The Story of Hero Among Heroes ~The Founding Chronicles of Arestia Chapter 58

Bonus chapter from sponsored chapter.

Our MC get a lot of attention from various factions in the Royal Capital.

Enjoy and have a nice weekend~

Chapter 58 – Speculations.

[Apparently the Schwarzer's little lord had arrived in the capital last week]

[Yes. He brought 5000 soldiers along with him.]

Capital's northern district. The First Prince Carlos' mansion is situated at the top of the hill from where one can overlook the whole city.
In one of the many rooms, a topless man with well-toned body stood there, talking with a formally clothed brown haired man

The half dressed man is the owner of the mansion, Prince Carlos, while the man in formal clothes is the Duke of Hoover, Douglas who had followed Carlos since his childhood.

The First Frince Carlos is in his late twenties. He's a formidable general who was known to leave any place he visited in shambles of slaughter and plunder. Therefore, people of other countries gave him the nickname of the『Mad Prince』out of fear.

Duke of Hoover Douglas is also in his mid-twenties. He had been under Carlos since he's young, a self-proclaimed servant so to speak. Originally, he shouldn't be able to inherit the dukedom since he's the second child, but his eldest brother died from an unknown cause, leaving him taking the mantle from a very young age.
Currently, he's both Carlos' advisor and companion.

The two were talking in Carlos' room.
Women in various states of nudity laid sprawled around them. None of the women were lively and their eyes showed hollow emptiness.

[They've been broken as well. Time for a replacement. It's time to plunder another territory again.]

Carlos said that while looking down at the women.
These women were originated from countries that Arcadia…no, Carlos had plundered.
With their homeland conquered, they were brought to the capital to become s.e.x slaves.

[Anyways, Douglas. When do you think he will make a move?]

[The day His Majesty gathered up all the lords for a.s.signment, it'll be the day after tomorrow. That little lord will only have until then to make his move.]

[He arrived in the capital only last week. And he hasn't made any notable moves since then. Are you telling me….he has no intention to be involved with the palace?]

[Even so, he apparently visited powerful clans like the McDohl, Arnold and the Rozenburg. Not to forget, Margott house of commerce as well.]

[Fuhn! What can that old coot McDohl do? Wave his tail? The Duke of Arnold is a useless boy stranded on sickbed. The Rozenburg is poor. The merchants have no say in the imperial council.]

[At present, the acting duke of Arnold is on our side. Please rest a.s.sured. The other aristocrats will continue to work for us as well.]

Douglas said that while smiling. Then he asked.

[Why is Your Highness concerned with that Schwarzer little lord? Indeed they are an Archduke clan, but they've been avoiding getting mired in the palace political disputes. I don't think it's necessary to fear them…]

[I'm not afraid of him.]

Having said that, Carlos turned around.

[I just don't like him. All the goody-goody att.i.tude to keep his face]

He's also being sought after by many, including his father. Moreover….

Remembering that, Carlos tightened his fist.

Back then, he had a sparring match with this little lord.
Until then, no one in the empire had managed to best him in a fight…yet this Ares Schwarzer did. The match ended in a draw, but it was obvious to him that Ares outmatched him. Many couldn't see that back then, but of course there were those who knew. And among those few, was his father, Emperor Sephiros.

[He could have easily won.]

He was compelled to think that way as well.
But above all…..Carlos hated Ares' seemingly foolish but kind facade the most.

Then there was that matter with the revolt of the poor folks. Originally Carlos planned to punish them all with execution. But somehow Ares, with clever tactics, managed to take over the matter from him. He's not going to forget how Ares embarra.s.sed him in front of his own Father and the other lords.

[That person, I'll surely return the favor….]

That said, Carlos gritted his teeth

=====
◆

[It seems the little lord of Schwarzer has arrived in the imperial capital]

On the estate of one of the four Archdukes, the Rozenheim little lord, Scion was listening to his father Otto.

Scion was 2 to 3 years older than Ares, and studied in the same academy. From his long and narrow eyes, as well as his slicked up black hair, one can tell that there is something off about him.

[It appears to be so.]

Saying that, Otto tilted his gla.s.s of wine.

[The Schwarzer is setting their feet back in the capital. The other aristocrats are making a fuss about it.]

Otto once again tilted his gla.s.s of wine, signaling his son to continue.

[If it's Archduke Schwarzer himself who showed up, then I won't be worrying too much. But it's Ares Schwarzer instead…that person isn't someone I can ignore. He's like a huge pyrelight that scatters fire powder. People tend to gather around the light. But one will get swallowed within the fire if they're caught off guard. He even managed to catch His Majesty [Thunder Emperor]'s attention. If anyone got in his way, they will inevitably exposed to his fire powder.]

Scion laughed afterward.

[But there is no need to worry. We've been dominating the council for decades. There is no reason to chicken out early. It'll be better to remain on standby for a while. Moreover, factions like the ones allied with First Prince or the Second Prince, perhaps even the Archduke Saxon will most likely attack him first. Why don't we just stay in the sidelines and watch the show?]

Otto thought inwardly as he happily listened to his son's musing. My son is the vessel of the Great King. Having achieved some great results in domestic policy, His Majesty Sephiros will surely remember Scion.
In addition to that, thanks to Scion's work on the council in recent years, the Rozenheim currently held similar level of influence to that of the First Prince. Furthermore, Scion had been promised the hand of the third princess for marriage already.

[Things have become more interesting …my Rozenheim clan might end up standing at the top of Arcadia's hierarchy.]

Otto laughed at that very thought.

=====
◆

[I see. So the Schwarzer's little lord has arrived.]

The second princess Silvia smiled ferociously while saying so.

Silvia Arcadia was a famous figure in the capital.
Not only for her beauty, but also because the [Rose Knight Brigade] she commanded was well known in the Empire for their undefeated status. She's also one of the more prominent generals of the Empire, aptly nicknamed『Lightning General』by others.
Enhanced by her fiery red hair, her figure riding around the battlefield was like that of a war G.o.ddess, bringing absolute trust and morale for her soldiers.

[Yes. Apparently he arrived only last week.]

[Last week? What is going on? Shouldn't we already received the report a long time ago?]

[Yes. Apparently…..he went out on his own as soon as he arrived …also, it is said that he visited his old acquaintances. And the other aristocrats made a move to visit him only a few days ago….. No more information other than that. My apologies.]

Silvia's a.s.sistant officer, Astoria bowed down.

[Fine. Then, what about the other aristocrats?]

[Some did indeed came to visit the Schwarzer mansion. But…]

[But what?]

[It's just for formal greetings. No gift has been given and it is said that the meeting only lasted for a short time.]

[Ha! They don't consider him as a good partner to work with?]

Silvia laughed while crossing her arms.

The First Prince Carlos and the Second Prince Joseph were hard at work to expand their factions. Perhaps to pave their way to the succession of the throne. The first princess Elizabeth planned to take the lead with her husband Archduke Lombardia, while third princess Annerose was already engaged to Archduke Rozenheim's heir. Duke of h.e.l.lion was also working behind the stage.
Silvia herself was one of the three most outstanding military forces in the Empire, thanks to her Rose Knight Brigade, and is currently not affiliated to any faction…for there was something that concerned her.

[I need someone to help me protect my dear Cornelia and Zerias.]

First prince Carlos, second prince Joseph, first princess Elizabeth, and third princess Annerose…as well as all the aristocrats backing them, they all have their own ambitions. After the eastern campaign is over, a battle over the throne succession will break out.
When that time comes, they'll only see the fourth princess Cornelia and the third prince Zerias as obstructions to their plans.

And esteemed father Sephiros never bothered with his children's conflict. To him, his children are merely tools to further his cause….

Silvia once fought side by side with this Ares Schwarzer before. It was during a large scale bandit subjugation on the north.
That fellow appeared as her reinforcement. She clearly remembered that he got such an excellent swordsmans.h.i.+p and commanding ability despite his young age.

[I've never really talked that much with him…just what kind of man he is now]

Hopefully, his heart lies in the right place..

Thinking so, Silvia could only sigh.

=====
◆

Few days later, the lords received the order to gather up in the palace.

[Well, shall we go then?]

Ares laughed, he was already standing in the entrance of the mansion.

[It seems that Esteemed Father has gone ahead. Ares should also resolve himself…]

[It's not like I'm going to fight a war right away…]

Ares laughed at Sharon's concern for him.

[It'll be alright. It's going to be about the eastern campaign. Not about me.]

Then he added.

[But the capital will be in turmoil after this. We have no choice but to prepare for anything. As for me, the wind will bring me to rise above them all.]

Having said that, Ares climbed into the carriage that will bring him to the palace.