The Prince Wants to Retire

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Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

48. Unification of the West Continent! Next is the East Continent? (3)

The mightiest nation in the East Continent is Roman.

Surprisingly, unlike the Ignit Empire, which is essentially the same empire, Roman has faced little significant resistance from the other nations on the East Continent.

The reason is simple.

‘They have never waged a unification war, not once.’

Roman has never sought territory beyond a certain threshold.

In fact, they have even temporarily ceded portions of their own land at times.

Having managed the nations of the East Continent over a long time, Roman had the luxury of not interfering on the West Continent, and as a result, the nations there, including Ignit, had been uneasy about Roman.

To prevent this, an unspoken rule arose: the Western Continent should not be manipulated by the Eastern nations.

Yet, the Western nations still found themselves dancing to Roman’s tune.

“Shouldn’t we stop Ignit?”

“With our help, we will bring about Ignit’s downfall.”

“First, we need to survive, right? We’ll just take their fortress. The rest you can handle.”

So many times they were coaxed.

On a normal day, people would think it was just barking dogs, but when a nation’s fate is at stake, Roman’s proposal started sounding sweet.

In the end, they joined hands, and the Southern Kingdoms met their demise.

To repay Roman for the incredible chaos they caused in the West Continent, it became necessary to employ the very methods they used.

Thus, Kariel first sought to widen the gap between the Eastern nations and Roman.

“Unexpectedly, Roman has a surprisingly deep bond with the Eastern nations.”

This was Tarion’s report when Kariel first aimed to support the Eastern nations.

It was clear many had been bribed by the Empire’s wealth.

However, on the flipside, many wanted to coexist with Roman.

As a result, within the East Continent, only Wingzar definitively sided with Ignit.

Having suffered greatly at the hands of Roman in the past, only Wingzar partnered with Ignit to maintain a check, while the other nations displayed lukewarm responses.

Therefore, this time, instead of the foolish method of merely pouring in funds, a more certain method was being considered, despite needing time.

“Is everything ready?”

“It’s finished.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs bowed his head at Kariel’s orders.

“Let’s start slowly.”

“Yes.”

Nodding at Kariel’s orders, the Minister of Foreign Affairs went out.

Though unification of the West Continent was on the horizon, the Empire still had much to do.

It would take time to fully make the South part of the Empire’s territory, and areas still lacking had to continue developing.

However, they couldn’t give up on the Holy Nation and tasks on the East Continent either, so they planned to start the groundwork first.

The first method was to make Roman a common enemy.

“Roman, hand in hand with Dark Mages?”

They began the groundwork using private newspapers first.

Using information gathered from traders who crossed over from Roman, they reported on what sinister rumors were stirring inside.

They published in the newspapers that Roman’s stringent media control hinted at the military controlling areas where Dark Mages could potentially be present.

“A trader: The Demon Gate may have already been opened.”

These kinds of contents were published, but up until then, opinions were skeptical.

While traders roaming the continent brought much information, there was just as much falsehood.

The Demon Gate opened?

No matter how much Roman overstepped, this was something they couldn’t just ignore.

Since they too were human, it would be unimaginable to let Demons pour into the continent without taking action.

Amid such circumstances, the newspapers continuously asked for information regarding the East Continent, leading Empire citizens to consider that this was no mere rumor.

At that moment, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stepped forward.

“The seriousness of the rumors spreading throughout the Empire is recognized by Your Majesty as well. His Majesty has formally inquired about this matter with Roman and wishes to obtain cooperation from the Holy Nation.”

Everyone was shocked by the formal announcement that the Empire intended to approach the nation that sought to invade the West Continent, and at the same time request cooperation from a enemy nation engaged in war.

To cooperate with an enemy nation in war?

It was a move that, under common sense, made no sense at all.

But this was a thoroughly calculated action.

The Masters from the Southern Kingdoms were expected to be used in the upcoming war, while the Pope also planned to deploy Dark Mages and Demons at the frontline against their enemies.

As payment for placing the two Master Class figures, the Sun Blade and the Pope, in the war, they intended to guarantee autonomy to the Church Nation.

They planned to seize most of the territories held by the Holy Nation, leaving only the capital and nearby lands with just a bare existence, but they would have no choice but to accept.

This choice was made purely because the value of the Holy Nation outweighed that of the Southern Kingdoms.

1. They wield powers that directly oppose Dark Mages.

2. They possess two Masters.

3. The value of information the Holy Nation holds regarding Dark Mages and Demons is high.

Because of these three reasons, Kariel showed mercy to the Holy Nation.

Of course, the Holy Nation also had its pride, so they couldn’t immediately accept such a proposal. Strong prideful figures could continue to fight under the pretext of a holy war until the very end.

So, Kariel gradually revealed the information he had gathered to create a reason for the Holy Nation to surrender.

“What’s the Holy Nation’s response?”

“Not yet. However, judging by their halt in warfare, it seems there are definitely internal disagreements.”

Kariel smiled at Tarion’s report.

Currently, the Holy Nation was troubled by the revolutionary forces supported by Kariel, but a bigger problem was the Cardinals who had joined forces with Roman.

As they rebelled against the Pope, the Holy Nation became divided.

“The Pope must be having a headache too.”

“Indeed.”

Tarion replied with a wry smile at Kariel’s words.

If it had been before the war with the Empire, this would have been a force easily dealt with, but now it had grown tricky beyond trouble.

Stopping the war and stabilizing their internal affairs would be ideal, but would the Empire simply stand by?

The moment the troops retreated, the Empire would undoubtedly push forces into the Holy Nation.

“What about the Northern Commander?”

“Preparations for any possible situation are already complete.”

The moment the Holy Nation pulls back their troops, preparations to apply more pressure would be ready.

They had already been continually exchanging information with the revolutionary forces through crows.

Just like how they swallowed Talos and Rotheon, while the revolutionary forces rise up, they would swallow the territories of the Holy Nation.

“Alright! Then shall we begin to wrap this up?”

“Yes.”

At Kariel’s orders, Tarion immediately went outside.

And before that evening arrived, the state-run newspaper unleashed a barrage of evidentiary materials in an announcement.

“Does Roman indeed seek to open the Demon Gate on the continent?”

A question directed at Roman, which kept its lips sealed despite the numerous pieces of evidence existing.

They directed accusations at Roman for maintaining silence, simultaneously pressuring the Holy Nation.

The public was moved to disappointment at the thought that those who believe in God might allow the Demon Gate to open while only looking after their own interests.

As a result, chaos spread throughout the Holy Nation.

“Is this correct?”

“Shouldn’t we, the descendants of God, be the first to act?”

“What the heck is the Temple doing?”

The citizens of the Holy Nation looked at the Temple with questioning expressions.

Seeing their internal disputes continue while the situation had escalated to this extent led to the doubt of ‘Can we trust them at all?’

At that moment, the Temple of Fire moved.

“Graaah!”

A man writhing in agony, engulfed in flames.

The problem was that colossal amounts of Dark Mana were escaping from the man who was burning.

“It’s a Dark Mage!”

“A Dark Mage has infiltrated the Holy Nation!”

The Dark Mages unveiled by the Fire Priests.

What’s severe is they wore white robes like priests adorned with symbols that only priests could bear.

Since it was an incident that happened in a rural part of the Holy Nation, inquiries could easily be cast aside.

But the timing was dreadful.

At a time when the belief of the Holy Nation’s citizenry was wavering, such a happening occurred.

As a result, citizens across the nation began to rise up.

“……It seems they deliberately aimed for this timing.”

“It does seem so.”

At the Pope’s words, the Sun Blade responded with clenched teeth.

They had caught a Dark Mage at a moment of weakness for the Holy Nation itself.

Now the Empire was coercing the Holy Nation to make a choice.

“It’s a message to surrender quietly.”

The Pope let out a hollow laugh and sighed.

Just like in the Southern Kingdoms, they pretended to show mercy by offering a chance to surrender in order to use the elite military forces of the Holy Nation.

But could this truly be a good thing?

Could they truly expect the Empire to just sit back and allow themselves to rebel at any moment?

Absolutely not.

Under intense surveillance, they would be restricted to only displaying power on the battlefield, while the elite military forces of the Holy Nation and Southern Kingdoms would be torn apart in every direction.

They would undoubtedly be made to serve only in the war against the East Continent.

“It is indeed strange for the Empire to go this far.”

At the Sun Blade’s words, it seemed the Pope shared the same thought as he nodded.

Given they had already occupied the South, pushing in fiercely to end it would suffice; yet, giving them a chance to surrender was a sign of the Empire showing mercy.

The Emperor known to the Pope and Sun Blade was not one to show such mercy.

“Perhaps the situation on the East Continent is serious enough to warrant sparing our lives.”

As the Pope stated this, he wore a serious expression.

After hearing all the recent announcements, the Pope realized the happenings within Roman were indeed severe.

“……Must we once more endure humiliation and look to the future?”

Before achieving independence, they had lived for a long time in humiliation.

Yet now, they find themselves needing to enter the shadow of the Empire once again, and it was during his rule that this unfolded, causing him to sigh in lament.

*

A few days later, the Pope, having made a decision, approached the Empire’s army alone.

“I wish to speak with His Majesty.”

“Have you come alone?”

At Marquis Sicario’s question, the Pope bit his lips and replied.

“The Holy Nation wishes to join the Empire in eradicating the Demons.”

“I shall convey your intentions to His Majesty.”

After Marquis Sicario said this and left, Duke Devir and Duke Welch approached the Pope.

They were ready to attack at the slightest hint of foolishness.

But the Pope merely lowered his head quietly, seeking the divine.

Was it perhaps because the figure of the Pope came alone to the Empire’s army?

This news spread across the North in an instant, and a few days later, Kariel himself boarded an airship to visit the North.

“Let’s work well together from here on.”

“Thank you for the opportunity.”

As the Pope shook hands with Kariel, he bowed his head.

As their handshake concluded, he presented the agreement document and yielded a chamber that only the Pope of the Holy Nation could hold to Kariel as part of the price for surrender.

At that moment, news spread throughout the Empire and the entire West Continent that the Pope had surrendered.

“The Pope who surrendered for the greater good! ‘Now is not the time for fighting but for uniting! We will do everything in our power to prevent the calamities in the East Continent!’”

“Emperor Kariel, moved by the Pope’s noble intentions! ‘In respect of the Pope’s noble intentions, I will maintain the status of the Church Nation and guarantee its autonomy!’”

While many lands held by the Holy Nation reverted to the Empire, such things mattered little. It was of utmost importance that they preserved their honor and pride.

Now becoming a mere Church Nation, they were satisfied to hold the sole neutral ground in the West Continent.

The despair and anger from having lost most of the power they had painstakingly built would turn back toward the Cardinals who defied the Pope and their faction.

“Sa…save me…”

“It’s too late. Repent in hell.”

With a resolute voice, the Pope personally struck down the Cardinal, wiping the blood off his face as he spoke.

“Sweep them all away. We will not need the demons’ minions for the upcoming holy war.”

“Yes.”

Bowing in response to the Pope’s command, the Sun Blade quietly drew his sword.

*

As the Pope issues his final command as the supreme being of the Holy Nation, the Empire began to gear up for stirring chaos in the East Continent.

With immense funds poured in, they aimed to create a single narrative across all nations in the East Continent.

“Will we leave Roman, the Enemy of Humanity, as is?”