The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wants to Retire

10. The Return of the Grand Duke Family to the Capital! (2)

After negotiating with the Emperor, Kariel wasted no time and immediately set into motion.

His first destination was the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“Um, Your Highness, this is…”

“I just received permission from His Majesty. Inform the Noble Assembly and formally deliver my letter to the Grand Duke Family.”

At Kariel’s words, the bureaucrats of the Ministry swallowed hard as they looked down at the invitation extended to the Grand Duke Family to come to the capital.

Of course, it wasn’t as simple as just drafting a letter at the Ministry and heading straight to the Grand Duke.

They had to inform the Noble Assembly, formally submit it to the Emperor for approval, and seal it with the royal seal.

If during that process the Noble Assembly objects and raises the issue to the Grand Council Meeting, the letter would end up being kept at the Ministry until the results were determined.

“I will submit it to His Majesty as quickly as possible.”

“It will take time for the Noble Assembly to review it.”

“I don’t care, just handle the orders I gave.”

After saying that, Kariel drafted two letters on the spot.

“Deliver these to the Count of the West and the Central Army.”

As Kariel gave additional letters to the Inner Court Attendant and issued his commands, he headed straight to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I greet Your Highness!”

“From now on, relay exactly what I say to the Iron Alliance.”

At Kariel’s words, the Foreign Ministry bureaucrat hurriedly took out a notebook, swallowing hard.

“The movement of our forces in large numbers is intended to address unseemly matters within the Empire, so I ask for your understanding.”

“Is this all right to send like that?”

“Additionally, include that I, Kariel Friedrich von Blazer, personally request your understanding, and make it clear that this is His Majesty’s will.”

When Kariel said this, the high-ranking bureaucrat in the Foreign Ministry broke into a sweat.

“Even with a request for understanding, conflicts could arise later.”

“It’s to buy time; I don’t care if conflicts arise later. Your job is to stall until this matter is entirely settled.”

The bureaucrats in the Foreign Ministry looked confused at Kariel’s words.

“Don’t overthink it; you just have to do your jobs…”

“How long should we stall?”

At the bureaucrat’s question, Kariel immediately answered.

“Let’s say two months at the most. Can you do that?”

“With that much time, it seems possible.”

“Good. I’ll trust you on this.”

With that, Kariel patted the high-ranking bureaucrat on the shoulder and exited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Then, the Ministry started to bustle with activity.

The orders were simple, but the handling process was anything but, so they had no choice but to be busy.

A large-scale military movement would bring unnecessary tension to the borders, and though there was nothing to say if they objected, since Kariel personally requested understanding in the name of the Crown Prince, it was awkward to get angry.

To mention the Emperor’s will meant that the Crown Prince itself was requesting understanding in the capacity of the Emperor’s representative, so if they incorrectly objected, the situation might worsen.

Hence, from the Iron Alliance’s standpoint, they had no choice but to wait.

Even if there were radicals internally, aligning their differing opinions would take time in discussion.

In the end, even if the worst-case scenario occurred, Kariel’s intentions would still be fulfilled.

“Did he come up with this himself…?”

At one bureaucrat’s words, a young official tilted his head.

By using the Crown Prince’s name, he made it awkward for the other side to object.

Of course, they would have to explain the large-scale military movement later, but that would happen after the fact.

As long as they provide an explanation once everything is settled, it wouldn’t matter too much; at least for now, it had become awkward for the Iron Alliance to object vehemently.

It was truly a situation where the Crown Prince bought time diplomatically at the expense of his honor.

Nobles might frown at this, but from the perspective of a diplomat, it was wise.

“There must be someone helping him from the side.”

“But considering all that, recent actions of the Crown Prince…”

“Indeed, observing the Crown Prince’s conduct, it could be that he came up with this on his own…”

The bureaucrats gazed thoughtfully at the place where Kariel had just exited.

The 2nd Prince, gifted with magic, and the 3rd Prince, skilled in swordsmanship, were known for their strengths, while the Crown Prince was often seen as weak.

However, considering recent actions and how he handled the current situation, one began to wonder if the Crown Prince might also be a genius on par with the other two.

“The golden generation of the royal family, perhaps?”

At one young bureaucrat’s murmur, others nodded subconsciously.

A royal family born in the era of chaos, the golden generation.

They thought that perhaps this chaotic age would be calmed and the Empire would be made great again, and unknowingly, the bureaucrats clenched their fists in determination.

Even though they had been tainted after generations of rot in the Imperial Palace, a sense of pride in the ‘Great Empire’ still lingered deep in their hearts.

That pride was beginning to awaken a little at the Crown Prince’s refreshing actions.

“Perhaps the Empire will change.”

“I hope so.”

As they murmured like that, the bureaucrats hurriedly collected themselves and moved busily to carry out the tasks ordered by the Crown Prince.

*

Just as the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs were bustling to carry out the Crown Prince’s commands, Kariel visited yet another place.

Swiftly crossing the Imperial Palace, Kariel made his way to the Inspection Department and immediately went up to where the Chief Inspector was.

“We need to strike against the Western Criminal Alliance and Belphus.”

Upon entering and issuing his command, Podolski showed a puzzled expression.

“Pardon? Now, you say?”

“I just returned from negotiations with the Emperor. Time is of the essence. We must strike before the Western underground organizations move.”

At Kariel’s words, Podolski spoke urgently.

“Is it really appropriate to say it so suddenly?”

Seeing Podolski’s distressed face, Kariel briefly summarized the plans he had devised based on the information gathered from the Chancellor.

After hearing all the explanations, Podolski nodded in understanding and immediately bowed his head.

“I will prepare.”

“The Chief Inspector’s task is to announce that the Western Criminal Alliance is related to the drug incidents. Along with that, we’ll announce that funds from the dark mages’ temple are flowing into the West.”

“We still lack evidence for that.”

Podolski, wearing a troubled expression, was met with Kariel’s slight smile.

“Only they can manipulate the evidence.”

“It may cause problems later on.”

“Just pretend to be doing it. That alone will provide enough pressure.”

At Kariel’s words, Podolski nodded slightly.

That alone wouldn’t cause major issues.

From the Inspection Department’s perspective, it was only natural to investigate now that suspicious circumstances had been discovered.

Even if problems arose later, they could simply defer accountability by claiming they had to investigate based on the identified issues.

“If the opponent destroys evidence and manipulates, we merely need to respond accordingly. Let’s show them what happens when those wielding public authority exert their power.”

“Understood.”

With that, Podolski bowed his head in response to Kariel’s command.

“The key to this operation is to revive the Grand Duke Family. We’ll stall until the Grand Duke Family formally lifts their sanctions in the capital and paves the way for reclaiming their former glory. There’s no need to capture the enemies; merely applying pressure will suffice.”

“Understood.”

“However, did His Majesty truly grant permission for this?”

Podolski asked with a look of disbelief.

“Yes, it was hard-won consent, so don’t make mistakes. Allow no movements in the West until the Grand Duke Family arrives in the capital.”

“I will certainly do so.”

Satisfied with his answer, Kariel nodded and turned to Talion and Podolski.

“We will properly restore the Grand Duke Family and take down Belphus, which has consumed the underground forces. That will be my last task as Crown Prince. Therefore, let’s execute it perfectly.”

At his words, Podolski and Talion slightly frowned.

As Kariel began to move in earnest, the Empire, which had been in a huddled state, started to stretch and awaken.

It was attempting to stand back up, cutting off and healing its rotten parts.

However, Kariel wanted to withdraw from the position of Crown Prince all the more.

“Don’t be mistaken. The aristocratic faction that currently follows me is not on my side.”

Kariel was reminded of reality as he looked at the two with disappointment.

The aristocratic faction moving at Kariel’s command was solely for the sake of the other two princes.

It was no more than an investment for the future.

If Kariel were to be greedy and claim the throne, the aristocratic faction would band together again.

“My role ends here.”

As he spoke assertively, Talion and Podolski solemnly nodded.

“I will do my utmost to ensure you can retire honorably.”

Podolski’s words prompted a satisfying nod from Kariel, and he turned to Talion.

“Talion, see how you can entangle the Belphus family.”

“To what extent should I go?”

“Just a hint. Let it slip that your uncle had ambitions for the past throne and that the underground traders near Belphus in the West have now become targets of the Inspection Department.”

“Just a little bit of bait.”

Talion understood immediately and nodded.

“I will create the setup.”

“Good.”

Talion, ready to fabricate evidence to make it seem as though Belphus was genuinely involved, had evidently absorbed all the training under Kariel, understanding things seamlessly now.

Kariel looked at him with satisfaction and clapped his hands.

“Alright! It’s a race against time. Move out!”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

*

Talion and Podolski sprang into action at Kariel’s orders.

The first to move was Podolski.

“We’ve uncovered indications that the funds from the Emperor faction’s nobles have flowed into the West.”

Initially, when this was announced, the nobles hardly reacted.

The matters concerning the Grand Duke were much more significant than that.

However, the Inspection Department continued to publicly announce findings as if they were begging for the nobles’ attention.

“Evidence has emerged that some of the funds tied to dark mages’ temples have flowed into the West…”

“Interestingly, some members of the Upper Tier who aided the recent Crown Prince assassination incident are from the West…”

As the investigation processes by the Inspection Department were revealed one after another, none of them yielded solid evidence.

The announcements showed only suspicions.

However, to the nobles and the citizens of the Empire, it was as if they were yet to find the hard evidence, and the correlation between the Western criminals and the underworld organizations was as clear as day.

In that context, Talion moved swiftly.

“Count Belphus, who had previously revealed ambitions toward the throne…”

“Coincidentally, all the suspicious findings announced by the Inspection Department are happening near Belphus’s territory?”

Talion orchestrated the fabricated circumstantial evidence to appear as fact while conducting a public relations campaign, and the Inspection Department, leveraging the formed sentiments, pressured the nobles.

As the picture Kariel desired began to take shape, the nobles no longer clung to demanding the restoration of the Grand Duke Family.

Ultimately, with the Emperor’s approval granted, everything progressed smoothly from that point on.

First, the Central Army moved, and some of the troops from the Count of the West provided protection for the Grand Duke Family.

“Alright, we’ve established the first line of security.”

Kariel muttered and let out a sigh.

They’d created safeguards to prevent any nonsense like a rebellion from the Grand Duke Family, so the biggest hurdle had passed.

Now, they merely had to await the Grand Duke Family’s arrival in the capital and observe the enemies’ reactions.

“Your Highness, we have received a response from the Grand Duke Family.”

Reading the letter relayed from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kariel smiled.

“They’re coming?”

“Yes, they’ve confirmed they will come.”

Given the Grand Duke Family’s past sufferings, there was a possibility they’d refuse.

In such a case, Kariel had considered forcibly lifting their sanctions and injecting support funds into the Grand Duke Family.

However, that became unnecessary.

“I’ve done all I can.”

With the Grand Duke Family’s confirmation in hand, Kariel had essentially completed all he could do.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Phew, you’ve worked hard too, Talion. It’s time to rest a bit.”

Waving Talion off, who bowed his head, Kariel found himself alone, staring blankly at the ceiling before shifting his gaze to the table.

There lay model flags labeled with dark mages, the Holy Nation, the aristocratic faction, the neutral faction, and more chaotic symbols scattered about.

“Such a mess.”

Observing the factions haphazardly placed around the central Imperial Palace, Kariel raised his hand, repositioning the aristocratic and neutral factions next to the palace and placing a new model flag on top.

A small banner marked “Grand Duke Family” was set at the palace, while the flag for Belphus was moved to the West.

To the north stood the Holy Nation.

To the west were Belphus and Iron.

To the east lay Roman.

And to the south, the Southern Alliance.

In a surrounded formation, the Empire’s internal strife had the flags of dark mages prominently displayed.

In a situation where only enemies surrounded him, there now stood a united Empire.

“Now, we can finally start a fight.”

Remarkably, despite the overwhelming odds, Kariel felt it was time to make a stand worthy of the great Empire.

Despite facing a consistent decline, there was still room to maneuver.

Even with the addition of just one Grand Duke Family, a newfound sense of stability washed over the Empire.

With a Grand Duke at the helm, a person once revered as the mightiest sword in their previous life, the Empire would surely sustain itself through any trial.

“If I can just coax him right, retirement will be in the bag.”

Kariel said to himself with a smile.