AHEIAID Chapter 44: How About Letting Me Try?
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The Ottoman Emperor disappeared after being attacked while inspecting Sunset City, an ancient and chaotic place.
At the time, there were many civilians present, and the media was broadcasting live.
As a result, the news of the emperor’s uncertain fate spread rapidly and explosively to the public, leaving the District 13 with no time to delay.
Less than an hour after the incident, the hawkish representative, District 2’s governor, Druck, immediately entered the palace to seek an audience with Third Prince Harry.
At the same time, the dovish representatives and Crown Prince Joseph’s allies, including Kent, rushed to Joseph’s side, preparing for a fierce battle.
**"Because of the negative reaction to your proposed new policies, most members of the council have sided with Prince Harry to protect their own interests. Apart from District 2’s Governor Druck, we also have Governors Eddie of District 7, the Governor of District 9, and those from Districts 10 through 12 all supporting him…
In the council, we don’t have the upper hand against Prince Harry. But in other aspects, we are evenly matched. In fact, most of the court officials are on your side.
Your Highness—"**
Countless pairs of aged yet sharp eyes landed on the man at the center, whose fierce appearance belied his straightforward and righteous nature.
**"If we fight, we must be prepared for bloodshed and sacrifice!
If we compete, aside from the council’s votes, we are no weaker than them.
There is a high possibility that Prince Harry was behind the emperor’s disappearance. Therefore, no matter what happens, Your Highness, we hope you will not hesitate or waver! Even if it means facing your own brother!"**
Kent and the others nodded in agreement.
Joseph, however, furrowed his brows deeply, worry written all over his face. "Father may not be dead yet. Rather than fighting Harry for power, it would be best to find him first. As long as he returns—"
"Your Highness!!"
A sharp voice interrupted him.
Joseph turned in surprise to see the Ottoman ministers bowing before him. Though they showed him respect, their gazes were fierce, like starving wolves and tigers, brimming with a hunger that could devour people.
"You must not search for His Majesty, nor should you allow the District 13—who seeks stability—to find him!"
"………"
Joseph opened his mouth but did not ask why.
The answer was written all over their faces.
—Only by letting the former emperor disappear for good would there be a need for him and Harry to compete for the throne. Only then could they claim the fruits of victory.
At this critical moment, even if Joseph wanted to send people to search, Kent would not allow it.
They had already been pushed onto the stage, and there was no turning back.
A heavy silence hung in the air for a few seconds.
Finally, Joseph did not mention searching for his father again, nor did he say he would stop the District 13 from doing so. He merely lowered his head and said, "Protect my mother. If Father is truly gone, her approval will earn us the support of the people."
"Yes."
"Understood!"
Surveillance, District 13
In this city of spies and agents, everything seemed eerily silent—until chaos arrived.
When peace reigned, these people were teachers, doctors, bodyguards, even plumbers.
But when the world fell into disorder, they became ruthless hunters, biding their time for the kill.
Now, the moment their leader—Garius Heine—gave the order, these caged beasts, who had been pacing restlessly, ignited with battle fervor.
Their sharp eyes gleamed with excitement.
They picked up their weapons and gear, embracing the danger and the fight ahead.
Only the District 13 could mold madmen into a disciplined army.
Silent agents rushed through the crowded corridors, moving with synchronized, disciplined footsteps. They did not glance at each other or exchange words; no one even paused in curiosity about the other’s mission.
Like blood coursing through the veins, they flowed in an organized, relentless march toward battle.
Above them, squadrons of warships painted with the Heine insignia darkened the sky, blotting out the sun as they sped toward their designated targets.
From the high-level glass command tower, Amon—the first assistant—stood, watching the departure of the last special operations unit. His usually gentle expression was devoid of its usual warmth.
He sent a secured message to his superior’s communicator and sighed softly.
The Ottoman Empire was about to change.
Witnessing the emperor’s attack firsthand had thrown the public into chaos. The internet was flooded with panic.
People were not fools—they knew the consequences of a missing emperor. They understood that the power struggle between the two princes would lead to bloodshed and instability.
The ministers did not care about the lives of ordinary citizens.
In their fear, the people instinctively turned to the District 13—their last bastion of security.
At this moment, the only person capable of standing up and turning the tide was the young, strikingly handsome "Spear of the Empire."
Yet, in their desperation, the people had become impatient:
【Where is the District 13?】
【Where is our so-called Empire’s Shield and Spear?】
【Why haven’t they stepped in to stabilize the situation? Are they just going to let us die?! This is deliberate neglect!】
As Amon read these complaints, he massaged his aching forehead.
What did they expect? That the District 13 should loudly announce every battle before engaging?
Should they yell a warning before striking?
…Sigh.
Did they forget that the man who bore this glory was also a human being?
Garius had only recently married—he should have been enjoying his honeymoon. Instead, he had rushed to Sunset City, personally leading the search for the missing emperor.
And Sunset City was a deadly battlefield.
Both the hawks and the doves wanted the emperor dead. Killers and assassins would surely be deployed to interfere. Enemy organizations would seize the opportunity to strike.
Even the elite Sarxis Squad of the District 13 couldn’t guarantee survival in such chaos.
Just as Amon was lost in thought, a beep interrupted him.
His communicator displayed a new encrypted message:
【Arrived in Sunset City. Protect Joey.】
"……"
Amon pursed his lips but didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he murmured quietly, "Rest assured, we are watching over the estate."
If the District 13 were safer, he would have personally brought Joey here.
“…Maybe I should set up live surveillance of the estate on my office monitor,” Amon muttered, already moving to set it up.
Meanwhile, unlike the determined Crown Prince Joseph and the searching Garius, Third Prince Harry sat leisurely in his palace, sipping tea while admiring a withered rose garden.
When his steward entered, Harry finally set his cup down with a smile.
"Has Lord Druck been sent back?"
The steward bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."
Harry nodded and continued gazing at the dying roses. His eyes narrowed, reflecting a cold, sharp glint.
It was unclear if he was speaking to the steward or merely talking to himself:
"It was supposed to be a strong plant, but you pampered it too much. Look—just one cold wind, and all the petals have fallen."
"Just like my brother, my father, and… ha…"
"The outside world doesn’t matter for now. Even if my brother compromises, he would never truly interfere with District 13’s search for our father. With how soft-hearted he is, he might even go all out against me just to slow me down, to keep me from extending my reach to Sunset Town."
"And District 13, along with Garius Heine? Pfft, just a bunch of imperial lapdogs and useless fools."
He rolled his eyes in boredom.
"I once thought he was an ambitious, powerful, and cunning man—someone who would one day share the stage with me. But he has disappointed me too much. Despite being so exceptional and strong, he just had to grow a soft and unnecessary heart!"
"Does he really think he can protect everyone?"
"Ha!"
Harry burst into laughter. But when the laughter faded, his expression turned cruel and sinister. He enunciated his next words with a twisted smirk, his gaze brimming with madness and contempt—
"Wishful thinking!"
Recalling the humiliation and hatred of being blocked at his own doorstep that day, Harry crossed his arms, his fingers tapping against his elbow. After a moment of silence, he suddenly stood up and strode out of the palace garden.
I finally managed to silence those impatient fools. This hard-earned time…
I might as well use it to find out—
Who truly holds power?
Humans?
Or the masses?
T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi page, thank you🍊🍊🍊
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