The Prince Wants to Retire

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Chapter 1: The Crown Prince’s Desire for Retirement

“I wish to retire, Your Majesty.”

Side Story 1: Who Will Win the Retirement Battle? (3)

As Kariel, with a gentle smile, shared a quick drink with Seriel, the true protagonists of the day made their entrance.

“I greet Your Majesty!”

“You’ve all come together.”

In the cover of darkness, middle-aged men revealed themselves.

“Your Majesty, is what you promised truly the case?”

At the question from the man at the front, Kariel gave a small nod.

“I have no intention of summoning you back unless a crisis befalls the Empire.”

At Kariel’s words, the expressions of the men grew bright.

It was indeed the Emperor’s promise.

Though merely a verbal pledge, a promise from Kariel was more trustworthy than any scrap of paper.

Nothing he had promised so far had gone unfulfilled.

“Well then… Are you now firmly set on your course?”

At Kariel’s inquiry, the man at the front bowed his head.

“The gods and Marquis Sicario will support Your Majesty’s retirement.”

“I, Achelio, also support Your Majesty’s retirement. You’ve worked hard, so please enjoy your remaining years in peace.”

With a smile, Kariel nodded at the two middle-aged men, then looked at Duke Devir with a puzzled expression.

“But how about you?”

“What do you mean?”

“If you retire, it will cause trouble for the Aristocratic Faction.”

At Kariel’s words, Duke Devir smirked.

“What issues could possibly arise from the now inconsequential Aristocratic Faction? It’s time for me to rest as well.”

Thanks to Kariel, revered as a god, the Aristocratic Faction had lost its significance. Moreover, with countless talented individuals, including Revolutionary Forces, starting to dominate central politics, the privileges of the nobles had become merely a relic of the past.

Some old nobles still couldn’t let go of the past and caused a ruckus, but all they got was a trip to prison.

“If you retire like this, Duke Welch will have a tough time.”

“He’s just recently ascended to Mage status, so he ought to face some challenges.”

Having attained Master Level long ago, Duke Devir had endured hardships since the Dark Ages. He was often dispatched as a Master whenever the South needed controlling, and every time he ventured to dangerous areas with Kariel, he bore considerable hardship in place of Duke Welch, who stayed behind.

Thus, he could hold his head high.

‘I have suffered enough. Please let me retire!’

As he gazed at the fervently assertive Duke Devir, Kariel smiled, then nodded.

“By the way, if the three of you step down, there will surely be murmurs from the military.”

“Ah! Don’t worry about that, older brother.”

Seriel pulled out a report from his pocket, as if to reassure them.

“The Grand Duke is knocking on the door to Master level. Also, it’s been reported that Marquis Altan and Marquis Delonde from the South are on the verge of crossing that threshold.”

“That’s good.”

New Masters were always welcome.

The Masters, smiling with satisfaction, had even recommended talented individuals to fill their vacancies once they retired.

Of course, one of them was a Grand Master, but since he posed no immediate threat, it was unlikely to be an issue.

“Then I take it everyone is supporting me.”

With that, Kariel enjoyed a delightful drinking session with the Masters who were to retire, promising a peaceful future.

Soon after, as if orchestrated, the Selection Ceremony proceeded rapidly.

By skipping numerous bureaucratic procedures, the already swift Selection Ceremony sped up even more.

As a result, beauties from all corners of the world hurriedly flocked to Ignit.

“There’s quite a crowd gathering.”

“Indeed! But what’s the point?”

“Surely… the Empress will choose one of her close acquaintances, right?”

Most of the citizens of the Ignit Empire knew that this Selection Ceremony had already been somewhat predetermined.

Given Kariel’s behavior thus far, it was hard not to think that way.

Kariel had never even glanced at women unless they were those most frequently encountered or familiar to him.

Though busy, it seemed probable that the likelihood of his gaze wandering to another woman during this Selection Ceremony was exceedingly slim.

“Merchant Leader Aila seems to be a strong candidate.”

“That’s true.”

As the only daughter of the former principality, now transformed into an imperial territory, and one of the top ten merchants in Ignit, she was exceptional in ability, lineage, and beauty.

However, her most formidable competitor was none other than the Master, Marquis Chardonnay, with whom she had a long-standing rivalry.

Although older than Kariel, her status as a Master rendered that inconsequential.

For decades to come, her appearance would remain unchanged.

Both had been mentioned as candidates for Empress since Kariel’s days as Crown Prince.

However, following his ascension to the throne, many new candidates began to emerge.

“Truthfully, while Merchant Leader Aila is impressive, I personally think Merchant Leader Marnié is also a strong contender.”

“That’s certainly the case. If Aila is the cute type, then Marnié has a more seductive charm, wouldn’t you say?”

In the square, as they gathered, they discussed many beauties from the West Continent centered around Merchant Leaders Aila and Marnié who could fit well with Kariel.

But as one name arose, the chatter ceased like closed shells.

“Well, no matter how gorgeous, no one can compare to Marquis Chardonnay!”

Widely regarded as the greatest beauty of the West Continent, once upon a time, her name would silence all conversation, but things had changed.

“Saint Rundia could give her a run for her money.”

“Exactly!”

Following the pope and the Sun Blade’s aftermath, the Church Nation had regained its footing with the emergence of a new saint.

Though not yet at Master level, she was a powerful candidate for subsequent mastery.

Simultaneously, her beauty had captured widespread attention, making her popular across the entire West Continent.

“Oh, but can she really surpass Marquis Chardonnay?”

It had turned into a contest between supporters of Marquis Chardonnay and Saint Rundia over who was the most beautiful.

As they gradually included Aila and Marnié in the debate, they argued over who should claim the title of the most beautiful woman on the West Continent.

Neither side showed any signs of yielding.

Yet, amidst all this, there were those who were betting over Kariel himself.

“Could it be that His Majesty will only take one Empress?”

“True. I’m curious if he will limit it to just one wife.”

Everyone nodded gravely.

After all the crises the Empire and continent had faced, they understood that it had not been an opportune time for marriage.

The issue was the present peace.

Having pushed for marriage amid tranquility, Kariel’s long-standing solitude had led to a few conspiracy theorists questioning his physical condition.

“Could it be that there’s something wrong with His Majesty’s…”

“What?”

“That…”

“Oh my! Who on Earth?”

“Honestly, it’s plausible. Even if the Empress has her political reasons, is it really believable for someone so young not to have a single lover?”

With Kariel in his prime, many subjects secretly questioned why he had yet to take a lover.

Revered as a god, no one dared voice their concerns openly, but that didn’t lessen the underlying worries.

Fears loomed that he might not continue the great bloodline.

There were various reasons for this speculation.

Since the war ended, Kariel hardly attended galas, and he wouldn’t so much as glance at the beautiful maidens subtly pushed toward him by nobles.

Most notable was the fact that during the recent ascension of Rufiel to the Crown Prince position, some suspected that Kariel had a physical flaw, steering his succession plans away from himself.

As these doubts spread throughout the Empire, some newspapers published articles ridiculing Kariel.

“Could it be that His Majesty made a pact with the gods?”

Though the headline was utterly baseless, every citizen understood its implications at a glance.

The article insinuated that he had sacrificed something precious to gain strength in order to protect the continent.

Such articles emerged amid Kariel’s hectic life.

Thus, when it was announced that the Empress Selection was to begin, people found it hard to believe and sought confirmation multiple times.

“Hmm… Given His Majesty’s character, the likelihood is high he will choose one Empress only.”

“Indeed.”

This was the consensus among the citizens.

However, those from other continents felt differently.

Recognizing Kariel as the indisputable strongest ruler in the world, they thought that even if securing an Empress was difficult, acquiring a Consort would be a jackpot.

Even if the Empress position seemed predetermined, would the Consort position be the same?

“There is hope for the Consort position.”

“Considering marriage alliances, it is likely he would select multiple Consorts.”

With such thoughts in mind, numerous women from the East Continent, the newly discovered South Continent, and the massive island of Aonia flocked to him.

True to Ignit’s reputation as the mightiest on the continent, hundreds of suitable candidates rose to the occasion.

The burning question remained whether Kariel would truly take on Consorts.

An issue worthy of intense interest, due to the heat surrounding who might become Empress.

Though gathering global attention, the Imperial Palace remained tranquil.

“What about Rufiel?”

“For now, he’s focused on the Selection Ceremony.”

“Hmm… Has he given up?”

As Kariel spoke with a look of concern, Talion smiled wryly.

A political strategist since his days as Crown Prince, he had manipulated Rufiel quite expertly.

Even if positioned in Rufiel’s shoes, he doubted he would have withstood such pressure.

“More importantly, Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“I have one thing I’m curious about.”

“Speak.”

At Talion’s inquiry, Kariel tilted his head slightly.

“Will you take Consorts?”

“Huh? Consorts?”

“Yes. Everyone is curious if you will include Consorts in this Selection Ceremony as well.”

At his words, Kariel frowned.

“Is it about the marriage alliance?”

“That too, but given the number of exceptionally beautiful women…”

Kariel pondered at Talion’s remark.

“Consorts, huh…”

Mumbling to himself, Kariel shook his head.

At this juncture, was it really necessary to have Consorts?

Historically, Emperors had reasons for acquiring Consorts—three major ones.

1. For beauty.

2. To solidify alliances.

3. To balance power.

Considering these three points, items 2 and 3 didn’t apply to him.

Kariel had no desire to interfere with the East Continent, nor did he care about balancing power.

The power he wielded had already become absolute solely through his presence.

All that was left was beauty…

“Certainly, they are all beautiful.”

Nodding at the women put forth as candidates for Empress, Kariel thought on.

From the breathtaking Marquis Chardonnay to the saint, and on to the comparable Aila and Marnié.

All four possessed not only beauty but also talent and favorable personalities.

The problem was that Kariel had experienced firsthand how foolish it was to have Consorts in both past and present lives.

His father, the former Emperor, faced numerous issues from accumulating Consorts in a bid to balance power.

Each day was spent juggling searching for one Consort, and then having to placate to find another.

Loving one could easily stir up power struggles, forcing one to maintain a tedious equilibrium.

Though Kariel was somewhat free from such woes now, would he be able to withstand jealousy among women?

Favoring only the Empress would incite jealousy from the Consorts, while lavishing affection on the Consorts would surely earn the Empress’s wrath.

As these thoughts swirled, Kariel sighed and shook his head.

“Ugh, terrifying.

Shuddering, Kariel spoke to Talion.

“I won’t take any Consorts.”

Seeing Kariel state it so firmly, Talion nodded, having anticipated it.

“Though, it is a shame.”

“What is?”

“If you had taken Consorts, you could have extended your visits to their families and stall for more time.”

At Talion’s words, Kariel’s mind began to race.

While Rufiel would diligently work during their honeymoon and visits to the families, eventually they would need to return to the Imperial Palace.

Of course, he had other plans ready, but first, he needed to test the waters upon return to the palace.

But if he brought Consorts along and visited their families, would he perhaps…

‘Maybe I could carry on my plans without returning to the palace…’

Kariel’s thoughts drifted that far.

But he quickly shook his head.

The risks were simply too great.

Having witnessed how ministers became controlled by their wives, Kariel sought to avoid that fate.

He heard countless tales of bureaucrats visiting under the guise of official duties and then whining about their wives.

“Still, no.”

One was already too hard to handle, let alone adding Consorts; Kariel was utterly exhausted.

“I’ll stick to selecting only the Empress.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”