The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

10. Return of the Grand Duke Family to the Capital! (3)

Could it be that a precious guest who can confirm his retirement is soon to arrive?

I quickly proceeded with the tasks that had been lingering for a while.

The first place I visited was the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“I said I would lift all restrictions on the Grand Duke Family, didn’t I?”

“T-that is….”

“Did you think I was joking? Or are you disregarding me? Or perhaps, the Emperor?”

“N-no, Your Highness!”

As Kariel glared at them with piercing eyes, those officials quickly knelt down and bowed their waists.

“Handle this before the Grand Duke arrives. If you dawdle and things aren’t resolved by then… life will be difficult for you in the future.”

With that threatening remark, the officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs broke into a cold sweat.

Seeing their pitiful state, Talion followed Kariel but paused to glance back at them with a look of sympathy.

Though the restoration of the Grand Duke Family was decided, opinions on completely lifting the restrictions and providing support were divided.

That’s why, even though the Ministry had received orders from the Crown Prince, they couldn’t help but hesitate.

Of course, they could petition the Emperor for approval, but if the Noble Assembly protested and it ended up as an agenda for the Grand Council Meeting, it would be the Ministry that suffered.

Knowing this, Talion felt a moment of pity but quickly dismissed it.

They had been parasites of power for too long, so they weren’t particularly worthy of sympathy.

Despite being forced into loyalty because of their circumstances, it was undeniable that the bureaucrats of the Ministry were rotten.

For now, they had to endure, but with time, they would merely be remnants left behind.

‘Good riddance.’

Thinking that, Talion hurriedly followed after Kariel to their next destination.

“Y-your Highness, what brings you here today?”

“Have I come to a place I cannot?”

Kariel’s next destination was, of course, the Central Noble Assembly.

The grandest meeting hall where nobles gathered every time a major issue arose.

It was also a place that even royals would avoid if possible.

Regarded as sacred among the nobles, neither the royals nor the Emperor would pay visits.

Yet, Kariel boldly shattered that unspoken rule.

“That is not the case….”

“I haven’t come to cause trouble.”

“……What?”

“I’ve come to speak with the nobles. Since I heard that major nobles are gathered here, I thought I would drop by, so don’t misunderstand.”

Upon hearing Kariel’s words, the dressed nobles nodded unconsciously and opened the doors for him.

“Talion, you stay here.”

“Your Highness!”

“It’s a matter of entering the sacred ground of the nobles; you must show some courtesy.”

At Kariel’s words, the nearby nobles’ eyes widened.

They could never have imagined such words coming from Kariel, who was seizing both the Emperor and Aristocratic factions like catching mice.

All stared at Kariel in shock, but he entered the Central Noble Assembly building with a nonchalant expression.

“I am honored to meet your Highness.”

Duke Devir rushed out to greet him inside.

Following him, other nobles also paid their respects to Kariel.

“I apologize. I hadn’t intended to arrive so suddenly, but I was informed that everyone was gathered, and I felt the urgency to come.”

“Not at all. May I ask what brings you here?”

“I’ve come regarding the Grand Duke Family.”

At Kariel’s words, the expressions of the surrounding nobles stiffened.

Sensing this, Duke Devir spoke to Kariel with a serious expression.

“Your Highness, please allow us some time. Given the gravity of the matter, we need a moment to discuss it calmly.”

At Duke Devir’s request, several nobles cleared their throats.

The Aristocratic faction was broadly divided into two factions led by the two dukes, and since both dukes were currently appeasing Kariel, they would ultimately work to lift the restrictions on the Grand Duke Family.

However, some local nobles found this uncomfortable, hence the need for a formal ‘persuasion’ period.

Yet, with Kariel’s sudden visit, Duke Devir had no choice but to show his displeasure.

“It was not my intention to make you uncomfortable. If I have, I sincerely apologize.”

Duke Devir’s eyes widened momentarily at Kariel’s apology.

But he quickly composed himself and replied.

“Would your Highness feel uncomfortable coming here? I merely thought it prudent to give a little time, considering there might be some who feel that way among the nobles.”

With a smile at Duke Devir’s indirect request to wrap things up, Kariel opened his mouth.

“I’ll be direct. I am aware that there are nobles who harbor dissatisfaction about welcoming the Grand Duke Family. I’ve come today to persuade them in person.”

“Persuade…”

“Yes, persuade. So trust in me.”

As Duke Devir looked uneasy, Kariel smiled and said.

“Ah, I shall lead you inside.”

It was impossible to stop him after he went this far.

Ultimately, when Duke Devir personally guided them in, the nobles cleared the way.

Once they entered the noble assembly hall, countless eyes were fixed solely on Kariel.

In what could be a situation laden with pressure, Kariel smiled.

‘So this is the noble assembly.’

Having never been in such a deservedly well-maintained central noble hall even in my previous life, I found this moment rather amusing.

“Hah…”

One noble sighed with a smile while watching Kariel walk in.

Despite the many nobles expressing their discomfort and pressuring him, to see Kariel walking in with a smile only evoked admiration beyond despair.

The other nobles felt the same.

“I apologize, Duke Welch.”

“…Not at all.”

Duke Welch lowered his head, though his discomfort was evident on his face.

Yet, knowing that Duke Devir had led him in, he respectfully stepped aside.

Kariel then looked upon the many nobles with gratitude.

“I understand that the presence of royalty in the noble assembly might be unwelcome.”

As Kariel’s voice amplified throughout the assembly hall, the nobles quietly observed him.

Some glared with hostility, while others wore expressions suggesting they found the situation interesting.

Addressing these nobles displaying various expressions, Kariel steadied himself and spoke.

“Bringing in the Grand Duke Family will undoubtedly displease some. But remember this one thing.”

As he spoke, Kariel focused his gaze firmly on the nobles, and they matched his intensity.

Kariel then smirked and continued.

“The person most uncomfortable with the Grand Duke Family’s inclusion would be the Emperor.”

Gasps escaped the nobles as they widened their eyes.

They hadn’t expected him to say it so openly.

As they all expressed shock, Kariel maintained his calm demeanor and continued.

“The Emperor has granted permission. What does that imply? It means the issues occurring within the Empire are quite serious.”

As Kariel elaborated on the problems currently affecting the Empire without holding back, he pointed to the involvement of dark mages and the temple.

Those colluding with foreign powers, causing corruption within the Empire.

The assassinations directed at the Crown Prince.

He indicated the western territory as the possible backbone of at least one of these incidents.

“I suspect that one of these incidents may have connections to the Belphus family.”

As Kariel explicitly pointed out the Belphus family, the nobles began to murmur amongst themselves.

Although minor newspapers had occasionally raised such suspicions, no noble had fully believed them.

Yet, it was Kariel himself who had uttered it.

“Do you have evidence?”

Marquis Morgan, a neutral faction member, stood up to ask, drawing everyone’s attention toward Kariel.

Most of the nobles present hailed from the upper layers.

The influence of Belphus in the West was significant, particularly in commerce, and if they were to fall, even temporarily, it could lead to great chaos in the West.

From the merchants’ perspective, that chaos would mean significant losses due to disruptions in logistics.

“Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the Belphus family may be the leaders of a smuggling ring in the West.”

“Does that mean they might be associated with pirates as well?”

At Marquis Morgan’s inquiry, Kariel nodded.

Smugglers had a hard time using standard merchant ships.

That was because the Count of the West monitored key ports closely.

Thus, they had allied with pirates.

The smugglers conducted trade with pirates coming up from the South for illegal goods.

“Of course, there will be those who doubt what I am saying. For those individuals, I will disclose how I came to learn this secret.”

As he said this, he recounted part of the conversation he had with the Chancellor.

“What? Someone came in contact with the Chancellor from the West to meet at the Imperial Palace?”

A neutral noble asked in disbelief, and Kariel nodded.

“The Chancellor believed his family would be killed by them and appealed to me to protect his family while disclosing this information.”

A cold silence settled over the noble assembly.

Truthfully, mentioning the Chancellor’s account wasn’t necessary.

However, the reason for doing so was that it was the most convincing method of persuasion and revealing this information would provide a strong justification to protect the Chancellor’s family.

Yet, the most significant reason was that it would provide leverage to pressure the Belphus family publicly.

The Crown Prince had directly raised the suspicion, backed by the Chancellor’s testimony.

“If the Belphus family is indeed associated with the dark mages, it could lead to catastrophe later on.”

As Kariel glanced towards Marquis Morgan, he grimaced and lowered his head.

Then, Kariel turned toward the two dukes.

“I do not believe we should leave a ticking time bomb in the future of the Empire.”

The two dukes also nodded their heads somberly.

Since Kariel had revealed his willingness to abandon the Crown Prince, thinking about the Empire to be led by one of the two princes meant that this matter had to be dealt with.

“Furthermore, this is just a hunch, but if the one who made secret pacts with foreign nations is Belphus… it could lead to rebellion.”

At Kariel’s words, the two dukes widened their eyes.

“You may think it’s absurd, but there is a possibility. If my uncle, who has ambitions for the throne, were to take advantage of the chaos while I step down, and both princes are vying for power, it’s entirely plausible.”

As Kariel said this, he deftly intertwined his account of the previous life with the invasions from neighboring countries.

By adapting the invasion of dark mages and neighboring nations into a comprehensible narrative, a compelling story emerged and the nobles in the assembly hall wore serious expressions in an instant.

“Providing support to the Grand Duke Family, at least to the level of a Count of the Border, would ensure that their lineage can fully exert their strengths and would make the Empire safer and more prosperous.”

With those words, Kariel let out a small breath, relaxing his body.

Even the greatest of Kariel’s stature, persuading the numerous nobles was a demanding task.

“What I have to say ends here. I sincerely hope you’ll make a wise decision for the future of the Empire.”

After saying this, Kariel left the assembly hall.

There were no threats, no excessive remarks.

Throughout, he spoke with respect toward the nobles, and above all, revealing information unique to the Crown Prince was significant.

“Whoever supports providing the Grand Duke Family with assistance at the level of a Count of the Border, raise your hands.”

At Duke Devir’s query, most nobles raised their hands.

Some nobles argued that they shouldn’t take only the Crown Prince’s word at face value and should investigate further, which was a valid point, but time was of the essence.

Eventually, the assembly passed a sweeping support measure for the Grand Duke Family, and as soon as this news reached the Grand Duke Family, key figures from the family headed to the capital as if they had been waiting for it.

“Your Highness, the Grand Duke is said to be arriving in the capital soon.”

Upon Talion’s report, Kariel’s face lit up with anticipation.

“They’re finally coming. Let’s begin what we’ve prepared.”

“Is it really necessary to go this far?”

Talion asked, puzzled, to which Kariel replied nonchalantly.

“They must have had many grievances with the royal family; this much is warranted.”

Saying so, Kariel personally boarded a wagon and headed toward the city gate of the capital.

There, the Capital Defense Force’s Knight Order and the Central Army’s Knight Order lined up on both sides of the street.

And in the center stood Kariel, beaming with a bright smile.

Like a wife expected to return home after a long absence, Kariel waited eagerly.

After a considerable wait filled with anxiety for everyone, the wagon and knight order of the Grand Duke Family finally appeared.