The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince’s Wish to Retire

57. I Don’t Know About War, But Let’s Just Fish (2)

The moment the symbol on his forehead illuminated, the Red Wave spread out, absorbing the flames raging throughout the capital.

Simultaneously, the explosive force thundering across the city lost its power as the Red Wave radiated.

It was Eshtar’s last desperate move to devastate the capital.

But it was rendered useless against Kariel’s overwhelming power.

“What in the world….”

As the Red Wave expanded, the explosive forces that had been erupting one after another vanished without a trace.

Seeing this, Eshtar gazed blankly at Kariel.

“Is this it…?”

Eshtar mumbled in wonderment, observing Kariel, who now displayed an overwhelmingly magnificent presence, as if he had stepped out from the pages of mythology.

It suddenly made sense why he was revered as a saint in the West Continent, receiving such immense support.

Was it simply because he was good at politics?

Because he led the country well?

There might be truth to that.

But if he could display such overwhelming magnificence based on those reasons, anyone would have to see him as a savior appearing to rescue them.

“What a pity.”

Within Eshtar, who had been filled with loyalty to Roman, a fragment of regret had taken root.

If only he could serve a lord like that.

If only he could work for the sake of humanity.

Though Eshtar forced a wry smile at his regrettable thoughts, he had no regrets.

Because his emperor also shared a noble cause for humanity.

‘I need to inflict just a bit more damage for him.’

At that moment, the final trap that Eshtar had hidden away activated.

“Is this the last move you’ve been hiding?”

Engulfed in a crimson glow, Kariel hovered in mid-air, looking down at Eshtar.

A massive blood-red magic circle centered around Roman’s Square.

As the ground in the capital trembled, the remnants of the souls of those who had died in the war began to cluster together.

At the moment the ash-gray energy coalesced, a giant Ice Giant appeared in this realm.

With overwhelming power that could freeze everything upon touch.

“…Is that a god?”

As Kariel stared blankly at the giant, Surth’s voice echoed in his mind.

– There’s no way that thing is a god.

With that, Surth bulked up even more and attempted to confront the Ice Giant himself.

But Kariel shook his head.

“The disaster you’ve created will be dealt with as the gift you provided.”

Kariel spoke to Eshtar and reached toward the sky.

In that instant, the crimson energy that had spread throughout Roman’s capital began to coalesce upwards.

“Denizens of Hell should reside in Hell.”

At the moment those words were spoken, the gathered flames fell like a lightning bolt towards the Ice Giant.

In what seemed like divine punishment, the existence of Hell was completely obliterated.

Even as the massive ice mass evaporated, everything nearby remained untouched by the flames’ heat; it merely turned the armies of Hell to ash.

Watching this, Ignit’s army erupted in cheers.

“Wowwwww!”

In contrast, Roman’s army lost all will to fight.

From the soldiers to the knights and mages, they all succumbed to overwhelming power and dropped their weapons.

Eshtar, witnessing this scene, looked up at Kariel with a face of despair.

“I don’t know what preparations you have, but… Ignit and I weren’t just standing around either.”

As Kariel slowly landed on the ground, he stood exposed, neither releasing the power of fire nor calling upon his mana.

Yet Eshtar had lost his will to resist.

Could a mage replicate such power?

Perhaps if they used their unique grand magic.

But their power wouldn’t differentiate between friend and foe.

Only that power, which swept away the dead and denizens of Hell, was something only Kariel could wield.

‘What a pity, but at least I’ve accomplished my minimum goal.’

Stalling for time to prevent Ignit’s main forces from heading east.

With that accomplished, Eshtar drew a dagger without hesitation, intending to stab himself in the throat.

“Suicide is not allowed.”

As everything he had prepared fell into futility, Kariel grasped Eshtar’s hand, preventing him from ending his life, and commanded the Imperial Palace Knights to subdue him.

“You must persuade the citizens of Roman while you are still alive.”

“…Are you planning to insult my loyalty?”

“Insult, you say…”

Kariel said, looking at Eshtar with anger in his eyes.

“See for yourself. And judge who is right. Afterwards, whether you convince Roman’s citizens or not is up to you.”

With that, Kariel turned his gaze towards Ivan, who was still resisting at a distance.

As a Master, he wasn’t easily subdued, but they were also human.

Unless they were invincible, they could only ultimately yield to the army, and Roman’s forces had no choice but to submit to Ignit’s overwhelming military might.

Contrary to their determination to face death, numerous troops survived as the battle for Roman’s capital ended.

“Ah! I must honor your efforts in buying time like that and say one thing.”

Kariel stated as he observed Eshtar being dragged away by the Imperial Knights.

“I have no intention of completely conquering Roman.”

At Kariel’s words, Eshtar tilted his head and widened his eyes.

“Moreover, Ignit has not shown all of its power in this battle.”

Having reached that point, Kariel smiled and turned his back. Eshtar tried to say something, but by then, Kariel had already vanished into the distance.

Despite pouring all his life force into buying time, he had failed to inflict significant damage on Ignit.

And realizing that everything was part of Kariel’s plan left him with a feeling of emptiness.

“…Is this the power of the Emperor who unified the West Continent?”

Like his own lord, Kariel was also an extraordinary individual.

Having fought countless battles throughout his life, finding himself among military geniuses, just like he had failed to understand Roman’s Emperor, he could not fathom Ignit’s Emperor either.

While he had no idea what grand scheme they were plotting, he was certain that the final conflict would ultimately boil down to a clash between the two.

As Eshtar, the famous general of Roman, was dragged into prison, Ivan was also incarcerated, his restraints secured.

As Ignit was now poised to seize Roman’s capital, the vanguard that had joined forces with the Southern Allied Forces began its advance to the east.

Simultaneously, the Detached Unit that had destroyed the Demon Gate rapidly moved eastward.

“The Detached Unit that broke the Demon Gate! Immediately moving to the Northeast! Crushing the forces of Demons and advancing like a tidal wave!”

“The vanguard’s northward advance. Rapidly advancing north after defeating Sandria’s army one after another!”

The Detached Units, centered around the Master, continued to sound victory trumpets as they sped towards the Northeast.

But the real deal was Ignit’s main forces.

“Finally, we have conquered Roman’s capital, Chronople! Now, we only need to head east!”

News of Ignit’s conquest of Roman’s capital spread throughout the continent.

As predicted by Roman, Ignit’s main forces did not immediately march; instead, they began stabilizing Roman’s capital.

Moreover, unlike the quickly advancing Vanguard, once they neared the Land of Death, they started capturing some fortresses to establish supply lines.

Thus, the commanders of Roman, who had remained doubtful until the end, finally set aside their suspicions about Ignit.

“It will take at least a month for Ignit’s main forces to reach here.”

“If they stabilize the conquered territory, it may take even longer. If they fall into our prepared traps, it will take even more time.”

At that, Roman’s Emperor pondered, resting his chin on his hand.

“What if Ignit goes around the south like the vanguard?”

“In such a case, we will transport the things we have prepared. Even under the worst-case scenario, it will take at least a month.”

“Will we conclude our battle with the Demons within a month?”

“The war itself may not end. However, we should be able to locate the Ruins.”

Nodding at the commander’s statements, Roman’s Emperor finally agreed.

After all, the goal wasn’t to completely ‘seize’ the Black Canyon, but rather to ‘discover’ the Hell Gate.

Upon hearing the commanders’ judgments, Roman’s Emperor finally nodded.

“We will advance into the canyon. Focus on securing the area where the Hell Gate is likely buried.”

“Yes!”

The units that bowed in response to the Emperor’s orders quickly moved.

As a great army began moving to seize the ancient ruins sleeping within the Black Canyon, the Demons, who had hesitated until the end, also started to move.

Leading the Demon Legion, they began to engage in fierce battles with Roman’s army over control of the entrances.

With Roman and the Demons now fully embroiled in battle, Kariel, who had been stabilizing Roman’s capital, gathered the commanders as if he had been eagerly waiting.

“Has it finally begun? It took long enough.”

Shaking his head in exasperation at Roman’s lingering doubts, Kariel said.

“Still, your majesty’s intentions have been fulfilled.”

Kariel smiled at Lokan’s words.

“Right, it’s time to move.”

Having said that, Kariel looked at Talion and asked.

“Which reinforcements have been sent from Steel Wall?”

“They will arrive by tomorrow.”

“Great. Prepare to move. Less some troops, we will advance the entire army through midnight.”

“Yes! Your majesty!”

The commanders bowed their heads in response to Kariel’s orders.

The main fortress along the pathway to the Northeast for Ignit’s main army was blocked by Roman’s prepared troops.

One might think they could simply detour south like the vanguard.

Certainly, that could be done.

However, it would take even longer than moving straight.

Kariel had no intention of wasting time by taking the long way around.

“Your majesty, preparations are complete.”

“And them?”

“They set off first.”

In response to Kariel’s question, Lokan bowed his head.

Nodding, Kariel commanded the main army to set out.

Under the full moon rising high in the sky, a massive number of troops emerged from Roman’s city gate.

All riding on Magic Cars, they moved rapidly as Kariel’s airship rose into the sky, advancing alongside hundreds of other airships.

– Crackle! Ignit’s main forces are on the move! Rapidly advancing north to the Northeast!

“Execute the order to stop the main forces!

The Roman commander, understandably panicking at Ignit’s unexpected movements, quickly ordered the operation to commence.

But soon, something wholly different flew in their direction.

– First defense line breached.

“What? That can’t be…. Buy time with what remains!

– Impossible. The army of Hell has been annihilated.

“What the hell!”

The commander turned pale at the messenger’s report and rushed to inform Roman’s Emperor.

This shocking news spread throughout the entire Eastern Continent the next morning.

“Ignit’s Special Forces are cleansing the army of Hell.”

An unknown unit whose identity remained a mystery.

As they smashed Roman’s forces, Ignit’s main army cleared the way ahead.