The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

15. Kariel’s Secret Move (3)

The ones known as the “One-Man Legion.”

They were the ones referred to as Masters.

And today, the Crown Prince’s troops confirmed that to be true.

“What a monster.”

Kariel chuckled as he once again witnessed the strength of the so-called Master.

Although he had seen the Grand Master’s might in his previous life, the overwhelming power he felt now left him speechless.

Watching the Master single-handedly wreak havoc made Kariel realize just how much losing Achelio had cost the Empire in his past life.

In that life, the enemies triumphed due to the collaboration of Davier and Achelio.

As a result, even the Master of the North, who had been holding up the Empire alone, fell into enemy hands.

It was a miracle that Glen awakened and swept away the enemies on his own; otherwise, the Empire would have fallen long ago.

‘I can’t let that happen in this life too.’

All the Masters exposed the hidden Dark Mages lurking in the shadows.

In the previous life, Davier and Achelio had clashed swords as enemies, but now they were united, smashing the foes hiding in the West.

This moment was the perfect time to eliminate the enemies.

“Let’s break through!”

As Achelio shouted and charged ahead, Kariel’s wagon sped along with the knights.

The Elder Dark Mage frowned upon witnessing this.

“The situation has turned.”

Talion mocked as he glanced at the Elder.

Having discarded one of his severed arms, Talion twirled his sword and said, “Surrender.”

As he offered surrender to fulfill Kariel’s orders, the Elder’s expression hardened.

At the moment the Master appeared, this operation was practically a failure.

Just then, a summoning circle formed high above, glowing red.

Noticing that, the Elder smirked, saying, “Do you think it’s over?”

Talion, with a calm demeanor, silently stared back at the Elder.

As the Elder drew up his mana, he muttered, “Futile…”

Talion swiftly swung his sword.

Determined to fulfill Kariel’s order despite the ominous flow of mana, he struck.

Yet, the Elder’s mana flow did not cease.

Desperately, Talion plunged his sword into the Elder’s heart.

“…It’s too late…”

Coughing up blood but breaking into a grin, the Elder shouted, “For the Great Plan!” as the remaining Dark Mages and Dark Knights unleashed their dark magic.

Simultaneously, the Undead surrounding them disintegrated into ash.

As the powers of all those who had attacked Kariel surged into the air, a black vortex began to form in the summoning circle.

“Summoning Magic!”

Talion shouted urgently as he hurried back to where Kariel was.

From within the black vortex surged a terrifying number of demons.

They charged towards the crowd of humans, bearing their vicious teeth.

“Demons!”

“Block them!”

In response to the demonic onslaught, the troops hastily formed ranks and wielded their weapons.

Despite their exhaustion, they fought with their life forces as Kariel stared sternly at Achelio.

‘No matter how much of a Master he is, he can’t fend off both monsters and demons.’

Though the Master was called a One-Man Legion, he wasn’t invincible.

Just holding back the swarm of monsters alone was pushing his limits; the demons had to be dealt with by them.

The only fortunate point was that the summoned black hourglass wasn’t very large.

‘Considering the quantity and size, maybe around 30 minutes?’

Though that seems short, for Kariel’s army, already fatigued, it was an eternity.

‘It will be tough to hold out.’

Kariel thought as he scanned his surroundings.

Most of the Imperial Palace Knights, who had fought to protect the wagon, were injured, and the Central Army also bore various wounds.

The biggest problem was that everyone was exhausted.

Even the crows and shadows showed obvious signs of fatigue on their faces.

Fortunately, the Grand Duke Family’s knights and the Imperial Guard stepped forward, but even they were not sufficient to halt the demons.

‘At least there weren’t many casualties…’

While it was fortunate that there weren’t many deaths, they were severely worn out.

They needed at least a moment’s respite.

– Is it time for me to step in?

At Surth’s words, Kariel nodded slightly.

He wasn’t sure what a big move meant, but if it could buy the troops even a moment’s rest, that would suffice.

“Your Highness!”

“It’s dangerous!”

As Kariel opened the wagon door to disembark, the inspectors who had been riding with him anxiously tried to dissuade him.

But Kariel brushed aside their objections and stepped out into the fray.

“Your Highness, it’s dangerous!”

Talion, who was killing demons nearby, shouted as he spotted Kariel.

To him, Kariel responded, “Is there any meaning if we can rest for even a minute?”

Speaking loud enough for everyone to hear, he looked around, and the Imperial Palace Knights and Talion nodded while fending off descending demons.

If they could catch their breath, they could drink recovery potions and regain their strength.

It wouldn’t help the regular troops, but for those above knight rank, it would make a significant difference.

After receiving everyone’s confirmation, Kariel turned to Surth, floating beside him.

“Show me.”

– Sure.

At Kariel’s words, Surth grinned.

– Tell the ones in front to back off. It’s dangerous.

Taking Surth’s advice, Kariel commanded the knights blocking the way to step back.

Though they looked puzzled, they stepped back, thinking Kariel must have a hidden move this time as well.

At that moment, Surth announced, – Hold on.

With Surth’s warning, flames began to erupt from Kariel’s body.

In that instant, a fiery arm shot forward, burning away the incoming demons.

The fiery arm that extended from the mass of flames in the air swept through the rushing demons, turning them to ash.

Just then, the gigantic demons that had seemed too small to deal with burst forth from the black vortex.

As if waiting for just that moment, another arm emerged and blocked the towering demons with both hands.

The enormous demons, unable to advance due to the two massive arms in their way, began to melt away, utterly obliterated.

In just one minute.

But in that brief span, the two colossal arms showcased an overwhelming presence akin to that of a Master, incinerating all the approaching demons.

As if to declare that no one would pass beyond this point, the massive arms held firm.

Seeing this, the knights hurriedly channeled their mana and drank potions to recover.

They couldn’t waste the precious time that Kariel had afforded them.

For a brief moment, the knights managed to catch their breath and heal their internal wounds, reorganizing their ranks.

“Ugh!”

Unable to withstand the raging flames within him any longer, Kariel finally collapsed.

At that moment, the two arms that had burned the demons and the fire masses disappeared simultaneously.

– Good job.

Surth’s voice echoed in Kariel’s ears, and at the same time, his entire body felt scalding hot.

“Your Highness!”

“D-Don’t fuss….”

Kariel gasped as he lay in Talion’s arms.

“Go and block….”

At Kariel’s words, Talion bowed his head once and hurriedly took him to the wagon.

“Please take care of His Highness.”

Talion’s request drew nods from those inside the wagon, who quickly pulled out potions and poured them into Kariel’s mouth.

Seeing this, Talion gripped his sword and charged towards the encroaching demons.

Was it because he had just incinerated the attacking demons?

The number of demons emerging from the black vortex was far fewer than before, and the knights, who had taken a brief break, managed to hold back the demonic onslaught.

Strangely enough, it wasn’t Talion, burning with fury, or the Imperial Guard who stood at the forefront against the demons.

“It’s the genius.”

Talion gazed at Glen, who was ripping the demons apart at the forefront.

The youngest Young Duke of the Grand Duke Family.

He swung his sword, tearing through the demons.

Was it the life-or-death situation that intensified his skills?

Or perhaps it was because he was experiencing a large-scale battle for the first time?

Whatever it was, Glen was showing the essence of swordsmanship he had cultivated through the legacy of the first Grand Duke while growing amidst battle.

“Everyone, don’t let His Highness’s sacrifice be in vain!”

At Talion’s shout, the troops, including the knights, firmly gripped their weapons and braced for the approaching demons.

Thanks to their determined defense, the black vortex gradually weakened, and the number of demons emerging from the summoning circle decreased.

As the number of demons dwindled, they met the opposition more easily, and finally, the black hourglass disappeared, causing the summoning circle to vanish as well.

“Your Highness!”

“W-What about the battle?”

Kariel panted as he asked, prompting Talion to quickly respond, “The battle is over. But your body…”

“I can hold on.”

Kariel insisted, but Talion, not convinced, summoned the Imperial Guard.

Brion rushed into the wagon and examined Kariel’s condition.

“It seems we just need to calm the flames down.”

At Brion’s words, Arshuna entered to help quell the raging flames.

As the Imperial Guard tended to Kariel’s body, Achelio, who had been single-handedly holding back the monsters, rushed towards the cart, ignoring the retreating monsters.

“Your Highness, are you okay?”

At Achelio’s question, Talion shook his head.

“Is it serious?”

“I’m not sure.”

Talion’s answer drew a sigh from Achelio as he gazed at the wagon.

As everyone anxiously watched the cart with worried expressions, Brion emerged and called Achelio and Talion.

“Your Highness, are you feeling alright?”

“…I can hold on. But for now, make haste to the Northwest defense line.”

“It’s dangerous for you in your condition.”

Kariel met Talion’s gaze firmly.

“There are Betrayers in the Northwest.”

At Kariel’s words, Talion fell silent.

“Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense for monsters to appear here.”

“…”

Talion remained silent at Kariel’s words.

“Let’s depart.”

“You don’t have to go, Your Highness…”

“It would be easier if I go. I received full authority from His Majesty, and I need to deal with the Betrayers myself to avoid any complications.”

Kariel declared, then looked at Achelio.

“I’m counting on you for the defense at the lines.”

“Leave it to me.”

Kariel finally smiled, seeming relieved, glancing back at Talion.

“…I trust you.”

With those words, Kariel finally lost consciousness.

Talion hurriedly looked at Brion, who reassured him not to worry.

“He’s just fainted.”

“Phew…”

Talion sighed in relief, grateful for the news.

Turning to him, Achelio urged, “Shouldn’t we follow His Highness’s orders?”

At Achelio’s reminder, Talion, who had been gazing at Kariel for a moment, resignedly replied, “How could I defy His Highness’s command?”

With a self-deprecating smile, Talion stated, and Achelio patted his shoulder, instructing everyone to prepare to march towards the Northwest defense line.

All the Crown Prince’s troops bore various wounds, with the most critical being Kariel, who had suffered severely.

As everyone had witnessed Kariel’s sacrifice up close, the anger towards the Betrayers who had brought them to this point surged within them.

“Let’s go punish the Betrayers.”

With Achelio’s declaration, everyone nodded and began marching towards the Northwest defense line.