The Insipid Prince's Furtive Grab for The Throne

After the crown prince dies in battle, the Ardrasia Empire falls into a succession struggle where losing can mean assassination. Seventh Prince Arnold Lakes Adler seems like the least dangerous contender. Nobles mock him as an inept leftover, especially beside his capable twin brother Leonard. The image is deliberate. Behind a mask, Arnold is Silver, one of the continent's five SS-rank adventurers and a master of forbidden ancient magic. He has no wish to sit on the throne himself, but he does intend to survive the conflict and make Leonard emperor. While rival princes compete openly for power, Arnold uses his useless reputation as cover, taking secret missions and moving allies into place from the shadows. Every careless gesture hides another calculation in a campaign meant to protect his brother and control the imperial succession without exposing Silver's identity.