The Prince Wants to Retire

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Chapter 173: The Final War!

As the Grand War commenced, determining the fate of humanity, the ground trembled, and even the towering Giant Mountain Range trembled in response.

Trees and rocks fell as the mountain partially collapsed.

However, miraculously, Asgard, created atop the highest peak, remained completely unaffected.

Boom!

“Is it a monster?”

With a thunderous explosion, flesh burst apart, causing the massive mountain to shake.

The enormous mountain, untouched by the powerful forces of the new Magic Cannon and the Demons, quaked from a single punch thrown by the Demon King.

“That guy still hasn’t reached the Divine Rank…”

A peculiar silence filled the small craft as Kariel spoke.

Although he had not reached the Divine Rank, watching the Remnants of the Past explode like fireworks darkened the expression of Marquis Sicario.

The Demon King ascended the mountain swiftly, crushing the giants guarding the path.

With the deadly dance of poison and razor-like winds, even the lava erupting like a volcano couldn’t halt the Demon King’s advance.

It was as if all of this was a game; he laughed while smashing the Remnants of the Past to pieces.

“…”

Sicario felt cold sweat drip down his brow under the overwhelming pressure.

Glen, who had ascended to the Grand Master level, and Kariel, who had strength comparable to his, stood tall. On the other hand, he had yet to break through his own walls.

He clearly sensed something within his grasp, but when examined closely, it eluded his understanding.

His Sense of the Body screamed, “You’ve crossed the wall!” but his mind couldn’t comprehend it, trapping Marquis Sicario in a state of confusion.

This only bred more impatience.

Noticing this state of the Marquis, Kariel softly called out to him.

“Marquis.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t be so anxious.”

Kariel continued, looking at the Marquis.

“Isn’t maintaining your composure your greatest strength?”

At those comforting words, Sicario looked at Kariel with trembling eyes.

The young Emperor displayed a knowing expression.

What could he possibly know?

Despite his skepticism, it felt as if Kariel truly understood his feelings, gently patting him on the shoulder.

His gaze seemed to see right through Sicario’s situation.

In a past life, he had been powerless.

When he inherited the Empire amid the ruins and chaos, abandoned by a collapsing palace, he experienced emotions akin to what Marquis Sicario was feeling now.

“You’re already doing enough. That’s why I brought you here.”

As Kariel offered solace to Sicario, a thud reverberated!

The sound of something colliding echoed, and part of the small craft shattered.

“…I think it’s a Barrier.”

Glen spoke, and Kariel looked up at the sky.

If it were only one, it could have been shattered and they could have soared into the air, but with multiple layers, it was a different story.

Above all, the lack of technique meant the craft couldn’t handle the altitude as it climbed higher.

“We’ll have to walk from here.”

Muttering this, Kariel piloted the small craft to the mountainside.

Due to his poor landing techniques stemming from a lack of skill, the craft crashed into the mountain.

With a minor explosion, the small craft was reduced to rubble.

If they were ordinary humans, they might not have been able to find even a trace of their bodies amidst the explosion, yet Kariel and the two knights emerged unscathed.

“That truly is a monster.”

The Demon King ascended, smashing his way through numerous Remnants of the Past trying to block the way to Asgard. The path he carved was littered with unrecognizable remains.

The issue was that, due to the Demon King’s swift ascent, many Remnants of the Past still surrounded the mountain.

“We need to push through them. Are you capable?”

At Kariel’s question, the two knights nodded firmly, their expressions grim.

“I trust you.”

In an instant, Glen was the first to spring into action.

The moment his sword was drawn, the air rippled as the giants in a straight line collapsed.

But they, too, were figures known from the Mythical Era and didn’t fall easily.

Even with limbs severed, they attempted to reattach themselves with incredible regenerative ability, but were ultimately toppled one by one.

“Is there really such a difference?”

Kariel watched Glen fight with a serious expression.

Though Glen was quickly nearing his previous life’s level, he still lacked in comparison to the overwhelming power displayed by the Demon King.

Yet with Glen present, there was still a glimmer of hope.

“…Marquis.”

Once the mightiest sword in Ignit, he now struggled to face a single Remnant of the Past, contrasting sharply with the advancing Glen.

Even if he thought he had grasped something, if he couldn’t break through the barriers, he would endlessly grapple with even a single Remnant.

Countless Hero Candidates had existed from ancient times to the present, yet only a small handful became legendary heroes for a reason.

– Are you just going to watch?

At Surth’s sudden appearance, Kariel nodded.

His power was not limitless.

There had been times he mistook it for almost infinite.

His body couldn’t endure, but he believed his magical energy approached infinity.

However, that was an illusion.

When he fought against Hell, he realized that his power was insufficient to face those who had reached the Divine Rank.

That’s why he intended to save his strength for the decisive clash with the Demon King.

“Gah… Hah…”

As he ascended the mountain, Marquis Sicario grew weary.

Yet he did not give up.

His pride, once the mightiest sword, and his steadfast heart, which defended the Empire against the Holy Nation, pushed him to endure.

Unlike the Demon King, who grew stronger, Glen and Sicario started to show signs of fatigue, while Kariel refrained from unleashing his power.

– You’re growing.

As Surth commented, Glen was indeed enhancing.

He wasn’t as overwhelmingly powerful as the Demon King yet, but his strikes were sharper, and his energy was being utilized more efficiently, showing less fatigue compared to when they first ascended the mountain.

The same could be said for Marquis Sicario.

Initially struggling against a single Remnant, he soon found himself pushing against two or more, expanding the realm of his acquired strength.

– It seems like it’s time for us to make our move?

“Agreed.”

Human strength is not infinite.

The same applied to the body.

Although Master Class beings displayed inhuman power, they still faced limits, and that went for the Grand Masters as well.

After exhausting himself fighting strong opponents, Kariel finally decided to act.

Out of nowhere, colossal summoned beings stood in their way.

“Rest for now.”

Looking at Glen and Marquis Sicario, Kariel gazed down the mountain.

In the distance, airships and the Demons continued to engage in battle.

For days on end, forces had fought tirelessly.

Whenever one side grew weary, another would seize the opportunity to attack, leading to a continuous cycle of assaults.

Thus, the entire front line remained in a state of ceaseless battle.

Just the same as Kariel and the two knights carved their way through the Remnants of the Past day and night.

“Your Majesty, we’re ready.”

“Don’t you need a bit more rest?”

Kariel asked, concerned as he observed Glen’s fatigue, and the knight nodded.

The same went for Marquis Sicario.

As the two grasped their swords again, Kariel, quickly unsummoning the summoned beings, closed his eyes to replenish the expended energy.

The cycle continued: as the two knights grew weary, Kariel would stir, and once restored, he would follow suit.

During this time, Glen swiftly matured.

Meanwhile, Marquis Sicario seemed to hit a block, displaying less proficiency than before.

As a result, he suffered damage from the Remnants of the Past.

Seeing this, Kariel was about to unleash his power, but Surth resolutely shook his head.

– Let it be.

Surth’s words prompted Glen to nod in agreement.

Despite the turmoil shaking his previously firm path, the Marquis bit his lip and persevered, even suffering injuries.

As he grew increasingly defensive, he was on the verge of losing the scant rationality he had left, when dark shadows began to emanate from him.

As those shadows threatened to consume even Kariel and Glen, Glen hurriedly pulled Kariel forward.

“It would be better for us to move first.”

The moment Glen’s words finished, a tremendous clash erupted from afar, toward Asgard.

The shockwaves from the display were so powerful that they briefly halted the battle occurring below.

Kariel, feeling the intensity, looked gravely at Marquis Sicario, nodded, and quickly pushed ahead.

He had saved his strength.

Now it was time to run.

Boom!

Another mighty shockwave surged forth.

Kariel and Glen sensed the battle between the Demon King and those of the Divine Rank had finally commenced as they ascended rapidly.

Riding atop Surth, Kariel and Glen clambered up the mountain, shaking off aggressors that swarmed them, focusing solely on ascent.

Was it due to the clash occurring in Asgard?

Weak Remnants were thrown into disarray, trying to escape from the colossal mountain.

– A… monster…

What the woman warrior saw from above is unknown, but one with wings fled.

Others followed suit – giants, dragons, and fairies all sought to escape Asgard.

The barrier enveloping the Land of Gods had long since shattered.

– Is this all there is to it? Is this what the gods truly are?

Along with the Demon King’s roar echoing up from below, another intense collision sounded.

Parts of the land that comprised Asgard crumbled and fell below, and the floating islands couldn’t withstand the aftermath of the power.

Meanwhile, Kariel and Glen finally reached the steps leading into the Land of Gods.

Thud!

As someone’s head struck the ground below, it burst apart.

Yet another Remnant of the Past, once revered as a god.

Climbing the steps amidst the falling corpses, they ultimately arrived at the summit where the bodies of giants were scattered.

And in the distance, the Demon King was seen confronting the gods alone.

“Can you win?”

“I’ll do my utmost to block them.”

At Kariel’s inquiry, Glen replied with a firm expression.

Though Glen had grown significantly during their ascent of the mountain, he still felt comparatively weak against the overwhelming power of the Demon King.

Nonetheless, he had to see this through.

Just then, the Demon King, battling the gods in the distance, caught sight of the arriving Kariel and Glen and broke into a wide grin.

– Kha-ha-ha-ha!

The Demon King erupted into mad laughter.

Knowing when he would expend his strength, he intentionally crafted this situation for his amusement.

As he released magical energy to repel the charging gods, he laughed heartily.

– Come at me before you all die!

With that, the Demon King reached for the skies.

In that instant, a black lightning bolt descended from above.

Kariel and Glen’s eyes widened in shock at the sight.

The power was undeniably weak for something the Demon King had manifested.

Still, they were astonished because it was devoid of any mystical energy.

“The path to becoming a god…”

“Not yet.”

As Kariel spoke, Glen stared intently and drew his sword.

The Demon King had not yet become a god.

Then they had to stop him; there was still hope…

However, entities standing in their way emerged.

The Remnants of the Past, succumbing to the Demon King’s formidable power.

Their faces hardened upon seeing them.

The Demon King was clearly intent on playing a game.

‘Which will come first? Me becoming a god or you reaching here?’

‘Can you stop me?’

‘Grow stronger. Entertain me!’

Through the Remnants standing before them, they could read all these messages.

While it was an obvious intent, Kariel and Glen found themselves unable to escape the Demon King’s game, just as he had played along with their plans before.

“It’s time to break through in one go.”

– Agreed.

Now, Surth had fully manifested.

On either side of him, Skoll and Agni appeared.

– What about Garum?

“Not yet.”

Kariel shook his head resolutely at Surth’s inquiry.

Summoning Garum was too taxing.

Moreover, unless directly involved with Hell, there were stringent restrictions on his power.

Currently, Garum was busy stabilizing Hell.

Thus, he needed to be saved for the decisive moment.

With their trump card in mind, Kariel moved toward the Demon King alongside Glen.

Watching them closely, the Demon King smiled as he engaged the once-revered Remnants, reveling in the experience.

For the Demon King, who had lived a long life, there had never been a moment so exciting as this.

He would probably never experience such a moment again, even if he became a god.

Thus, he awaited the humans to grow stronger and the gods to join in the fray.

The Demon King’s arrogance was soon targeted by a massive spear of light that raced toward him.

Boom!

– Is that the God of Demons?

With an explosive crash, the one-eyed Elder finally revealed himself.

Once worshipped as the chief deity and credited with the birth of Demons, he was known as Odin.

With Humanity’s Heroes behind him and the gods targeting him in front, the Demon King was still laughing.

– Kha-ha! Yes! This is it! This is the thrill!

Even on the brink of death, he reveled in the exhilaration, beginning to summon all his strength for the Final Battle!