The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne - Chapter 714

Erik agreed to Amelia's request the next day.

There were two reasons for his decision.

Firstly, the detailed content that was in her diary simply went beyond the realm of mere nightmares.

Secondly, he believed that someone had to be prepared for the upcoming future since no one else could predict if this future would come true.

However, if the events written in the diary were to suddenly happen, then no one would be able to respond to it.

Even if they could respond to it on the spot, the situation would still be dire.

Thus, Erik decided to prepare for it.

He would have to leave the empire in Wilhelm's hands. Since he had many capable siblings, they wouldn't lack any support.

He had to do what he could alone.

"I will find a way that doesn't require Wilhelm's death."

"I’ll leave it to you then... But there will come a time when you have to make a decision. Do not falter when that time happens."

With those last words to him, Amelia entrusted the diary to Erik.

A few days later, Amelia took her own life.

Now there was no turning back.

At seeing his father Johannes crying openly, Erik felt this deeply.

From that point on, Erik was alone.

His covert operations, one known to no one, had finally begun.

Claiming to act for humanity’s sake was truly a grand justification for his future actions, but if the nightmare truly wasn't a prophecy, his actions would only be sowing chaos.

Even so.

Even so.

Even so.

Erik quietly did what he could.

The diary only described up to the opening of the gate. Thus, he had to figure out by himself on how to defeat the demons afterward.

The diary outlined major future events.

One of the events highlighted that there would be a war between humans and demons, with Leonard and Arnold both playing central roles in that war. However this was far in the future so there was no way to verify its authenticity.

However, one event had finally convinced him of the diary's truth: the war between the Perlan Kingdom and the United Kingdom.

At the moment the United Kingdom held an overwhelming advantage over the Kingdom during the war.

The Perlan Kingdom itself had no power to counterattack them.

No one, not even Erik who had the diary, had doubted the United Kingdom's victory.

However, a miracle had occurred during the war—a saint appeared and turned the tide towards the Perlan Kingdom, forcing the United Kingdom, at the time led by the Dragon Prince William, to retreat.

It was an unimaginable comeback for the Perlan Kingdom.

While everyone was astonished at the time, Erik trembled.

No one could have predicted this.

Therefore, he believed the diary was real after that event.

Thus, Wilhelm's death seemed increasingly likely.

What should he do?

Days passed as he did what he could while pondering about the incoming future.

First, he silenced all the hardliners in the Adrasia Empire who wanted to invade the Perlan Kingdom during this opportunity.

The saint was a crucial asset and thus, she couldn’t be lost.

Erik discreetly mediated between the Perlan Kingdom and the Adrasia Empire.

Since maintaining humanity’s current military strength was crucial for the future.

Balancing the scales of power.

The Imperial Army that is led by Crown Prince Wilhelm was the continent's strongest force at that time.

His exceptionally talented siblings had also supported him at the time. It was truly a golden age where they had the power to unify most of the continent in a decade if they had so wished.

Hence, Erik negotiated with all the various parties outside the Empire in order to avoid any potential expansionist policies.

Since unnecessary conflicts should be avoided.

Luckily Wilhelm agreed with this policy and so the Empire, despite its powerful military, remained quiet throughout this time.

They engaged in only the necessary battles while enhancing their presence as a strong nation in the Central Continent.

As a result, other nations also avoided pointless conflicts with the Adrasia Empire.

Wars consumed a lot of resources and money.

Most importantly, many people died in those wars.

Even if the deceased was just a soldier, he might have been a good father at home. He could even have become a great person in the future.

One would never know what impact their deaths might have on the future.

Therefore, Erik wished for the survival of all the people across the continent and continued his current anti-war efforts.

While his spirit gradually eroded.

Erik's sole support was his wife, Leah and his siblings living in the castle.

Leah's smile gave him strength.

And seeing his siblings living freely made him determined to protect them.

No matter the sacrifice, the future had to be secured by him.

"I'm back! Arnold, Leonard!"

"Welcome back, Wilhelm-aniiue."

"Welcome back..."

"What's wrong? Arnold, you seem to not be feeling well. Is it because I promised to train you in swordsmanship before I left? Don't worry, I'm not a demon."

"As expected of Wilhelm-aniiue! Today, I'm not feeling well."

"I asked Gordon to train you."

"Come on, Arnold! I've heard you've been playing all day again. This time I'll whip you into shape."

"Wilhelm-aniiue-e-e-e!"

After inspecting the frontline, Wilhelm had always returned home to be greeted by his siblings.

It was the usual scene.

Its importance was understood by both Wilhelm and Erik.

"Did you see Krista? Erik, it seems that she's grown taller again."

"Well she's currently in her growth spurt."

"I bet you that she will grow up to be as beautiful as Amelia-sama. However, choosing a husband for her will be tough as I won’t approve of just anyone easily. In fact, I’ll stand alongside Father as a major obstacle for all the potential suitors."

"Don't obstruct your sister's marriage."

Wars would not end.

And the ugly conflicts among humans would never cease completely.

However within the Empire, here, peace was somewhat achieved.

World peace was a distant dream.

Yet.

Peace was realized around them and they should be satisfied with that.

Seeking too much leads to losing much more.

For a while, Erik had even turned a blind eye to the diary.

Since it was a peaceful time for the Empire, he thought that everything would be solved if this peace was maintained.

However, a harsh reality did not leave Erik alone.

"Cough, cough..."

"Wilhelm..."

"It seems to be an incurable disease... It seems that I’ll only be able to move properly for a few more years at most... After that, I'll be bedridden."

"Don’t give up!"

"This illness is beyond anyone's control... But I’m not giving up. I had a dream as Crown Prince and eventually as Emperor, to build a better Empire. If the Empire is stable, then the continent won’t fall into chaos. However I'm not omnipotent and I can't end all the conflicts worldwide… But I can reduce them. That’s my role... However, I don’t have time and so... I’ll entrust it to the future generations. I’ll use this remaining life of mine to make their path easier and fortunately... I have amazing siblings."

"Wilhelm..."

"Erik... Are you happy to be with Leah?"

"Of course."

"I'm also happy with Therese and while that's not all there is to our happiness, still... To love and be loved. It’s a wonderful thing. Unfortunately we weren’t blessed with children, but I am still happy. That’s more than enough for me and now... I want the children around to experience this kind of happiness. People will always inherit the previous generation’s will, feelings, and wishes. Everything is connected and I will use this life... to connect to the next generation."

Though staying quiet would allow him to live longer.

However Wilhelm didn't desire that kind of life.

There could have been a life of enjoying a slow time with their loved ones.

But Wilhelm didn’t desire that.

Rather than enjoying the better times with his loved ones now.

Instead he wanted his loved ones to continue having the better times afterward.

"Erik, I will burn this life."

"...I see."

After hearing his resolve.

Erik's own resolve ignited.

Peace exists now.

And it could be maintained a little longer.

However, hell awaited in the near future.

Therefore,

No matter the sacrifices now.

Thus the future had to be secured by him.

The children will soon be forced to face a future crisis.

As children, they could do nothing now.

Therefore, it was the duty of the adults now to connect them to that future.

And so, Erik acted covertly.

Skillfully and cautiously.

So that no one would notice.

He drugged the Empress, removed the Empire’s guards and reduced the number of imperial knights through many covert operations, later creating a gap in the northern border defense.

Then, he gave Wilhelm a medicine.

It was something to temporarily ease his pain.

However, there were side effects.

He told him to take it immediately if something had happened.

And as a result.

While being immobilized by the side effects of the medicine, Wilhelm was killed by an ordinary arrow.

Usually, someone would have protected him at the cost of their life.

However, on that day, there was no such person nearby.

Erik had arranged it that way.

The news of Wilhelm’s death had quickly reached Erik.

"I'm sorry... Wilhelm."

In a room, Erik wept while clutching the diary.

Truly.

There was no turning back.

Wilhelm, his brother and close friend.

Someone that was more precious than his own life, his other half.

And he had taken that life.

Erik was now prepared to lose everything.

Just for the upcoming future.

From that day on, Erik swore not to cry.

It was a meaningless vow as his earlier tears had already begun to dry... but still.