The Obsessive Male Lead Is Obsessed With Me! - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 64

Chapter 6

You’ve Come to Love Me!

Beyond the rugged North Mountain Range, in dense forests and deep valleys, monsters of various species live in groups both large and small.

From small insect-type creatures to reptilian species as large as houses. To humans, monsters are merciless predators, but fortunately, they are also natural enemies of each other.

Thus, they were too busy fighting among themselves to come down below the North Mountain Range.

Except for one particular case.

In terms of cycles, about once every hundred years. Like a flower blooming in the desert, there are times when a king with tremendous power is born beyond the North Mountain Range.

First, they reign among monsters of the same species, second, they subjugate monsters of different species, and third, they place the entire territory beyond the northern mountains under their dominion.

And then what follows next?

Naturally, territorial expansion.

The king leads its subordinates across the North Mountain Range to invade human lands.

The invasion of hundreds, thousands of monsters.

This is called a Monster Wave.

“The situation is serious. The gateway to the North Mountain Range has long been breached, and two castles and five villages have been reduced to ruins.”

“The number of monsters crossing the mountains shows no sign of stopping. This is the largest scale among all waves in history!”

“The biggest problem is that those countless monsters have spread throughout the Northern Region. We have no way of knowing exactly how many monsters have spread where.”

“We must immediately close all gateways leading from the Northern Region to Central Region. If the monsters spread to the empire’s center and beyond to the entire territory, it will become uncontrollable!”

“Silence!”

Among the people who were getting overly excited and chattering amongst themselves, the Emperor slammed his desk.

“From now on, only those who have been granted permission to speak may open their mouths. Understood?”

And the Emperor organized the information that had come up earlier, addressing the most urgent problems first.

“Closing the gateways is still premature. If we make a mistake, we could end up killing all the people in the Northern Region. Also, don’t we need to send reinforcements from the Central Region to the Northern Region?”

“You speak correctly, Your Majesty.”

At that moment, the Commander of the 3rd Imperial Knight Brigade raised his hand to request permission to speak.

“I believe the urgent matter is to establish a defensive line in the Northern Region. To prevent the scattered monsters from advancing further south.”

In the Northern Region, there was a thick river that started from the western highlands and flowed eastward. The Emperor nodded at the opinion to establish a defensive line centered around it.

“For now, it would be good to issue an evacuation order for the entire Northern Region. At least for the residents of the territories north of the Sernan River.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Given the nature of this matter, we will also request cooperation from the Magic Tower.”

“Good. However, they will surely demand magic stones… Finance Minister. How many magic stones can the Imperial Palace currently provide to the Magic Tower?”

“As far as I know…”

Since the Magic Tower was not an institution belonging to the empire, they could not be moved by the Emperor’s orders alone. Like hiring mercenaries, compensation had to be paid.

Of course, proud mages could not be bought with money. To move them, magic stones had to be given. And a considerable amount of magic stones at that.

“Considering the relief supplies needed for refugees from the Northern Region and the military supplies for the support forces to be dispatched to the Northern Region… I’m not sure if we can meet their demands.”

“Contact the Magic Tower once the meeting ends. You should assess the amount of magic stones and draft a negotiation plan.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And…”

After giving various other necessary instructions, the Emperor brought up the most important agenda item with a heavy voice.

“Finally, let us discuss the formation of support forces to be dispatched to the Northern Region.”

Suddenly, a strange silence fell over the interior of the Grand Council Chamber.

Despite noticing this fact, the Emperor pretended not to know and spoke.

“Who should we appoint as the supreme commander?”

“…”

A Monster Wave doesn’t end just by killing the king. It was a long-term war that only ended when every last monster that crossed the North Mountain Range was caught.

But this Monster Wave could be said to have already lost half of the Northern Region from the start.

‘Even if we end it quickly… we’d need at least 5 years.’

‘We should prepare for 10 years.’

Everyone avoided the Emperor’s gaze and pretended to look elsewhere, not wanting to sit in that heavy and burdensome position.

But then, someone cautiously raised their hand to gain permission to speak.

It was Count Riam, who had lost one arm and was wrapped in bandages all over his body, having attended this meeting with difficulty.

“Count Riam. Speak.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Though I am ashamed to speak such words with my own mouth, didn’t a great incident occur just yesterday at the hunting competition?”

The Emperor made a displeased expression toward Count Riam, who suddenly brought up the hunting competition.

“Due to your negligent management, numerous casualties occurred, so the rights and wrongs of that matter should also be examined. However, have you forgotten that we are currently discussing more urgent matters?”

“I am well aware that my sins are great. I am simply grateful to Second Prince for preventing what could have been much greater damage.”

As soon as he finished speaking, people realized why Count Riam had brought up the hunting competition.

One quick-witted person immediately picked up on his words.

“Come to think of it, didn’t Second Prince single-handedly lure away and shake off dozens of giant wolves yesterday! Truly remarkable!”

“That’s right, that’s right. If it weren’t for Second Prince, the damage would have been twice, no, three or four times greater!”

“But those giant wolves are said to be more ferocious than most monsters…?”

“Ahem, then wouldn’t Second Prince be the most suitable talent for dealing with monsters…?”

While everyone was watching the Emperor and Lionel’s reactions, the Emperor’s mouth finally opened.

“I too have heard news of the Second Prince’s remarkable performance yesterday. I was just thinking that I should give him a reward…”

The Emperor’s gaze turned toward Lionel.

“Second Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even considering this was an official setting, the voices calling and responding were too dry.

As people held their breath with even more tension, the Emperor asked Lionel.

“Your merit in saving countless lives at yesterday’s hunting competition is great. As a reward for that, is there anything you desire?”

“There is not.”

It was an immediate answer without any room for consideration.

Lionel continued speaking in a serious yet calm voice, as if it wasn’t mere modesty.

“I merely did what was proper to do. Moreover, now that a great crisis has befallen the nation, I believe establishing relief measures for the Northern Region’s people who have lost their homes takes priority over my personal matters.”

It was indeed a textbook answer befitting a prospective crown prince. The Emperor nodded as if pleased with that response.

“The Second Prince speaks correctly. Now is the time to discuss more urgent problems rather than debating the merits and faults of past events.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

“However, if someone who should rightfully receive a reward does not receive one, who would risk their own life to save others when similar incidents occur?”

“…”

Everyone remained quietly silent. Because there really was nothing to say.

The Emperor, who had been quietly observing them, straightened his posture and declared in a solemn voice.

“I appoint the Second Prince as supreme commander. I will provide you with 2 knight brigades and 5,000 soldiers, so go to the Northern Region and stop this Monster Wave.”

“I accept your command.”

The Second Prince answered without showing any sign of displeasure. Seeing this, the other nobles breathed sighs of relief.

Of course, there was still the possibility of being selected under the Second Prince’s command, but this could be easily replaced if problems arose. It was a position with much less burden than supreme commander.

And here was one person. Count Riam, who had suffered severe injuries losing an arm and desperately wanted to rush to the Northern Region but couldn’t due to circumstances, cheered inwardly.

‘Perfect! Now that the Second Prince has been sent to the Northern Region, I can finally get the ledger the Empress has…!’

“Depending on how this Monster Wave is stopped, the empire’s history could change. Also, since this is a matter of saving countless lives, if the Second Prince successfully completes this mission…”

The Emperor briefly paused and his gaze turned to the scribe.

Confirming that the scribe was properly recording his words meant he intended to announce this widely, so everyone couldn’t help but be surprised by the Emperor’s following words.

“I shall crown Second Prince Lionel von Altehaide as Crown Prince.”

That afternoon. The news spread widely throughout the capital.

About the Monster Wave that erupted in the Northern Region and how the Second Prince was appointed as supreme commander to lead soldiers to the Northern Region to stop it.

And even the news that if he successfully stopped the Monster Wave, he would be crowned as Crown Prince.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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