Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Struggle for the Throne

In the city of Brook, as the rivalry between the two princes grew ever fiercer, the atmosphere within the city became increasingly tense, as if on the verge of erupting. The tension only intensified as the king’s coma dragged on; the factions and their followers clashed violently, and several conflicts had already erupted in the city.

Under such circumstances, many neutral nobles could not help but heighten their vigilance, wary of being drawn into the turmoil by a single misstep.

Within the royal palace, the king gazed out at the world beyond, a hint of confusion flickering in his clouded eyes.

After a while, a powerfully built knight entered from outside. “Your Majesty, you’re awake?”

“Ah, Coris!” The king looked at the knight, a rare smile appearing on his stern face. “You’ve come.”

“Coris, how are things outside?” he asked, his voice stiff and hoarse, devoid of vitality.

“It’s not good,” Coris replied gravely, without hesitation. “The atmosphere in the city is tense. At the second prince’s urging, the great lords outside the city are stirring. Several clashes have already occurred.”

He could not help but add, “Your Majesty, at this point, a decision must be made quickly, or the situation may become irreparable.” With these words, he dropped to one knee, bowing his head in earnest supplication.

Yet the king showed no reaction, his clouded eyes unmoved.

After a time, the king spoke in a lifeless tone, “Which of the two do you think is suitable?”

Coris was startled, instinctively bowing his head lower. But considering the current circumstances, he gritted his teeth and replied, “Both princes now have their own supporters. The eldest has served in the military since childhood, earning great prestige among the city’s soldiers and the army’s support. The second prince is clever, his mother, Queen Clenna, is princess of Roya, and his wife is a count’s daughter; many powerful lords stand behind him.”

He hesitated, then said, “But this also means he could easily be manipulated by those lords.”

The implication was clear: he favored the eldest prince.

“I see?” The king’s lifeless voice came from ahead. “So be it…”

“Go, summon him.”

At these words, Coris felt a weight lift from his shoulders and withdrew quietly.

What he did not know was that after he left, the king’s gaze shifted subtly toward a corner, the confusion in his eyes giving way to something uncanny.

Some time later, another figure left the palace.

This man glanced cautiously around, then quickly made his way through hidden paths to another street.

“Luriel, what’s happened at the palace?” In a large hall, the second prince looked at the man before him in surprise.

Standing before him was a knight, his face anxious—the same who had just left the palace.

“Your Highness, something has happened! His Majesty wishes to pass the throne to the eldest prince!”

The hall was instantly thrown into uproar.

“What did you say?” A noble leapt to his feet, staring at the knight. “Is this true?”

“It is!” he nodded fiercely. “When His Majesty summoned Coris, I was hidden nearby. Coris has left the palace to summon the eldest prince!”

“It’s over!” one noble cried, unable to contain his panic. The room grew chaotic.

The second prince’s expression darkened, his brow furrowing as he digested the news.

“My lord, the eldest prince must not be allowed to ascend!” a voice came from below. The second prince looked over to see a gaunt, elderly man.

“We have opposed him at every turn, even attempted assassinations. The enmity is open. With his vengeful and forceful nature, if he takes the throne, we will not escape retribution.”

He stepped forward, voice raised. “The lords who support us are powerful, with strong territories. Even if the eldest prince becomes king, he cannot immediately act against us. But you, my lord, are in grave danger. He would never let you live.”

The second prince’s face turned ashen. He glanced around, forcing a bitter smile. “But now that Father has decided, what can I do?”

“Unless…” A cold gleam flashed in his eyes, as if struck by a ruthless idea.

At that moment, Luriel stepped forward. “My lord, the decision to pass the throne may not be His Majesty’s true will! He has been unconscious for so long—his mind must be clouded. Perhaps Coris and the eldest prince’s supporters have manipulated him.”

At this, the second prince’s eyes brightened, and he looked down, silent.

Then the old man stepped forward. “My lord, the eldest prince is outside the city; he may not yet know of this. We could send men to ambush the palace. As soon as the eldest prince and Coris arrive, kill them both.”

“Once the eldest prince is dead, whatever His Majesty’s original intentions were, nothing will stop you from taking the throne.”

“Indeed, if His Majesty is startled, he might die in the palace as well,” another man added coldly.

Hearing this, the gathering grew calm, turning their eyes to the second prince.

Those present were his closest confidants. At the prospect of killing a prince, none showed fear—on the contrary, they seemed eager for action.

But this was only natural. In this era, the king’s power over the nobility was far from absolute—in fact, the two were often at odds. Such events were not unprecedented in Brook’s history; even nobles uniting to force a king’s death had occurred before.

Seeing their expressions, the second prince’s eyes flickered—he was moved.

“How many nobles support us?” he asked in a deep voice.

“At present, nearly half the lords in Brook have been won to our side. If we succeed, even if Coris and his faction resist, we can suppress them.”

Hearing this, the second prince hesitated no longer.

“Luriel, you know the palace well. Arrange for our knights to lie in wait. Strike as soon as they arrive!”

“Yes, my lord!” Luriel answered loudly.

“Send others outside the city to track their movements,” the second prince added.

Meanwhile, outside the city—

“Coris, did Father truly say he wished me to inherit the throne?” The eldest prince looked at Coris, unable to hide his excitement.

“He did,” Coris confirmed.

Seeing his certainty, the eldest prince’s eyes shone with irrepressible joy. “Good!”

“Your Highness, the most important thing is to enter the palace at once. If you ascend the throne before the second prince reacts, it will be too late for him to object.”

“Exactly!” the eldest prince replied, a cold glint in his eyes. “I will lead my guards into the city at once.”

Soon after, a company of over a hundred knights set out for Brook.

With both sides on the move, undercurrents surged through Brook, the city poised on the brink of eruption.