Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~

Chapter 433.1: Angus' Case ②

The call immediately connected. A 3D image of the Royal Family, minus Alisha, appears in the empty space.

Although not as long as the previous king, it has been a long time since I last saw my siblings.

Nora, who cannot hide her frustration that the king passed away before she could take revenge, and Tony, who continues to smile in a way that makes it hard to understand what he is thinking. Morris, whose weapon was destroyed by Kenbi, seems much calmer than I expected, and, I don’t know what happened, Zachary, whose face and mood look less dangerous than the last time we saw each other.

“It has been a long time, everyone. The time has finally come. As I am sure you all know this――But three days from now, the seal on the Royal Tower will be lifted and the next King of Code will be chosen. We have been preparing for this moment.” (Angus)

『Really, I am so moved. My brother. I never thought you’d break the tacit understanding at the last minute…… As expected of the man who put everything on the line to become the next King of Code.”』  (Nora)

My expression distorts for a moment as she hits where it hurts.

In the end, no retaliation took place. It was advantageous for me, but it doesn’t make it good.

This is different from sending Kenbi to Morris and having her destroy his research just before it is completed. The former is Morris’ fault due to his incompetence, while the latter is my fault for breaking the tacit understanding.

“That was something my Royal Guard did on his own accord――But I will not make any excuses. As an apology, if you give up the throne now and cooperate with me, I will allow you to live under my reign, Nora.” (Angus)

Nora’s temperament is too dangerous to be kept alive, but if I am at fault then there is nothing I can do. At least, there is an advantage to this. If I can avoid a fight with Nora’s forces, it will not hurt my future military power.

“This is your final warning. The rest of you too――You better surrender. My force is overwhelming. If you surrender now, I promise that I will not treat those who cooperated with me badly. Considering the chaos that occurred in the last battle for the throne, this should not be a bad idea. Moreover, Code will not lose any forces.” (Angus)

I know that they are not the type to give up even if I warn them like this. The only person who might side with me is Tony. There is a chance that Morris will be pulled over too, but with this expression, it seems unlikely.

For a moment, silence fills the area. The first to speak is Zachary.

“There’s no way I’d go along with that! Do you think you’ve already won? Hm? If you win, what will happen to Alisha!” (Zachary)

How stupid…… You mad dog who doesn’t even understand the difference in power――Hm? Ali…… Sha…………?

Zachary shouts at me, whose eyes widen at the completely unexpected name.

『I’m on Alisha’s side, Angus. I won’t let you kill my Imouto!』 (Zachary)

What is he talking about, this guy?

Alisha Code is just a spare. Even if the lock has been removed, that truth will not change. As a member of royalty, she probably has the right to become king according to the system, but――In the first place, why would this man, who hated all royalty and nobles, side with the spare?

Even if Zachary, who is playing with the lower classes, joined Alisha, there is no way for him to win――And in front of me, who is confused, Morris, who also has his eyes wide open at what Zachary said, opens his mouth.

『………… I will side with Alisha too. I am not on Zachary’s side, but I can’t bear to see Alisha die like this. This is something I have decided on my own.』 (Morris)

There is a report from Kenbi that said he would side with Alisha, so that was true.

This is hilarious. Alisha is a princess with no resources. Zachary’s preparations are not good enough and Morris’ research result has been destroyed so he is no threat in terms of military power.

They don’t have that much power even if the three of them gather together.

Tony, who has been listening to what they said with wide eyes, laughs as if he has seen something strange.

『Kuku…… I can’t believe that these two would follow Alisha. Even though no one even remembered her name until recently. It’s strange to hear such stories, isn’t it, Aniki?』 (Tony)

When on earth have things started to be like this? As far as monitoring goes, there have been no reports of this happening.

Tony speaks as I am speechless at the unexpected turn of events.

『I’m not on Alisha’s side. I’m on――Cry Andrich’s side.』 (Tony)

“Wh-What are you talking about!? Tony!” (Angus)

Tony has a lot of nobles behind him. So there is no way he will do something that will put them in danger. For me, who has been convinced of that, what he said comes as a bolt from the blue. Tony licks his lips and says.

『That guy is interesting. He stirred up a battle that was already pretty much over. Sorry, Aniki.』 (Tony)

“Kuh………… You fools. It will be too late to regret it later.” (Angus)

You are going to follow that man with 4 points, you say!? In other words, that is the same as following Alisha, whom that man serves.

That is a choice that I would have never thought that my Ototo, who has been acting so smoothly up until this point, would have made. Who would have thought that the weakest man who had come in from the outside would come up here――But not yet. There is still Nora.

Nora and my camps have a military force far beyond the others. The time we have spent preparing for the battle is different.

Even if it were to come to a three-way battle between Nora, the others, and me, there is no way Tony and the others would win.

But that man, just when I thought that he was just incompetent, he is one hell of a poison to Code. When I become king, I will execute him first.

As I make this new resolution, Nora who has been silent for a while, sighs deeply and says.

『Aaah, damn it…… I don’t have a choice. Okay, I’ll join Alisha as well. I did make a promise.』 (Nora)

“!? Say, what!? What does that mean!?” (Angus)

I unintentionally stand up. A promise? What, is she talking about?

Nora’s area is generally obstructing surveillance. That is why it is possible that secret deals have been made without my knowledge, but it is hard to believe that Nora, who was so determined to win, would side with someone else.

“I get it, I get it. Nora, you are saying that you are going to help Alisha after you become king, right?” (Angus)

『Hmph…… That’s not it, Aniue. I’m saying, that, I’ll hand over the throne to Alisha. Instead of giving it to a coward, she will create a much better country.』 (Nora)@@novelbin@@

“Im…… Impossible…… Do you even understand what you are talking about!?” (Angus)

What she said is unbelievable. We aren’t just aiming for the throne. We each have our own faction and expectations we carry on our shoulders.

And you are saying that Nora, who should be painfully aware of this, is going to give up?

『Kuh, kuh, kuh, this is, so unexpected. I can’t believe that, even Nora would give up…… As expected, even I didn’t expect this. That guy is a masterpiece.』 (Tony)

“Hh…………” (Angus)

If what he said is true, then Tony has declared that he will side with Alisha without expecting any help from Nora. No, even for the others, everyone was shaken the moment someone said they would be siding with Alisha.

In other words, this――Isn’t something they have discussed beforehand.

However, this is definitely not a mere coincidence. I shudder.

In this city ruled by a city system… Without anyone knowing?

Who designed this picture?

『Oi, Aniki. So, what are you going to do? It seems like everyone else except for you, Aniki, is siding with Alisha――』 (Tony)

“………… Kuh.” (Angus)

Alisha Code doesn’t have resources. So this is essentially a 1 against 4 battle. As you can imagine, this is going to be a little tough, but that doesn’t mean there is no way for me to win.

But the fact is that it has become a lone struggle for me.

It is expected that some would team up, but it is unexpected that everyone but me will join forces. And each area has its own citizens――Its own supporters.

Is a man who has won against all the other members of the Royal Family who have united against him really fit to be king?

This is different from the previous battle for the throne, where they had no idea what to expect. It is not enough to just win.

I must win and show myself worthy of being king. Of course, if I obtain the staff, I can exercise my authority, but can I fulfill my responsibilities as king in that state?

I swallow my spit. Cold sweat runs down my cheeks.

There isn’t even a need to try. No matter how you look at it, it is simply not possible. That is far from the kind of king I want to be.

Nora, who probably understands my character better than anyone, asks me with a smile.

『Are you going to worry about it for 3 days? Aniue?』 (Nora)

No one seems to be conspiring against me. I have never met Alisha face to face. However, it is unlikely that either Nora or Tony would hand over the throne to anybody.

Does this princess really have the talent to stake Code’s future on it?

Thanks for reading! Who made this plan you say Angus? Of course it is the Divine Strategist, Infinite Variety! Love Angus reaction to everyone siding with Alisha. That is something he couldn’t have stopped even if he was monitoring Cry. Sasuga Master~!