CHAPTER 248: CHAPTER248-THE KING’S STRATAGEM

Listening to the king’s tone, Armando sensed that disturbing His Majesty so early might have soured his mood.

Little did Armando know that the king had not slept all night; of course, he would be irritable!

Armando recounted everything that had happened with Marwan and their visit to the National Preceptor’s residence in detail.

However, to his surprise, his father showed no interest at all.

How could that be?

Armando couldn’t help but question himself internally.

It seems the king remained unflappable even in the face of unsettling news.

"Hmm, I see. If there’s nothing else, you may leave," the king dismissed.

"Yes, Father, I apologize for the disturbance," Armando said, understanding his cue to exit the study room.

"Your Majesty, I will arrange for someone to prepare a resting place for you immediately."

"No need, servant. Look, dawn is almost upon us, and I have much to attend to shortly; it’s not worth the bother."

"But, Your Majesty, you must take care of your health."

The king responded not, instead summoning the empire’s high officials to form two lines in the study room.

"Why has the National Preceptor Blois not come?" the king inquired.

Upon hearing the king’s question, no one dared to answer.

A heavy silence fell upon the hall, a silence that was eventually broken.

"Your Majesty, the National Preceptor has been on a campaign in the Snow Realm and has not yet recovered his health, so he is unable to attend. Please forgive his absence," someone finally explained.

The king, visibly dissatisfied, questioned the second prince, "Are you saying the national preceptor has not yet recovered from his illness?"

"Father, I believe that to be the case," the second prince replied, daring not to meet the king’s gaze, aware of the displeasure that must be etching the king’s face.

"Very well, if the national preceptor is unwell, he need not attend the morning court any longer."

The officials who supported the second prince internally calculated the implications of the king’s words, foreseeing misfortune for National Preceptor Blois.

If Blois was to fall from grace, the second prince’s standing would surely be jeopardized.

And if the second prince was in jeopardy, their own prospects looked grim.

As anxiety grew, the king made a declaration that sent shivers down their spines.

"Prince Armando is virtuous, brave, and wise, possessing the capability to govern and bring peace to the realm. Therefore, I hereby declare Prince Armando as the heir to the throne. The coronation ceremony will be held at the Heaven Altar in three days. Ensure this event is meticulously organized. Understood?"

The official in charge, thrilled by the king’s directive, eagerly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured, everything will be perfectly arranged."

Armando, standing by, was taken aback by his father’s sudden announcement of the heir.

He was momentarily dazed, managing only a nod in instinctive response.

As the officials below weighed their future prospects with mixed feelings, the king once again broke the silence.

"Another matter, Reiss step forward to receive your title."

Adorned in golden armor, his face chiseled and stern, Reiss knelt on one knee without a hint of a smile.

"Reiss, awaiting command. I hereby appoint you as Marshal of the Five Armies, bestow upon you a marquisate, and grant seventy-two cities as your fief. Choose a day to proceed to your new lands."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Reiss swears loyalty unto death to Your Majesty."

"Very well, you may withdraw. Any ministers with matters to report? If not, we conclude here today."

The officials in unison declared, "Your servants have no further matters."

After watching the king depart, everyone quickly gathered around Prince Armando, showering him with flattery, whereas the former supporters of the second prince had now sided with Armando.

Such is the fickleness of courtiers.

Watching his former backers now flocking to Armando, the second prince muttered bitterly, "Hmph, a bunch of fair-weather friends. You’ll regret this one day."

With that, the second prince departed alone.

...

Owen silently observed his two incarnations: the crown prince and the second prince.

Regardless of which one succeeded the trial, he believed he could leave this place.

However, the second prince’s actions greatly disappointed Owen.

Thus, he felt compelled to intervene, attempting to retract this incarnation to prevent it from hindering the other’s progress.

After some effort, Owen succeeded.

Initially, he thought this "Owen" would simply dissipate, but to his surprise, the world reconjured another "Owen."

The current second prince was no longer related to Owen.

Owen realized he couldn’t do more, as further interference might risk collapsing the current illusion, necessitating a fresh start.

...

"Alright, okay, certainly, certainly," Armando hurriedly responded to the officials, addressing matters concerning the coronation ceremony and receiving flattery and sycophantic praises.

Observing the crowd, Armando thought to himself: I must remember the faces and words of today.

Flattery and bootlicking are tolerable, but those who are corrupt, who trample on the lives of others, and those who fail to fulfill their duties will all be sent home once I ascend to power.

"Very well, esteemed ministers, my father requires my presence for other matters today, so I must excuse myself from your company," he announced.

"Prince Armando, what are you saying? If you have matters to attend to, they must be of great importance. How could we dare to take up more of your time? Isn’t that right, everyone?"

"Yes, indeed, Prince Armando. Please, attend to your affairs; don’t worry about us," the crowd chorused, showering Armando with compliments.

However, some officials simply offered their thanks without attempting to ingratiate themselves with the soon-to-be crown prince.

Among these officials was General Reiss, who had now been elevated to the rank of a marquis.

More importantly, he had been appointed as the Marshal of the Five Armies.

But why?

The empire was at peace; why the need for a marshal with both a title and land?

Was this not setting obstacles for my future reign?

Why would my father do this?

Could he be so sure that Reiss would obey the orders of a new king in his absence?

These questions puzzled Armando, but he knew only time would reveal the answers.

"Well then, esteemed ministers, I shall take my leave now."

The remaining officials chorused, "We bid Prince Armando farewell."

Almost simultaneously, in the empire’s snow realm, another significant event was unfolding.

"Report!"

Upon hearing the voice of the messenger outside, the three individuals inside the military tent ceased their activities.

Among them, a young man clad in silver armor with a fierce look asked, "Father, is it a message from the king? Has something happened back in the capital?"

In the tent, a man with a face framed by graying beard, a robust figure even more pronounced by his bare torso amidst the icy and snowy landscape, his muscles as if forged from steel, responded with a deep and resonant voice, "No worries, my son. Even if that young upstart National Preceptor Blois has failed in his plans, we’re far in the snow realm with formidable forces at our command. The one in the capital would think twice before crossing us."

"Right, right, right!"

"Shut up! If you can’t speak clearly, don’t speak at all. How did I end up with such a useless offspring?"

Hearing the father’s rebuke towards his elder brother, the young man in silver armor explained, "Father, brother’s condition has been there since birth. It’s not his fault."

The elder brother, a big, clumsy figure with a stutter, managed to say, "Right, right, right, the-the-the second brother is correct!"

"Enough, let’s not dwell on this. Allow the messenger to enter."

"Yes, Father."

The messenger, his face covered in dust, stumbled into the tent.

Despite his disheveled appearance, he spoke with solemn gravity, "Norton is hereby commanded, for failing to supervise the military effectively, leading to Balder’s rebellion, you are stripped of your title as Marshal of the Five Armies effective today, and your noble rank is reduced to that of a viscount."

"Hmph, I, Norton, have followed the king in campaigns from east to west since I was seventeen or eighteen, helping him secure this vast and beautiful land. Yet, he exiled me to this bitterly cold place. Though he appointed me as Marshal of the Five Armies and even made me a duke, he granted me no fiefdom. He merely wanted me to be a watchdog in the snow realm for him, ha!"

The messenger, facing Norton’s derisive laughter, coldly asked, "What, Norton, do you intend to follow in your subordinate Balder’s footsteps?"

"Humph! What is Balder but a dog under my command? Yet, your master has killed my dog. As the saying goes, ’When beating a dog, one must consider its master.’ Even more so when your master has committed murder, I demand a blood debt be paid."

Hearing Norton’s words, the messenger, his voice trembling, dared to ask, "You-you, how audacious, Norton, are you planning a rebellion?"

"Father, don’t waste words on him. Just drag him out and kill him," said Norton’s youngest son.

"Very well, let’s follow my youngest’s advice. Guards, drag him out and behead him to offer to our troops as a sacrifice."