The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

25. The Game of Perception! (3)

The main force of the Holy Nation was slowly preparing to advance south along the Giant Mountain Range.

So, what should the Imperial Army do?

Assuming they’ve completely subdued the Behemoths, there was no need to gather troops in the Northeast.

Then should they regroup those forces and issue new orders?

That seemed too much of a hassle.

Wasn’t there a way to utilize this force efficiently?

The answer was simple.

Just let someone who wouldn’t be opposed lead the army.

The solution was to appoint someone who had received unanimous approval at the Grand Council Meeting as the Special Army Commander to handle it.

The problem lay in whether that person would accept the position.

“A document for the appointment of the Special Army Commander.”

A single appointment letter held in the hands of Marquis Sicario.

It was a certificate stating the appointment of Kariel Friedrich von Blazer as the Special Army Commander.

This position was temporary, lasting only until the crisis in the Empire’s East and the Principality was resolved.

The issue was the scale of the forces collected—an enormous army comprised of the Elite forces from the Count of the Border and the Three Armies.

Typically, granting such authority to one person due to the potential for rebellion was nearly impossible.

“How should I explain this to His Highness…?”

Marquis Sicario sighed.

Rebellion? Or the risk of seizing military control?

Even the Count of the Border and leader of the Neutral Faction, Marquis Sicario, had these worries.

He was simply concerned about how to explain this to Kariel and gain his consent.

Bam!

“Um…?”

At that moment, the Cradle of Fire began to shake, and the tremors intensified.

Recalling his experiences at the volcano, Marquis Sicario sensed that Kariel was nearing his emergence from the Cradle of Fire.

“…This is maddening.”

A hint of anxiety began to appear on the always-calm face of the Marquis.

As the sparkle in Sicario’s eyes fluctuated, the shaking of the Cradle of Fire grew more pronounced.

As time passed and the turbulent Cradle of Fire seemed on the verge of exploding, Sicario urgently pulled back the troops.

Boom!

“Huh?”

With Sicario’s bewildered exclamation, the flames that formed around the Cradle of Fire vanished.

Contrary to the expectation of a massive explosion, the Cradle erupted into the sky, erupting in colorful fireworks, as if celebrating a festival.

“Your Highness!”

Sicario hurried over to support the staggering Kariel.

“Ha….”

“Is this… a Behemoth?”

“Correct.”

As Marquis Sicario questioned while looking at the puppy-like small wolf, Kariel nodded in response.

“It didn’t disappear like last time.”

“It seems the body remains intact.”

As Kariel spoke, he gazed at the small wolf.

While it appeared to be merely a cute pup, it was originally the offspring of one of the key figures of Ragnarok, with legends stating that it devoured the sun.

“But how could it become so small?”

“Because the soul within is entirely dormant.”

The fragment of the soul with a high rank had been sheltered with Surth’s help, preventing its premature demise through the Spirit King’s fragment empowering it to avoid obliteration.

Thanks to this, the rampaging soul regained stability and became orderly.

However, as a trade-off, the swelling size of the soul due to its rampage had shrunk, impacting the body.

“It’s like the air has been let out of a balloon.”

“Exactly.”

As Kariel said this, he glanced at Sicario’s face.

It appeared as though he was hiding something, a stuttering expression visible.

Kariel tilted his head in curiosity, thinking this was a look he would never associate with the typically cold Sicario.

“Is there something you wish to say?”

“Well…”

“Is it about me?”

Sicario hesitated, then sighed and pulled out a letter from his chest.

Upon receiving and reading the letter, Kariel’s expression quickly hardened.

“…Special Commander?”

The voice dripping with anger made the nearby knights flinch and cautiously widen their distance.

“The situation in the East seems to be worsening.”

As Sicario stated this, he showed Kariel the report of news from the East sent by crows.

Kariel calmly examined the summarized report regarding the turbulent situation centered around the Principality, letting out a quiet sigh.

“Isn’t it something for you to handle?”

“I am struggling just with the Count of the North.”

Kariel shot a mild glare at Sicario’s statement.

Sicario, on the other hand, looked down, avoiding his gaze.

“But there’s also the Third Prince?”

“The capital’s situation is not good. There have been reports of suspicious movements.”

“Suspicious movements?”

“Yes, it seems that Belphus has infiltrated the Empire.”

Upon Sicario’s report, Kariel frowned.

“Pirates from the West have come in?”

“No, they are still stirring up trouble in the Western seas.”

Kariel cocked his head at Sicario’s report.

“Is this related to Dark Mages?”

“It seems so. There were suspicions regarding the origin of the Undead Legion in the East being under the influence of Belphus, and upon searching the other regions, suspicious activities were found.”

Kariel fell into deep thought, a serious expression settling on his face.

If the central authorities deemed it suspicious, it meant that trouble was brewing in the regions.

Considering that the pirates of the West are remnants of Belphus, it likely indicated an intent to shake the whole Empire.

“If the Dark Mages are trying to buy time by abandoning Belphus…”

Since the Empire could no longer be shaken, the long-term piece known as Belphus was all but useless.

Therefore, they must be planning to expose everything and disrupt the Empire.

Moreover, they likely aimed to stir chaos in the West Continent, effectively weakening the overall power.

Understanding the situation in an instant, Kariel fell into contemplation.

“I now understand why this letter was sent.”

The small letter enclosed with the appointment letter contained extensive excuses from the two princes.

The arranged marriage with the Principality was meant to serve as justification, and if they were unhappy, it could be canceled later on; meanwhile, they asked him to simply hold the Special Commander position.

They wanted him to do nothing but to be there.

The symbolic presence of the retired First Prince was necessary.

“Marquis.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“If I take on the role of Special Commander, it may lead to fatigue.”

Despite Kariel’s warning, Sicario bowed his head indifferently.

“Do as you please.”

After Sicario’s response, Kariel pondered briefly before sighing.

“Deliver this letter to the central command.”

He hurriedly passed the scrawled letter to a shadow nearby.

As the shadow quickly vanished with the knowledge of delivering it to the center, Sicario tilted his head and asked, “Are you refusing?”

“No.”

“Then…”

“If you accept my conditions, I will consider it.”

Kariel said, looking at Marquis Sicario, who appeared puzzled.

To clarify his intentions, Kariel promptly spoke.

“I will request full powers to command all troops gathered in the East. That is what I want.”

“Ha… Are you planning a rebellion or something?”

Sicario burst out with a chuckle, and Kariel replied with a smirk.

“Why would I bother with something so troublesome?”

Sicario nodded in agreement.

Rebellion? Why would he need to do that?

He could simply go to the center and declare himself the Crown Prince again, and he’d have plenty of supporters.

“It’s necessary to handle the East decisively.”

“Decisively, you say?”

“Yes.”

To seize the crumbling Principality, he had to move even the Holy Nation and Achelio.

The situation was deteriorating beyond initial expectations.

If the Holy Nation intended to take advantage of this situation, the Empire needed to make bolder decisions.

“I am requesting the deployment of Marquis Achelio and the Grand Duke’s Knight Order.”

“Could it be…?”

“Indeed. The impregnable fortress to stop Roman. I will be sending the Grand Duke’s Knight Order and Marquis Achelio there for support. Simultaneously, I will lead the Elite Army to sweep away the Undead Legion alongside the Eastern Army. This would also help to contain both the Holy Nation and Achelio.”

“Are you planning to fully occupy the Principality?”

Sicario spoke with a serious expression, but Kariel shook his head.

“The choice will be left to the Principality. However, we must ensure we gain something definite, so I will have the Southern Army occupy the disputed regions.”

While the capital of the Principality was surrounded by the Holy Nation, Achelio, and the Imperial Army, the Imperial Southern Army would occupy the disputed regions.

At the same time, they would send Achelio and the Grand Duke’s Knight Order to help stop Roman.

“Occupying the disputed regions will also allow us to assert dominance over the Principality’s interests.”

The masters of Achelio and the Holy Nation lagged slightly behind Sicario, and the Imperial forces had the upper hand, so they would be better positioned to deal with the Undead Legion.

“The operation will be titled ‘Becoming the Heroes of the Principality.’”

As Kariel said this, a smile appeared, causing Sicario to chuckle.

“To assist the lonely master of the Principality, while protecting the Principality from the foreign nations, the Imperial Army. What do you think?”

“Well… if that’s the case, shouldn’t we more definitively not occupy the disputed regions?”

“No, actually handling this aspect firmly will help ease the Principality’s mind. Instead, we shall leave the key regions of the Principality intact and occupy only the disputed regions.”

Despite having overwhelming power to occupy the Principality, the Imperial Army would only help.

Though they would have no choice but to occupy some of the disputed areas for appearance’s sake, if they did so at a level that the Principality could accept, they would be pleased.

For the Empire, it could be anywhere in Aysarman, but for the Principality, some regions were unnecessary.

What if they immediately claimed those and protected the territory of the Principality from Achelio?

“It wouldn’t be seen as unsavory for the Empire from the Principality’s standpoint.”

“The Imperial Army needs to show a strong intent to not allow Roman to enter the West Continent.”

As Kariel spoke, Sicario nodded, as if he understood the words.

After all, it was merely an act of hiding the truth, but it would be better to present a convincing façade, at least outwardly.

If their image improved among the people of the Principality, it would decrease the relative image of the Holy Nation and Achelio.

“I may become the Special Commander, but I intend not to meddle with military authority. Once we reach the East, I will grant autonomy to each commander, enabling them to move without burden.”

“Hmm… still, isn’t it better for you to directly manage the important aspects?”

Sicario commented, and Kariel shook his head.

“My duty is merely to design the bigger picture. The center is probably expecting that as well.”

Kariel’s conviction remained steadfast.

Letting each handle their specialties.

Nothing was worse than meddling with half-baked knowledge.

“For now, let us move to the East.”

“Hahaha… Are you going to pressure the center as well? They would approve it anyway.”

“It’s a warning as well.”

At Kariel’s words, the sweat trickled from Sicario’s forehead as he turned his gaze away.

Kariel’s warning made it clear where the line lay.

If he attempted to use him any further, he should be prepared for consequences.

Even without formally receiving the title of Special Commander, the reason for moving the troops to the East was to warn that he might march into the center and smash the Imperial Palace if necessary.

“Hmmhm! Everyone, hurry and move.”

Seeing Sicario clear his throat and give orders, the gathered commanders quickly dispersed.

Kariel let out a small sigh at the sight.

“Once the private audience with the Prince of the Empire is concluded, I must head straight to the disputed regions.”

He planned to convey the demands of the Empire and somehow secure a villa to settle in.

“They say the sea of Aysarman is beautifully emerald…”

Having seen photos of such waters on Earth, he found himself personally looking forward to it.

“A resort…”

Though he had received the most beautiful resort in the Empire as a fief, he had no intention of going there whatsoever.

The moment he entered the Principality, the days of setting foot on the Empire’s territory would be few and far between.

“If everything settles down, I should invite Miriel to come play too.”