The Insipid Prince's Furtive Grab for the Throne (最強出涸らし皇子の暗躍帝位争い)

IN TOWN, THE NIGHT BEFORE THE KNIGHTS' FESTIVAL OF THE HUNT

Still researching the ancient magics, huh?

I'm amazed you never get tired of it, Grandpa.

ARNOLD'S GREAT-GRANDFATHER ANDRASIA EMPIRE'S 29TH EMPEROR GUSTAF REKS ADLER'S MENTAL PROJECTION

The true nature of magic remains a mystery, even after all these years.

And that magic research led to your body being taken by a demon

and your soul being locked inside a book, yet you persist.

I definitely shouldn't have let that happen.

You're so casual about it, too.

And then the demon used your body to make a mess of the capital.

Thanks to that, the royals were banned from using ancient magic.

And now I have to hide the fact that I use ancient magic.

Think about it the other way.

It's because I was sealed away

that you had the opportunity to learn ancient magic.

And the treasured silver mask is proving quite useful too, is it not?

Yeah, somewhat.

My great-grandson is lacking in gratitude.

You must be here for my advice. Hurry up and ask.

My kid brother's caught up in the fight over the throne.

Anyone who is capable will inevitably be drawn into it.

That's how these competitions work.

Oppose it, and you'll be done away with in broad daylight.

I've been at risk of assassination countless times.

In fact, your eldest brother, the late first prince...

What was his name?

Wilhelm.

Wilhelm himself was probably done in by one of his siblings too.

He died in battle.

There was no trace of an assassination, even after Father investigated.

It makes little sense that the frontrunner

to become the next emperor would die on the battlefield.

Would you not risk your life to protect Leonard,

your younger brother, if he were to go to war?

Of course.

There's your answer.

Plenty would have thought that way.

Yet, they couldn't protect him, which suggests a conspiracy.

It wouldn't be unheard of in the history of succession battles.

With no evidence of an assassination, either they were especially cunning,

or the Emperor himself was involved.

In that case, we would have to assume everything that happens going forward

is some kind of conspiracy.

Of course.

Say, Gramps...

Is there any magic that could manipulate monsters?

You're here to ask about magic?!

There's been a lot of monsters around the capital lately.

I thought maybe someone's controlling them.

Mm-hm! It ought to be possible to control just a few.

There's no magic that could manipulate a large herd of them.

Ah.

But there are tools that can.

Tools?

Ancient items of magic.

Yes, this one.

A Hamelin.

Blow this pipe, and anyone with enough magic power

could draw monsters toward them from quite a broad area.

I see.

The Knights' Festival of the Hunt is about to be held.

The royals are going to be commanding the knights.

Oh? Well, well, Johannes sure is full of interesting ideas.

What is the reward?

Ambassador Extraordinary.

Leo and I have no choice but to win this contest.

But if the enemy has the Hamelin, we don't stand a chance.

I don't know who it might be,

but assuming they've taken the risk of attracting monsters to the capital,

they wouldn't be satisfied with just the title of Ambassador Extraordinary.

Oh dear, oh dear.

It seems this has gone beyond a matter of simply needing to win.

How do we stop the Hamelin?

You would have to destroy it.

So long as it's emitting sound waves

that only monsters can hear, stopping it will be difficult.

In other words, there's no sense competing normally in the festival.

But that holds for them as well.

There've been more monsters since before the Knights' Festival was announced, yes?

Yeah. I see!

So they've been intent on doing something

using the monsters, regardless of the festival!

And you're aware that I'm Arnold Reks Adler?

Of course.

I didn't expect them to be so quick.

Relax. I won't kill you.

Why, thank you.

Unfortunately, however, you won't be competing in the Knights' Festival of the Hunt.

I see.

I've become a strong contender thanks to Elna.

But I can't just oblige.

What's wrong? Aren't you making your move?

Or can you not move?

Wh-What have you done?

A-A barrier...

You weren't so insipid after all!

Relax. I won't kill you.

But I'll have you answer some questions.

Who let you into the Castle of the Imperial Sword?

You underestimate me.

I'd rather die than name my client.

You let your guard down.

Do it!

Do what, now?

I've captured three.

He's the last one.

What?

Thanks.

Well? Who ordered this?

I won't say, even if you torture me.

I'm not that brutish.

Forgive me! Forgive me!

I haven't told him!

I have not, Miss Zandra!

Looks like Zandra's engaging in some harsh training.

Binding a man by fear seems like something she would do.

Though, the fact that she tried to off me now

would suggest she isn't behind the monsters.

Which leaves Gordon, Erik, or...

Who could be the mastermind?

What should we do with the assassins?

Lock them up.

We might have a use for them later.

Understood.

Prince Arnold...

While you were being bullied—I'm sorry,

put to work—by Lady Elna,

the venue was announced for the Knights' Festival of the Hunt.

Where is it?

As expected, it's to be held at the largest town

in the eastern part of the Empire, Keel.

HALF A MONTH LATER KEEL, EASTERN ADRASIA EMPIRE

Heya, knights! Tomorrow's the big day, huh?

Good luck at the festival!

The monsters are tormenting us!

Go give them a good beat-down!

Hunt, hunt, hunt the hell out of them!

I heard the Emperor arrived yesterday.

My, I'd love to get a glimpse of him.

The princes and princesses are all making their way here too.

Wow, I'd love to meet them.

You? There's no way.

What's wrong?

No, it's just my ring...

Where'd it go?

Your mom's gonna kill me.

Weird...

With these glasses?

I gave them a dash of magic.

Anyone who doesn't know you well would think you're just an ordinary girl.

I'm an ordinary girl, though.

Just put them on.

Okay.

How do I look?

That'll keep you from drawing attention.

Are you sure, though?

About what?

I know I was the one who invited you, but you just seem so busy lately.

I thought you could afford to take a break.

Don't worry about it.

You want to check out the shops, don't you?

Let's go.

Thank you.

We'll have to go to every shop.

I don't know if we can manage that.

We can!

Well, shall we give it a try?

Yes!

I'm so full...

I can't take anymore.

You could have eaten just a little from each shop so we could go to all of them.

It would be rude to the people making the food if I left any.

I get that, but...

You'd never expect to hear that out of a duke's daughter.

You may have been sneaking out of the castle to have fun since you were little,

but I wasn't like that.

All I could do was watch from afar as children my age were enjoying the shops.

I was jealous.

But I can't eat anymore!

I was so eager to try all the shops!

Don't force yourself.

Just looking at the shops is pretty fun too.

Is that another way to enjoy them?

Sure.

Let's rest a bit more and then go for a walk.

That'll get your appetite going a little too.

Okay!

It doesn't seem like he's here for the shops. Perhaps he's here on business?

The knights are with him too.

He's supposed to have been taking a look around the villages

and towns around Keel until yesterday.

He sure is engaged in his work, unlike me.

Brother. Lady Finne.

Isn't that Prince Leonard?

It is. I'm sure of it.

He's so good-looking!

So then the one with him is that twin brother of his?

Ah, his insipid brother!

He's going to hear you!

Doing work?