The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 684: Wilhelm's Speech

"People of the Empire, please listen to my words. I am Wilhelm Lakes Adler, the First Prince of the Empire. Unfortunately, I was forced to engage in a conflict with the Chancellor which led to a bloody battle in the Imperial Capital. Although it was unavoidable, I apologize. Nevertheless, I hereby declare as the Crown Prince of the Empire that I will restore the Empire! Even though the Emperor's return is not yet possible, and there are those across the land that are dissatisfied with me due to the Chancellor's false information, I will not attack them! My duty is not to subdue those who oppose me but to restore the Empire! I will not engage in conflict! Surely none of you desire conflict either!"

Wilhelm delivered his speech at the Imperial Sword Castle. His words were transmitted throughout the Empire using the Adventurers' Guild's communication system.

He assured that it would not be misused and it was merely for an inauguration speech. With these conditions, the Adventurers' Guild agreed to cooperate with his plan. Due to the chaos created from their missing Guild Leader, it was difficult for the Guild to refuse the request of Wilhelm, who had effectively seized power as the de facto ruler of the Empire.

"Let me explain the reason behind this decision. Although I kept it a secret from you, my brother Arnold, who served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces against the demons, has died... He was assassinated. Arnold, who was often called the ‘Dull Prince,' was not even respected as a member of royalty. Yet even in such circumstances, he rose during the Empire’s times of crisis and contributed to peace through his leadership! We royalty enjoy the privileges we get and are respected as one because we fulfill our responsibilities during our times of crises. However, Arnold did not enjoy these privileges or respect and was mocked as the 'Dull Prince.' Despite this, my brother stood on the battlefield! There is nothing more worthy of respect than this!!"

With clenched fists, Wilhelm passionately and fervently conveyed his inner turmoil.

"I... was too late… I only became capable of action recently and if I had been there, my brother would not have lost his life. The more I think about it, the more I abhor conflict. I will not fight. No more sacrifices... Everyone must wish for peace as I do. Please, let us cease the fighting. I aim for an Empire without conflict and I ask for your cooperation!!"

With these words, Wilhelm slowly brought his right hand to his chest.

"And now... let us have a moment of silence for Arnold... so that he may rest in peace."

The adventurers at the Adventurers' Guild's Imperial Capital branch who were listening, began to murmur.

"What does he mean by 'let's stop fighting'?"

"That bastard... only showing up now, who does he think he is?"

"I get that he is alive. But becoming the Crown Prince again? It makes those who fought in his absence look like fools. Does he not care about his dead siblings?"

"What a nerve, coming back now. If he really felt that way, he shouldn't be using his brother's death like this."

"Why not just show yourself and say you're alive, then leave the rest to your siblings? Why try to become Crown Prince again?"

Complaints were all that could be heard.

However, everyone spoke in whispers.

Though the volume of their voices gradually increased, the guild receptionist, Emma, clapped her hands.

"Alright, your voices are getting loud. If they hear you guys outside, it will be a big problem so please keep it down."

"We got it!"

"Leave it to us! We won't make the mistake of letting anyone hear us!"

"If Prince Wilhelm's supporters hear us, we could get in trouble."

Thus, the adventurers gathered in a corner and continued their grumbling in low voices.

It was a small act of resistance.

Most of the Imperial Capital had accepted Prince Wilhelm.

And those who hadn't were in the minority.

For adventurers, it didn't generally matter who held power in the country they are based in.

Their job was to defeat monsters for the people.

Nevertheless...

"It's undoubtedly a dirty tactic, though."

Despite saying that he didn’t want conflict, Wilhelm had stepped into the spotlight.

Chaos was inevitable.

Everyone thought he was dead.

It’s inconvenient to suddenly be told that he’s actually alive.

Moreover, he clashed with the Chancellor who had retaliated against his return.

Even if the Chancellor's side initiated the attack against him, the conflict wouldn’t have occurred if Wilhelm hadn't appeared.

Knowing the glorious past a few years ago, there was some skepticism about Wilhelm's current actions.

But...

"We share part of the responsibility too..."

With the top leadership absent, all the high-ranking adventurers that were capable of some leadership were away.

Therefore, it was unclear as to who was in command at the main office, which also caused confusion in the branches as well.

With the guild’s information in disarray and there being challenges at the local level becoming difficult to handle, the guild is currently unable to take appropriate action at the moment.

Even if some adventurers worked hard, it wasn’t enough.

Very few adventurers could cover the entire Empire.

"Any word from Silver?"

"Not yet..."

"I see..."

Silver, an SS-ranked adventurer of the Imperial Capital branch.

After returning from the decisive battle in the Kingdom, there had been no contact from Silver.

In the main office’s current time of turmoil, SS-ranked adventurers were among the few who could organize the Adventurers' Guild.

The Imperial Capital branch was concerned about Silver’s movements, but there was no contact from him yet.

They knew that he was in the west clearing the monster stampedes, but there was no further action from him afterwards.

"If only the main office were more organized, we could do something."

With the main office in disarray, even personnel adjustments between branches were difficult.

They couldn’t send the needed personnel to necessary locations.

They could only do their best in their assigned areas.

Thus, they couldn’t address the eastern and southern problems until Wilhelm appeared, nor the western problems until Silver and others arrived.

If they hadn’t been delayed in responding to the monster stampedes, the Empire might not have been in this state.

Feeling responsible, Emma was approached by a panicked junior receptionist.

"Senpai! A new head of the main office has been appointed!"

"Finally... and who is it?"

"We don't know... but there are direct instructions via the communication system!"

"An unknown person as the head? What are the instructions?"

"All branch leaders are given full authority. Each branch leader is to maintain close communication and make individual decisions."

Emma was astonished by the bold directive.

The main office had already lost control.

To regain it, they would need to understand each branch’s situation and then formulate measures, leading to many unnecessary steps.

Thus, they decided to just grant full authority to each branch leader and maximize on-the-ground judgment.

It was the fastest possible move to resolve the guild’s immediate issues.

However, it could also lead to confusion.

It relied on the ability of the branch leaders, their staff, and adventurers.

Therefore...

"Prepare a carriage immediately! Get ready to dispatch all B-rank and higher adventurers! The branch leader is currently busy communicating with other branches. We will select specific personnel and dispatch them where needed! Alright! Complaint session is over! Get ready! It’s time to work!"

Calling out to the adventurers, Emma turned to the junior receptionist.

"Do you know anything about the new head?"

"No, we have no information... but their face was hidden... and it was a male voice using female speech!"

Upon hearing this, Emma whispered to herself.

"I see, so that's how it is."

TL's Notes:

Omg Linares is alive!!

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