The Prince Wants to Retire

---

The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

57. I don’t know about the war, but let’s just catch something first.

After the clash between the demons and Roman in the Northeast, it was as if they had all conspired together, with the Great Army of demons in the North and all of Roman’s troops moving East.

They seemed to be in a hurry, as if they wanted to secure the area before Ignit arrived.

All vital supplies from Roman had been shifted East, and countless people followed suit.

The demons were doing the same.

They poured all their efforts Eastward, even demoting their most important Gate to second priority.

The rear could only remain vulnerable until one side, either the demons or Roman, settled the score.

And Ignit would not miss this opening.

“If we can’t even do a simple break-in, then the name ‘Empire’ is wasted, right?”

At Kariel’s question, Achelio and Talion next to her lowered their heads.

There was no need for the Master to move on the capital of Roman, which was missing its main forces.

Kariel wanted to check the empire’s weapons while occupying Roman’s capital, and Lokan Versailles, the newly appointed Commander of the East Continent, felt the same way.

“Let’s begin.”

With Lokan Versailles’s command, all the commanders moved in unison.

The first to move were the airships.

Gigantic airships covered the sky, and from within poured out small planes powered by mana.

Immediately, Roman responded.

They were not fools; they wouldn’t remain stagnant forever.

“Is that the previous generation version?”

“Looks like it.”

At Kariel’s question, Talion nodded in response.

These were airships that had slightly evolved from the initial version of Ignit.

With hundreds of them lifting off from Roman’s camp, they countered Ignit’s air force.

Simultaneously, monsters with flaming wings surged up into the sky from all over the capital.

“Surprisingly thorough preparation.”

Kariel showed a puzzled expression.

She had thought they would abandon the capital since they had moved most of their forces East.

To be fair, the current Roman capital was encircled by Ignit and the Southern Allied Forces.

Moreover, the demons were now definitely considered enemies.

Thus, Kariel assumed they had abandoned the capital, which had long been the center of Roman, and moved toward Sandria.

“Start Operation Two.”

Seeing Roman’s army resisting unexpectedly strongly, Lokan issued the next command.

Then, bombardments began from the Ignit formation.

However, Roman quickly responded with their own bombardments, trying to block the approaching forces to the capital.

“The magic cannon and airships, all the weapons are likely inferior to Ignit’s, yet they’re holding up well.”

Many of Roman’s weapons were lagging behind by several generations compared to Ignit.

Yet, they doggedly held on against Lokan’s onslaught.

Watching this, Lokan bit his lip and said, “It seems there’s still Asheltar left in the capital.”

“The Grand Commander of Roman remains…”

Famous for being as renowned as Lokan of Ignit, Asheltar was directly commanding and holding his ground in the capital.

But that too had its limits.

With overwhelming troop strength constantly pressing forward, the front lines began to yield, and fortresses near the capital started to fall one by one.

“Defense is tougher than expected.”

“Apologies.”

Thinking he was being reprimanded, Lokan lowered his head.

Kariel shook her head at his demeanor.

“I’m not blaming you.”

Kariel then gazed at the distant Roman capital.

“The Grand Commander is doing well enough. It’s just that the opponent is holding on even better.”

Kariel looked at Lokan.

“How long do you think it would take if we threw in all the Masters?”

“Can’t tell at this stage.”

Responding that way, Lokan gazed at Roman’s capital.

“It will depend on what’s inside. However… I assume they’ve been held up for at least over a week.”

“They wouldn’t have been overly cautious in their siege, so the damage must be greater, right?”

“Indeed.”

“Then the Great Army must have been dragged down by the wounded.”

To Kariel’s question, Lokan silently nodded.

Roman’s strategy was straightforward.

Buy time by holding onto Ignit as tightly as possible.

Because of this point, Kariel had deliberately separated and dispatched a Detached Unit led by Masters.

She gathered the Masters from the Southern Kingdom and the Pope, a Master from the former Holy Nation, and sent them toward the East first.

The idea was to join forces with the Southern Allied Forces that had already advanced Eastward.

With the elite Detachment joining up with the Southern Allied Forces, Ignit wouldn’t feel rushed at all.

Meanwhile, the rear was not idle either.

Duke Devir and Marquis Sicario were ordered to deal with the Demon Gate in the North.

“I sent the vanguard and ensured the rear’s safety. So there’s no need to rush.”

With that, Kariel issued commands to Lokan Versailles.

“There’s no need to hurry; check the new weapons and minimize damage. We can strike quickly even after occupying that place.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After commanding to crush the Roman capital with minimal damage, Kariel left the command post with Talion.

“What’s the situation in the Northeast?”

“There hasn’t been any major battles yet. However, both Roman and the demons are gradually gathering their forces into one area.”

“Have they found it?”

Kariel asked, her expression stiffening as she looked at Talion.

“Doesn’t seem like they’ve pinpointed it just yet.”

“And the location?”

“The Black Canyon.”

At Talion’s report, Kariel fell into thought.

Having been informed several times already, the Land of Death was indeed vast.

Moreover, remnants of the ancient Mythical Era were most abundant on the East Continent.

If many traces that could hide a Hell Gate were converging towards the Black Canyon, it meant the probability of a Hell Gate lying nearby was quite high.

“Since they haven’t found it yet, it seems we have ample time to bait them.”

Thus mumbled Kariel, now smiling as she looked at Talion.

“Initiate fishing operation phase one. Relay my orders.”

“Yes!”

Talion bowed his head and disappeared at Kariel’s command.

As he did, Kariel turned her head to Achelio’s direction.

“It seems like it’s about time for me to make my move.”

“…I will prepare it.”

Nodding at Achelio’s words, Kariel quietly summoned fire energy.

Suddenly, little fire orbs began to rise around Kariel.

Pong! Pong! Pong!

Adorable spheres with tiny arms and big eyes stared at Kariel.

“It’s time to stir things up. Are you ready?”

At Kariel’s question, the three fire orbs nodded enthusiastically.

“Make sure to create a commotion.”

At Kariel’s words, the three fire orbs nodded again.

Seeing their confident expressions, Kariel smiled widely.

“Alright! Let’s catch the big fish!”

Muttering that, Kariel turned her gaze toward the distant Roman capital.

Her strategy was straightforward.

Convince Roman and the demons that Ignit was slowly advancing, devouring all territories except Sandria and the Northeast.

For that, Kariel had a few orders for her Detached Units.

1. Advance while stabilizing the occupied territories.

The Detached Unit deployed to destroy the Demon Gate, as well as the vanguard sent to join the Southern Allied Forces, were advancing while fully controlling the occupied areas.

Because of this, their progression rate was slower than expected for those who had set off first.

But this alone wouldn’t be enough to reassure Roman and the demons.

2. Pretend as if both the demons and Roman intend to mutually destroy one another.

To achieve this, they even deceived other nations in the Human Alliance.

“Do not move until the demons and Roman start their war.”

Kariel’s direct request to other nations.

Deliberately communicated only to key leaders of each country, but there are always traitors lurking everywhere.

This information was disseminated not just among the heads of nations, but also to commanders, making it sufficient for it to reach Roman.

However, the suspicious Roman Emperor would likely not be easily fooled by this alone.

3. Build fortresses near the Northeast.

As soon as the vanguard and Southern Allied Forces arrive, they would establish defensive lines and build fortresses.

Simultaneously, they would break through the desert region of Sandria.

This would create the illusion that they were drawing Roman and the demons into the Northeast.

This was the core of the operation.

Of course, those who are skeptical might still doubt.

To mislead such individuals, the Detached Unit that captured the Demon Gate would quickly move towards the Northeast.

It would appear as if the Detached Units were aiming for the opening created by the demonic and Roman factions mutually destroying one another.

So, what did Kariel truly desire?

It was simple.

“Once we occupy Roman’s capital, we advance rapidly.”

Strike from Roman’s capital straight to the Northeast in one go.

For that, there was no need to show all their might.

Ignit would conquer Roman’s capital while hiding the ‘real strength’ they had prepared.

And at that moment, they would smash through Roman’s defensive line with genuine power and head swiftly to the Northeast.

Timing was key.

As Ignit’s main forces were expected to arrive late, while Roman tried to settle matters swiftly with their full strength.

That was the very moment when the main forces reached the Northeast to sweep away both sides at once!

That was the vision Kariel held.

“To that end, I must create the illusion that Ignit is pouring all its power into occupying Roman’s capital.”

Muttering that, Kariel pictured Asheltar, who would be managing the Roman capital.

He surely was an exceptional strategist.

He wouldn’t simply let go of Roman’s capital.

He must be planning something.

Contrary to his belief that entangling with Ignit would significantly influence the outcome of the Grand War, this battle was merely a trivial matter.

“Your Majesty, we are ready.”

Finally, the message from Lokan arrived that they were prepared.

The imperial army advancing towards the capital.

Simultaneously, a letter from Talion was relayed to Kariel.

Reading the contents, Kariel felt there was no need to keep waiting.

“Well, shall we go?”

With those words, Kariel started moving slowly towards the capital.

All surrounding fortresses had been conquered, leaving only the Roman capital.

Even volatile battles were brewing throughout the capital.

“Did Ivan’s brothers also remain?”

The moment Kariel wore a look of surprise, Talion and Achelio dashed forward without waiting for anybody.

As soon as Ivan, guarding the city gate, was distracted by the two Masters, the gate was breached, and countless troops rushed inside.

At that moment, the demonic army appeared as if they had been waiting.

The Maw.

The burning army.

The Cursed Wraith.

All of these erupted from within the castle walls.

“There were no ordinary empire citizens left after all.”

As Kariel observed the demon army filling the castle, she summoned her powers.

Suddenly, enormous summoned beings emerged.

“Alright! Let’s wreak some havoc!”

With Kariel’s permission, the summoned beings began to rampage as if they’d been waiting for the cue.

Simultaneously, the Fire Priests and the warriors blessed with the Blessing of Fire that were lined up behind Kariel moved.

With their powers opposing those of the demonic existences, the demon army began to fall rapidly.

Following the path they had cleared, Kariel finally reached the Imperial Palace of Roman.

There, as expected, Asheltar awaited her alone.

“To face the great Emperor of the West Continent.”

“Is this all you’ve prepared?”

Kariel asked with a disappointed expression, as Asheltar smiled faintly.

“Not a chance.”

As he replied, the entire capital started to shake.

“An explosion?”

Asheltar’s last move.

It was to blow up the entire capital.

‘It’s done.’

Just when he thought he had prepared for the end, he caught sight of the smile on Kariel’s lips.

In an instant, he realized that his last move had failed, and just as his thoughts confirmed, a distinct symbol appeared on Kariel’s forehead.