The Prince Wants to Retire

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Crown Prince Wishes for Retirement

[Side Story 3. Is This a Honeymoon or a Business Trip?]

Kariel’s expression was dark as he received gifts from the major guests of honor.

At the wedding ceremony, which should have been the happiest occasion, his gloomy demeanor drew worried looks from those around him.

Having worked alongside Kariel for a long time, they knew that this expression typically indicated something serious was amiss.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hmm?”

Kariel reflexively turned his head at Talion’s call.

“Forget everything for today, at least.”

At his advice, Kariel glanced sideways and spotted Aila looking at him with concern.

“Ha… right. Let’s just forget everything for now.”

After saying that, Kariel forced a smile and reassured those who watched him anxiously, before continuing with the next scheduled event.

The grandest wedding in the world had only just begun.

The Emperor and Empress exchanged rings and formally pledged themselves to each other, yet many procedures remained.

He had to meet with the previous Empresses to pay his respects on behalf of the deceased former Empress, and also visit the Tombs of Past Emperors to honor them.

After that, he needed to formally greet the officials and nobles as well.

Having dealt with the corrupt nobles, he needed to officially introduce the Empress to the few remaining royals before heading to the Noble Assembly.

While the organization had become nearly obsolete, it had gained even more prestige because of it.

The nobles still remaining there were all from prominent families, many of whom had earned honorable titles through significant contributions during wartime, making it not the useless organization it once was.

“Isn’t it tough?”

Aila shook her head, forcing a smile in response to Kariel’s question.

“We’ve only got one more stop left. Just hang in there a little longer.”

After saying this, Kariel and Aila boarded the wagon.

Finally arriving at the square after all their scheduled events, the pair stood on a platform created for the many gathered citizens.

“Thank you all for celebrating my marriage!”

As Kariel spoke with a smile, the Empire Citizens erupted into cheers and whistles.

Aila wore an awkward expression at their reaction.

It didn’t feel real to her that she had become one of the highest-ranking people in the empire alongside Kariel.

Her life had simply been about running to be by his side because she liked him, but now that she stood next to him, it felt all too overwhelming, as though she had climbed to an unapproachable height.

“You’ll get used to it gradually.”

Kariel comforted Aila, who was trembling slightly, with a smile, and they stood there for a while, accepting flowers and gifts from children as the citizens celebrated.

After finishing all their engagements, Kariel and Aila returned to the Imperial Palace.

Though the day had started early, the sun was already setting.

Kariel looked at Aila with a slightly hesitant expression.

“There’s one last place to go…”

“Eh? But I thought all the schedules were over…”

“It’s a personal matter.”

Kariel nodded slightly, taking Aila to the old Crown Prince’s Palace where he had once stayed.

Since Rufiel was now the Crown Prince, it had become his residence, but it seemed the palace was still being well-kept.

“This is… Your Majesty’s…?”

“Yeah, my old palace.”

As Kariel got off the wagon, he gazed at the old Crown Prince’s Palace where he had spent a significant portion of his past life and current life.

Memories of trying to find his identity amidst the confusion of being himself on Earth and as Kariel, and the pain he had felt due to fire energy lingered here, making this place uniquely significant to him.

Honestly, this place held more nostalgic memories than those concerning the Emperor or his mother, who had passed too early.

Because of that, he wanted to come here one last time.

“I’d like to spend the night here…”

“That’s fine by me.”

With Aila’s approval, Kariel smiled brightly, turning to the attendants following them.

“Tonight, we will stay here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

In response to Kariel’s words, every attendant lowered their heads and replied.

Thus, Kariel spent his first night after marriage with Aila in the old Crown Prince’s Palace, a place filled with cherished memories that felt warmer than the Emperor’s Palace.

*

Following their so-called marriage of the century, a few days of rest passed, and the date for their honeymoon drew near.

“This is truly too much.”

“It’s a honeymoon, after all!”

Rufiel sighed heavily, glaring reproachfully at Kariel.

Staying holed up in the old Crown Prince’s Palace using the excuse of being on a honeymoon, Kariel hadn’t stepped outside even once.

Because of that, Rufiel was drowning in work, finally understanding what it felt like to be overwhelmed.

“If you’re envious, then get married too.”

“Ha…”

At Kariel’s words, Rufiel merely sighed, refusing to respond.

He knew full well that was bait.

“Since you’re going, just come back quickly.”

“Hmm… do you think that’s possible?”

Kariel gave a strained smile, shaking the report in his hand.

Knowing it was all about the Remnants of the Past, Rufiel returned a faint smile.

From the sight of Kariel heading off to his one-time honeymoon loaded with work, he couldn’t help but glimpse his own future.

“With all this work, it looks like you’ll be going on a honeymoon after all.”

“Take it easy… take it slow.”

“When did I say to hurry back?”

“…….”

Looking at Rufiel with an expression of concern, Kariel smiled softly and said.

“There’s no need to look at me like that; you won’t be different either.”

“I… will not.”

Rufiel replied through gritted teeth.

Seeing him like that, Kariel thought, “Is he really as untroubled as he appears?” before greeting Aila and the officials and hopping back onto the wagon.

“Are we ready?”

“All set.”

At Kariel’s question, Seriel, riding a white horse next to the wagon, bowed his head in reply.

“Until we get to the maternal side, you all handle things.”

“However, Your Majesty…”

“Hey, I’m newly married; I deserve a little break!”

Kariel glared at Seriel while sighing heavily.

“Let me at least relax a bit.”

“You seem to have had quite enough of that…”

All the numerous guests who attended Kariel’s wedding.

He only saw the leaders of each nation on the first day. After that, it was all Rufiel meeting them at various banquet halls.

Moreover, many agreements made with envoy groups from various nations had to be executed during this time as well.

Rufiel handled it all alone.

Of course, Seriel and the military were also busy with alliances made with the East Continent and New Continent.

From the officials to high-ranking bureaucrats, everyone worked late into the night at the banquet halls, while Kariel was truly enjoying a sweet newlywed life since the wedding.

Thus, Seriel looked at Kariel with a cold stare.

“…It’s a honeymoon, after all.”

Using the same excuse he’d used with Rufiel, Kariel brushed aside Seriel’s intense gaze and signaled for the wagon to move.

Arriving at the splendidly adorned wagon where the Emperor’s private airship was docked, journalists with Image Spheres greeted the pair.

“Finally departing on a sweet honeymoon, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“The smiling Emperor and the tearful Crown Prince-”

As Kariel and a disheveled Rufiel boarded the airship for their honeymoon, the newspapers featured their wide-eyed expressions, making everyone laugh.

Some felt pity for Rufiel, but most blessed Kariel.

Knowing how tortured Kariel had been in the past, they could sincerely wish him happiness now.

But just half a day into their honeymoon, that blessing was shattered.

“What if His Majesty’s honeymoon is basically a business trip?”

A journalist, with connections to the military, published an article after receiving information about the Remnants of the Past.

Since the Empire citizens had a right to know, the information regarding the past was disclosed, leading to speculations that Kariel would venture into significant danger zones during this honeymoon.

A few hours after that article was published, the military confirmed the news.

“Ah… His Majesty…”

“Now should be the happiest time…”

Everyone felt a twinge of sorrow.

There would be no time during their married life that would be happier than now.

With the thought that they would have to work even during such precious moments, the celebratory mood among the Empire citizens grew solemn.

Despite this, Kariel was surprisingly enjoying himself.

As he had told Seriel, he focused on spending sweet time with the Empress.

Recalling memories of the good places he had visited while wandering the West Continent during the war, he crafted a honeymoon route that seemed to satisfy Aila as well.

Despite Kariel wishing time would slow down even a little, it slipped by like an arrow and soon enough, they arrived at the Luminous Autonomous Territory, Aila’s family home.

“I greet Your Majesty!”

“It’s been a while.”

Kariel exchanged greetings with his father-in-law, the governor of the territory, as they enjoyed the luxurious meals prepared for them.

However, scarcely a day had passed since their arrival when Seriel came rushing in.

“Your Majesty.”

“Ha… I see. Give it to me.”

Receiving the thick report with a sigh, Kariel soon understood why Seriel had come so urgently.

“It’s not just a problem in the New Continent.”

“…Yes.”

A massive serpent occupying the highest peak of the New Continent.

However, the reports indicated that at least three such beings existed in the New Continent.

If that were all, Seriel wouldn’t have rushed in this way.

“The southern islands, and even the East and West Continents are experiencing similar occurrences…”

They had erased the strongest remnants of the past, including Odin, yet had they inadvertently triggered a chain reaction?

Escaped remnants seemed to desire to become ‘gods’ themselves.

Their previous silence was likely due to gathering strength and collaborating.

But even if that was the case, it was manageable.

With the current Ignit, considered the strongest in history, handling issues arising from the remnants in the West Continent should be a piece of cake.

The problem arose afterward.

“A sinister energy…”

The mysterious energy mentioned at the end of the report.

It was a force unlike any that had been seen, neither from Hell nor a demon, corrupting the surroundings.

Why had such phenomena been discovered only now?

The answer lay with the remnants of the past.

Some of the past remaining entities had taken residence where this sinister energy was emanating, absorbing all of it.

“Have the issues we postponed been a problem all along?”

Problems that had been needlessly deferred for the sake of the war-torn Ignit.

Now, it felt as if that neglect was becoming a far greater issue.

“There was simply no other choice back then.”

Most of the Grand Masters and others were incapable of mobilization, the knights and mages were no different.

Even the soldiers needed rest.

Thus, it had been unavoidable.

“I suppose I’ll have to go and see for myself.”

“…Shall I prepare?”

Kariel watched Seriel as he immediately intended to start preparing.

“Let’s wait a few more days… just a few more days.”

“…Yes.”

Seriel responded quietly, clearing his throat before withdrawing at Kariel’s earnest request.

“Ha…”

Kariel sighed, staring up at the sky.

It felt like every time he planned to retire, something emerged.

At this point, it almost felt as if someone was throwing a mountain of work at him whenever he tried to retire.

“…Maybe it’s just my imagination.”