The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wants to Retire

14. Let’s Wrap It Up!

Finally, the Emperor Faction and Mussolini are dead.

Empire Citizens cheered, while the Local Nobles, who had held faint hopes, wandered the streets with gloomy faces.

Even the rising Nobles, who had treated the Crown Prince as someone weak and ready to retire, retreated back into their shells.

On the other hand, the Central Nobles began to unite.

If the current Crown Prince Kariel retires, the Aristocratic Faction will splinter.

Thus, this very moment may well be the last chance for the Empire to come together.

Knowing this, even the Neutral Faction Nobles supported the Crown Prince and moved as he wished.

“It took a while.”

Kariel, attending the Grand Council Meeting, spoke in a serious tone as he looked at the Nobles.

His words had a double meaning: that it took long to wipe out the Emperor Faction and that it took too long to move toward the West.

During this time, Kariel kept the promises made in the first meeting he presided over.

He pressed each department to increase efficiency and swiftly handled lingering matters.

Moreover, he rapidly passed the budget necessary for the Empire’s future.

This miraculous feat was made possible because both the Aristocratic and Neutral Factions decided to act according to Kariel’s intentions.

Thanks to that, he was able to fulfill his promise of stabilizing the Empire before retirement.

Now, all that remained was to set out for the last task he had postponed—the conquest of Belphus.

“Thank you for your patience with this lacking Crown Prince’s opinions.”

Kariel stood up from the steps he was sitting on and bowed his head.

At that moment, the atmosphere of the Grand Council Meeting became somber.

Surely, as promised, the Crown Prince was only set to retire, but there was a strangely lingering sense of regret.

For the Aristocratic Nobles, it should have been something to rejoice in, yet it felt more like a loss.

To change this mood, Kariel opened his mouth first.

“Duke, are you ready to head to the West?”

“Yes, I plan to lead the Knight Order myself.”

Duke Devir responded with a bow to Kariel’s question.

“Duke Welch, are you finished as well?”

“That’s right. The Second Prince himself will lead the magic battalion.”

Duke Welch spoke, his expression tinged with reluctance as he glanced at Kariel.

In truth, he wanted to participate in this expedition too.

Though he hadn’t reached the lofty heights of Duke Devir, he was only one step away from the realm of Mage.

However, one of the two Dukes had to remain here.

Above all, to catch the Dark Mage hidden throughout the Empire, a High Noble stationed in the center had to take the lead.

“How about the Inspection Department?”

“All preparations are complete.”

At Podolski’s words, Kariel nodded slightly.

“Now that all preparations are done, all that’s left is to depart. I think it would be best to leave in three days, what say you?”

“As you wish.”

At Kariel’s question, all the Nobles bowed their heads in agreement.

“Phew, I’ve finished all that I can do.”

Kariel said, glancing around the room.

Then every Noble looked at him, each wearing different expressions.

Some showed disappointment, others relief, while some had ambiguous looks. Kariel announced the end of what might be the last Grand Council Meeting for those Nobles.

“With this, I will declare the Grand Council Meeting adjourned. You won’t see me at such meetings anymore, so do try to keep your expressions pleasant.”

Kariel, wanting to end the last meeting with a smile, found that not a single Noble among them was smiling in return.

Observing this, Kariel cleared his throat and remarked.

“Ahem! Thank you all for leading this lacking Crown Prince. Please return safely.”

With that, Kariel descended the steps and slowly exited the meeting hall.

Even after the Crown Prince had left, the Nobles stood in silence for a while.

The silence was finally shattered by Duke Welch.

“In the future, the standard for Crown Princes will be His Highness Kariel.”

At Duke Welch’s words, every Noble subconsciously nodded in agreement.

Though the sickly Crown Prince had been weak, the ability he showcased in such a short time was among the greatest of all Crown Princes in history.

Recognizing his own shortcomings and laying the foundation for the future Emperor before stepping down sparked a fresh breeze among the Nobles.

Having only known greedy and weak royalty due to the tyranny of the previous ruling classes, they found it hard to adjust to such a Crown Prince.

Especially for the Aristocratic Faction.

Though they used to quarrel over who among the Second and Third Princes had more talent, now they wore expressions of uncertainty.

“Whoever becomes the Crown Prince will bear a heavy burden.”

Duke Devir let out a sigh as he exited the meeting.

Duke Welch, seeming to resonate with that sentiment, chuckled softly and followed suit.

With the two Dukes leaving, other Nobles began to depart one by one.

Soon, the Grand Council Meeting had emptied out, leaving only a strange sense of regret behind.

Bang!

As the immense doors of the meeting hall closed, marking the end of the final Grand Council Meeting of the current Crown Prince, the bureaucrats within the Imperial Palace began bustling about.

*

As all institutions in the capital sprang into action to assist with preparations for the expedition, Kariel gathered the Imperial Guard to finalize his personal preparations.

“Is it finished?”

“Yes.”

Toto carefully approached, placing the weapon manual they had made together on the table.

Kariel examined it closely and nodded slightly.

“All that remains is for me to personally refine it.”

At Kariel’s words, the Imperial Guard all bowed their heads in unison.

No matter how high one’s martial prowess, one cannot create a martial art tailored perfectly for oneself without their own touch.

The higher one ascended, the more they had to develop their own swordsmanship or martial arts. What they had done was lay the groundwork catered to Kariel’s physique.

If Kariel reached levels three or four, he’d have to modify the Body Technique himself.

“Your Highness, must you truly go yourself?”

Seeing the concern in Talion’s eyes, Kariel nodded gently.

“To lure the enemies, I must throw out bait of such worth.”

Speaking firmly, Kariel looked back at the Imperial Guard.

“Now, the commission I gave you has come to an end.”

At his words, the eyes of the Imperial Guard widened.

“There must be reasons behind each of your quirks.”

At his statement, all the guards bowed their heads.

There were indeed reasons for them to act as oddballs.

While the specifics remained unclear, Kariel had judged based on his past lives that they weren’t just randomly crazy; each had struggled as they became who they were, seeking to achieve something.

“As you may have heard, I will be stepping down from being Crown Prince after this mission. Thus, I can no longer provide such support.”

“…….”

At Kariel’s words, everyone fell silent.

“So, return to your original lives now.”

“……I wish to follow Your Highness on this expedition.”

Toto’s words caught Kariel’s attention as he tilted his head.

“Are you sure?”

Though he didn’t know the details, he heard from Talion that Toto was obsessed with exercising even under the label of being an oddball, which was why he had stayed at the Imperial Palace.

So, it was surprising for Toto to want to join on a journey to the distant West, where it was uncertain how long it would take.

“……Yes.”

Toto’s answer caused the eyes of the other Imperial Guards to shimmer with resolve.

Noticing the shift, Kariel sighed and said, “We still have time until departure, so ponder it until then.”

With that, Kariel dismissed the Imperial Guard and Talion.

He then slowly reviewed the Body Technique they had painstakingly created for him.

– Not bad.

“Right?”

At Surth’s comment, Kariel smiled.

It was evident the Imperial Guard had not wasted their time, as he could control a much greater amount of fire energy than before.

As if responding to that, the fire energy around him clumped together, forming a red mana.

However, it lasted only for a brief moment before it scattered and transformed back into smoke.

– How long have you been training to get to level three?

“What do you mean level three?”

Kariel grumbled at Surth’s remark.

The actual level of mana expulsion at level three was far more stable and robust.

– You’re talking big.

Surth scoffed at his statement.

While others required immense time to awaken their mana and manipulate it, Kariel had already surpassed that stage.

Having been at level two since training the Body Technique, that was the end of it.

He just hadn’t been able to show it due to the overwhelming quantity of fire energy.

– Maybe this guy actually has talent.

“What?”

Lost in training, Kariel belatedly turned back to Surth, who shook his head and urged him to continue.

Grumbling, Kariel focused once more on his training.

*

Despite training day and night for three days, he still hadn’t mastered the weapon manual fully.

However, the encouraging part was that his control over fire energy had greatly improved.

In the past, fire energy would often run amok, but such incidents were now mostly gone.

“Phew, is this really all I can do for now?”

Kariel wore a slightly disappointed expression, but it didn’t matter.

After all, he would have a lifetime to refine his control over fire energy after retirement.

“Let’s take it slow. After retirement, I’ll have all the time in the world…”

As Kariel muttered and prepared to leave the Crown Prince’s Palace, he stepped outside to find the entire Imperial Guard lined up, waiting for him.

“……Have you all made your decision?”

“Yes, everyone has decided to accompany Your Highness to the West.”

Toto spoke as the representative, prompting Kariel to furrow his brows.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, even if we part ways later, I wish to go to the West with you.”

Toto’s statement echoed with nods from the other Imperial Guards.

With a sigh, Kariel relented.

“Do as you please.”

With a resigned tone, he climbed aboard the wagon.

He clicked his tongue at the oddballs who wouldn’t grasp his consideration, which made the Imperial Guard, listening outside, smile faintly.

Despite being a Crown Prince known for his complaints, they knew he had a good heart, and thus, they followed him with smiles.

Now, in their familiar red uniforms, the Imperial Guard and the knights adorned in a matching red insignia escorted him toward the square where Duke Devir and the Central Army awaited.

“We greet Your Highness.”

All the soldiers saluted, and Duke Devir also raised his sword to his chest in respect.

It was a show of courtesy to Kariel, who was virtually the Commander leading the expedition to the West.

Kariel returned their salute and addressed the soldiers gathered in the square.

“It may be dangerous.”

“…….”

“You might even lose your lives. But I promise you this: whether you perish or become injured, it shall never be in vain.”

With Kariel’s words, determination shone in the soldiers’ eyes.

“So trust me; even though I am a retiring Crown Prince, I will ensure you are duly compensated for your sacrifices.”

In a brief speech, one that carried heaviness unlike any other, the soldiers erupted into cheers, raising their morale.

At that moment, a court attendant rushed into the scene from the Imperial Palace.

“What’s wrong?”

“Neighboring nations are showing suspicious movements. Odd activities have also been detected in the regions.”

Upon hearing the attendant’s words, Duke Devir and Talion, who were nearby, looked grim.

“……Your Highness.”

At Duke Devir’s call, Kariel nodded, indicating it was fine.

“Once the central command crumbles, it will all end anyway. Let’s finish this quickly.”

“Should that be Your Highness’s will…”

Feeling Kariel’s firm resolve, Duke Devir nodded.

Watching from nearby, the Third Prince Seriel felt a sense of awe toward Kariel.

An unwavering determination in every moment.

Even with only a year separating them, he sensed a maturity and resolve that he still hadn’t achieved.

‘Someday I will also…’

Seriel thought to himself, clenching his fist as he silently followed Kariel.