The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne - Chapter 713

Chapter 713: Schemes and Covert Operations

Conrad averted his eyes as he looked at Lea who was ‘sleeping’ on the bed, knowing she would never wake up again.

Carlos, who was seated in a wheelchair, then addressed Erik.

"Did you call for me, Erik-aniiue?"

Due to the attack that was orchestrated by the two S-ranked vampires, the fifth prince Carlos was left paralyzed from the waist down, unable to walk ever again.

As a result, he was placed under house arrest in the emperor's direct territory. This confinement was for life, and even then, it was considered a lenient punishment considering what he had done.

Yet Erik went out of his way to bring Carlos to the imperial capital. Naturally, he would have a motive for doing so.

"Carlos... Can you die with me?"

It was an unexpected proposal.

But to die together? That was unexpected. Therefore, Carlos responded.

"The fate of a foolish Adler... I thought my role was to live in disgrace and serve as a warning for future generations... but does this life still have a purpose?"

Carlos had been deceived by the vampires and caused a monster stampede in the east. He had endangered the emperor and caused harm to the people of the Empire.

The only reason he wasn't executed at the time was because he was no longer a threat.

That was all. And thus he had plenty of time to think.

Hence, in his foolishness, Carlos had already determined his own value. The Adler family must not be foolish and by remaining alive as that reminder was now his existence's value.

That was now what defines him. However, if there was a use for him now, it was a different story.

Erik nodded to Carlos.

"The blood of Adler is necessary... but if you dislike it, that's fine."

"I wouldn't say I dislike it. But if there is something that I can do with this life... I will offer as much blood as needed."

"I appreciate that, but... even if it was for 'me' who tricked you into becoming like this?"

Carlos wasn't surprised by Erik's words.

After reflecting on the various events that happened while bedridden, he had reached a conclusion that it was likely Erik who deceived him and manipulated his actions from the start.

"Why bring it up now... But I had thought so."

"I see..."

Erik sighed softly at Carlos's words.

He then took out a small diary from his pocket. It was the late second consort Amelia's compilation of the future she had seen.

However, it was slightly different from what she had seen when he was with Wilhelm. This was the 'latest version' that Amelia had written before ending her own life.

"In order to reach the future that is written here... it was necessary. Forgive me."

Everything started from there.

_________

After Christa’s childbirth.

Amelia, who had regained her composure, one day called Erik alone.

"I entrust this to you."

What she handed over to him was a small diary. Erik had accepted it, but he still didn't know what it was.

"What is this?"

"Recently... While I was sleeping with Christa, I had a nightmare for the first time in a long time. Hence, I wrote down that nightmare in as much detail as possible, of all the futures that might happen."

"I see..."

A magic to see the future.

It was a magic that was only mentioned in literature, yet Amelia thought that she was peering into the future in the form of nightmares. Amelia believed that it was due to Christa, but the truth was unknown.

However, Amelia truly believed that it could happen. That was different from the half-believing Erik.

"What do you want me to do with this?"

"The nightmares described there... are different from the others."

"How are they different?"

"The timing is different."

The other nightmares always had similar timing, but the recent nightmare was different.

She knew why.

"How different is it?"

"It was seven or eight years earlier than the other nightmares. It's because the empire fell into chaos earlier than the other nightmares."

"The empire falls into chaos?"

It was a grave situation, and soon the half-believing Erik started to take the conversation a bit more seriously. Hearing that the empire would soon fall into chaos, he couldn't stay silent anymore.

The diary Amelia had given him earlier described the eventual destruction of the empire, so if the empire was destined to fall earlier, there was nothing else to consider. And thus Erik had concluded it was just a nightmare.

However, he should listen to her. If it was really due to magic, he needed to be prepared.

"Yes. In the case of the previous nightmares... the empire usually fell into chaos due to Wilhelm's 'natural death'. But in that nightmare, Wilhelm was 'assassinated'. That's why it fell into chaos earlier."

"Wilhelm gets assassinated...? Unfortunately... I won't let that happen."

Amelia nodded at Erik's words.

Indeed. Erik was by Wilhelm's side at the time so as long as Erik was vigilant, an assassination wouldn't be easy.

Therefore,

"That nightmare is... a timeline where you overlooked the assassination. And... that was the only path to victory for humanity..."

Amelia lowered her gaze quietly after saying that. All the nightmares she had seen before had tragic ends and she had entrusted Wilhelm and Erik to somehow stop them, but this time it was slightly different.

"When Krista was still in my womb. I didn't know if it was a nightmare or future sight. But now I understand. It was Krista's innate magic. It was a vision of the future that she showed."

"Are you certain?"

"This is coming from a mother's intuition and Krista's condition. The day after I saw that nightmare and wrote it down. Krista had a high fever. It was similar to the symptoms that occcur after using a large amount of magic."

"...Then, let's assume so. Why is the future where I overlooked Wilhelm's assassination... the only path to victory?"

"From Wilhelm's assassination. The unimaginable death of the crown prince will plunge the empire into chaos... and the demons would start to move earlier. But it is an unexpected event for them too. From there, the unprepared demons will try to open the 'gate'. And the opening of that gate is the only path to victory for humanity."

"Why is that? Why is the opening of the gate the only path to victory?"

"To the demons, Wilhelm's death is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they will create a gate to exploit this. But because they couldn't prepare thoroughly enough... it will open with the human forces still remaining, so you could say they have to open it because there are still remaining humans around. That gate will then connect the demon realm to this continent… It's our only chance since if we don't defeat the demons lurking in the depths of the demon realm... humanity will have no future. Adler, the poison that corrupts humanity... The very reason that Wilhelm dies in all the other futures. It's the only chance we have to root it out." Thɪs chapter is updated by novel⸺fire.net

After hearing Amelia's explanation, Erik frowned.

Defeating the demons in the demon realm. That was easy to say, yet hard to do.

The continent had been preparing for demons for hundreds of years because it was normally impossible to fight them head on.

The demon realm itself was the home of many demons which humanity has no information about.

Therefore, defeating those demons that appear would pose more of a challenge than Erik can have imagined.

"How do we defeat them?"

"I don't know. The nightmare ended halfway, which meant that Christa’s magic ran out."

"Ended halfway...?"

"It ended when the gate opened. But that nightmare alone had a glimmer of hope for humanity. So, I will believe in that nightmare... In that future… and act accordingly."

Amelia's expression clouded.

There were two conditions for that future… One was the Crown Prince Wilhelm's death.

And the other was.

"In many futures, I will harm His Majesty. After being driven by madness, I will then eliminate all the other consorts, and eventually, even His Majesty. As a human, I have the desire to monopolize His Majesty so therefore, my death is also a condition. I must die."

"Are you joking? To end your own life based only on an uncertain vision of the future?"

"I wish it were a joke… But I am certain. All the nightmares I saw are the potential futures of humanity. That's why I want to choose even a slightly hopeful future. All for His Majesty and Christa to be able to live."

Amelia showed the intensity that was unique to someone who was stubbornly determined.

Erik finally understood that she was serious. Amelia was serious about believing that the nightmare was their future and had already decided to end her life.

He should stop her here… But if it was true, he couldn't stop her.

As a consort who was favored by the emperor. If she went on a rampage as predicted, Erik couldn't stop her then.

"Can you at least give me some time to read the diary?"

"Fine. But there isn't much time, and you mustn't tell anyone. The future is uncertain so the more people who know, the more unpredictable it becomes. This is a scheme only between you and me. Hence it must remain secret. So if you are ready to act covertly to protect the empire and humanity, let me know."

TL's Notes:

Sorry I'm late on the post.... again....