The Prince Wants to Retire

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Chapter 64: The Final War!

At last, the command for return was given, and the airship he was on surged westward at full power.

Contrary to expectations that a war with the demons would erupt any moment, the Demon King did not move quickly.

Perhaps waiting for the Land of Gods to be fully completed and the Remnants of the Past to gather, he slowly moved, reorganizing the Demon King’s Army.

After several days of confirmation that the Demon King would not initiate war immediately, humanity’s forces decided to reorganize as well.

“The heroes have finally returned to the family’s embrace.”

The Allied Forces, having made countless sacrifices, completed their eastern campaign and could return to their families.

Thus, this fact was widely reported, but there was no joy to be found.

Meeting with family before what could possibly be the Final War made it bittersweet.

Not only the Ignit forces, but all soldiers on the continent understood that this battle could be their last, so they remained close to their loved ones at all times.

A short respite.

Yet, in this sweetness of rest, the leaders of various nations became busier than ever.

Especially busy was Ignit.

“Now, preparing for contingencies is meaningless.”

At Rufiel’s words, the ministers nodded.

Those who prepared for contingencies under Kariel’s orders found that with the battlefield relocated to the Giant Mountain Range, their existing plans of erecting walls centered around it held little meaning.

However, the plans made prior had not been in vain.

All forces were concentrated around the Giant Mountain Range.

At the highest peak, appearing to be the center of the continent, lay the massive floating islands that formed the Land of Gods.

Asgard, created by a level of power so high it was nearly unimaginable, proved that the Remnants of the Past were indeed fragments of divinity.

“Is this a revival of the Mythical Era?”

A scholar’s thesis.

It was written that strange phenomena, impossible to sustain with modern magic and based on ancient documents, could only be achieved by someone who stood among the Divine Ranks.

Other scholars shared this opinion.

After a hard-fought victory over a half-god, the emergence of Asgard, where countless gods gathered, instilled fear in everyone.

However, Ignit’s leadership was different.

“Although it is risky, the location being the Giant Mountain Range is favorable.”

“That’s right,” Rufiel said, smiling as the Chancellor nodded.

The Giant Mountain Range was where their core powers and techniques were concentrated.

Now, they only needed to direct all that power to the aerial land called “Asgard” at the heart of the Giant Mountain Range.

“Logistics network for rapid transfer of strategic materials.”

“Numerous rear bases established near the Giant Mountain Range.”

“Traps set throughout the Giant Mountain Range.”

All these preparations were intended for the Demon King’s Army and the Army of Hell, but could easily be repurposed for the Remnants of the Past.

The question was what to do next.

“How should we plan the next strategy?”

At the Chancellor’s question, Rufiel looked as if he were asked something outrageous.

“From now on, all decisions will be made once His Majesty arrives.”

At Rufiel’s words, the Chancellor smiled, though worry still lingered.

“What if His Majesty gets angry…?”

“What can we do? We must survive…”

With those words, the Chancellor smiled back and nodded.

“By the way, how is the preparation going?”

“Everything’s been finalized with General Seriel and General Lokan.”

Rufiel smiled at the Chancellor’s answer.

All that remained was for their Emperor to arrive.

“And what of Count Talion and Count Achelio…?”

“They will remain silent.”

The Chancellor answered firmly, as if to say not to worry.

What if they wrongly spoke and Kariel discovered the truth, leading to a failed operation?

If that happened, Rufiel’s wrath would be directed squarely at them.

If Kariel were to retire, the next Emperor would be Rufiel, and they would live buried under a mountain of paperwork, unable to even see the outside world.

Of course, the thought of Kariel’s fury upon discovering this later was terrifying, but since they all conspired together, the suffering could surely be shared.

“They must know that risks should be divided.”

Nodding at the Chancellor’s words, Rufiel and the ministers agreed.

With everyone united in conspiracy, what could go wrong?

Oblivious to any traps laid, Kariel returned.

If things were normal, he might have sensed something amiss, but with the Final War approaching, Kariel’s focus was solely on Asgard and the Demon King, so he remained completely unaware.

“That’s true. Older brother shouldn’t just try to save himself.”

Muttering in the Grand Council Meeting, Rufiel fidgeted with the resignation letter he treasured, praying for Kariel to arrive swiftly.

*

As everyone wished, while Kariel rushed back, the continent was unusually peaceful.

Everyone hoped just a bit longer for this peace to last.

But the Demon King’s patience was thin.

[The Demon King finally moves! Is war about to begin?]

The leaders of various nations announced to the whole continent that the Demon King was on the move.

The reason?

It was simple.

It was a justification to recall the soldiers who had become complacent in peace.

“No! Daddy, don’t go!”

A child clung to his father in tears.

A wife wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

Soldiers, holding weapons and shedding tears as they left their families behind.

They didn’t want to go.

But they had no choice.

If they lost now, humanity would perish.

To protect their families, the soldiers returned to the front lines, willing to risk their lives in battle.

As all troops across the West and East Continents were re-recruited, Kariel finally crossed the continent and arrived at the Giant Fortress, the largest stronghold.

With all of Ignit’s major forces gathered, the airship sitting centrally came to a halt.

As the door opened, everyone bowed their heads and exclaimed in unison.

“I greet Your Majesty!”

In the midst of their cries, Kariel quietly surveyed the surroundings.

– Look more cheerful.

Surth whispered quietly, noticing Kariel’s frown.

‘So, I’ve finally come back.’

Had circumstances been different, he might have dawdled a bit longer.

Perhaps he could have lingered in the East and slyly set the stage for retirement.

But, in the end, he returned just like this.

“Should I be thankful I didn’t return to the Imperial Palace?”

Muttering such, Kariel gestures for them to cease saluting and quietly proceeds to the heart of the Giant Fortress.

This time too, just like before, he planned to stay put in the Giant Fortress until the battle began.

But it felt different somehow.

“Something’s off.”

At Kariel’s murmur, Talion and Achelio, walking behind, instinctively flinched.

Fortunately, Kariel, who didn’t see their reactions, cocked his head several times.

His instincts were persistently warning him that entering now was a bad idea.

“What could it be…?”

It was then he heard it.

“I greet Your Majesty!”

Familiar voices rang out loudly.

Voices that should never have reached his ears.

As he recognized them, Kariel’s expression began to harden.

“You guys… No! Rufiel! Why are you here?”

Caught off guard, Kariel looked at his brother, and at that moment, Seriel cleared his throat, making his presence known.

“You too?”

As he spoke, the currently reclusive Marquis Sicario appeared, leaving Kariel’s expression frozen.

His mind raced faster than ever, grasping the nature of this situation.

“This isn’t simply a welcome party for me…”

As Kariel cast a glance over his shoulder at Talion and Achelio, they quickly turned away and cleared their throats.

Beside where the ministers and Chancellor were seated, stacks of documents were piled high.

Seeing this, Kariel dreaded the worst.

“Hah… Thank you for welcoming my return, everyone.”

As he pretended not to notice and walked in, all the ministers and bureaucrats silently bowed their heads.

– They even brought the Throne here.

Surth smirked, amused at the bureaucrats who had taken the throne from the Imperial Palace.

“Why is the Throne here?”

“Isn’t the place where Your Majesty is should be regarded as the Imperial Palace?”

At Rufiel’s words, Kariel’s expression turned angry.

“How dare you disregard the traditions passed down from the First Emperor!”

“My apologies.”

Rufiel hurriedly bowed his head.

Yet he immediately opened his mouth.

“However, given that the current Emperor has already surpassed the shadow of the First Emperor, and considering the current crisis on the continent, it seems fitting that our great Emperor personally lead the Empire.”

As he spoke, Rufiel bowed his head cautiously and carefully pulled a report from within his robe.

An elderly attendant carefully delivered it to Kariel.

“Wartime Administration?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I propose a Wartime Administration.”

The temporary Imperial Palace would be established around where Kariel was situated.

From now on, all bureaucrats would follow Kariel’s lead.

“Are you jesting? Abandon the capital, where all systems are concentrated, and what? Follow me?”

Even as Kariel expressed his anger, the Chancellor steadily presented another report.

“With the Emperor’s command, we have established a system to concentrate all resources around the Giant Mountain Range.”

“Additionally, all means to make critical decisions are prepared in the impregnable fortress, should the need arise.”

Following the Chancellor’s words, Rufiel continued.

“The military is also prepared to issue commands to all troops from the Giant Fortress.”

Sighing, Kariel understood the intent behind Ignit’s deliberate development of the East.

The preparations for contingencies had provided a foundation solid enough for Kariel to engage in wartime administration.

After all, the main battlefield would be the Giant Mountain Range, so it wouldn’t matter if Kariel roamed the battlefield.

“……”

“Your Majesty! Please lead us with your wisdom.”

“Please lead us!”

With Rufiel being the first to shout, everyone knelt and cried out.

Observing this, Surth giggled delightedly.

– You’re in deep trouble now. Looks like you’ll be buried under paperwork.

As a small fireball laughed, Skoll and Agni, who had appeared out of nowhere, comforted Kariel by ruffling his hair with small hands.

Even the newly summoned Green Flame of Garum tapped Kariel gently on the head with tiny arms.

“……Understood.”

After a long silence, Kariel finally accepted the ministers’ plea.

Then, the ministers and bureaucrats erupted in cheers.

Rufiel and Seriel were even shedding tears.

Seeing these expressions, Kariel, who wore a frown, promptly began a meeting to address key issues.

*

Returning immediately to work, Kariel contrasted sharply with the Demon King’s leisurely movement towards the Giant Mountain Range.

Wandering like a tourist toward the sites of the Remnants of the Past, the Demon King surveyed the area.

– Is that where it is? Quite fascinating.

The islands floating centered around a particularly tall mountain appeared mysterious.

Yet his fascination was fleeting.

– I wonder what kinds of beings will be waiting for me.

Muttering this, the Demon King exhaled a breath of intent.

His interest lay solely in battling stronger opponents.

Therefore, the Demon King intended to move only for the purpose of fighting the strong.

– If we try to strike there alone, the human army will counterattack from behind.

– I’ll go there alone. You all must confront the human army.

– However.

The fox-eared demon, who was about to say something, quietly closed her mouth at the Demon King’s decision.

– Everything shall proceed as my lord wishes…

Nodding with a grin at the words of the fox-woman, the Demon King began to ascend the Giant Mountain Range alone.