The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 151: Closing the Curtain

You will not be faulted even if you accidentally kill each other. But do avoid shedding blood as much as possible.

Father gave me quite a tall order.

At his signal, the knights handed a sheathed sword to each of us.

Being physically poor, it is too heavy for me.

Its impossible for me to move like Leo in a fight. Moreover, Father even requested such a thing since he thinks that I am Leo.

Laurenz on the other hand is acting awkward when he receives the sword since his body is still shivering.

He should be confident in his ability since he was the one who challenged me to a duel but the price for losing this duel is simply too heavy. He can not fight normally anymore.

Emperor Poison Wine is a legendary poison. It is said that an assassin would sell out his employer just by mentioning it. There is no end to such tales about the Emperor Poison Wine.

Thinking about the possibility that he has to drink that poison, Laurenzs body visibly trembling. Well, he thought that I am Arnold when he challenged me to duel in the first place.

That being said, the moment Mother called me Leonard, everyone here is convinced that I am indeed him.

Leos heroism is clear from his recent activities. Moreover, from an early age, he has never lost in a sword fight. A mere noble has no chance against him.

Thats why I cant show some unsightly performance here.

Both sides, get ready.

In response to my fathers words, I pull out the sword from the sheath.

Laurenz also unsheathed his sword and held it in his hands. It is a stance that is true to the basics. He must have a minimum knowledge of swordsmanship. Im certain that I cant win against him in a normal duel.

Seriously.time after time, he forced me to use something that I dont want to use.

This duel shouldnt be happening in the first place.

He was supposed to sign the agreement without knowing for certain whether I am Al or Leo.

Laurenz crushed all my plans. He moved without a moment to think about his own influence and things have become so complicated that it is now inevitable to make sacrifices.

Finne will be saddened. I tried to avoid this development but..the fool in front of me involved another unnecessary person and now the situation was already out of my hands.

I have no choice but to keep up my Leo act and use this situation to raise Leos reputation.

Hes free to die for his own actions but I cant forgive him for taking away the possibility that I can end this without saddening Finne.

I told Finne that I would not do something that would make her cry. Those words will surely become a lie.

Finne will feel responsible for their death. No matter what I say, she will blame herself.

To avoid that future, I can reveal that I am actually Arnold here at this moment.

That way, no one will have to be sacrificed. As usual, I will bear all the blame and people will just keep ridiculing me. The only difference is that if I do that, I will have to leave Finnes side.

I wont starve even if I am no longer a royalty. I can continue to support Leo even if I am no longer one as well.

However, If I am no longer a part of the imperial family, I cant stay by Finnes side.

I like how things are right now. I like the days that I can spend my time with Finne.

This is surely an act of selfishness.

Since I did not consider Finnes feelings, maybe I am the same as these guys. Even if Finne will be saddened, I still want to stay by her side.

I selfishly want to stay beside Finne. I want her to always be my sharer of secrets.

Shutting off my heart, I bring the sword in front of my face.

It is a knights ritual before a duel. I did it uprightly like Leo would and activated an ancient magic spell.

A magic that I forbid myself to use.

Its name is [Epigonen].

(TLN: Meaning Imitators)

It is a magic that can perfectly imitate the targeted person from the users memory. It can also imitate the targets physical ability and combat techniques.

It is a convenient and useful spell but such a spell has a severe side effect. I forbid myself from using it because of that. But now I have no choice but to use it.

My body is filled with power. My field of vision widens and even Laurenzs subtle movement can be read through my eyes.

This is the vision of Leo from my memory.

Now, at this moment. I completely transformed into Leo.

Begin!!

UOAAHHH!!

Laurenz rushes at me.

There was no technique behind it but his charge still has a lot of momentum.

He probably wants to decide this with a surprise attack.

If he loses he dies, that is why he has no choice but to go for the winning move. Laurenz has the strength to make that blow.

However, the differences in ability here will not be compensated with just that.

I smoothly spin my body to avoid him.

With his attack avoided, Laurenz who couldnt stop himself unsightly plunged himself at the floor. He stays crouching down in pain for a moment but he immediately realizes that he is currently fighting in a serious duel so he grips his sword and turns around.

I can see that he is full of openings but I did not make a move against him.

Leo will not do that. He might do it in a fight but this is a duel. He will surely choose to fight fair and square here.

Haa Haa..Ugh, UWAAAAAAA!!

Unable to bear the tension, Laurenz charges at me again. However, his momentum this time isnt as high. Probably because I avoided him earlier.

An attack that lacks both technique and momentum will not work on Leo.

I parried his stabbing attack and fling his sword upward.

Then, the sword escaped Laurenzs hand and flew up into the air.

At that moment, despair appears on Laurenzs face.

Laurenz slowly kneels down as he looks at his sword dancing in the air.

Laurenz smiled seeing the sword falling directly toward him. However, I grab Laurenzs falling sword with my other hand and hold both swords at Laurenzs neck.

Do you want to continue?

Ah..Y, Your Highness.Pl, please, forgive meI, no, I..I was simply thinking about Finne-sama..

If you really think about her then this would never happen. You have taken action. You have involved His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress into this, it is no longer possible to solve this situation without making sacrifices. If you take pride in being an imperial noble then.become a sacrifice and protect the honor of the imperial family.

N, NoI dont want to! If I have to drink that poison I would rather die here!!

Laurenz then thrusts himself at my swords.

However, in anticipation of that, I took a few steps back and prevented him from committing suicide.

Thats it! Apprehend him!

Your Majesty! Please forgive me! Your Majesty! Father!! Father!! Please help me!!

Laurenz is half-mad as he tries to crawl his way toward Father and Elder Weitling.

Seeing such Laurenz, Fathers face distorted.

It seems you have made a mistake in raising him, Edmund.

Please forgive me.I can not bear to live with this. Please bestow the Emperor Poison Wine to me as well.

Elder Weitling requested for the poison himself.

Even though he is this great of a person, why has his son turned out like that?

He shouldnt be someone that raises his children poorly. His eldest daughter married the Crown Prince and his second eldest daughter climbed up into the position of a captain of the imperial knight order corp.

It would be wrong to blame it on his parenting.

When I was thinking so, Father shook his head.

I will not. You have to take responsibility and raise the next Marquis of Weitling. Until then you have to take good care of your life.

Your Majesty

Everyone is dismissed. This is the end of this case. Take them to prison. Do not allow them to commit suicide, you hear me?

Saying so, Father stood up from the throne and left the room.

Franz who was left behind starts the cleanup process and gives his instructions.

In the meantime, the Empress and my mother take their leave.

The only ones left were me, Therese, and Elder Weitling.

.it would be wrong for me to hate you. Leonard.

I do not mind even if you hate me.

NoIm grateful that you gave him a chance And dont you want to blame me for this too? I who moved out to save my foolish little brother.

I do not blame you. I am sure that the feeling of wanting to help someone is important. Its just thatYou have made a mistake, Sister-in-law. The way you did it.you can not save his life that way.

Therese has locked herself up inside the East Palace for all this time.

With no contact on the outside world, the Empress would have been the only person she could count on.

She must have no other choice. After all, she has turned into a recluse after the Crown Prince passed away.

However, even such a recluse wouldnt have been abandoned by her family.

Elder Weitling. Can you stand?

..Please leave me like this for a whilehe may have been foolish and disgraceful.but he is still my son

..I understand. Sister-in-law. Please take care of Elder Weitling.

Saying so, I let Therese care for him and leave the throne room.

It would be a problem if something happened to them so I instruct Sebas to keep watch on them. After he acknowledged my command, Sebas disappeared. Now, even if those two lost their mind, Sebas will be able to stop them.

After that, I went back to my room.

I think that Finne will definitely be waiting for me there.

.

Welcome back. Al-sama.

Finne welcomed me.

To such Finne, I simply stand still without saying anything.

Al-sama?

Sorry.

Why are you apologizing, Al-sama?

..in the end, Laurenz and the others would die. There was a way to save their livesbut I chose not to do it even though I know that you will be sad.

Saying so, I took a step forward.

But at that moment, the imitation spell wore out.

The demerit of the spell that allowed the user to go beyond their ability assaulted me.

Ugh

Al-sama!?

Holding my head, I kneel down on the spot.

I have a severe headache and my vision is distorted. The feeling in my body has also become a blur.

This is its demerit. At the price of being able to perform movements that were originally impossible for the user, the brain is overloaded and causes intense headaches. Moreover, by becoming someone else, the senses in my body are also jumbled.

Im trying to move my hand but I cant move it like I want to. The feeling of being Leo and the feeling of being myself mixed together and my body is confused by that.

Unable to stand up on my own, Finne supported me to the sofa.

I collapse down on Finne but since I cant move my body well, I cant adjust my posture.

Haa Haa..this is exactly why I didnt want to use it

Is it a side effect from your spell..?

Yeah..this headache will last for two days..it will be a while until my lost senses return. I forbid this spell because its demerit is too huge for only a few minutes of advantages

Oh, no

I didnt have a choice..I had to keep being Leo.If I were to lose, I would lose [This moment].

After I said that, I frowned from the headache.

I couldnt get a proper look at Finne but she laid me down on the sofa. Now I am using Finnes knees as a pillow and the headache subsided a bit.

When I slowly opened my eyes, I saw Finnes worried expression.

You didntcry right?

Mitsuba-sama told me that I mustnt cry.

Mother did..?

When welcoming back a hard-working man, a woman shouldnt cryI was taught it is polite to welcome you back with a smile..

Finne said so with a smile. Her eyes look slightly moistened.

As expected of my mother. She did say something good.

Thats right. Rather than her crying face, I want to see her smile like this.

.please forgive me. I was being selfish. I went through a lot of preparations to make sure that you dont have to be saddened.but leaving your side.was the only thing that I couldnt let go.

Is that soplease rest assured. I will never leave your side. I will follow you wherever you go. What I desire is right here. No matter what anyone says, this is where I belong.

I see..Im glad. Now Im relieved.I was a little worried about what to do if you start to hate me..

Saying so, I smiled and closed my eyes.

My body wants to shut down. The headache is quite harsh so I want to go to sleep just like this.

Finne..

Yes?

I am pretending to be Leo right now so..treat me like Leo until he comes back.

I understand. Go to sleep, Leo-sama. Please leave the rest to me.

Saying so, Finne gently strokes my head. Every time she does that, my headache gradually goes away.

Now I can sleep with peace of mind.

While thinking that my place is surely here as well.