The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld
Chapter 283

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 283: The War of Succession

The royal family was in great crisis.

"Although it's kept strictly confidential from the outside, His Majesty the King is in a very critical condition. His condition has deteriorated rapidly since last year."

The 8th Prince began his story with a dignified attitude that was neither intimidated nor arrogant.

"Originally, the most likely succession candidates were the 1st Prince and the 3rd Prince."

I nodded as if I knew the story well.

'Of course, this is the first time I'm hearing this.'

If Peter had been here, he would have asked questions on my behalf, but unfortunately, my retainers couldn't enter this meeting.

"Since everyone must know this story, let me give you a frank character assessment without any reservations."

The 8th Prince smiled bitterly.

"My eldest brother lacks flexibility and is weak against schemes. He's an ordinary man with no great merits other than being born first. However, he has the greatest legitimacy as the eldest son and the support of his maternal clan, Clan Montera."

As I listened, I became puzzled.

'But didn't he say earlier that the 3rd Prince had joined hands with Duke Montera?'

What the hell was going on here?

There must be another fucking complicated story hidden behind this.

"On the other hand, my third brother is, to put it bluntly, the seed of a tyrant. He's greedy, lustful, and ruthless. However, his talent is twice as great as our eldest brother's."

Generally, character and ability don't correlate.

Unlike our Somerset, that bastard seemed to be competent.

"From my perspective, even if he lacks talent, I hoped that my eldest brother would inherit the throne."

Hmm, I would think the same.

A king doesn't necessarily have to be the most capable person.

'But didn't the 8th Prince have any ambitions?'

I didn't think that was the case.

He must have been lying low and acting like a harmless younger brother.

"Realistically, it's difficult for me to gather support from the nobles, and my maternal clan's power isn't that significant."

As if reading my thoughts, the 8th Prince said.

"The most likely candidates were indeed those two brothers. But after His Majesty fell ill, the factional fighting between them became overtly intense."

"That's where the Black Society got involved, isn't it?"

I asked.

"That's correct."

Leonidas said.

"My third brother joined hands with the Black Society and aggressively expanded his power through schemes, threats, and persuasion. Meanwhile, the conservative nobles and retainers firmly support my eldest brother."

"Then what happened with Clan Montera? I'm curious why they sided with the 3rd Prince."

This time Verdzig asked.

"...It's quite difficult for me to answer that question myself."

Leonidas's face reddened with shame.

"If it's alright, may I answer instead?"

Geninghen quickly stepped forward.

"Please do."

"The Montera Young Lady did marry the 1st Prince, that's correct. But the thing is..."

Even Geninghen shrugged at this part.

"The Young Lady wasn't a normal woman either. She fell for the 3rd Prince."

"What?"

Wow, shit.

I desperately swallowed the curse that was about to escape my mouth.

'I almost spoke like Karzan in front of the Prince, an elder, and my father.'

It was that shocking.

The Young Lady and future Queen candidate had an affair with her brother-in-law of all people?

"So Clan Montera also took a gamble. To cover up the Young Lady's adultery, they had to make the 3rd Prince king."

"Did they join hands with the Black Society in that process?"

I asked.

"That's right, boy. They were in a situation where they had to borrow even a cat's paw."

"Aren't they fucking insane? The people who are supposed to be the shield protecting the borders, completely selling out to external forces..."

I clicked my tongue. The world had gone mad.

What kind of place was Clan Montera?

They were the commanders of the powerful northern fortress blocking the entrance to the peninsula, and also the royal faction that the royal family had intentionally cultivated to check our two ducal clans.

'I think they started as a border count, received a marquis title, and rose to duke?'

The kingdom's shield and the royal family's shield - that was Clan Montera.

"In my estimation, the Black Society probably used both threats and persuasion. Keep protecting the north. We'll only replace the king and won't touch you, we'll keep your secrets, things like that."

I scoffed inwardly at the 8th Prince's words.

'They believe the Dark King's promises? Crazy bastards.'

"Brother, looking at that family, don't you think we fought quite peacefully among ourselves?"

I whispered.

"You're absolutely right."

Verdzig chuckled.

Probably that man's head was full of schemes far worse than this, slithering around like snakes.

In any case, he had discarded those and chosen the honorable path.

'That's enough. You can't blame someone for evil intentions they didn't act upon.'

"I have one question."

When I raised my hand, the 8th Prince nodded.

"Please speak freely."

"No matter how divided the factions are, I find it hard to understand how the Black Society dared to penetrate deep into the royal family's core."

"Of course you would. Actually, there's a decisive reason for that."

The 8th Prince explained.

"The Royal Guard betrayed us."

"!!"

"To be precise, the Royal Guard Grand Commander."

"It's truly lamentable. The Royal Guard Grand Commander is someone who boasts martial prowess no less than our clan head."

Geninghen clicked his tongue.

"The problem is that bastard is Duke Montera's real brother."

"He's been famous since childhood as the family's greatest swordsmanship prodigy. The Duke offered him as a retainer to the royal family as a token of unwavering loyalty, but..."

"That sword is now trying to stab its own master."

I nodded.

If that was the story, it made sense. Since his nephew had caused an incident that could destroy the entire family, he would be desperately struggling somehow.

'Even if the Royal Guard Grand Commander were an honorable man, it would be the same.'

They could have poisoned him.

They might have tempted him with demonic arts, implanted a golden restraint, or alternated between threats and persuasion until they finally turned his heart.

There are plenty of methods if you look for them.

"However, there are still many within the Royal Guard who maintain their loyalty, so the balance is somehow being maintained."

At this point, I glanced at my father. I could roughly guess the intention behind bringing the 8th Prince here to tell us this story.

'This is absurd. It's not just a trial to select a clan head - the scale is completely...'

"It may be presumptuous to say, but if the royal family completely collapses, it would cause serious problems for Grunewald's security as well."

The 8th Prince was pointing out the long-standing grudge between us and the Black Society.

"If the 3rd Prince inherits the throne and hands over all the power of the royal family and Clan Montera to the Black Society?"

My father also pointed out how precarious the current situation was.

"If the northern army and central army join forces, Flanders's forces cross the sea, and the Black Society's cultivated forces and magic overwhelm us?"

"It would be destruction. Even if we're lucky enough to survive, we'd become wanderers roaming the continent."

Geninghen received my father's words and giggled.

"Should we form the Grunewald Pirate Crew? We'd become the continent's strongest pirate crew."

Military strategist elder Lorentius sighed.

"Crazy bastard, how can you laugh?"

"Isn't it funny? I think it's funny."

"..."

Geninghen, who had been watching our expressions, raised his hand.

"Never mind then."

It felt a bit like looking in a mirror. Did I look like that to others? I do seem a bit crazy.

'Never mind then.'

"We have gone through long battles and are finally approaching the day when we will unite our clan as one."

My father said, looking at both of us.

"But now the royal family is trying to split apart."

I asked.

"Is this the test given to the two of us?"

"That's right, Allen."

My father answered.

"Help the 8th Prince, stop the Black Society's conspiracy, and defeat the 3rd Prince."

Then the 8th Prince bowed his head to us.

"I'm shameless before the people of Grunewald. But I have no choice but to rely on our ancestors' friendship from 200 years ago. I will not forget this favor."

While feeling a strange sensation as if my heart was sinking, I also threw out a joke like Geninghen.

"Isn't this too big a scale for a brotherly fight?"

My father chuckled.

"They say the student surpasses the master —my children are better than their father."

Sword elder Leszek, who had been maintaining his heavy presence, spoke.

"The Council of Elders promises. Whoever achieves greater merit in this trial will become the next Duke of Grunewald."

Military strategist elder Lorentius added.

"Not just simple martial prowess, but you must mobilize your entire forces. This will be a test of strategy, political power, military tactics - everything."

Then Riesling and Astella each added their words.

"Draw out all the capabilities you possess."

"Since the 8th Prince personally asked for help, we have justification. Don't worry and go wild."

Finally, Geninghen threw out a joke.

"But when is the clan head planning to retire? He needs to retire quickly so one of us can step down comfortably."

"...Lord Geninghen is still vigorous, so you'll have to work much longer."

"Hey, what are you saying? Leszek and I are the eldest here."

Then Astella muttered loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Must be nice being old. Eating all the good stuff by yourself, your back is still straight."

"..."

* * *

Verdzig and I walked around the Council of Elders with the 8th Prince Leonidas.

"I express my gratitude once again, both of you."

I replied.

"Not at all. After hearing the story, you must have suffered greatly."

In a way, Leonidas was both the examiner of this trial and a colleague who had to solve the problem together.

We needed to maintain a friendly relationship.

"How did you come to Grunewald?"

Verdzig asked.

"As I mentioned, I don't have much power. I couldn't oppose my third brother alone."

"Couldn't you have cooperated with the 1st Prince?"

It was quite a sharp question.

Depending on the answer, we could infer whether the 8th Prince had other intentions.

"...It's presumptuous to say, but my eldest brother's reason has become clouded. His wife is having an affair with his younger brother and is rushing to steal his position, so his resentment must be very deep."

"I see, that makes sense."

He spoke euphemistically, but it meant the current 1st Prince was incapable of normal judgment.

"Getting myself out and coming to Grunewald was all I could manage."

The 8th Prince gritted his teeth.

"Many of my retainers died and were injured trying to shake off the pursuit sent by my third brother and the Black Society. I also had to overcome a life-threatening crisis."

Since the brothers had already drawn swords against each other, it would be impossible to end peacefully.

"Earlier you said the 3rd Prince's talent was twice that of the 1st Prince."

I asked something that suddenly occurred to me.

"How does the 8th Prince's talent compare to his?"

Then Leonidas held up two fingers.

"Twice that again."

"Hah."

It was truly a confident answer.

But strangely, it felt trustworthy.

"May I ask one question too?"

"Of course."

"If we achieve victory, how do you think Clan Montera should be dealt with?"

"At minimum, those involved should receive severe punishment. Death penalty or exile. The clan should also be shackled."

"Indeed."

At this point, Verdzig and I exchanged glances.

'The answers come out quite smoothly.'

'Indeed they do.'

The 8th Prince's head was already full of plans for 'what comes after.'

Then could the 1st Prince, whose reason was clouded by resentment and who was in danger of losing both his wife and throne to his younger brother despite having favorable conditions, really obtain the throne? Instead of the 8th Prince who had achieved great merit?

'I smell ambition.'

Of course.

Turbulent times are the greatest opportunity for capable people who lack legitimacy.

Then...

'The 1st Prince defeating the 3rd Prince and inheriting the throne is the second-best option.'

And from Grunewald's perspective, the best option was...

'Making the 8th Prince king and becoming the greatest contributor to make the royal family our ally.'

That was the only strategy to overturn the Dark King's design.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]