Green Monster Epic

"… Thank you all for coming to my father's funeral. His life…"

As the handpicked successor, Fleming took on the responsibility of presiding over the late King Dazel's funeral, stepping onto the stage to deliver a speech. This was also the intention of Sunak and the other old ministers, to show everyone Fleming's legitimate heir status and solidify his foundation.

However, before Fleming could finish speaking, someone below sneered, a sound that was particularly grating. People quietly turned their heads to look, but the human who had made the sound was already calmly walking towards the stage. It was Prince Hussein, Fleming's half-brother.

"Whether based on age or legal principles, the responsibility of presiding over Father's funeral today should fall to me, the eldest son. At the very least, you should have discussed it with me, little brother. We brothers should co-host it together, which would be in accordance with our kingdom's ethics and morality."

Now that Hussein had made up his mind to get involved in the competition for the throne, there was no turning back for him from the day he left his fief.

"Your Highness Hussein!!"

Sunak stepped forward in time, blocking Hussein's advancing steps with a displeased tone: "Today is His Majesty's funeral. Regardless of any conflicts between you brothers, I hope you can postpone them. Don't let outsiders laugh at us!!"

"I have always respected you, Prime Minister Sunak. I am grateful for your teachings when I was young, which gave me my current knowledge and abilities. However, you have not consulted my opinion from the time Father passed away until now, but instead had my younger brother preside over today's funeral. May I ask if you have ever cared about me?"

"Am I not Father's direct bloodline? Is my identity as the eldest prince false?"

The grievances and resentments accumulated in his heart for many years could finally be vented. Even old foxes like Sunak, who were extremely shrewd, couldn't help but frown at his sincere words. The nobles and ministers who participated in the funeral also had varying degrees of emotion on their faces.

"Exactly!! Father didn't only have Second Brother as a child. As his daughter, I also want to do my filial duty. Prime Minister Sunak, are you going to stop me too?"

Princess Diana, who was dressed a little more plainly than usual, also stood up to show her presence.

Compared to her two older brothers, Diana, as a woman, was naturally at a relative disadvantage. Even though everyone had seen over the years that this princess was very favored, with various favors being bestowed upon her every year, in the hearts of the ministers and nobles, men were still more advantageous than women.

"Your Highness, Princess, this humble minister does not mean that."

Sunak replied in a deep voice: "If the two Highnesses really want to express your grief for His Majesty, then you can wait until His Highness Fleming finishes his speech, and then you can go up in turn. There is no need to argue about this."

"Heh heh."

Princess Diana took the initiative to stand beside Prince Hussein, covering her mouth and sneering softly, obviously not paying attention to Sunak's words: "Then we'll just go up to the stage and wait. Please, Prime Minister, let us pass."

Sunak's eyes shot out lightning. If there weren't so many ministers and guests present, he would probably have taught this spoiled princess a good lesson to curb her arrogance. However, the situation today was too special. Even for the sake of preserving the face of the deceased King Dazel, he could only endure it for now.

Moreover, he had been paying attention to the movements of the surrounding guests. One thing that he was very concerned about was that Bishop Glyndon, the highest authority of the Church of War in Lionheart City, had not shown up today. Even the Church of War had not sent an envoy to participate in the funeral, which was not a good sign.

Even if the Church of War was undergoing major changes and their higher-ups were in disarray, Glyndon and the Church of War's power structure in the Lionheart Kingdom would not have failed to send someone to attend the funeral of the Lionheart King.

Moreover, Pope Leiss's death was inextricably linked to the Church of the Afflicted. With new and old grudges intertwined, the Church of War would not let go of the Church of the Afflicted and would not fail to fight them properly.

Sunak was already making plans for the next step. If the higher-ups of the Church of the Afflicted were still unwilling to yield, then these old ministers would have to take a risk and ask Glyndon to crown Fleming. Although doing so would definitely not be recognized by many ministers and nobles, everything would have to be simplified during this special period. As long as they could first put Fleming in that position and legitimately seize the power of the kingdom, then they would still have the capital to fight against the Church of the Afflicted.

Otherwise, if they really let the Church of the Afflicted and these two Highnesses cause trouble, the longer it dragged on, the greater the blow and damage to the kingdom's authority would be.

Holding a funeral for King Dazel today was also a great opportunity to meet with Glyndon. Previously, due to the assassination of Pope Leiss, the Church of War's personnel in Lionheart City had gone to the west to receive Leiss's remains. At the same time, the Church of the Afflicted had also quietly mobilized, strictly guarding against Sunak and the other important ministers of the kingdom, making it difficult for Sunak and the others to secretly meet with Glyndon.

However, what he didn't expect was that Glyndon didn't come to participate in the funeral, which was a bit strange.

"Please be careful with your words and actions, Your Highnesses."

After a stalemate for a while, Sunak finally made a concession helplessly. He couldn't let outsiders keep waiting like this, letting them see the discord between the royal family and the ministers.

"We know what we're doing."

Princess Diana said haughtily, directly bypassing Prince Hussein and walking towards the podium ahead.

Fleming's expression was as usual, as if he didn't mind his siblings making such a fuss. However, a hidden cold light kept wandering in the depths of his pupils. After the two of them stood on the stage, he began to speak again: "… The deceased is gone, and the heavy trust placed on me by my father weighs heavily on my heart. I am very afraid that I will fail my father's expectations. But as a son, I am more willing to dedicate my life to my father's last wishes. Here, I also hope that all the pillars of the kingdom can uphold my father's legacy and fight together for the future of my Lionheart Kingdom!!"

"… This is a dangerous era. The horns of war have already sounded in everyone's ears. If everyone cannot unite at this time, then the lesson of the Spring Country's demise may be the end of our kingdom."

"… May the courage of my kingdom's lion be passed down for ten thousand years, and may my father's soul return to the stars above the sky, and may the light of hope shine on the people!!"

"Lion!!"

"Lion!!"

Fleming's speech was very infectious, stirring up emotions in the hearts of the ministers below. However, it sounded somewhat harsh to some people, because not a single word in his entire speech involved gods and beliefs. He even deliberately cited the disaster of the Spring Country's demise, which was also suggestive, and the deep meaning was self-evident.