School Transmigration: I, Chosen as the Saint by Dragons at the Start-Chapter 235 --The King’s Stance

Not far from the dueling ground, Owen, observing another Owen’s departing figure, wore a gloomy expression.

As the observer, Owen also felt concern for that other Owen, realizing that, after all, that Owen was also himself.

However, he had no way to offer hints to Owen, only trusting that his other self could break through the encirclement. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

He certainly did not wish to go through this illusion several times over.

Owen, observing his doppelganger, noticed something peculiar.

It seemed Armando was also a version of himself, with a higher degree of compatibility with his original self.

The nature of the illusion’s test appeared to have changed.

At this moment, Owen, capable of observing every corner of the world like a deity, found himself unable to fully comprehend the current situation.

Armando followed the eunuch to the entrance of his father’s study.

"Your Highness, I have led you here," the eunuch announced.

"Thank you," Armando replied, casually pulling out a pouch of gold coins from his belt to give to the servant.

The servant, unable to hide a grin upon receiving the pouch of gold from Armando, said, "Your Highness, how could I dare to accept money from you? It’s not proper, not proper at all," with insincere declination.

Armando played along with the eunuch’s act, "My man, are you implying the money is too little for you?"

"Not at all, not at all! Even if I had the courage of a bear and a leopard, I wouldn’t dare!" the eunuch quickly replied.

"Then why not take it? Ha ha ha!" Armando laughed heartily as he departed for the study.

Watching Armando’s retreating figure, the eunuch muttered to himself, "The Crown Prince indeed seems more approachable than the Second Prince, who looks at everyone as if they were enemies. Hopefully, the Crown Prince ascends as the heir. Hehehe, money is indeed a wonderful thing."

With a content heart, the eunuch left the doorway to the study.

Upon entering the study, Armando paused, observing his father’s silhouette.

He couldn’t help but think how his father had aged.

The king was perusing reports from various parts of the empire laid out on his desk.

From his father’s movements, Armando could tell the king was weary.

While Armando was lost in thought, a voice rang out, "Have you arrived?"

"Yes, Father," Armando responded.

"Come in, then! I am very pleased with your performance at the dueling ground today.

What do you think about what happened with your brother Owen at the dueling ground?"

Armando replied, "Father, Owen’s actions on the dueling ground today were impulsive. I don’t blame him. Owen has always enjoyed competing with me in everything since we were young."

"Perhaps the presence of so many people today made him feel he couldn’t lose face, so he wanted to regain some pride, hence the rashness without considering the consequences."

"I can understand, after all, he is still young. Being the older brother, one must be accommodating towards one’s younger brother, so I don’t hold it against him. I also ask that Father does not blame my brother."

The king looked at Armando with satisfaction and said, "Ha ha, my child, whether or not what you said today comes from the heart, I will choose to believe your words for now. If one day you become the new ruler of this empire, I hope you and your brother can support each other, instead of turning against one another. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Father."

The king’s face returned to a serious expression: "Come here and take a look at this strategic map. What can you discern from it?"

Armando stepped forward briskly, examining the map on the desk: "From the map, it’s clear our vanguard has ventured too deep, far from the main force."

"Additionally, given that this is a campaign in the snowfields, it’s certain that supply lines can’t keep up."

"However, looking at the war as a whole, it’s bound to end in our victory."

After a moment of contemplation, Armando continued, "What I can’t understand is why this vanguard would penetrate so deeply into enemy territory."

"It doesn’t make sense. Even if they’re eager for military glory, their direction of march is off. The enemy’s main force is to the east, yet this unit has moved in the exact opposite direction. Why is that?"

The king, clearly worried as well, said, "I’ve entrusted the front-line operations entirely to General Reiss, so it’s not my place to intervene. Why the vanguard has taken such a rash action, we’ll have to wait for Reiss’s return to find out."

Armando asked, "Who is the general leading this vanguard?"

The king glanced at his son, "It’s National Preceptor Blois."

Armando, surprised, exclaimed, "National Preceptor Blois? Why would it be him?"

"He requested to go himself. I saw no great danger in this battle, so I allowed it."

Owen wondered why Blois, a national preceptor who had never waged war, would suddenly decide to march into battle.

Moreover, as a person of high status, shouldn’t he be at home studying witchcraft rather than venturing into the field?

Furthermore, he’s Owen’s own uncle.

Why would he choose to go to war at such a critical moment? It was puzzling.

Armando responded, "I don’t understand why the national preceptor would lead troops into battle, especially into the bitterly cold snow realm?"

As father and son were facing each other, deep in thought, the voice of a messenger calling for urgent attention came from outside: "Report... frontline battle report."

The king commanded with authority, "Let the messenger in."

The imposing imperial guards outside made way.

The messenger, stumbling and gasping for breath, knelt before the king and Armando, "Urgent battle report, a great victory at the front.

The rebel forces have been completely annihilated, and the rebel leader Balder has been captured alive, currently being escorted back to the capital."

The king exclaimed joyfully, "Good, Balder, I want you and your two brothers to die without a whole corpse. The one thing I’ve hated most in my life is those who betray me. You three brothers killed my brothers-in-arms with whom I once conquered this world, I demand a blood debt be repaid with blood."

Armando, standing aside, saw his father this angry for the first time.

The king then said, "You may leave."

"Yes, Father," Armando replied and walked out of the king’s study, immediately feeling much more at ease.

With a wry smile, he muttered to himself, "Why do I always feel so pressured around Father? Is this the demeanor a sovereign must possess? When can I be like my father? I hope that day comes."

Unwittingly, Armando stepped out of the study, lost in thought when suddenly, a series of giggles echoed from behind him, breaking his trance.

Recognizing the all-too-familiar sound, Armando knew exactly who it was.

Pretending to remain lost in thought, Armando knew the girl thought she was unnoticed and was sneaking up behind him, aiming to playfully startle him.

Just as the girl reached his back, Armando suddenly shouted, "Ghost!" startling the girl instead.

By the time she realized what had happened, Armando had already sprinted dozens of meters away.

The girl pouted, exclaiming, "You... you meanie, come here!"

Armando, with a mischievous grin, replied, "I’m not coming over. What if you hit me? I’m not a fool," making faces, leaving the girl stomping her feet in feigned anger.

"Come here, or I’ll never speak to you again, see if I care, hmph!" the girl cooed, pouting.

"Alright, alright," Armando conceded, walking back towards her.

Seeing him approach, the girl knew her tactic was as effective as ever, breaking into a satisfied and happy smile.

Observing her smiling face, especially those dimples, Armando thought to himself, "There’s truth in the saying, ’your dimples hold no wine, but I am utterly intoxicated.’ How wonderful it would be if time could stand still at this moment."

Approaching the girl, her delicate face lit up with an even brighter smile.

This girl was none other than the empire’s renowned beauty, as well as Armando’s childhood sweetheart and fiancée.

Alison chuckled, "Tell me, how should I punish you?"

Armando exaggerated a fearful pose, "Oh mighty Alison, spare your humble servant! Look how adorable I am."

He blinked exaggeratedly, his handsome face making a cute expression.

"No way, I’m going to punish you by..." Alison paused, then declared, "making you take me out of the palace to play."

Armando, as a prince, had the king’s pass for leaving the palace.

Since the imperial capital was strictly guarded, not just anyone could come and go freely, so this pass was significant.

Alison, being Armando’s fiancée, was allowed to stay temporarily in the palace so she could see Armando every day.

However, she couldn’t leave the imperial capital at will.

Although she was happy in the palace whenever Armando was around, as he often took her out, Armando had been busy lately.

The selection of the empire’s heir apparent was imminent, leaving less time for her, and it had been a while since Armando last took Alison outside the palace.