Chapter 117: Royal Maneuvers and Hidden Agendas
At the heart of the escalating war near the Great Fort, the largest assembly of power since the campaign began had taken shape. On one side stood the Demonic Beasts, Demons, and dark sect forces. On the other were the united Sects and Clans, though many still couldn't commit their full strength due to other battles raging across regions—including the invasion of the Pocket World. Even so, Brawlmanica remained a crucial theater of war.
Toward the rear of the allied army stood the remaining members of the Royal Helmsley family. Among them were 4th Prince Hunter and 3rd Prince Hamlet—both high-ranking figures with different ideals. Hunter had recently advanced to Gold Tier 4, a development that caused a stir among power-hungry nobles and factions vying for influence.
The two princes stood with Princess Helga Helmsley, Hamlet's thirteen-year-old daughter. Their conversation, shared in private, revealed the undertones of political maneuvering beneath the surface of the war.
"Hunter, are you certain it was wise to send those individuals off on their own?" Hamlet asked, his tone calm but serious. "The factions—nobles, sects, clans—they'll all try to manipulate them for their own agendas."
"Yes," Hunter replied with conviction. "I swear it on our father's departed soul—they're worth the risk."
"Very well. Once this is over, I'll return to seclusion to pursue my breakthrough to the Mortal Shedding Realm. But as a true disciple of the Great Brawlman Sect, I cannot meddle in kingdom politics."
Hamlet turned his eyes back to the battlefield—explosions lighting up the horizon.
"Worry not, big brother," Hunter said with a determined smile. "Measures are already in place. First and Second Brother, our sisters, brother- and sister-in-laws… even the old uncles who couldn't survive. I carry all of them with me. Even if I was born last, I'll honor what was given to me—good or bad."
Hamlet and Helga exchanged glances at this declaration—both filled with pride, but one also filled with silent sorrow. Hamlet could not help but feel a but down for the burdens that his little brother has been tasked with.
As the conversation drifted, Princess Helga found herself lost in thought.
Her heart pounded at the memory of two figures she had seen on the battlefield—heroes who had captivated her from the moment she watched their recorded battles: Elton and Ramiro.
Despite her royal status and her role in the war, Helga had always found solace in romance tales and dreams of finding her "Prince Charming." She never thought it possible—until she saw Elton overpower enemies far stronger than himself. Even more impressively, he was four years younger than her genius uncle. But surrounded by powerful women like Christy, Erica, Shayleaf, and Amberleaf, she knew Elton was out of reach.
Then came Ramiro—towering, blazing, heroic. His 6'2" frame, sweeping spear strikes, and battle-hardened presence reminded her of the gallant warriors from her stories. He was also surrounded by women… but something told her there was a chance. A flutter of instinct she couldn't explain—a gift, perhaps, from her mother.
She remembered the words repeated to her dozens of times:
"Ga ga, you've inherited our clan's intuition. Use it. Most of all—use it to find an excellent man! Your father? I got him thanks to it! Your grandmother too! So trust it, and don't be afraid to chase a good one!"
…Her mother's enthusiasm aside, Helga couldn't deny the truth in her advice. And then—Seralily happened.
That stunning fanged elf spearwoman had introduced herself to Helga unexpectedly, even gifting her a communication talisman and various items stored discreetly in Helga's pouch. When Helga examined them, she almost fainted from shock and embarrassment.
"H-How did she know I was obsessed with them?! Uwaaah!!"
Helga buried her face in her hands.
"Ga ga, is something wrong?" Prince Hamlet's voice cut through her thoughts. "You've been unusually distracted."
"N-No, Royal Father. Nothing!" Helga stammered, her face pink with embarrassment.
Hunter raised an eyebrow but smirked knowingly.
"Hahaha, perhaps she's just tired from all this. Though… I've been thinking—it might become too dangerous here as the war escalates. It may not be safe for her to stay."
"Hmm? Are you suggesting something, Hunter?" Hamlet asked, puzzled.
"Even with Mortal Lord guardians, she can still easily be a target or collateral damage by another target like us. But there's a solution," Hunter continued smoothly. "Why not have her accompany the White Star Radiance core group?"
"What?! That's your idea?" Hamlet barked in disbelief.
"Absolutely, Uncle! I'll prepare right away as per your orders!!" Helga shouted with a hand raised… only to realize she spoke at the exact same time as Hamlet.
Both froze.
Helga turned away, face burning. Hamlet, on the other hand, began to tremble in disbelief.
"W-What is this?! Helga!! Explain yourself!"
"I-It's nothing, Royal Father! Just happy to be going somewhere safer and maybe making… new friends."
"Bullshit! Hunter, what's this about?!"
"Calm down, big brother," Hunter said with a calm grin. "This is a discovery I made. Some Fanged Elf nobles have taken an interest in Helga—offering gifts, even initiating exchanges. This could be a key opportunity for our family to form long-lasting ties with the Elven royalty—and perhaps better relations with the factions of those in the White Star Radiance itself."
He turned to Helga with a probing smile.
"Isn't that right, Helga? You're thinking of your mother… of the Kingdom… and maybe even the future of diplomacy?"
Helga's instincts screamed yes. Her intuition flared. This was a golden opportunity.
"Y-Yes! Exactly! I must grow stronger, forge new alliances, and—maybe—earn the loyalty of those like the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan and even the Leon clan! Imagine the Leon clan rising because of someone like Ramiro! He and others could one day fight for our Royal House! Hehehe…"
And with that, she dashed off to make preparations.
"…"
"…"
"She's so much like her mother," Hunter said with a wry smile.
"Too much," Hamlet groaned, rubbing his temples. "She's too young for this. What happened? The Leon clan?!"
"Relax. The Leon clan is impressive, despite setbacks. They've had chances to rise but lost many to war. Carlos Leon Sr. has six children. The 1st son, Carlos Jr., and the 3rd, Ramiro, are both exceptional. All of them are. The previous Baron, Carlito Ramon, was a legend in his own right."
Hamlet listened in resignation. He knew the Leon clan's prestige—how often they had risen and fallen.
"Just tell me what you're planning," he finally said. "You've always been calculating—more than our second brother Herald, more than even Father."
"Naturally," Hunter said with a smile. "I'm playing the long game."