011 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

The situation was full of twists and turns—one act after another, each more dramatic than the last—until even Benjamin's usual composure had started to crack.

"What's the deal with those monsters that suddenly appeared? Is there any way to deal with them?"

"They were likely created by the Fourth Prince's nen beast," Furykov answered briefly, still alive and holding it together. "As for how to handle them..."

He paused, then added, "Nen can still harm them, but given our current state, we probably don't have the firepower to overwhelm the Fourth Prince."

"So we just let that bastard run wild?!"

Benjamin clenched his jaw, his voice laced with frustration.

At the start of the succession war, he had been the clear frontrunner.

With a private army trained in nen and stationed under the guise of royal surveillance—thanks to the Kakin Empire's regulations—he held both official and covert power. No one else even came close.

The throne had seemed inevitable. Just a matter of time before the King's seat became his.

But then, Ninth Prince Halkenburg—once a useless pacifist—had dared to raise a hand against him. Challenged him outright. Killed his own commander. Escalated everything into a series of battles that had drained Benjamin's resources and damaged his standing.

Now even nobodies like Sixth Prince Tyson and Seventh Prince Luzurus were starting to gain ground.

That alone was irritating enough.

But what really pushed Benjamin over the edge was Tserriednich's rise. His fool of a brother, born of the same mother, somehow ended up ahead of him. And not just that—he strutted like a peacock, flaunting his position.

Benjamin burned with the desire to kill him. He even regretted not eliminating Tserriednich when he'd had the chance.

But there was no use in regret. Everything had to move forward. The most urgent issue now was crushing that cocky grasshopper under his boot once and for all.

"If we want to hit the Fourth Prince hard, our strength alone won't be enough~"

Furykov hesitated, watching Benjamin's stormy face, then cautiously continued.

"Hm?" Benjamin raised an eyebrow, his tone cold.

"You want me to bow my head and shake hands with that fool Halkenburg? Make peace? Form an alliance?"

His voice grew heavier. If Tserriednich was the one Benjamin hated most, Halkenburg wasn't far behind.

If that naïve idiot hadn't sparked the war in the first place, things wouldn't be this messy.

"You losers were supposed to sit quietly and let me sweep you off the board."

"Your Highness..." Furykov knew convincing Benjamin would be nearly impossible—but he had to try. "Given our situation, forming an alliance with the Ninth Prince is strategically the most beneficial—"

"Enough!" Benjamin stood abruptly, cutting him off.

"There is no way I'm joining hands with Halkenburg! Even if he sends someone with an alliance proposal, just give him this message—"

Benjamin's gaze sharpened.

"Want an alliance? No problem. Then send me your head as proof."

Furykov fell silent.

It was obvious: Benjamin was determined to go down swinging. No one could change his mind.

As King Nasubi had once said, Benjamin's downfall would be caused by his pride.

But Benjamin was unshakable. And now, facing Tserriednich's raw power while still nursing wounds, how was he supposed to respond?

Furykov couldn't see a clear path forward. Everything felt like a dead end.

...

Then, suddenly, Benjamin asked, "The lower princes... they're still quiet, right?"

"More or less," Furykov said. "According to surveillance reports, aside from some strange activity in the Thirteenth Prince's quarters, the others have been staying put."

He trailed off, suddenly realizing what Benjamin was thinking.

"If they've remained in their rooms this whole time, they should still have all their nen guards intact..."

A dangerous glint appeared in Benjamin's eyes.

"At a moment like this, it's time for my dear younger siblings to contribute to the glory of Kakin."

He wasn't talking about politics anymore—he was thinking about power. About what could be taken.

Last time, the Inner Guards from Sixth Prince Tyson had proven useful. He wanted more of that.

"If I remember right, the 10th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Princes all hired nen bodyguards."

Benjamin waved his hand. "Issue orders to the surveillance squads—initiate action. As for the Thirteenth Prince, his nen beast likely creates that protected space. Kill the prince, and the ability will disappear."

He paused briefly.

"As for the Fourteenth Prince... we wait and see."

Vincent and Babimyna's reports, plus Furykov's firsthand experience from the Nen Teaching Conference, had given Benjamin a rough sense of that child's capabilities.

It was... unsettling.

Under normal circumstances, that should've made Benjamin wary. But the Fourteenth Prince was just a baby—barely a few months old—and a girl at that.

No sane monarch would let an infant girl inherit the throne of a nation like Kakin. Especially not when it was flourishing.

So, no matter how bizarre her presence was, Benjamin had never taken her seriously.

"Understood."

Furykov nodded without protest.

If Benjamin wouldn't form an alliance with Halkenburg, then the only option left was to consolidate more strength.

And that strength would come from the so-called "lower" princes.

That was always their fate, wasn't it?

To be sacrificed as stepping stones when the moment called for it.