Chapter 673: Wilhelm's Triumphant Return
"Long live Prince Wilhelm!"
"Long live Prince Wilhelm!"
"Long live Prince Wilhelm!"
Welcod by the cheers of a massive crowd, Wilhelm entered the imperial capital with two thousand knights.
Most of the citizens of the capital were skeptical about the return of Prince Wilhelm, who was supposed to be dead, but seeing him alive and moving made them ecstatic.
Although there were those who looked on with cold eyes, the majority were swept up in the enthusiasm, shouting and cheering.
The forr crown prince.
The ideal prince who heralded a golden age for the empire.
His return was sothing the people of the capital had been longing for.
Everyone wished for this outco.
The search for a substitute for Wilhelm in the imperial succession struggle was proof of that.
Having Wilhelm himself return was a result that everyone desired.
With the warm reception, Wilhelm responded to their cheers with a smile.
Charming and without a hint of arrogance.
Playing the role of the ideal noble prince.
"The people seem to have accepted us."
"On the surface, at least."
While riding beside Wilhelm, Erik responded to his murmured comnt.
Wilhelm understood what Erik ant.
The people were not truly ecstatic from the bottom of their hearts.
It was just a part of them.
Most were simply going along with the excitent, shouting "Prince Wilhelm" because everyone else was.
Thus, if sothing else happened, they would be swept along with that too.
"It would have been troubleso if Silver had shown up here."
"He won't appear. The battle with Asmodeus was more intense than expected."
Having fought with all his might, the Silver Mage had reached his magical limits.
He only revealed himself because it was effective.
However, he was not in top form.
While he might be able to teleport, doing so could lead to a battle.
That was a risk he could not afford.
Silver was the guardian of the people.
He used his imnse power to protect the people and defeat monsters.
Therefore, in places where people were present, he used extra magic to ensure their safety. He had the leeway to fight while protecting the people.
But now, he does not have that and that was why Wilhelm believed he would not appear.
For the sake of the people.
That was Silver's guiding principle, as his actions had consistently shown.
"He fought directly with a demon. He should understand the terror of demons well enough. He wouldn’t want the imperial capital to beco a sea of fire to stop . Well, maybe he’s too weakened to even teleport." Ṙ𝒶ＮőВΕʂ
"I find an unseen, weakened Silver more frightening."
"Don't worry. I'm not letting my guard down."
"You'd better not."
Erik believed, of course, that Wilhelm wasn't letting his guard down.
He wouldn't underestimate his opponent.
His opponent was Silver, an SS-ranked adventurer. Wilhelm was exercising maximum caution.
But would that be enough?
Silver had always appeared where he needed to be.
He shouldn't be coming. He couldn't be coming.
Yet, he had always interfered from outside their expectations.
"It’s easier when you view his personality to be unpleasant as well though."
Saying this, Erik sighed.
_____
"It's been a long ti, Prince Wilhelm."
"Indeed, it's been a while, Chancellor."
In the throne room, Wilhelm faced Chancellor Franz.
The eting began with a calm handshake but Franz quickly got to the point.
"To get straight to the matter, regarding Prince Wilhelm's succession..."
"Still prioritizing business over nostalgia, I see. Can't we indulge in so sentint?"
"That's just my nature."
Wilhelm echoed Franz's words, chuckling as he spoke.
"I'm glad to see you haven't changed. Let's get to the point."
The familiar gestures and expressions.
Franz's senses confird without a doubt that the person before him was Wilhelm.
"The chancellor's concern must be the southern faction. I've already issued orders for their disbandnt. The knights are gradually returning to their lords. However, due to their numbers, it will take so ti. Originally, they were a force for monster subjugation. Now that an SS-ranked adventurer has appeared, they are no longer necessary."
"Thank you for your consideration. However, regarding the succession, we still have many confirmations to make. We need ceremonial confirmations and to answer the many questions from various nobles. Therefore, we would like you to remain in the capital to assu your succession as crown prince."
"Of course, there's no problem."
This was as planned.
The chancellor couldn't have formally invited Wilhelm without discussing the succession.
Currently, the empire was without an emperor or crown prince.
In such cases, it was standard to appoint an interim crown prince. Otherwise, the empire could fall apart.
With Erik, a prominent figure among the imperial family, following Wilhelm, any doubts about his authenticity should be swiftly resolved.
Delaying the matter any longer could cause Wilhelm's supporters to rebel against the chancellor.
To them, it would seem like he was a traitor refusing to acknowledge the rightful heir.
But once the process started, there was no turning back.
Even so, inviting Wilhelm to the capital was a gamble.
"Now, let's leave it at that for today. The empress is waiting in the inner palace. Please go and greet her."
"Thank you."
While nodding, Wilhelm withdrew.
As he bowed to Wilhelm's departing figure, Franz's expression hardened with resolve.
The emperor's will had already been taken out of the capital.
If the empress were to be swayed and the capital fell into Wilhelm's hands, it would beco the justification for rebellion.
However...
"I hope such a future does not co... Your Majesty."
Murmuring this, Franz quietly looked towards the throne.
The information had reached Franz that the emperor and Leonard, along with the allied forces, were all trapped in a special barrier.
Soon, this would be known to the people as well.
While it was reassuring that the emperor was safe, it didn't have enough impact to change the current situation.
Nevertheless, it was a fact that the emperor was not in the capital. Hence, a representative was necessary.
The empress's choices would greatly influence the future of the empire.
However, one thing was certain.
"It seems that I won't be able to welco His Majesty back."
Regardless of how things turned out, the presence of the imperial chancellor is simply a thorn in Wilhelm's side, and he would not be allowed to remain.
But running away was not an option.
As he had been appointed by the emperor and entrusted with the empire in his absence.
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