Join our  to get latest updates about the novel

Translator: Redeyes

Editor: Asada and Kenny Stryker

"So we should choose which prince would be the next Emperor by voting by the citizens?"

"Yes, with your permission."

Inside of the Emperor's audience room, we knelt as we faced our father, the Emperor, and proposed a move.

I recited the speeches that I have remembered beforehand from my memory and spoke to the Emperor.

"The Emperor rules over the people. We do not have the strength like Your Majesty. No matter who becomes the Emperor, the people's heart will leave this country, and the country will soon be left in ruins."

"Is this related to voting?"

"It has everything to do with the voting. Whoever ascends the throne will be inferior to Your Majesty, but the people will have their trust and follow him if he is the Emperor they chose."

"The voting system was suggested to make up for the lack of power. Otherwise the proposal to strip the Emperor's nomination would be complicated."

That was what I thought, however…

"To sum it up, you guys want to arrange for the most popular Gettenwo to ascend the throne?"

"It's exactly that."

Gettenwo was the first to confess in response to the Emperor's sharp voice.

"Hey, Gettenwo! We have planned this scheme with great pains. What's with the sudden confession!"

"Your true feelings can be seen through! This childish trick is too naive."

At Gettenwo's betrayal, I simply threw away the mask I was wearing.

"Right! Dad… we suspected that you're going to remove Gettenwo's name from the candidacy!"

"I won't remove her. If we fairly evaluate and think appropriately, Gettenwo will be nominated as the next Emperor."

The Emperor spoke without moving. He did not seem to be lying, although our father was a hypocrite. The other day, he had destroyed the opium smuggling organization alone, while pretending with his straight face.

"It seemed like Gettenwo is dissatisfied with the fairness of the nomination?"

"Is there such a thing? In the first place, I was not going to be a prince or the Emperor. As I said previously during the opium case, I am not good at such things. It is much easier for me to expose the villain's warehouse."

Until now, the ident.i.ty of Gettenwo has not yet been revealed to the public.

Or rather, on the surface, it was treated as 'the recognized fifth prince, Gettenwo, has not yet responded.' To the imperial court, this was a top-secret matter.

Once she officially became a princess, she could no longer steal. Perhaps, she was anxious about that.

"But Gettenwo, if you become a princess, you can spend all you can and eat all delicious food without stealing. Why do you want to stick around as a bandit?"

"No… Actually, I only recently began as a bandit. Until then, I was just a petty thief. At most, until I atone……. That is none of your business."

Gettenwo's real intentions were spilled out.

In a hurry, Iifu stood up.

"Hey, dad. In the end, the voting will be rejected? Seriously… I'm sorry. I withdraw!"

"I have wasted my time…"

The cheap trick strategy has failed. In the end, we have no choice but to expose our shameful behavior to relatively increase the worth of Gettenwo.

Emperor muttered casually as he shamelessly thought about his effort.

"No. I just did not like your att.i.tude. I don't think the voting system is bad. As you said, it might be useful to gain support from the people."

I, Iifu, and Sauran looked at the Emperor at the same time. Only Ryausha remained calm.

"Hey, didn't I say that? Father did not want to exclude Gettenwo. So voting is alright, as I have guessed."

Ryausha proudly spoke as she watched Gettenwo and me alternately. Actually, while designing this strategy, Ryausha was optimistic about success.

The Emperor looked at Ryausha.

"Really, is that what you think too?"

"Aside from these other fools. It is clear to do things peacefully. What do you need my cooperation with?"

"Hmm… As expected, still inexperienced."

"What?"

Ryausha's eyes widened.

"It sounds like a good idea at the moment. However, it was just one of the options. From now on, there is a possibility to overturn things. To brag, impatience is a bad habit, Ryausha. Remember that you are still the candidate for the throne."

I'm not sure, but it seemed that there was an intense exchange between my father and sister. My older sister, who had an awful face until now, curved her lips.

In contrast, the Emperor was calmed and composed as he put one hand on the throne's armrest.

"Well… it will be a voting system then. I cannot reject that, but in this situation, it was not fair. Only Gettenwo, who was active around the castle town, will be advantageous."

"Then, you will reject it?"

"Listen to what I have to say until the end."

The Emperor opposed my words with a straight face.

"I'm just saying that it is unfair in the current situation. In the future, if your ident.i.ty and abilities are known to the people, then you may consider voting."

"Putting their ability aside, wouldn't it be a bad thing to vote once these guys became well known?"

And Gettenwo gave the precise answer.

"That's fine. If you are well known and lose then they don't have the ability."

The Emperor was calm.

My elder brothers suddenly started to liven up.

"You said it, dad…? Once a man spokes, he cannot bear to withdraw his words…"

"Yes, the more they know our personality, the less chance we can win."

"Seriously, my small ability is going to be done for."

My brothers stood out and spoke, but I sensed a crisis.

If it turned to the voting system, Gettenwo, who had a record as a bandit, would be in the first place, and me, the second.

My elder brothers, with their non-existence human charm, will definitely be defeated.

However, the Emperor is fully aware of his personality and ability; I cannot ignore the possibility that I, who is full of charm, will jump to the top of the list of popularity.

"I should say, if you look from the side, everyone has the same flaw."

And, Gettenwo hit my a.s.s as she sensed my anxiety.

"Gettenwo… That's right. You would not understand my excellent talent."

"Oh, that's right."

Gettenwo answered in monotone.

So the Emperor turned his gaze towards Gettenwo.

"The fifth princess. Do you have any objection to this election?"

"Do I have a say?"

"Naturally, because you are an officially recognized prince."

Hmm… Gettenwo put her fist on her chin.

"Emperor. Whether you appoint or vote, do you intend to make the most appropriate one as the next Emperor?"

"Exactly."

"Then, I am not worried. After all, it's just speculation."

Gettenwo waved her hand.

It seemed that Gettenwo still did not believe that she was the heir to the throne. Perhaps, even if the Emperor tampered with the voting result, the vote will still be high.

This is convenient. I want to make good use of her carelessness.

The Emperor groaned with satisfaction and looked at us.

"That's right. Then, let's review the voting system. You guys should do appropriate work."

"Work?"

The Emperor nodded to answer the siblings' question.

"It's easy. The first step to get the subject to know you. You all will give a public speech as a prince."

The eyes of all of the brothers glowed brilliantly except for Gettenwo's.

Translator and Editor Notes:

Oh…boi. You all are gonna love the speeches. The princes are pretty smart and stupid at the same time. What do you think? ? ~ Asada

Support this novel on  by adding it to your reading list or by submitting reviews and ratings.