The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

16. Eliminate the Betrayers! (2)

As soon as Kariel mentioned heading up to the Northwest, it was something I had partially foreseen.

“I found the evidence!”

The troops that followed Kariel had searched the location Märhen had provided and secured the evidence.

Thus, the preliminary preparations to capture the criminals began in earnest.

After a wave of monsters had already made an attack, they took advantage of the downtime to launch a massive cleanup operation, surrounding the Major Characters’ Mansions.

The crows from the North formed a blockade, while the Shadows that followed infiltrated to secure the key evidence.

Meanwhile, the Inspection Department members started preparing for an official investigation.

Finally, when all preparations were complete, Kariel took action personally.

“First, bring these guys in.”

“They might resist.”

At Talion’s comment, Kariel chuckled lightly.

“Send in the Central Army.”

If they resist, they’ll simply be treated as traitors.

They surrounded the trash units that had attempted to displace the existing troops with a force composed of elites.

Once all operations were completed, the Inspection Department began visiting the criminals one by one.

First, they apprehended the officers who had betrayed their units to escape to other places.

At the same time, the Inspection Department paid a visit to the betrayers who dared to assault the Crown Prince.

“I-I’m not guilty!”

“It’s by the Crown’s orders.”

“Even if it’s by the Crown’s orders, taking me away like this is…!”

One officer shouted in protest, but when one of the Inspection Department members quietly pulled out evidence and showed it right in front of him, his mouth was forced shut.

“Taking people away recklessly?”

The High Inspector dispatched from the central authority wore a cold expression.

“Don’t think of dying gently.”

“Uh…”

Death was already assured.

The remaining question was how he would die, and once marked by the High Inspector, a gentle death was out of the question.

The Inspection Department member following the captured officer quietly murmured a prayer for him.

“Currently, about 40% have been caught.”

“Too slow.”

Kariel clicked his tongue at Talion’s report and frowned as if displeased.

“There are a few resisting individuals, but…”

“Tell them to follow the law.”

Kariel mocked the resisters by invoking legal authority.

He had anticipated this, so he had methodically followed the procedures from the start.

He held back the urge to eliminate them all at once and instead persuaded Märhen, ensuring procedures were followed through the Inspection Department after securing evidence.

Having foreseen this whole turn of events, it was bothersome yet necessary to meticulously adhere to the processes.

“Tell them that those who resist will face harsher penalties.”

“They are already doomed, though…”

“For those who resist heavily, send them over there.”

Kariel said this as he pointed out the window.

There, a volcano seemed on the brink of eruption.

What would happen if the criminals were dropped into a forest crawling with monsters?

It was certain that something far more gruesome would occur than just a quick execution.

“Hmm…”

Talion fell silent, visibly shaken at the thought of being torn apart.

“Those who surrender peacefully will be spared. At the same time, let it casually slip that those who resist will be sent over there.”

“Yes.”

Talion bowed his head and exited to carry out Kariel’s orders.

*

Days passed, and all the targets that Kariel initially aimed to capture were apprehended.

At first, no one chose to surrender.

However, after the Central Army threw some of the most resistant individuals into the nearby forest, the atmosphere shifted.

People began to rush to Kariel begging for leniency.

Thanks to that, the Inspection Department proceeded with the investigation smoothly, now wearing relieved expressions as they expanded their inquiries.

Using the surrendered individuals, they began investigating ties to additional criminal organizations, Belphus, and Dark Mages.

As a result, it seemed that regarding the defensive line in the Northwest, most of the betrayers had been captured.

Of course, the situation wasn’t entirely favorable.

Once the all-out investigation began, led by the Inspection Department that followed the Crown Prince, the morale of the defensive line began to plummet rapidly.

Creating such turmoil during war was something a commander should absolutely avoid. When morale drops during war, the chances of defeat soar.

However, that principle seemed not to matter at least for now.

“It’s the Master…”

“That’s insane.”

Soldiers on the castle walls gaped at the sight of the commander of the Imperial Palace Knights, who was single-handedly sweeping away the monsters outside.

With every swing of the massive sword, the ground monsters were cleaved away, and even the flying monsters couldn’t escape the reach of that great sword.

He was single-handedly blocking the most dangerous areas, while the Central Knight Order that had accompanied them moved in to provide support.

“Send in the Imperial Palace Knights.”

“We can only concern ourselves with His Highness’s safety.”

“Then you go yourselves.”

“Your Highness, please kill us.”

When they attempted to send in the Imperial Palace Knights, the knights shook their heads resolutely in objection, while Talion and the Shadows knelt down, begging to be killed instead.

“Then you are my only option. Have you all been bored?”

“…Your Highness.”

Toto sighed as he spoke, but Kariel merely smiled and gestured to look back.

Turning around, he saw Arshuna and Iris already stretching and getting ready.

Iris was excited at the thought of battling monsters, while Arshuna was thrilled at the prospect of facing monsters imbued with strange fire energy due to the volcano’s influence.

Of course, Brion, the monster surgeon, was also excited just at the thought of encountering monsters, eagerly checking his oddly shaped weapons.

“Those crazy fools…”

“Is that your place to talk?”

“I simply enjoy exercising; there is nothing wrong with that.”

Without changing his expression, Toto said this, causing everyone nearby to look at him with baffled expressions.

Yet, Toto stubbornly insisted he was completely normal. Kariel, exasperated by him, waved his hand as if to shoo him away.

As the elite guards, all at the level of knight commanders, stepped forward, the situation gradually stabilized.

“Follow me.”

“Uh? Your Highness, you’re not in good health; where are you going?”

Talion exclaimed, hurriedly following behind.

“If you don’t move to secure my safety, I’ll have to move myself.”

“Your Highness!”

Kariel climbed up onto the castle walls.

Though it was still uncomfortable for him to make quick movements due to the cost of summoning a giant’s arm, he had no choice but to act to get them moving.

Once he positioned himself in the middle of the monsters’ onslaught, Talion and the Imperial Palace Knights had no choice but to mobilize.

“Nice work.”

Seeing the Imperial Palace Knights cut down every monster that approached, Kariel wore a satisfied expression.

“That place looks dangerous.”

As he moved through the walls, he decided to head toward the areas that seemed most perilous, where the Imperial Palace Knights and attendants dutifully opened pathways for him.

Though occasionally formidable-looking monsters would come up, Talion easily dispatched them using his unique techniques.

As he personally dealt with several threatening situations, word began to spread in the Northwest.

*

“His Highness personally heads to the most dangerous areas?”

Everyone nodded in acknowledgement, seeming to have heard the rumors.

Thanks to Kariel going to the most dangerous spots multiple times and blocking them, his nickname began to morph into “The Guardian of the Northwest.”

“I wish he would come to us.”

“That wouldn’t be good.”

One soldier whined about how tough things were, and another soldier shook his head in disagreement.

“His coming here would mean we’re pushed to the brink of collapse.”

“He only goes to such places? To someone of his standing?”

“That’s precisely why it’s impressive.”

The Crown Prince was seeking out the riskiest spots.

No such person had existed among the nobility up until now, and everyone wore expressions of wonder.

However, despite their faces, their eyes were filled with a growing respect for the Crown Prince.

“By the way, I heard that after this ordeal, His Highness will step down from the Crown Prince position.”

“So they say. Apparently, his younger siblings are more capable, and he’s retiring for the greater good.”

“What a pity.”

As one soldier lamented, everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

“But how capable must they be to be more capable than him?”

“Indeed.”

“I’m curious. To be more impressive than His Highness… will we see a historically significant virtuous ruler born from this?”

Everyone contemplated this, looking up at the sky with anticipation.

“…But I still think His Highness is the best.”

At one soldier’s comment, the others nodded in agreement.

At least within the Northwest, the loyalty towards Kariel was gradually turning absolute.

*

“People are coming to admire His Highness more and more.”

“What’s that expression?”

Kariel sighed deeply, frowning at Talion, who was smirking.

It was only because of his safety that he had to move despite the rebellion of the Imperial Palace Knights and Talion, yet the rumors were becoming more inflated.

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Would you really think so? Rumors like this bring nothing beneficial.”

After all, the dukes and the Emperor were already looking to capture Kariel and put him to use.

Plus, although things had changed somewhat, the Emperor’s paranoia remained a problem.

Since it was uncertain when his suspicions would flare up again, he needed to retire neatly before issues arose.

“Yet stabilization is progressing well.”

“Yes, the entire front line is returning to stability, and supplies and troops are gradually being bolstered from the Central region.”

“I need to prepare for an expedition in time for the next supply delivery.”

“Isn’t that a bit premature?”

At Talion’s words, Kariel gazed quietly out the window.

He thought the same way, but there was no other option.

“We can’t know what the Dark Mages are plotting over there. We must strike before they finish whatever it is they intend to do.”

“That’s true, but…”

As Talion spoke, he pulled something from his pocket.

“The two princes have initiated war against Belphus.”

“What’s the outcome?”

“It was a decisive victory. However… their forces were significantly weaker than expected.”

At Talion’s words, Kariel wore a knowing expression.

“What about the routes leading to the sea?”

“The Count of the West is blocking them.”

Satisfied, Kariel nodded.

Before coming here, he had contacted the Count of the West to blockade all the paths leading to the sea.

Now, they were like rats trapped in a cage.

“Tell him to keep blocking. There’s a high chance they might try to escape that way.”

“I will pass on your orders.”

If his guess was correct, there was a high possibility they were in league with the pirates.

They couldn’t be foolish enough to confront the Empire’s elite army head-on.

‘They must already be plotting how to hit us where it hurts…’

Kariel pondered this.

But there was nothing he could do at the moment.

They were certainly no easy targets to eliminate.

Even having swept through every foe by the side of the Grand Master in his previous life, the persistently remaining threats were the underworld merchants and Dark Mages.

So, he figured they had to have some sort of escape route prepared.

“Where do they plan to dart to…?”

As Kariel muttered this, he lost himself in thought.

Most of his work in the Northwest was done, leaving him pondering the Dark Mages and Belphus, but he had to set those thoughts aside for now.

“An enormous flow of mana has been detected in the volcano!”

Talion burst into the room, flinging the door open urgently, causing Kariel to jump to his feet.

“What about the supplies?”

“They should arrive before midnight.”

“Let’s move first. Tell everyone to get ready to depart.”

“Yes!”

At Kariel’s command, Talion bent his head and rushed outside.

Right at that moment, a translucent window appeared before Kariel.

[The second contract is on the verge of completion. Move to the marked location on the map!]

“What?”

As Kariel spoke, a map materialized in the translucent window.

The map displayed the Northwest army, forest, and volcanic areas, marked with incredible detail, perhaps even more than any other map available.

It resembled satellite imagery from Earth in his previous life.

A red dot was marked on the summit of the volcano indicated on the map.

“Is it a fragment of the Spirit King?”

– Is it time to meet a new foe?

At Kariel’s musing, a small fireball popped up with a ‘pop!’

“Surth!”