The Prince Wants to Retire

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Crown Prince’s Wish to Retire

[Side Story 8: Go Home and Spew Nonsense!]

Kariel’s expression darkened at the words of the God of Earth.

“Is there still more left?”

It had been quite some time since Baldur’s demise, yet traces of him lingered.

“So what about the contract with him?”

– The final trial.

The God of Earth, referring to it as the final trial, silently gazed at Kariel.

– What he requested was for you to have one last choice.

“Choice….”

Kariel crossed his arms, unperturbed, staring at the God of Earth as if he were listening.

The arrogant posture made the God of Earth’s expression wrinkle, but it didn’t matter.

When Kariel first entered this space, he was tense, but now he knew for certain.

‘Even gods cannot touch me.’

The white space served as a sort of neutral ground.

And Kariel understood that the God of Earth’s small appearance was not intentional on His part.

The power he felt emanating from the God of Earth was as feeble as Baldur’s.

This meant that the God of Earth faced limitations in exhibiting His strength here across dimensions.

‘That’s why He’d be so long-winded.’

One thing that worried him was the power of the Gray Gate.

It was a formidable strength that could even resist himself, but it was clear that the current God of Earth wasn’t responsible for that.

– I will become the god of this place.

“So?”

– I will make it a safe place like Earth. So be my apostle.

As the God of Earth extended His hand with the proposal, Kariel simply looked at Him in silence.

“Is that it?”

– After all, you wouldn’t want to take on that troublesome task, would you?

The God of Earth spoke as if He understood Kariel’s thoughts.

– I would take on all the troublesome tasks. And if you wish, I can send you back to Earth.

At the God of Earth’s words, the landscape of Earth began to emerge in the white space.

“This is… Earth?”

Kariel gazed incredulously at the God of Earth.

– Yes.

The God of Earth wore a bitter expression.

– We can’t avoid the invasion of other dimensions on our own.

Upon hearing the God of Earth’s words, Kariel’s expression darkened.

It was clear that this was a deliberate display.

In exchange for guaranteeing a happy environment and safety for His family, they were now doing their best to adapt to the altered environment of Earth.

Thanks to the God of Earth’s consideration, they lived abundantly, but the monsters coming through the gates like here posed a significant survival threat.

“I granted your family abilities through my authority, just as I promised Baldur. However, complete safety cannot be guaranteed.”

With the onset of the invasion of other dimensions, the God of Earth had no choice but to nurture talented humans.

– So you must go to Earth and protect your family.

At the God of Earth’s words, Kariel stared blankly at his former family with a stern expression.

They were a wealthy family, but they felt a constant threat to their lives from the monsters that emerged from the gates.

He even caught a glimpse of his adorable nephews.

– Will you contract with me?

The God of Earth, thinking he had this all wrapped up, smiled and extended His hand.

As he watched the slowly extending arm of Kariel, the God of Earth filled His face with a beaming smile.

“Get lost.”

With a swat, Kariel knocked the God of Earth’s outstretched hand aside, curling one side of his mouth upward.

“Who do you think you are selling your nonsense?”

– Tsk!

Seeing Kariel’s expression, the God of Earth clicked His tongue and conjured a chair in midair, arrogantly crossing His legs.

– Will you abandon your family?

“What can I do for them as a dead man?”

– You could just return.

A dead son claiming to be their son would be hardly believed, and they were now merely a thing of the past.

Life on Earth had ended, so he needed to focus on this world now.

– If you want, I could make your family believe in you.

“Will you give me a reincarnation?”

At Kariel’s question, the God of Earth’s expression hardened.

Simply making his family believe Kariel was their family was akin to brainwashing.

Thus, if Kariel were to return to Earth, he wished for ‘reincarnation.’

‘No way He would do that.’

Kariel, knowing how much Baldur had strained himself to make that happen, was aware.

Even before the invasion of other dimensions, how would one get reincarnated in a broken state between dimensions?

How much power would the God of Earth have to expend for that to be possible?

– You certainly seem to have no lingering attachments to life on Earth.

“Because this is now my home.”

At Kariel’s response, the God of Earth spoke seriously, looking defeated.

– Let’s form an alliance.

The God of Earth, who had been trying to wheedle in a roundabout way for his own gain, switched tactics and proposed negotiations with Kariel.

– It’s us teaming up. To be precise, it’s joining %@$^&.

The mention of an organization that Kariel had yet to ascend to the divine rank didn’t resonate with him, but he understood vaguely.

Just as there are various nations on the continent, the same applied to dimensions.

And currently, the conflict for land was in full swing.

“I am not a god.”

Kariel rejected the God of Earth’s proposal.

When he refused, citing that he hadn’t achieved divine rank yet, the God of Earth narrowed His eyes.

– If you wish, I’ll help you become a god. So join %@$^&.

“I reject that too.”

With Kariel’s consecutive refusals, the God of Earth’s expression hardened.

– Have you already received another proposal?

“No.”

– …Then why?

The God of Earth tilted His head in inquiry.

Kariel understood that the proposal had been made genuinely from a desire to help, but he had to firmly refuse.

Though it stemmed from goodwill, he had no idea what constraints would come later.

It might be fine now, but it could lead to bonds that chained him in the future. Above all, it was dangerous to hastily align with anyone at this stage.

He was unaware of what organization the God of Earth belonged to or what status they held in this war between dimensions, so he couldn’t just align himself.

“If you propose again later, I’ll reconsider. But not now.”

Seeing Kariel effortlessly reject him once more, the God of Earth clicked His tongue again.

Considering Kariel’s potential for growth, it seemed likely he would eventually become a god.

Humans growing around him would also become strong quickly; thus, the value of this dimension would rapidly ascend.

The God of Earth would have sensed that and attempted to stake His claim.

But Kariel did not feel rushed.

– From now, it won’t be as relaxed as it is now.

“I know.”

– Unless you belong somewhere, you can be targeted by anyone.

Kariel nodded at the God of Earth’s heartfelt advice.

This decision could very well lead to potential risks. But still, Kariel was confident.

“Conversely, as our value increases, others will want to join us just like you.”

– ….

“If I hastily align myself with a faction before adequate growth, I’ll likely just be used and discarded.”

The wars between dimensions, the war of the gods, were unfavorable, but fundamentally, they were not much different from regular political strife.

Without power, being part of a massive faction meant merely being used and discarded at the end.

Surely aligning with the God of Earth might secure temporary stability. But how long would this world, devoid of gods, protect them from the hungry predators of other dimensions?

There would likely be those who would propose deals at his expense.

“Most importantly, I currently lack too much information.”

He couldn’t just leap into an alliance without any information.

Thus, Kariel was prepared to walk a tightrope while shouldering the risks.

– You know tightroping is dangerous?

“I do. But I also understand that growth cannot happen without risking danger.”

Stability alone won’t facilitate growth.

What was the reason for this world’s rapid growth?

It was precisely because wars and chaos were recurrent.

Especially with the invasion from many other dimensions due to the absence of gods, a great deal of resource acquisition had been occurring, leading to rapid growth.

A crisis equals an opportunity.

‘Maintain a neutral position to grow quickly. Simultaneously, we decide for ourselves from a higher position.’

The determination of Kariel did not waver despite the God of Earth’s attempts to coax him.

He threaten subtly, released information he held, and even lured with clues on becoming a god.

But Kariel’s resolve remained unfaltering.

– Sigh… Looks like I’ve lost again.

“Lost?”

– Yes.

As the God of Earth sighed profoundly, it seemed time had run out, and the white space began to collapse.

– Clever little rascal. No, no. It’s all because of this guy.

An ordinary person from His world.

Yet Baldur had chosen to bring Kariel, resulting in a series of defeats for the God of Earth.

– To protect the world to the end…

A god who did not abandon a fading world.

Unlike typical gods, this foolish god, who risked even obliteration, once again claimed victory over the God of Earth.

The price for trying to deceive an unsuspecting Kariel and swallow the world was harsh.

– I think I need to reflect for a while.

Having suffered considerable loss due to consecutive defeats, the God of Earth waved His arm with a sigh.

At that moment, peculiar symbols began to form on the God of Earth’s body.

[You have won the bet against the god. As there are no parties to the bet, the designated representative of the party receives the reward!]

A dry voice Kariel hadn’t heard since Baldur’s disappearance.

Alongside that, the God of Earth’s form gradually faded into the mist as Kariel too lost consciousness and was pulled somewhere.

“This place is…”

The Gray Gate that had drawn him in.

But it no longer emitted a gray hue.

“Did gray mean neutrality or trade?”

Muttering as he gazed at the now violet gate, Kariel sighed.

Having rejected the God of Earth’s proposal, war was the only thing left.

“Your Majesty!”

“Duke Devir, I distinctly ordered….”

“I have completed my mission!”

As the approaching Duke Devir bowed and responded, Kariel tilted his head.

“Already?”

“Already? Your Majesty, it has been two months since you entered the gate!”

“Ah….”

Realizing that yet again, a considerable amount of time had passed since meeting Baldur, Kariel forced a wry smile and began walking with Duke Devir toward the waiting Gray Shields in the distance.

“Nothing has changed a lot, has it?”

“… A lot has changed, indeed.”

At Kariel’s words, Duke Devir hesitated before responding.

“Changed… What do you mean by that?”

Kariel tilted his head at Duke Devir’s words.

And moments later, seeing the contents in the Image Sphere, Kariel was aghast.

“I need to confirm this myself.”

At Kariel’s orders, the special forces airships soared into the sky. Although he knew they were anxiously waiting for him in the Imperial Palace due to the news of the Emperor’s return, Kariel headed east.

And there, Kariel stood stammering in shock for quite some time, his expression one of disbelief.