37-86

EP.86 Balkan Civil War (4)  

“That… that can’t be! His Majesty was just speaking with me moments ago how could this…?” 

Lichtenauer asked, but Marquis Garcia only wept with a sorrowful expression. 

“As soon as you left, sir, I entered, and His Majesty wrote his will. He couldn’t contain his anger and coughed up blood…” 

At Marquis Garcia’s report, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and Lichtenauer all hurried into the inner chamber. 

There, they found only the corpse of Karl III, who had vomited blood and collapsed on the bed, and a will stained with blood. 

“Your Majesty!! Your Majesty!! How could this happen so suddenly…” 

“I’m sorry… I should have watched over him more closely… As soon as he finished the will and sealed it, he coughed up blood and collapsed… By the time the royal physician arrived, he was already dead… Please punish me!!” 

As Marquis Garcia knelt and begged forgiveness, the Crown Prince helped him up. 

“Sigh~ It’s not your fault, Secretary… First, we need to announce His Majesty’s passing and hold the funeral.” 

“Then, the next in line for the throne…” 

As Garcia began, Heinrich suddenly interrupted. 

“Brother! Shouldn’t we check His Majesty’s will first? You’re still the Crown Prince for now, but… who knows what the will might say.” 

“…By protocol, the emperor’s will is to be checked during the funeral, but… this time, we have no choice. Count Lichtenauer, please serve as witness.” 

At the Crown Prince’s request, Lichtenauer agreed with a bow, and Marquis Garcia took up the will and read its contents. 

“I will now read His Majesty’s will. I, Karl III, Emperor of the Balkan Empire, hereby declare Second Prince Heinrich as the legitimate heir to the empire… That is all it says.” 

Startled! 

As soon as Garcia finished, Prinz’s head dropped, and Heinrich’s shoulders rose smugly. At the same time, Lichtenauer also shot to his feet. 

‘No… this is a forgery!’ 

“Captain of the Guard? Do you have something to say?” 

At Heinrich’s words, Lichtenauer glared at Marquis Garcia. But Garcia avoided his gaze, wiping sweat from his brow, and Lichtenauer realized the will had been forged. 

‘Damn… His Majesty sent everyone out except me, so no one else heard our conversation. If I protest alone, they’ll just say I’m forging the royal order…’ 

But there was nothing he could do for now, so he stepped back to watch Prinz’s response. 

“Hahaha, did you hear, brother? Our late father, His Majesty, recognized me as the heir to the empire. You’re just my subject now. Of course… you do bear responsibility for tarnishing the royal family’s honor… but if you quietly swear loyalty and step down, I’ll let you live out your days with that monster woman in a suitable estate. Hahaha!” 

Heinrich’s laughter, even as his father had just died, made Prinz and Lichtenauer scowl. 

“You bastard! Laughing about becoming emperor when our father just died? I’ll never accept you on the throne! I don’t recognize you!” 

Even at Prinz’s outburst, Heinrich just smiled smoothly. 

“Oh? And what will you do? Planning a rebellion? Captain of the Guard! As the legitimate heir to the Balkan throne, I order you to take his head ” 

Heinrich’s command was cut off by Prinz’s words. 

“No! You’re not the heir yet! As the First Prince of the empire, I challenge you to a Rischkar!!” 

“W-what? What’s that?” 

As Heinrich looked confused, Marquis Garcia, pale-faced, answered. 

“Rischkar… is a procedure in imperial law where, before the crown prince ascends the throne, anyone with objections to the succession can challenge it. It’s a legitimate process specified in imperial law, where each side gathers the private armies of noble houses that support them and fights a battle the victor’s claim is honored. However, imperial regular troops and state-affiliated knights cannot participate.” 

“I… I’ve never heard of such a thing! What is this, Marquis Garcia!” 

Flustered, Heinrich shouted at Garcia. 

“It is indeed specified in imperial law… but it’s a system from when the empire was just a small kingdom near the Monster Mountains, and the last time it was invoked was 800 years ago. It’s practically a dead law.” 

“But even if it’s obsolete, it’s still strict imperial law! I object to your succession, and until you defeat me, you are not emperor of Balkan!” 

“Grr… Brother, you just won’t let go, will you… I was going to spare you for our brotherhood’s sake, but not anymore.” 

“Hmph! Under the Rischkar system, one of us must die. If you win, you don’t need to spare me!” 

The brothers’ eyes clashed fiercely in the air. 

“Marquis Garcia! Postpone His Majesty’s funeral for half a year! As you know, Rischkar allows half a year to gather forces. Keep His Majesty’s body preserved until the victor holds the funeral!” 

“Y-yes, Your Highness.” 

“See you in half a year on the plain before the gates of Adria, Heinrich. From now on, you are no longer my brother.” 

“Right back at you… I’ll take your head then, Prinz.” 

Both turned and walked back to their respective palaces. 

After Prinz and Heinrich left, Lichtenauer whispered to the sweating Marquis Garcia. 

“Marquis Garcia… under the Rischkar system, as Captain of the Guard, I can’t intervene in this conflict… but if the Crown Prince wins, I’ll personally take your head for forging His Majesty’s will.” 

Receiving the killing intent of a master, Garcia wet himself on the spot as Lichtenauer returned to his office. 

‘And I’m sure His Majesty was fine when I saw him… If you had a hand in his death, it won’t end with just your head, Marquis Garcia.’ 

The death of Karl III, who ruled Balkan for more than 40 years, shook the empire to its core. News that Prinz and Heinrich would wage war for the throne sent the entire nobility into a frenzy, each house debating whom to support. 

Heinrich’s Palace 

“Damn it!! Idiot!! Moron!! You couldn’t even warn me about that law!! Aaaargh!!” 

Heinrich hurled everything in reach, raging, and all his subordinates cowered in fear, while Marquis Garcia, the main culprit, trembled as he absorbed Heinrich’s fury. 

“Isn’t there any solution? Prinz has already announced that damned system! Everyone in Adria knows!” 

After venting his anger on Garcia, Heinrich demanded solutions, and his subordinates began offering ideas one by one. 

“If we fight head-on, we’ll surely lose. Even with his scandals, Prinz was still crown prince until this morning, and he has many noble supporters.” 

“There’s a rumor from the First Prince’s palace that Hiriya has divorced the crown prince. I’ll contact Marquis Deerwood’s house.” 

“I’ll find out how much military funding we can raise through the Adria Merchants’ Guild. We’ll buy every mercenary we can, and I’ll look into hiring from Alto and Mehican as well.” 

“Mercenaries from Alto and Mehican may be barbaric, but they’re reliable fighters. I’ll organize a mercenary corps around retired soldiers.” 

Heinrich smiled with satisfaction at his passionate subordinates. They were the sons of lower nobility who’d been with him since he first set his sights on the throne, and whatever their abilities, he trusted their ambition. 

As he drank with satisfaction, Count Dietrich, former Minister of Finance and the group’s leader, voiced a concern. 

“The biggest problem is Duke Windrage. Even after the losses at the Streve battle, the Windrage family is the strongest on the eastern front. If he sides with Prinz, we have no chance.” 

“Hmph! Even an old lion is a lion he’d be a pain as an enemy. But Leon will keep him in check. In two weeks, the King of Leon will raise troops to pressure the eastern front, so that old lion won’t be able to move!” 

“Yes, Your Majesty, we trust you.” 

“Indeed, Your Majesty! You even arranged a marriage alliance with the King of Leon in advance!” 

Already calling him “Your Majesty” as if he were emperor, Heinrich’s subordinates toasted as if they’d already won. 

Unlike the busy Second Prince’s palace, the First Prince’s palace was quiet at night. 

All his retainers had departed for the capital and provinces to persuade noble houses, and Prinz was enjoying the company of his lover Yunas. 

But that peace was broken by an unexpected visitor. 

“Brother! What have you done? You’re here enjoying your refined hobbies while all this chaos is happening?” 

The visitor was First Princess Diane. Enjoying being alone in his palace, cross-dressing and spending time with his lover, Prinz blushed. 

“M-my hobbies aren’t that bad, are they?” 

“What do you mean? You just look like a pervert. Hi, Yunas unni! How’s that cock I made bigger with alchemy? Satisfied?” 

At Diane’s blunt words, Yunas blushed but nodded. She was the only one on the continent who could satisfy the crown prince’s unusual tastes, but her small organ couldn’t satisfy Prinz, so Diane had solved their secret problem. 

“If you wanted to be a woman, I could’ve made your breasts bigger too. Wearing a pretty dress with a flat chest just looks off.” 

“S-shut up! I told you, I don’t want to be a woman, I just like women’s clothes!” 

“Whatever. So, you’re going to war with Heinrich? Can you win?” 

Prinz hesitated, then answered. 

“…If Duke Windrage sides with me, I’ll win for sure… but Heinrich made a deal with Leon, marrying Princess Rachel and making a pact with the King.” 

“Well, the king over there is fighting his own daughters for power, so he’d welcome losing a brain, especially if he gets some territory.” 

“Damn that idiot Heinrich! What kind of would-be emperor gives away land to an enemy country!” 

Seeing her brother’s anger, Diane sighed and handed him a piece of paper from her pocket. 

“What’s this?” 

“Shares in the Adria Alchemy Association. You’re not the type to have a secret fund… You’ll need money for troops and mercenaries. Use this as collateral and you’ll be able to raise plenty of funds.” 

Unexpectedly moved by his sister’s help, Prinz choked up. 

“…Sorry, Diane. I’ve never been able to help you as a brother, and I’m always relying on you…” 

“Oh, it’s nothing… I can’t do much more. I’ll go stay with Hiriya unni at Yuno’s estate. If you win, I’ll come back. If Heinrich wins, I’ll live there with Yuno.” 

Thinking of Diane’s usual obsession with Yuno, Prinz laughed. 

“Fine, do as you like… Sorry, but I have two favors to ask.” 

“Oh, if you’re sorry, don’t ask! What is it? I’ll decide after I hear them.” 

Though she grumbled, Prinz knew Diane would help. 

“First… Princess Rachel escaped from Heinrich’s palace and asked me for protection. She’s in a secret safe house in the capital. When you go to Yuno’s estate, take her with you. Princess Eliza is there too, so it’s better for the sisters to be together. Yuno will return in about a year, so there shouldn’t be a problem.” 

“Fine, that’s easy. I’ll use alchemy to disguise her face and take her as my maid. Next?” 

Prinz handed Diane a small vial. 

“What’s this? Blood?” 

“Yes. I secretly collected the blood Father coughed up when he died. Check for traces of poison. The usual palace reagents couldn’t detect anything, but you should be able to analyze it more thoroughly.” 

“Of course. But what if it was poison?” 

“…If it’s not poison, I’ll accept Heinrich’s rule if I lose the battle. But if Heinrich really poisoned Father… I’ll make Yuno emperor, no matter what. Even if I have to become a vengeful spirit!!” 

The resolve in Prinz’s eyes sent chills down Diane’s spine. 

‘He’s usually so timid, but at times like this he’s manly… though still not as much as Yuno… Ah, I miss Yuno~’ 

“Okay. Is that all?” 

“Wait! One last thing…” 

“Oh, come on! You said two!” 

As Diane complained, Prinz stroked his slightly taller sister’s head. 

“You’ve grown up so beautifully, Diane. I haven’t been able to take care of you as I should, and I probably won’t be able to in the future. No matter what happens to me, marry Yuno and live with him. Even if you’re my sister, if you love your brother, what can I say? Hahaha.” 

Diane blushed bright red. 

“W-what are you saying! Yuno’s my little brother! Why would I marry him…?” 

“If you don’t want to, forget it. I wrote a letter asking Yuno to take you as his wife, but I’ll just burn it…” 

Snatch! 

“Hmph… well, there’s no need to burn it. Anyway, take care, brother. If you can, kill Heinrich! Good luck!!” 

Even though Heinrich was her brother too, Diane didn’t hesitate to tell her brother to kill him. 

Smiling wryly at his sister’s attitude, Prinz saw Diane off and then went to bed with Yunas.