### Chapter 144: The Soaring Hawk (4)
Members of the royal family must become the strongest supporters of the king and should reign over the nobility. For a diminutive royal family to govern an entire nation, even a single member of the royal family is absolutely essential. However, here I am, not even by the king’s side but in a foreign land.
Because of the sin of being born later, and my brother’s sin of not being born earlier, I had to leave my homeland as if I were fleeing. It may as well be an act of neglecting my royal duties, but there was no other option. If I had fulfilled my duties, the royal family—and ultimately, the nation—could have been in jeopardy.
A royal must be competent. For a tiny royal family to stand tall above countless nobles, not only is authority required, but equivalent abilities are also necessary.
Fortunately, thanks to Enen’s grace, I was relatively endowed with such abilities.
“I apologize, but I have nothing more to teach you.”
The problem was that my abilities were just a bit… excessive.
“A blessing to the royal family. A talent bestowed by the heavens.”
“Indeed, a great magician who will go down in history is being born.”
This wasn’t groundless confidence or arrogance; my talents were recognized by all.
“Perhaps even surpassing the crown prince—”
Yep, everyone thought that way.
To everyone’s eyes, my abilities shined brighter even than those of my brother, the crown prince.
This wasn’t merely a minority opinion; even the king and my brother noticed it, and therein lies the trouble.
“Splendid! Keep working hard!”
The king’s gaze upon me didn’t sit right. There was an undertone of regret when he looked at my brother. In the magic powerhouse known as the United Kingdom of Yuben, having magical talent was a huge advantage.
If I noticed it as an outside observer, how could my brother, the main act in all of this, remain oblivious? The meaning embedded in that gaze was enough to drive him to madness, especially since we were dealing with the throne itself here.
If the throne were to be passed over my older brother, it wouldn’t just be a matter of pride; it could cost him his life.
“That’s amazing, Lather.”
Yet, despite it all, my brother managed to suppress his feelings. Rather than expressing anger and hatred toward me, he welcomed the emergence of an exceptional younger brother.
If there had been a considerable age gap between us, the royal family would have been a sanctuary of peace.
But that wasn’t the case. The age difference was tight enough that the king could easily swap out the crown prince.
As the king’s worries deepened, my brother’s gaze began mixing in emotions that were anything but fraternal.
“I intend to enroll in the Imperial Academy.”
At seventeen, I unexpectedly declared my intention to enroll in the Imperial Academy.
A rash move indeed. For someone not just of noble blood but royal lineage to attend a foreign educational institution was utterly ridiculous—especially at an age when one should be diving into social activities.
Consequently, I chose to head to the Empire. No noble would stand in support of a prince who spends three years studying abroad. In my absence, my brother’s foothold would only solidify.
“Lather, think it over again. There’s no need for such a lengthy journey.”
My brother’s attempt to deter me was a jumble of worry for his younger brother, joy at the prospect of eliminating a rival, and a sprinkle of self-loathing for finding happiness in it.
If only my brother had been a villain, I might have scored some serious points in a bid for the throne. But how could I possibly dismantle a brother who cared so deeply for a sibling like me, who could take everything away from him?
“It’s okay. I want to gain various experiences.”
Various experiences, none of which involved the throne.
Ignoring everyone’s pleadings, I enrolled in the Imperial Academy. I would surely plummet in status at home, which was precisely what I desired. I must become an entity infinitely distant from the throne for the sake of the royal family’s stability and the nation’s prosperity.
I probably won’t be welcome in the Empire, either. The unexpected arrival of a foreign prince would undoubtedly raise eyebrows.
“I never imagined there would be another like me.”
A chuckle escaped as the memories flooded back. Strangely enough, the prince of Armein and the next saint also enrolled.
What on earth was going on? Was Armein facing a succession issue, or was a new saint candidate popping up in the Holy Kingdom?
Neither, really.
So, that was the scenario. The memory of a clueless hawk that couldn’t fly and merely tumbled down invaded my mind.
“I can’t go back.”
This was the pathway I chose, with full knowledge that I’d face weakened status and tarnished reputation, all for the royal family and the nation. No matter how greatly the king encouraged, I simply couldn’t return.
And then—
“Chess isn’t about winning. It’s about making you so angry that you can’t win.”
“Wait up. I just need to make one more knight!”
“Where did that other chess player go?”
That voice still echoed in my ears. Unknowingly, my fists clenched.
“Going back now would be losing.”
I can never go back. How can I return if I’ve never defeated Rutis?
If I had simply lost, I’d just say someone was better than me. But the unheard-of strategy of utilizing five knights had stomped all over my pride.
Thus, defeat is not an option. No matter the length of time, I will slam a queen into Ryutis’ face.
By the time I achieve victory, Louise should have made considerable progress too.
For that reason alone, I must stay at the academy until graduation.
This is bound to be an exhilarating academy experience—thump thump.
*
I felt the ember of my dwindling faith flicker back to life. Could it be that my fervent hopes reached the heavens? Did Enen finally take pity on me?
“You mean, the hawk faction?”
“Yes.”
I nearly bit my tongue when I received news from the Executive Manager of the Information Department. The Dove faction of the Five Pillars had dropped from power. If the Executive Manager felt the need to personally reach out, it must be some sort of dire emergency. Such incidents usually didn’t bode well.
And this time, the norm got shattered.
“They overextended themselves and collapsed.”
“Crazy fools.”
The more I listened to the Executive Manager, the more astounded—negatively—I became.
Yes, the hawk faction did topple the doves and seize control. But they hadn’t completely exterminated the dove faction. The doves were still very much awake and kicking within the Five Pillars.
Then surely the next step should naturally be to wholly eliminate the doves or bring them into the fold?
“That’s not normal.”
The hawk faction, charging ahead like a V8 engine revved up, didn’t concern themselves with trivial matters. They jumped headfirst into a project that made anyone wanting to scream, “Are you insane?” even if it was just a pack of hawks.
An audacious plan involving royal assassination. I had honestly anticipated it, but never imagined they’d actually pull it off. If someone were to ask why they’d take such risks, I wouldn’t be able to answer. I was just as clueless.
Nevertheless, the doves, demoralized by the hawks’ onslaught, rushed to inform the royal family about the hawks’ spectacular self-destruct.
“The doves certainly are ready to peck at anything.”
With a pace that screams postal service, the doves did not disappoint their name—flap flap.
What followed was a whirlwind of events. The royal family of the United Kingdom of Yuben was taken aback by an unexpected assassination attempt on the royals, and the doves quickly distanced themselves for fear of being caught up in the hawks’ chaotic downfall.
In fact, the doves had already been thoroughly beaten down by the hawks before they could even untangle themselves, so no one suspected the doves of collusion. This was almost serendipitous.
“So the hawk faction has completely crumbled. Senior members have been executed, while the rest either defected or exited politics.”
“Amazing news.”
“Indeed astounding.”
It truly is remarkable that all of this unfolded in less than a month.
The Dove faction, which had reigned as the dominant force among the Five Pillars for decades, had fallen. From the Empire’s perspective, it was annoying but definitely within the realm of possibility. Politics is ultimately unpredictable.
But to have the hawk faction as the new ruling power? That was plausible. If the doves fell, it indicated a craving for new policies, while the hawks simply stepped in where the doves had faltered.
However, who could have guessed that this meant engaging in royal assassination? That’s something neither doves nor any sane individual would consider, after all.
“Are they missing brains?”
There’s reckless behavior, and then there’s this. At the very least, I thought the hawks would take full control before making their blundering mistake, but I never expected them to implode at lightning speed.
Were hawks always this dim-witted?
Suddenly, I find my fondness for hawks dwindling. They’re quite the bumbling fools, huh?
“Thanks to this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is scrambling, but it’s not precisely a bad outcome.”
I nodded in agreement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be puzzled; they had been planning to make contact with the hawk faction, but now the doves were back in charge.
Yet, is it not always more desirable to tango with a known weakling than to cozy up to a madman?
“Well, that wraps up nicely.”
From my view, this isn’t a disastrous outcome either. With the hawk faction’s downfall, the likelihood of the Five Pillars targeting the academy has vanished. Now, only two out of the three factions remain.
I fervently hope the rest self-destruct as well. I just want a breather!
“Anyhow, I thought it appropriate to give you a heads-up since Prince Lather was targeted by the hawk faction.”
“Ah, yes! Thank you for your foresight.”
“I must take my leave now. There’s much to attend to.”
As always, the Executive Manager of the Information Department concluded our conversation, parading his overflowing workload.
I’m just grateful I don’t live like that.
“I need to retire before I end up like him.”
With each passing day, my resolve to retire seemed to weaken, but every encounter with the Executive Manager reignited that fire.
“Thank you, Executive Manager of the Information Department.”
*
The next day during club time, I noticed that Lather seemed to portray his usual self. He displayed no signs of distress or anxiety whatsoever.
It was a relief that he appeared unaffected, but I was half-hoping for the United Kingdom of Yuben to summon Lather back for safety. Looking at him now, it didn’t seem likely.
“Curse those doves.”
Shouldn’t this time be ripe for them to urge bringing home the royals from foreign lands for safety? After defeating the hawks, they ought to put in at least that much effort.
I guess the doves really are incompetent.
But hey, hawks are cute too! Come to think of it, isn’t the Valenti family’s symbol a hawk? They’re definitely cuter than doves, after all.
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