The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 601: The Dragon King

There was a group soaring high above the clouds.

Leading them was a dashing man astride a red dragon.

"Your Majesty, we should be able to join up with Prince Leonardo soon."

"I hope we're not too late... I hope the matter hasn't been settled yet."

"The other party is Ansem. I don't think it will be so easy."

At the words of his aide, Roger, William gave a wry smile.

And he gently stroked the neck of his beloved dragon.

Despite the impending battle, his dragon was relaxed.

He was far more relaxed than he had imagined.

No doubt it was because he had made up his mind.

He had no hesitation in his decision to march out.

■■■

In the United Kingdom.

It was quite some time ago that Marianne came to William, who had seized the throne with the power of the Dragon Knights.

"King of Dragons, I implore you to aid the Empire."

Marianne's plea was perfectly reasonable.

William had promised the Emperor that he would help in the event of a crisis in the Empire. Although it was said in an unofficial meeting.

Of course, William had not forgotten his words.

However,

"I will cooperate. But it is difficult for me to march out as long as my country is unstable."

"That won't help us. What the Emperor seeks is the assistance of the powerful Dragon Knights. We need the Dragon Knights led by you in the Empire."

"We understand that we owe a debt of gratitude to the Empire, which was generous to us despite the fact that we invaded them. But we are not a vassal state. I'm sorry, but we can't do everything you say."

The Empire and the United Kingdom.

The relationship between the two countries was maintained by a delicate balance.

The United Kingdom, which sided with Gordon, was unquestionably defeated by the Empire.

But the homeland's forces were intact. Furthermore, because the sea separated them, it was not easy to counter-invade as a feudal state.

The natural fortress of the sea was insurmountable even for the Empire.

But, a defeat is a defeat. Whether to pursue or not is up to the Empire's mood.

Then William's coup d'etat happened. The Empire stopped antagonizing the United Kingdom because William took a pro-Empire stance.

The imminent enemies were the feudal states and the kingdom.

William promised the Emperor full cooperation. He knew that the unstable United Kingdom had no chance of winning if it was invaded.

In such a United Kingdom, a request for aid came. William intended to send the Dragon Knights, but Marianne's request was much stronger than he had imagined.

"Do you think such a half-hearted attitude will benefit the United Kingdom?"

"Queen Marianne. You behave like a formal envoy from the Empire, but as far as I understand, you were just asked to do so. Why are you so assertive?"

"Because I thought I should be. What I was asked by the Emperor was just to request aid. These are my own words. As a queen of a feudal state, I ask for the United Kingdom's wise judgment. Even though we are separated by the sea, our country and the United Kingdom are neighbors. We want to build a better relationship in the future. Therefore, please read the times, Dragon King."

The conversation between William and Marianne ended there.

William understood well what Marianne wanted to say.

Hesitating to send aid now is a mistake, and half-hearted aid will not help the Empire.

The Empire is not asking for nominal aid.

However, within the United Kingdom, William was seen as a usurper.

Many of the nobles were reluctantly obeying William. If he left the country, he wouldn't know what would happen.

Once you become a king, the first priority is to stabilize the country. The Empire should understand that.

William had such thoughts in his heart.

But Marianne's strong words shattered them.

Surely, if he made a wrong decision here, the United Kingdom would eventually pay the price.

"Roger, I want you to gather the main nobles."

■■■

The gathered nobles exchanged glances, wondering what was happening.

On the surface, they respected William.

Had it not been for the coup d'etat, they would have happily accepted William as the king.

However, a coup is a coup. There was an understanding that no matter how good a king he may be, he was a usurper who relied on power.

They understood the situation well. The previous king had intended to shift all the responsibility of the war with the Empire onto William.

William had been arguing from the beginning that they should not lend power to Gordon.

Precisely because they understood this well, the feelings of the nobles were complicated.

William announced to these nobles.

"The Empire has requested reinforcements. It seems they intend to fight the Kingdom."

"Your Majesty, we are in a cooperative relationship with the Empire. Should we send reinforcements?"

"We think so, too."

No one opposed sending reinforcements.

Originally, they had an alliance with the Kingdom, but that was a thing of the past.

When the United Kingdom and the vassal countries crossed the border and fought the Imperial Army, the Kingdom's army couldn't breach the border.

As a result, the United Kingdom and the vassal countries suffered a lot of damage.

There's no point in owing anything to such a country now.

So the problem was how much reinforcements should be sent.

The nobles who gathered and guessed this started to consider the next opinion.

"I thought you would say that. Then, I leave the home front to you. I will lead the Dragon Knights to the reinforcements."

"You, Your Majesty, yourself!?"

"That is a bit too much..."

William's words were unexpected for the nobles.

So far, William had been focusing on stabilizing the country. Now, William was suddenly going to the Kingdom to reinforce the Empire.

The nobles were puzzled by the lack of consistency.

"Queen Marianne told me to read the flow of time. The tide is indeed with the Empire. We should side with the Empire. But, I had the issue of stabilizing the country in my mind. I realized that was a mistake. Unknowingly, I was thinking about protecting the throne. It's important, but... To you, I probably only looked like a usurper who is obsessed with the throne. I'm sorry."

With that, William rose from his throne.

And then.

"I'm going to show the Empire and the Kingdom the bravery of the United Kingdom. I'm leaving this throne... You can take it or defend it as you like. What I care about is the safety of the United Kingdom. It's probably better for the United Kingdom to show that it is a more valuable partner to the Empire than my kingship. So, I'm going. I leave the home front to you."

Saying that, William walked out, passing by the nobles.

In response, the nobles bowed and saw him off.

"We leave the home front to you."

There was no one who was secretly pleased.

Being able to throw away the throne so easily, the nobles didn't have the guts to jump at it, and their perception of him as a usurper faded against William, who showed trust in them.

Then William, in cooperation with Traugott, crossed the continent with the Dragon Knights.

■■■

"Report! The Imperial Army and the Kingdom Army are engaged in battle in the city ahead, Chantal!"

"Strange, isn't it? A siege?"

"No! The Imperial Army seemed to be fighting a monster controlled by the Kingdom Army!"

"They used a monster? Even if they're cornered, they're foolish. Our country can't laugh about this."

Saying that, William ordered the entire army to advance.

Of course, William was the one leading the charge.

Breaking through the clouds, he saw the city of Shantal in his sight.

Just as reported, the Imperial army was indeed battling against a monster.

"Roger, head to assist the Imperial army! The squadron, follow me! I'm heading for Shantal!"

There must be someone controlling the monster.

Deciding this in an instant, William led the Dragon Knights in a rapid descent towards Shantal.

However, he noticed a woman about to be captured by the monster.

A blonde young man shouted at the woman.

"Sister! Run away!!"

Immediately, William guessed the identities of the two.

He recognized the woman.

He had met her only once. But because she was beautiful, he remembered her clearly.

Leaving his subordinates behind, William continued to descend.

What crossed his mind was his best friend's words.

"Take care of my family."

At that time, he didn't quite understand why it wasn't just his wife and daughter.

But now, he understood.

He must have wanted him to help his family who would be facing even more difficulties in the future.

That's why William came.

There were national interests. That was certainly a factor.

But, that was not the only reason.

"I'll do your part instead."

With these words, William "shot down" the two artificial soldiers in the form of monsters that were closing in on the woman.

The prototype was improved so that even the United Kingdom's Dragon Knights could use it, based on the Imperial magic wand.

The "Dragon Magic Spear."

Feeling satisfied with its power, William landed in front of the woman.

"Princess Francine... Are you safe?"

"Prince William...!?"

"I'm slightly different now. I am William, the Dragon King of the United Kingdom, an ally of the Empire."

With that, William let out a smile.

He had dreamed of introducing himself in this way.

He wanted to rush to his friend's aid and say it someday.

Though the situation was a bit different,

Now, that dream has come true.

"William...! Don't interfere! You traitor!!"

Magellan was furious at William, who had suddenly appeared.

But,

"The one who allied with you was my father. I never thought of you as my companions. The only ones I've sided with are my true 'friends'. Let's stop this misunderstanding and stop calling me a traitor."

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