Starting as a Prince, I Don’t Even Know How I Could Lose Chapter 112 : Chapter 112

Chapter 112. On the Return Journey

While William was busy screening the prisoners, undercurrents had already begun to stir across the nations of the continent.

The terrifying might of the Gold Legion, whose every mber possessed Gold-Rank Combat Power, was like a boulder hurled into a still lake, sending shock through every neighboring kingdom.

Even Silver Oakleaf, despite fielding several tis their numbers, had failed to shake their formation, not to ntion those Gold Mage Corps whose coordination was flawless.

A force like that would have been enough to rank among the finest ace forces even in the central region of the continent.

Deep within the royal palace of the Dragon Kingdom, the king looked over an intelligence report and lightly tapped the map with his finger.

After a mont, he said to the envoy at his side, “Send word to the two princesses. Once His Highness William cos of age, they must establish a firm bond with him.”

“If either of them can bear him a child, it will count as a great rit. Her Maternal Clan will be elevated directly to a ducal family.”

It was almost a blatantly open gesture of goodwill, all for the sake of boarding the fast-rising carriage of Kroll’s ascent.

The Kadiya Kingdom reacted in much the sa way. At a royal eting, the king made the final decision.

They selected another group of the most intelligent and beautiful won from the Royal Family Secret Realm, prepared generous gifts, and planned to send them to Kroll once the situation stabilized, determined to secure another marriage alliance.

More unexpectedly still, even the Orc Kingdom and the Dwarf Kingdom had begun entertaining the sa idea.

In the orc elders’ council, soone proposed, “Send the strongest and most beautiful female orc in the tribe. Human nobles might have unusual tastes. It may actually work.”

In the dwarven council hall, the elders were muttering among themselves as well. “Our dwarf won are clever with their hands. They can brew, forge, and do just about anything. Should we send one to try? What if William Kroll likes that sort?”

As for the more remote barbarian tribes, they had already begun making preparations in silence.

The Barbarian Royal Court had long since prepared nine princesses and dressed them in the tribe’s most solemn ceremonial furs, waiting only for the right mont to set out on their journey.

With Kroll II quietly fanning the flas, news of these developnts reached William’s ears one way or another. When Zoe reported it, her expression was distinctly odd.

“Your Highness, the surrounding kingdoms... seem to be making preparations for marriage alliances.”

William was reviewing a roster of prisoners marked “Legendary Potential.” At her words, he rely lifted his eyes slightly. “Oh? Let them do as they please.”

And so another seven or eight days passed before William finally finished screening all the prisoners.

During that ti, the body of his elder brother was also brought back. William personally went to confirm his identity. As he looked at that familiar yet utterly lifeless face, he quietly let out a breath of relief.

He ordered the body to be properly preserved so it could be buried after they returned to the Royal Capital.

Once the prisoner matters had been settled, William led the reorganized noble legions and Royal Legions back toward the Kroll Kingdom.

After rejoining Zoe at Iron Skull Fortress, the army marched west the entire way, advancing toward the Royal Capital.

When they passed through the Western Frontier, William ordered the noble legions to disband and return to their respective territories.

This place had once been the sphere of influence of the Carden Family, but now everything had changed.

While staying there, William learned from the local officials that the traitorous families who had colluded with Silver Oakleaf had already been dealt with ruthlessly by Kroll II. Their assets had been confiscated, and the principal offenders had been brought to justice.

“His Majesty has also elevated a new duke,” the official reported respectfully.

“His na is Marcus. He was once a forr subordinate of the Carden Family, but because of his rit in exposing the traitors, he was exceptionally promoted. He is now managing the affairs of the Western Frontier and assisting His Majesty in stabilizing the situation here.”

William nodded, understanding at once.

His father had handled this move with great prudence. Using forr subordinates to clean out the old power structure would let him take control of the situation quickly while also calming the people.

“Duke Marcus has been quite capable in handling matters,” the official added. “Order in the Western Frontier is gradually being restored. It’s only that... the resentnt among the people toward the Carden Family still remains. It will take so ti to resolve.”

“I understand,” William replied flatly, saying nothing more.

After resting for a day, the army continued onward.

Because Darwin had not taken part in the fighting during the previous great battle, William thoughtfully gave him so leave and let the giant dragon, pent up for far too long, run wild in the mountains.

If he kept him penned in any longer, then with that violent temper of his, there was no telling what sort of mood he might throw.

Fortunately, he was a male dragon. His temperant was irritable, but straightforward. Had he been a female dragon instead, with that more delicate and grudge-holding disposition, William truly was not sure he could have coaxed her into a better mood.

Throughout this ti, William had been traveling on horseback.

By extending the mana within his body, he could easily sense the condition of the horse and adjust his center of gravity accordingly. Even over long hours of riding, he remained as steady as a mountain, with no need to worry about jolting or losing control.

The warhorse beneath him was a superb breed raised by the royal family, exceptionally fine in every respect. Yet compared to Darwin, it still lacked that sky-darkening majesty.

From ti to ti, when William looked toward the distant forests and mountains, he could vaguely glimpse a streak of gold weaving through the clouds.

That was Darwin stretching his body. Every so often, a thunderous dragon’s roar would roll through the air, adding a bit of life to the otherwise monotonous march.

“Your Highness, Mistpine Ridge is just ahead. Once we pass the ridge, it will only take another three days to reach the Royal Capital,” Zoe reported as she rode up beside him.

William nodded and reined in his horse to look ahead.

The outline of Mistpine Ridge was faintly visible in the dusk, the mountains wrapped in drifting mist.

He touched the Communication Crystal at his waist, thinking that he ought to send Darwin a ssage and tell him not to play too wildly. Once they neared the Royal Capital, he would need to rein himself in a little, lest he frighten the common people.

The warhorse let out a soft whinny and crushed the night dew by the roadside under its hooves.

William chuckled, lightly pressed his legs to the horse’s flanks, and continued forward.

Just as the army was about to enter Mistpine Ridge, a violent clash of energy suddenly erupted in the sky. Waves of Dou Qi and magic spread outward layer by layer. It was clearly a battle between Legendary Combatants.

William looked up and saw two figures rapidly pursuing one another through the clouds.

One wore black armor, and the longsword in his hand carried a chilling aura of frost. The other wore a gray robe and was surrounded by dark green mist, flinging out corrosive spells from ti to ti.

“Your Highness, should we avoid them?” Zoe asked with a frown. Even the aftershocks from a clash between Legends could injure ordinary soldiers.

William had just been about to nod when he saw the two figures plunging straight toward the army. Either they had lost control in the midst of battle, or they had done it on purpose and drawn the battlefield here.

“Stay on guard.”

William’s voice turned cold as he gave the order. The soldiers of the Royal Legions imdiately ford a defensive formation, and the weapons in their hands lit up with the glow of Dou Qi.

The two Legends of the Gold Legion moved at the sa ti, taking up positions beside William to protect him.

At that very mont, a deafening dragon roar rang out. A golden figure shot from the mountain forest like a bolt of lightning.

It was Darwin.

He had clearly sensed those two powerful auras. His enormous body planted itself before the army, wings spread wide, and he let out a warning roar at the two people in the sky.

The black-armored Legend was shaken by the dragon’s roar, and his movents faltered for an instant. Seizing the opportunity, the gray-robed mage lashed out, and a dark green chain instantly wrapped around the other man’s ankle and yanked downward with brutal force.

Boom...

The black-armored Legend crashed straight into the ground, kicking up a skyful of dust. The gray-robed mage dove down right after him, condensing a dark green sphere of light in his hand, clearly intending to kill him while he had the chance.

“Stop.”

William’s voice carried outward on mana. He had no desire to interfere, but now that they had brought their fight right to his doorstep, how could he simply stand by and watch?

At the sa ti, Darwin spewed out a stream of golden Dragon Breath, forcing it toward the gray-robed mage.

Wherever the Dragon Breath passed, the air itself twisted from the heat.

Seeing that, the gray-robed mage had no choice but to abandon the attack and twist aside to evade the Dragon Breath. A trace of contempt flashed through his eyes.

“People of Kroll? And you dare stop ?”