The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wants to Retire

24. A Blow from the Dark Mages! (3)

As the Principality waged a war for its life, the situation in the eastern region of the West Continent took a sharp turn.

Upon hearing of the scale of the Undead Legion, the Count of the East rushed into action, while the Count of the South also advanced, clearing out the bandit groups that had crawled into the Empire.

However, surprisingly, it was Talos that moved the fastest.

The overwhelming number of the Dark Mages’ Undead Legion took them aback.

BANG!

“This is insane.”

Duke Cletta clenched his fists and bit his lips.

The intelligence he received reported that the Roman Empire’s army invading the West Continent was larger than expected, and the size of the Undead Legion was over double what he had initially thought.

Even if the Principality was thought to be impervious, it was clear that facing pressure from both sides, it wouldn’t hold for long.

“Have the forces from the Principality moved?”

“…Yes.”

The troops guarding the conflict zone to check Talos had finally retreated.

“The situation is getting messier.”

At last, all the troops of the Principality were converging on the capital.

If Talos was the reason for this delay, should it fall, they would most certainly shift the blame entirely onto Talos.

The Empire would never let Talos go unpunished for giving the East Continent the opportunity to invade the West Continent, and Rotheon would not aid Talos this time.

“…Should we change our strategy?”

“Yes. First, we must deal with the Undead Legion and then negotiate with the Principality.”

The officers nodded their heads at Duke Cletta’s decision.

They seemed ready to march towards the Undead Legion as if feigning concern for the conflict zone.

But their attempts at subterfuge were far too late.

“…The Imperial Army is blocking the way.”

Duke Cletta gritted his teeth at the officer’s report.

The Imperial Eastern Army had moved to assist the Principality.

In that scenario, the Imperial Western and Southern Armies blocked Talos’s advance, preventing any further pushes into the conflict zone.

And in their absence, the Iron Army filled the gaps.

“Those cunning Iron bastards…”

The ones who had been testing the waters were now completely in cahoots with the Empire.

Even as the Empire pressured the South, Rotheon could not make a move.

Due to a past agreement, it had been presumed that the Imperial Army’s movements would lead Rotheon to assist Talos, but that assumption was shattered by Iron’s involvement.

“The Iron Army led by Salvatore has reached the borders of Rotheon!”

Finally, the feared report came in, forcing the troops of Talos to come to a halt.

While facing a typical Imperial force might have been manageable, this was the Count of the South.

A master strategist with an army; victory was not guaranteed even with a master present.

As long as he was around, Duke Cletta, renowned as Talos’s war hero, could not act recklessly.

Ultimately, trapped in indecision, the Imperial Eastern Army began to strike the back of the Undead Legion, leading the situation into a prolonged conflict.

*

Meanwhile, Kariel seemed to be enjoying the unfolding situation as if he had anticipated it.

“This is turning out to be quite interesting.”

Listening to the report from the Shadows, Kariel pondered his next move.

He had successfully thwarted the Dark Mages’ surprise attack with swift orders. Since he had also tied up Talos, the situation was bound to drag into a long war.

Now, all he had to do was clean up the mess the Dark Mages had created and crush the remnants of their forces.

As expected of the tenacious Dark Mages, those who survived would eventually cross over to the East Continent, but it would be difficult for them to exert their overwhelming power as they once did in their previous lives.

‘There may be variables with the East Continent, but that’s a tale for the distant future.’

Judging that the immediate situation was under control, Kariel thought about the remnants of the Dark Mages’ plans.

He had two considerations.

1. Assemble a full-scale assault to breach the Principality.

2. Cause further chaos in the Imperial Capital through Derek.

Among these, the first option was unlikely to be realized as Kariel had already taken measures to ensure it was impractical.

Thus, only the second option remained, and he could roughly foresee how Kariel might proceed.

‘He’ll probably utilize the remnants of Belphus or hidden royal members.’

Having experienced this in his previous life and learned about the secrets of Belphus, he could easily predict the scenarios that would unfold.

And this was likely known to the ministers in the capital as well.

“Brother… (omitted) …I believe this is how it will proceed.

If there’s anything that doesn’t suit your fancy, please let me know.

If there’s nothing to point out, please trust your younger brother and focus solely on the Northeast… .

Also! Miriel is very worried. Please take care of yourself.

– Respectfully, Rufiel.”

“Not bad.”

Kariel chuckled softly, folding the letter from the Second Prince.

Then he read through another letter he had received from another brother.

“After consulting with the Minister of Military, we’ve decided to proceed this way.

If things unfold as expected, there shouldn’t be any big issues in the South.

The only concern is unforeseen damage in the Northeast… but with you there, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Stop worrying about your younger brothers and focus on eliminating the Behemoths.

And Miriel is in tears every day worried about you. Please go comfort her soon.

– Your worried brother, Seriel.”

Having read the Third Prince’s letter as well, Kariel laughed in amusement.

“Have they learned that quickly?”

Watching his siblings act as if they could read his thoughts, he smiled warmly.

Though it was a short time, he could sense a hint of his influence in the actions of the Second Prince managing internal affairs and the Third Prince handling external matters.

While they still seemed inexperienced, they were not doing poorly with the help of the ministers.

“And yet they want to use me… I wonder who they take after.”

His brothers had sent him letters, evidently seeking permission to use him.

Yet, perhaps feeling a bit guilty, they’d ended the messages by mentioning Miriel.

Honestly, it wasn’t such a bad notion.

Having used his younger brothers to retire from the role of Crown Prince, he could, in turn, afford to be used himself.

If he could ward off the Dark Mage’s attack merely by lending his name, it would certainly be worth it.

“Maybe it’s their youth? They’re growing up fast.”

Kariel mused softly as he tucked away his brothers’ letters into his robe.

“Just as they said, I can focus on the Northeast.”

Feeling relieved, Kariel gazed at the Labyrinth.

What once seemed an easy endeavor to conquer the Labyrinth with two Masters and an overwhelming number of troops had drastically shifted.

As anyone would have guessed, the Dark Mages were the cause of this change.

“They’re truly insane.”

Utilizing the Labyrinth’s proximity to the Giant Mountain Range, the Dark Mages had committed acts of madness.

They triggered massive self-destructive spells halfway up the mountain, causing landslides to unleash monsters.

Lacking sufficient magical power, they had resorted to employing self-destructive spells to create chaos.

And the monsters that emerged from beyond the mountains were directed to devour the disheveled soldiers clashing with the Behemoth.

Like herbivores, the monsters lurking around the mountains targeted the troops that strayed from their group.

There is an ancient saying in the West Continent.

Once a monster tastes human flesh, it can never stop craving it!

The reason remains unknown, but monsters that have devoured humans inevitably seek them out again.

Long ago, hunters took advantage of this by intentionally pushing slaves into the woods to let them taste human flesh, then hunted the monsters that would come out searching for humans.

The monsters inside the mountain range had become insane from feeding on humans, leading to an increase in their aggressiveness, which left the troops unable to fully annihilate the monsters in the Labyrinth, preventing its collapse.

“I need to make a decision soon…”

With the weaker monsters pouring out from the mountains, one couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the ones that ate them.

Naturally, they would descend in search of food, and if this cycle repeated, even higher tier monsters would enter the Labyrinth.

With food plentiful, some might even arrive early.

If this dragged on, the situation would only worsen for the humans.

“Ugh… this is tough.”

Kariel looked grimly at the massive Behemoth.

As he approached, the resonance intensified, indicating that once inside the Labyrinth, he could potentially block it.

The problem was he didn’t have a definitive method, making it risky to engage.

So, he intended to shed some of his power before entering, but the Behemoth showed no signs of weakening.

Even after being struck by two Masters and bombarded by the Magic Cannon, it swiftly recovered, bellowing loudly.

– Tsk tsk! Can’t do anything without me?

“Surth? How did you…”

Kariel’s surprised expression shifted to gaze at the fiery figure that appeared beside him.

– How can one sleep when you yell every day like this?

Surth angrily tapped Kariel’s shoulder with his tiny fists.

“Ugh…”

– Aww! Seriously! How long has it been since we got here? Why are you still doing this?

“Well, I don’t know how to handle it…”

– Did you know what to do on the volcano? You have to go all out and see what happens!

At Surth’s words, Kariel fumed.

“Are you insane? Look at that! If I mess up, it’s straight to the afterlife!”

– Tsk tsk! You still doubt my strength.

Surth spoke as if it was a matter of fact.

– Once the resonance starts, there’s a high chance it will stop moving. Wake its mind up then!

“Is that easy?”

– Easy enough. Just get close, and it’ll resonate.

Kariel sighed at Surth’s comment.

While dealing with the violently shifting Labyrinth was the least of his concerns, attempting to enter amid a magical storm might tear him apart.

– Once it really kicks in, I’ll help you out, so hurry up! This resonance has me unable to recover! Ugh!

Surth raised his tiny fist in frustration.

This made Kariel cough lightly, avoiding Surth’s fierce glare.

From Surth’s perspective, it was like an alarm going off every time he tried to nap, so his anger was understandable.

“Fine… I’ll give it a shot.”

Hoping to soothe the furious Surth, Kariel said this and called for the commanders.

Surprisingly, instead of steadily weakening, their forces were only suffering more damage, contrary to expectations.

With signs of unusual activity from the mountains, it was high time to take the risk and move.

“We need to discuss with the Holy Nation.”

After hammering away at the Behemoth, Marquis Sicario frowned at Kariel’s words.

“Are you sure about this?”

Right now, the Holy Nation was in a situation where their humiliation had been exposed, and they were extremely on edge.

Moreover, they had a past grievance with Kariel, which made them unpredictable.

Even the previously benevolent Pope now wore a deadly expression, casting advanced spells day after day.

This indicated just how cornered they felt.

“We can’t just sit here forever.”

Kariel stated firmly, standing up with a serious expression.

“Arrange a meeting.”

“…Understood.”

There was no need for a large gathering.

For the negotiations between the Holy Nation and the Empire, just the Pope and Kariel would suffice.

To facilitate the secret meeting, Marquis Sicario took action himself.

Perhaps there was a good reason why he was said to be the strongest in the West Continent, as the Holy Nation did not even contemplate capturing the solo-moving Sicario.

Having sustained immense damage fighting the Behemoths and monsters, they were too disoriented to even think of battling the Empire.

Ultimately, even the Pope, who had lost his composure, regained his senses, and a meeting was arranged.

“It’s been a while,”

Kariel smiled and greeted the Pope, who didn’t even return a smile.

“What do you wish to discuss?”

Was it because it was a secret meeting?

Or perhaps it was because it was just the two of them?

The Pope wiped away the stiff smile he usually wore and fixed his cold gaze on Kariel.

“Don’t we need to deal with the Behemoths?”

“…Have you found a solution?”

The Pope tilted his head, inquiring.

The Holy Nation, said to have the most information on the Behemoths, had failed to find a way.

Thus, the Pope looked at Kariel with a curious expression.

“Indeed, we have. Therefore, I’d like your cooperation.”

“…Cooperation?”

“What I’m saying is, while we handle the Behemoths, the Holy Nation should contain the monsters.”

Kariel’s proposal drew a frown from the Pope.

What Kariel was suggesting was akin to saying, ‘From here onward, we will take the lead in the war, so you just help us along!’

“Should you inform us of your methods, the Holy Nation…”

“Only the Empire is capable of this. Also, it’s hard to share since it’s related to the Empire’s secrets.”

As Kariel said this, he offered a beaming smile.

Witnessing Kariel’s expression, the Pope’s demeanor distorted, realizing his unfavorable position.