Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 226

226.

I safely retreated to Grenian.

The Grenian castle walls were very tall and sturdy, befitting the walls of a nation.

I could see that the soldiers’ expressions were much better than before.

Guarding from the low border walls or dilapidated fortress walls was completely different from guarding from the tall, magnificent walls with watchtowers everywhere.

I walked along the walls, encouraging the soldiers.

The enemies were setting up camp beyond the walls and sending down more and more soldiers, but I didn’t care much.

“We could have suffered great damage while retreating, but thanks to the Duke, we were able to safely reach Grenian.”

Duke James, who was following me, said regretfully at my words.

“It is a pity that I could not kill Jane because her skills were much stronger than I expected.”

“Jane is also a Sword Master representing the Kingdom Alliance.”

Soon, a soldier hurriedly approached and reported to me.

“Commander, a messenger has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”

“A messenger?”

“Yes.”

The man behind the soldier came forward and gave me a letter.

“Are you the messenger who brought the letter?”

“That’s right.”

After receiving the letter, I ordered the messenger to stay in the castle for a while and unfolded the letter.

“The war in the west has begun.”

Duke James said with a worried voice at my words.

“The entire Empire is being attacked.”

“Yes. The Southern Alliance… has executed Ted.”

Duke James shuddered.

I briefly took my eyes off the letter and closed them.

‘Ted wasn’t supposed to die yet, but has his future been twisted by me, leading to a miserable end?’

Since it was news from the Imperial Palace, Ted’s death would be certain.

I took some time to mourn Ted before feeling a sense of doubt.

‘No matter how strong the Southern Alliance is, killing the Imperial Prince is too much of a burden.’

Thinking back and forth, it was hard to fully believe Ted’s death.

“Did the Southern Alliance really execute Ted?”

Duke James also pondered at my words.

“Did they start a war like the fairies [referring to the Fae, known for their unpredictable actions]?”

“More and more soldiers are gathering on the southern border.”

“Then they might have really executed him. They are barbarians. They are a race that cannot be expected to have common sense, and if they have decided to go to war, they are a group that can kill a captured prince as a war memorial.”

I was confused again by Duke James’ words.

Did he really die?

I didn’t feel overwhelmingly sad. My relationship with Ted was too short for that.

He was my brother, but I was the Crown Prince, and Ted was a competitor for my position.

Ted had stepped back in his own way as I showed overwhelming growth, but he had not completely given up his desire for the Crown Prince.

‘Anyway, a big deal has happened.’

I said, closing the letter.

“Lilian’s treatment is almost over, so she will be back in Grenian soon. The Empire is in a national crisis because fairies have started a war in the west, and barbarians in the south.”

And even this war with the Kingdom Alliance.

The Empire was facing its greatest crisis since its founding.

“How does His Majesty intend to move?”

“I think he is going to the south. Other dukes will take care of the west.”

In terms of objective power, fairies are much more powerful than the southern barbarians, but the number of fairies is not that large.

I thought that the power of the west and the forces of Dukes Yan, Beregon, and Austin would be enough to stop them.

“Since Ted is known to have been executed, it would be good for His Majesty to directly punish the southern barbarians.”

Duke James agreed with my words.

“Yes. By the way, I’m worried about Duke Beregon.”

I thought of Duke Beregon at Duke James’ words.

He had given up his desire for the Crown Prince position and tried to make his family the best in the Empire, surpassing the White family under my rule.

But his grandson, Ted, died.

Even if he gave up his greed, he would not be able to hide his anger as his blood relative was killed by barbarians.

“Perhaps Duke Beregon is going down to the south with His Majesty. The names of the dukes dispatched to the west were not in the letter.”

Duke James said.

“The southern barbarians will pay a heavy price. By the way, they are barbarians, so they have no common sense, but they had fear… It’s hard to believe that they killed the Imperial Prince and started a war.”

“The details will be revealed later.”

I guessed that the Purifying Flame Order was behind the southern barbarians.

If it wasn’t for them, there would be no reason for the barbarians who were living contentedly in the south to run wild.

“A great misfortune has befallen the Empire. If even this place is pushed back, it is a situation where the Empire is being attacked on three sides, beyond losing the direct territory.”

Duke James was determined by my words.

“The direct territory will be safe, and the Kingdom Alliance will end its short history.”

I gained great strength from Duke James’ words.

Since Lilian was coming back, I had no doubt that I would win this war.

“Sword Master Karen may be stronger than Jane.”

My expression hardened at the story of Karen.

“The Karen I faced was definitely strong, but… if he has even surpassed Jane, does that mean he is stronger than the Duke?”

“That’s what I think.”

I sighed.

“A Sword Master stronger than the Duke is a headache.”

“What’s scary about him is that he grows fast… We don’t have the luxury of dragging this war out slowly. I don’t know when he will surpass even His Majesty.”

Duke James was sharply aware of Karen.

And he reminded me once again when I seemed to be a little careless.

“A single Sword Master changes the tide of war. His Majesty has done that the most in the history of the continent. Thanks to His Majesty, the Empire has always won wars that it could not win.”

Duke James said, turning his gaze beyond the walls.

“I thought there would be no talent like His Majesty other than Your Highness, but I realize that the continent is wide.”

* * *

The next day, Lilian returned to Grenian on a magic circle.

Lilian’s atmosphere itself had changed.

I remembered what she had said before leaving for the Eric family.

-I’ll be able to grasp the clue to the 9th Circle.

“The 9th Circle is…”

“I haven’t reached the 9th Circle yet. Well, a ring was about half formed and then stopped.”

Since I was not a wizard, I could not accurately grasp her current skills based on Lilian’s words alone.

But what was certain was that she had set foot in the unprecedented realm of the 9th Circle [the highest level of magic mastery].

“That’s a good thing.”

Lilian smiled faintly at my words.

“Well, it’s good as a wizard. I’ve already heard about the situation in Grenian.”

“Grenian is not in bad shape. Has your body fully recovered?”

Lilian nodded.

I immediately summoned all my subordinates.

* * *

Everyone gathered in the Grenian Palace office.

I started discussing this war with those who had a military relationship with me.

Ken opened his mouth first.

“So far, nearly 150,000 soldiers from the Kingdom Alliance have crossed the border of the direct territory.”

In a few days, the number of soldiers increased by 50,000.

Lilian clicked her tongue.

“The Eric family disappeared without a trace, but they mobilized more troops?”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t hide my surprise at Ken’s report either. I thought that the Kingdom Alliance might be a little hesitant if the Eric family disappeared, but rather, the rate of increase in soldiers felt faster.

I immediately asked Hamilton.

“What’s the internal situation of the Kingdom Alliance like?”

“There doesn’t seem to be much dissatisfaction with the conscription. The Kingdom Alliance is a country that cannot be self-sufficient without receiving tribute from the Pyreon Kingdom. The soldiers believe the nobles’ promise that they would rather be conscripted and eat than starve to death, and if they seize the rich direct territory, they will avoid starvation.”

“They go to the battlefield to avoid starvation…”

Ken said to my mumbling.

“The pain of starvation is greater than anything else. There is no father who would not go to the battlefield for his starving child.”

Olivia offered an opinion.

“That’s the justification we use in this direct territory. We are encouraging conscription for food distribution and a better life.”

“The Kingdom Alliance is more desperate. Soldiers from the Pyreon Kingdom lived in a rich land. But they were exploited by the nobles. Now most of those nobles have lost their positions.”

Ken continued.

“Since Your Highness took over the direct territory, you have implemented a policy of distributing the territory held by the existing nobles to the people. On the other hand, the Kingdom Alliance is conscripting under the pretext that they will starve to death if they don’t take food.”

Gale said worriedly.

“They have no choice but to be more desperate.”

“Yes. Your Highness’s policy is not wrong, but as the situation flows urgently, it has rather worked poorly. Soldiers from Pyreon cannot find a reason for the war.”

Leodin offered an opinion after a long time.

“Is the soldiers’ motivation important? It’s Your Highness’s order.”

“It’s important. If the soldiers do not respond to the cause of the war, there will be many deserters and morale will be low.”

I stepped in to sort out the primary problem.

“Is the problem that our soldiers lack the desperation of the Kingdom Alliance soldiers?”

“Yes.”

I turned my gaze to Bikan at Ken’s words.

“How much stockpiled military supplies do we have?”

“Not much.”

“Leodin, David, and Bikan, go around the direct territory and confiscate the nobles’ property.”

Ken’s eyes widened.

“Your Highness.”

“I was going to embrace them, but the situation has changed. They are still enjoying the position of nobles and are not trying to sacrifice anything. We don’t need nobles in the direct territory.”

I concluded in a cold voice.

“Not only Grenian but also the old Pyreon Kingdom region is all my direct territory. Even if we accept the existing nobles, it will only cause trouble… We have to cut out what we have to cut out and go.”

I then ordered Bikan.

“Use the property confiscated from the nobles to replenish military supplies and pay them to the soldiers who volunteered for Grenian and their families.”

“Your Highness.”

I raised my hand at Ken’s voice.

“If they use the desperation of the soldiers, we give the soldiers pride. Those who fight to protect their own things become much stronger soldiers than those who fight to make a living.”

I then announced the policy after the war.

“Not only the confiscated property but also the land will be distributed to the existing landowners in a reasonable manner after the war. Their own farmland is the dream of everyone living in this land.”

Ken no longer objected.

The others swallowed hard at my unconventional decision.

“Ken.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I still believe that the method to annihilate them, even though there are 150,000 of them, is still valid.”

Ken then smiled and replied.

“Yes. Now that the wizard Lilian has returned, it’s time to counterattack.”