The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wants to Retire

Side Story 6: Operation Name: Monster Seduction (3)

Not long after Surth returned, Skoll and Agni also came back one after another.

In Skoll’s case, he led remnants from the Mythical Era, including wolves and divine beasts.

He had gathered the poor souls who, like gods or giants, lacked spirit and were unable to rest, forcing them to awaken.

Along the way, he also collected some fragments of Harty and infused them into sentient animals.

But the more astonishing one was Agni.

“The Spirit Realm….”

Of course, it wasn’t the official Spirit Realm.

Though hard to find nowadays, the Spirit Realm still existed, and someone who could handle spirits was out there somewhere.

The children Agni gathered weren’t complete spirits but were discarded from the Spirit Realm or were half-spirits, imperfect beings.

Poor existences that barely survived by dwelling within animals or plants as fragments of spirits.

He had chosen one of the ruins of the crumbled world to assemble these beings.

“Everyone has grown remarkably.”

Kariel, witnessing the significantly grown summoned beings, could only express her amazement.

Although Kariel had diligently trained during this time, she hadn’t reached the level of the summoned beings.

She had become strong enough to match her abilities from the Grand War era without those summons, but the summons had gained enough power to be masters in their own right.

Just their reunion made her feel like she had acquired a Heavenly Army, but what was more important was the information.

As she learned various things different from what she had received from Surth, it became clear how critical the situation truly was.

“God…”

After gathering so much from the three summoned beings, she finally understood why Quetzalcoatl took the trouble to summon her.

The situation was far more serious than she had anticipated.

“Are they planning to wage a dimensional war?”

It felt like many gods were about to battle for this world.

Diverse races from numerous dimensions seemed to swarm in, trying to gnaw away at the world.

However, surprisingly, both Surth and the summoned beings seemed to worry little.

– After all, gods can’t come directly.

Having regained more memories as he leveled up, Surth casually explained how things were going.

The gods on that side could not directly interfere or come into this world.

To do so, they would have to cross dimensions, which would put their main base at great risk.

What if no god-level existence came?

It would just turn into a war of attrition.

“Certainly, defending would be advantageous.”

– Yes. Besides, their routes are limited.

The Gate of Other Dimension must open first.

Thus, members of the world, including humanity, would have time to prepare.

If this were a battlefield, the paths they took were limited, with a massive fortress blocking their way.

One side would defend, and the other would attack.

In such overwhelmingly favorable circumstances, there was only one concern: the numbers.

– So don’t panic.

“I’m not panicking.”

Kariel glared at Surth after his remark.

If she were panicking, she would have accepted Quetzalcoatl’s offer and become a god herself. Instead, she had rejected it, viewing the invasion of other dimensions as an opportunity for humanity to progress to the next level.

“Now that information is roughly gathered, it’s time to move. I desperately need your help.”

– Are you planning to put us to work right away?

Surth appeared incredulous, and Skoll and Agni nodded in agreement.

“You’re running out of time. Now! Enough talk, let’s go persuade the remnants of the past.”

As Kariel said this, she began prioritizing whom to persuade based on the information Talion had gathered.

Then Surth tilted his head and spoke.

– Is there really a need to go through all that trouble?

“What?”

– About these guys. There’s an easier way to persuade them.

Taken aback by Surth’s suggestion, Kariel raised an eyebrow as though asking, “Is there really such a method?”

Surth glanced at Agni and Skoll, who shared puzzled expressions as if to say, “You didn’t know?”

– Let’s get going.

“Okay.”

Heeding Surth’s words, Kariel prepared to head to the outskirts of the Empire.

After spending a solid hour persuading Aila, who came to see her husband as soon as he returned, Kariel finally boarded the airship and headed east.

Among the most famous remnants of the past in the West Continent.

An ancient super giant golem, fused with a mountain giant buried in the Giant Mountain Range, had awakened as an ambiguous entity, not quite a relic of the past nor a mutated monster.

But with the nearby Gate of Other Dimension currently opening, it was growing immensely.

Its size dwarfed even normal mountains, and it was powerful enough to cause earthquakes and erupt lava.

Moreover, it seemed to possess remarkable reproductive abilities, as the number of mountain giants around the mountain range surged, making them difficult to subdue.

“Can you really persuade them?”

Kariel looked at Agni with a worried expression.

Agni responded confidently, thumping his chest as if to say, “Don’t worry!” before dashing off toward the mountain giants.

How many hours had passed since Agni took flight?

Suddenly, a gigantic mountain trembled as the mountain giant arose.

As one of the famed mountains of the Giant Mountain Range transformed in real-time before her eyes, the colossal giant’s gaze locked onto Kariel.

-…I… will… make a… contract.

The mountain giant suddenly declared its intention to contract with her.

“What… did you do?”

In response to Kariel’s question, Surth smiled and replied.

– It’s simple. They’d rather build their own world than stay here.

Countless races were nearly extinct.

Though resurrected as remnants of the past, they remained unstable beings.

However, the current era belonged neither to the gods nor to the bewitching beasts, but to humans.

From their perspective, this was naturally a source of anxiety.

Additionally, life in this world was anything but comfortable.

While other continents might be better, Ignit had a tightly woven surveillance network, and especially dangerous beings were regularly monitored, causing great annoyance.

Mountain giants preferred to enjoy leisure by sleeping or moving slowly, but with humans constantly flying overhead casting exploration magic, they felt irritated.

Though they’d like to eliminate humans, they couldn’t do so fearing the terrifying Grand Master would show up and squash them.

– Among the remnants of the past, you and the Grand Masters are quite famous.

Surth’s remark was met with Skoll nodding in agreement.

It was well-known among remnants and divine beasts that humans were not to be trifled with.

Thus, they were pleased with Kariel’s proposition.

– We… wish to follow… the author…

“Agni?”

Kariel observed Agni silently after hearing the mountain giant’s words.

She had assumed they’d follow Surth due to being giants, but that wasn’t the case.

Instead of being giants, they opted to live as spirits. Respecting their choice, Kariel looked at Agni, who also nodded.

Since it was still an unstable area, having more forces join would be greatly appreciated.

On the contrary, Surth’s viewpoint differed.

– What a pity.

While Surth expressed disappointment, several rock giants born from the mountain giant approached him.

Though most of the mountain giants and their subordinates followed Agni, some wished to follow Surth, leading to a split as they chose their paths.

With the situation in the Giant Mountain Range progressing smoothly, Kariel finally began to move in earnest.

“From now on, we will operate on two tracks.”

“Yes! Your Majesty!”

At Kariel’s command, the military and the mages bowed their heads in unison.

Beings evaluated as above Master Class would be handled by Kariel, while the lesser beings would be contracted by the military and the mages, establishing a general framework.

As soon as the decision was made, the military and mages began to scatter across the continent.

Before the offensive from the Other Dimensions began, they needed to finalize agreements with the remnants of the past, at least in the West Continent.

In fact, Seriel and the Minister of Military believed that the contracts would not pose significant challenges.

The real issue lay with Kariel.

These beings were beyond the classified dangerous species designated by Ignit.

Given time, they could likely become transcendent beings akin to the huge serpents of the New Continent.

They were strong-willed entities with both spirit and pride, making it unlikely they would easily ally with humans.

However, contrary to such expectations, Kariel was swiftly concluding contracts faster than the military.

“Phew… Have I managed to contract all the important ones?”

Kariel tilted her head with a serene expression as she gazed at the ice giant on the snow-covered ground.

“By the way, what’s taking Garum so long?”

The most significant factor in accomplishing the goals had been none other than Garum’s ability.

Garum had shared his powers in exchange for aiding him.

Thanks to that, she was able to complete contracts with the remnants of the past and the mutated monsters of the West Continent.

Yet, even with everyone present, it was frustrating that only Garum had not shown up.

“Is he busy?”

– Guess so.

Surth chimed in with Kariel, and Skoll and Agni nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, a green fireball appeared in the air.

– Now that I’ve shared so many abilities, why do you complain about being a bit late when you’re busy?

Garum, frowning as he materialized, made Kariel smile.

“I wish you’d have come sooner.”

– What can I do when I’m busy?

“Is Hell also seeing a Gate of Other Dimension?”

Kariel asked, to which Garum nodded.

From Garum’s perspective, sharing so many abilities was quite challenging.

Handling matters in Hell alone was already taxing, and with Kariel and the other summoned beings also seeking help, it was almost overwhelming.

Nevertheless, he chose to endure knowing that the invasion of other dimensions was that serious.

The worlds of the Demon Realm and Hell, which branch out like a twine from the center world, were especially vulnerable to the Gates of Other Dimensions.

Moreover, if this world began to be consumed by other dimensions, Hell and the Demon Realm would be even more impacted, risking the collapse of the entire world.

Only if the central world withstood could Hell regain stability.

– Phew… Now that the immediate fires have been extinguished, let’s wrap this up.

“Is that why you came?”

Kariel inquired, and Garum subtly nodded.

“Are you going back right away?”

– No.

Garum shook his head firmly.

After working hard in Hell, he needed some time to rest.

As the invasion of other dimensions would start again, he decided to take a short break while he could.

– I’m planning to enjoy a little relaxation away from that boring Hell.

“Ah….”

Just as Kariel disliked the Imperial Palace, Garum felt the same about Hell.

Being in his workplace, Garum hadn’t slept, keeping busy 24/7 in Hell.

Thus, having crossed over, he wanted to take some time to rest.

– You seem to have finished your tasks as well?

“Uh… Sure?”

– Then you need to play with us.

Suddenly turning into a small dog, Garum wagged his tail enthusiastically while Skoll and Agni transformed into animals too.

The two summoned beings, changed into a wolf and a fox, waved their tails as they sprawled around Kariel.

Seeing this, Surth clicked his tongue.

– Divine beasts, these guys…

Surth scolded the others to maintain some dignity, but they paid him no mind and settled near Kariel.

Though Kariel had never owned a pet, she realized that the display of affection she was witnessing was a request to play, leaving her dumbfounded as she sighed and took them back to the Imperial Palace.

However, as she returned, having been quite busy, Kariel found Aila waiting for her upon entering the palace.

‘I’m dead.’

Her husband was always wandering outside, even despite their newlywed status.

What woman would like such a husband?

Kariel gulped nervously, preparing herself for the impending lecture.

Yet, in stark contrast to her expectations, Aila’s face lit up with joy.

“Oh my~!”

The summoned beings show affection toward Aila.

At the center of it all was Garum.

“Kyiiing~.”

“Woof woof!”

“Arf! Arf!”

As the summoned beings displayed their affection, the cold glare Aila had was melting away, and Kariel stood there, dumbfounded at the sight.

‘Am I not dead?’

In preparation for a ten-hour scolding, Kariel was now staring at Surth in disbelief.

Surth, amused by Kariel’s expression, smiled back.

Yet, this joy was short-lived. The very next morning, Talion arrived urgently at the Emperor’s Palace carrying pressing news.