Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 214

214.

The evening banquet was teeming with people.

Many of my siblings, the princes and princesses, were in attendance, along with numerous nobles from the Empire.

With a significant number of nobles and wealthy individuals from the Pyreon Kingdom present, the royal palace was bustling with activity.

I began by greeting the Imperial figures.

“Your Highness, congratulations. The Grenian direct territory seems to have developed as much as the Empire already.”

At the Fifth Prince’s words, I smiled and patted his shoulder.

“Are you keeping up with your studies?”

“Yes.”

“Never forget your dignity and sense of responsibility as a member of the Imperial Family.”

“Yes, I will do my best.”

After offering encouragement to each of my siblings, I greeted the Imperial nobles.

My position within the Empire was secure.

Everyone welcomed me warmly.

The Imperial figures attending the banquet seemed confident that I would succeed my father as Emperor.

Even Austin seemed to think so.

“Your Highness will gain valuable experience managing Grenian before taking on the Empire, which will benefit the Empire greatly,” he said.

“Thank you, Duke.”

I personally refilled Duke Austin’s wine glass.

Although I had spoken with Duke Beregon, I made sure not to show any sign of it in front of Duke Austin.

“The Magic Tower is also very interested in the Riverhill family.”

“I am aware of the Riverhill family’s close ties with the Magic Tower, and I anticipate seeking their assistance in the future.”

Duke Austin offered a faint smile.

‘There’s no opening here.’

I couldn’t detect any hint of the Purifying Fire Squad from him.

Indeed, until Duke Beregon mentioned it, I hadn’t noticed anything amiss with Duke Austin.

There was no way Duke Austin would reveal anything now.

“There are widespread rumors that the Kingdom Alliance is preparing for an all-out war.”

A moment of silence fell over our immediate surroundings.

Bringing up war at a banquet was certainly a topic that could kill the mood.

However, I couldn’t fault Duke Austin for raising the issue.

Some nobles seemed to agree with Duke Austin’s assessment.

“When His Majesty granted Grenian as a direct territory, I pledged to resolve the issue with the Kingdom Alliance,” I said, smoothly continuing the conversation.

“I was already aware that they were preparing for an all-out war. It will likely be the largest war in the history of the Empire.”

As I moistened my throat with wine, I detected a spicy aroma.

Everyone was now focused on my words.

“You don’t need to worry excessively. If things become too difficult, I’ll seek assistance from the Riverhill family.”

As I offered a deep smile, Duke Austin readily agreed with my statement.

“Of course, Your Highness. The Riverhill family is always prepared to fight for Your Highness.”

“All for the Empire.”

I proposed a toast to Duke Austin, and he clinked his wine glass against mine, saying,

“Your Highness’s glory will extend beyond Grenian to encompass the entire Empire.”

After concluding my conversation with Duke Austin, I moved towards the group of nobles from the Pyreon Kingdom.

The central figure among the Pyreon Kingdom’s nobles was Ivid, whom I had encountered earlier in the day.

As I approached, Ivid bowed his head, his face stiff.

“We met earlier, didn’t we?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I carefully observed the nobles from the Pyreon Kingdom.

Many of them were giving Ivid looks that seemed to urge him to speak.

“I apologize for causing concern with the incident outside the palace,” Ivid said, surprisingly bringing up the matter with Duke Beregon first.

“Having just arrived in Grenian, I didn’t recognize Your Highness and the Duke.”

He attributed his mistake to his unfamiliarity with me and Duke Beregon.

From Ivid’s perspective, it was an understandable excuse.

I was growing weary of witnessing and experiencing the ideologies of these nobles.

“The nobles from the Pyreon Kingdom will have many responsibilities in the future,” I said calmly.

“As I mentioned outside the palace, His Majesty has not yet decided what to do with your positions.”

The nobles’ faces grew tense.

They were apprehensive about the fact that their status was contingent on my father’s decisions.

There is only one instance where a noble falls to the status of a commoner or even a slave.

That is the destruction of the country.

Most nobles do not experience the destruction of their country while living as nobles, but their country has been destroyed.

Even when numerous kingdoms collapsed during the Warring States period [a period of intense warfare and political upheaval in ancient China], many nobles survived.

But now is not the Warring States period.

This is the era when the Empire wields absolute power.

In particular, my father executed most of the nobles of the conquered countries.

Perhaps they were recalling that fact.

I decided to reveal my new authority to them and the Imperial nobles at this juncture.

“His Majesty has declared the territory of the Pyreon Kingdom as the Crown Prince’s direct territory, following Grenian.”

A suffocating tension permeated the banquet hall.

My voice resonated clearly in everyone’s ears.

“The disposition regarding you has been entrusted to me, and I am currently considering it.”

I met Ivid’s gaze.

There was astonishment in his eyes.

“I have not found any justification for acknowledging your titles as they are. That’s why I invited you all to this banquet. I will decide after observing you directly with my own eyes.”

“Your Highness,” Ivid said with difficulty.

“We have all been loyal to the Pyreon royal family for a long time…….”

They worked diligently for the country.

They fulfilled their duties as nobles.

They seemed poised to say something along those lines, but I cut them off coldly.

“Considering your supposed loyalty to the royal family, the resistance I encountered when I came to conquer the kingdom was surprisingly weak.”

Their power is needed for the war with the Kingdom Alliance.

Their influence in the provinces is not insignificant.

Nevertheless, I had no intention of being lenient with them.

Was it because they are deeply entrenched in their vested interests?

Was it because they are unable to relinquish their sense of privilege?

I did not pressure the nobles from the Pyreon Kingdom with such justifications.

The nobles’ sense of privilege is something I cannot alter, even if I tried.

I cannot dismantle a system of social classes that has been passed down for centuries or even millennia with my own strength alone.

I am not such an idealist.

Moreover, am I not the person at the pinnacle of the social class system as the Crown Prince?

The justification for me to pressure them was simple.

Loyalty.

A mindset that slaves, commoners, and nobles must all possess equally.

An attitude that nobles should embody even more.

They turned their backs on the royal family they were supposedly loyal to.

I tightened the noose around the necks of the nobles from the Pyreon Kingdom with perfect justification by clearly highlighting that point.

“Is there any merit in me acknowledging the titles of those who have already demonstrated their weak loyalty? Moreover, with the war with the Kingdom Alliance imminent, if you disregard the war as you did last time, I cannot help but harbor reasonable doubts.”

I stared intently into Ivid’s eyes.

“Beyond ignoring the war, you might even attempt to hand over the direct territory to the Kingdom Alliance as a whole.”

“Yo, Your Highness!”

Ivid knelt down urgently.

And at that moment, a soldier’s voice echoed from outside the banquet hall.

“Your Highness, urgent news!”

* * *

I hadn’t anticipated such a sudden encounter.

The black-haired young man engaged in combat with Gale.

The one who effortlessly parries Gale’s sword is Karen.

My protagonist.

I observed the battle between Gale and Karen from atop the castle wall, my expression grave.

“That’s Karen, the Sword Master who fought against His Majesty,” Duke Beregon, who was already beside me, said.

I nodded.

“He appears to be a young man, yet he’s incredibly skilled. The continent is vast, and there are many talented individuals.”

It’s somewhat embarrassing to admit, considering I’m younger than Karen at this moment.

It’s akin to someone who has undergone a coming-of-age ceremony and wields four top-level spirits, remarking that a young person is truly remarkable.

There was no time to feel self-conscious.

The battle between Gale and Karen was escalating in intensity.

And Karen appeared to be in control.

“Gale is in danger,” Duke Beregon continued, as if urging me to make a decision.

“If this continues…….”

Ken stepped forward at Duke Beregon’s words.

“If we interfere in the duel, we risk being pushed back repeatedly in the war with the Kingdom Alliance in the future.”

“We could lose a Sword Master. This isn’t an all-out war situation, but rather a situation that has evolved from a local conflict into a duel.”

Duke Beregon and Ken held opposing views.

So I turned to Duke Beregon and asked, “What are your thoughts, Duke?”

“Yes?”

“Imagine you are engaged in a duel with the enemy general, and that enemy general is a Sword Master of saint-like skill. All your subordinates are watching, but you are being outmatched by the enemy general. Would you want your allies to intervene and help you?”

I was viewing this as an opportunity.

An opportunity to eliminate Karen.

No matter how closely I looked, I couldn’t spot Jane or any other formidable individuals.

I only saw Karen and the soldiers under his command.

Approximately a thousand people?

On our side, we have me, Duke Beregon, Duke Austin, and even Lillian.

There are countless powerful individuals present.

Many nobles of the Empire were attending the banquet in the royal palace.

If I desired, I could annihilate Karen and his troops.

And I suspected this might be the last chance to eliminate Karen with relative ease.

My protagonist is a monster that defies all norms.

He will grow even stronger after his battle with Gale today.

Because he is the first person to surpass even Ron Carl Leord, my father.

A man destined to bring about the Empire’s downfall.

Murderous intent surged within me.

Those around me recoiled.

“What are your thoughts, Duke?” I asked again, my voice laced with intensity.

Duke Beregon responded bitterly, “No one would desire interference. As a knight, there is no greater shame than receiving assistance from allies in a duel with the enemy general. It is preferable to die by the enemy general’s sword to protect one’s honor. That is the honor of a knight and the fate of those who wield a sword.”

I nodded.

“Then I won’t interfere.”

Even if it means losing Gale.

I clenched my fist.

Gale was being pushed back further and further.

I was resolute in my decision to uphold Gale’s honor as a knight, but as Gale edged closer to death in real time, my body trembled.

Is this truly the right course of action?

Should I intervene and save him now?

“Your Highness,” Ken said quickly.

“Honor as a knight is important, but Sir Gale is Your Highness’s loyal subject…….”

Ken’s words were cut short.

The aura blade emanating from Karen’s sword bore down on Gale.

Simultaneously, Karen stepped into the air and soared towards the castle wall in an instant.

Duke Beregon reacted swiftly.

“How dare you!”

Karen had violated the unspoken rules of the duel.

He abandoned Gale and targeted me directly.

Before Duke Beregon’s sword could reach Karen, Sylphid appeared in the air.

Kwaaaang-!

Karen’s sword and Sylphid’s wind blade collided, triggering a massive explosion.

I met Karen’s eyes.

Karen, suspended in the air, spoke, “You are the Crown Prince who leads the forces of evil.”

I remained silent.

Karen had now inflicted an even greater insult on Gale than killing him.

Ignoring one’s opponent in a duel is an unbearable humiliation for the knight being attacked.

I said, my face stiff, “Your personality is not as commendable as your skills.”

“Personality is irrelevant when punishing evil. It’s a significant gain to have encountered you today.”

I made a decision while listening to Karen’s words.

Eliminate him in this place.

Karen had tarnished Gale’s honor with a greater insult than death.

Ifrit materialized after Sylphid.

“Jane’s head of the family mentioned it would be beneficial to meet you, and there was a valid reason. Let’s conclude this encounter today.”

Karen retrieved a scroll from his robes.

Before the two top-level spirits could launch their attack, Karen tore the scroll.

Karen’s figure vanished, and I bit my lip.

I hadn’t anticipated this type of encounter.

I said quietly, “From this moment forward, the direct territory will enter a state of war.”

This is an order to everyone.