The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 688: To Each Their Own

Oster Plains, Northern Empire

The Oster Plains, the site of the final battle and the greatest battlefield of the Northern Rebellion, was where Rupert now stood. This was precisely the place where Gordon and Leonard had their one-on-one duel and where Gordon lost his life.

"What were his final moments like?" Rupert asked.

"To ensure his allies' retreat, he led a charge with a small group. His bravery and strength at the forefront reminded me of the fierce warrior Gordon once was. His last charge was nothing but honorable, without any trace of cowardice," Charlotte replied, who was accompanying Rupert.

Charlotte's words, having led the northern nobles into battle, painted a vivid picture for Rupert of the scene. His brother had died here yet surprisingly, he did not feel much shock. It was not because it was Gordon, but because he accepted that people die. The same had happened in the Imperial Capital. People die, even if they are family or royalty.

Therefore, people live their lives to the fullest. No one wants to die or get hurt and it is easy to run away. "Even so," people strive to accomplish something. Gordon probably didn't want to die either and there were many things that he could have done if he had lived. But he prioritized the retreat of his allies. Why?

"Gordon-aniue, what is more important than life?" Rupert mused aloud while not expecting an answer.

It was more a question to himself.

When Rupert turned around, he found himself in a white space. Magic? A dream? As Rupert was bewildered, a hand gently rested on his shoulder from behind.

'I am not as skilled in magic as the others, so I can't do much. But in this place, I can at least convey my words to you,' the voice continued.

"Gordon-aniue?" Rupert asked as he turned to see Gordon standing there, looking the same as he did when he was alive. Rupert thought that he might be a ghost or something, but the hand on his shoulder was warm.

'What people choose to risk their lives for varies and some may never even find it. It's not easy, but... it's easier if you imagine what your future self will be. If you think that dying is better than imagining yourself running from the enemy, then fight. If you think that you'll find a way to live if you run, then run. The decision is yours, not anyone else's,' Gordon said while tapping Rupert's chest as if to say, decide here.

Then he added,

'You outwitted me once. Remember the courage you had when you made that decision.'

Gordon smiled gently while placing his large hand on Rupert's head.

'You've grown a bit taller.'

Gordon ruffled Rupert's hair roughly and then disappeared. When Rupert recalled this, he remembered how Gordon would ruffle his hair before going out to battle when Rupert was very young. By the time he tried to find Gordon's figure again, Rupert was back on the Oster Plains.

"Your Highness? Are you okay?" Charlotte asked, looking concerned.

"Gordon-aniue was here..."

"Your Highness?"

"No.. it's okay."

Rupert nodded several times to reassure Charlotte, who was looking at him worriedly. He quietly recalled the words from earlier.

Whether it was a dream, magic, or just an illusion, he clearly remembered the words that had resonated in his heart. During their escape from the Imperial Capital, Rupert had outwitted Gordon once and that was because he had fulfilled his role as a decoy. In the end, he was the main target, but he had succeeded because he had committed to being a decoy. He had decided to take on that role with courage.

What had made him take the courage to commit such an act at that time? He had abandoned Krista and many others. Still, he had tried to fulfill his role. ṘÄŊỔВÊʂ

Why?

He had volunteered to be a decoy and his brother had entrusted that task to him with a "I'm counting on you," so he didn't want to betray those words. Reaching that conclusion, Rupert took a deep breath.

"Marquess Charlotte von Zweig... may I ask you something?" he asked.

"Yes your Highness? What is it?"

"Do you have the resolve to carry Rupert Lakes Adler as your banner?"

"Your Highness, if you have the resolve, then yes."

Resolve.

It was a heavy word. Rupert had it when he left the Imperial Capital but hearing of Arnold's death had shaken it. However, now he was unwavering. Many people had ensured his escape from the Imperial Capital so as a royal, he had a responsibility.

He was expected to act.

And,

"I am a member of the Adler family. I have many respectable brothers and sisters so I do not want to disgrace them... even if it means fighting my elder brother."

Hearing Rupert's words, Charlotte knelt on the spot.

"The House of Zweig will follow Your Highness."

"Send a rallying call to all the northern nobles. The content is up to you but add this at the end: 'I hope that the proud forty-seven families of the north have not forgotten the favor that they owe to Arnold.'"

"Your Highness, that is..."

It was close to provocation, it was basically asking them if they had forgotten the favor that the 47 families owed to Arnold.

But Rupert shook his head.

"The northern nobles are proud. Thus, they will not remain silent if they are called ingrates. They would want to at least come and complain to the youngest royal who dared to say that. If they come, I can appeal to them directly, it's more effective than through letters and it's necessary to bring them here."

"If you've thought it through that much... where should the assembly point be?"

"Let's make it on Gnade Hill."

With that, Rupert started walking.

_________

"Arn-nii won't die... Arn-nii won't die..."

Alois bit his lip as he watched Christa who was muttering like a broken record on her bed. When Christa heard about Arnold's death, which was around the same time Alois had taken her into protection and sent rallying calls to the southern nobles, she had collapsed. Since then, she had been lying down while in a daze, without shedding even a tear.

"Alois," called Lars, the commander of the Narbe Ritter who had been protecting Krista.

"What is it?"

"Reinforcements have already arrived."

"So soon?"

It was quick yet Alois ran out to greet them. Alois' base, which is the city of Gels, had grown significantly since he had received his marquisate and now it is one of the major cities in the south. The rapid growth had been fueled by the Emperor's intentions to cultivate Alois as a powerful southern noble, leading to significant investment in the Marquisate of Simmel. As a result, a hundred knights have entered the now grand city of Gels.

"Thank you for welcoming us, Marquis Simmel," said Rebecca von Sitterheim, the first of the knights to arrive.

Alois wasn't surprised since he had expected her to be the first to respond.

"We owe a great debt to the Emperor and Prince Leonard, making it no question about whom to support. This life is now dedicated to Princess Krista," Rebecca declared with a bright expression.

Count Sitterheim, Rebecca's former master, had been involved in corruption. However, feeling ashamed about his actions, he had written a letter of denunciation which revealed Duke Kruger's deeds in the south. Upon Leonard's recommendation, The Emperor granted Rebecca the viscountcy of Sitterheim and awarded her a medal. This consideration had stayed with Rebecca and prompted her to bring her knights in response to Alois’s rallying call.

"Where is Her Highness? I would like to pay her my respects," Rebecca asked.

"Well..."

Alois's face contorted.

No matter how many troops gathered, it was meaningless if the banner didn't function.

He knew how impossible it was to tell a teenage girl not to dwell on her brother's death.

Soon, the southern anti-Wilhelm faction had become dysfunctional.

Tl's Notes:

Double chapter today because I actually hit my kofi-goal.... and just found out 14 days later.... I'm really sorry to the user Skynomer for the late double chapter!!

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