The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 603: Louville Fortress

Louville Fortress is the kingdom's largest and most formidable fortress. Located on the sea, it has three layers of walls that cover the harbor. The Imperial Army led by Leo, the Kingdom Army led by Ansem, and the Dragon Knights led by William had all arrived.

Their mission was to protect the people of Shantal, all 50,000 of them. The journey to the fortress was, for the most part, peaceful. Leo and Ansem had split their forces to hold back the Pseudo-human Soldiers, but these soldiers ceased their attacks once a certain distance was established. However, they would attack again if approached.

Given that the protection of the people was the priority, Leo and Ansem decided to recombine their split forces. During this time, Leo and Ansem decided to completely segregate the Imperial Army and Kingdom Army. After all, they had been fighting each other just moments before. A friendly relationship was impossible.

The Kingdom Army was placed at the front of the civilians, and the Imperial Army at the rear. This was to prevent a pincer attack in case the Kingdom Army were to betray them. The Dragon Knights were in the sky, a force so formidable that the Kingdom Army would be obliterated if attacked. Tension was high within the Kingdom Army, but they didn't break, thanks to their trust in their commander, Ansem.

Despite these challenges, they managed to reach Louville Fortress.

"So, Your Highness! What's going on here!?" a general demanded.

"The Crown Prince is trying to turn the people into monsters. Soon, the kingdom will be seen as an enemy by the entire continent. I can no longer follow the Crown Prince. For the kingdom's sake, I have allied with the Empire. The Empire is not our enemy. The enemy is the Crown Prince. Open the gates. First, we need to evacuate the civilians."

At Ansem's words, the general immediately opened the gates. Ansem was welcomed into the fortress with great enthusiasm, which was no surprise. Many in the Kingdom Army believed that Ansem, rather than the Crown Prince, should ascend to the throne.

"We, the Kingdom Army, will take responsibility for the first layer of defense. The Imperial Army will cover the second layer, while the third layer will be reserved for reserve forces. The Dragon Knights will handle the defense in the sky. Is this acceptable?"

"It's fine from the Empire's perspective, but the Kingdom Army will be shedding the most blood. Can they fight properly knowing that the Imperial Army is right behind them?"

"We'll show that we can fight. This is primarily a problem of the kingdom, so it's only natural for us to stand in the front. We can't expect coordination from a hastily formed alliance. It's clear that there would be infighting."

"Prince Ansem is correct. There is no better arrangement."

With William agreeing with Ansem, Leo reluctantly nodded. The Kingdom Army would likely suffer severe casualties. But unless they showed their commitment, the Imperial Army wouldn't cooperate. The blood that would be shed was a necessary sacrifice.

"What about the evacuation ships?"

"They're ready. I've left the evacuation of the civilians to my older sister. The priority is to get them out of here."

"Do we have enough ships?"

"We've mobilized even the obsolete ones. If we load them to their maximum capacity, we'll barely manage. The destination is just before the Lion's Jaw, where the Crown Prince's influence can't reach. After that, we'll have to rely on the Empire..."

"I've already sent a messenger. If the messenger reaches safely, General Harnish's army should be able to help... However, we may encounter my brother's allied fleet before that."

"If it's Arnold, he can distinguish between military ships and evacuation ships. If he can provide protection, that would be the best-case scenario."

"Indeed, Prince Arnold shouldn't pose any problems. However, this could delay reinforcements coming to us. Prince Leonard, where is the allied fleet?"

"I'm not sure. We haven't discussed it. The plan is for my brother to adjust according to our situation. I can't say anything else."

Ansem and William frowned simultaneously. Fools would not call this a strategy, but they were not fools. If it's possible to execute, then it can be a valid strategy.

"Being twins... is an unfair advantage."

"Don't generalize all twins. It's just these two. I couldn't stand it if there were more."

Without any communication, coordination between such distant armies should be impossible. No military textbook would support such a strategy. But if someone can pull it off, it must be acknowledged.

"But how long can we hold up in a siege against those flying monsters, those Pseudo-human Soldiers..."

"Even for the Dragon Knights, they're a tough opponent?"

"The experimental Dragon Magic Spears are still in limited supply. Those equipped with them can fight, but others will have to engage in close combat. The enemy has superior maneuverability in the air, though. Even in the short skirmish we had, we suffered significant damage."

In air combat, maneuverability is key. The enemy is like a human flying in the sky, while the Dragon Knights are riding flying dragons. Ordinary Dragon Knights can't win in terms of maneuverability.

"When they attack the fortress, their forces will likely increase even further. If there are tens of thousands of those things... it's not a war anymore, it's an extermination. A matter that should be left to specialists... but on this continent, the nations have tied the hands and feet of those specialists. They likely won't arrive for a while."

"We just need to buy time until they come," William commented on Anthem's words.

However...

"The kingdom is different from the United Kingdom. They should be well aware of the power of SS-rank adventurers. Yet they created a reason for them to participate in this war. To me... it seems like a statement that they have no problem if the SS-rank adventurers show up."

"What do you mean?"

"Behind those faux-human soldiers, there are demons. I believe they plan to have the SS-rank adventurers face them."

"You mean the Crown Prince has allied with the demons?"

"I have fought demons before... It's difficult to say they've allied. Demons and humans are not equals. Either they are being used effectively... or they have been absorbed. Regardless, the situation is likely more dangerous than we anticipated, we can't afford to waste the SS-rank adventurers here. We'll have to handle this situation ourselves."

"Oh boy... we departed prepared to fight the Kingdom's army, and now our opponent is a monster. If the kingdom's upper echelons have been absorbed, this is synonymous with a demon's invasion of the continent."

William says this, yet he laughs, as if finding it amusing.

"What's so funny?"

"I just think it's a good opportunity. This could be a chance to see the holy sword with my own eyes."

"You mean the prodigy of the Brave family... It would be great if the messenger could make it in time."

"I have sent the messenger, but the distance to the north is quite far. Moreover, I don't have the authority to allow the use of the holy sword even if he comes. The one who holds that power is the commander-in-chief of all forces."

"So, everything depends on Arnold?"

"It is the same as usual. Don't worry. My brother has a good nose for things."

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