The Prince Wants to Retire

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Crown Prince Desires Retirement

22. If Caught, it’s Game Over!

As the retirement ceremony concluded successfully, the ministers and envoy group within the Imperial Palace wrapped up the Continental Conference.

The festival had officially ended.

The celebration coincided with the retirement ceremony, after all.

As people returned to their lives, their eyes were filled with regret, leaving behind the dazzling festival.

But not everyone felt the same way.

“…Your Highness.”

Talion carefully approached, but Kariel remained silent.

Instead, he was diligently writing something down.

His eyes glowed with fury as he planned throughout the night, like flames burning within.

It was only by morning, after finishing everything, that Kariel sought out Talion, looking exhausted.

“I’m hungry.”

At Kariel’s single statement, a hearty breakfast was immediately laid out.

With a tired expression, Kariel began to eat.

Mumbling to himself, he pondered.

‘Actually, this worked out well. I needed to visit that area at least once for Surth’s sake.’

Kariel nodded to himself, making that mental note.

After stopping the rampaging fragments from the southeast, Surth had fallen asleep, and with him lay the Spirit King’s fragments too.

As a result, his body was once again fiercely filled with fire energy.

‘Was it too much to suppress the volcano?’

Even with the power of the First Emperor, he had forcibly quelled a volcano ready to erupt due to the Spirit King’s rampaging fragments.

Thus, Kariel’s condition was in shambles.

For now, he could hold on with the Body Technique he had honed over time, but it might pose a problem later on.

Although the chances of recovery were high with the passage of time, since it was uncertain what troubles could arise, it was better to stabilize the fire energy through another contract in advance.

‘I’ll think about that later.’

Kariel decided this and promptly slipped into bed, closing his eyes.

Watching this from the side, Talion sighed and stepped outside. The Imperial Guard looked worriedly at him.

“You seem to have overexerted yourself…”

Talion nodded at Toto’s question.

Kariel appeared more furious than when the Dark Mage had caused chaos.

Talion couldn’t help but worry about what Kariel might do next.

“…He might ask to reclaim the Crown Prince position…”

“That won’t happen.”

Talion shook his head decisively.

Having served next to Kariel for so long, he knew well.

Even if he faced a setback, as long as the goal was achieved, he would simply set the next one and pursue it again.

He had witnessed Kariel plan without sleep right beside him.

“…I see. So, the Crown Prince—no, His Highness will be leaving this place.”

“Probably. He seems like he’ll leave by midnight or at least by tomorrow morning.”

Since Talion had given him that instruction, it was almost certain.

At that, the Imperial Guard’s eyes widened in surprise.

“He mentioned he would look for a way to stay in the Palace if he wanted. He’ll ask when he wakes up, so be prepared.”

Having said that to the now-familiar Imperial Guards, Talion sighed and turned away.

He had a long journey ahead, and there was much to prepare.

As Talion vanished, a strange silence enveloped the guards.

“…It’s a bit disappointing.”

Iris, who usually stayed quiet, spoke with a regretful expression.

Though she had always been focused solely on improving her skills, living with Kariel had changed many things for her recently.

Especially being able to research various combat techniques while investigating materials made her very happy.

The same was true for the others.

Departing from the Crown Prince’s Palace, a place that contained everything they desired, brought immense regret.

However, not everyone was sad about leaving the palace.

*

While everyone struggled to come to a decision about leaving, the envoy group was in a festive mood.

“This is really happening.”

Jeyron smiled as he looked at the official document that had arrived for them.

It contained a proposal suggesting that starting today, they discuss the issue of compensation for the Empire at the Continental Conference.

It truly meant the Crown Prince was stepping back from everything, making everyone unable to hide their smiles.

“Phew… Then let’s try to recover as much as we can from our losses.”

At Jeyron’s words, the Envoy of Iron nodded and laughed in agreement.

And other envoys felt the same way.

It was odd to assure victory over the absence of a single Crown Prince.

Everyone knew that the personnel from the Empire were more than capable, often exceeding that of Iron.

Yet, the difference was in the commanding leader who would stand in the center and direct them.

“To the Crown Prince who kept his promise, we pay our respects!”

As the Pope raised his wine glass, all the priests lifted theirs as well.

The other envoy groups hastily wrote letters of gratitude to Kariel for keeping his promise while diving into preparations for the Continental Conference.

Although half of their schedule had already passed, the real start was only just beginning.

Since they’d expected to concede some aspects anyway, they needed to shift their focus towards gaining benefits from what remained.

Then, the Empire’s ministers rushed to take action.

They wished the Emperor would help, but they all knew very well the Emperor’s health was not good at all.

In fact, having dealt with the Crown Prince’s previous setback was only possible thanks to a miraculous recovery.

In the end, they had to rely on the two princes, preparing even more documents than usual and planning in more detail.

“…I miss His Highness.”

At the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ words, the bureaucrats in the Ministry unconsciously nodded in agreement.

Surely, being under the Crown Prince would mean a frenzied fate.

However, not only were unnecessary tasks minimized, but a certain guaranteed rest awaited them upon completion of work.

What about now?

Unneeded tasks were piling up that wouldn’t typically exist.

As everyone felt this change, their sighs began to multiply in recent days.

“Phew… Let’s get moving.”

“Yes.”

There was no time to waste with sighs.

The Continental Conference without the Crown Prince was set to commence right away.

Thus the Ministry exhibited a bustling energy as they handled the first day of the Continental Conference in the absence of the Crown Prince.

*

While the Ministry and various departments struggled through a mountain of increased tasks on the first day, a still-sleeping Kariel finally opened his heavy eyelids and looked ahead.

“Your Highness, you’re awake?”

As Talion brought over some hot tea, Kariel nodded slightly and got up from his seat.

“Should have slept a bit longer.”

“I have to leave early. There are things that need to be done before the Continental Conference ends.”

Kariel called for the Imperial Guard.

This was the first thing to do before leaving this place.

“Have decisions been made?”

The guards hesitated at Kariel’s question.

Seeing their gazes reflecting regret about leaving the Crown Prince’s Palace, Kariel suggested something he had prepared just in case.

“If you want, it’s alright to stay in this palace.”

The guards’ eyes widened in surprise at Kariel’s words.

“Maybe…?”

“I have no intention of becoming the Crown Prince again.”

Kariel cut off Toto’s comment with a resolute answer.

“But you must be sad to leave this palace where your dreams have been built.”

The guards nodded before they knew it at Kariel’s remark.

“It’s possible to stay if you want. However, you won’t be able to lounge about doing only what you wish like this.”

Saying this, Kariel placed a sheet of paper firmly on the table.

Toto – Basic exercise methods for the Imperial Army and research on recreational sports for the Empire Citizens.

Iris – Basic martial arts research for soldiers.

Arshuna – Research on fire energy (including studies on spirits and ancient sorcery).

Brion – Research in the surgical field and on the characteristics of monsters.

Though they were oddballs, their skills were on par with any known knight commander.

Moreover, should they utilize their unique characteristics effectively, there was immense potential for them to significantly aid the Empire.

Thus, they had to find a way for them to remain here by leveraging their specialties.

“I will request that you be allowed to use this palace from the Emperor. However, to convince the ministers, we need a solid rationale.”

It was best to leave no room for unnecessary complaints.

That’s why he had proposed this plan to create a more foolproof basis.

“It’s time to stop wandering and settle down.”

Upon Kariel’s words, the Imperial Guards fell into silence.

Then Iris cautiously asked, “Your Highness, if it’s not too much trouble, may I visit you later?”

“Me?”

“Yes, I need… your help with something. If it goes well, it could benefit the Empire.”

Kariel gazed at her for a moment before nodding.

“Once this chaos settles down somewhat.”

As Kariel nodded easily, Arshuna and Brion also managed to snatch similar promises.

“Toto, don’t you have anything?”

“I do have one, but… it can wait until last.”

“Hm… if that’s the case, let’s just go with everyone staying.”

With that said, Kariel suggested they have dinner together later before getting up from his seat.

Since he finished the matters regarding the guards, only one concern remained.

“Let’s go see Miriel.”

“Yes.”

Kariel’s final concern was about Miriel, who would remain in the palace.

However, this worry quickly turned out to be unfounded as soon as they arrived at her palace.

“Your Highness is strong, so you’ll be fine!”

“Exactly!”

“Ugh… we’ve just become friends…”

The two girls promised to frequently visit and stay by Miriel’s side as they cheered her up, seeing her downcast.

As Kariel watched the scene of the two little girls comforting Miriel, who was saddened by his departure, he wore a bemused expression.

“When… did she make friends?”

“Not long ago, I suppose.”

Growing close recently, he had worried that she would whine about following him when he left.

But seeing it now, he realized those concerns were entirely unnecessary.

“…It seems she’s playing with friends, so I shouldn’t interfere.”

With his shoulders drooping, Kariel’s demeanor prompted Talion to quickly say,

“Mi, Miriel has been eagerly awaiting your arrival, Your Highness.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

At Talion’s words, Kariel’s previously melancholic eyes returned to life again. With newfound courage, he straightened his expression and gestured to one of the maids, who opened the door to announce his arrival.

Then, Miriel, who had been wearing a gloomy expression, widened her eyes in surprise and quickly rose to embrace Kariel.

“Brother…”

Kariel gently patted the crying Miriel’s head.

“Why are you crying?”

“Brother doesn’t have any friends! Miriel has to be his friend… I don’t want Brother to feel lonely from far away!”

Kariel’s expression stiffened at Miriel’s words.

“Uh… I do have friends.”

Miriel shook her head firmly at Kariel’s statement.

Kariel pondered deeply on this.

‘Um… Do I really not have friends?’

Upon reflection, he realized he truly had none.

Though Glen was around his age, strictly speaking, he was supposed to be making friends with the princes.

“Hmm…”

“Pfft!”

Seeing Kariel flustered, Talion inadvertently chuckled.

At that, Kariel shot Talion a sideways glare, thinking to himself,

‘I do have friends, back on Earth…’

Recalling those friends from Earth, far beyond this dimension, he couldn’t help but smile wryly.