The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wants to Retire

22. Caught and Dead! (2)

Gently comforting Miriel, who was tearfully distressed, Kariel glanced at her friends.

“Princess Welch and the Princess of Davia, are they?”

“U-Um… Your Highness…”

He halted them as they stood to greet him.

He had no desire to receive excessive etiquette from children who looked similar to Miriel.

But perhaps it was his frown?

The princesses trembled slightly in fear of Kariel.

‘Did my younger siblings worry about Miriel?’

It seemed that his two younger siblings had taken an interest in finding friends for Miriel, who was likely feeling lonely.

‘The fact that both dukes are here means…’

If Miriel grows up, she could stand in a neutral position and maintain the center of power.

‘Now, I really have nothing left to do here.’

Kariel was considering intervening if the struggle between the two crown princes intensified, but if Miriel could perform that role, then he wouldn’t need to stay here any longer.

The reason the two princes currently looked inadequate and his concern for Miriel was simply because they were still young.

Given enough time, they’d grow to the point where they wouldn’t require Kariel’s help.

Lost in thought for a moment, Kariel glanced alternately between Miriel and the two princesses.

“Are you learning magic at such a young age?”

At Kariel’s mumble, Princess Welch flinched in surprise and didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing them awaken mana despite their young age was shocking enough, and he felt bad for startling the young girls.

‘It hasn’t been long since they awakened.’

He noticed a chaotic flow of mana erupting from the princesses’ bodies; they apparently couldn’t even control the mana within them yet.

‘If it’s like this, Miriel…’

Feeling uneasy seeing Miriel seemingly outclassed by the princesses, Kariel silently observed her.

From the very first time he saw Miriel, he’d felt an odd tickle.

At first, he thought it was just sympathy and pity. However, after experiencing incidents in the northwest and southeast, he realized it was something more profound.

‘I intended to tell her when I was more certain, but…’

Kariel, feeling regretful, spoke to Miriel.

“Um… Miriel, do you want to learn something fun?”

“Something fun?”

Kariel lowered himself to meet the gaze of the tearful Miriel looking up at him.

“I’m not sure, but it seems like you have fire energy in your body.”

“Fire energy?”

As Miriel tilted her head in confusion, Kariel calmly explained.

It was remarkable enough that she had fire energy, but even more astonishing was feeling the same sense of alienation that he felt when contracting with the Spirit King from Miriel.

From his investigations, he’d learned that this sense of alienation indicated a certain affinity for spirits.

“Maybe you have a talent for Spirit Magic, Miriel.”

Miriel cocked her head, puzzled by Kariel’s statement.

Yet, the two princesses listening from behind stared at her in astonishment.

“When you come to my palace, the Imperial Guard will be there, so you’ll be able to get assistance.”

“…Spirit?”

“For more details, ask my Imperial Guard.”

Kariel ruffled Miriel’s hair and stood up.

Miriel clung tightly to him, as though not wanting him to leave.

“I’ll be back soon.”

After several attempts to persuade Miriel, who shook her head as if to say not to lie, Kariel managed to free himself.

“If you’re feeling lonely, you can stay in the Imperial Palace…”

As soon as Kariel stepped out of Miriel’s palace, Talion cautiously suggested.

However, Kariel vehemently shook his head.

Now that it was confirmed that Miriel had made friends, there was no longer any reason for him to remain at the Imperial Palace.

He even thought about taking Miriel along if necessary, but since he no longer felt that was needed, he felt liberated leaving the Imperial Palace.

*

Returning to his palace, Kariel held a modest farewell party with the Imperial Guard and palace staff.

Everyone looked regretful, but since this was the retirement Kariel had long desired, they could not hold him back.

When the next day dawned, Kariel’s palace was bustling from early morning.

There were still things to do before he left.

The Emperor and his ministers had insisted on granting Kariel authority for a reason.

They preemptively empowered him in light of the chaotic situation predicted in the western continent following the Continental Conference, ensuring at least the north remained stable.

Of course, there was also the fear of what the already reeling Holy Nation might do, which required them to keep a close eye.

“Get the data from the Inspection Department.”

“Yes.”

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

Observing his departing figure, Kariel fell into thought.

Although it frustrated him that the ministers and masters had tried to outmaneuver him, he chose to take a positive view.

He was uneasy about the trash around his territory, so he decided to clean it all up and find a way to keep the Holy Nation in check.

‘Guess it’s preparing for a laid-back life.’

Since he inherited a territory famous for tourism, as long as the north stabilized, he could truly live a comfortable life.

Ugh!

He resolved to think positively, but how easy was that to accomplish?

Kariel ground his teeth and opened his eyes fiercely, a rage rising deep inside.

“It feels like I really need to wreck someone to calm down…”

Muttering to himself, Kariel pondered who he should target to quell his anger.

However, as the fire energy blended with his emotions and stirred once more, he hurriedly engaged in meditation to calm his ire.

Yet, perhaps due to an injury, it did not settle easily.

“Tsk!”

Clicking his tongue, Kariel continued to contemplate whom to take down.

It was not the right time to mess with the ministers and bureaucrats who had already tried to play him.

Similarly, the masters were busy keeping tabs on masters from various nations.

Yet, even if he couldn’t just let his boiling anger simmer, he couldn’t act recklessly.

“Northern nobles? Or maybe… the northeastern merchants? Should I take down the priests from the Holy Nation?”

Upon consideration, there were plenty of targets to choose from.

It was rare for nobles not to take bribes, and merchants would find it hard to grow without backdoor deals.

Though he skipped a step, with the northern region close to the Holy Nation, priests would still exert influence there.

Even if he had obliterated the temple, it was clear that wandering priests were sweeping up northern residents’ money under the pretense of donations.

‘They say monks are that money- and woman-crazy, huh?’

Monks, who should be clean and noble.

The priests among them were those who should hear God’s word the most.

Yet, the irony was that the monks in the monasteries raising future cardinals or Bishops were the most corrupt.

“Looks like I should start by taking down the monks, then?”

Now was the best time to strike against the Holy Nation.

If he gave them time to breathe, they could rise again, so after stepping on them at the Continental Conference, he felt the need to stomp them again.

“Phew… Alright, then let’s start with the monks…”

Just as Kariel nodded, deciding who to target first, Talion rushed in, throwing open the door.

“Your Highness!”

“What is it?”

“There’s a huge problem!”

Panting, Talion relayed a message to Kariel.

“There has been a massive earthquake in the northeast for reasons unknown.”

“…What?”

Startled by the sudden report, Kariel furrowed his brow.

“The earthquakes are continuing sporadically, and it seems highly unusual.”

“What’s the epicenter?”

“It appears to be near the border of the Empire and the Holy Nation.”

At Talion’s words, something flashed through Kariel’s mind.

“Investigate the Dark Mages.”

“They’re already suspicious and have begun investigations in the Intelligence Department.”

Kariel nodded slightly at Talion’s report.

He may not have known at first, but now the Empire had experienced Dark Mages, so it was naturally time to raise suspicion.

Especially since the earthquakes were happening in the northeast.

Earthquakes occurring in a region that had been quiet for centuries?

That alone was weird, and since it was happening in the Dark Mages’ escape route, it was suspicious without a doubt.

Since the Dark Mages had previously sought to create a volcanic eruption, it wasn’t hard to suspect them.

“Your Highness, it may be dangerous to head to your territory right now.”

As Talion spoke with a worried expression, Kariel pondered deeply.

While the Imperial Knights that accompanied him due to his special authority would provide some safety, it wasn’t an assurance of security.

The moment he arrived at his territory, Dark Mages could launch an attack.

While he contemplated how to handle this sudden situation, he noticed a translucent window before him.

[Please save the poor wolf. A special reward will be given upon mission completion.]

[Please unveil the secrets hidden for centuries. Completing this mission will reveal the secrets of the continent.]

Kariel’s expression soured as he glanced at the translucent window appearing as though it had been waiting for this moment.

It felt as if a divine presence was pushing him to resolve one situation at a time.

Whether this was truly the arrangement of a god, he couldn’t tell, but the situation was compelling him to contract with the four mythic beings originally presented as a way to restore his own body.

“Your Highness?”

“…Talion.”

“Yes!”

Calling Talion, who seemed startled, Kariel paused thoughtfully before finally speaking.

“Bring me a map of the northeast and all the information regarding the Unknown Region there as well.”

“Do you suspect it’s related to a mythical being?”

“…Yeah. Since it caused chaos in the northwest and southeast, it can’t be ruled out this time.”

With that, Kariel sent Talion on his way with a sigh.

He couldn’t voice his thoughts to Talion, but Kariel was already convinced of where the Dark Mages would strike.

“The Labyrinth that Swallowed the Sun?”

Without a doubt, the Dark Mages had done something at the Behemoth residing within that place, known as the ‘Labyrinth of the Traitor’ in the Holy Nation.

*

After a while, while skimming through the information Talion provided, Kariel gained detailed knowledge about the labyrinth.

Having grasped the general information about the labyrinth after more than half a day, Kariel stood up.

“Request support from the Military Department and also ask the Northern Army for assistance. Our target is the Labyrinth that Swallowed the Sun.”

“Yes.”

“Inform the Holy Nation that they might be the target of the Dark Mages too. They’ll act on that information.”

After making that declaration, Kariel prepared to move immediately.

Like in the northwest and southeast, he instinctively understood he had to go there himself.

“Phew… It seems like it’ll be you guys I need to thrash.”

The Dark Mages, who he had intended to ignore as they quietly retreated to the Eastern Continent, kept irritating his nerves.

If they disregarded his willingness to let them be and continued to wreak havoc in the Western Continent, he would inevitably take up the club again.

It would be foolish to remain patient while they were the ones causing trouble.

As Kariel prepared to launch an assault on the Labyrinth and wipe out the Dark Mages that had meddled with him, Talion returned after completing his orders.

“Your Highness! I delivered all the messages. The Northern Commander, Marquis Sicario, wishes to accompany you. Is that alright?”

“That works for me.”

As Kariel spoke, he handed Talion three more letters.

“One for the Eastern Commander, one for the Principality, and the last one for Seriel.”

“Yes!”

“Hurry, we’ll head to the northeast soon. I’ll receive information through the Shadows.”

“Understood!”

With Kariel’s command, Talion vanished once more.

A wave of dark mana surged forth as if he had poured all his energy into disappearing.

As Kariel briefly gazed at the aura of mana left behind by Talion, he looked up at the sky with a chilly expression.

“I don’t know what the reward will be, but it better be substantial.”

Kariel uttered half a threat while gazing at the heavens.

Thinking he might be prepared to sit this one out if the continent were to fall, he gnashed his teeth at the thought of the deity watching over him.

A short while later, when Talion returned once more, Kariel completed all his preparations and left the palace.

Outside the palace, all the members of the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Knights protecting it were bowing down.

“Your Highness! We will accompany you as well!”

Kariel hesitated for a moment as he regarded them.

It felt strange to have them accompany him after he’d said his farewells the day before. But given the circumstances, he had no choice.

With a sigh, Kariel nodded slightly.

“Then let’s go together to wield the Club of Rage.”

To finally unleash that Club of Rage on the Dark Mages who had consistently annoyed him, Kariel climbed onto the wagon.