"Following the recent events in the Imperial Kingdom, the Southern Border Defense Force, more than half of the nobles in the South, and the House of Sword Count Emert have 'officially declared' their support for the First Imperial Prince who is in the South. Additionally, nobles centered around the House of Duke Altenburg in the Imperial Capital are advocating to invite the Crown Prince to the capital."
An official declaration.
It's a clear form of pressure.
A message to the Imperial Capital, asking how long they intend to maintain the status quo.
Upon hearing the report, the Chancellor quietly issued orders.
The momentum is growing throughout the Empire to reinstate the First Imperial Prince as the Crown Prince.
Formally, the Crown Prince has been deposed. Because he is presumed dead.
And so, a struggle for the vacant seat of the Crown Prince has erupted.
The current Wilhelm is the former Crown Prince.
Hence, everyone is pressuring to make Wilhelm the Crown Prince.
"Inviting him to the Imperial Capital would quell the chaos, but at the same time, it could invite further chaos..."
The outer moat is being filled.
The Imperial Capital has been too slow to act.
The absence of the Emperor, the Imperial Guard, and the Brave House. All these forces are missing from the Imperial Capital.
Filling that gap is the top priority, and the provinces have been neglected.
In the midst of this, a monster disturbance occurred, and Wilhelm was the first to resolve it.
The influential nobles in various regions supported the Imperial Capital, but that alone won't change the tide.
If you keep going against the flow, you'll drown.
However, if you go with the flow and invite Wilhelm to the Imperial Capital, Wilhelm will gain real power.
You can't hand over the Empire to someone whose authenticity is still in question.
Several summonses have been sent privately to invite him to the Imperial Capital, but all have been ignored.
Unless an official envoy is sent to invite him to the Imperial Capital, he won't move.
But doing so would play right into his hands.
After pondering for a while, Franz began to walk silently.
In times like these, you can't come up with a good answer by thinking alone.
You need to consult someone you can trust.
"Sorry to bother you while you're recovering, Mitsuba-sama."
"No, I'm happy to be a conversation partner if it helps."
Mitsuba, who was lying in bed, smiled.
Her condition had improved thanks to Al's medicine.
However, one must not overexert oneself.
Still, Franz visited Mitsuba.
"I assume you've already heard..."
"Yes, I heard from Finne-san. His Majesty the Emperor and Leo are missing... and Al's life is uncertain due to the explosion."
Franz narrowed his eyes at Mitsuba's tone.
She had lost her husband and two sons.
He had hesitated to report this, but it couldn't be avoided, so he had informed Mitsuba through Finne, who was nursing her.
However, she didn't seem to be in despair.
Why is she acting as usual?
Even Mitsuba should be shocked.
Mitsuba is not an ordinary woman.
She's an independent woman, strong enough to voice her opinions to the Emperor.
However, that doesn't mean she lacks human emotions.
So, Franz glanced at Finne.
"I regret to say this, but please consider Prince Arnold's survival to be almost hopeless."
As he spoke, Finne showed signs of concern for Mitsuba.
Of course, Finne is a person who can show concern for others.
Franz understood that well.
However, he also knew that Finne had a favorable view of Arnold. She considered him irreplaceable.
That's why Finne had been by Arnold's side.
Therefore, when Finne showed concern for Mitsuba, Franz roughly understood.
People can't show concern for others in a crisis. Those who can are those who have room to spare.
At least, Finne couldn't have room to spare after hearing the report of Arnold's death. Their relationship wasn't that shallow.
Franz had sleepless nights even now.
If the Emperor is dead, he can't sleep.
Finne doesn't show that.
Of course, she's tired and grieving. That's a fact. He can clearly read that.
"You shouldn't glare at a young girl like that, Chancellor."
"Finne-san, you may leave. I want to talk to the Chancellor alone for a bit."
Mitsuba told Finne, who quietly left the room.
"You shouldn't expose a girl's secret that she's desperately hiding." Google seaʀᴄh novelFɪre.net
"Then... is Prince Arnold alive?"
"I don't know. I haven't heard anything. However, judging by the situation, he's probably alive, and Finne-san is hiding it."
If he had only looked at Finne, he wouldn't have noticed.
She was clearly in despair and grieving.
Mitsuba noticed Finne's subtle changes, so she acted as usual.
And because of that, Franz could also notice.
"Even if Al is alive, the situation won't change, Chancellor."
"It's painful to hear that. However, good news is quite rare lately. But we can't just rely on him. I came to seek your advice, Mitsuba-sama."
"I think you can make a more accurate judgment than me."
"I would like to hear your opinion as well, Mitsuba-sama."
Pressed by Franz, Mitsuba sighed.
The situation is bad.
Because the Emperor and Leonard-sama are missing, the Empire needs a leader. They can't remain absent forever.
Mitsuba understands the Chancellor's feelings of wanting to wait and believe in their return.
"From an outsider's perspective, it looks like you just want to hold onto power, Chancellor."
The Chancellor holds the real power in the Empire, but if a new Crown Prince appears, the real power will shift.
It's understandable for people to think that the Chancellor's reluctance to show movement toward appointing a Crown Prince is to maintain his own power. Ȓ𝙖₦o͍𝐛ËŜ
"However, if we appoint the suspicious Wilhelm as Crown Prince, we'll invite further chaos and problems in exchange for temporary stability. He's already gained too much power. Inviting him to the Imperial Capital would mean accepting him as Crown Prince. We must take some action. You're not saying there's no move to make, are you?"
"Of course, I have some plans, but... none have a high chance of success."
"The important thing is to act."
"Then... I'll trust Her Majesty the Empress and try to verify the truth."
"...If she sides with them, it's a complete checkmate... but I think it's a good idea. Once the truth is clear... we can move in any way. So can others."
"Thank you for your agreement."
Saying so, Franz left Mitsuba's room.
And then he sent an envoy to Wilhelm, who had become a major force in the South.
An envoy to formally invite him to the Imperial Capital.