"Hell, what a colossal waste of time," Gordon, the Third Imperial Prince, exclaimed in disgust. Surrounding him were his attendants and advisers.
"Even though you bribed that Guild employee with such a large sum of valuables, no troops were ever dispatched. We could have had a war if only they had listened to your idea. It's unacceptable," a slightly stout soldier echoed Gordon's frustration. Everyone in the room was a key figure among the military hardliners, people who attempted to stir up war with other nations for the sake of their own glory.
"The emperor has become soft ever since the death of the crown prince, and now rumors are spreading across the continent that the empire's military is becoming weak."
"Any weakness shown will be immediately exploited! That's how things are among the three most powerful nations! Adrasia must remain strong! Master Gordon will take the throne and lead our great empire to dominate the Vogel continent! How can they not realize that's what's best for Adrasia?!"
"That's right! Especially that Prince Leonard and his little party! They come barging in late, getting in Master Gordon's way at the Knight's Festival of the Hunt and stealing all the glory! The emperor's probably going to reward him now, even though it was the Amsberg prodigy and Silver who actually saved the day!"
"If only Master Gordon and our troops had been allowed to fight, we would have not only solved the problem but stolen territory from the South as well. Prince Leonard gets all the honor just by happening to be in the right place at the right time. It's an outrage!"
Gordon listened to the chorus of gripes and accusations from his supporters, then joined in with a grim smile. "What's done is done. Besides, we did gain one thing."
"We did?"
"Yes. During both the last incident and this one, Silver lent his assistance to Leonard. Apparently the adventurer has taken a liking to him. It's also because of Silver that they were able to expand their influence so rapidly."
"We can't let some SS-class adventurer get involved in the battle for the throne!"
"Hmph. It isn't that big a deal. Silver isn't stupid. He's a practitioner of ancient magic, and he knows he's striking a delicate balance. He won't openly ally himself with Leonard. All he can do is react once a problem occurs... And eventually, that's going to be too late. The conflict for the throne can change at lightning speed. Their climb up the ladder ends now. Because in the end, if we can just generate a war, we win."
"Yes! That's right! You're a genius!"
"We can easily make up any difference between us and Prince Erik with victories on the battlefield! And Prince Leonard and Princess Zandra don't stand a chance!"
"That's right. Unlike my brothers and sister, I am a soldier. The battlefield is where I live. If I can just create that environment, I will thrive, and the empire will be mine," Gordon explained with a grin. He was at a disadvantage in a fair fight against Erik and his support base of civil servants. But he didn't have to fight on a field where his opponent had the upper hand. One of the principles of war was to drag your opponent into circumstances where you had the advantage.
"Any news of the weapons we ordered from that organization?"
"Everything is progressing smoothly. It will just be a little longer until all is ready."
"We're in no hurry. The empire has many enemies. There will be a war eventually, and when that happens, my father will come to me. In times of chaos, what's needed is a strong emperor. Everything is on my side. Strengthen our armaments using any means possible. We must make the imperial military a military worthy of my command. Even using organizations of questionable reputation can be an acceptable means to that end," Gordon replied with a confident smile that showed no hint of concern for his possible defeat.
"The one to watch out for is Prince Erik. Him and the First Imperial Princess."
"Hmm. That woman's bark lost its bite ever since the crown prince died. She's nothing to fear."
The attendant's valuable opinion was summarily dismissed. However, he would not be so easily dissuaded. "Yes...but there are still many within the military who respect her. Even if we start a war, there's a chance that she could steal some of our military success."
"Are you implying that I'm inferior to that woman?" Gordon angrily rose to his feet and grabbed the sword sitting nearby.
The attendant, realizing he'd just invoked Gordon's rage, stumbled backward and apologized in a trembling voice. "I-I was wrong! Please, forgive me!"
"Get him out of here. I have no use for anyone who's such a bad judge of character."
"W-wait! I was only trying to say that we should be careful!"
"And it was unwanted advice." Gordon watched as the attendant and his overly cautious opinions were cast from the room, then he violently sat back down.
"No woman holed up on the eastern border is a threat to me. Once I am emperor, my first order of business will be to have her executed. There's no room for two generals in the imperial family."
With an arrogant smile, Gordon went on to explain to his attendants about his upcoming plans.
While all that was happening, Erik—the strongest yet least proactive candidate for the throne, who continued to hold the greatest influence—was quietly having a drink.
"I've received word that Prince Gordon has removed another one of his supporters."
"Huh. Not surprising, knowing him." Erik smiled thinly at the news his information network had obtained on Gordon's latest antics.
"If he keeps getting rid of everyone who doesn't agree with him, he'll end up surrounded by a band of yes-men. Bad move, Gordon."
"However, he does appear to have some sort of scheme in motion. How would you like to proceed?"
"Leave him to it. He and the others can have fun duking it out among themselves. My only rival is whoever emerges the winner," Erik replied. He finished his drink and quietly set the glass on the table. Also on the tabletop were cards with Gordon, Zandra, and Leonard's names written on them.
"Now, which of you is going to fight me? Not that it matters," he murmured to himself with a look of unwavering confidence. While he lacked Gordon's arrogance, he was in possession of his own cold, calculating determination. To Erik, with his vast amount of power and influence, the conflict for the throne was only another checkpoint along the path to the throne. His becoming the next emperor was a foregone conclusion.
And thus, the battle for the throne continued to grow ever more convoluted as the schemes and ambitions of the various candidates crossed and collided.