The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 605: The Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army

'Holy Glitter!!'

The second shot of Holy Glitter. A forceful second shot. It wasn't as powerful as the first shot, but it still eliminated a considerable number of monsters. However, the enemy's advance did not stop.

'It's endless...!'

'Leonard! We should deploy the reserves from the third layer and let the soldiers rest!'

'Understood! I'll handle the switch in forces on the right!'

'I'll handle the left!'

On the wall. Ansem and Leo, who were both fighting with swords, momentarily had their backs to each other and briefly discussed the situation.

The enemy had neither discussions nor decisions. They just kept advancing. They didn't care how many arrows stuck in them, or if their arms or legs were blown off. They just relentlessly charged forward.

There was no strategy there. It was a simple case of brute force, taking advantage of the clear difference in strength between humans and monsters. It was so simple that there was no room to exploit.

If the enemy was in small numbers, our side could take advantage of superior numbers. However, the enemy was a horde. The advantage of numbers was irrelevant.

It took about five regular soldiers to just barely deal with one creature. And they kept scaling the walls in waves. While our side was becoming exhausted, the enemy was not.

'Deploy the reserve forces from the third layer and let the soldiers rest! Those heavily fatigued should retreat to the rear and switch with the reserves!'

Giving instructions, Leo decapitated a false beast soldier. Looking up at the sky, he saw the Dragon Knights fighting hard. Despite being outnumbered, they were somehow holding their own. But for how long, he wondered.

Just then.

'Report!! A fleet is coming from the sea!!'

With hope, Leo turned to look at the sea. But what he saw was a fleet of dozens of kingdom warships. Their gun ports were firmly aimed at the fortress's harbor.

'This is bad...!'

The moment Leo muttered, the kingdom's fleet began its bombardment. There was no consideration to avoid the evacuation ships.

A pincer attack at the worst possible timing. What the Imperial Army had planned to do was now being done to them. Leo ran across the top of the wall, heading towards Ansem who should be on the other side.

'Prince Ansem! Prince Ansem!'

'I'm here!'

While he was fighting off false beast soldiers with the help of the surrounding soldiers, Ansem heard Leo's voice and raised his hand.

But,

'It's bad that you came, but there's nothing we can do about that!'

'Can't we do something!?'

'Don't be unreasonable! Most of the navy was formed after I fell! The captains in that fleet are all under the thumb of the Crown Prince!'

As he spoke, Ansem made a grand tongue click.

There was no point in explaining the honor of a soldier. If they had any, they wouldn't be firing at the evacuation ships. They must be aware of our situation, being attacked by monsters. ȑАℕÓꞖЕʂ

They knew everything and yet they were bombarding us. It was impossible to turn them around. There was no time to negotiate.

'――Deploy the Dragon Knights to escort the evacuation ships'

'If we do that, we will also be attacked from above!?'

'But, we can buy time. You should also be able to fly. Go with the Dragon Knights to guard the evacuation, and withdraw'

'You're telling me to run after coming this far?'

'We're at our limit here. We don't have the forces to do anything about the fleet. If we're just being shot at one-sidedly, there's going to be a limit. I'm sorry to the many soldiers of the Imperial Army, but... your escape is the top priority'

'I refuse'

'Is this the time to be stubborn!? Look! The enemy still has a reserve of pseudo-human soldiers! There's at least ten thousand! If they start moving, we won't even be able to escape! Run! And denounce the wickedness of the Kingdom! If we can even move the Adventurer's Guild, we've won!'

As he spoke, Ansem turned his eyes to Theodore, who was standing beside Leo.

'The Imperial Guard should understand the gravity of the situation. Take Leonard and retreat.'

'I will not retreat.'

'Leonard!'

'It's not a matter of stubbornness. As long as there is a chance of victory, I will not back down.'

'There's no chance of victory!'

'There is. When my brother says he will come, he always does. If the Allied Fleet arrives, we will have numerous opportunities to turn the tide.'

'You intend to die believing in an unseen Allied Fleet!? I don't care how much you trust it, you are the most promising heir to the throne! Your life should be worth more than anything else!'

'...I understand the weight of my life. However, the trust I place in my brother surpasses that. My brother, Arnold, is worth risking my life for. If my brother comes, I won't retreat. Besides… As someone aiming for the Crown Prince I can't run away from here. The state of the Kingdom is clearly abnormal. Demons are involved. As the successor to the Empire, to Adler, I cannot run from the front line of this anomaly.'

With those words, Leo clenched his sword tightly.

No matter how much they complained, it didn't matter.

Retreating was a strategy too.

But there were times when he couldn't retreat.

For Leo, this was such a time.

Even if no one else could see a path to victory.

Leo could see it.

Seeing Leo's determination, Ansem gave up his attempts at persuasion.

'Do as you please. If you're prepared to die, I don't mind. I'll die with you.'

'That's not like you, Prince Ansem, to give up?'

'I haven't given up. I'm just acknowledging the reality of our situation. I'm a realist.'

'Realists wouldn't be fighting here.'

Leo said with a laugh.

In their brief association, he had come to understand Ansem.

He professed to despise ideals, but he was an idealist himself.

He professed to pursue utility, but utility wasn't everything to him.

Leo chuckled, thinking of him as an inexpressive person.

At the same time, he believed Ansem shouldn't be left to die.

He was an essential resource for the Kingdom's future restoration.

He shouldn't be allowed to die here.

That's why they needed reinforcements as soon as possible.

They had to desperately protect the wall.

They had to desperately protect the evacuation ships.

They were short-handed.

So...

'I think I've been patient enough.'

Just as Leo muttered this, a ray of light stretched from the sea.

When it hit the ten thousand false human soldiers waiting in the rear, it caused a massive explosion, burying many of them.

Then...

'This is the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army, Grand Marshal Arnold Lakes Adler.'’

TL's Notes:

I wanna change the name of Holy Glitter to "Holy Smite" since that makes more sense and sounds cooler... what do you guys think?

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