The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

In the Sokal Empire, Crown Prince Efim was sweating nervously in his command post. It wasn't the fear of the imminent battle that gripped him, but the overwhelming strength of his allies.

The Imperial Eastern Border Defense Force, thirty thousand strong, was being personally led by Lise. Additionally, Efim had the support of Sokal’s noble forces, making it another thirty thousand troops. On the other side, Grigory, who had seized control around the Imperial Capital, was marching against Efim with a force of one hundred thousand troops.

Grigory, a powerful figure in the Sokal Empire, had many more supporters compared to the young and inexperienced Efim. With the fall of Efim's greatest supporter, the Emperor, it was challenging to gather a substantial army, even as the legitimate heir.

Thus, Efim turned to the Empire, his long-time adversary, for help. Specifically, he sought aid from Lise, the Princess General who had been defending the Empire from the Sokal Empire’s invasions. It was a desperate measure, but it was necessary for victory.

Despite this, it was a battle of one hundred thousand versus sixty thousand and the odds were slim. Even so, Efim faced the decisive battle against Grigory with full resolve.

Lise had set several conditions for her aid:

• The battle had to be decided swiftly.

• She would take full command of the entire army.

• After the decisive battle, Efim had to secure the territories around the capital on his own.

"So this is the Princess General… the strongest general of the Adler family..."

Even before Lise had entered the Empire’s Eastern Border, the Sokal Empire had already clashed with her several times. Consequently, the nobles supporting Efim readily listened to Lise. The Western nobles of the Sokal Empire, after having fought Lise multiple times in the past, understood her fearsome reputation well. As a foe she was terrifying, but as an ally, she was incredibly reliable.

Following her commands ensured certain victory for them. The nobles felt this atmosphere keenly.

Unity in command was crucial. Especially since this was a coalition of different nations, ones who were traditionally enemies with each other. Yet, Lise's charisma and track record unified them.

Thus,

"The enemy's left flank is in shambles! They're starting to retreat! Our forces are surging straight towards the central command!"

"Excellent! As expected of the Princess General!"

"We've won Your Highness!!"

While his aides erupted in celebration, Efim couldn't feel truly happy. The victory had come too easily. Though the enemy had greater numbers, they were disorganized and became more so when the enemy nobles started retreating at the slightest disadvantage.

Moreover, the enemy’s nobles had moved independently, resulting in a fragmented command structure. With the unified army on his side, there was no chance of losing.

This battle stressed the importance of competent leadership on the battlefield.

With a sigh, Efim remembered the last condition set by Lise: a five-year ceasefire treaty of mutual non-aggression since both the Sokal Empire and the Adrasia Empire needed time to rebuild, making the treaty mutually beneficial.

However, Efim was displeased with the length of the five years.

"I don't want to fight such a family for ten or twenty years though..."

Couldn't he just wait for them to grow old and die? However, when that woman (TL:Monster) aged, another young royal would rise. Hence, the best time to strike was when they were weakened.

The Empire’s maximum period of turmoil was five years and Lise had effectively sealed that opportunity. Breaking the treaty would result in a backlash from not only the other nations but also by the domestic nobles. This was evident from the nobles' willingness to follow Lise's command.

The Adler family had always enchanted and integrated the people when expanding their empire. The flag of the Golden Eagle had always shone brightly, never getting dulled due to the constant emergence of remarkable individuals within the royal family. Thus, living next to such a ruling family was nothing short of misfortune.

Efim finally understood the greatness of his grandfather. After this decisive battle, he would ascend to the throne. Even if his grandfather Mikhail were alive, this was the predetermined path.

It made him sick to his stomach. What joy was there in drawing such a short straw?

Grigory was foolish. He sought the throne and, therefore, could not succeed it. The ruler of this country needed to be cautious and cowardly, showing bravado outwardly while being inwardly fearful, since they would always be constantly dealing with the fierce eagle next door. Being a ruler here meant that they had to understand their own weakness.

While feeling utterly miserable, Efim received a report.

"Report! The rebel Grigory has been captured! What are your orders!?"

"Oh!"

"Well done!"

Ignoring his aides that were celebrating, Efim expressed his dark feelings. The outcome wouldn't change anyway. So he decided to vent his indescribable frustration.

"Kill him."

"Huh? Your Highness…?"

"Your Highness, for an execution, a date should be…"

"Didn't you hear me? I said kill him. The date is today. Kill him immediately."

"Then, we’ll bring him to the command post..."

"Stop. I don't want to see his face. Ensure that he's dead and just report it back to me."

The short straw had turned into a rotten one. Inheriting this country was already a short straw, and now he had to sign a treaty favorable to the Empire. Therefore in his frustration, Efim ordered Grigory’s immediate execution.

Grigory had many collaborators but few true believers so killing him now wouldn't cause significant repercussions. Regardless of whether Efim would be seen as cruel, eliminating him now would remove any remaining opposition.

He needed to take the throne quickly and restore the nation's strength.

"To the front lines!"

Efim rode out to show himself to his victorious troops. The battlefield was littered with bodies, being mostly from the enemy army and predominantly soldiers from the Sokal Empire. There were very few Adrasian soldiers among the dead.

His forces had defeated a numerically superior enemy while minimizing their own losses.

Moreover,

"Have you come to celebrate our victory? Prince Efim."

"…It's a relief to see you safe, Field Marshal Liselotte."

Lise, who had been commanding from the front lines, was unscathed. How much happier he would have been had she had been even slightly injured.

"Don't say things that you don't mean. You wanted me dead, didn't you?"

"That's not true."

"No need to pretend. That's how the rulers of the Sokal Empire are—cunning and cowardly, always seeking profit."

Efim’s aides almost drew their weapons in response to such an outrageous remark, but Efim stopped them with his hand.

"I have… signed a treaty with the Field Marshal and it takes effect immediately. Do you intend to dishonor my word?"

Glaring at his aides, Efim made them lower their weapons.

Seeing this, Lise smirked.

"So you didn’t take the bait, always maneuvering to your advantage because you know your weakness. That’s why… the Sokal Empire is always troublesome."

Lise rode past Efim and said,

"Then, see you in five years, Emperor Efim."

"…"

Lise began preparing her troops for withdrawal. From now on, they will act separately. Lise would return to the Empire while Efim would secure the remaining areas around the capital. For Efim, it was merely a formality. The capital would likely open its gates at his advance.

"…Is Field Marshal Liselotte still unmarried?"

"I have heard so, Your Highness…"

"Does she have any betrothed?"

"I'm not sure… Your Highness, surely you don’t mean…?"

"If she has no one, I’d like to take her as my wife… but it won’t be easy."

The Empire's strongest shield wouldn't be easily given away. Currently, Efim needed to resolve the remaining domestic issues swiftly, just as Lise needed to resolve the Sokal Empire's issues.

He should have made an engagement with Lise as a condition earlier. Being at a disadvantage, he had negotiated straightforwardly. At times like these, he should have shown more bravado.

Realizing his own mistake, Efim set off to reclaim the capital.