayed your lords but from your perspective, it would be more correct to say that you guys have been betrayed by your country and people right? Even so, you still train yourselves. Is it because you are still loyal to the country and the people?

We are soldiers. We have the duty to serve our country and its people. Theres no room for personal feelings in there.

Dont dodge the question, Colonel. How about you giving it to me directly? You guys still want a place where you can be active. You still want to be needed. Am I wrong?

And what if we are?

Lars returned the question as if to test me out.

I understood them now.

All that is left is to persuade them.

We cant mobilize them by giving them orders. What we need is for them to willingly offer their help.

I will prepare it for you. The place that you wish for.

Let me ask you then. Where is this place you speak of?

Do you know about the situation in the South?

To a certain extent, yes. I think we can expect a civil war soon.

I want to stop that. We will strike their base with a surprise attack using an elite unit and takedown Duke Kruger. We can end the war before it can even begin.

I dont think such a plan will succeed though.

Leonard will be the one who leads this operation using the guise of the Emperors envoy. We need an elite unit to escort him.  If we use the Imperial guards they will be cautious of us so we need a unit that is comparable to them in strength. Thats why I came here to ask you to play that role.

Larss subordinate frowned at my plan.

He immediately realized that the plan is too dangerous.

The same goes for Lars.

So we need to act as a shield that protects your brother?

Right. I guess you can put it like that as well.

we will comply if we receive a formal order. Unless that happens, I will have to turn you down.

Thats no good. I dont need those who have to be forced by an order to take part in this operation. Sorry but I need someone who would happily throw away their life for this mission.

I made it to be voluntary.

These guys are disappointed by the country and the people. Still, I told them to give up their lives.

Moreover, those words came from me who wont even head out to the field myself.

That will be difficult. We are no ones pawn after all.

I know. I ask you while fully aware of that.

Is it for the people? If a civil war happens, many people will suffer. Do you want us to march to our death for that precious ideal of yours?

Thats wrong. Thats Leos ideal, not mine. The feelings I used to ask you to do this is much more personal.

And what kind of feeling is that?

My brother is important to me. I dont want him to die. So protect him for me.

Lars opens his eyes in surprise.

He probably never thought that such words would come up here.

I grinned and looked straight back into Larss eyes.

I dont care whether it is for the succession war, for the country, or for the people. If my brother is walking into certain death, I want to find the strongest ally for him. That is my desire. You guys are strong. If you are willing to protect Leo then I can be assured.

.thats an unexpected answer. But, personally, that kind of answer is more preferable to me.

Lars says that with a smile and stands up.

He then slowly lowered his head.

Personally, I wouldnt mind laying down my life for you. However, it is probably different for my subordinate. Your aim would be for us all to give you our cooperation correct? Will you be able to convince them?

Can you set up a place for me to do that?

I can. However, if you do not put anything at stake, I doubt my subordinates will be willing to throw away their lives for you. Do you have enough confidence to do that?

To Larss question, I shook my head sideways.

Seeing that, Larss smile grew even wider.

Then, he opened the door and said this.

I will gather my subordinates. It will be quite a sight to see you convince them.

Dont expect too much. Im the Dull Prince after all. Im not someone great you know.

I think there are two types of people that people would be willing to lay down their lives for. The first one is a person who has everything, a very charismatic person that people naturally want to follow. The other one is a person who lacks many things, a person that people want to offer their help to. You seem like the latter but strangely, to me, you also have the characteristics of the former as well.

Is that a compliment?

Just an honest evaluation.

After such an exchange, I stood in front of the Narbe Ritter.