Rebuilding a Kingdom with Modern Knowledge Cheat ~ The Reincarnated 3rd Prince Wants to Develop his Kingdom! ~ Rebuilding a Weak Kingdom Sandwiched Between Two Powerful Countries!
Author: 潮ノ海月
The Kingdom of Critonia, sandwiched between the two major powers of the Bardhain Empire to the east and the Elfast Magic Kingdom to the west, is a neutral state that serves as a buffer between the two nations. Although agriculture thrives and grain is abundant, Critonia lacks the technological prowess to develop its economy, forcing it to endure harassment from both major powers.
A year ago, His Majesty the King, the Father of the protagonist, fell ill with an unknown disease, and Crown Prince Roland, the protagonist’s elder brother, took on the responsibility of governing the country as regent. Inexperienced and weary of unfamiliar political duties, Crown Prince Roland often vents his frustrations to the protagonist, Ian, in his room.
In addition to Crown Prince Roland, there are Princess Emilia, the first Royal princess, and Prince Adel, the second Royal prince. Currently, within the kingdom, tensions have escalated into a struggle for succession between the supporters of Crown Prince Roland and those of Prince Adel, dividing the nobility into factions.
This story is about Ian, the third prince, utilizing his knowledge from his previous life in Japan, collaborating with his siblings and involving those around him to rise to power and transform the small, weak country caught between the two major powers into a great nation.
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Brother Adel’s Outburst
I could hear the sound of someone running down the hallway, and then the door was forcefully opened, revealing my older brother, Crown Prince Roland.
He dashed in and leaned over on the bed.
“Prime Minister Sylberg is picking on me again… I’ve had enough. Ian, comfort me.”
“That sounds tough. You haven’t done anything wrong, Brother. Problems just seem to arise out of nowhere.”
“Yeah, yeah. Ian, you’re the only one who can comfort me.”
Saying that, my Brother hugged me tightly and then gestured as he explained his exchange with Prime Minister Sylberg.
I’m only ten years old, though, so I can’t really do anything about matters of state.
I’m Ian Critonia, the third prince of the Critonia Kingdom.
And the one complaining to me since earlier is my older brother, Roland, the Crown Prince of the Critonia Kingdom.
Our Father, King Linus, has been suffering from an unknown illness for a year now, and since then, Roland has been involved in state affairs as the regent.
However, on top of unfamiliar political duties, he’s constantly being pressured by Prime Minister Sylberg and ends up coming to me to vent.
I stroked Roland’s back as he lied on the bed, pouring out his complaints.
All I can do at ten years old is listen.
After a while of listening, Roland, having probably poured out everything in his heart, stood up straight.
“Phew, it feels refreshing to vent, Ian. I can’t just run away from political duties. I’ll go talk to Prime Minister Sylberg.”
“Good luck, Brother Roland.”
“Sigh, Ian, you really are my solace.”
After hugging me tightly, Roland left the room to return to his duties.
Watching his retreating figure, I sat up in bed to think.
Listening to Brother Roland’s stories, it seems that there are numerous problems both domestically and internationally.
The Kingdom of Critonia, where we live, is a small country squeezed between two major powers: the Bardhain Empire to the east and the Elfast Magic Kingdom to the west.
Therefore, it seems that a lot of attention is paid to diplomacy.
Looking within the kingdom, thanks to fertile land, major famines haven’t occurred, but the kingdom’s technological capabilities are low, and there is still a need for development in various fields.
Furthermore, if we show any weakness, local nobles will raise taxes and oppress the commoners, so it’s necessary to keep an eye on domestic affairs.
But that’s not the only problem.
King Linus has four children, including the Crown Prince Roland and me.
The eldest son is Crown Prince Roland, seventeen years old.
Next is Princess Emilia, sixteen years old.
Below her is Prince Adel, fifteen years old.
And then there’s me, ten years old.
Crown Prince Roland sometimes shows a timid side in front of me, but he’s actually a reliable older brother with quick thinking and deep consideration.
Princess Emilia is perceptive and spirited, always caring about me and looking out for me.
She can be a bit persistent and annoying, though.
Prince Adel excels in swordsmanship and is quite the musclehead, always training with the soldiers.
He may be a bit simple-minded at times, but he’s a cheerful older brother who also instructs me in swordsmanship.
The four of us got along reasonably well living in the castle, but when King Linus—our father—fell ill, a succession dispute erupted among the noble families and local nobles.
The courtiers working in the castle support Brother Roland as the Crown Prince, while the local nobles favor Brother Adel for his martial prowess.
Although there aren’t openly declared supporters for Princess Emilia, she’s popular among the commoners.
I guess it’s good that I’m excluded from the discussion due to my young age.
The simple-minded Adel seems to be gaining momentum, carried on the palanquin of the local nobles.
Considering his muscleheaded nature, it’s a plausible story.
As I changed clothes with the help of a maid and have lunch, Sister Emilia rushed into the room looking flustered.
“Ian, have you heard anything from Brother Roland?”
“What about?”
I’ve heard various complaints from Brother Roland, so I’m not sure which one she’s referring to.
I often listen absentmindedly, so I don’t remember the specifics of any conversation.
Sister Emilia walked briskly over and sat down, letting out a big sigh.
“It seems that the Bardhain Empire’s army has appeared near the border as usual. While Brother Roland and Prime Minister Sylberg were discussing how to respond, Adel went ahead and departed with the Knights Order.”
The Bardhain Empire’s army frequently deploys troops along the border to assert its strength, often causing minor skirmishes.
Usually, the troops of the local nobles responsible for guarding the border would handle the situation, but it seems that Brother Adel, eager for glory, mobilized the Castle Knights.
If the local nobles dispatch troops to defend the border, the issue would likely be resolved without much trouble.
However, if the central force of the kingdom, the Castle Knights, is involved, it’s a different story.
If things continue like this, it could escalate into a full-scale war with the Bardhain Empire.
In that case, the Kingdom of Critonia would be destroyed, and my peaceful life would be at stake.
“That’s serious. We need to stop him as soon as possible.”
“Brother Roland has sent messengers, but do you think that stubborn Adel would stop just because of orders from the castle?”
Hearing Sister Emilia’s words, I break out in a cold sweat.
Brother Adel, as someone who fancies himself a warrior, is stubborn.
Being so simple-minded, he might become even more determined to go through with it if someone tried to stop him.
As I was lost in dismay, Sister Emilia stared at me intently.
“Ian, you’re the only one Adel would listen to. I’ll come with you to help convince him.”
“Yes. As soon as I’m ready, we will go after Brother Adel.”