Chapter 276: Literary and Military Side
Leonard didn’t put up any resistance and accepted the items.
He didn’t feel any malice from her, and these items were indeed useful to his upcoming journey. It would be ridiculous to reject the items without sufficient reasons.
The Black Mire was clearly not something to be trifled with.
Its terrain was almost unexplored, and unlike Velastra, his enemies wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate him.
After all, the journey to Black Mire was destined to be treacherous.
Who would be able to investigate the culprit of his death if he met his demise there?
But what his enemies wouldn’t anticipate was that he was also setting up a trap for them.
His submission form was most definitely going to be exposed to others.
Once that happened, the enemies wouldn’t give up this perfect chance to eliminate him.
’The more they send, the more I can lessen my worries.’ Leonard had already sent an instruction to the Crimson Guard to prepare elimination rounds.
He had no qualms about eliminating those who sought death. They wanted his life; then they should be prepared to lose their life as well.
"What will you do then?" Leonard asked. Based on her actions, it was obvious that she planned on staying in the academy.
Little did he know that it wasn’t because she didn’t want to join him, but because she couldn’t. As a diplomat from another continent, Eleanor was tied and scrutinized.
Although she wasn’t restricted in the capital, she was still treated as important.
After all, her presence didn’t represent her alone, but the Xundraeth Continent behind her.
"I’m basically in a capital arrest." Eleanor stuck her tongue out and teased.
"You speak as if you’re here as a hostage." Leonard rolled his eyes.
She could not leave the capital without approval, or more specifically, a proper audience with the emperor to leave.
Of course, this didn’t apply if she wished to return to her own continent.
That kind of restriction was only present when the person came as a "hostage" from a losing war or continent’s exchange.
Continental war was rare, but had happened before. Those who lost naturally wouldn’t really lose their entire continent.
No other continent could truly swallow another continent whole without the intervention of the other continents.
Therefore, a hostage was proposed from the losing continent in the said war for a certain duration.
During that time, the losing continent would continue to pay tribute or compensation in return for the hostage’s safety and well-being.
In the end, the hostage was someone of royalty, so there really wouldn’t be any major mistreatment because it would spark another continental war.
Leonard knew Elenaor didn’t come as a hostage, which was why he debunked her joke of being capital arrest.
Rather than capital arrest, it was more like she was the capital treasure.
His numerous brothers probably all wanted to be close to her, including marriage.
Her reputation and the military power she controlled in the Xundraeth Continent were a major power-up for all those who vied for the throne.
The Emperor was still alive, and even if a Crown Prince was established, there were still many uncertainties in the political war.
A Crown Prince could be established but also could be abolished. To put in simple text, Leonard’s position was not steady and could always fall from height.
That was the cruel reality that anyone with inheritance and multiple siblings must face.
"I might not be a hostage, but I am also a sore eye to them now." Eleanor sighed softly.
"What do you mean?" He frowned slightly.
"Look at how we’re interacting. Do you still think your other brothers desire my stay here?" She snickered.
No further explanation was needed, granted that she had essentially meant their relationship was too close and irked the other royal princes.
"When you depart for the Black Mire, I’ll need to stabilize my standing and confront your other brothers." She explained in a solemn tone. Thankfully, she had already cast a barrier to prevent eavesdroppers.
Such a topic was very sensitive, but Eleanor knew she needed him to understand the severity.
What appeared to be calm on the surface was merely the calm before the storm.
When she arrived at the dock and encountered his two brothers, Sylas and Rowan. That was already a sign. Leonard was in danger.
A moment of carelessness and one’s life could be forfeited.
Why else would she risk everything to ensure Leonard could form his first magic circle?
No matter if he remained powerless or powerful, his title of the Crown Prince had already thrown him at the center of the storm.
To survive the storm, he must brave it. As such, he needed to become a proper Mage.
And reality proved successful.
Since his magic circle had been formed, the officials in the Royal Court had begun to waver.
There was a lot of opposition when Leonard was crowned, but they were all suppressed by the almighty emperor.
But how long could such suppression last?
If one was incapable and unworthy, then even with the strongest suppression, cracks were bound to form.
’Leon needs to grow stronger.’ Eleanor had concluded that his current prowess was shocking, but not enough to sway many.
He was too weak in both the literary and military sides.
The literary side, otherwise known as the administrative side, mainly supported the Fourth Prince Sylas Viren, Sixth Prince Elric Faelwyn, and Seventh Prince Veylen Merrowind.
As for the military side, they supported the First Prince Kaelric Aldros, Second Prince Derrick Aldros, and Third Prince Rowan Draymoor.
In contrast, barely anyone from either side supported the Fifth Prince, who was now the Crown Prince, Leonard Lawson.
Although there was also the Eighth Prince Lucien Caldreth, his case was different because he leaned more toward the Holy Church.
"You have the Crimson Guards as your personal army, but it’s far from enough with your status." Eleanor’s tone dropped.
"When you head toward the Black Mire, you will inevitably cross through the Ironvale. Ironvale is the Fortress of the East and holds the heaviest military."
’Ironvale...’ Leonard’s eyes narrowed slightly.