The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 1: Secret Maneuver Begin

How about we start by revealing the true identity of the SS rank adventurer Silver?

Rejected.

Once I returned to my room, I consult Sebas about our future course of action.

The only one who knows that I am Silver is Sebas. Certainly, there are merits to reveal my identity. However, there are also disadvantages.

My great grandfather devoted himself to ancient magic and it corrupted him. Ever since then, the ancient magic has been a taboo among the imperial family. The magic I use is also ancient magic. Its bad to reveal that I use such magic while my twin brother is aiming for the throne.

However, Silver has his own fame and track record. He is said to be the best adventurer in the history of the empire. Wouldnt that be beneficial to Prince Leonard?

It is still too soon. If theres nothing left we can do then we will use it as our last resort. As long as Leo is aiming for the throne, it is more convenient for me to remain as an incompetent prince for a while. 

However..

It is easier for me that way.

If you have already decided then I will not say anything more. However, what are you planning to do? There are only a few moves you can play if you dont reveal your identity, no?

Sebas. Is there any Ducal house that hasnt participate in this succession war yet?

There is one. The only Ducal house that hasnt participate in the battle yet.

Which one?

It is the Kleinert House.

Quite a prestigious one huh.

A Ducal house is a blood-relative of the imperial family. It is the status given to the emperors brothers who were judged to be excellent but did not become the emperor. There are those who were given such status by leaving behind great achievements but at that time they will be given a member of the imperial family as their spouse so theres no problem to think of them as the imperial familys relative.

To such Ducal houses, the battle for the throne is an important event.

If you correctly support the next emperor, you will be able to enjoy great rewards. Thats why every Ducal house will have a close tie with the successor candidates one way or another. To not do such a thing would mean that they have a greater problem on their hands.

The fact that they still havent participated at this point in time would mean that they have something to worried about right?

It is as you discerned. There seems to be a horrible monster rampaging in their territory, they have asked the adventurers for help but it seems like they still have no clues about how to resolve the situation.

The adventurers guild has branches all over the continent.

There are a lot of their branches in the empire as well but the ability of the adventurers are varying from branch to branch.

For adventurer guild inside the empire, aside from the imperial capital branch, the level of the other branches are not very high. Excluding me from the imperial capital branch, its level would only be slightly higher than the others.

The reason is that only a few monsters appear inside the empire. It is a good thing that the empire is peaceful but the lack of monsters also means a lack of demand. Powerful adventurers would move away to a place with more monsters to hunt.

Therefore, the empire tends to take some time to resolve a problem once monsters start getting involved. It costs money to bring in adventurers from the outside after all.

Should I help them?

I think that is a good idea but how would you establish the connection between Silver and Prince Leonard?

Its fine if I just say that I was dispatched on Leos request. I will explain the details to Leo later so theres no problem.

They would be more on guard against Prince Leonard if he can move the SS rank adventurer who never moves away from the imperial capital like Silver. If it comes to that then they would be able to make a connection between Prince Arnold and Silver, right?

Its fine if they start to be wary of him. If they have his connection with Silver in mind, they cant easily move against him. The identity of Silver is also not a problem. Its fine as long as I am being careful.

I will not stop you if you are that confident. However, please be aware that a reveal is much different than a discovery.

I know. So, how about I head to the Kleinert duchy now.

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Saying so, I change into the appearance of Silver which I am already accustomed to and ask Sebas to take care of the things here while preparing transfer magic.

It is an abandoned magic from ancient civilization. The thing that is being called ancient magics are magics that are harder to handle and has a lot more characteristics than present-day magic. However, its effect is also immense.

My transfer magic can reach almost the entirety of the empire. So for me, the empire is like my backyard. I can go where I want, whenever I want. In exchange, it requires a tremendous amount of magic power from the user but I have no choice but to close my eyes to such a downside.

When I was preparing for that great magic, Sebas gave me a piece of advice.

Speaking of which, the daughter of Duke Kleinert is that [BLAUE MWE] (TLN: the word means blue seagull in german). The peerless beauty. Please be careful not to let yourselves be distracted by her beauty and forget your objective.

Sebas. Ive always thought about this but you really cant calm down if you dont scold me huh?

That is my duty after all.

Haa..I will leave the rest to you.

As you wish.

After I completed the transfer magic, I immediately transfer from the imperial capital to the Kleinert duchy which normally at least takes five days to arrive.

The Kleinert duchy is a vast territory located on the west side of the empire. I transferred to the [Capital] of the duchy at the central part of the territory where its lord lived and immediately visited the Dukes mansion.

However.

I am the SS rank adventurer, Silver. I would like to request an audience with the Duke.

You? Silver? Dont joke around. If a big shot like that would come to visit us then the Adventurer Guild would contact us several days beforehand. Drop your charade and go back already.

That was what the young blond-haired gatekeeper told me.

The thought of whole roasting him came up to my mind for a moment but that would defeat the purpose of my visit.

Suppressing my irritation, I take out the adventurer card that can serve to identify my identity.

What written in there are the adventurers name, rank and other information. These cards were created using the secret technique of the guild so it is impossible to make a counterfeit one.

If I show him this.

You dont have to show me your card. Just go back already! Im busy right now!

Wha!?

Without even looking at the card, the gatekeeper turns me away.

His attitude made my cheeks cramped up but this also serves as a good opportunity.

Originally I planned to save them and have them be indebted to us but if it turns out like this then there is a way that can make them even more indebted to us.

Even when I came all the way here because of Prince Leonards special request..It seems that the prince is too good for you. Tell this to the Dukeyou have desecrated both mine and the princes dignity.

Why would I do that! Just go away already!

The gatekeeper remained arrogant from the beginning to the end. The Duke of Kleinert is certainly prestigious but they dont have that long of a history when compared to other aristocrats.

To think that such a rude person was protecting their prestigious mansion. Though, It might be because of the monster crisis that they are lacking manpower.

Well, it is mostly the fault of this guy but the fault of a vassal is also the fault of his Lord. I felt sorry for the Duke but I will have him panic a little.

When the calculating smile appeared behind my mask, I spotted a girl staring at me from the second-floor window of the mansion.

The golden-haired and blue-eyed girl look so beautiful even from a distance. I recalled that figure.

Two years ago, the emperor ordered the craftsmen of our country to make hair ornaments in the shape of a bird. Then, a splendid blue hair ornament that was made into the shape of a seagull caught the eye of the emperor.

The emperor who took a liking to it said that only the most beautiful woman in the empire is suitable to such an ornament and gathered all the beauty from all over the empire at the imperial capital. Although she was only fourteen years old at that time, the daughter of Duke Kleinert, Finne von Kleinert was chosen as the finest beauty.

She was given the blue seagull ornament and was called the [BLAU MWE] and became the target of admiration from the men throughout the empire. 

After two years, her beauty has increased much more than I thought.

But.

She is certainly beautiful but she wasnt as alluring as Sebas said.

Remembering Sebass words, I regrettably left the duchy and return to the imperial capital.

That was fast.

I already did what I can! We are going to Kleinert duchy. Get ready.

.Didnt you just came back?

That was Silver. The one who will be going next is Prince Arnold. Fu, The Duke can only come crying to Leo now. It is certain now that the Duke will become our ally.

You are making an evil smile you know?

I ignore Sebas and prepare for my journey.

Seeing me hum while preparing my luggage, Sebas gave up with a sigh and started doing his own preparation.

Then we rode there on horses and arrived at the Kleinert Duchy five days later.

After we enter the Duchy capital, we immediately head towards the Dukes mansion, this time Duke Kleinert personally come out to welcome us. It is only natural. That was why we deliberately let him know of our visit in advance. However, the reason that the Duke personally came out to receive me was that I am a member of the imperial family. 

The other Dukes wouldnt come out personally like this.

After all, I am a prince with a bad reputation that doesnt compete for the throne, a wasteful prince that only plays around and relegate everything to his brother, the dull prince. I wonder why Duke Kleinert came out to greet me with such respect and courtesy.

Your highness. It has been a while.

Its been a while, Duke Kleinert. How long was it?

Ever since we celebrated your tenth birthday, your highness.

A middle-aged man with a well-arranged blond hair and mustache. 

Duke Elmer von Kleinert.

He is the Lord who ruled his territory for decades ever since he succeeded the previous Duke at a young age, his gentle personality was well-received among his people and other aristocrats and is one of the Dukes that the current emperor trusted in.

That long huh. I rarely get out of the capital after all. It seems like I have become estranged from the feudal lords. Do forgive me.

There is not such a thing. It is my fault that I cant leave my territory and show my face at the capital.

We enter the mansion while having such a formal conversation.

A lot of servants follow us but only the Duke, I and Sebas enter the guest room.

Now then, Duke. I dont have much time so I will get right to the business.

Yes, Your Highness. What is your purpose for visiting us this time?

You are quite evil to ask for our business as well. Of course, we are here to discuss our compensation.

Compensation?

My brother doesnt wish for anything in return but since he is getting involved in the succession war, we cant afford to do that right now. Thats why I came here to remind you. Duke Kleinert, if you felt any gratitude to Leo at all I want you to support him.

Pl, Please wait a moment. What should I be grateful for?

Duke. Are you going to pretend that you dont know?

Duke Kleinert who doesnt understand the situation made a confused expression.

Theres no way that our conversation would progress. Between us who sent out Silver to help him and the Duke that doesnt even know about Silvers visit. I know that well. I know that but if we start out on the same page then the situation would get lighter.

You are the Duke that earned the trust of the emperor and your people. Leo knew that and go out of his way to help you in good faith but what would he think if he knows that you would repay him like this?

Your Highness Arnold. I really dont know what you are talking about. My apologies but I am not aware of anything that His Highness Leonard done for our Duchy.

What?

I stepped one foot out as if to say that I cant stand it anymore.

Sebas who was waiting for that moment stopped me in a timely manner.

Your Highness. It seems like the Duke really doesnt know.

Is that something that can be concluded by saying that he doesnt know? Leo deliberately moved an SS rank adventurer for him you know!? Moreover, he did that when he was in a tight spot because of the succession war you know!? That was why Silver moved for his in the first place!?

S, Silver. You mean that Silver?

Yeah, thats right! Leo heard that you were troubled by the monsters in your territory and wrote a letter to ask Silver to assist you. Silver responded that he would deal with it soon. He is a user of ancient magic, I heard that he could use the lost transfer magic too so theres no way that he hasnt arrived yet!

Is, is that true!?

Are you going to say that I am lying!?

As I continue acting furiously, I look at Sebas.

Sebas noticed my gaze and throw the Duke a lifeboat.

Your highness, you must not get so angry. Judging from his appearance, it seems like the Duke really wasnt lying. He might really not know what happened. Isnt it better to give the Duke sometime to investigate this matter?

Investigation? Even if the results come out, theres nothing more to learn here, right?

At that time, we can ask Silver directly. If his highness Leonard calls for him, Silver should also show himself.

Hmph! If Sebas said that much then I will give you some time. However, you know what will happen if you hide anything from us right? We will directly get the details from Silver anyway. If we find out that the fault lies on your side, we will make sure that no adventurer ever comes to your territory again.

..I understand. We will collect the information from those inside our house as soon as possible. Please wait here for a while.

Duke Kleinert hurriedly went out of the room.

If they are the words that come from someone who isnt directly competing for the throne like me the duke wouldnt get so worked up like that. The problem this time was because Silver is involved.

There are only five SS rank adventurers in this continent. They are the greatest talent for monster extermination. They are not people who would move because of money, it is no exaggeration to say that they are the highest peak of adventurers. If you smear mud on Silvers face, the other adventurers would never visit such a place. If even the likes of Silver got treated badly, theres no way that the other adventurers would be treated well.

That went well.

That is quite an evil plan. Isnt that almost a self-playing charade?

You are quite cruel to put it as a charade. It was this family that chased away Silver. I just widened the wound, I am not the one who inflicted it.

If you got chased away then you can just sneak back in. You saw the opportunity and act accordingly, no? Moreover, you emphasized the greatness of his highness Leonard by acting out haughtily. I will praise you for being such a great strategist.

Thats my role. Leo is too nice. If you compared him to water, he is too clean that no fish would ever survive. He needs someone to pollute the water for him.

If you have decided that role for yourselves then I will not stop you, but you will be the only one who loses you know?

Thats fine. What necessary to us right now is Leos reputation. I dont care no matter how much of my reputation will fall.

I do care. That also applied to your esteemed mother and His Highness Leonard as well.

If there are three people that care about me then that is plenty enough.

When we had such a conversation, I heard the Dukes yelling outside.

YOU IDIOT SON!! ARE YOU INTENDING TO DESTROY OUR HOUSE!?

It seems like the Duke has finished gathering his information.

Now now, I wonder how this will turn out.

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TLN: You know, translating this new series remind me of when I just started out with MGE. Back then I was like [ Wow, I got 3k views a day]. But today [Wow, not even 20k].

With that said, it has only been a few month though lol