The Romance Fantasy’s Pushover Crown Prince Is No More - Chapter 55

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Arsène

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◈ The Romance Fantasy’s Pushover Crown Prince Is No More ◈

Chapter 55: Confession Attack (4)

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News of the war spread quickly across the continent.

“There have always been wars, large and small, in the west, but…”

“This is the first war on this scale. I heard they’ve gathered all their troops there.”

“Their intentions are obvious from the moment they started deploying forces along the border.”

“This isn’t a minor standoff. They’re moving on a national scale.”

“What goods do we trade with Cireen and Macelin?”

“I’ll compile a list.”

“Do it quickly. If we handle this wrong, prices will skyrocket.”

The countries neighboring the Macelin Kingdom and the Cireen Kingdom were the ones suddenly facing a crisis.

Once a war began, no one knew when it would end, and many things would change as a result.

Trying to minimize the fallout, everyone ran around as if their feet were on fire.

“What’s the situation at the front?”

“They’re maintaining a standoff for now, exchanging only magic without any major clashes.”

“But is it really because of that rumor? Because the Empire’s Second Imperial Prince confessed…”

It had been nothing more than a rumor most people had laughed off in the streets.

Who could have imagined that single rumor would become the spark for a war?

“I knew Crown Princess Mirne was popular, but I had no idea she had this many admirers.”

The story of the Empire’s Second Imperial Prince confessing to her and still not receiving an answer spread across the continent.

Almost simultaneously, countless carrier pigeons arrived in the Macelin Kingdom.

Stories of love crossing national borders were inherently sweet and provocative.

People were intensely curious about how this one would end.

But no one expected that interest to lead to war.

A war caused by love? And it wasn’t even just love.

“A war to hear her answer to a confession… Or rather, a war to make her theirs?”

“That is correct. Based on what we have learned from their actions, word spread that Crown Princess Mirne had received countless proposals. The Cireen Kingdom decided it might as well go all out and start a war.”

“A war for that reason… Ha.”

“They have also used the claim that she is playing with people’s hearts as justification. Their central pretext is ‘the crime of playing with a royal’s heart.’”

“…”

The departments responsible for diplomacy and intelligence in every country had headaches bad enough to make the back of their necks ache.

Of course, if one asked whether that could serve as a pretext for war, it technically could.

Actually starting a war, however, was an entirely different matter.

Not every country was agonizing over it, though.

The nations near the spreading conflict were the most pressed, while those farther away could simply watch it like a fire across the river.

And the country preparing to enjoy the spectacle more than anyone else was…

“Excuse me, but what should I call you?”

“You may call me Staff No. 1 or Theo. Please speak casually with me, Your Excellency.”

“Haha, how could I speak casually to you, Theo… Are you not also His Highness’s closest aide?”

“You recognize me, Your Excellency! Still, I’d like you to feel at ease with me!”

“Haha, of course I do. Why should close aides be stiff with each other? So, Theo, you may call me… No, just call me Chancellor. Or you may use my name. I am Ruben Argal.”

“I’m Theo Zain! It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chancellor!”

The Velos Empire.

Following the Imperial Crown Prince’s orders, they intended to secretly assist the Cireen Kingdom from behind the scenes.

They were discussing how best to season this war.

“His Highness said civilian casualties must never occur. The Imperial Crown Prince stressed that point repeatedly.”

“That is correct. We should only assist the soldiers… The first method that comes to mind is covertly deploying the staffs, smoothing the flow of Mana, and amplifying the power of their magic.”

“That is not a bad idea. I do not know much about magic, but that would make Cireen’s magic more powerful. It would give them an advantage in a standoff.”

“I believe our options outside of magic are quite limited. His Highness also forbade direct armed clashes.”

“Mm, Theo has a point. The knights have too many restrictions, to be honest.”

How to help them.

How much seasoning to add to this war.

The Empire’s leaders continued their discussions without end, and the issue that arose during them was how to use the knights.

They wanted to disguise and deploy the knights to reduce Macelin’s forces while secretly providing support.

Yet the Velos Empire’s immense power worked against them in a situation like this.

“To think our Empire’s strength could become a problem.”

“As the Grand General said, the Empire’s knights are too powerful. Their strength gives them a distinctive presence, and the moment they reveal their power, they will be discovered.”

“It cannot be helped.”

Grand General Arkham Velos crossed his arms, his expression regretful.

“The moment they reveal their power, flames will rise. Anyone would know it belongs to Velos.”

“That is right. We cannot deploy the knights.”

Sol Velos.

The power of the sun that the Great Prophet had swallowed had not been granted only to the imperial family.

Fire was meant to be shared, and the more it was shared, the greater and stronger it became.

Its name might differ, but all of the Empire’s knights could use the power of the sun.

The various powers derived from Sol Velos inherited the strength of their origin.

The moment they revealed that power, they displayed a powerful presence that could never be concealed.

“Only the Velos Empire handles Mana and Aura like flames, after all.”

A proud smile spread across the Grand General’s face as he muttered those words.

“Still, it makes no sense for the knights not to move at all. They can escort the the staffs and make sure supply transports are not attacked.”

“That is one way. As expected of the Grand General.”

“Haha, Theo, you do not need to sweet-talk me like that. As you said, are we not both close aides?”

“…!!! It is an honor!!!”

“I do not recall you calling it an honor when speaking to me, the Chancellor. Is it because I retired from active service…?”

“Ah, that is not what I…”

“Haha, it was a joke. You remind me of my grandchildren.”

Their warm conversation lasted only a moment.

“Then the the staffs will provide magical support, while the knights will escort the supplies?”

“That seems to be the most we can do without being discovered.”

“Mm, I see. Proceed that way.”

No one added anything further. They quickly reached a conclusion and ended the meeting.

Everything for the Empire.

With those words, the First Cireen Kingdom Support Meeting came to an end.

+++++

While the support meeting was in full swing…

“I wonder how Mirne will respond.”

“Your Highness! This lady predicts that a most terrifying and wicked plan is being prepared!”

“…The Macelin Kingdom is?”

“Yes!”

“May I ask what your basis is?”

“This lady’s instincts! Roar!”

I was talking with Arveda in my bedroom.

There was no particular purpose behind it. I had decided to watch how the Macelin Kingdom would move for the time being, so all I could do right now was watch the show.

‘But Macelin will naturally win the war even if nothing unusual happens.’

The Empire was not the only one that had supported the Macelin Kingdom in the past.

Starting with the Holy Kingdom and even the Mage Tower, many parties must have poured support into the Macelin Kingdom.

That alone should make defeating some kingdom I had never even heard of easy.

“I hope the Macelin Kingdom reveals a few of its hidden cards.”

“That is right, it is!”

Roll, roll.

Arveda casually agreed as she rolled around on the bed.

“Come to think of it, since the Macelin Kingdom and Cireen Kingdom started fighting, the Dark Mages’ movements have decreased greatly.”

Then she made a remarkably sharp observation.

“Ah.”

Even I realized what I had overlooked when I heard it.

‘She’s right?’

I realized that none of the recent reports mentioned the Dark Mages at all.

I immediately guessed why.

‘The protagonist is moving the world forward. It makes no sense for a side story to run wild somewhere the protagonist is not present.’

The core of a novel was developing the story around its protagonist.

In that sense, the matters involving the Dark Mages were temporarily on hold because Mirne could not focus on them right now.

“I want to use this opportunity to dig further into the Dark Mages.”

Did I really need to wait for them to transform?

This felt like the perfect time to investigate the Dark Mages.

‘We cannot provide much support to Cireen anyway, so we have people to spare. If I investigate the Dark Mages and learn about the Demon King and the Demon Race…’

Just as my thoughts began turning in that direction…

“…Your Highness, this lady feels strange.”

“Mm?”

“Something… Something is making me dizzy… I think someone is calling me.”

“…?”

Arveda suddenly sprang up from the bed and sharply turned her head toward the window.

Then System messages appeared at the same time.

[ The Dragon’s hidden name calls to its revealed half. ]

[ Arveda’s Covenant begins to move. ]

The moment I saw them, I understood.

“This is ridiculous.”

What Mirne intended to use in the war.