The Prince Wants to Retire

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Crown Prince’s Desire to Retire

“Your Highness.”

As Kariel stepped out of the Imperial Palace Library, he saw Talion waiting at the entrance with a man behind him.

“Is it you?”

At Kariel’s question, the man beside Talion took a step forward.

“I am Palace Knight Toto.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Kariel exchanged pleasantries with Toto and glanced around. He noticed the attendants nearby, who were glancing at them while keeping their heads down, and clicked his tongue.

“Let’s head to the palace first.”

“Yes.”

Talion and Toto bowed and answered in unison at Kariel’s command. Soon the carriage started moving straight towards the Crown Prince’s palace.

As the slow-moving carriage made its way, Talion, Toto, and the attendants hurried along beside it.

“So, you say you know a lot about the body?”

Before long, after arriving at the palace, Kariel asked Toto as he sat on a couch.

“Yes, I know the body better than anyone in the Empire.”

Toto’s voice was full of confidence, but Talion shook his head, his expression implying he was having a hard time watching Toto flex his muscles while speaking.

Still, Kariel was satisfied.

“Then let me ask you. How is my current condition?”

“…Can I be honest?”

“Go ahead.”

“It’s the worst.”

With Kariel’s permission, Toto answered frankly. His muscles were unimpressive, and he lacked even the minimal fitness for exercise. Bowing down to the rampaging fire energy made intense exercise impossible.

On top of that, the drugs used to restrain the fire energy were negatively impacting his body as well.

“At this point… there’s no way to recover Your Highness’s body.”

“Why would you give it a quick glance…?”

Talion, annoyed at Toto’s words, was stopped by Kariel raising a hand.

“Thank you for your honest opinion.”

As Kariel said this, he rested his chin on his hand and stared intently at Toto.

To him, Toto felt like more than just a mere oddball; he truly seemed to be an expert when it came to the body.

‘What a muscle enthusiast.’

Kariel couldn’t help but snicker instinctively as he watched Toto flaunt his muscles.

“I’m aware that there’s no way to recover my body in this state.”

Kariel said, forcing a wry smile. It was a method he had searched desperately for in his previous life but had never been able to find.

“But what if this works?”

As Kariel said this, he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.

Carefully folded, he unfolded the paper and handed it over, and Toto took it gently with both hands and began to read it calmly.

Seeing this, Kariel added, “It’s the Ancient Werewolf’s Mana Utilization Method, known as Body Technique.”

Upon hearing Kariel’s words, Toto looked up in surprise.

“That’s amazing! A mana utilization method that purely strengthens the body… But it has clear limitations.”

Toto said with a slightly regretful expression. The ancient mana utilization method was astonishingly magical, but that was all. Compared to the advanced methods of mana that had developed over time, its efficiency was lacking.

“The efficiency might not even reach one-fifth compared to modern mana refinement methods.”

Kariel nodded, smiling as he agreed with Toto’s words. It was clear that the mana cultivation method was already less than half as efficient; the ancient method’s efficiency had to be even lower.

However, efficiency didn’t matter to Kariel.

“But what if I apply it to myself?”

At Kariel’s question, Toto fell silent. The waste of power was of no concern for Kariel. In fact, if he could release the fire energy externally, it would improve his physical condition further.

Moreover, if his body were to be enhanced even a little during that process?

“For me, that would be the best outcome, right?”

“…That seems to be the case. However, I cannot predict what risks may come.”

As Toto spoke with a worried expression, Talion looked equally concerned.

Unless it was a mana refinement method, the risks were too high.

Nevertheless, Kariel’s will was firm.

“This is already decided. What you need to do is prepare a training plan for me once I’ve learned this and achieved minimal conditioning.”

At Kariel’s resolute words, Toto lowered his head in thought, concern written on his face.

“I will do my best to create the training plan for Your Highness.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Nodding, Kariel dismissed Toto and smiled, gazing at the paper inscribed with Body Technique.

“Talion.”

“Yes!”

“From now on, no one is to come in.”

Talion hesitated before speaking with difficulty at Kariel’s command.

“I will assist you.”

“No, I’ll do it alone.”

Having learned the mana refinement method, Talion would have difficulty providing substantial help with the mana cultivation method. It was better for Kariel to do it himself.

He had taken many risks and tried various methods just to heal his miserable body.

He had even directly injected drugs into his body and performed experiments to forcibly enhance his physique.

‘Compared to that time, the mana cultivation method is nothing.’

Kariel thought as he felt the presence of fire energy.

While for others, simply feeling mana would take ages, Kariel had felt the existence of fire energy since he was born.

Considering that less than 20% of the continent’s inhabitants had a talent for mana, Kariel was genuinely blessed.

The problem was that excessive blessings became a curse, just as it had.

“Ugh!”

Even attempting to control the fire energy caused it to go wild and rampage.

Since he had grown up with it, Kariel had tried numerous times to make it move as he intended.

Sadly, it had always gone haywire, damaging his body, and this time was no different.

“Cough!”

As his internal injuries worsened and he coughed up blood, Kariel downed the potion that Talion had left behind.

With a gulp, the potion began healing his internal injuries. Once some of the internal damage was healed, Kariel quickly moved to control the fire energy.

‘Spread out. Spread! Spread!’

Kariel fervently wished within himself for the fire energy to spread throughout his body.

Then, the fire energy, which had been suppressed near his heart, began to stir slightly.

It hesitated, not knowing whether to spread throughout his body, as he commanded it despite being restrained by drugs and magic.

The fire energy remained wary, as if it couldn’t trust Kariel.

Calming it down little by little as he attempted to spread it from his heart throughout his body, the fire energy soon tried to erupt explosively from his heart.

Boom! Boom!

Seeing the fire energy knocking against the mana barrier surrounding his heart, Kariel cautiously unfastened his bracelet.

In that moment, the fire energy he had restrained with magic exploded and began spreading throughout his body.

‘Most of the fire energy is dormant due to the drugs. I can manage.’

Kariel thought to himself as he made use of the fire energy thrashing all over his body.

He directly hammered a portion of the fire energy into his muscles.

Without the hassle of creating mana holes, he simply allowed it to settle in, causing his entire body to heat up with a reddish glow.

Gulp!

Kariel downed another vial of potion and inscribed more of the fire energy into his body.

As his skin flared up red, he shoved the last remaining potion into his mouth and, with trembling hands, put the bracelet back on.

This trapped more fire energy that was about to erupt inside the barrier formed around his heart.

“Hah… Hah…”

Kariel lay down on the couch, sweat trickling down his face.

“This is definitely insane.”

Kariel groaned painfully as he glanced at his own body.

He realized why humans didn’t use the mana cultivation method.

The risks were far too high.

“Ugh, I can’t just lay here.”

Kariel forced himself to rise from his burning body.

The mana cultivation method was designed to enhance the body from the beginning, unlike the mana refinement method, and thus had to be combined with the martial arts or techniques handed down by various races.

It felt as though he had to adapt his body to use the techniques of each race.

In contrast, in the mana refinement method, swordsmanship or martial arts were supplementary.

For humans, swordsmanship was merely a means to utilize more efficient and powerful mana.

But Kariel had to move like a monster.

“Ugh!”

With his trembling body, Kariel recalled the most basic movements he had seen in the old book, forcing himself to replicate them.

They resembled exercises.

Moving in a way to stimulate each muscle helped the mana settle within them, allowing the still-unstable fire energy to find a home throughout his body.

“Ugh….”

Though his entire body screamed in pain, Kariel finally completed the basic movements and collapsed onto the spot.

“Talion!”

Bang!

“Your Highness!”

Hearing Kariel’s call, Talion rushed over and quickly helped him back onto the couch.

“You’ve overdone it.”

Talion grimaced upon seeing the bloodstains on the couch.

Even now, Kariel’s trembling body indicated how hard he had pushed himself.

“…But I’ve succeeded.”

Despite the pain coursing through his body, Kariel smiled.

Watching him, Talion sighed and shook his head.

He wanted to stop him at heart, but he couldn’t.

Kariel, who had suffered his entire life, had finally found a way to treat the insufferable ailment.

Because of this, Talion could only feel anxiety for his suffering master without being able to stop him.

“I’ll call Toto first thing tomorrow.”

“I need to train more. It’s still not fully settled.”

“He should be able to find a way to resolve it, considering he’ll take that into account.”

Talion’s tone was firm as he said this, and Kariel, recognizing that his concern was genuine, nodded in agreement.

Following his words, Kariel quickly fell asleep without being stubborn.

‘I did it…’

Even in his dreams, he smiled, proud of his achievement.

Watching him, Talion couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

With red-rimmed eyes, Talion quietly left Kariel’s room.

The next morning, as the sun rose, Kariel summoned Toto and began researching the Ancient Werewolf’s Body Technique.

Maybe it was thanks to having somehow inscribed some fire energy the previous day?

Kariel demonstrated the Ancient Werewolf’s Body Technique before Toto with a noticeably lighter body, prompting Toto to immediately teach him the exercises that would support the foundation of the Body Technique.

They started with light stretching to loosen up the body, gradually increasing strength with gentle exercises before practicing the basic Body Technique.

For a week.

During this time, Kariel focused entirely on training the Body Technique and enhancing his stamina with Toto’s help.

“Hah… Hah…”

“Your movements have improved remarkably since before.”

“That’s right. I can hardly believe my own eyes.”

Talion and Toto applauded, showering Kariel with enthusiastic praise every time he accomplished something.

“Stop the fuss.”

“No, you’ve improved greatly.”

“That’s correct.”

At Toto’s words, Talion vigorously nodded in agreement.

As they said, Kariel’s body had changed considerably.

Unlike in the past, when even walking was a struggle, he now felt fit enough to handle strenuous exercises.

“With this much, I might be able to endure increased fire energy?”

“Determining to what extent is key.”

“A level of 2 to 3 times?”

Kariel tilted his head as he spoke, considering Toto’s words.

“If it’s around that much…”

“Hmm… Still, I would recommend not pushing it too far… Whatever you’re planning, you should take your time before attempting it.”

Talion warned with concern, but Kariel shook his head.

Time was of the essence.

He had already received word from Talion that rumors about his palace had begun to spread.

Furthermore, the news that Kariel intended to distance himself from the Emperor Faction was also spreading beyond the palace and throughout the capital.

Before things escalated, he needed to finalize the contract with Surth and take action.

“I’m going to the palace report right now.”

At Kariel’s words, Talion’s eyes widened in shock.

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

Indicating no room for debate, Kariel walked straight towards the carriage.

“Toto, you worked hard today.”

After hesitantly trailing behind, he dismissed Toto and climbed into the carriage, prompting Talion to reluctantly get it moving towards the palace report.

“I-I will meet with His Highness…”

“I’ll enter the report. Just observe and come out like last time.”

“Um, as you wish.”

Nervously responding to the inner court attendant, Kariel entered inside the palace report.

Arriving at the second chamber in an instant, Kariel waved his hand dismissively at the shadow guards’ greetings and headed straight for the cursed relic chamber.

In that moment, blue flames erupted, warding off the lurking curses around him.

Following the path created by the blue flames, Kariel headed directly to Surth.

-I thought I might die of boredom waiting.

“After sleeping for thousands of years, you can’t manage a mere few days of patience?”

Kariel remarked while looking at Surth.

Then he smiled broadly as he continued, “Let’s make a contract.”

Surth briefly closed his mouth as he scanned Kariel’s body and then spoke.

-That’s surprising. What on earth did you do to change so much?

“Who knows?”

Kariel replied with a grin, gazing at Surth.

“Are we making the contract or not?”

-Yes, let’s do it.

Nodding as if he had been defeated, Surth said.

In that moment, the blue flames and the fire energy exuded by Kariel merged, shining brightly together.