"Rumi is pregnant. A child will be born of my blood and the blood of the royal family."


    Jahnhahn was surprised at my words, and he turned his head to look at me.


    "At least, the child is not yet ready to ascend to the throne. ......"


    "I know that. It just means that there is now a greater chance of a royal blood link."


    Of course, if all of Hasse''s children died, the direct line would be severed, and there would be talk of Rumi''s husband, or sister-in-law''s child, taking the throne, but that would never happen unless there was a plague or some other well-deserved epidemic.


    Besides, if such an epidemic broke out, my children and my wife might be affected.


    "Well, that''s that. His Majesty still intends to be the commander-in-chief in the war. It''s necessary to think of ways to recover when he dies in battle. We must take precautions.


    "Yes. ....... If the war results are good enough to cover up the lack of a king, then I guess it''s not a problem."


    A little, Jahnhahn seems to have calmed down.


    "For example, if the former king was killed in battle, doesn''t that mean that there is no problem with the current royal line?"


    I noticed a smile on my face.


    "The dynasties are falling together. Then Hasse''s son will take the throne and the royal family will live on."


    Not bad. Of course, the risks are great.


    Besides, it''s not our decision alone.


    If the former king does not come to the front, it is impossible to defeat him.


    But if the former king wants to come to the front...


    Hasse is out in front.


    It is not impossible.


    But I''d have to be very good at it to make it look like I''m behind it.


    The best way is to convince the king.


    I''m sure he''ll understand.


    "Your brother is really stubborn, ......."


    Rumi, who gives the impression of getting a little heavier, laments in front of me.


    "I''ll bring back the glory of the royal family, that''s all I''ve ever wanted to do. ....... When I tell him it''s dangerous, he says he understands that. ....... This is not understanding. You''re drunk with yourself. ......"


    "Rumi, if you keep defying His Majesty like this, he might think we have second thoughts. I think it''s time for me to give in."


    "What?"


    Rumi looked at me curiously, as if he had not expected my words.


    "That''s right. ....... Some people may think that you are willing to go after the royal family to be the general-in-chief. ......"


    No one is saying it out loud, but there will always be those who think so. Those who hold the great power of the army have the power to suppress others.


    However, there will be times when you will be in danger. I will explain this to you and let you decide after you understand. No regent has crossed more perilous paths on the battlefield than I have."


    "Yes. ....... Please, I hope you have a change of heart. ......"


    If you change your mind, we''ll just do it as it is.


    Plan for every eventuality.


    We''ll plan for every eventuality.


    "Brother-in-law, no matter how many times you tell me, I am going to war!　I will not sit idly on my throne from beginning to end as we restore this time-honored kingdom. If I do not take up the sword with my own hands, future generations will mock me as a cowardly king."


    I and many of my other advisors admonished him, and it seems that Hasse is becoming more and more stubborn.


    "I will surely command my troops on the battlefield, and win a glorious victory!　We will put an end to this chaotic era!"


    I guess you can''t help but be stubborn. There is no way to bridge the gap between the opponents who say it''s dangerous and Hasse who says he knows it''s dangerous. It will only continue to be a water fight.


    "I am deeply impressed by the strength of your feelings."


    "I understand how you feel, but ......, you finally get it?"


    "So, I would like to make a plan based on the assumption that His Majesty will be on the front lines. However, as I''m sure it hurts your ears to hear it repeated so often, unforeseen circumstances may arise on the battlefield. No one knows the battlefield better than this Regent. If you are okay with that after listening to my explanation..."


    "Oh, yeah, right!　I''d love to hear what you have to say!"


    Hasse is understandably pleased.


    The other courtiers are in a stir. They had not expected me to let Hasse go.


    "You must be careful on the battlefield, but you must also be careful when you are not here. Please depart with the utmost care.


    "Mm!　You''re absolutely right!"


    "So, first of all, please appoint the Crown Prince in advance. We have not yet decided who will be the heir.


    I said quietly.


    "But my children are still very young. Isn''t it too early to decide?"


    "If you go into battle, you could even lose your life. If Your Majesty dies and it is not even decided who will be the next king, the kingdom will be in chaos. ....... It could even lead to the loss of your children. ......"


    Hasse nodded mysteriously.


    "Yes. ....... Your brother-in-law is right. If the future of the country becomes uncertain as soon as I die, some people may think that Pahtus is the king. ......


    "To prevent such a worst-case scenario, I would like you to choose a crown prince before you go off to war. And if something should happen to His Majesty, the Crown Prince should immediately ascend to the throne and be supported by his subjects, so that the country will not easily tip over."


    Some of my subjects sound impressed by my words.


    The proposal itself is an honest one, and it is not directly in my interest. If it reduces unnecessary suspicion, so be it.


    I understand. Then the Crown Prince will be the eldest son, Atoms.


    Thus, it was decided that Atoms, a child not yet three years old, would be the Crown Prince.