The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wishes for Retirement

Side Story 1: Who Will Be the Winner of the Retirement Battle? (4)

At last, the Selection Ceremony had begun.

As many had anticipated, beautiful women from all over the world flocked to this event.

But were they merely pretty? Not at all.

If Kariel weren’t helped by their beauty, they could be easily dismissed.

The chances of being rejected were pretty high.

After all, the four beauties called the best in the West Continent were all top-tier in work capabilities.

Thus, even if one aimed to become the Imperial Consort, they had to possess outstanding work skills.

“Hmm… everyone is impressive.”

“Indeed.”

I could hardly believe my eyes as I looked at the qualifications of the women who applied for the selection.

With the continent stabilizing once again, the qualifications granted by Ignit were substantial.

Especially, many women had not only acquired certificates that would benefit the imperial palace’s operations but had also gained practical experience.

Knowing that simply being pretty wouldn’t get them the title of Empress, they came prepared with high specifications.

Women who had gathered even more qualifications than ordinary bureaucrats were all present in the capital.

“At midnight tonight! The first banquet for the Selection Ceremony will commence!”

“Who will capture His Majesty the Emperor’s heart?”

As the first banquet for the Selection Ceremony began, all gazes turned to the imperial palace.

Many thought Kariel would monopolize the attention of countless women during the banquet, but what was announced was quite different.

“I shall invite many of my cherished bureaucrats to this banquet. I also wish to give a chance to those poor elites who have been too busy working to marry.”

Though it was a banquet for the selection of an imperial consort, many were touched by Kariel’s benevolent heart to give opportunities to those who were also single and hadn’t married yet.

However, those with sharp instincts caught on quickly.

“Is he cutting out the competition already?”

“Seems like it.”

“Definitely, more will drop out at this rate.”

While the knights referred to it as “the Emperor’s consideration,” everyone understood the announcement to be the first test for the selection ceremony.

It meant that those unlikely to succeed should give up in advance.

After all, every bureaucrat attending this banquet were elite members of the Ignit Empire.

Specifically, many young high-ranking bureaucrats were scheduled to attend.

If it were just these officials, they would not have labeled it as the first test of the selection ceremony.

“Huh… Sir Seriel will also attend?”

“And that’s not all. Lord Luther will also be present.”

The heads of the Military and Administrative Departments, Seriel and Luther, who could be seen as the core of Ignit, were attending.

This alone was enough to leave many utterly flabbergasted.

“Wow… it’s no wonder it’s called the first test.”

“Indeed.”

Could it be because so many influential figures were in attendance at this banquet?

The envoy groups from various nations fell into chaos.

“What should we do?”

“I know, Lord Glen is attending too!”

“What about Lord Luther?”

“Seriel is not bad either.”

Although not as impressive as Kariel, they were all talents worth waiting for just behind him.

And they were not alone.

The famous Imperial Guards were also present, and rumors had it that Talion, the Head of Intelligence, would be attending forcibly.

In other words, this banquet was not merely a selection ceremony, but also a chance to marry some of the core talents of Ignit.

“Operation change!”

“Us too!”

Those previously indecisive abruptly changed their strategy.

Perhaps it was due to the sudden announcement?

Everyone invited to the banquet was confused about whom to pursue.

And amidst this confusion, Kariel grinned maliciously in the background, reveling in the turmoil.

“As planned.”

Seeing Kariel laughing while getting reports, Talion sighed.

“Did you really have to include me?”

“Of course!”

“But with my age….”

“Come on, what does it matter? You look young!”

In truth, since rising to Master, Talion had been appearing more youthful.

His actual physical age was barely in his thirties.

“That’s not the point….”

“Is it because of your age? I knew it! I also invited some middle-aged women, so do your best. Time for you to start a new life.”

Talion sighed at Kariel’s words.

While people believed the first test of the selection ceremony was daunting, the truth was it was just Kariel’s way of shaking off the bothersome task.

But there was a more important reason.

It was to create chaos for Rufiel.

In fact, among Rufiel’s faction were many young bureaucrats too swamped with work to even date, and Kariel intended to use this banquet to lure them out.

Though Luther had to be coerced into participating, once he was on the guest list, he seemed unexpectedly excited.

In short, with this single move, Rufiel’s faction was half dismantled.

“That’s brutal.”

“One must grow strong.”

Kariel said with a smile.

Compared to the hardships he had endured in his previous life, today’s challenges seemed trivial.

Rufiel was leading national affairs quite well for someone so young. Indeed, he was ranked among the upper tier of talents among past emperors.

Yet, here was Kariel, the current emperor.

“One must grow strong, my little brother!”

Kariel clenched his fist as Talion looked exasperated at his determination.

Knowing that the day to pass the throne was not far off, he intended to push Rufiel hard one last time.

He planned to dismantle Rufiel’s forces and topple each of his well-set plans to instill despair.

If Rufiel could be forced onto the throne in such a depleted state, he’d surely grow stronger.

“By the way, who do you plan to choose as Empress?”

“Well… for now, I intend to exclude Marquis Chardonnay.”

“…What?”

Talion tilted his head at Kariel’s statement.

Though slightly older, she was still incredibly beautiful.

As the “Iron Wall,” she was ranked among the top tier even among Masters, adding to her allure.

Are we leaving her out?

“There’s someone who likes her.”

“Isn’t it faster to find a man who doesn’t admire Marquis Chardonnay?”

With Talion’s remark, Kariel sighed.

“Are you really the Head of Intelligence?”

“Yes?”

“Tsk tsk! It seems only you, Talion, fail to see what everyone else knows.”

Talion bore an incredulous expression as he grumbled.

‘Well, I did have my fair share of romances when I was younger. Marriage too…’ he muttered under his breath.

But reality painted a lonely picture as he aged.

“Anyway, Marquis Chardonnay is off the list.”

With that, Kariel began preparing to head to the banquet hall.

As everyone expected, Kariel planned to choose an Empress from those he was acquainted with.

He thought of Aila and Marnié, who frequented the palace, as well as the recent ally, Saint Rundia.

“Who will come to me first?”

Muttering that, Kariel made his way to the banquet hall.

“Here comes His Majesty, Kariel Friedrich von Blazer!”

With the booming voice of the Inner Court Attendant overseeing the banquet, the music ceased, and the grand doors swung open.

All the handsome men and beautiful women gathered in the Grand Hall bowed their heads as Kariel approached, receiving their salutations.

He headed towards a place where Talion wore a grimace while Luther wore an expectant gaze.

“Relax. I’ve gone through the trouble of setting this up, and you look like that…”

“Your Majesty, my age….”

“Tsk tsk! Are you going to spend your life alone? Then don’t start whining about being lonely. Talion, you must catch someone here. This is an order.”

Having brushed aside Talion, he then gazed at Luther and Glen.

Unlike the excited Luther, Glen wore a nonchalant expression.

As always, he had little interest outside of swordsmanship, making him look bored at this banquet as well.

“You too should find a partner.”

“…Yes?”

“The Grand Duke is concerned.”

“Ah….”

A slight frown crossed Glen’s face at the mention of the Grand Duke’s concern.

While looking resentful, he began to scan his surroundings with the suggestion to find a partner.

Kariel casually declared, in front of everyone who was looking at him.

“As you all know, this banquet will also serve as a chance for me to find my partner. However, it would be unfortunate for only that to be the case when we’ve gathered such a crowd.”

With a broad smile, Kariel continued, “Let’s not just focus on me. Look around. The future leaders of Ignit are here, so they certainly won’t be lacking.”

As he signaled the orchestra, music began to flow, altering the atmosphere of the banquet hall.

With the finest brides gathered from every corner of the world, the banquet hall filled with the best grooms of Ignit soon fostered an amusing ambiance as couples started catching each other’s eyes.

“What’s the point if everyone else gets paired up?”

As Talion approached, scoffing, Kariel’s face twisted in displeasure.

In the odd atmosphere, couples began moving to the corners.

Yet, as the protagonist of the event, Kariel found no one approaching him.

Even though he was the center of attention and the purpose of the banquet was the selection ceremony, he stood alone.

“…What’s the reason?”

“Isn’t it likely due to the Empress candidates?”

As Kariel shot a glare at Talion, who seemed to smirk.

At that moment, a woman finally mustered the courage to approach.

As no one else dared, she seized the moment to walk up to Kariel.

The issue was, as soon as she stood before him, she became flustered and couldn’t properly speak.

Ultimately, she fled in tears.

And the rest of the women weren’t faring much better.

“Why…?”

No matter how set it seemed that candidates for Empress were in position, Kariel hadn’t been intent on only choosing them.

If someone truly caught his fancy, he would consider a marriage of love over a political union.

But given the current circumstances, that seemed impossible.

“Maybe you should tone down your aura a bit.”

Kariel tilted his head at Talion’s suggestion.

“My aura?”

“Ugh… The atmosphere you unconsciously radiate is something most women can hardly handle.”

At Talion’s words, Glen nearby nodded in agreement.

The Ministers and high-ranking bureaucrats were already accustomed to it due to spending so much time with him, as were his own siblings.

The intense pressure around Kariel didn’t seem to fully affect his surroundings because they were all elite individuals.

But others were different.

Why do people shed tears or bow their heads when Kariel makes a speech in the square?

“The Greatest Emperor in History”

“The Hero Who Defended the Continent”

“Messenger of God”

The titles alone that symbolize Kariel were formidable enough for most to handle, let alone the intimidating aura he emanated.

From his time as Crown Prince, he had projected an incredible charisma over the dignitaries, and during the wars, that charisma only soared.

“…”

“Just wait for those ‘Empress candidates’ to come to you.”

Kariel bore a dejected expression as he watched the women swiftly exit in tears.

Eventually, he was left with no choice but to slip to a corner to avoid disrupting the banquet’s atmosphere.

“How absurd.”

Once he relocated, the mood changed immediately, brightening up the banquet hall, leaving him feeling a bit bitter.

His plan to divert attention away from himself had succeeded.

So why did it feel so grim?

“Ugh…”

As he gazed at the brightly glowing moon shedding light upon him, he tried to collect his thoughts when suddenly…

“Your Majesty?”

A beautifully dressed woman approached Kariel.

“Aila?”

At his call, with a bright smile, Aila gracefully bowed her head.

“Your Majesty, will you enter into a contract with me?”

With no preamble, she came forward with a proposal, causing Kariel to tilt his head in curiosity.

Looking at her, Kariel responded with an intrigued smile.

“Let’s hear what you have to offer.”

He folded his arms, mirth dancing in his eyes as he regarded her challenging demeanor.