The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 617: Edmund Dorolm

Edmund Dorolm was the leader of the engineering corps.

In his mid-thirties, his brown hair was streaked with a few strands of gray. He had a slightly chubby physique and a rustic air about him, but there was a certain gentleness to his demeanor.

His hobby was reading, and he loved books above all else.

Edmund 's dream was to become a scholar, but that was a dream that didn't come true.

Born the son of a tavern owner in the capital, Edmund was forced to join the military when his parents died while he was still in his teens.

However, Edmund , who had reluctantly enlisted, didn't aim for advancement, and he was assigned to a mundane engineering unit in a mid-sized city.

Their task was to dig an underground passage connecting three cities.

It was a project that had been planned for a long time, but due to numerous accidents, it hadn't made much progress.

It was considered an idle job. No one, including the then unit commander, was serious about constructing the underground passage. They didn't want to risk their lives.

However, being naturally diligent, Edmund studied the terrain on his own.

He read as many books related to architecture as he could, all on his own dime.

Although he was ridiculed by those around him, Edmund didn't care.

He was enjoying himself.

After gathering all the necessary information, he began drawing the blueprint for the underground passage connecting the three cities.

By chance, a high-ranking military officer who was inspecting the area noticed Edmund 's excellent blueprint. Impressed, he recommended Edmund for the position of leader of the engineering corps and urged him to start construction on the tunnel.

From that point on, Edmund and his subordinates diligently built the tunnel. They successfully completed the underground passage connecting the three cities without any major accidents.

That was five years ago.

Furthermore, Edmund improved the roads between each city, allowing for smoother transport of goods.

All this was made possible by the knowledge he gained from reading books.

Edmund loved applying what he learned from his books for the benefit of others.

Gradually, people in the surrounding area started to trust Edmund .

If they had a problem, they knew they could ask Edmund . It was rumored that Edmund knew everything.

As a result of this reputation, more and more people started seeking his advice.

To meet these demands, Edmund read even more books.

He wanted to be able to answer any question.

And then... the imperial army began their invasion.

The engineering corps didn't have a role to play.

So, Edmund continued his daily chores as usual. People trusted him more and more because of this.

However, the situation was changing every minute.

Prince Ansem's army clashed with the imperial army, and Prince Ansem defected to the empire.

The Dragon King of the Allied Kingdom joined in, and the allied forces began their siege of the cities.

The general who commanded the defense soldiers stationed in Edmund 's city sensed his defeat and fled.

Everyone was at a loss as to what to do.

There were rumors that those who surrendered to the imperial army were met with terrible fates.

Edmund , who knew much about the empire from his books, didn't believe these rumors, but in times of war, anything could happen.

Therefore, Edmund continued to provide answers to the people who came to consult him, doing what he could to help.

In the process, Edmund was promoted to the leader of the three cities.

There were people of higher rank than Edmund , but everyone relied on him.

Finally, a messenger arrived from the capital, announcing that Edmund was appointed as a general in charge of all three cities.

In name and in fact, Edmund had become the representative of the three cities.

By that time, the imperial army's invasion had begun.

In preparation, Edmund stayed up all night to prepare for the attack by the imperial army.

He mobilized all the knowledge he had accumulated from his books, anticipated the enemy's actions, and used his experience as an engineer to fortify the defenses.

His preparations were so perfect that it was hard to believe he had never commanded a battle before, causing the enemy's commander, Leonard, to halt his advance.

However, there was always someone higher up.

Edmund was acutely aware of this.

"Enemy's left wing is advancing!"

There was no doubt that the commander had been replaced.

There was no time to ponder why.

The enemy's movements were different than before.

That's why Edmund was frantic.

Until now, there had been signs of consideration for us. Edmund didn't want to fight if possible, and the enemy had been cautious to avoid casualties.

However, the commander had changed.

What he felt now was pressure.

If he let his guard down, he'd be swallowed up. Edmund felt such tension.

"The left wing is a diversion! Don't worry about it!"

He gave the order and surveyed the overall situation.

The enemy was essentially trying to win with minimal casualties. That hadn't changed from the previous commander.

The difference was that while the previous commander was looking for weaknesses, the current one was trying to create them.

They were more aggressive.

However, the basic policy hadn't changed. Unless they were willing to ignore casualties, they wouldn't attack when there were no weaknesses.

That's why he knew the left wing was a decoy.

But then

"Stop the left flank, then advance again!!"

This is ridiculous!?

Edmund is surprised, thinking for a moment.

Those around him are waiting for Edmund 's orders.

Feeling the need to meet their expectations, but understanding that reckless moves could be fatal since he couldn't comprehend the enemy's intentions.

Caught between these two thoughts.

With some delay, Edmund gives his orders.

"Send 500 reserve soldiers to face the enemy's left flank!"

It's not a perfect instruction. However, it's acceptable.

But the enemy won't allow anything less than perfection.

"The enemy's main force is deploying dragon knights! No, those are sky hawks...! They're the Imperial 6th Guard Cavalry!"

"They're flying to our left!?"

"Have our archers move there immediately!"

"The enemy's main force is deploying cavalry! They're wearing white cloaks!"

"More of the Guard Cavalry...!!"

"They're circling us from our right!! They're so fast!!"

"Horses can't break through the city walls! Release the arrows when they approach!!"

The concentrated deployment of elite units.

Edmund thought they were merely testing the waters until now, but with the appearance of the Guard Cavalry, the story is different.

The enemy is serious.

Edmund makes this judgment and braces himself.

The enemy will surely attack.

In defense, being reactive won't work.

They need to anticipate the enemy's moves.

With the deployment of two Guard Cavalry units, their forces are divided on both sides.

So, they can't afford to miss this opportunity.

And based on their past behavior, the enemy commander won't go for a frontal assault.

The preemptive attack will surely come unexpectedly.

"Concentrate the troops at the rear!"

"Another dragon knight from the enemy's main force... A white dragon knight has taken off!!"

"A white dragon knight from the Empire...!? It's Finn Brost, the captain of the Guard Cavalry!"

"Hurry!! They're coming from the rear!!"

The opponent is the Guard Cavalry captain who can change the course of the battle in one stroke.

If their formation is broken by his charge, it will be impossible to defend.

However, the enemy commander won't force his hand.

If they can withstand this, he will surely give up.

So, Edmund desperately gives orders.

Edmund 's eyes capture the sight of the white dragon knight charging with momentum.

Edmund is fixated on that sight.

No matter what attack comes, he will surely deal with it.

With that determination, Edmund carefully watches the white dragon knight fly past him at a low altitude.

Just at that moment.

"The brave soldiers of the Empire! The 8th Imperial Prince, Leonaldo Lakes Adler commands... Continueeee!!!!"

The enemy's central army begins to advance.

Now they're launching a mass attack.

They've been completely caught off guard.

Their soldiers are confused.

At this rate, they won't be able to put up a significant resistance and will be overrun.

That's why Edmund shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Archers get ready!! Prepare the oil and stones! If they're attacking from the front, we'll defend as planned!!"

That's the first attack they prepared for.

The enemy's frontal forces are few, but it takes time to break through the city walls.

During that time, they must somehow move their forces and withstand the enemy's fierce attack.

Since they've been caught off guard, that's the only thing they can do.

However, strangely enough, the enemy soldiers are turning to the left from Edmund 's perspective.

Just within reach of the arrows.

"They, they've stopped... The enemy isn't coming!!"

"Ha, haha... They've been scared off!"

"We did it! Thank goodness..."

Seeing the enemy's change of course, relief spreads among the soldiers.

Edmund is no exception to this.

This was a strategy to tire them out.

Judging so, he sighed in relief.

At that moment, two figures appear on the front city wall.

A woman with cherry blossom-colored hair wearing a white cloak.

Edmund has no leisure to be captivated by her astonishing beauty.

Appearing with her is a man with black hair and black eyes.

He's wearing a blue cloak.

Only a marshal in the Empire is allowed that.

And in the enemy's army, there's only one Imperial Marshal.

"I am the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, Arnold Lakes Adler. I have come to see the enemy commander, Lord Drolrum. Could I request an audience?"

The man who arrived wears a fearless grin, locking his gaze with Edmund 's.

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