Chapter 011: Every Word Is a Strike at the Heart

“Because he needs strength… whether it’s yours or that of our family… Do you understand that?”
Duke Green sighed.
“Your actions in the north, though somewhat arrogant, have made it so that no one in the capital dares to be rude to you anymore… So, although this means a complete break with the Belinger family, I bear no ill will toward you at all… To outsiders, it might give the impression that, even though you’ve done wrong, I still dote on you… Thus, the position of Duke will most likely fall to you in the future. So, as long as we maintain a good relationship with you, it won’t be difficult to win over our Green family… Therefore, Prince Fischer will definitely ensure nothing happens to you.”
Du Fan frowned and pondered the situation for a moment before saying, “Father, I’m not so sure… If I didn’t still have some skills, I might not have been able to return today. You see, I wasn’t facing just anyone—I was facing that legendary ‘Forbidden Magic Mage’!”
“It was him!!” Duke Green’s hand trembled, and the crystal glass in his hand shattered, but he seemed unaware of it, murmuring, “So, over the years, the Crown Prince has managed to win over someone like that?”
After a moment, Duke Green glanced at Du Fan again, somewhat surprised, “So, you mean you weren’t even hurt at all when facing that Forbidden Magic Mage?”
Du Fan examined himself for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, “I guess so.”
Duke Green looked at his son with admiration before sighing and saying, “When I first heard news from your elder brothers that you, while in the north, not only fought evenly with Aldas but also managed to hold him back, I was skeptical… After all, half a year ago, my son… back then, you were just a worthless good-for-nothing. But who would have thought that in less than half a year, even the genius of the capital would be defeated by you…”
At this, Duke Green smiled bitterly and continued, “Surely, besides that Milak potion, you must have had other opportunities?”
Du Fan nodded slightly, knowing full well that he couldn’t reveal anything about Chenchen. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “Lord Anthony once gave me true ‘Holy Water.’ I think it’s probably the effect of that.”

“Is that so?” Duke Green nodded and said, “You are now half a member of the Holy Church, so it’s only fitting that you receive such benefits… After all, you practice the Holy Church’s Light Combat Energy… Well, at least it’s better than knowing nothing at all, right?”
With that, Duke Green shook his head again and asked, “What about that forbidden magic master then?”
A strange expression flashed across Du Fan’s face, but he still sighed and said, “He was killed by the Crown Prince himself in the end.”
“The Crown Prince killed him personally?” Duke Green frowned for a moment before letting out a sigh. “Tell me everything that happened in detail… Remember, don’t hide anything at all.”
Du Fan nodded and briefly recounted what had happened, but he deliberately omitted some parts related to his own secrets.
After listening, Duke Green merely frowned. After a while, he said, “Du Fan, if what you say is true, then it means that under those circumstances last night, if the Crown Prince had wanted to, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to kill you and Prince Fischer before anyone else could arrive. You see, although Prince Fischer is protected by holy angels, even the most powerful holy beings aren’t gods. No matter how useful his ring is, its power will eventually run out. If the Crown Prince was determined enough and willing to sacrifice tens of thousands of people, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to take Prince Fischer’s life… But he didn’t do that. It seems our Crown Prince isn’t such a fool after all.”
Du Fan frowned and asked, “Father, do you mean…”
Duke Green suddenly sneered and said, “Du Fan, you’ve ignored the political changes in the capital these years, but there are still some things you need to know. Although the Crown Prince and Prince Fischer are brothers, the age gap between them is enormous. The Crown Prince is practically of my generation, while Prince Fischer is only a few years older than you. In other words, Prince Fischer was born when the Crown Prince was in his twenties… So, in every sense, when it comes to competing for the throne, Prince Fischer is already behind the Crown Prince. At least in terms of influence among the major families in the capital, Prince Fischer is far inferior to the Crown Prince…”
“Then does that mean Prince Fischer has no chance at all?” Du Fan asked.

Duke Green shook his head and said, “That’s not the case. If only the Crown Prince and Prince Fischer were competing for the throne, then Prince Fischer would definitely have no chance at all. But Du Fan, don’t forget—above those two, there’s still someone who wants the throne to remain stable!”
Du Fan’s heart skipped a beat. After a moment, he said softly, “Father, do you mean… His Majesty Austin III…”
Duke Green nodded slightly and said, “You’re completely right. If the struggle for the throne were only between the two princes, it wouldn’t be such a problem. But unfortunately, above those two princes, there’s still someone else… Although His Majesty Austin III is old, would he really be willing to give up his power? Probably not. Unless it’s the day he dies, would he be willing to release his power? So, there’s a balancing force above the two princes, and I’m sure the two princes are aware of this as well. That’s why the Crown Prince hasn’t done anything outrageous today… Because he also knows that he isn’t the emperor yet. If he kills his brother, he might lose all the power he’s worked so hard to build over the years. After all, he’s not the emperor yet; all his power comes from his father—His Majesty Austin III… That’s why I say the Crown Prince isn’t a fool either.”
Du Fan watched his father speak these words. These words, anywhere else, would be devastating! If the royal family heard them, it would surely cause huge trouble…
Facing Duke Green’s gaze, Du Fan took a deep breath before saying, “Father… why tell me these things? There are so many complexities involved, and I’m afraid…”

“It’s precisely because it’s you that I’m telling you this,” sighed Duke Green. “My son, perhaps you haven’t realized it yet, but if I’m right, in this struggle for power, both the Crown Prince and Prince Fischer have assigned the task of winning over our Green family to you, because they think it’s the best approach. After all, when dealing with you, they can do anything, but they dare not in front of me—after all, our hundred-thousand-strong Northern Army isn’t just for show… In other words, they will continue to try to win you over, because everyone knows that with your current status in the ducal household, what you say mostly represents my views. Moreover, both the Mage Guild and the Holy Church are very interested in you right now. By winning you over, these two major forces behind you will also be somewhat involved. So, my son, unbeknownst to you, the struggle for power is gradually shifting to you. In fact, I estimate that the day you—or rather, our Green family—choose our side… the capital will fall into chaos.”

Du Fan was stunned and smiled bitterly. “Father, that’s a bit exaggerated, isn’t it?”

“Not at all,” Duke Green shook his head and said calmly. “Because the foundation of our Green family lies in the North…”

Du Fan shook his head. “Father, I don’t understand that.”

Duke Green sighed and sneered. “Never mind. You’ll have to know these things sooner or later. It doesn’t hurt to tell you now. Du Fan, you should know that our Green family’s Northern Army is stationed in the North all year round, right?”

Du Fan nodded. “Of course.”

Duke Green continued, “Well then, since you’ve been in the North for so long this time, what’s your impression of it?”

Du Fan shook his head.

Duke Green snorted and went on, “You’re not unaware; you just don’t want to say it. In fact, the political situation in the North is chaotic and has long been slipping out of the Empire’s control. The Empire’s finance and military departments have long lost control over the North. Of course, this is the result of their neglect over the years, as well as the growing size of that northern collective… So, to put it bluntly, if it weren’t for our Green family’s Northern Army holding things together there, the North would have already become a separate state!”