The Second Prince’s Palace.
The place where the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Lyons resides, he sat in an office filled with platinum, smiling at the map laid out before him.
The map depicted the territory of Marquis Jeniva.
“Is everything going well?”
“Of course.”
“Good.”
Just a little longer, and the plan that had been in the works for years would finally be set into motion.
“The downfall of the First Prince.”
Though he is technically the elder brother, to the current Second Prince, he is less than an enemy.
It was unpleasant to see him flaunt his overwhelming territory and resources that came from Marquis Jeniva’s influence.
Without forming ties with any of the other prestigious nobles, he acted as if he had already inherited the throne.
Most of the notable nobles support the Second Prince.
The ones backing the First Prince are mostly unremarkable, and even if they were known, they held little power.
Yet even as a marquis, ‘Jeniva’ boasted a presence comparable to that of a grand duke. Because of that singular influence, the balance of power had been maintained until now.
Even now, that balance was beginning to crumble, tilting towards the First Prince.
“The First Princess… she’s a problem too. To try to follow someone utterly insignificant without Jeniva’s backing.”
“That’s outrageous. How dare she abandon His Majesty Degenos and turn to that person.”
“She should be dealt with. Even the Fourth Prince is siding with that guy? Was Jeniva that impressive?”
Snicker.
The Second Prince, Degenos Lyons, scoffed as he tapped the map.
Though he said this, it’s true that Jeniva is impressive.
The fertile land aside, that’s a territory that’s brought in a lot of wealth over the years, and now it’s the kingdom’s largest granary.
It’s no wonder the First Prince is regarded as a strong heir without any backing from other powerful nobles.
“Jeniva alone is enough.”
The influence of Jeniva within Lyons was immense.
“But what happens if Jeniva falls?”
The largest granary of the kingdom and the First Prince’s staunch ally comes crashing down.
First, the kingdom itself would take a major hit.
This world isn’t just about the Kingdom of Lyons; many other kingdoms are nearby.
The kingdom’s instability would present opportunities to other kingdoms.
“The kingdom would certainly shake.”
“Right. But it will recover soon.”
But Lyons is a kingdom close to an empire.
It may wobble, but it won’t collapse.
While Jeniva’s influence is considerable, the lands of other powerful nobles will somewhat take its place.
Soon enough, it would likely bounce back.
Once the time of gold passes, the recovery will naturally return.
Tap.
The Second Prince’s hand presses down firmly on the center of the Jeniva territory.
A map engraved with a red mark.
“But that guy won’t recover. Without Jeniva, he’s worse than the Fourth Prince.”
If Jeniva disappears, the First Prince’s influence will plummet.
As the most promising successor falters, the Second Prince’s power will quickly rise to take its place.
Of course, the First Prince isn’t an idiot, so he’ll put up some resistance, but…
“By then, it’ll be too late. He’ll have lost his power, and the royal knights of the kingdom will be in my hands! This is why you can’t invest everything in one place!”
“That person won’t be able to do anything.”
Hehe. I’m really looking forward to that day. Just imagining that guy begging for his life is amusing.
That brat who strutted around proudly since childhood, holding his head up high.
What kind of reaction will he have when he faces defeat for the first time?
The Second Prince couldn’t help but hide his laughter, filled with expectation.
“First Princess, Fourth Princess. What should we do about those annoying brats… Just executing them would be too boring.”
“How about we chop off their limbs? While they’re still alive, of course.”
“To kill those ignorant and arrogant brats so ‘nobly’? Our Red Tower Master. Your heart is a bit too soft.”
“My apologies.”
“No, no. I’m not such a bad person. I think it wouldn’t be so bad after all.”
Hmm…
“Since we are a kingdom that reveres lions, it wouldn’t be a problem to feed them to the lions. Wouldn’t that be a glorious event for those sinners?”
“Indeed, that’s an excellent choice. They will also appreciate His Highness’s generous mercy.”
“I tell you, being too kind can be a problem.”
“What do you plan to do about your other brothers?”
“Well, those brats… I’ll have to give them a proper touch. They’re not completely useless after all. At least they’re bodies that can’t use mana─”
Knock, knock.
─Your Highness. This is Lux from the royal castle knights.
“What is it?”
─Princess Lily has come to the Second Prince’s palace.
“Lily? Who is that?”
The Second Prince showed a puzzled expression.
He genuinely had no idea who it was, not just ignoring the opponent.
This was due to the current king having too many children.
The Red Tower Master, who had been backing the Second Prince, bowed her head and answered.
“Princess Lily is the Eleventh Princess. She is a member of the Silver Lion Knight Order and also the Deputy Master of the White Tower.”
“Oh. Is she the little girl who asked to be let into that knight order? I can’t believe she’s still clinging on.”
“Yes. Although she didn’t grow up inside the palace, her talent is exceptional, and she is held in high regard.”
“She was that woman’s daughter… Born from the monster. Her father sure has unique tastes.”
“She was my daughter… born from a monster. My father has unique tastes, you know.”
“That’s just how he is.”
“But why has he come here?”
─I don’t know. He just told me to let you know he came.
“…?”
He didn’t even notify me.
What on earth could it be?
“Master of the Magic Tower.”
“Please wait a moment.”
The Red Tower Master uses magic to contact somewhere.
Displaying the impressive magic worthy of a Grand Wizard, he swiftly gathers mana and bows his head once more.
“Currently, the Silver Lion Knight Order is conducting the ‘Worm’ recovery operation.”
“Oh, that? Was today the recovery date?”
“Yes. The offspring breeding process has just been completed, so it was time to send them back.”
“Then that’s why he came. But why alone?”
“That hasn’t been confirmed yet.”
“? What’s that about? Just call him over!”
─Yes.
Thump, thump!
Lux turned and left to call Princess Lily.
During the short wait, the Second Prince rested his chin on his hand and asked.
“By the way, did I mention my plans to that Lily or whatever her name is?”
“…We haven’t said anything on our side, though.”
A variable arose while the plan was maturing.
I don’t know what it is, but there’s no need to worry.
The opponent is just someone looking for a side without any claim to succession.
In fact, they’re quite talented, so it might be better to use them as a useful weapon.
Clunk!
Step, step.
The door to the office swung open, and Lily Lyons entered.
Differing from the platinum hair and yellow eyes, symbols of the royal family, she had blue hair and blue eyes.
This proved that she was not a pure blood of the royal family but had mixed blood.
She bowed her head lightly, one arm pressed against her chest.
“I, Eleventh Princess Lily Lyons, greet His Highness, Second Prince Degenos Lyons.”
“Glad to meet you, Eleventh Princess. Is this your first time since your appointment to the Knights?”
“Yes.”
“Well, our mother may be different, but all in all, we are siblings. Hahaha, so what brings you here?”
“I discovered something strange during the operation.”
“Strange?”
“Yes. First, take a look at this…”
Princess Lily handed over a thick sheet of paper and detailed what she had heard, seen, and felt.
The events she experienced while serving in the Silver Lion Knight Order.
And it contained information about the evil deeds committed by the Second Prince and his associates.
The expressions of the two people who heard the story tightened up, but Princess Lily showed no signs of stopping.
Even under the pressure of mana, she felt compelled to speak, and her words gained more strength.
Crack!
Red mana swirled around the Red Sorcerer.
“…Eleventh Princess, what on earth is this?”
“…I firmly believe that this incident was caused by His Highness, the Second Prince Degenos Lyons. I demand an explanation.”
“Are you out of your mind? Or are you acting on the orders of the First Prince?! Or is the White Tower of Magic─!”
“Red Tower Master.”
Boom!
Mana resembling a lion overwhelmed the entire office.
Even the Red Tower Master, who had risen to the rank of Grand Mage, couldn’t withstand the power without using magic.
He planned to crush that arrogant princess in an instant, but she stood still, merely watching.
“Hah. Truly not the spawn of a mere monster.”
“Please refrain from speaking carelessly.”
“The one acting carelessly is you. How dare you speak so brazenly in front of someone!”
“I demand an explanation.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If you refuse…”
Kaboom!!
“…!”
“Ughh!”
The flow of energy completely reversed.
The Second Prince’s mana, which had filled the office, faded away as a pure white light began to fill the space.
The Red Tower Master trembled, having cast seven layers of protective magic, while even the Second Prince, with royal blood running through his veins, could only clench his fists in frustration.
“Ugh…! You crazy girl…!”
“Will you not explain?”
“How dare you…! Who do you think you are?! Did that First Prince send you?!”
Woosh!
The lion emblem on the Second Prince’s hand shimmered, summoning white fangs.
Clang!
As the fangs shattered the structure of energy flowing through space, the wrecked office returned to normal.
“Phew… Phew… That damn girl makes me use a holy artifact…”
“What’s that?”
“Hehehe… It’s an amazing item that can neutralize even someone like you, ‘mongrel.’”
“Mongrel?”
“Yes! You foolish mongrel, born only with this ignorant body! How dare you mingle with such lowly blood─”
Splat!
“……”
“Not much to it, huh?”
The Second Prince turned into a handful of blood.
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