The Strongest Dull Prince's Secret Battle for the Throne-Chapter 702: Duke of Altenburg

“I will start opening the gate.”

With those words, Wilhelm began creating the gate using the magic of the Imperial Castle. The "gate" that Wilhelm mentioned wasn't an ordinary summoning gate. It was a gate that was similar to the one created by the Demon King, a gate that retains its function unless it gets destroyed.

This gate was of a higher tier, capable of allowing even higher-level demons to pass through.

When the demons pass through this gate, they are able to act in their true form. Otherwise, they would need a vessel. If they find a suitable vessel, they can exert nearly their full power, but if the vessel is unsuitable, their power will be halved.

This was a humiliation for the demons.

Thus to summon their kin, they needed to open a "gate" like the Demon King did.

“I want the citizens of the imperial capital to be free to come and go. Is that acceptable?”

“Do as you wish, but being in the capital is safer for them.”

“Allowing them to come and go freely will stabilize their spirits.”

The citizens of the imperial capital had already sensed something was wrong as many had seen the Celestial Sphere during the imperial rebellion and felt the signs of an impending war.

“Let them choose to stay or leave. This will prevent chaos from arising among the people.”

“I’ll leave that to you. While I believe I understand humanity, I am not a human myself.”

“Your prudence is appreciated.”

The Celestial Sphere that had been casted over the imperial capital remained nearly unchanged in its original form. However, the entry and exit of the populace was now controlled by Wilhelm. If Wilhelm granted permission, the citizens could leave.

This way, even if an enemy entered the capital, they could not afford to go all out. The risk of internal unrest outweighed the threat of enemies entering. Hence, Erik advised Wilhelm in allowing the citizens’ free movement.

“Our defensive forces have been prepared in all directions. They should be able to buy us some time.”

“They are devoted to me. They will do their best.”

While facing their enemies that were coming from all directions, Erik had organized the forces of those loyal to Wilhelm. Wilhelm, who had seized control as the crown prince, could move the imperial army as he wished. But moving them without care might lead to a few defections, so Erik carefully selected those who would not betray Wilhelm, including soldiers that were recruited from the commoners and knights from the noble families that were under Erik.

Two divisions that consisted of forty thousand soldiers each were stationed on all fronts, totaling eighty thousand.

This was sufficient to buy them time.

“Once the gate is completed, we can expect reinforcements from the demon world. Start ordering them to focus on delaying the enemy.”

“Of course.”

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

With that line being said, their discussion ended. Erik left the castle and headed to a mansion—not his own, but that of the oldest noble family in the empire, the House of Altenburg.

“We've been expecting you, Your Highness.”

He was greeted by a tall old man who was standing straight and not showing his age. This was Gerd von Altenburg, the current head of the House of Altenburg and the father of Erik’s wife, Lea.

“Thank you for welcoming me, Duke Altenburg. I apologize for the urgency, but let's get straight to the point. I don't have much time.”

“Understood. Unfortunately, it seems difficult to maintain the current faction.”

The main topic today was the maintenance of Erik's faction. Gerd, a prominent figure among the empire's nobility, had been supporting Erik from the start by drawing many nobles to his side. However, recent actions have stirred doubts among the faction members. While Gerd had managed to suppress these doubts, he had finally reached his limit.

“Who is the main dissenter?”

“Regrettably, it's my son.”

Gerd's son and Lea's much older brother was the primary dissenter. The Duke of Altenburg had three children: two sons and one daughter, Lea. The chief dissenter is his eldest son, Nicholas von Altenburg, Erik’s close aide and the next Duke of Altenburg.

“So it seems that Nicholas can no longer follow me?”

“So it seems.”

“Tell Nicholas to gather the dissenters and leave the capital. Those who are dissatisfied are not needed in my faction.”

“Is that wise?”

“I want to avoid having enemies from within my faction.”

Erik paused to think.

“Liselotte in the east can be a suitable refuge for them. My younger siblings in the north and south are too young and the surrounding nobles there might not tolerate traitors. My father in the west is furious and might kill them. Thus, tell them to seek refuge under the rational Liselotte.”

“As you command, Your Highness.”

As Gerd bowed respectfully, Erik then asked,

“Are you not leaving the capital?”

“You are staying as well, aren't you?”

“Of course. I still have things to do.”

“Then I will stay with you.”

“...I’m sorry.”

After receiving Erik’s apology, Gerd shook his head and spoke.

“Lea is a precious daughter that was born to us late in our life and she is my pride and joy. I remember the day that she brought you home with her. I was so shocked that she had dragged a prince along... I nearly lost my composure.”

“That sure brings back some memories.”

Erik smiled softly. At the time he had simply befriended the daughter of a noble family at the castle. Though he knew she was the daughter of the Altenburg family, Erik, at the time unable to assert himself, simply followed Lea's lead. This dynamic hasn't changed much even now as adults.

“When Lea married you and left home, I vowed that I would never forgive you if you made her cry, even if you were a prince. That vow still holds.”

“Will you cut me down then?”

“If she cries, yes. But... she doesn't seem to be crying now. If she does, it would be from her own shortcomings, not yours.”

“...”

“I don’t understand what you aim to achieve and many of the nobles that are still serving you feel the same. But those who remain loyal, myself included, still believe in you. I entrusted my daughter to Erik Lakes Adler, the man that I deemed worthy of her. If I doubted you now, I would have never trusted you with her in the first place.”

“I hope you won't regret it.”

“I trust Lea. As long as she trusts you, so will I. I won’t regret it, since you are the man my beloved daughter chose.”

After a moment of silence, Erik spoke while choosing his words carefully.

“...Thank you for your loyalty, Duke Altenburg.”

Erik turned to leave but was stopped by Gerd.

“Your Highness, is Burkhardt being useful to you?”

“...”

Erik didn't answer. Burkhardt, while officially a recognized illegitimate child of the Altenburg family, the truth was different from the story. He was actually the son of Gerd's brother, who had left the family at the time and after his brother's death, Gerd took Burkhardt in as his own kin.

“Burkhardt has been very helpful.”

With that, Erik left the mansion. Publicly, Erik had recommended Burkhardt for the position of captain of the Imperial Guard Knights, but behind the scenes, Wilhelm had been the one who had orchestrated it.

Thus, Burkhardt's loyalty lay with Wilhelm.

Erik knew why. As he rode in his carriage, he pondered silently.

“A half-demon, half-human...”

A being that shouldn't exist, a result of an experiment. One's birth isn't a choice—making it a difficult birth. Indeed, there was room for sympathy.

While Erik was lost in thought, his assassin Xiaomei reported.

“Your Highness, Raphael and No-Name have started moving.”

“I see...”

Hearing this, Erik closed his eyes.

“Has the ‘other one’ moved too?”

“What will you do?”

“Their goal is to kill the hero. Let them do as they please.”