Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 43

43.

I pondered Ken’s words.

“Use the conflict between the nobles and Father?”

Ken explained in detail.

“The nobles are against the conquest war itself.”

I tried to explain the nobles’ psychology in my own way.

“Their opposition to the war, citing the impoverishment of the empire’s citizens, is just a pretext. If they really cared about the citizens, they would have given up their vested interests first.”

The nobles’ exploitation was nothing new. Not just in the Calpeon Empire, but throughout the history of the continent since the existence of nations, the nobles at the top of the social hierarchy had always exploited the commoners.

It was ridiculous that they opposed the war, claiming to care about the lives of the empire’s citizens.

“They are afraid of Father’s achievements. They instinctively know that if Father takes the lead in this conquest war, the empire’s territory will expand, and all of that will be Father’s glory.”

The conquest war further strengthens Father’s power.

The nobles vividly remembered Father’s performance on the battlefield.

The sight of someone who had entered the path of a superhuman sweeping through enemies on the battlefield instilled thrill and fear in the nobles.

“Yes. The war will lead to the strengthening of His Majesty’s power. So, we need to target that aspect. His Majesty’s weakness is you, Your Highness.”

I smiled wryly at Ken’s blunt assessment.

“The Crown Prince being me is a political burden for Father.”

No matter how much I had changed recently, my behavior over the past decade had been the worst. I had no ability, nor was I known for a good personality.

“If Your Highness steps forward, the nobles might show a surprisingly positive reaction. The nobles will want the Imperial Knights’ strength to be dispersed.”

If I were to go on the Western Expedition, some of the Imperial Knights would likely be dispatched with me.

“In the first conquest war, the greatest contributions were made by His Majesty and the Imperial Knights. The nobles are as wary of the Imperial Knights’ strength as they are of His Majesty. They will be eager for them not to participate in the war and to go west.”

I agreed with Ken’s assessment.

Ken went on to offer predictions about Father’s position.

“His Majesty will also feel burdened to completely ignore the West. The revival of the forces of evil… is something that could plunge the entire continent into danger. If he insists on the war, he could fall into a political crisis.”

Through Ken’s words, I calmly organized what I would say at the Grand Council.

‘I need to give both sides the impression that it’s beneficial for me to go west.’

Ken attached a condition to my decision.

“Winning the Spring Evaluation Tournament is essential. It would be difficult to appoint you as commander in your current state.”

I was well aware of that.

“Of course.”

In the end, the result of the Spring Evaluation Tournament was the prerequisite.

After finishing the meeting with Ken, I was left alone to ponder.

“The revival of Goran…”

When I was writing the novel, it was a part that I quickly glossed over for the sake of Karen’s fame and opportunities, but now that it had become reality, the weight was different.

The revival of the forces of evil is a crisis for the entire continent.

‘I can’t afford to be complacent and think that Karen will stop it even if I don’t go west. The future is already changing little by little due to my existence. If… Karen fails to stop Goran’s revival, the entire continent will fall into disaster.’

It was for my political standing, to save Gail, but also, as the Crown Prince of the Empire, I couldn’t ignore the suffering of the empire’s citizens.

If I ignored my responsibility as the Crown Prince, the justification for the path I would take in the future would weaken, and I couldn’t ignore the disaster that I already knew was coming.

‘It’s a matter of human decency.’

I steeled my resolve and called a servant.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Inform Father that I wish to attend the Grand Council meeting.”

“Yes. I will inform him immediately.”

After the servant left, I sank into the chair.

‘The western issue will be decided at the Grand Council meeting, so I’ll wait for Father’s answer… The Spring Evaluation Tournament schedule will be moved up a bit. It probably won’t be canceled.’

Although trouble had erupted in the west, the Spring Evaluation Tournament was the empire’s most prestigious competition and a way to scout talent, so it was likely to proceed as planned.

Rather, because the empire was facing adversity, the need for talent was greater than ever.

It would be beneficial to recruit even one more knight.

‘It’s about time for the Dull Sword to come.’

To be honest, I thought he would come to the palace right away, but it seemed that the Dull Sword was taking his time to consider.

I didn’t get impatient.

Ken had already thoroughly identified the Dull Sword’s location, so if he didn’t come to the palace, I would find another way.

As always, good results would follow if I solved things step by step in a natural way.

* * *

I was granted permission to attend the Grand Council meeting.

I could be ridiculed by the nobles if I misspoke, but I put those worries aside.

‘It’s embarrassing to have returned cursed by an Orc shaman, but that’s not what’s important now.’

I tried to hide my tense expression and entered the Grand Council hall, guided by an attendant.

Many nobles were already seated.

Then, Father entered the Grand Council hall.

As Father sat on the throne, the meeting began in earnest.

I was standing next to Duke Beregon, in what could be considered the most honored seat.

“I believe everyone is aware of the news from the west.”

At Father’s words, the nobles stifled groans.

The forces of evil had always been a great threat to humanity, so everyone feared the coming disaster.

“I heard that all the knights who were dispatched, except for Sir Gail, have died.”

Duke Beregon spoke first.

“Sir Gail’s whereabouts are also currently unknown.”

I added.

The nobles murmured.

Father’s voice cut through the nobles’ murmurs.

“According to reports from the western lords, the Orcs have formed a legion and seized the southern part of the Dark Forest.”

Beregon said.

“The birth of the Orc King is not a problem to be overlooked. If they head east as they are, the western part of the empire is in danger. The western lords alone cannot stop them.”

I agreed with Duke Beregon and nodded.

It was time to observe the atmosphere of the Grand Council meeting a little more.

Father leaned his chin at an angle and said.

“The attack on Pireon is not far off. I think the lords of the west alone can easily stop those Orcs.”

Whether Gail, whom he acknowledged, was dead or alive, and all his subordinate knights were dead, Father didn’t seem to feel any emotion.

Father’s words continued.

“The unification of the continent is near. We can’t be tied down to small matters one by one. The revival of the forces of darkness has always been a part of the continent’s history, and it will soon fade away as always. The elves of the west won’t stand still either.”

The nobles’ faces hardened.

Because Father was taking the western issue too lightly.

The elves’ intervention was a fully expected part, so there was nothing to particularly refute Father’s words.

“The damage in the west could become uncontrollably large.”

At my words, the Grand Council hall became as quiet as a mouse.

I, who had already revealed my presence in central politics through the last Grand Council meeting, was attending an official meeting for the first time today.

It might be common for the Crown Prince to attend the Grand Council meeting, but my case was different.

I was a son who tarnished Father’s face, not someone with a presence.

Father still looked down at me with an unknown, deep gaze and said.

“It can be said that the Crown Prince’s contribution was to discover the western issue early based on the information he heard from the Orc shaman.”

At Father’s words, some of the nobles openly showed expressions close to contempt.

It seemed that the fact that the Crown Prince was defeated by an Orc shaman came to mind.

I didn’t care about those people and focused on Father’s words.

“The west is a small place. If we can extend further west, that place can also become a strategic point, but the eastern Pireon Kingdom is a much larger place. Pireon Kingdom’s vast cultivated land can feed the entire empire’s population, and Pireon’s high-level magic tower can greatly lead the empire’s magical development.”

Father logically explained the legitimacy of the conquest war.

“The west is a large place. If we develop the southern route through the western forest, we can secure a port to advance to the Western Continent. The conquest of the Pireon Kingdom is a war for future resources, but the defense of the west is the empire’s basic principle to protect the empire’s citizens. Pireon’s magic tower can lead the empire’s magical development, but the alliance with the western forest elves can even change the empire’s history.”

The nobles’ expressions changed subtly as I refuted Father’s words one by one.

Even Beregon seemed to be pondering my words without reacting immediately.

The unexpected side of me that I was showing didn’t end there.

“Of course, we shouldn’t neglect the conquest of the Pireon Kingdom either. The vast cultivated land and magic tower will surely enrich the lives of the empire’s citizens. So.”

I paused for a moment.

By now, everyone in the Grand Council hall was focused on me.

Father, who had been leaning his chin at an angle, also straightened his posture and looked at me with an interesting expression.

“How about forming a knight order with the people selected through this Spring Evaluation Tournament and dispatching them to the west, entrusting the winner with command?”

Beregon exclaimed in admiration.

Father’s gaze towards me also intensified.

This one move was a conclusion derived through the conversation with Ken that satisfied both Father and the nobles.

Usually, the winner of the Spring Evaluation Tournament was given the opportunity to join the Imperial Knights directly under the emperor or the magic corps [a specialized military unit focused on magical combat and research].

In other words, the Spring Evaluation Tournament was a competition to strengthen the emperor’s power.

However, if it proceeded as I said, the people in this Spring Evaluation Tournament could naturally be transformed into a separate organization rather than the Imperial Knights directly under the emperor.

The nobles liked that talents were not incorporated into the emperor’s power, and Father liked that he could push forward with the conquest of the Pireon Kingdom and show that he was also paying attention to the western issue.

“Entrusting the winner of the Spring Evaluation Tournament with command…”

I subtly offered carrots to the nobles.

“If we dispatch about two of the Spring Evaluation Tournament personnel and the Imperial Knights to the west, the western lords will be greatly moved by His Majesty’s grace.”

Beregon stepped forward like lightning.

“Crown Prince’s opinion is truly valid. The western issue is not a problem to be taken lightly. Your Majesty, the revival of the forces of evil has always led to great disasters on the continent.”

Other nobles chimed in.

“It has been over a hundred years since the elves have been dormant in the western forest. We cannot easily assume that they will reappear.”

The words of the noble who brought up the elf issue were also valid.

Elves always opposed the forces of evil, but it could not be guaranteed that they would do so this time as well.

‘Because of Karen, there was no reason for the elves to step in…’

As someone who knew the future, I knew very well that they would not break their seclusion.

I couldn’t say that part, so I waited for Father’s answer.

“Do the other dukes all think the same?”

Because only Duke Beregon had spoken, Father asked the remaining three dukes as well.

Although he had absolute power, Father would inevitably suffer a major blow if he was pushed back in terms of justification.

And Duke Austin, Chen’s maternal grandfather, opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t we examine the credibility of the information first?”

Austin den Riverhill, the empire’s best magician and the head of the Riverhill family, one of the four guardian families [powerful noble families with a long history of service to the empire], smiled at me.

Even though he was in his late 40s, his appearance and large build, like a middle-aged man, made his impression generous, but the sharp eyes hidden in his smile were like a snake.

Austin’s words continued.

“Currently, the western lords have only confirmed the Orc legion. The birth of the Orc King is a situation where we have to believe only the words that the Crown Prince heard. Words heard from a crude Orc shaman.”

My face hardened involuntarily.