Chapter 184
Chapter 2: The Crown Prince’s Retirement
“I want to retire!”
Side Story 2. Marriage
On the first day of the Selection Ceremony, having effectively decided on the Empress, Kariel swiftly moved on to his next agenda.
It all began with the Military.
“The remnants of the past are stirring in an unusual manner!”
As the news warning about the manifestations of remnants spread across the continent, Seriel personally represented the Military to announce it.
“The movements of the remnants are quite alarming. The Military views this as a significant threat and believes that extraordinary measures must be taken. Therefore, we propose the establishment of Special Forces dedicated to dealing with these remnants.”
The seriousness of the situation was evident, leading to an atmosphere of tension in the Imperial Palace, in stark contrast to the festive mood outside. Taking into account the special nature of the matter, only the Chancellor, Rufiel, and a few ministers were summoned to the Emperor’s Palace for a meeting.
“Is the situation really that grave?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It seems that the remnants of the past are attempting to regain their former power.”
As Seriel handed over the report, Kariel, trying to keep a serious demeanor, slowly read through it. His expression hardened as he looked at Seriel.
“Is what’s mentioned here true?”
“Yes.”
Seriel bowed his head, responding with utmost gravity to Kariel’s question.
Noticing the tension in Kariel’s gaze, the ministers exchanged wary glances, understanding that this was no mere performance.
Meanwhile, Rufiel, who had been accepting the gravity of defeat, lifted his head slightly.
The situation was no laughing matter.
“… they’re expanding their territory.”
The remnants that had fled to the wilds were suddenly trying to expand, and there were even entities gaining power in the Frozen North, free from Ignit’s influence.
“Some barbarian tribes even worship these beings as gods.”
“As gods…?”
Kariel pressed his thumb against his forehead as if trying to relieve a headache from Seriel’s report.
“What about the New Continent or the islands in the South? Many of the remnants must have fled there as well?”
“We have not yet assessed that area.”
“Ha… so it’s not over yet?”
Although the Grand War had ended, the remnants of the past still posed a threat to humanity.
“What about my summoned beings? Have you found anything?”
As Kariel directed his gaze at Talion, he presented a report.
“It’s not definitive, but it seems there’s been a major volcano eruption on an island in the South. Merchants claim to have seen Fire Giants gathering there.”
“Hmm… The chances of Surth being there are high?”
“That’s the conclusion we’ve drawn. It appears that Your Majesty’s summoned being is likely confronting one of the remnants.”
Talion added that other summoned beings might be similarly placed and presented an additional prepared report.
Seeing this, Rufiel realized the severity of the situation.
“Your Majesty, this is serious. We need to respond quickly. This is a matter concerning the entire Empire.”
Taking initiative, Rufiel suggested bringing this to the Grand Council Meeting to publicize the urgency, but Kariel caught onto his intention and replied with a grave expression.
“It’s barely been a while since the war ended. We can’t demand more sacrifices from the Empire’s citizens.”
“However…”
“Let’s first review the report that Seriel brought.”
With those words, Rufiel bit his lips in frustration.
“So, you mean… you want to create Special Forces specifically to deal with the remnants?”
“Yes, I believe it would be much cleaner to do it this way rather than mobilizing the entire military.”
“But what if the situation escalates?”
“Then we can mobilize the military at that time—it won’t be too late.”
Sighing heavily, Rufiel felt trapped.
Kariel had already set the stage. The moment the Special Forces were established, Seriel would seamlessly slip into that role while Kariel would use every justification available to distance himself from the Imperial Palace.
He’d likely declare that he would intervene personally to prevent the remnants.
Realizing the full context of the circumstances, Rufiel fell into despair.
The other ministers looked on with pity, knowing they couldn’t retreat because their retirements were on the line.
‘Your Highness, hang in there.’
All they could do was silently offer their encouragement.
As Kariel steadily advanced his plans, ignoring Rufiel’s despair, everything had already been agreed upon with the ministers, and he began to set the agreed plans into action.
“It seems that my involvement is essential.”
After all, nobody knew the remnants better than Kariel.
Thus, he had a firm justification.
To prevent an emerging threat in the future, he would personally cut it off at the root!
However, Rufiel’s side wasn’t going to back down easily.
“Your Majesty, it’s still not a grave danger. It’s not right for you to personally get involved.”
“Indeed! There’s a risk to your health as the centerpiece of the Empire. Please leave this to your loyal subjects.”
As Rufiel and the Chancellor opposed him, Kariel narrowed his eyes and looked at Luther.
‘That guy… I went through all the trouble to pair him up…’
With a displeased expression, Kariel looked at Rufiel and declared.
“You’re here with me.”
“Your Majesty! I’m far too inadequate to follow you!”
Bowling his head, Luther hurriedly protested.
“Hmm! Haven’t you done well so far?”
“Don’t you scold me every day?”
At Luther’s remark, Kariel broke into a cold sweat.
“You chide me for my inadequacies every day, and now you say I did well?”
As Luther retaliated, the other ministers watched Kariel silently.
‘Couldn’t he have gone a little easier on him?’
‘How can he say that without a kind word of praise?’
Sigh…
The ministers all shared glances filled with the same thoughts.
However, Kariel had his reasons.
Since Luther had to fill the void during his absence, he had pushed him harder during this brief time.
Even if retirement was urgent, he couldn’t let the Empire fall apart, could he?
It was still too early to say everything was perfectly stable, which is why he had been maintaining high expectations and frequently admonishing Luther.
“Your Majesty, I’m still not good enough.”
“Hmm… who is perfectly prepared? We learn through experience.”
“Brother! Really, are you going to do this?”
Finally, Rufiel’s fury erupted.
“Just hold on for a moment.”
“Your Majesty!”
“I still have to go on my honeymoon.”
At Kariel’s words, Rufiel went silent.
“Won’t that leave you without coming back?”
“I will return. I promise!”
But Rufiel still looked doubtful.
“Are you sure you won’t be busy cleaning up the remnants while you’re gone for years?”
At his words, Kariel flinched.
“Ha… I promise to return as soon as possible.”
He said he would return, but who could believe that?
As Rufiel, the Chancellor, and everyone else looked at him with distrustful eyes, Kariel soothed them.
“I need to see the remnants for myself.”
Speaking seriously calmed Rufiel, who waited for Kariel’s next words.
“What Seriel reported—this wasn’t part of my plans.”
Recalling the heavy atmosphere from earlier, Rufiel furrowed his brow at Kariel’s statement.
“Perhaps a second Demon King might emerge.”
“That’s not possible.”
Shaking his head dismissively, Kariel paused for a moment in thought, then frowned.
Yet, he ultimately kept it to himself.
Should he reveal the conversation he had with Baldur? For now, he decided to stay silent.
“… Brother?”
“Ha… I have a bad feeling about this. As soon as my honeymoon ends, I will personally address this matter.”
“…Really?”
Seriel looked at Kariel with surprise.
“Yes. Talion.”
“Yes, let’s quickly narrow down where my summoned beings may be.”
“Understood.”
As Kariel spoke with a serious expression, Rufiel and Luther exchanged glances, unsure whether this was all an act or genuine.
To both, he declared.
“This matter is strictly serious, so don’t doubt it.”
“…Understood.”
Reluctantly nodding, Rufiel submitted.
Having finally persuaded his brother, Kariel concluded the emergency meeting by allowing Seriel to proceed with the formation of the Special Forces.
*
Once everyone had exited the Emperor’s Palace, as evening began to fall, he finally called for Aila.
“I’m sorry for calling you so late.”
“It’s all right, Your Majesty.”
Apologizing, Kariel cleared his throat and handed her a piece of paper.
Seeing it, Aila tilted her head in confusion.
“What is this…?”
“I’ve planned a date course…”
“Excuse me?”
Aila’s surprise showed when she heard Kariel’s mention of planning a date.
“You designed this yourself?”
“Of course. My desire to date isn’t a lie.”
As he approached her, Kariel continued.
“I apologize for the rushed marriage, but before our formal union, we should at least do all we can, right?”
“Ah…”
“Rest assured, I’m preparing for the honeymoon with utmost care as well.”
Seeing Kariel’s serious demeanor, Aila’s expression shifted to surprise before breaking into laughter.
“I never knew Your Majesty had this side.”
“Huh! It would be a misunderstanding to think I’m only focused on retirement.”
“Yes.”
Aila smiled in response, and Kariel reached out for her hand.
“Shall we begin our first date?”
With a shy smile, Aila took his hand, and they slowly strolled through the Imperial Palace.
Although the palace was familiar, the thought of a date transformed it into a completely different place.
*
As the Emperor and the future Empress had their first date, Rufiel was hard at work.
“Well then, Your Majesty, I must take my leave.”
“Luther, you…”
“Huh! I’m terribly sorry!”
Not daring to mention that he was off for a date, Luther hurriedly fled the scene.
Watching him go, Rufiel’s body trembled with betrayal.
“Everyone’s gone but me! Just me!”
Both Luther, whom he trusted, and most of the young bureaucrats beneath him had found their partners.
Under the Emperor’s command, they were free from nighttime work during the festival period, lending themselves to sweet dates alongside their loved ones.
In the quiet Imperial Palace, Rufiel was the only one working alone.
“Ha…”
Consumed by rage at being the only single one, Rufiel glowered as he worked, prompting the attendants to silently close the doors behind him.
While the Emperor and the ministers were kindling an unexpected romance wave, torturing the single souls, the Military was busily mobilizing.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs was equally engaged.
The wedding of the best Emperor in history required the most extravagant preparations.
“The most magnificent wedding in the world! Just how splendid will it be?”
“The de facto hidden Selection Ceremony. Leaders from various nations are already preparing to depart for Ignit.”
“Finally, our Emperor is getting married! Our Emperor is not a loser!”
Various articles began circulating as Kariel’s long-anticipated marriage drew near.
Simultaneously, plans for the Special Forces were quietly being established.
As Kariel embarked on his honeymoon, the Special Forces would also be created to clean up the remnants of the past.