The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 654: The Two Swords

"Whoa!?! I'm going to die! That is gonna kill us, isn't it?! Boy!!"

Asmodeus's meteor attack divides the Allied forces into three groups: the ground troops under Silver's protection, the Imperial Guards that are protecting the Emperor, and Leo's aerial unit. The aerial unit, after having its battlefield in the skies, wasn't just loitering around. From the moment Asmodeus appeared, they were detouring for an attack, only to be hindered by the remaining demons.

The enormous body of Asmodeus could fend off attacks from Linares and Egor but couldn't maneuver swiftly enough to avoid the agile aerial unit, which is somewhat able to have distracted him. However this was also anticipated by Asmodeus, who had his subordinates stall the aerial forces while merely considering them as annoying as flies. Ultimately, the aerial unit couldn't break through the demons before Asmodeus launched his total assault. Soon the demons retreated away caught from the oncoming onslaught.

While carrying Sieg, Leo quickly performed some evasive maneuvers.

"We're going to die! Am I really going to die!?"

"Keep quiet, Sieg!!"

"It's impossible! Please let me down!"

"You'll die if you get off!"

With complex maneuvers and holy magic for shielding from the unavoidable meteors, they somehow managed to survive the devil’s onslaught, their holy magic proving effective against these kinds of attacks.

"Form up and fire!!"

Commanding the aerial unit, William gathered the nearby forces to intercept the falling meteors. Unlike those on the ground, the aerial forces had overwhelming mobility, making it easier to target specific meteors. Yet, some people still fell, crashing down as they were directly hit by the meteors.

"If it stays like this..."

In a voice laced with urgency, Leo glanced toward the Emperor and the Imperial Guard. Despite their desperate counterattacks, the relentless onslaught didn't cease. The meteor's attack in that area was too dense, especially since some are directly targeting the Emperor. Defending continuously would only eventually wear them down, making it crucial to extract the Emperor to the skies. Remaining on the ground made them an easy target. Amid these thoughts, Leo saw the heroic figure of the Brave Duke fall.

Leo widened his eyes but didn't cease his evasive actions.

"Hey, isn't this bad!?"

"We can't do anything even if we go to them now. We'll just get shot down."

Leo muttered through gritted teeth. Approaching was nearly impossible, and mere wishes weren't enough to save anyone. In that respect, Leo remained level-headed.

"But that's your father, isn't it!? He'll die if things stay this way!?"

"If I go there now... and we both fall, there will be no one left to take command. I... as the only prince present, have a duty to survive."

The majority of the Allied forces were Imperial troops, with the Emperor standing as the linchpin of all forces. Should anything befall him, Leo was the sole heir capable of succeeding him. Falling together was the one outcome that had to be avoided at all costs.

"Your Highness! Let me provide support in your place!"

Fin, the captain of the Imperial Knights and the sole member of the aerial unit, offered his help. However, Leo declined.

"No! If you're not there, Leticia will fall!"

Beside Fin was Leticia. Her safety was guaranteed solely because of Fin's protection. Leticia's holy staff was a trump card akin to the Imperial Sword and it was too valuable to lose here.

"But! I can save His Majesty!"

"If Leticia falls, we would lose our chance for a counterattack!"

No clear answers were found since there was no known right action. Yet, Leo still didn't send reinforcements. He knew that targeting the Emperor was a basic tactic and that the real power lay with the wielder of the Holy Sword and the SS-ranked adventurers, the only ones that have a chance at defeating Asmodeus. The Emperor had drawn Asmodeus's attention to create an opportunity for a counterattack, a strategy Leo understood all too well.

Soon Theodore fell, leaving only Alida beside the Emperor,

"You'll regret it if you don't go!?"

"I am... the successor to the Emperor. I cannot let the Emperor's wishes be in vain."

If the Emperor wished for help, Leo might have gone. But that wasn't the case. There was only one wish: the defeat of Asmodeus. To fulfill that, one must do what they can. Currently, protecting Leticia was paramount to their mission so Leo dismissed Sieg's protests while understanding the harsh truth: he wasn't strong enough to afford any leniency. Leniency is a luxury of the strong; the weak must be decisive, no matter the personal cost.

As Leo glimpsed the Emperor and the teleportation gate, he hoped the Emperor would enter. When the Emperor collapsed instead, Leo felt his blood boil and a lightning bolt running through his head, momentarily blinding him. However, the moment he grasped the Imperial Sword that came through the nearby teleportation gate, Leo quickly made a decision.

"Sieg! The Holy Amulet!"

"O-Okay!"

Overwhelmed by the intensity, Sieg handed over the Holy Amulet he had been holding. After receiving it, Sieg was tossed towards Fin.

"Fin! Take care of Leticia! Leticia! Use the Holy Staff only on me!"

"Yes!"

While giving his orders, Leo applied the Holy Amulet to his chest. With two of the Four Sacred Treasures and the Imperial Sword, he didn't know the impact it would have on his body. But any thoughts of danger had left Leo's mind at that moment. He had to do what was necessary. The sacrifices made were significant. Therefore, it was crucial to see things through.

"Answer my voice! Oh holy staff of the stars. Throne over the sacred heavens. Bestow color upon the colorless, mournful earth! The color to bestow is 'gold'!"

Leticia granted him the color of gold. It was the color of possibilities. Leo's latent abilities were then drawn out. While further enhanced by the Holy Amulet, Leo leapt from his griffin. At this point, there was no need for Leo to ride the flying beast anymore. While flying at high speed, Leo channeled the magical power from the Imperial Sword into himself. Of course, he had never used the Imperial Sword before. But he knew instinctively that he could use it. Strengthened by two of the four Sacred Treasures, Leo was able to withstand the magic and felt magic filling him rapidly. Then, Leo thought he should synchronize his actions with those of others. However, that thought was dispelled by a voice he heard.

"Go, Leo. Trust in yourself and act. Sometimes, it's okay to act on your emotions."

That was the voice of the person he once aspired to be. Pushed by that voice, Leo stopped checking his surroundings.

"Whoaaa!!!!"

And with that, he accelerated with all his might.

_________

Why is it so difficult to protect what is precious to oneself?

Stunned, Elna watched Theodore fall. Theodore, who had taken care of her since she became a Royal Guard, a colleague with whom she had honed her swordsmanship, and a person she believed could always be relied upon, had fallen after her father.

It was an illusion to think everything would be fine.

People die.

And she wasn't strong enough to protect anyone.

"Why am I so weak?"

Questioning herself, Elna watched the unfolding tragedy. The Emperor himself did not escape through the teleportation gate and soon, two meteors bypassed Alida's interception and pierced the Emperor.

The person who had given her a white cloak, who had watched over her like a real parent, the father of her dearest childhood friend, the person she had sworn to protect at all costs, had fallen.

And she could only watch.

"Elna!!"

"I... I..."

"Pull yourself together!"

Her heart was on the verge of breaking. She had confidence in her strength, thinking she could protect everyone and bring victory without major losses. Yet, that was no longer possible. She wasn't strong enough.

"Don't just stand there, summon the Holy Sword!"

"I can't protect anyone..."

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself! This is a battlefield! We don't need people who can't contribute! If you want to die, just expose yourself to the meteors!!"

Saying this, No-Name moved Elna into the path of an incoming meteor, which she instinctively intercepted. Even though she thought it was all over, her body still moved.

"Your father has fallen, the Emperor has fallen! Yet you haven't lost the will to live! What did you think at that moment? Isn't there still a reason for you to fight!?"

Why do I want to live? She knew the answer. Because someone was waiting for her. It had always been that way. Even when she summoned the Holy Sword, it was all for that person.

"Fight! Aren't you a hero!?"

"No-Name..."

"Go! You have something that only you can do!"

"Yes… You're right."

Elna wiped away her tears.

There was no time to be downcast.

There was no time to lament her lack of strength.

The reason for fighting had not changed, not now, not ever.

"To give my Highness the report of our victory."

Soaring through the sky, Elna raised her hand to the heavens.

"Hear my voice and awaken! The shining holy sword! This hero now needs a miracle!!"

Light fell into Elna's hand, eventually transforming into a sword. That sword shone brightly while emitting a divine light. Holding that divine light sword in both hands, Elna declared,

"Holy Sword Aurora - Final Release."

While wrapped in that blinding light, Elna charged straight ahead.

TL: Guys, I asked on discord but to those who are not in there yet... Please let me know in the comments whether you want me to continue with the rest of the story or translate the side story that comes after this arc. Thanks for reading once again!

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