The Prince Wants to Retire

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Crown Prince Wants to Retire

Side Story 6: Operation Name: Monster Temptation

A world where the gods have disappeared.

As a result, many dimensions were attempting to break in for a robbery.

But the world isn’t so forgiving.

Rather, some were using such attempts to gain power.

They were the remnants of the past.

Those who, over a long time, had lost their standing and strength were now recovering it through the powers coming from other dimensions.

If left unchecked, they might completely restore the powers of the past.

But that was just their wish.

“I greet Your Majesty!”

“Summon the Ministers immediately.”

As soon as Kariel returned from the New Continent, he issued the summons.

The Ministers, having already heard about what transpired between Kariel and Quetzalcoatl, hurriedly gathered in the Emperor’s Palace.

Once the top commanders of the military and the Ministers were all assembled, Kariel spoke without delay.

“You might have heard beforehand, but it seems the situation is becoming critical.”

As he spoke, Kariel handed a note written during his return to Seriel.

“I felt a lot during my trip to the New Continent.”

Everyone nodded with serious expressions at Kariel’s words.

Unlike Ignit, who had only antagonized the remnants of the past and monsters, the New Continent chose to coexist with them.

As a result, their forces became strong enough to rival one of Ignit’s main forces.

“If the New Continent could do it, so can we.”

Kariel muttered this while looking at Seriel.

“We will change all the strategies we’ve established. From now on, we will focus on gathering as many allies as possible.”

“Do you plan to do it like the New Continent?”

Luther asked with a worried expression at Kariel’s words.

“Yes.”

“However, Your Majesty, doing so might risk the collapse of the Divine Right centered around you.”

Unlike the New Continent, which created different gods for each nation, Ignit was a unified nation.

If they allowed the strong monsters found all over the West Continent to be worshipped as gods or equivalent beings, it could lead to a crisis of division in a recently unified nation.

“Indeed.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary to follow the New Continent’s direction exactly.”

“I agree.”

The Ministers echoed Luther’s sentiments, emphasizing the dangers of such a move.

Kariel then turned to his two younger siblings.

“And what do you think?”

“I share the same view.”

Seriel replied, conforming to the Ministers’ thoughts, and after a moment of pondering, Kariel shifted his gaze to Rufiel.

“And you?”

“Hmm… I don’t think it would be bad.”

The Ministers and Seriel looked shocked at Rufiel’s words.

“Really?”

Kariel smiled at the unexpected reply.

“Yes, even if gods settle in each region like folk beliefs, what’s the issue? As long as Your Majesty stands above them.”

Everyone turned to look at Rufiel’s face.

“Just like in the Mythical Era, wouldn’t it work for Your Majesty to lead them?”

“Indeed….”

“That’s a good approach.”

“Would you become the main god of the current world?”

Just as everyone laughed about this, Kariel’s expression began to sour.

‘At this rate, I might as well prepare for retirement.’

The moment Rufiel said that, it felt as if a vision of the future unfolded before him.

Having barely managed to angle for his retirement, he imagined himself piled up with work for various reasons as the Ministers continually came to him with nonsense like, “At this rate, the Empire will divide!” and “We need to discipline the divine beasts!”

It hadn’t been long since becoming a unified empire, so it would take at least a few centuries to truly establish a unified West Continent nation.

That meant he could be working until just before he died.

Perhaps if he developed a higher realm than now, he might find himself enviously rolling around while others entered their peace.

“…….”

Seeing Kariel suddenly fall silent with a serious expression, the Ministers started glancing nervously at each other.

“……Your Majesty?”

Seeing Seriel gaze at him in confusion, Kariel snapped out of his thoughts and sighed.

“For now, let’s put a hold on this. First, identify those with spiritual gifts and approach them.”

“Understood.”

“Good. Let’s move on to the next agenda.”

As Kariel spoke, Talion, who had been quietly waiting, activated the Image Sphere set up in Kariel’s Office.

At the same time, a bookshelf opened, revealing a map of the West Continent.

“We suspect there are places where gates to other dimensions are currently open.”

As his explanation concluded, Talion approached the map, placing flags at various locations.

Each time he did so, video data of the corresponding area appeared in the Image Sphere.

“Most of them are inhabited by remnants of the past or monsters with spiritual gifts.”

“Are there any empty spots?”

“Yes, for those places, we’ve dispatched the Special Forces and researchers.”

“What are the research results?”

At Kariel’s question, Talion quietly shook his head.

There just hadn’t been enough time to study anything.

“There’s been too little time to find out anything.”

The Duke of Welch, who had arrived late, gathered the data he had investigated and reported.

He had yet to find answers to how the remnants of the past were using the powers of other dimensions or how to purify the contaminating powers around them.

“However….”

“However?”

“If we look for past cases, we might find answers.”

“Past cases?”

At the Duke of Welch’s remark, an elder stepped forward.

“Librarian.”

“I greet Your Majesty!”

An old librarian, who had retired alongside the Secret Guardians, pulled out an old book.

“According to ancient records, there are references regarding current gates to other dimensions. They describe powers that contaminate or mutate the surroundings, similar to now.”

“Have you found any answers?”

“Unfortunately, no. However… it is recorded that those who handle pure mana can utilize the contaminated powers to some extent.”

“Pure mana?”

Kariel tilted his head at the old librarian’s words before his eyes widened in realization.

“Do you have any clues?”

“There is one.”

As Kariel said that, he summoned Fire Energy.

By using pure Fire Energy, not the processed mana developed by humanity, Kariel found a way to handle the roots of power: the Mana Cultivation Method.

“I’ll go look for the barbarian tribes.”

Talion, understanding the meaning, hurriedly left.

“I’ll also search more ancient documents.”

The old librarian bowed his head and exited, leaving Kariel to address the remaining Ministers.

“It’s not long since the Great War ended, and now this happens. But this time, it’s different.”

Everyone turned to look at Kariel, their expressions attentive.

“During the Great War, the power of the Empire wasn’t what it is now; it was the worst of times with civil wars and continuous conflicts.”

They nodded, recalling how fortunate they had been to survive the Great War.

During the Dark Age, the Empire had undergone reform under the hero Kariel, who, as the Crown Prince, raised the nation’s power.

Riding that wave, he expelled the Dark Mage and united the West Continent.

Simultaneously, he used that strength to unite the nations of the East Continent to face their enemies.

Looking back now, had they deviated even slightly or been late, they would have faced utter destruction.

“The enemies have not arrived yet. We have ample time to prepare. Furthermore, the current power of the Empire is stronger than ever.”

Kariel was confident that, with their current forces alone, they could ensure the Empire’s safety.

However, to go beyond merely enduring, he aimed to negotiate with the remnants of the past or the monsters with spiritual gifts.

“Our goal isn’t just survival.”

It was to completely swallow the enemies and utilize their powers for greater advancement.

To achieve that, Kariel willingly accepted the hassle.

“Minister of Internal Affairs, inform the local bureaucrats of this fact and prepare in advance.”

“Yes.”

“Minister of Foreign Affairs, share all the information we possess with other nations.”

“All of it, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. They need to prepare as well.”

If the neighboring East Continent were to be occupied by beings from other dimensions, Ignit would ultimately be the one to suffer.

Hence, sharing all information was the right course of action.

“Your Majesty, how about receiving compensation from the nations in the Southern Islands or the New Continent?”

“Compensation?”

Kariel tilted his head at Seriel’s suggestion.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I understand there are still tribes in the New Continent and especially in the Southern Islands practicing the Mana Cultivation Method. Additionally, there are also mixed tribes hiding after fleeing from us humans.”

Hearing Seriel’s words, Kariel smiled and nodded.

“Sounds good. Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Negotiate well as Seriel suggested. Consider providing substantial supplies if we can obtain meaningful information or assistance after consulting the Minister of Finance.”

“I will do so.”

After giving all the orders, Kariel rose from his seat.

“There isn’t much time until war breaks out. We must catch it early before it expands into a great war like the Great War. So, even if it’s tough, let’s move even a step further.”

“Yes! Your Majesty!”

With that, everyone bowed their heads and exited the meeting room.

Once everyone left, Kariel sat quietly in his chair, closing his eyes.

To form contracts with divine beasts or remnants of the past like in the New Continent, he needed help.

Fortunately, Kariel had individuals who communicated well with them.

Humm! Humm!

He conveyed his will to the summoned beings whose contracts were still maintained through the powers he had drawn forth.

Even from quite a distance, they could communicate with each other, yet there was no response—whether they were not on the West Continent or stuck in some remote area.

“Ha….”

Kariel exhaled deeply, wiping the cold sweat from his face with his sleeve.

He had merely conveyed his will, yet it felt like he had expended more energy than when he met Quetzalcoatl.

“Is waiting the only remaining option?”

Somewhere, the summoned beings would be moving to fulfill their wishes.

Waiting for them to come back to him, Kariel also began to act in earnest. The first thing to do was to visit the remnants of the past that had settled closest to the capital.

“Should I visit the Empress before I go?”

Having just forgotten to visit the Empress due to being busy with work upon returning, Kariel decided to head to the Empress’s residence.

“Your Majesty, I don’t think going there now is a good idea.”

“……Why?”

When Kariel asked with a look of confusion, the attendant hesitated several times before finally speaking.

“The Empress is quite disappointed.”

“Ah!”

“It’s rumored she lamented whether this was what a honeymoon should be just a few hours ago…”

The attendant couldn’t finish his words, but Kariel could hardly blame him.

“……Maybe I should wait a bit longer before visiting the Empress?”

Muttering that, Kariel ordered the attendant to prepare a list of gifts for the Empress, then quietly slipped out of the Imperial Palace.

He vowed that when he returned, he would spend quality time with the Empress…