July 23, 2022 – 2 minutes read – 355 words

I had been waiting for this sort of opportunity. The Royal Guards have sent most of their personnel out of the Royal Capital, while the First, Second, and Third armies were operating away from the city as well. General Andretti, Lieutenant General Simon, and Lieutenant General Ganache are nowhere nearby. Also, the newly created Eighth Army is too small of a force to matter, even if they show up.

As the son of a consort, I couldn’t become the Crown Prince, even though I’ve always matched or exceeded the Crown Prince in my abilities. Sometimes, I’ve exceeded him greatly.

My mother’s family, Marquis Raven, has often suggested I should be the Crown Prince. This opportunity is nothing less than the gods telling me to rise up. I will go down in history as the next King!

I learned about this from the Royal Guards, who I’ve always had a good relationship with. I didn’t want to let this go, so I secretly contacted my mother’s family and arranged to have his soldiers ready to act.

Just as I was told, most of the Kingdom soldiers left the capital a few days ago. All I have to do is eliminate my father, older brother, and my younger brother, and I would be the undisputed new King.

The after-effects can be easily managed. The Royalist aristocrats will follow Marquis Raven, while the Crown Prince’s faction can’t compete after their figurehead is gone. Marquis Raven’s militia is the largest and best-trained in the Kingdom.

Once the Anti-Royalist faction has been subjugated and I’ve captured the capital with its Royal Castle, the returning armies won’t be able to defeat us.

Plus, once I’m King, I would have presumptive control of the Army as the Head Marshal. Andretti and Simon are likely to be annoying, so I’ll have them removed.

After that, I’ll be able to make peace with the Empire. What’s the point of hanging on to a mine or two in relation to making peace? It’s so cheap, my head hurts at the thought.

Now, I need to find out where my father and brothers are…