"Your Highness…"
At the sight of the second prince, the ministers imdiately parted to both sides of the grand hall, clearing a wide aisle in respectful silence.
The mana fluctuations emanating from these officials were all at the peak of the Legendary tier. Yet even so, they stepped aside for Charles without hesitation. Such a scene was rarely witnessed in other nations.
Whether in nations ruled by the Church or federations led by the people, strength typically reigned supre. Even if one were king, encountering soone more powerful usually ant bowing low and treading carefully—lest a wrong word provoke a fatal outco.
But things were different in the NK Kingdom.
Charles, the crown prince, emitted no discernible mana fluctuations whatsoever. Despite this, the Legendary-tier ministers still regarded him with utmost respect—so much so that their reverence bordered on fear.
Charles ignored the glances cast his way. Without a word, he walked straight to the Iron Throne, where his father lay slumped. After a brief pause, he coldly ordered the attendants, "Summon the royal physicians. Take my father away to rest. I will preside over today's morning court in his place."
"Uh? But… Your Highness…"
The servant hesitated, unsure whether to obey. But considering the emperor's current state, he ultimately complied and left to carry out the prince's command.
Monts later, several royal physicians hurried into the Palace of Eternal Day. With great care, they placed Neptune III on a stretcher and carried him out.
Shortly afterward, Charles seated himself upon the Iron Throne—his intention made clear.
He scanned the room with icy eyes and let out a faint laugh. "Why so serious? On most days, you all argue with my father until your faces turn red. Why so reserved now that you're facing , your crown prince?"
"N-Not at all, Your Highness…"The Minister of Finance spoke nervously. "We were rely concerned for His Majesty's health…"
"No need for your concern!"
Charles cut him off sharply. "I, his son, know my father's condition better than anyone. Let's put that aside for now and talk about sothing more pressing—like that crimson sword-shaped staff that suddenly appeared."
"I have so information to report on that matter," the Pri Minister said, stepping forward gravely.
He took a deep breath and began, "According to reports from our frontline sentries, that crimson sword seed to have been launched from the Plantagenet Kingdom—eight thousand kiloters away. And… due to certain events, our Sixth Prince—Your Highness's younger brother—recently had a conflict with a young man from within that kingdom."
"You an that useless fool Bob? I thought he managed to get himself killed not long ago?"
"It wasn't an accident, Your Highness… The truth is, Prince Bob was killed by a young man nad Alan."
"Apparently, Bob saw an opportunity for profit and accepted a bounty issued by Lioncrest Academy. He even approached them in secret, proposing a private partnership."
"However, during the ensuing operation, Bob was slain by Alan. The news was too shocking to release imdiately, so we withheld it from the other princes. His funeral was held in quiet secrecy…"
"Later, we dispatched the Chief ntor of the Royal Academy and his apprentice—along with several Legendary-tier aides—to the Plantagenet Kingdom to exact revenge. They all perished."
"After that, your elder brother, Prince Fast, was enraged. He used a space teleportation spell to rush directly to Charlie City. But re monts after arrival, all communication ceased. The only trace left behind was his ergency rune stone, which lit up for a brief ti."
"Lord Black, who was patrolling the main hall at the ti, noticed the mana fluctuations and followed them… but—"
At this point, the Pri Minister's voice cracked. Tears welled in his eyes.
To lose a prince and a powerful Archmage in such quick succession—such devastation would shake any governnt to its core.
Yet on the Iron Throne, Charles simply sat there, emotionless, as if the Pri Minister were speaking about soone else's family, not his own.
After a long silence, Charles finally spoke. "Let get this straight… Six Legendary-tier assistants, one Royal ntor and his apprentice, the crown prince, and a high-ranking Archmage…"
"You're telling that not only did we fail to exact revenge, but we also lost ten of our nation's most elite mages in the process?"
The Pri Minister straightened up, stumbling over his words. "Y-Yes, Your Highness. That's correct. And… it wasn't just us. Even the hidden black mages—those lurking in the shadows—joined in on the attack. They sent two peak-Legendary enforcers, both of whom also perished in Charlie…"
Charles suddenly slamd the armrest of the throne and barked, "I asked about our losses! Who gives a damn about those rats skulking in the gutters? Their lives an nothing to !"
"S-Sorry, Your Highness…"
The Pri Minister imdiately lowered his head, shivering with fear.
Among all the princes, Charles was the one the ministers feared the most.
His temperant was cold, and he never forgot a grudge.
Once you landed on his blacklist, you wouldn't even know how or when death would find you.
Seeing the Pri Minister fall silent, Charles sneered.
"A coward. What a waste to entrust the affairs of the NK Kingdom to soone like you. Guards—strip him of his title. He is never to serve in public office again!"
Thud.
The Pri Minister dropped to his knees with a loud cry. "Your Highness… You can't do this! I've served Britannia for decades. Even if I have no rits, I've shed blood and sweat for this nation. You—"
"Spare the whining!" Charles snapped. "You've had your fill over the decades. It's ti for retirent. Guards—drag this eyesore out of my sight!"
Monts later, armored guards stord into the hall and forcibly carried the Pri Minister away.
The other ministers stood frozen, not daring to utter a word. It was clear to all that Charles was using his father's illness as an opportunity to purge the court—replacing loyal old hands with his own allies before ascending the throne.
Everyone understood what was happening.
But no one dared speak up.
"Your Highness!"Just then, a young minister stepped forward with a bold expression.
He declared earnestly, "This attempted retaliation has cost our NK Kingdom dearly. The scale of this failure is unmatched even in our kingdom's darkest records."
"I believe this matter must be dealt with severely. I suggest a second wave of retaliation—a full-scale mobilization—to hunt down and kill Alan. Only then will the souls of our fallen rest in peace, and our honor be restored."
"Furthermore, if we allow this murderer to roam free, what will the other nations think of us? What will the Sacred Realm think of Britannia?"
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