The Prince Wants to Retire

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Chapter 50: The Creation of the Human Alliance

“The Crown Prince wishes to retire.”

With the declaration of Roman as a common enemy, news of the establishment of the Human Alliance spread like wildfire across the East Continent.

As a result, some nations that had been hesitating began sending messengers to Ignit.

Persuaded by the Southern Kingdoms with whom they had forged secret pacts, they finally decided to turn against Roman.

Like it was a predetermined agreement, most nations in the southern regions of the East Continent sent their envoys to Ignit, throwing the countries in the central region into chaos.

“It’s complete.”

Kariel donned a satisfied expression as he pinned a blue flag on the map of the East Continent.

Finally, the southern regions of the East Continent formed an alliance with Ignit, wrapping up the initial concept of the Human Alliance.

Even more encouraging was the fact that even Roman’s allies were starting to waver.

“Roman seems to be slower than expected.”

“Directly shaking Roman worked effectively.”

Talion replied while examining the map in response to Kariel’s words.

They had sent spies into Roman to stir things up directly.

Because of this, while Ignit was absorbing the nations in the southern East Continent, they couldn’t fully secure their alliance in the central region.

“Can we draw them into the Human Alliance as well?”

“It’ll be tough. According to our intel, many of these countries were already aware of the demons’ presence.”

Kariel frowned at Talion’s words.

“That means…”

“There’s a possibility they’ve forged pacts with the demons.”

To be aware of the demons but to ignore Roman likely indicated they had signed contracts with the demons themselves.

Although they didn’t know what kind of promises had been made, one thing was sure: the likelihood of them joining the Human Alliance was pretty low.

“Still, there’s hope with some of the countries in the central region.”

“Gather those with potential. It’s time to focus on them.”

“Yes.”

Following Kariel’s orders, Talion swiftly exited.

Next, he called for the attendant hall.

“Is it possible to directly shake Roman?”

“I can’t say for sure.”

While shaking his head, the attendant spoke, leading Kariel to say,

“Ugh… I wish we had solid evidence…”

“I actually have something to discuss regarding that.”

“Go on.”

Upon receiving Kariel’s approval, the attendant pulled a horn from his pocket.

“That’s!”

“It’s a demon’s horn.”

As Surth appeared, swirling through the space, he sniffed the air.

-Definitely not a real demon.

“Really?”

Surth spoke with a disappointed expression, and Kariel frowned at his words.

“Wait… does that mean…”

“It’s a Half-Demon.”

The attendant nodded, as if realizing what it was.

“A Half-Demon?”

“Yes, they’re individuals who have not only made contracts with demons but also received the hearts of demons. They call themselves demons, but they are actually hybrids.”

-So they’re called Half-Demons?

Surth murmured, ‘Aren’t they just hybrids?’ but Kariel ignored him and continued to look at the attendant.

“So, they referred to this as a Half-Demon.”

“Do you know about it?”

Kariel smiled wryly at the attendant’s question.

They were none other than the existences he had encountered in a previous life.

“I just called them demons…”

“That’s one way to refer to them as well.”

Kariel nodded slightly, urging the attendant to explain further.

“Half-Demons are similar to demons, but they are simply much closer to humans.”

In the attendant’s hand was a black horn adorned with different jewels based on elemental attributes.

Crystallized gems infused with mana of different properties.

Though they possessed horns identical to demons, their appearance was still closer to human, causing them to be rejected even by demons.

While gaining strength was advantageous, those who were such beings from a previous life were no different from slaves to the demons.

Yet, they were the ones who vexed the humans most, wanting to be superior while resisting to the end.

“Becoming a Half-Demon requires a demon’s heart or a substantial amount of mana. Interestingly, there are records that indicate a number of humans were transformed into Half-Demons. However, many of those records have disappeared, so we cannot ascertain how that was possible.”

Kariel sighed and muttered at the attendant’s words.

“Demons don’t bury their corpses.”

“Yes?”

Talion cocked his head in confusion at Kariel’s statement.

“They take the hearts and mana crystals from the corpses of dead demons and store them in designated places. It’s not much different from a grave.”

“Ah…”

“Moreover, those insane creatures even use the corpses of their kin to craft weapons. They have no sense of compatriot loyalty whatsoever.”

Kariel shook his head in disgust.

They were madmen who believed power was everything.

If there were useful parts in their kin’s bodies, they wouldn’t hesitate to use them.

“If the demons’ hearts are plentiful, then there’s more than enough to transform humans into Half-Demons.”

“How does Your Majesty know this…?”

When the attendant asked in amazement, Kariel tapped his forehead in silence.

Then Talion and the attendant nodded in understanding.

Knowing from previous life experiences, he had explained that the attendant had witnessed portions of a past hero’s memories.

Regardless, knowing it from past experiences made it not completely false.

“More importantly, freshly deceased humans could be turned into undead as long as the demon’s heart is well-implanted.”

“This relates to the Holy Nation…”

Talion finally seemed to grasp the situation and nodded.

The Holy Nation had caused the most strife for the Empire.

Now he understood why Kariel wanted to preserve the Empire’s power as much as possible.

Since divine power was the greatest antithesis to mana, he wished to maintain their strength as much as possible.

“War can be won with just our might. But when it comes to handling aftermath, nothing surpasses divine power.”

From his past life experiences, he learned that merely winning in battle wasn’t enough.

Because of this, Kariel planned to treat all the temples with their differing deities within the Human Alliance with utmost respect.

While the Empire’s primary faith belonged to the Temple of Fire, he had no intention of imposing that on other nations. Faith would be mostly excluded from the Human Alliance.

He intended to respect all beliefs while utilizing their divine powers to the maximum.

Thus, despite knowing the Temple of Fire would feel slighted, he allowed the Holy Nation a foothold within the Empire.

He also permitted the faiths of the South.

“Ugh… Regardless, given the situation, there’s no need to prolong this. We will publicly reveal this evidence and officially announce the Human Alliance.”

“Yes!”

At Kariel’s command, Talion and the attendant bowed their heads and exited.

*

That day, Talion promptly gathered reporters in a public forum to make an announcement. As if he had no time to waste, he showcased the demon’s horn as evidence, stating that this was seized from Roman.

A reporter raised his hand and asked, “Does this mean that Ignit officially acknowledges having sent spies into Roman territory?”

“Indeed.”

Talion replied as if it was obvious to the reporter’s question.

“We suspect Roman has allied with the demons. In such a scenario, it’s only natural we search for demons within Roman’s borders.”

“That’s…”

“Roman has ignored all our letters. What reason do we have to respect a Roman that disrespects us?”

A reporter who appeared to be from Roman hastily lowered his head.

Shifting his gaze from him, Talion addressed the other reporters.

“By the way, following an investigation with historians and past cases, it has been determined that they were the beings referred to as ‘Half-Demons.’”

“Half-Demons?”

“What’s that?”

As everyone tilted their heads in confusion, Talion swiftly explained their existence.

“His Majesty has decided to refer to them as ‘Demons’. They’re no different from worshippers who’ve sold their souls to demons. Roman, who tolerated such beings, is the enemy of humanity.”

With that, Talion held up a sheet of paper high in one hand.

“His Majesty wishes to officially create the Human Alliance. All nations in the southern part of the East Continent have agreed to participate. The inauguration ceremony for the Human Alliance will take place in the neutral nation of Aisa, exactly one month from now in collaboration with allied nations.”

He proclaimed while looking at the reporters from the East Continent.

“It’s not too late. Should you wish to join the alliance for the protection of humanity, feel free to visit Ignit at any time. We welcome you.”

As Talion’s announcement concluded, the reporters from the East Continent began to murmur among themselves.

Pleased with their response, Talion stepped down from the podium with a smile.

“Not bad, huh?”

Kariel, who had been secretly observing from afar, chuckled softly.

Now that he held the position of Head of Intelligence Department and had appeared in public settings quite often, his ability to speak had noticeably improved.

When he first took on the Intelligence Department, his nervousness was palpable, yet now such demeanor had vanished.

“Your Majesty.”

“You did well.”

Hearing Kariel’s praise, Talion cleared his throat, flushing with embarrassment.

The Imperial Guard, including Toto, grimaced at his reaction, feeling as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have.

The scene of the elder fidgeting in embarrassment wasn’t the most pleasant sight.

“Stir up the central region as much as you can before the launch of the Human Alliance.”

“Yes.”

Talion replied with a bow to Kariel’s command.

Perhaps thanks to the alliances with the Southern Kingdoms, it had become significantly easier to operate within the East Continent.

Multiple Shadows could now infiltrate the East Continent, greatly increasing the frequency of contact with the central nations.

“Don’t be greedy. We don’t need many nations. Just bringing one nation properly into the fold will crumble them in an instant.”

“Yes.”

Talion nodded obediently and walked away.

Roman’s alliances were weak.

Excluding nations presumed to have made contracts with demons, those that hadn’t would be greatly shaken.

The Shadows were plotting to exploit precisely that.

Of course, the demons weren’t sitting idle either. It was foolish to stand by when they clearly knew how Ignit would act.

Thus, the demons moved to directly engage with the remaining nations in central East Continent.

“Join us?”

“Yes. If you serve the Demon King, you shall obtain a life close to immortality.”

“Immortality… How?”

The king of a small nation asked, wearing a crown, and a High Demon smiled pleasantly.

“With the heart of a High Demon. Absorb this, and you shall become a High Demon.”

It was a tempting offer for any human.

Even so, the king of the small nation hesitated.

“I’ll think it over.”

“Uhm…”

The High Demon, taken aback by the unexpected response, had no choice but to retreat for now. They needed more time as their numbers were still insufficient.

Later, they might resort to coercion, but for now, they must retreat with smiles and wait for future opportunities.

As the demons withdrew, the king turned to the side adorned with crimson curtains.

Then, after a while, a man quietly revealed himself.

“Have you made a decision?”

“Is your word true?”

“Yes.”

Just as the shadow of the Empire had mentioned, the demons truly intended for him to absorb their hearts.

If that happened, becoming a slave to the demons would be a reality.

“I will convey to His Majesty that I will make a decision before the inauguration ceremony.”

“Yes.”

The shadow replied briefly and vanished in an instant.

The small nation’s king sighed, feeling the weight of the crown on his head was particularly heavy today.