The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter [NaN]

The sound of glass shattering echoed.

Upon hearing it, the Dragonfolk elder, Traius, exhaled deeply.

"Did we make it in time?"

Weakened by the combined efforts of the Elf elders and the Dragonfolk, the barrier had finally collapsed from the inside.

At least, they managed to avoid being too late.

"My name is Leonard, the Eighth Prince of the Empire! And you are?"

"I am Traius, the leader of the Dragonfolk and these are the Elf elders. Since we are well-versed in medicine, let us attend to the injured first."

"Dragonfolk...? That legendary race? If that's true... Thank you. We have many wounded among us."

"That is naturally the case after a battle with the demons. It was the same in the past."

"Rubetta! Loretta!"

The twin Dragonfolk looked around frantically, searching for the source of the voice that was calling their names. It was Sieg.

When they spotted the little bear, they rushed over and hugged him.

"Sieg!"

"I'm so glad you're safe!"

"Whoa! Stop pulling me!"

After a brief but intense reunion, Rubetta and Loretta regained their composure and let go of Sieg.

"That's right! We need to treat you!"

"Hurry, we need medicine...!"

"I’m counting on you, really..."

While muttering, Sieg looked towards Traius who was slowly walking over.

"Thanks, old man."

"No need for gratitude. I simply did what needed to be done."

With that response, Traius continued walking towards the area where the injured had been gathered and moved deeper into the section.

"You seem to have survived... Emperor."

On a bed lay Johannes, his right arm lost, breathing heavily.

"...You are the Dragonfolk... That legendary race... Why are you here...?"

"Naturally, to assist you."

"In that case... I'm fine... Please, tend to the others..."

"That's not an option. The situation is worse than you think."

"What do you mean...?"

Besides the Emperor, the Brave Duke that was laid on a bed suddenly rose up. His left leg had been blown off and his body was covered with numerous wounds, but he was already recovering better than the Emperor. Seeing this, Traius sighed in exasperation. ᚱÄΝO͍ᛒĚŞ

"The bloodline of the brave is always extraordinary. You seem to need only some mild medication."

"Answer my question."

"First, you must recover. Only healthy individuals can receive an explanation."

At that moment, someone flew at high speed from the capital. Traius narrowed his eyes at the sight.

"The current brave huh... I hope they don’t get too shocked."

"What is... happening outside...?"

"I also want to hear about it."

Leo had appeared. Traius, who had thought Leo had flown off together with Elna, looked surprised.

"Aren't you going to pursue them?"

"I can't catch up to them, so I left it to No-Name. Besides, someone here needs to listen to your report."

"Hmm... Then let's move to another place. The contents are too shocking for the injured to hear."

With that, Traius led Leo away from the scene.

________

"Al...!"

Elna murmured as she flew. She was currently without her Holy Sword although she had barely managed to steady her mind enough to break the barrier, but as soon as she did, the Holy Sword disappeared.

Her unstable mental state was the reason. The Holy Sword does not recognize someone with an unstable spirit as a brave and currently, Elna was far from being a brave.

No-Name was chasing after her.

"Wait! Elna!"

Elna didn't respond to No-Name's calls and kept flying with single-minded determination. Suddenly, she descended. Below, she saw the rest of the allied forces. They were the troops that were supporting the Dragonfolk and Elf elders and later merged with the main force once the barrier was broken.

Leading them was Vinfried.

"Vin!"

"Elna!? So the barrier is broken!?"

"I broke it! What's the situation!? What's happening now!?"

"First, tell me! Are the Emperor and Leo safe!?"@@novelbin@@

"They're safe!"

At Elna's words, Vin exhaled deeply while looking relieved. He hadn't had a moment's peace and was always fearing that everything might be lost. Despite his role in leading the remnants of the allied forces, as well as handling the monumental task of rebuilding the kingdom, he had avoided thinking deeply by immersing himself in work. But they were safe so he felt a profound sense of relief when he heard Elna’s response.

But then...

"Vin! What's happening now!? What about the Empire!? What about Al!?"

"Elna! Calm down!"

No-Name, who had followed, restrained Elna. Seeing her so distraught made the soldiers uneasy.

But...

"How can I be calm!? Al is my childhood friend! As the commander of the allied forces, he must have been targeted! I need to confirm his safety! I can't stay calm!!!!"

Elna screamed.

Hearing it, Vin fell silent.

Unable to bear the silence, a soldier muttered.

"...The commander has..."

"Stop!!!!"

Vin roared at him. He rarely shows any anger yet the soldiers all bowed their heads under his intense glare.

Seeing this, Elna's shoulders trembled.

And then...

"Vin... Al is... safe, right...?"

"...I'm sorry..."

Vin murmured, as if squeezing out those words.

There had been no help from Leo and Elna since they were trapped in the barrier and he alone could move. If only he had been more vigilant, since it was predictable that Al, the commander of the allied forces with many accomplishments now, would be a target.

But he was distracted by the capital's battle, leaving the headquarters vulnerable.

It was his fault. And with self-reproach, Vin continued.

"Right after the battle in the capital..."

"Vin...?"

"The command room was blown up... And Al was there... I'm sorry..."

"That's a lie... It can't be..."

"Currently... Al's status is unknown... But most likely..."

He couldn't continue as Elna's face was filled with despair. Seeing her expression, Vin also showed a pained look.

He had expected this. As her childhood friend, he understood. The most valuable aspect of Arnold Lakes Adler was that he was the emotional support for the “Brave” Elna. Without Al, Elna couldn't fight and it can be seen with Elna crumbling before him.

He had never seen Elna so fragile, while on the verge of tears and collapsing. No-Name quickly supported the faltering Elna.

"...I'm sorry."

He murmured again. There was nothing he could do but apologize. For him, being cut down in a fit of rage would have been preferable by a hundredfold but before Vin's eyes, Elna's spirit was slowly breaking. He didn't want to see his childhood friend fall apart but he couldn't look away.

A tear rolled down Elna's cheek and at the same time… her emotions finally burst.

"Nooooooo!!!!!!"

Shaking her disheveled hair, she started reaching for the sword at her waist.

No-Name restrained her by force. In her state of desperation, who knew what she might do.

"Elna! Elna!"

"No! No! Let go!"

"Calm down!"

No-Name struggled to hold Elna. Then, delivered a blow to her abdomen.

"Ugh..."

"I'm sorry, Elna..."

There was no other way. Even Elna would be subdued if struck unguarded by No-Name, and soon she stopped moving.

She had lost the will to fight.

"Where is Leo...?"

"He's still in the capital."

"Then let's head to the capital... We need to explain what happened to Leo too."

Vin murmured with a somber expression .

TL's Notes:

It's raining today.... Also only 1 chapter today since this concludes Arc 58!