Episode 21: The Mob Prince is Expected to be a Conqueror by the Emperor
[Luna’s Perspective]
“Lady Luna, your Bergamot tea.”
“Thank you, Miseria.”
I was having tea prepared by my maid, Miseria, in the Rose Garden set up in the Imperial Court’s courtyard.
This garden, the most beautiful in the Imperial Court and used to entertain state guests, was created with funding from Empress Camilla, who wielded immense power.
However, Empress Camilla was ousted after my son Luke accused her of crimes, and all her assets became mine.
The suddenness of the development made my head spin…
The priority right to use the Rose Garden also became mine, and this time, I decided to hold a tea party in this place.
“Mother, this tea and scones are so delicious!”
“I’ve never had such exquisite sweets before.”
“I’m glad, Luke, Diana!”
The two of them, who had always felt inferior because they shared my blood, had never been involved in such events, so they were very happy. If I could see my children’s smiles, I could say the tea party was a great success.
“Hmph, a lowly Mazoku woman…”
Rose, the Third Empress, who happened to be passing by, grimaced as if she had seen something unpleasant. I couldn’t help but flinch.
“Mother, you don’t have to worry. I’ll silence her eventually.”
“Eh? W-Well, Luke, it’s alright. You don’t have to go out of your way to cause trouble…”
As far as I’m concerned, even if it’s a little uncomfortable, it’s enough for me to have my cute son and daughter, so I feel a sense of crisis at Luke’s words.
Luke is an unparalleled magical genius and a very intelligent child, but… perhaps because of his bloodline, I’ve noticed that he’s been making somewhat belligerent remarks lately.
“I was shocked to hear that Camilla tried to kill Luke. It seems you managed to get through it this time thanks to Lord Gaine… but I worry that if you stand out too much, you might be dragged into the war.”
So, I decided to gently admonish him. There’s no avoiding Diana being used as a tool of war anymore, but I wanted to avoid burdening Luke with such a harsh fate as well.
“Brother Luke is really amazing! To do so much while hiding his true abilities!”
Diana seemed to respect Luke and was innocently happy.
Since his life was targeted, it’s understandable that he would retaliate to protect himself… but I have a feeling that if things continue like this, for better or worse, those around him won’t leave him alone.
“I’m so glad Lord Gaine is on Luke’s side. Thank you, Lord Gaine. Please continue to protect him.”
“Of course. Your Highness, Princess Luna, leave it to me.”
Lord Gaine, the S-rank adventurer who was standing as our guard, placed his hand on his chest and saluted. It seems that this incident was indirectly aimed at me, and Luke had him stick to me as my guard.
I had heard rumors about Lord Gaine, but he was called [Dandelion] because he hated nobles and never served any particular person.
I’m surprised that such a proud man would pledge allegiance to a 7-year-old Luke.
This child truly has Emperor Alvaise’s—the Conqueror’s blood flowing through him. I had a feeling that he would be attended to by many famous heroes from now on.
No, perhaps this child is…
A hundred years ago, a Mazoku priestess prophesied that ‘a Demon Lord with the power to overturn the world’s order will be born from the Dark Elf royal family.’ That person would rule both humans and Mazoku and stand at the top of the world.
If the one with the power to overturn the world’s order is the Demon Lord, then Luke fits that condition. I had noticed the abnormality of Luke’s Unique Magic, [Dark Edge].
He himself, who is now innocently laughing with his sister, doesn’t seem to be aware of it…
The success condition for [Synthesis Magic] is to be able to use the two magics to be synthesized. It is originally impossible to incorporate and synthesize magic that you can’t even use into [Dark Edge].
P-Perhaps, the true power of Luke’s Unique Magic, [Dark Edge] is…
I shuddered at the thought.
If my hypothesis is correct, then it is truly [the power to overturn the world’s order].
If Luke is the Prophesied Demon Lord, then his future will surely be a path of bloody battles.
“…Luke, listen carefully? From now on, you have to be even more discreet. If your talent becomes known, the world won’t leave you alone.”
“Mother, that’s…”
“Are you serious, Luna?”
At that moment, His Majesty Emperor Alvaise appeared through the rose arch, accompanied by his Imperial Guards.
“Y-Your Majesty…!”
I hurriedly got up from my chair and prostrated myself. Everyone present followed my example.
“Luke. Your achievements this time were truly magnificent. Above all, to turn the assassin and defeat the enemy… such courage and ability to control people is unthinkable for a 7-year-old child. I see you as a vessel of a general.”
“Eh!?”
I was shocked. It is rare for His Majesty Alvaise, who favors the strong, to praise others. Moreover, a vessel of a general…
While I was overwhelmed by the fact that my warning to Luke was already too late, I desperately tried to resist.
“You jest. Luke is certainly an intelligent child, but he hates conflict. He is not fit to be a general…”
“Are you a Dark Elf princess and yet you cannot tell the difference between a lion and a cat? At first, I thought he was a failure who couldn’t even use magic properly, but as expected, he has my blood.”
His Majesty Alvaise laughed cheerfully.
“His essence is that of a lion trying to bite the dragon’s throat. It might be interesting to make Luke a general and put Diana under his command.”
“Your Majesty, may I take that to mean that you acknowledge me as your son and grant me the right to succeed to the throne?”
Luke, who had been prostrating himself, raised his face and said something outrageous.
“L-Luke!?”
His Majesty Alvaise had publicly stated that he would not recognize Luke as his son. Luke’s current statement was an attempt to overturn that. It was a dangerous statement that could be taken as disrespectful to the Emperor.
“Hmph. Very well. If you can make a significant contribution to the Empire next time, then I will recognize you as qualified to be my successor, just like your other three brothers.”
“…Your Majesty, you are jesting too much.”
I tried to dissuade His Majesty Alvaise somehow.
The struggle for the throne is extremely fierce. Even now, Luke is being treated unfairly because he has my Mazoku blood, and if he were to enter the succession battle, he would be the target of concentrated attacks, and he wouldn’t have enough lives to spare.
“It is not a jest. These are times of turmoil. If we do not have a strong leader, our Empire will perish. Only a true conqueror is fit to be my successor. Even if he has Mazoku blood, if he protects them, the people and subjects will gladly follow him.”
“B-But, unlike his other brothers, this child has never had any imperial education…”
“That is trivial. When he presented the [Thanatos] magic to me, what do you think he said? He said it was a magic that could damage the enemy’s logistics—their ability to continue fighting. Isn’t that delightful!”
“Eh? L-Logistics…?”
I also understood the importance of logistics to some extent.
In order for the soldiers at the front to fight, they need supplies such as weapons and provisions, and rear support such as treatment of the wounded is essential. This is called logistics, and in order to win a war, strategies such as cutting off the supply of food and supplies were very effective.
“A magic that puts the enemy into a state of unconsciousness. If soldiers die, they can be buried, but if they are only sleeping, they must be fed and cared for. If they are abandoned, it will affect morale, and if they are to be kept alive, a great cost must be paid. Wouldn’t that damage the enemy more than killing them?”
His Majesty Alvaise seemed very satisfied.
“That is correct, Your Majesty. Killing the enemy’s soldiers is a poor strategy. Damaging the enemy’s ability to continue fighting is the best strategy to win a war.”
“Indeed. A truly insightful view. Saint-Germain also praised it. ‘Amateurs in war talk about strategy, experts in war talk about logistics.'”
Aah, wh-what is happening…
I was stunned.
I taught Luke not to hurt or kill people. Because if he did, he would be caught up in an endless cycle of revenge.
And to think I taught him the [Sleep] (Hypnos) magic for that purpose…
Could Luke have possibly taken that and come up with the idea of striking at the supply lines?
And then, to be recognized by His Majesty Alvaise.
Perhaps I’ve misjudged my son’s talents.
Luke isn’t just blessed with magical talent; he has the makings of a general and possesses the qualities of a true overlord.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll definitely become the Emperor. When I do, I won’t let anyone hurt you or Diana ever again.”
Luke declared powerfully.
He’s the kindest of all children. But that is… a path of carnage.
“That’s the spirit! I have high expectations for you, Luke!”
His Majesty Alvaise turned on his heel with a triumphant smile.
His eyes were fixed on his son Luke, who possessed the qualities of an overlord, not on his daughter Diana, whom he expected to be a weapon.