The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

43. The Ignit Federation! (2)

Two leaders signed a document to join the Ignit Federation.

An official document would be prepared in line with the birthday schedule, but what was being done now was a secret agreement.

A secret agreement to prepare for future disasters.

1. The hellish problem must be tackled together by all members of the federation.

2. No independence or individual actions are allowed until the continental disaster is resolved.

3. In matters related to disaster, the Emperor’s orders hold absolute power. Therefore, those belonging to the federation are obligated to obey these commands.

This secret agreement was centered around the three points above.

In exchange for autonomy, the Iron Alliance leader and the Crown Prince signed without complaints to gain unconditional cooperation regarding future disasters.

Just then, as if waiting for this moment, the Attendant Hall brought in a contract detailing the criteria for disasters, including Hell.

“This agreement will be kept by the Secret Guardians.”

At the Attendant’s words, Kariel nodded slightly.

Then, the Crown Prince and Jeyron Paul showed expressions of surprise.

“Secret Guardians!”

“Wow…”

Seeing their astonishment at witnessing the famous Secret Guardians of the Empire, Kariel greeted them with a smile and briefly explained the future plans.

With the formation of the Ignit Federation, Kariel’s plans had become more concrete and grander.

He was setting up a robust plan that was more than just connecting the West and East.

A large-scale industrial complex centered around the Principality and Salem Port.

A trade and financial city centered around Aylon and the existing western port.

And the capital of the Empire, which would be the center of all reforms.

He aimed to create synergy by connecting these three.

Turning the east into a large-scale industrial complex would enable immediate weapon supply in case of emergencies, and for Iron, he intended to significantly increase the scale of trade with the New Continent.

To achieve this, he devised a plan to focus on finance and trade.

“As you know, time is of the essence. I plan to enlarge the Empire exponentially. In fact, even with this growth, the odds of winning will still… be low.”

“…Is it that strong?”

At the Crown Prince’s question, Kariel nodded heavily.

The endless onslaught of hellish beings.

Seeing the Empire that had ultimately collapsed because of them made the current progress seem slow.

“Remember. Our goal is not about the Holy Nation or the Southern Kingdoms, but rather to prepare for the disaster…”

With Kariel’s words, the two men nodded gravely.

Emphasizing the need to continue developing rather than being satisfied, Kariel sighed after sending the two away.

Before his eyes lay a translucent window.

[The Hell Gate is being created.]

It was true that it informed him about Hell.

Not only did it tell him that the Hell Gate was being created, but it also indicated the specific location on the map.

“Roman, huh…”

The ancient temple hidden in Roman’s desert region.

Summoned by dark mages who made contracts with demons, the demon lords were preparing to open the Hell Gate.

Even though Kariel was aware of this, he could do nothing for now.

He had already informed the upper echelons of the Eastern Continent countries about this fact through the Secret Guardians, as well as those inside Roman.

However, neither could prevent it.

Other countries in the Eastern Continent seemed overwhelmed just trying to calm their own chaos, and Roman was unstable internally as well.

– Cunning little devils. It feels like watching Loki from the Mythical Era.

“If it weren’t for those guys, I wouldn’t have had a short life.”

With Surth’s sudden remark, Kariel sighed.

According to the investigations by the Secret Guardians, the power of dark mages was already spreading throughout the Eastern Continent.

Criminal organizations that had aligned themselves with them were running rampant in various countries, and Roman was no exception.

One of the nobles from Roman who the Secret Guardians connected with lost his life while personally digging into dark mages.

This was evidence that the upper echelons of Roman had allied with the dark mage forces.

“Still, we’ve made sure the truth is known, so what we can do now is everything.”

At Kariel’s words, Surth nodded.

With Roman’s upper echelons and dark mages allied, there was no way for Kariel to sneak in and stop them.

Unable to raise a large army since he hadn’t subdued the Western Continent, he had already sent the Secret Guardians but couldn’t even get close.

The Military of Roman had abruptly bolstered their troops in that area. Considering the hidden dark mages and demon lords, the time for sending the Secret Guardians or Shadows was long past.

– At this point, what you can do is over.

“I know.”

Kariel sighed at Surth’s words.

He wanted to stop the Hell Gate from opening if possible, but it wasn’t easy.

“Still, we must try to do all we can.”

There was a glimmer of hope that perhaps they could resolve things before the Hell Gate opened.

To that end, he had started to subtly leak information related to Hell.

Already within the Eastern Continent, much of the information Kariel knew was being circulated through newspapers and rumors, and he had begun working in the Western Continent as well.

Utilizing the fact that Talos had allied with Roman, he worked on framing Roman as the axis of evil working with dark mages and positioned Talos as the enemy.

Also, by secretly supporting revolutionary forces, there was a possibility that the Empire could collapse from within without much effort.

Especially for the Holy Nation, there was a likelihood of total collapse.

‘If I use the rumors about Hell and the circumstances of Roman’s alliance well, I might be able to take down the Holy Nation in one blow.’

With that thought, Kariel embedded shadows within the Holy Nation’s revolutionary forces.

When the time came, he would be ready to dismantle the Holy Nation from within.

– If it doesn’t work out even after this, then that really can’t be helped.

At Surth’s words, Kariel nodded with a wry smile.

Assuming everything went well, uniting the power of the Western Continent and creating chaos in the Eastern Continent could weaken the dark mages.

In addition, he might be able to prevent the completion of the Hell Gate.

If even after all this they faced destruction, then it would truly be unavoidable.

– So now, just train to gain recognition from Garum.

“Is that all there is to it?”

With that, Kariel sighed.

“But can I really get stronger like this?”

– At your current level, even a Master might struggle to see you.

Surth’s words made Kariel furrow his brow.

All he had done so far was accumulate fire energy throughout his body and train his physique to create even more fire energy.

Yet, just that alone being comparable to a Master was hard to believe.

– Check with Talion later. Or have a match with Glen who claims to be close to Master level. I assure you, as soon as we summon him, even that brat would have a hard time beating you.

With Surth’s words, Kariel looked at Surth with a doubtful expression but then nodded slightly.

He could confirm his own strength later.

For now, it was important to show that the owner of the Western Continent was still intact by establishing the federation.

To do that, he was willing to put up with cringy actions he would never normally take.

*

In a square filled with countless people.

The most splendid wagon in the Empire stopped there.

To guard the man who stepped down from the wagon, the strongest warriors of the Empire surrounded him.

As the most powerful figure of the Empire made his way to the center of the square under the protection of many, he stood in front of the fountain and looked at the citizens.

“Today is a very significant day. Not only is it my first birthday since ascending to the throne, but I am also delighted to be joining hands with the proud brothers of the past Empire once again.”

Slightly smiling on purpose, Kariel created the emblem of the royal family and looked to both sides.

Just then, Jeyron Paul and the Crown Prince, who had been waiting on either side, cautiously approached.

“While we were once bound by the name Ignit, I do not wish to force that upon you. I want to respect all of you who have lived your lives separately during the time of our Empire’s decline.”

At that moment, a huge sphere descended slowly from the great airship created anew by the Magic Tower.

And on that sphere was just one name inscribed.

「Ignit Federation」

“While belonging to a federation centered on the Empire, the Principality and Iron will have their own autonomy. I also wish to give an opportunity to the small nations that dared to wage war against the Empire.”

At that moment, another name appeared on the giant sphere.

「Triad Free Alliance」

“It is a union formed to respect the cultures of each nation. Within this, you will be able to preserve your diverse cultures and maintain your history. The governor of Triad will be Markus Weber, the current mayor of Salem.”

As soon as Kariel’s words ended, a map of the Ignit Federation appeared within the giant sphere.

A federation formed by the four divided nations gathered together.

Everyone cheered at the enormous landmass that swallowed more than half of the Western Continent.

Before the cheers of the crowd could finish, what Kariel had envisioned began to appear on the map.

Railroads densely connecting each city amidst the routes piercing from west to east. And numerous strongholds were marked as airships flew above them.

“The Empire will thrive more than ever, creating a stronger Empire that surpasses its past glories.”

As Kariel’s declaration finished, the Minister of Internal Affairs approached with a document in hand. He pricked his thumb with a needle and pressed it to the document with blood.

Afterward, he signed for the Crown Prince, Jeyron Paul, and finally Markus, who was appointed as the governor of Triad.

“Thus, we hereby declare that we are united under the Ignit Federation.”

With the Emperor’s declaration, fireworks burst and airships flew above the capital, displaying banners celebrating the birth of the Ignit Federation.

At that moment, all the Empire citizens and all those newly embraced into the Empire raised their hands in cheers.

On the other hand, some watched this scene gloomily. The Southern Kingdoms and the Holy Nation, who had fought just a short while ago.

Though they could not come to celebrate the birth of the Ignit Federation as hostile nations, all these images were also being shown in the Southern Kingdoms and the Holy Nation.

“Reforms, huh…”

The revolutionary forces within the Holy Nation vowed as they watched the birth of the Ignit Federation through their image spheres from afar.

They promised that they would also definitely achieve a revolution in their own country to create such glory.

And this sentiment resonated with the revolutionary forces of Talos and Rotheon as well.

The seriousness of the situation extended beyond just them.

Roman, which was the only country in the Eastern Continent not present, was also watching the scene with great seriousness.

While they had been the ones launching attacks thus far, the roles would likely reverse in the future.

Yet, amidst the unease of most Roman citizens watching the birth of the Ignit Federation from the capital, one man stood watching with a smile, finding it amusing.

“The resurrection of Ignit… This is bound to get interesting.”

Muttering those words, the man in the black robe quietly vanished into the crowd.