Green Monster Epic

Chapter 782: The Royal Family

Lionheart King Daizer ultimately failed to see his heir ascend to the throne. Shortly after Sunak and his entourage of key ministers entered the palace with bad news late that night, the news of the king's passing spread from within the palace.

While the entire nation mourned, there was no new king to preside over the overall situation. Without the Pope's coronation, even though most of the kingdom's key ministers supported Prince Fleming, he could not rightfully ascend the throne and manage the kingdom's major affairs.

The royal palace was now immersed in sorrow, while at the same time, an undercurrent of surging energy was slowly brewing. No one could predict how dangerous this storm would eventually become.

"…The late King's funeral will be held early tomorrow morning. By then, Prince Hussein, Princess Diana, and others will appear at the funeral…"

"…Also, General Mirko's troops have entered the territory of the royal capital. How to settle them next, as well as the handling of evidence and proof, requires a clear plan…"

Sunak's mood was heavy, but he did not show it on his face. The urgent document sent the night before contained shocking news. Even Sunak himself, who had been planning and strategizing for the overall situation of the Lionheart Kingdom, did not expect that someone could actually assassinate the Pope.

Although multiple documents and intelligence reports subsequently delivered indicated that the Beastman Empire's forces definitely played an important role in this assassination, Sunak and several other key ministers still believed that the Beastman Empire's forces were not the real protagonist.

The Beastman Empire's higher-ups hoped to use the assassination to stir up the relationship between the Kingdom's royal family, the War Church, and the Church of the Suffering, causing them to have disagreements or even fierce struggles, which could explain their presence.

However, to say that they would simply eliminate the War Church's Pope in one fell swoop, thereby intensifying the conflict between the two major churches and the royal family, would be a bit much. It could even be said that doing so would not only fail to intensify the conflict but might instead allow the three forces to put aside their prejudices and struggles, uniting against the Beastmen.

At least in Sunak's view, the death of Pope Lis meant that the royal family's few remaining bargaining chips for negotiating with the Church of the Suffering had become a fantasy.

For nearly twenty years, King Daizer and his confidants had been supporting the War Church, hoping to use the introduction of a new church faith to counteract the Church of the Suffering, which had been entrenched in the kingdom for over ten thousand years and was intertwined with the entire kingdom.

Relying solely on the power of the royal family and nobles, plus some so-called awakened heretical forces, it was impossible to contend with the Church of the Suffering. Daizer and Sunak had a clear understanding of this point.

The thing about faith is that it has been passed down for tens of thousands of years and has long been integrated into every aspect of the Fayman world's culture. How difficult it is to destroy this solid ideological shackle.

Even with the research and suggestions of wise spellcaster organizations, the Lionheart Kingdom, since King Daizer's succession, has focused on developing universal education in the kingdom, enlightening the people, and cultivating a new generation that is no longer so superstitious and firm in their belief in theocracy. However, Daizer's life was too short to allow the new generation and new ideas to become the mainstream in the kingdom.

It was precisely to continue the existing policies and development direction that Daizer and Sunak were willing to work hard to ensure that the new king they trusted, who could continue their policies, would come to power, even knowing that the timing was not right.

"…Teacher Sunak, you know that I am not yet the King of the Kingdom and have no right to make any decisions. Instead, you ministers can still exercise your power. You can handle these issues as you see fit."

After Prime Minister Sunak finished reporting on all official matters, Prince Fleming, who was standing below the throne listening to the report with his head bowed, said helplessly.

"Your Highness, you must not be discouraged. Things have not reached the worst point yet. We still have a chance!"

Sunak felt sorry for this prince, who had just come of age and had been cultivated for this day since childhood, and tried to squeeze out a comforting smile.

The other ministers around him echoed his sentiments. Everyone was now in the same boat; good fortune or misfortune would be shared together. If the prince they had been supporting could not ascend to the throne, then the official positions of the old men standing in this palace would come to an end.

Even Sidney, the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard, a new noble who had risen from humble beginnings, whose family foundation was still shallow, and who was too close to the old king, would inevitably be stripped of everything and would no longer be able to access any real power or core positions in the kingdom unless Fleming came to power.

Of course, there was not much need to worry about the safety of Sidney himself, as a legendary powerhouse. The new king of the kingdom would certainly not do the foolish thing of cutting off his own arm.

However, for the people present who had tasted the taste of power and enjoyed privileged treatment, even if it was only for the long-term interests of themselves and their families, they would definitely do their best to persevere.

"…Even if the Church of the Suffering does not back down in the end, don't we still have Bishop Glyndon as an option? Even if we become the laughingstock of other royal families, as long as Your Highness can ascend to the throne, we can use facts to speak for ourselves! !"

"That's right!"

"…Thank you, Teacher, and everyone! !"

A glint of light appeared in Fleming's eyes, and he was obviously very moved. He was actually aware of his current awkward position. Although, in the eyes of many ministers, he had essentially been in charge of the government for a period of time, proving his ability.

Failure to sit on that position before the old king died meant that the power and status Fleming now possessed could not be recognized by the world. In terms of law, Fleming was actually just like Prince Hussein, Princess Diana, and others, still only a candidate for the heir to the throne.

Compared to the other heirs, his advantages seemed great, but in reality, his disadvantages were more significant. Because of King Daizer's fear of divine faith, Fleming had been instilled with all kinds of enlightened, anti-theocratic knowledge since childhood, and his daily life was even detached from many faiths.

Not to mention the Church of the Suffering in the kingdom, even the War Church, which had always been supported by the royal family, did not have much connection with Prince Fleming.

Therefore, in order to win the next struggle, Fleming must maintain the support of the group of ministers in front of him. They were the only bargaining chips he had.

"I'm just worried that there will be trouble at the funeral tomorrow. My brother and sister have been very active these past few days."

"Your Highness, rest assured, the personnel for tomorrow's funeral are all arranged by me. There is no need to fear that they will stir up any trouble."

Sidney's hand caressed the sword at his waist, his eyes revealing a fiery fighting spirit and confidence.

“I've also sounded out the officials below, especially those who are sitting on the fence. I've reached a consensus with them that unless there's a cataclysmic change in the situation, they will remain neutral for the time being,” Sunak said, stroking his exquisite mustache.

“Are they trustworthy?”

“With us old guys around, as long as we haven't left our positions, they have to do as we say and won't easily place their bets.”

“Good, I'm counting on you all!”

“It's what we should do…”

For over a century, the Lionheart Kingdom had been recuperating, and in recent decades, with a wise ruler like Daizell, the entire kingdom was thriving.

With the old king, deeply supported by the people and nobles, passing away, the funeral held would naturally not be too simple. Under the combined efforts of several forces, the entire capital was immersed in sorrow.

The location for the funeral was chosen in the royal garden behind the palace. Before the funeral even began, Sidney had already dispatched the Capital Garrison and the Royal Guard to surround the garden, layer upon layer.

“Your Highness, this memorial ceremony only allows you to bring no more than five attendants, and you cannot bring in any weapons or armor on your person.”

“Why don't you store them in your dimensional equipment?”

The thick beard obscured most of Prince Hussein's face, but just a casual glance from his captivating hawk-like eyes at the royal servant who stopped him was enough to frighten the other party into lowering his head, not daring to meet his gaze.

“This is also my home. Do I need you to tell me how I want to dress?”

Hussein's tone was unkind, and he coldly glanced at the other guards who were dutifully standing their ground.

To be honest, Hussein didn't have much affection for his recently deceased father, because his origin made him disliked by King Daizell from the very beginning.

Back then, Daizell's mother consort, for her own beliefs and for her son to gain the support of the Church of the Afflicted, arranged a marriage with the family of the former commander of the Rose Thorns Knights, an outer order of the Church of the Afflicted, which ultimately led to the birth of Hussein, the eldest son.

However, after King Daizell inherited the throne and gained a firm foothold, Hussein's mother consort was gradually neglected and eventually died in depression.

As for Hussein himself, due to the intricate relationship between his mother's family and the Church of the Afflicted, he rarely received King Daizell's favor.

When Hussein grew up, King Daizell sent him with a sealed decree to the distant region near the Land of Snow and Ice, the former territory of the Spring Country.

“Your Highness, we are only acting under orders, please don't make things difficult for us!”

The Royal Guard is the kingdom's elite force, and not just anyone can join. Each member is either the descendant of a meritorious official or from a noble family. Don't underestimate the guard captain speaking to Hussein; behind this young man is a family with a thousand-year heritage in the kingdom.

“Humph!”

In the distance, the same thing happened to the delegation from the Church of the Afflicted who came to attend the memorial ceremony. The leader, Bishop Vucic, the head of the Holy Rites Department of the Church, a demigod, didn't argue much after being stopped by the guards and having the request made. He simply nodded and instructed the clergy members following him to disperse, and walked into the garden with five trusted aides dressed as priests.

Seeing that even the powerful high-ranking members of the Church of the Afflicted were so obedient to the rules, Hussein, who now needed the support of the Church of the Afflicted, no longer argued and sullenly instructed his confidants to act according to the guards' requirements.

“Oh, isn't this my dear big brother?”

Just as Hussein stepped into the meticulously manicured garden planted with various flowers and plants, a fragrant breeze wafted over, along with a voice that Hussein particularly disliked.

“Presumably, big brother isn't very familiar with this garden, right? Does your lovely sister need to take you for a good tour here?”

If Hussein, from the time he was born, was not loved by his royal father, then the beautiful face of the smiling, charming princess before him could be considered a child spoiled by King Daizell and the Queen.

Although Princess Diana shared the same mother as Fleming, Fleming was strictly educated by many teachers appointed by Daizell from the time he was sensible. He didn't even have time to enjoy family happiness with the Queen. The Queen missed her child, and eventually poured all her maternal love into Diana, never being harsh with her. The pampered and willful nature she developed under such doting caused the then-Prince Hussein, who was still in the palace, a lot of trouble.

King Daizell also treated Diana differently. After all, the old king had a preconceived notion that few women inherited the throne, and he certainly wouldn't hand over the throne to this daughter, so he allowed her to act willfully, as long as she didn't go too far.

But who would have thought that precisely because of the Queen's spoiling and the old king's indulgence, Diana eventually felt that she had the same opportunity as her two older brothers in the succession to the throne.

Of course, whether there was someone with ulterior motives instigating behind this is unknown.

“No need!”

Back then, Hussein, knowing he was not favored, even though he was often embarrassed by Diana's various tricks, he would never complain to his father and stepmother, because he knew that doing so would not only not improve the situation but would also make his father dislike him even more.

When he grew up and was enfeoffed by his father, Hussein was actually very willing, so that he could gain freedom and no longer have to face those ugly faces.

“Big brother, you're here.”

It wasn't until Fleming came over to greet him that Diana restrained herself a bit.

“Mm.”

Hussein responded coldly. He didn't really dislike this younger brother who had been cultivated wholeheartedly by his father since he was a child, because he knew very well that while he and his sister were playing carefree, his younger brother had to study books taller than himself and write endless essays and calculations.

Sometimes, being overly concerned and having high expectations placed on you by your parents is also a burden.

But this time, in order to avenge his father and to vindicate his mother consort, Hussein had to compete fiercely with his brother, who shared the same blood.

This chapter is actually unnecessary. I went off-topic while writing it because my computer had a problem. I couldn't restart after reinstalling the system, so I had to write it on my phone again. I couldn't access many resources. Please bear with it.

Just consider it a filler chapter.