Free Web NovelChapter 1226: Chapter 41: Grade???
Inside the Council Hall, the Old King surveyed the crowd. The situation had become quite clear: the Third Prince had secretly allied with Iron Hand, Governor Joe Valentine, and others. As for the Kingdom’s Army Commander Herschel, he originally supported the Third Prince but had already gone to the border.
The Third Prince was one of the two most promising candidates to become the new king, but the assassination attempt on the Little Princess caused his advantage to completely disappear, leaving the Third Prince disgruntled.
In fact, the Third Prince had a large army at his disposal. If he wanted to rebel, no one could stop him. Yet, the Third Prince had not rebelled, or rather, he was always striving to maintain stability in the Royal Capital. No matter how disadvantaged he was in the power struggle, he would not deploy the troops guarding the Wall of God. He might fail to seize power, but the Wall of God must be held. He knew well what mattered more.
The Third Prince had initially lost hope, but Rowen Harvey’s betrayal caught him by surprise and delight. Rowen Harvey’s betrayal nearly caused the Big Prince’s advantage to disappear.
Rowen Harvey managed finances, and the Big Prince held certain financial powers, hence there’s bound to be some unclear relations between them.
Upon hearing the news of Rowen Harvey’s betrayal, the Big Prince was so frightened he nearly wet himself. With Rowen Harvey’s betrayal, the Big Prince wouldn’t fare well either. The kingdom’s finances were a whole, not divided.
Thus, the Big Prince immediately pledged loyalty, effectively withdrawing from the power struggle, devoted to stabilizing the kingdom’s finances. It appeared noble grandly but was actually self-preservation.
Seeing the Big Prince stand out didn’t surprise the Old King, as he was well aware of the Big Prince’s character, that cautious, genteel, yet hypocritical nature. It was reminiscent of the Old King during his youth, thus he favored the Big Prince.
Yet, when the Third Prince stood out, that surprised the Old King. In the Old King’s view, with the Big Prince forced to withdraw, the Third Prince was the most favorable candidate.
The Third Prince stood forth, and not only did he rise, but he also leaped towards the throne.
The Third Prince’s jump towards the throne wasn’t without help from someone, and that someone was Joe Valentine. Previously, the henpecked fellow had been kneeling and crying before the Old King, but now stood behind the Third Prince.
An act of gratitude? Don’t kid yourself. The Old King would gladly kill Joe Valentine. Joe Valentine had not the capacity to consider gratitude, under royal authority? Would its subjects value sentiment?
"Father, I hope I haven’t disappointed you."
The Third Prince walked towards the Old King, possessing some tyrannical potential, iron-blooded, ruthless, decisive, yet meticulous. freewёbnoνel.com
As the Third Prince stepped towards the stone steps before the throne, he approached the throne step by step.
In the Royal Capital, within a luxurious courtyard.
"Kill!!"
Hundreds of ’Forbidden Guards’ formed a battle formation, encircling a young man covered in blood at the center.
"Death Omen."
The young man roared, a burst of invisible energy expanded outward.
"Shield Formation!"
In a clatter, hundreds of ’Forbidden Guards’ raised their giant shields before them. As the invisible energy swept by, the Forbidden Guards took several steps back, but quickly stepped forward again, surrounding the young man at the center.
"Ah!!"
The young man roared defiantly. Despite the blood splattered across his face, he remained a handsome man. He was... the Seventh Prince!
The Third Prince had acted against the Seventh Prince. Others might be wary of the Seventh Prince’s influence among the Holy Warriors, but the Third Prince didn’t care. He had an army, and under a dense Human Sea Tactic, any Holy Warrior daring to act would face death.
Elsewhere in a courtyard in the Royal Capital.
Pfft. Thud, thud, thud...
The sound of rapid stabbing ensued, with several black-clad assassins using daggers to relentlessly stab a middle-aged man, his body convulsing, clothes soaked in blood.
"You... can’t kill me, I’m in charge of finan..."
Pfft. Thud, thud, thud... freewebnovel.cσ๓
The stabbing sounds drowned the weakened voice of the middle-aged man.
"So what if you’re in charge of finances? There are many people in the kingdom, and you’re not the most excellent in terms of finances."
The Second Princess walked out from the shadows, holding a black-feathered folded fan, covering her mouth and nose.
"Anyone opposing Matil must die, given his considerable support."
The Second Princess snorted coldly. Though resentful, she recognized the situation, thus she survived.
Many similar incidents occurred across the Royal Capital.
Inside the Council Hall in the Royal Palace, the Third Prince ascended the stone steps, drawing closer to the throne.
"It seems of all my offspring, you are most similar to me."
The Old King chuckled while watching the Third Prince, whose steps hesitated, sensing something amiss with this Old Lion.
"It took you five years to infiltrate the Forbidden Guards unit, too slow. Back then, I only took two years."
"Ha~?"
Upon hearing the Old King’s words, the Third Prince, exuding Conqueror’s Haki, was clearly baffled.
"Your elder brother is quite good, but his mind is indeed narrow. So kill him already. As for your Second Sister, she might become an asset, but don’t forget, she’s not one to easily concede. Your Seventh Brother? Having the title Wing of the Kingdom is seeking death. I’ve actually long wanted to eliminate him."
The Old King spoke calmly, but the Third Prince could not remain calm. He instinctively stepped back as he genuinely felt the Old King’s terrifying presence. Had he involved the Old Lion in the power struggle, the Third Prince might not have realized how he’d die, absolutely manipulated to doubt life itself.
"You’ve not moved the frontline troops, which delights me. Regarding your deal with Iron Hand, I’m not very interested, but never forget, if he’s displeased, your head might roll."
The Old King gestured for the Third Prince to advance, yet the Third Prince hesitated, standing still.
Originally exhibiting confidence, the Third Prince was deflated by the Old King’s few simple remarks, leaving perhaps some lasting shadow.
"Regarding Iron Hand, I’ve seen through them, but not through you. Although I’m unaware of your purpose, as long as it’s not royal authority, it’s fine.
No matter your aim, first, you helped me eliminate instability, then resolved the undead assassination incident. Throughout the power struggle, you’ve done many things, some glorious, some not. If you think of the throne below, feel free. It’s a point of no return."
The Old King turned to Joe Valentine, who instinctively shrank back. The Old King at that moment resembled an aged lion, standing by an evil beast. Who knows if this Old Lion and that beast had struck a deal? Joe Valentine was merely a watchdog, even against a dying lion, he’d dare not confront.
"Bring me a pen."
The Old King spoke, and Joe Valentine hesitated briefly before fetching paper and pen from a side chamber.
The Old King wrote several lines on a sheepskin parchment, holding it, gazed at Su Xiao.
"Iron Hand, are you sure you want to be beneath the throne?"
"Certainly."
Su Xiao reached out to the Old King, who nodded and handed the parchment to Su Xiao.
As Su Xiao took the parchment, his other hand grasped the Old King’s neck.
"Iron Hand, what are you doing!"
Seeing Su Xiao seize the Old King’s neck, the Third Prince shouted, aghast.
Simultaneously, Su Xiao and the Old King looked at the Third Prince, making him tense. The Third Prince now understood these two were far more fearsome compared to other royal contenders. One seemingly omniscient, the other daring to kill anyone.
"It seems your heir lacks ruthlessness."
"The throne will make him more ruthless. Act swiftly. Killing is your specialty."
"No problem."
Crack!
In the Third Prince’s wide-eyed shock, Su Xiao snapped the Old King’s neck. The Third Prince didn’t wish to kill the Old King but dared not. This Old Lion was simply too terrifying.
[Royal heir selected: Third Prince.]
[Main Task completed: Crown of Power. This world’s remaining stay time: 12 hours.]
[Note: Detecting Hunter is executing hidden side task: Beneath the Throne. This world’s stay time extended to 5 days 12 hours.]
[You killed the Old King, Bay Herbert.]
[Bay Herbert was the King of the Holy Sodding Kingdom, gaining 15.2% of World Source. Now total World Source gained: 21.9%.]
[You obtained a Treasure Chest (Grade: ???)]
