I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 171

Larc, the First Prince, having abandoned the victory parade, was now rapidly approaching my carriage on horseback.

“Oh dear, not again. Prince Larc is at it again…”

Alberto, with a hand pressed to his forehead, muttered as if suffering from a headache. Overwhelmed, I questioned Alberto.

“Why, why is he doing that?! He’s coming straight for me, isn’t he?! Do I have some deep-seated grudge against my own brother?!”

Honestly, it’s terrifying when that undefeated knight, as imposing as a mountain, approaches with such a stern expression.

As I asked, trembling slightly, Alberto shook his head.

“No, Your Highness. It’s not that. It’s quite the opposite…”

Thump!

Larc, dismounting from his horse, opened my carriage door without a moment’s hesitation.

“Ash~!”

He gripped my sides with his strong hands, pulled me out of the carriage, and then lifted me high into the air.

I saw a smile spread across Larc’s face, a face that had been as stiff as a marble statue just moments before.

“Our youngest! How have you been?”

“……”

Ah.

Okay. So that’s what this is about.

“Prince Larc has been taking care of Prince Ash since he was young, in place of His Majesty, who is always busy. So, um…”

Alberto whispered from behind me in a subdued voice.

“…he cherishes you very much.”

After learning that I had lost my memories, it was helpful that Alberto was discreetly providing me with information like this.

But I wish he had told me a little earlier this time.

Larc lightly swung me around in the air.

“You’re still so cute, my brother! Your brother missed you so much!”

No, this isn’t just cherishing, it’s like he’s treating me like his own child?! There’s only about a ten-year age difference between us, right?!

Being given an airplane ride like a newborn baby in front of countless citizens was not a pleasant experience, even as a joke. Put me down quickly, it’s embarrassing!

“I heard the news! You had a hard time on the Southern Front, right? I’m so sorry I couldn’t go help you!”

Larc finished giving me an airplane ride and then pulled me tightly into his arms.

“Here, a hug of brotherly love! My brother!”

“Kueeeeek.”

I guess it’s a sign of brotherly affection, but hey, Mr. Muscle Knight? I feel like I’m going to suffocate because you’re wearing armor, you know?

“Prince Larc, Prince Ash.”

At that moment, Alberto urgently called out to us. Thanks to that, Larc released his hug, and I was finally able to catch my breath.

“There’s a summons from the Imperial Palace.”

Alberto, who had received a telegram from a messenger who had just arrived, read the contents with a serious face.

“…Both of you, His Majesty the Emperor is calling for you.”

Larc frowned and put me down on the ground, and I clenched my fist.

Meeting the Emperor.

Finally, it was time for the ‘Guardian Council’ to begin.

***

“How is the Southern Front, Ash? I heard the monsters are quite rampant.”

On the way to the Imperial Palace where the Emperor resided.

“Is there anything else you need? It’s hard to send reinforcements because the situation on the Western Front is still urgent, but I can give you some pocket money.”

“……”

“Or, I can buy you something for the first time in a while. Is there anything you want? Some alcohol you like is fine, or since you’re now a front-line commander, maybe some high-quality weapons from the Imperial Blacksmith…”

I couldn’t say a word.

Because Larc… was carrying me on his shoulders as we walked.

Sitting on the shoulders of the mountain-sized Larc, I, who was also not short, was the center of attention.

I was so embarrassed that I covered my face with both hands and swallowed a scream.

I had heard from Lucas that I was on good terms with the First Prince Larc.

But this isn’t just being on good terms! Are we uncle and nephew?

“Ah, brother.”

At that moment, the Second Prince, Fernandes, who was standing at the entrance of the Imperial Palace, waved his hand. It seemed he had been waiting for us.

“You’ve returned. You’ve had a long journey.”

“Fernandes!”

Larc finally put me down on the ground, then spread his arms wide and strode towards Fernandes.

“Come here.”

“Sigh…”

Fernandes sighed as if he had given up, and then walked obediently towards Larc.

Larc hugged Fernandes tightly.

“A hug of brotherly love-!”

“Kuh-huh-uh-uck.”

Fernandes also twisted his body, letting out a similar scream to mine. This is kind of fun to watch.

“My brothers! It’s so great to see us all together like this!”

Larc patted me and Fernandes on the back with his hands as big as pot lids.

Every time his hand touched our backs, Fernandes and I shook like reeds. Stop it!

When the affectionate greeting was over, Larc gestured with his chin towards the inside of the Imperial Palace and asked Fernandes.

“Where is Father?”

“He just woke up from his hibernation a little while ago.”

“He must be in a bad mood.”

“He hasn’t been in a good mood lately.”

The two of them walked inside casually, so I quickly followed behind.

“Why did you declare victory so arbitrarily, Fernandes?”

Larc, with a face as cold as if the gentle smile from before was a lie, rebuked Fernandes.

“The entire Bringer Principality war zone, as well as the entire Western Front, is in a precarious situation. The Bringer guys are tough and tenacious. They are continuing their guerrilla warfare, and even the areas that had already been suppressed are rebelling again.”

“……”

“Moreover, we haven’t even captured the Bringer Duke… that Dragon Lady yet. In this situation, a victory declaration? And even calling me to the victory celebration, what are you thinking?”

“There was a reason why we had to declare victory.”

Fernandes explained with a sigh.

“The allied nations on the Northern Front are in an uproar.”

“The North? Why?”

“Because we attacked the Bringer Principality, which has been a long-time ally, they must be worried that they might be attacked as well. According to reports from spies, there are even countries that are trying to break the alliance and attack us instead.”

Larc let out a groan. Fernandes continued.

“That’s why we quickly declared victory. It’s also to prevent other allied nations from doing anything foolish… and to reassure them that we won’t attack them. We’ve invited all the envoys from the allied nations to this victory celebration party.”

I, who had been listening quietly from behind, nodded.

Indeed. So that’s why they held the victory celebration party.

“Although the war zone in the West is precarious, the encirclement around the Bringer Principality is complete, and now, if we just capture the Duke, this war will also be in the final stages.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“So, please just show your face at the event for a while. You are the symbol of this nation’s military power and strength. It would be difficult for you to be absent from such an event.”

Fernandes glanced back at me.

“Above all, haven’t all of our Guardians gathered for the first time in a long time? It’s time to share our situations and discuss what we should do to protect the Empire in the future… It’s time for the Guardian Council.”

The corridor ended, and the door to a huge audience chamber appeared.

The Imperial Palace was bustling with servants everywhere, but somehow, no one was left around us.

It was silent, without even a single guard left.

Fernandes took out the necklace he was wearing. At the end of the necklace was a golden key.

He inserted the key into the large lock hanging on the entrance of the audience chamber.

Clang!

Crrrrrr…!

Magical patterns spread across the lock and the door, and then it slowly began to open to the left and right.

Saaaaa…

White frost powder flowed out from the crack in the opened door.

I looked down at the powder, puzzled. It’s almost summer, what is this?

Soon, the door opened completely, and I froze as I looked at the scene inside.

‘This is… what?’

It was a giant thorn tree made of ice.

The roots of the tree covered the floor of the audience chamber, and the branches of the tree reached the high ceiling of the audience chamber.

And at the center of the tree, there was a throne.

The magnificent golden throne was completely buried, assimilated with the ice thorn tree.

“Have you come?”

The man was sitting there.

The sole Emperor of the Empire.

The man who ruled half the world.

And, my father.

Traha ‘Peacemaker’ Everblack… was sitting as if asleep on the frozen throne, and then he raised his pitch-black eyes, covered in frost powder.

“My sons.”

***

“Father.”

Larc and Fernandes, as if they were used to this sight, approached the throne without any hesitation, knelt on one knee, and paid their respects.

“Have you been well?”

I also hurriedly followed my two brothers, knelt down, and bowed my head.

The Emperor, who did not look like he was even in his forties, but was actually well over sixty, with black hair and black eyes, shook his head slightly.

“I am not well. The situation on the Northern Othergod Front, which I am in charge of, is not good.”

The Emperor, grumbling, tapped the chessboard placed next to the throne with his fingertip.

On the white frozen chessboard, the frozen chess pieces were also scattered haphazardly.

“The situation on the front lines is getting more and more severe. I am worried. I wonder how long we can hold this front line and protect the Empire…”

“Please don’t worry too much, Father.”

Fernandes answered smoothly.

“Soon, we will destroy the Bringer Principality and take their dragon blood, and then you will be able to wield the power of the dragon blood, and then the problem of the Othergod Front will be solved.”

“……”

The silent Emperor gestured towards us.

“How is the situation on the three fronts you are in charge of? Tell me about it.”

Larc answered first.

“The Dragon Blood Front in the West is nearing completion. Soon, we will destroy the Bringer Ducal family and seize their dragon blood.”

Fernandes continued as if he had been waiting.

“The Shadow Front in the center is in a fierce battle. But soon, we will uncover the identities of the hostile shadow forces and eliminate their backers.”

“Good.”

The Emperor looked at me last.

“Lastly, Ash.”

“……”

“How is the situation on the Monster Front in the South?”

I, who had been silent, slowly rose to my feet. The gazes of the Emperor and the princes were fixed on me.

And I spoke.

“What the hell is all this nonsense?”

The Emperor raised his eyes in bewilderment, and the faces of the two princes also showed dismay.

“I’ll be honest with you, Father, and my brothers.”

I had tried to endure it somehow, but I couldn’t anymore.

I decided to just be honest.

“I suffered a major head injury during combat on the Southern Front, and as a result, I’ve lost most of my memories. So, I can’t follow your conversation at all right now.”

I tapped my head with my fingertip and stared straight at the Emperor.

“Wouldn’t you explain it simply for your poor youngest son? What exactly are the Guardians, and what are you and my brothers up to?”

Othergod Front? Dragon Blood Front? Shadow Front?

What the heck are those, you nerds! Speak so that everyone can understand!

I’m not interested in your fronts! I just need to protect our Monster Front well!