The Prince Wants to Retire

---

Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

49. Creating a Common Enemy

As the internal affairs of the Holy Nation were getting sorted out, the Pope officially drafted the surrender documents. Requesting to become a vassal state while completing the process of returning lands that were gradually monopolized by the Empire.

With even the Holy Nation surrendering and joining the Ignit Federation, the Empire now appeared to have completely unified the West Continent on paper.

While there were still multiple steps remaining, the major issue had been resolved due to the unification.

“Request for Membership to the Saintia Church in the Ignit Federation”

Kariel stared at the request sealed with the Pope’s emblem, letting out a long sigh.

It felt like he had finally achieved his first objective.

Now, at least the chances of being stabbed in the back within the West Continent had significantly diminished.

With the inner palace stabilized, he could expect better results than in his previous life.

“Is the only remaining issue Roman?”

Dealing with Roman, who had relentlessly tormented the Ignit for so long.

This task would be far more challenging than unifying the West Continent. Ideally, he wanted to act before the Demon’s Gate was fully opened, but even that wouldn’t be easy.

The goal was to prevent them from opening the Hell Gate.

Kariel had already accepted that war with the demons was a foregone conclusion; the battle was whether they could block the Hell Gate or not.

While he was drafting the next plan based on information that had come from the East Continent, Talion arrived at the Emperor’s Palace to report.

“How is the situation with Roman?”

“He conveyed that he is perplexed. He claims the Dark Mages have nothing to do with them and insists that the ones in the Holy Nation are merely the acts of some nobles.”

Finding the expected response unamusing, Kariel asked with a straight face.

“What’s the final operation?”

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs has already initiated it.”

As Talion said this, he handed a report to Kariel.

“Good.”

Kariel nodded with satisfaction while looking over the report.

Naturally, the East Continent harbored many more nations than the West. Moreover, it was not easy for the Ignit to approach it.

Therefore, it was essential to be cautious in their approach to the East Continent, which they planned through three main tactics.

Firstly, continuous pressure on Roman via media play.

Secondly, engaging with the leadership of the East Continent nations.

Lastly, framing the nations supporting Roman as the continent’s enemies who had allied with the demons.

The first two strategies were already in progress, and they had just begun the last one through the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

They were about to move to finalize the operations they had started since the war on the West Continent had commenced.

Everyone across the continent expected the Ignit would attack Roman, and Roman himself wouldn’t shy away from it.

It was only a matter of time before these two prideful empires clashed.

The real question was when that timing would be, as it could significantly change the outcome.

1. Stabilize internally and make a move.

2. Move immediately.

3. Wait for the demons to stir.

Option two had its risks. However, since neither Roman nor the demons were fully prepared, it could be an opportune moment to strike.

On the other hand, option one was ambiguous.

While it was advantageous for the Ignit to stabilize internally, Roman would be doing the same.

And would they really wait until the demons stirred?

They could gather humanity’s strength together, but recalling the legion of monsters that had endlessly streamed in during his previous life, this option wasn’t ideal either.

Hence, he sought alternative methods.

Getting all the East Continent nations on board against Roman would take too long.

So the method changed.

‘Only pressure the ones worth it.’

There was no need to drag everyone down to pressure Roman.

For now, they needed to prepare to battle Roman with only those who could be persuaded.

To that end, the Ignit’s elite army was discreetly deployed.

Even if no direct military actions were evident, they needed to ensure the Ignit couldn’t run rampant.

Creating an atmosphere as if war could break out at any moment would let the Empire solidify its inner strength.

Simultaneously, they planned to diplomatically sway the East Continent nations.

To the north – Roman Alliance

To the south – Ignit Alliance

Dividing the East Continent broadly into north and south.

Focusing the southern coastal nations, centered around Wingzar, on forming alliances with Ignit.

Of course, excluding the desert empire of Sandria at the eastern tip, they would split all nations in two and designate those allied with Roman as the enemies of humanity.

If this could be achieved, those nations allied with Roman would feel immense pressure.

“If we could just classify them as the enemy of humanity, things would get much easier… but it’s not simple.”

“It seems Roman has reigned over the Empire for a long time.”

The latent image of Roman that the East Continent nations held.

It was that they were of a superior nation and the center of the East Continent. To break this mindset, they would need to brand them as the enemy of humanity, which wasn’t easy.

“It seems I’ll have to move myself.”

“Your Majesty!”

As Talion blurted out in a fit, Kariel scratched his ear as if finding it disruptive.

“If I want to instill confidence in the East Continent nations, it’s better for me to put in direct effort.”

At Kariel’s words, Talion bit his lip.

To assure them they weren’t just disposable pawns, Kariel needed to personally meet with key figures from the southern nations.

They had to genuinely instill the image of true allies for them to take action.

“It’s too dangerous.”

Talion protested with an expression of firm opposition.

He understood the gravity of the situation, but considering that, he couldn’t help but shake his head at Kariel’s potential decision to act.

It was more vital for Kariel to escape from any threats, even just a slight possibility, than to persuade them.

“We’ll handle it. Just give it some more time…”

“You know there’s no time.”

Time was not on their side.

The moment the demons began pouring in, they’d be in trouble.

They needed to resolve things before then.

“Summon the Pirate King.”

“Wha? Why him…?”

“We need to entrust this matter to the Pirate King.”

Upon hearing Kariel’s words, Talion’s expression darkened.

He thought it was because Kariel didn’t trust them.

“There’s no need for such an expression, I’m just looking for an easy solution.”

No matter how exceptional the Shadows and Secret Guardians might be, they couldn’t compare to the pirates who had been smuggling for so long on the East Continent.

At least the nations on the East Continent with shorelines would likely have more contact with the pirates.

Kariel decided to take full advantage of that.

“Let’s truly make the Aisa Archipelago a ‘Neutral Nation’.”

“Wait…what?”

“That’s right. We’ll hold talks with the nations of the East Continent in the Aisa Archipelago. But before that… we need to have a secret meeting.”

He’d meet secretly with the leaders of East Continent nations through the Pirate King.

Afterwards, the plan was to announce the Aisa Archipelago as a neutral nation and hold formal talks for the formation of a great demon subjugation force.

‘If only two or more nations can come to an agreement first, it’ll become easier.’

Thinking this, Kariel commanded Talion to summon the Pirate King.

If just two nations, excluding Wingzar, firmly pledged support for the Ignit during their secret meeting, they could announce a formal meeting while tapping into public sentiment.

They needed to become a true alliance to expel the demons rather than just pretend to ally for the sake of benefiting off the Ignit’s resources.

*

When the Pirate King was summoned for the plan, he covertly entered the Empire’s capital as if he had been waiting for Kariel’s call.

“Impressive.”

Though Salem in the Empire was called a symbol of innovation, it couldn’t compare in scale to the capital of Ignit.

The railroads interconnected in all directions, along with the many roads stretching through the central region, were truly awe-inspiring.

Most of the vehicles running on the roads were magically powered carriages.

Not to mention the astonishing number of airships soaring through the skies.

What made the Pirate King envious was the fact that merchants from Talos and Rotheon could traverse freely into the Empire’s capital without any hindrance.

Seeing those who came from nations they had previously fought against entering the capital without obstruction filled him with envy.

In contrast, they still could not officially enter the Empire’s capital.

Although they could roam Salem freely, there had not been many instances. Even though they were recognized as a nation by Kariel, their image to the Western Continent was still that of pirates.

‘We could be like this too.’

Kings of legitimate nations, not mere criminals.

In fact, from Kariel’s perspective, having unified the West Continent, he could swiftly conquer the troublesome Aisa Archipelago and bring it into submission to the Ignit.

Yet he chose not to.

“If you genuinely wish to become a true neutral nation, come to the capital.”

With this one statement, the Pirate King sprung into action without a moment’s hesitation.

“I greet Your Majesty!”

The Pirate King kneeled as he entered the Emperor’s Palace secretly and laid eyes on Kariel.

“Rise.”

Kariel personally helped the kneeling Pirate King up and had him take a seat while ordering tea to be brought.

“Did you receive the letter?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the Pirate King replied cautiously, Kariel spoke with a grave expression.

“I once told you that I would make you into a neutral nation.”

“And you did so.”

“Now it’s time to fulfill that promise.”

At Kariel’s words, the Pirate King looked up and asked, “Are you not going to subordinate us?”

At the Pirate King’s question, Kariel firmly shook his head.

“You will remain a neutral nation.”

Kariel’s declaration made the Pirate King’s eyes tremble. He worried about being used up and discarded.

“I’m not throwing you away; I want to make you into a true neutral nation.”

“…Really?”

“Indeed. A nation that neither belongs to the East nor the West will be forged to maintain neutrality.”

As he spoke, Kariel pulled out a proposal from his robes and handed it to the Pirate King.

“You’ve heard about the demons, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I’m planning to form a great demon subjugation force. To do this, I need to first establish an alliance of half-demons.”

Kariel briefly explained his plan.

“A secret meeting will be held. Naturally, it will take place on your lands.”

“…”

“If a formal summit is convened afterwards, you will be recognized as a neutral nation by both East and West.”

He was already the pirate king who dominated most of the southern seas.

If they became a neutral nation, they would indeed become a country earning money through trade routes, as Kariel had previously stated.

“I want to keep my promise. Will you accept this?”

After a long silence in response to Kariel’s question, the Pirate King bowed his head.

“Yes, I will devote my life to ensure Your Majesty fulfills your mission.”

“Do not go that far. You are the head of a nation, not my subordinate.”

Kariel halted the Pirate King from lowering his head yet again and stood him straight for a handshake.

A proper handshake between leaders of nations.

“Please exert your strength for the continent’s peace.”

“…Yes.”

Seeing the Pirate King with an expression of deep emotion, Kariel nodded.

Having persuaded the Pirate King, Kariel spent the day showing him around the Emperor’s Palace and various places in the capital while discussing the future between the Aisa Archipelago and the Empire.

With each detail, the Pirate King’s eyes grew increasingly glazed over.

Swept away by Kariel’s words, the Pirate King vowed to ensure the plan succeeded before returning to the Aisa Archipelago.

Surt, who had been observing the entire scene from beside them, spoke in astonishment.

– His conversational skills are killer.