The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 152: Important Things

This is the body strengthening talisman you requested, sir.

It has been approximately five days since the duel.

Inside my room, Sebas put a sheet of paper on my table.

There is a small but fine quality jewel embedded at its center.

It is quite an old item. For those who have eyes for such a thing, they should find it to be quite valuable. However, the small jewel at the center has already lost its color.

This kind of talisman is a disposable item. If you use up all the magic power inside the jewel embedded at the center it will turn into a simple piece of paper.

In the present age, it is unthinkable to expend a jewel like this.

This talisman was made in the ancient era where magic was more developed and Jewel is a common commodity.

Sorry for the trouble.

Its nothing, sir. It would simply go to waste if it remained inside His Majesty Gustavs room after all. His Majesty was upset that this is not a good use for his precious collection though.

Its fine. I would be troubled if you dont use up its charge to make it look like I used it in the duel. Gramps cant use this anymore in the first place. A tool exists to be used so it should be happy that it finally has some use right.

You should say that to His Majesty Gustav, sir.

Spare me from his sermon please.

While frowning, I reach for the talisman.

However, I failed to grab it. 

I clicked my tongue and successfully grasp it this time.

It seems that you still havent regained your lost senses yet, sir.

It was a week last time. I wonder how long it will take this time.

That is quite a steep price to pay.

Absolutely. I spent money to contain those young nobles rampage, exposing our hand when I pretended to switch places with Leo and now I have to suffer this troublesome aftereffect. He did quite a number on us, that Duke Horsvath.

They also suffer some damage, sir. This time they tried to manipulate a large number of nobles to own them a favor but it seems they have created many enemies instead.

The same goes for us. With many noble houses losing their heirs, we cant expect a favorable reception from them anymore. There will be some who will side with Eric when the time comes when we have to fight him. I can say that eliminating those young nobles here isnt a mistake butwhen a person dies, a grudge will be born.

We have already done what we could, sir. Since it was them that went out of control, there was nothing we could do. Moreover, there are many nobles who changed their view of Leonard-sama with this incident. If we look at this result, its not like everything is bad isnt it.

I nod at Sebass words.

Thats right. It wasnt all bad. But truthfully speaking, it cost us too much effort to crush the opponents that are obviously inferior to us.

Theres a mountain of problems waiting for us. Putting aside Leo, Elna will definitely get suspicious about me. Father is also secretly working on something with the adventurer guild. Since the information about that was completely shut off, it is highly likely that the big guys at the headquarters are involved in this.

This might be related to the VIP that was being escorted by the second imperial knight corp at the hot spring, sir.

Probably. The adventurer guild will only move when the matter concerns monsters. If they want to make a big move, they will try to move the SS-rank adventurers. There is something suspicious about this since they didnt get in touch with Silver whose base is located in the Empire.

I get the feeling that this will become quite a hassle, sir.

Its the same as usual right.

I let out a sigh but Sebas was smiling.

I stare at him to ask what is so funny but, Sebass smile did not fade away.

Are you happy seeing me suffer?

I take no joy in that, sir. I simply thought that Arnold-sama has grown, that is all.

Grown? Me?

Yes, you have always disliked troublesome things, sir. You never think that competing with someone was worth your while and there were only a few things you hold dear that you want to protect. But this time, you made up your mind to face the trouble and fought them directly. I thought that you would say [I shouldnt have done that] afterward but you never did. You probably realized how important being near Finne-sama is to you much more than avoiding troubles. I think having more things that are [important] to you is good, sir.

The less important things I have, the easier I can move.

It is way easier when you dont have something you are attached to.

I have lived with such a stance. Even if I was ridiculed, if there is no harm done, I left it alone. It is troublesome to be prideful and competes with others after all.

This time as well, everything would still be fine even if I just take it lying down. But why didnt I do that?

Because I dont want to leave Finnes side.

Because I dont want Finnes peace to collapse.

.having more important things count as a growth?

It is. It might have been easier for you to move alone but the more important things you have to protect, the richer your life becomes, and the better you can grow as a person. I was once like that as well.

You are saying that rather than being called the Death God as an assassin, you are more mature as a butler of the Dull Prince?

Yes, I can say that with confidence. People carry their worries on their shoulders and grow up. That is why I want Arnold-sama to take an initiative to tackle on these troublesome things from now on.

I refuse. Spare me from that life.

I am not interested in a rich and colorful life.

My life is more suited to being in monotone color.

This will be the only exception that appears in my life.

Alright, lets head out. Leo and the others are coming back. Lets go pick them up so that I can change places with him inside the carriage.

Certainly, sir. Sieg-dono has already informed the other side about the switch, I dont think that there will be any problem in that regard.

I hope so..

While saying so, I stood up.

Since my sense is still jumbled, I can feel the sense of incompatibility even with such a trivial movement. Still, I have no choice but to endure this.

You brought along someone strange again huh.

When I went to the main gate of the capital, I spotted a certain midget with mean eyes inside Leo and Elnas carriage.

Vinfried Torres.

Leos genius childhood friend. I know him but we are not so close to calling each other childhood friends.

Vin folded his arms and turned his ill-meaning eyes toward me.

You are still the same as usual huh? Vin.

It doesnt seem that you have changed either, Al.

Its our reunion after a long time. It would be polite to shake each others hands here but that is not the kind of relationship we have.

The Vin inside my memory is a boring guy who always studies and to him, I am a sloppy guy that always runs off to play.

However, Vin is a man who the Crown Prince placed his expectations on like a younger brother. He had traveled to foreign countries to gain experiences to come back to serve the Crown Prince in the future.

However, he disappeared after the Crown Prince passed away.

How did you manage to find him?

We are childhood friends after all.

Your thought was read huh? What about your pride as a strategist?

I would have already escaped if I wanted to. I simply tagged along with him since hes my childhood friend.

Vin said such a sore loser thing.

I glance at Elna. No matter how smart Vin is, escaping Elna would be impossible for him.

So you have a way to escape the grasp of the hero huh?

Twisting a babys arm would be harder than escaping this washboard.

Whos a washboard !? You damn midget!

See, you can just make her lose her composure just like that.

I see.

It is valid to say that his method was effective but I think that he will only be chased down by the angry Elna though

If its me I would be scared so much that I cant do it. Well, lets keep this in mind just in case.

And Al, I still havent agreed to become Leos strategist yet.

Hee, and you still came back to the capital despite that?

I agreed to decide on that once I see what you can do, Al.

Me? What do you want to see?

How you resolved the conflict with the nobles this time. If you passed my evaluation then I will become Leos strategist.

Vin self-importantly said so.

This guy still likes looking down on others from above. Despite that, he is a troublesome guy with low self-esteem. It seems that part about him still hasnt changed.

Vins talent is assured by the fact that the Crown Prince was the one who discovered him.

After all, at the time, the Crown Prince had no problem with human resources. The fact that he had gone out of his way to recruit and educate Vin despite that means something.

Maybe he simply took a liking to him but at the same time, he must have detected Vins talent as well.

The problem would be whether I will be recognized by him or not.

What would you do if I dont pass?

I will just disappear somewhere again.

Is that so. That would be troubling huh.

Are you not confident?

I did what I could but the result was far from perfect. Well, you can ask Sebas for more details about that.

The three who have just arrived back at the capital shouldnt know the details about the uproar that happened here.

I can explain it to them myself but Sebas would be able to do it more objectively.

I heard some stories about it. You pretended to be Leo and dueled with them right?

Rumors travel fast huh.

It was gossip among the merchants. They say that Marquis Weitling challenged Leo to a duel and he easily won.

That is not wrong. Well, it is a little more complicated than that though.

I also heard about the Emperor Poison Wine too though?

That is also true. The situation turned into a mess so I suggested it. Sorry, Leo. everything that happened will be perceived as your actions this time.

I am fine with that. You didnt do it meaninglessly right?

Well, thats true, but.

I glance at Vin for a moment.

I dont know how Vin will judge that. I dont know what Vin is expecting of me and I cant do anything about it since it is already done.

I have a lot to say about that but is your body alright after the duel?

Cant say that I am. I used a magic talisman in the duel so my body is tattered right now.

Elnas eyebrows instantly raised after she heard that.

It is not uncommon to use a talisman to overload your body. However, the strength that you can gain by using it is almost fixed.

It is impossible for me to move like Leo even if I use a fairly good talisman. That fact should be obvious for Elna.

I intend to make them think that I was able to pull it off using an ancient magic talisman but, I dont know whether Elna will buy that or not.

She didnt pursue the topic since she doesnt feel like investigating it in detail.

That is good for me but there is no doubt that she has her suspicion.

There is a huge difference between announcing something and getting discovered.

I recall the words Sebas once said to me.

Maybe it is almost time for that.

I was swayed inside the carriage while thinking about such a thing.