The Prince Wants to Retire

---

The Crown Prince Wants to Retire

18. A Gift for My Siblings

The Crown Prince of the Empire is personally leading the Master Set to the South.

Just this fact is enough to make my legs tremble, but even more so, the Crown Prince’s army includes the elite knight order of the Central Army, the Grand Duke’s Knight Order, the Imperial Guard, the Shadows, and the Crows.

The Southern Allied Forces also have seven legions, but the Count of the South is directly leading four of them and pressing forward, while two legions from the Eastern Army are additionally moving toward Kapur Volcano.

So, from the perspective of the Southern Allied Forces, it couldn’t help but be a heavy burden.

If we’re not careful, a large-scale war could break out.

“Do we have a chance if we fight?”

“…It’s difficult.”

At the words of Duke Cletta, who led the Southern Allied Forces, the lieutenant beside him shook his head.

While there was a difference in the number of Masters, the Empire had Marquis Sicario, who was called the strongest in the West Continent.

Moreover, the troops led by the Crown Prince were superior to the Southern Allied Forces’ elite knights.

“Are you saying we should retreat?”

The Master, Duke Cletta, bit his lips, seemingly offended, but the lieutenant shook his head as if that too was difficult.

“Before we can break through the Count of the South, the Crown Prince’s army will arrive.”

“Then what are we supposed to do? Just sit here and wait for them to come, bow our heads when they do?”

At Cletta’s words filled with anger, the lieutenant silently bowed his head.

In fact, he also had plenty to say.

The one preventing them from returning to the South was the famous Count of the South from the Empire.

A renowned general who maintained control over the entire Southern Alliance with insufficient troops and managed to defend against forces that included the Master.

Moreover, the Eastern Army was ready to strike their rear with two legions.

In this situation, if they suddenly decided to return to the South, defeat was inevitable.

“Sigh… It drives me crazy. How did things come to this?”

Duke Cletta, the first sword of Talos, let out a curse while ruffling his hair.

According to the Intelligence Department in Talos, there was still a considerable amount of time left until matters in the Northwest were resolved.

Even if resolved, it would take time to involve the Southeast.

Yet here they were, like trapped rats.

The situation was equally dire for Rotheon.

Duke Pires, the only Master of Rotheon, sighed.

“It’s ruined.”

– All that’s left is to be plundered by the Empire.

From the communication tube, Marquis Wilsingham, the grand chancellor of Rotheon, let out a hollow laugh.

Though called the trade king of the West Continent, in this situation, the future diplomatic relations with the Empire looked hopeless.

“Give them what we must while minimizing the losses.”

– If we do that, we’ll have to rob our kingdom’s treasure vault.

“…Is it really that bad?”

– It would be faster to find those from Rotheon who haven’t been robbed by the Empire’s nobles.

“It’s ruined.”

Pires understood why Wilsingham resorted to such drastic measures.

It seemed that just being summoned to the Empire would lead to their doom, so he was trying to negotiate with whatever leverage he could.

But in the end, he failed, and now Rotheon was at the point of needing to capture even the rat hiding in their granary to offer up.

Meanwhile, the mastermind behind this mess was leisurely riding a wagon toward the Southeast.

“Not moving, huh?”

– Yes.

“Looks like they’re scared.”

– Seems that way.

Inside the wagon, Kariel chuckled as he listened to the voice coming from the communication tube.

Seyriel, beside him, wore a bemused expression hearing Kariel’s laughter.

Kariel had sent Seyriel and Rufiel to the capital to prepare for the Continental Conference while pressuring the Southern Allied Forces, who were invading the southeastern part of the Empire, with what he called “gifts.”

When he first mentioned going to the Southeast with three Masters, Seyriel thought his brother was going mad again.

At that time, she thought she could be clever enough to think like him after gaining some experience.

But when she received direct contact the next day, she had to swallow her embarrassment.

– Hey, tell the Count of the South to pressure them to Kapur Volcano.

When Seyriel first heard this, she wanted to object because the Southern border was in danger.

If things went wrong, the Imperial Army might be surrounded by the additional troops coming up from the South.

But Kariel provided a simple solution.

He suggested moving the Western Army south and detaching some of the Eastern Army to head toward Kapur Volcano.

Of course, one could think, “I could have thought that too.”

However, considering the background of these strategies, she could only admire him.

The Crown Prince army, organized using the position of the Iron Alliance and the Holy Nation, which suffered losses to the Dark Mages, included three Masters.

Likewise, the Western Army used the Iron Alliance’s position to prevent the Southern Army from rising and moving additional troops.

Finally, the Eastern Army maneuvered by taking advantage of the Southern Allied Forces’ dislike of being pressured by the Count of the South.

All of this was possible because Kariel had previously arranged for the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the matter with the three countries.

Given this situation, it became easy for Seyriel to initiate the Continental Conference under the pretense of the appearance of Dark Mages.

Naturally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which would oversee the conference, had an easier time as well.

“This is a retirement gift from my brother.”

– …Thank you.

Kariel nodded contently at Seyriel’s words of gratitude.

Having given his two younger siblings a great gift for overseeing the Continental Conference, Kariel could finally act with ease.

In practicality, he had completed almost everything he could do.

All that remained was to prevent a volcanic eruption, which was not urgent.

“Now I can move a bit leisurely.”

Kariel murmured, resting his chin on the windowsill, gazing up at the sky.

He had created a net to prevent the Southern Allied Forces from acting recklessly, so if any foreign countries wanted to say something to the Empire in the upcoming Continental Conference, they would have to deal with the Dark Mages trying to cause a volcanic eruption.

Therefore, the Crown Prince’s army could move leisurely, without the need for urgency like when they headed to the Northwest.

All they had to do was come and eat the feast the Southern Allied Forces prepared through their hard work.

Having set things up this way, he could move as leisurely as if he were on a trip.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

At Talion’s words of appreciation, Kariel nodded slightly.

Like he said, it really was a grueling ordeal.

Yet, the reason he could smile was that retirement was just around the corner.

The retirement he had longed for was so close that the struggles he faced now felt laughable.

“Sigh! It’s finally over!”

Kariel exclaimed, raising both hands as if relieved.

Hearing that outside the wagon, Glen remarked to Achelio, who was riding beside him.

“The Crown Prince is truly amazing.”

“An impressive person indeed.”

Achelio responded, gazing at the wagon.

Having served the current Emperor and even having briefly served the previous Emperor in his youth, he couldn’t begin to compare.

Even if he gathered all the talented princes from that time, it would take an enormous amount of time to accomplish what Kariel had.

“If someone like him ascends the throne…”

Achelio trailed off, glancing over at Devir.

Devir nodded as if in agreement.

Even though he supported the Third Prince, he recognized just how remarkable the Crown Prince’s abilities were.

Marquis Sicario felt the same.

In fact, if Kariel were willing, he was even considering supporting him alongside Achelio, the captain of the Imperial Palace Knights.

The problem was that the person in question wasn’t interested in that.

In truth, when he suggested the idea while they were preventing the volcanic eruption in the Northwest, he had merely hinted.

“Your Highness, if you wish, I will support the Crown Prince.”

“I too am willing to break neutrality and support you, Your Highness.”

The proposals from the two Masters.

But Kariel shook his head firmly.

“Since I intend to retire, don’t try to persuade me.”

The resoluteness in Kariel’s eyes.

His determination toward retirement was evident just from the burning gaze in his eyes.

“Until I retire, don’t cause unnecessary fuss and just stay still. Got it?”

Kariel repeatedly urged the two Masters.

Seeing this, the Masters who had been about to declare their support simply kept their mouths shut.

But as they observed Kariel’s actions, their desires kept bubbling to the surface.

From Sicario’s perspective, he believed Kariel’s intellect was capable enough to outsmart even the old fox leading the Holy Nation.

Achelio thought he could restore the Empire’s previously fallen authority.

But the person in question declined.

Of course, Kariel’s two younger siblings were also no slouches in talent.

Based on imperial history, they were certainly top-tier talents, but Kariel’s abilities were just too phenomenal.

“That’s… unfortunate.”

“You’re so fond of him… but it can’t be helped, right?”

Achelio said while observing the disappointed Sicario.

Then, those nearby all nodded in agreement.

In fact, the Empire’s citizens generally understood that Kariel was sincere about retirement.

Among the nobles in the provinces, there were some who doubted it, and Sicario had been one of them, but coming here confirmed everything.

‘He really is serious about retirement. His abilities are… indeed as rumored. No, are they even underestimated?’

Kariel’s desire to retire, along with his talents, was far greater than mere rumors suggested.

Currently, the word on the street was that he was exceptionally skilled for his age.

However, the people in the capital believed that Kariel possessed one of the most remarkable talents in the history of the Empire.

To begin with, the notion of him being exceptionally gifted for his age was flawed.

After all, he already possessed mature political acumen at the age of ten, along with the kind of savvy that one typically acquires after decades in the political arena.

Above all, his ability to grasp trends and respond accordingly, as well as his skill in commanding subordinates, was extraordinary.

He had precisely the most important abilities a ruler should have.

But after witnessing Kariel’s capabilities at the volcano, Sicario’s assessment went even further. He was convinced that Kariel’s talent ranked among the top five in the history of the Empire’s emperors.

‘To think someone with such talent is thinking about retirement already…’

It made his stomach hurt.

While some have been racking their brains for decades to keep a check on the Holy Nation, here was someone planning his retirement at a mere age in his teens.

Masters must sever ties with retirement until they die.

Yet here was Kariel, born a royal, plotting retirement in his teens, so it was only natural for him to feel upset.

An eternal slave and a prince who plans to retire in his teens.

The moment he thought this, Sicario’s expression wrinkled.

Even the Marquis, who always kept a calm poker face, couldn’t help but grimace.

At that moment, his gaze met Achelio’s.

Perhaps they were thinking the same thing as they exchanged glances.

Just then, Duke Devir looked at the two Masters with a curious expression.

‘You too?’

‘It feels like a shame to just let him go like this.’

‘Truly… retirement in his teens feels excessive. They say young people should work hard…’

The three Masters exchanged strange glances as they looked at the wagon carrying Kariel.

Since Kariel had already thought out plans to make use of his retirement beforehand, there was no way to stop him from retiring.

Though the two Masters wished to support Kariel, Devir was unexpectedly different.

However, he too found it too regrettable to let such a talented individual slip away just like that.

In his view, the minimum age at which the two princes could adequately perform their duties was twenty.

Truthfully, even that felt too early.

For this reason, he harbored a wish to keep Kariel bound to the Empire a bit longer.

Moreover, he wasn’t the only one who thought this way. The feelings of Duke Welch, who had confirmed them indirectly, were similar.

Duke Welch, likely to become the Empire’s only Mage.

Three Masters.

Additionally, the potential future head of the Grand Duke’s family, Glen, was also in a situation supporting Kariel.

As the Masters exchanged unusually serious looks, Toto silently shouted, gazing at the wagon.

‘Your Highness! This is not the time to be delighted!’