The Prince Wants to Retire

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Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

12. Kariel Taking a Retirement Stance

Kariel couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling as he traveled to the Grand Council Meeting at the Emperor’s command.

Talion looked at him with concern.

“There shouldn’t be any major issues.”

“It’s already a problem.”

Kariel frowned at Talion’s words.

His instincts told him that by the time they arrived at the meeting, things would already be in ruins.

“You’ve done everything you could.”

“Yeah, but then something happened.”

“It’s not Your Highness’s fault. You did your best, and now it’s up to the officials to handle things.”

Kariel clutched his head at Talion’s reassurance.

It felt meaningless in a situation where his retirement could be postponed.

What had just erupted was something he had no memory of.

Also, the fact that the Emperor was summoning him meant it wasn’t a minor issue.

‘It likely involves Dark Mages or has ties to Belphus.’

There was no other reason to be called to the Grand Council over something this serious, which darkened Kariel’s expression even further.

‘It’s highly likely this is something that never happened in my previous life.’

Even if he had been lying down at this point in his past life, he would have known if something significant occurred.

In other words, the future he had experienced in his previous life had changed because of him.

‘No matter what happens, I must retire!’

Kariel resolved to beat the retirement papers he had brought with him just in case.

If he didn’t act decisively, he might end up trapped in the Imperial Palace, so he repeated to himself he would undoubtedly take a retirement stance before stepping out of the wagon in front of the Grand Council.

“I greet Your Majesty!”

“Speak.”

At Kariel’s command, an attendant announced his arrival and opened the door.

A tremendous number of nobles had gathered in the Grand Council.

‘All major nobles are here except for the Count of the Border.’

Thinking that, Kariel slowly approached the Emperor.

“Kariel Friedrich von Blazer, I greet Your Majesty!”

At Kariel’s greeting, the Emperor nodded slightly and spoke.

“I heard you just recently left the library, but it seems there was no choice but to summon you due to pressing matters.”

Seeing Kariel looking fatigued, the Emperor offered some comfort and gestured to an Inner Court Attendant.

The attendant cautiously spoke to Kariel.

“There have been unusual movements reported from the Northwest Mountain Range.”

“Northwest?”

Kariel tilted his head at the attendant’s words.

“Yes, Your Majesty. There is a risk of a volcano erupting in the Northwest. The problem is that it may lead to a massive Monster Wave descending southward…”

“Are you crazy?!”

Kariel blurted out a curse unintentionally and fell into thought.

‘Here comes a Monster Wave? And a volcano eruption as well?’

Kariel’s eyes began to tremble at events that never happened in his previous life.

“Prince, watch your language.”

“My apologies.”

Kariel bowed his head and responded while running his thoughts.

After a period of silence, the Emperor cleared his throat as he observed Kariel, who remained with his head down.

Still, Kariel kept his head bowed, entirely absorbed in organizing the current situation in his mind.

After a long while lost in thought, Kariel finally lifted his head.

“Is a countermeasure in place?”

“We were in discussions.”

The Emperor’s answer made Kariel’s expression stiffen.

“Given the urgency of the matter, please send troops immediately.”

“We were in discussions regarding that.”

Brows knitted, Kariel showed a puzzled expression at the Emperor’s words.

Why was there hesitation to simply dispatch part of the Central Army to assist? Then the Minister of Military stepped forward.

“Currently, a substantial portion of the Central Army has already moved to the West. If we pull more from here, the security of the Central Army will be compromised.”

At Howard’s words, Kariel’s expression began to twist in frustration.

“Is that really something to be mentioning right now…?”

Fuming, Kariel glared at Howard, as it could lead to a situation where a Monster Wave might occur.

Howard then cleared his throat.

With most of the Emperor’s faction replaced, Howard, who was once beneath them, took up the position of Minister of Military.

The problem was that this gentleman was just as incompetent.

He wasn’t from the Emperor’s faction, but someone who managed to worm his way into the Central Bureaucrat system.

The reason this incompetent individual held the position of Minister was that he hadn’t dipped his toes into any factions.

In other words, while he was inept, he was merely a placeholder until the negotiations between the factions concluded.

That was the current Minister of Military.

“Hah, Your Majesty, I understand the seriousness of this matter, but I don’t see why I had to come to the Grand Council.”

It was extremely rare for the young Crown Prince to participate in such a significant matter.

Thus, when Kariel looked at the Emperor with an expression of confusion, the Emperor, leaning his chin on his hand, replied.

“To seek the crown prince’s understanding.”

“Are you talking about me?”

When Kariel tilted his head in question, the Emperor nodded slightly.

“The Minister of Military believes it would be wise to redirect some of the forces heading west back to the Northwest.”

Kariel’s expression distorted as he stared daggers at Howard.

If he were the Emperor, he would have cut off this guy at the first opportunity.

“Do the other nobles share the same thought?”

“Duke Devir was opposed, however.”

At the Emperor’s words, Kariel looked at Duke Devir and then back at the Emperor.

“Does my opinion hold any sway?”

At Kariel’s question, the Emperor nodded.

“This matter is also related to the attempted assassination of the crown prince, so I will take the prince’s opinion seriously.”

Kariel fell into deep thought at the Emperor’s remark.

What the Emperor had just said was tantamount to giving him decision-making power.

If it were up to him, he would oppose sending any forces and would send just a portion of the Central Army to the Northwest instead.

The issue was that doing so would likely disrupt his retirement plans severely.

Caught between retirement and dealing with Belphus, Kariel sighed and spoke.

“Your Majesty, I disagree with my own thoughts. The current evidence regarding Belphus poses a significant threat to the future empire. If we don’t root it out now, problems will inevitably arise.”

At Kariel’s response, the Minister of Military spoke urgently.

“Your Majesty, if that happens, we will have no choice but to send the Central Army to the Northwest. That will create issues for security…”

Finally unable to hold back, Kariel shouted at Howard.

“The Capital Defense Force can handle the void left by the Central Army!”

“B-but then the capital…”

“Isn’t it just a matter of having some of the palace forces support the defense there? We could send surplus troops for reinforcement, and if that’s not enough, we could call back soldiers on leave temporarily! Compensate those who are forcibly recalled later!”

As Kariel’s voice boomed, one noble stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, we don’t know when unidentified forces might attack the capital.”

At the noble’s words, it dawned on Kariel why they hadn’t been moving the Central Army, bringing up security concerns.

Several nobles wore anxious expressions.

They were worried that Dark Mages might breach the Central’s defenses and attack someone again.

If they had attempted an assassination on the Crown Prince, they wouldn’t hesitate to do so with other nobles.

His insights weren’t unfounded.

But this was hardly the time to weigh such matters.

“So? Are you suggesting we abandon the Northwest?”

At Kariel’s icy question, the noble who had stepped forward shook his head.

“Simply redirect some of the forces headed west and let the nobles’ private armies…”

“Your Majesty, this is a national crisis. For now, we must prioritize the Northwest…”

“There can be no safety gaps in the Central Army during a national crisis.”

Nobles took turns trying to persuade Kariel to see things their way.

The Emperor watched silently.

Normally, he would have tackled these issues himself, but since Kariel was taking the burden, he could afford to relax and observe.

Seeing Kariel, who remained cold and collected, scanning the room made the nobles falter.

The nobles who had stepped forward began to retract as they sensed that Kariel’s demeanor was not to be taken lightly.

“Indeed, signs of a Monster Wave definitely indicate a national crisis. Plus, the threats from Dark Mages and any hidden organizations mean any gaps in the security of the Central Army are indeed dangerous.”

Several nobles smirked as if they had won something at Kariel’s acknowledgment.

Looking at the smug expressions on their faces, Kariel looked back at them with disappointment.

“However, the danger posed by Belphus is even greater. Perhaps you’ve forgotten, but Belphus infiltrated the palace and attempted to assassinate me.”

“Thus, even more reason to ensure the security of the center…”

“Are we supposed to leave those guys while reallocating troops from the Central Army?”

Kariel’s sharp counter made the noble freeze.

“Are you seriously suggesting we let a greater threat remain by just getting through this current crisis?”

The forward noble’s expression twisted at Kariel’s biting critique.

“Your Majesty, even if part of the Central Army moves to the Northwest, we may still find ourselves insufficient when the Monster Wave occurs.”

“But Howard, given your experience in the military, don’t you think we are ignoring cooperation with other forces?”

It seemed Howard wanted to deliver his own insight based on his time in the military.

Certainly, as he mentioned, nobody could take on the entire Monster horde in the Northwest with just the Central Army.

“Strange, though. If it’s something pertaining to the Northwest, it shouldn’t just fall on us, right?”

A few nobles tilted their heads in confusion at Kariel’s query.

The brighter nobles quickly grasped what he meant.

“Are you suggesting we involve the alliance in the west and the Holy Nation?”

“Isn’t the crisis of the continent something we should resolve together?”

In response to Duke Devir’s inquiry, Kariel nodded.

“However, do you have anything in mind?”

At Duke Devir’s response, Kariel initially wrinkled his brow, but then he spoke.

If he continued to play it safe, the balance of power could shift unfavorably.

“I believe we should send envoys to the Iron Alliance and the Holy Nation to discuss resolving this issue together. Of course, we should also address matters related to Dark Mages with the Holy Nation. For the Iron Alliance, it wouldn’t hurt to explain the Empire’s situation and seek permission again to form a western allied army.”

Duke Devir nodded in satisfaction at Kariel’s statement.

He looked like he shared the same thoughts.

Duke Welch, standing nearby, wore a similar expression.

Most neutral faction nobles shot Kariel approving looks.

Seeing their expressions, Kariel looked at the Emperor with a ‘surely not?’ kind of glance.

“Excellent.”

At the Emperor’s words, Kariel’s facial expression contorted.

‘I’ve been played!’

Realizing that with a shake, Kariel trembled.

It was clear that with just a little more thought, it was a test set forth for him.

No matter how much Howard had weaseled his way into the position of Minister of Military, he wouldn’t pull such foolish stunts.

If it were the Emperor’s faction, things would be different, but Howard was not part of that faction.

“With that kind of insight, you could fill in temporarily for the Chancellor, it seems.”

Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Kariel quickly came to a realization.

‘Don’t hesitate, or it’ll be a disaster!’

As soon as the thought conveyed itself, Kariel’s body moved.

He hurriedly knelt and bowed his head to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, I am still young and insufficient to take the Chancellor’s role. Please grant me your understanding!”

Despite Kariel’s words, the nobles merely bowed their heads wordlessly.

The Emperor too, looked at Kariel silently before he finally spoke.

“No. The Crown Prince can see this through splendidly.”

Upon hearing the words, Kariel raised his head to check the Emperor’s expression and realized he was in deep trouble.

The Emperor was already prepared to offload complex tasks onto Kariel.

This moment was nothing less than a final test to confirm his abilities.