The Prince Wants to Retire

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Chapter 24: A Strike from the Dark Mages! (2)

“I think we can make use of this situation if we play our cards right.”

“Make use of it, you say?”

As the Count of the East raised an eyebrow, Kariel nodded subtly.

Aysarman was a disputed region.

Thus, there wasn’t a solid claim that it definitively belonged to any particular nation.

In such a situation, with the Union of Small Nations invading that area, the Empire could use it as a justification to enter with legitimacy.

“Aren’t we lacking troops? If the South unites and comes, our current forces won’t be able to handle it.”

“We just need the Count of the South to make a move.”

“That won’t be enough. Unless we have a Master, even if it’s the Count of the South….”

“We can coordinate with the Count of the West.”

The Count of the East tilted his head at Kariel’s words.

“Can’t we persuade Iron?”

“Yes? You mean Iron?”

“Exactly.”

Smiling at the Count of the East’s response, Kariel explained his thoughts.

The Iron Alliance, akin to a band of merchants, would do anything if it meant profit.

Moreover, having chosen the Empire over alliances with other nations, Iron had few options left.

“If we provide them with benefits, Iron will pressure Rotheon. If we use the Western Army to put pressure on Talos as a token of trust, the South will find it hard to move.”

“And there’s a way for Iron to gain…?”

“Simply by the Empire consuming Aysarman and beginning direct trade with the East Continent would be a profit for Iron.”

The commanders around nodded but the Counts of the North and East seemed puzzled for a moment before finally understanding.

There were primarily two routes for bringing goods from the East Continent into the West.

The first was shipping from the South, where the largest port of the West was located, to Iron, which came with exorbitant tariffs and logistics costs.

Was the second method cheaper?

Not at all.

To traverse the strait co-managed by Talos and Rotheon, they had to pay a hefty fee.

And that fee was entirely the responsibility of Iron.

In essence, the two kingdoms of the South were colluding to forcibly extract money from the West. Meanwhile, the Principality capitalized on this situation, raking in massive profits from overland trade with the East Continent.

So, what if the Empire began direct trade with the East Continent?

“We’re considering reducing tariffs for Iron, and that alone will be enough to provide a basis for Iron to take action.”

As Kariel said this, he laughed as if finding the situation amusing.

The Dark Mages, trying to undermine the Empire’s power, had instead given them a significant opportunity.

“Let the Eastern Army head east for now. But delay the advance into the disputed region as much as possible.”

“I’ll coordinate with the Southern Army.”

The Count of the East quickly grasped Kariel’s intention and bowed in reply.

“Talion.”

“Yes?”

“Go relay what we just discussed.”

“Your Highness.”

What Talion was about to do couldn’t simply be passed on through letters.

He needed to convey the details of Kariel’s intentions.

‘Just taking the disputed region won’t be enough for him.’

If he was going to go for it, he needed to aim higher.

That’s why Kariel had no intention of finishing this situation quickly.

“I’m not looking to do anything dangerous. I fully intend to stay close to the Lord Count, so go.”

“Fine… understood.”

As Talion bowed to Marquis Sicario, asking for his leave, the Marquis nodded slightly.

After Talion vanished with several Shadows, Kariel mobilized the Northern Army.

Now that they had arrived at the Labyrinth, they had to pretend to aid the Holy Nation.

“The Dark Mages are highly likely to target Your Highness.”

“I know. I’ll stay put, so don’t worry.”

Surrounded by the Imperial Palace Knights, elite knights from the Northern and Central Armies, even the most outrageous methods employed by the Dark Mages would find it difficult to directly attack Kariel.

“Be safe out there.”

“Yes.”

Marquis Sicario’s aide vanished in response.

At the same time, crows scattered a black mist as they soared into the sky.

“Crows….”

Like hundreds of crows truly soaring through the skies, the elite Special Forces of the Northern Army moved stealthily.

Following behind were the Knight Order and soldiers, advancing while annihilating monsters emerging from the Labyrinth.

With the combined forces of the Central and Northern Armies, the previously precarious front line of the Holy Nation became stable instantly.

As the monsters, previously focusing all their attention on the Holy Nation, found themselves forced to contend with the Empire’s forces, gradually pushing back into the Labyrinth, Kariel commanded the Shadows to locate any lurking Dark Mages.

“They’re going to regret not retreating quietly.”

If they had simply crossed over to the East Continent, he wouldn’t have wasted his time pursuing them.

Yet here they were, stirring up trouble in the West Continent and making him a nuisance.

He fully intended to make them pay for it now.

If he managed to eliminate even one Elder who was likely hiding nearby, that would mean taking down three or more of them altogether.

If he could wipe out organizations led by those Elders, it would obliterate about a third of the Dark Mages’ fighting power.

However, seeing them stir up trouble in the East suggested that there were likely Elders there as well.

“Survival isn’t likely.”

With the eastern region and the Union of Small Nations, as well as Roman all moving, the Dark Mages’ plans were glaringly clear.

“The northern canyon is likely a decoy. Their target is the Principality.”

A steel wall blocking the largest canyon running through the Giant Mountain Range.

They aimed to break through there.

Traversing the Frigid Canyon was far less safe than going through the Principality along the Giants’ Path.

Given the Eastern Count’s familiarity with the situation in the eastern region, he likely would have already caught on to Kariel’s intentions.

“It wouldn’t be so bad to settle down in the Principality even.”

As Kariel muttered this, a smile formed on his lips.

If everything went according to his plan, perhaps he could enjoy a YOLO life at a resort in the Principality.

Realizing just how dangerous it was to remain within the Empire after delivering a blow to the Emperor and the nobles, he was considering the angle of making a clean getaway to a foreign land.

“Well… I guess I have to deal with that beast first?”

Kariel gazed intently at the wildly thrashing Behemoth.

Even with Marquis Sicario joining, the chaos was still intense, making it impossible to subdue it yet.

Since the Behemoth was almost out of the Labyrinth, even with the Pope and Marquis Sicario exerting their all, this was bound to be a far more difficult battle than before.

Watching the massive wolf charge around like a rabid dog, drooling everywhere, Kariel calculated the timing for his approach.

First, he had to deal with the Dark Mages lurking around who would possibly strike from behind.

Thump!

“Hmm.”

For just a fleeting moment, his eyes met with the gigantic wolf’s.

In that instant, a connection between Kariel and the wolf’s power intertwined.

But it was instantly severed by the strikes of two Masters.

“Just wait a moment. I’ll make it comfortable for you soon enough.”

Kariel whispered quietly as he continued watching the battle situation unfold.

*

As the Empire’s forces began to join the battlefield from the Northeast, the eastern region of the West Continent spiraled into chaos.

“It’s terrible! The Undead Legion of the Dark Mages has broken through the borders of the Principality!”

“Contact… contact Marquis Chardonnay!”

“Are you out of your mind?!”

The Crown Prince shouted angrily at the panicked nobles.

“She’s currently fighting off Roman with insufficient troops! How can you ask for her help right now?!”

“However! If things go on like this, we’re in huge trouble!”

A noble reported to the Crown Prince that the situation was looking grim.

As soon as the borders of the Principality faced the threat of the Undead Legion, bandits in the eastern part of the West Continent began to stir.

In the chaos, pirates allied with the Aysarman sea pirates initiated a simultaneous raid, taking advantage of the Principality’s crisis.

But that wasn’t the extent of the Principality’s disaster.

“Tal… Talos is on the move!”

At the urgent report from a messenger, the Crown Prince held his head.

Talos wouldn’t sit idly by while the Principality faced such a crisis.

In exchange for assisting in overcoming this predicament, he was likely to demand complete control over the disputed region.

‘Perhaps…’

They could try to consume the Principality during this crisis.

The Empire was overwhelmed with various issues, and it was a hectic enough situation trying to keep foreign nations in check, so the chances of aiding the Principality were slim.

Nevertheless, they had to find a way.

“From this moment, we declare a state of emergency. All prepare to fight, arms at the ready!”

Some nobles hesitated at the Crown Prince’s order.

Once known as the land of knights, the Principality had seen days when everyone had fought with swords in the face of danger.

Yet, with the start of trade with the East Continent, coupled with massive trade flow through the disputed regions, the Principality itself had also decayed.

While greedily gnawing at the Empire’s interests, the nobility of the Principality had also succumbed to corruption.

“What are you doing? Don’t just sit there; prepare to fight!”

Even at the Crown Prince’s urging, the nobles remained immobile.

Already accustomed to peace, they simply trembled in fear at the imminent war.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince rose from his seat with a chilling gaze, drawing his sword.

Then, he pressed the blade against the neck of a startled noble.

“Don’t tarnish the pride of the Principality, once known as the land of knights.”

“Y-yes!”

Many nobles answered loudly while bowing their heads.

While the Principality might seem rotten, there were still those who hadn’t forgotten their pride.

They donned their armor and wielded their swords, following the Crown Prince.

As numerous nobles followed suit, they prepared to clash with the Undead Legion.

“The rear will be protected by Marquis Chardonnay at the cost of her life. We will crush the Undead and hold back Talos!”

With a deadly gaze, the Crown Prince commanded, as all knights bowed their heads and raised their swords. In this critical moment, the entire army of the Principality took up arms, prepared for what might be their final stand.

*

As the Crown Prince prepared for battle against the approaching Undead Legion breaking through the borders, Marquis Chardonnay was holding off Rotheon’s attack at the fortress known as the Rampart of the Principality.

“The borders of the Principality have been breached by the Undead.”

“…What? Why are you only telling me now…?”

As Marquis Chardonnay spoke, the officer who reported hurriedly continued.

“The His Highness ordered not to inform you.”

“…”

Understanding that the decision was made to avoid burdening Chardonnay, who was already struggling to fend off Rotheon, she bit her lip.

“Will His Highness really stop the Undead Legion?”

“…He will.”

In response to the unsure report of her subordinate, Chardonnay gritted her teeth.

“Let’s trust His Highness. We’ll… we’ll fight these damned creatures with all our might. That is our duty…”

“Yes!”

Marquis Chardonnay, with clenched teeth, began issuing orders to her subordinates.

As the overwhelming numbers of enemy forces approached, they readied their arrows and charged the Magic Cannons.

*

Caught between attacks from both sides, the Principality was in a dangerous situation.

The Undead Legion was now almost upon them.

However, just as the Crown Prince prepared to confront them, an unexpected urgent report arrived.

“We report! The Empire’s Eastern Army is heading south!”

“Heading south?”

The Crown Prince furrowed his brow at the report.

“Weren’t they supposed to go to the Northeast?”

“Upon hearing the report of the Undead appearing in the East, they immediately began heading south.”

Unexpected help from the Imperial forces.

While in such a situation, another report came in.

“Talos’ advance has halted.”

“What?”

“The Southern and Western Armies of the Empire are moving towards Talos’ army.”

It was surprising enough that the Southern Army was moving, overwhelmed with tasks to keep Rotheon in check, but the news that the Western Army was joining was filled with questions for the Crown Prince, yet he soon shelved them in his mind.

“So it means we just have to endure. Then, we will endure.”

Clenching his sword, the Crown Prince said thus.

“Relay this information to all troops.”

If they could just hold on, they’d survive.

Having instructed for this news to be relayed to every soldier, the Crown Prince drew his sword and issued the command.

“All units, prepare to attack!”

At his command, the knights brandished their swords and soldiers notched their arrows.

In a moment where tensions were high, the Dark Mage’s spells began to strike the fortress’s barrier, marking the start of a full-blown war.