"As a result, their vigilance toward Nen has reached its peak. That makes it much harder for us to launch a preemptive strike using Nen."
"Even in the worst-case scenario, a prince might start asking their subordinates about Nen..."
Balsamilco didn't finish, but Benjamin already grasped his meaning.
He placed a hand on his chest, exhaling a cloud of white breath.
"This really complicates things for us... But there's one thing I don't understand."
Benjamin frowned, lost in thought.
"Why did the guard serving the Fourteenth Prince deliberately relay the information using the emergency broadcast channel?"
"He couldn't possibly be unaware of the egg-in-the-pot ceremony after interacting with the Eighth Queen, Oito. So why would he go so far as to share information about the Beast with a hostile party like Prince Fugetsu?"
"As expected of His Highness Benjamin—we were also puzzled by this," Balsamilco said, flattering him subtly.
"According to the analysis from our team, the most likely explanation is containment. He's trying to contain potential threats. That's the most plausible motive we've been able to come up with."
"In fact, the broadcast has already forced us to adjust our initial strategy. We now have to remain on standby."
"The Hunters were originally assigned to the Dark Continent expedition. That leads us to believe that they're trying to de-escalate any onboard conflict so that the expedition doesn't collapse."
"That's also in line with the interests of the lower-ranked princes. They lack private military power and are clearly opposed to active engagement in this succession war."
"Now, the other Hunters are beginning to respond to the one who sent the emergency message, showing a willingness to engage and share information."
It was clear Balsamilco believed the Hunter—Kurapika—who first mentioned the concept of Nen Beasts had done so in an effort to open communication lines with other Hunters, perhaps to protect himself.
"So you're saying one of the lower-ranked princes colluded with a Hunter guard to buy themselves more time?" Benjamin said with a hint of disdain. "And that this might change how the Hunters decide to deal with the princes and their Nen Beasts?"
"Exactly!" Balsamilco nodded. "Because we don't know the full extent of the abilities of these Beasts or the Hunters guarding the princes, they could pose a real threat."
"That's why it's very possible that some high-ranking princes also have Nen users within their personal armies. And now, with this broadcast, the others may seek out instructors to learn Nen themselves."
Balsamilco laid it all out in detail, prompting Benjamin to furrow his brow again in contemplation.
"Summon my entire personal army."
At last, Benjamin gave his command, his voice steady and resolute.
"Understood~!"
Balsamilco bowed slightly, but his eyes glinted with thought.
He may have a straightforward and forceful demeanor, but that's often misunderstood. In truth, as long as one doesn't flinch and provides accurate intel, His Highness Benjamin will always make the right decision.
A prince who blends strength with discipline... He's the ideal candidate to lead our nation into a golden age and solidify its might on the world stage!
Driven by this conviction, Balsamilco immediately began calling in Benjamin's private army.
...
"From now on, you will serve as royal guards, replacing the current ones. You'll be assigned to the other princes."
Standing at a formal assembly, Benjamin addressed the soldiers loyal to him—all Nen users—outlining their new mission.
"You're still tasked with protecting the princes, monitoring their movements, and reporting back to me. But now, due to the unknown threat posed by the Beasts, this mission has become far more dangerous."
"Observe the Beasts and the Hunters closely. Analyze and understand their abilities!"
"If you face an enemy attack or identify a threat, you are authorized to defend with full force!"
"In other words—you are permitted to kill, die, and eliminate threats, as necessary!"
Benjamin's expression was grave as he delivered each word with unwavering conviction, bestowing the highest level of authority on his guards.
"Understood!!"
Aside from Balsamilco and Benjamin, there were exactly fourteen guards present. Every single one saluted in unison.
...
At that moment, Queen Oito remained closely guarded—not only by her own royal guards but also under constant surveillance from the other Queens, wary of the Fourteenth Prince's growing presence.
Benjamin's intent was clear: his loyal Nen users, who also held official royal status, would replace the puppet guards assigned by rival factions.
He was taking control of every prince's movements.
Just then, his Guardian Spirit Beast—shaped in the likeness of a Mefras star beast—reappeared, landing on his shoulder.
As a wave of fatigue washed over him, Benjamin knew: his Nen Beast had activated.
"Balsamilco, can you see my Nen Beast?"
"Yes... It's very clear." Balsamilco gazed up at it, a mixture of awe and admiration in his voice. "That is a majestic, commanding Nen Beast... utterly worthy of the next king!"
As Benjamin's Nen Beast loomed above, even the other guards silently acknowledged: he was the rightful heir to the Kakin throne.
...
After the meeting concluded, the other princes were soon informed of the development—and their reactions were anything but calm.
"Benjamin's sent his men to watch all of us?!"
Third Prince Zhang Lei stared at the guard now stationed in front of him—arms crossed, stance rigid. He narrowed his eyes, gears turning.
"Technically, a private military unit can't serve as royal guards. But Benjamin has the rank of Deputy Military Adviser of the Royal Army ... so his personal army qualifies."
He folded his arms, thinking hard.
"It's obvious he's making his move after hearing the emergency report about Nen Beasts... Maybe I can use this to my advantage and get a better understanding of those creatures."
Prince Zhang Lei weighed his options.
Because of Benjamin's military rank, he could legally reassign personnel under royal guard status—giving his maneuver a thin veil of legitimacy.
This especially affected:
The Ninth Prince, whose guards had all been killed;
The Twelfth Prince, whose forces were reassigned by Sevanti to protect the Thirteenth Prince, Marayam;
And the Fourteenth Prince, whose guards had turned on each other.
Now, with his men embedded across the entire succession lineup, Benjamin was one step closer to placing all the princes—and their Nen Beasts—under his control.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)