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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

26. Trade with the Principality (2)

The coordination with the Prince of the Empire went swiftly.

First of all, the fact that Kariel did not heavily pressure the Prince was significant, and that he did not demand much in exchange for forming an alliance also played a role.

In fact, the Prince ended up flustered, offering more than he intended.

The issue lay in the final agenda.

“The Empire intends to tidy up the neighboring nations.”

Upon hearing Kariel’s words, the Prince of the Empire immediately fell silent.

It was not a matter that warranted a hasty response.

“…To what extent do you intend to tidy them up?”

“I plan to address all nations gathered in conflict zones.”

“Hmmm….”

“Additionally, any nations connected to Dark Mages that did not cooperate with the Empire will also be part of this tidy-up.”

It meant that all nations linked to Dark Mages, even those that did not participate in the Allied Forces, would be dealt with.

“…”

The firmness in Kariel’s voice rendered the Prince speechless, lost in contemplation.

On the West Continent, there were tiny nations that merely existed on paper.

While the countries forming the Allied Forces possessed territories larger than the Empire’s substantial fiefs, there were even smaller nations.

Nations that thrived on tariffs by situating themselves between powerful countries.

Countries that ceded territories to criminal organizations.

Nations surviving through gambling and entertainment.

In truth, it could not be said that these nations were entirely at fault.

It was a choice they made to survive, after all.

The problem was that they had engaged in actions that gnawed at the Empire’s interests like pests.

They should rightly come and bow down like other nations.

But while Kariel was busy taking down other powerful nations, these nations merely watched, desperately struggling to avoid paying compensation.

Had the Empire demanded compensation properly, they would have faced immediate bankruptcy.

However, had they come to beg first, they might have been given some leniency.

‘The golden time has ended.’

Their time for forgiveness had expired.

In his heart, Kariel wished to completely annihilate them and incorporate their territories directly under the Empire’s rule, but that matter was already beyond his control.

Kariel intended to sketch a blueprint for complete retirement through trade with the Prince.

“Are you considering a large-scale war?”

“I cannot say for sure. The only task in this trade is to form a solid alliance with the Principality; the following matters will be decided by Your Majesty and the Empire.”

Feeling the Crown Prince’s desire for complete retirement, the Prince sighed and nodded.

In fact, marrying such a person off to a Princess would be the best scenario.

His lack of ambition for power, his decent status and strength relative to the Princess, and lastly, the fact that the Princess showed affection towards him were all in his favor.

The problem, however, lay in the languid look he wore, which signified that his married life with the Princess would likely be very burdensome.

‘I feel like he would prefer to do nothing and lounge around.’

The Prince thought so as he reconsidered the marriage with Kariel.

‘…Should we really send the Princess to the Empire?’

The more he looked at Kariel’s expression, oozing apathy, the less he understood how it had come to this point.

‘He must possess talent enough to overcome laziness.’

Having organized these thoughts, the Prince nodded slightly and ended the unofficial meeting with a statement that he would discuss Kariel’s proposal.

But it was already half a success.

The Principality had suffered greatly due to the small nations, making the proposal quite favorable.

Bandit groups evading control while traversing the border regions of many nations.

Criminal organizations and pirates using the territories of small nations as their base.

Everyone was leveraging the fact that they could not casually invade the territory of foreign nations.

What if the Empire tidied this up?

From the Principality’s standpoint, their damages would be significantly mitigated.

However, not everything was rosy.

What would happen if only major nations were left on the West Continent?

With the nations that acted as buffers wiped out, the scheming among the strong nations would commence in earnest.

This meant that a far tenser situation would unfold than what was currently seen.

Above all, looking at the present Empire, there was no doubt a major war would inevitably break out.

If that were to happen, the future of the Principality wouldn’t be so bright either.

‘If a future is approaching, we’ll choose first.’

With that mindset, the Prince summoned the major nobles of the Principality to explain the contents of the secret meeting.

Given the gravity of the matter, there were differing opinions among the nobles, but since most of the agenda was accepted, it was unlikely to take too long.

*

Around midnight, a modest party was held.

Since it had not been long since the war ended, it was the Prince’s opinion that a simple gathering was better than a grand banquet.

The nobles were dissatisfied, but the knights and others appeared more at ease due to this simpler affair.

“Not bad.”

Kariel also seemed to prefer a modest banquet, smiling as he lifted a glass of champagne.

Had it been a grand banquet, it would have merely become the playground of the high nobles, but by hosting a simpler gathering and opening the royal palace of the Principality, many were able to enjoy it.

Thanks to that, a lively atmosphere was created, making it a warmly engaging event.

“Your Highness!”

“Pleasure to see you.”

Upon noticing the approaching Princess, Kariel smiled and nodded his head.

Carefully, the Princess inquired, “…I heard what you said to my father.”

As she spoke, a sad expression crossed her face.

“Do you perhaps dislike me?”

“Of course not. Who would reject a Princess?”

Kariel firmly shook his head in response to her question.

Not acting like the daughter of the Prince, she had spent her childhood mingling with merchants and had distinguished herself in the trade, currently leading a renowned trading company within the Principality.

Moreover, she was sufficiently beautiful, with ample potential for development in her figure.

“Hmm.”

As Kariel cleared his throat, he looked at the Princess.

Her expression suggested that the words of the Prince, that she was liked, were indeed true.

Her cheeks were tinted a subtle pink, with tears glimmering in her eyes.

If this were an act, he knew he would be ensnared.

“I wish to offer you choices.”

“…Choices?”

“Yes. Though it’s a blood bond, it is a forced engagement. It could be quite bewildering for you, Princess. Therefore, I wish to at least provide you an option among the three Crown Princes.”

Upon hearing Kariel’s words, the Princess’s face brightened.

“So that means you don’t dislike me?”

“Of course not.”

In response to Kariel’s affirmation, the Princess beamed, nodding her head enthusiastically.

Gaining some confidence, she began sharing stories about the Principality or asking questions about the Empire, continuing their conversation.

“Actually, I was curious about the Empire.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. I’ve heard that the Empire has changed a lot since the Crown Prince—no, I mean, Your Highness—began to make significant moves. When I visited during the Continental Conference, I tried to observe what had changed, but as a guest, I was limited in the information I could obtain.”

“Hmmm….”

Kariel rubbed his chin, pondering over the Princess’s words.

Since his previous life experience was not in vain, the Empire had certainly transformed considerably, just as the Princess stated.

However, it paled in comparison to his expectations.

The power of the nobility remained excessively strong.

One major change that had occurred when the Empire crumbled in his previous life was the strengthening of imperial authority.

This naturally led to an elevation in the status of Empire Citizens.

‘It was only possible because the Empire was in crisis.’

Funds generated from rooting out rebellious nobles and loosening their monopoly on techniques.

Polices implemented to strengthen the weakened empire amidst numerous incidents forced their hand.

Magic, swordsmanship, and techniques handed down from each noble house were brought to the Academy, accepting everyone regardless of their status.

Additionally, a base academy was newly established.

At first, the nobles opposed this vehemently, but realizing they had no choice, they eventually accepted it to a certain extent.

However, achieving such a future would be challenging from this point onward.

“…That’s a bummer.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.”

At the Princess’s question, Kariel shook his head with a wry smile.

Just thinking of methods that popped into his mind amounted to dozens.

Ways to gradually elevate the status of Empire Citizens and enrich the Empire.

The stage was set, and with just a few tweaks, significantly faster progress than now could be achieved.

‘Considering the industrial system is already somewhat in place, it could be possible…’

Restrained by the limits of magic, just a slight shift in direction could yield rapid development akin to Earth’s industrial era.

“Hmm~.”

The Princess gazed at him with interest.

Seeing her expression made Kariel tilt his head slightly.

“Is something the matter?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

In the disinterested gaze that seemed to find everything tedious, there flickered a moment of brightness.

At that sight, the Princess felt her heart race.

‘Other Crown Princes didn’t seem like this…’

The Princess thought to herself as she tilted her head.

Even the First Prince, who flaunted how genius his siblings were, seemed intent on introducing them to the Empire, but meeting the two Crown Princes would likely not change her feelings.

“I’ll go and check based on what you said, Your Highness.”

In response to the Princess’s words, Kariel nodded with a warm smile.

The nobles of the Principality observed the two conversing for quite some time with smiles, subtly monitoring them.

While they engaged in serious conversation, their gazes were locked on one another.

Even the knights and citizens of the Principality beamed at this scene.

As Kariel and the Princess became the central figures of the banquet and gradually vanished from sight, all conversations among the attendees shifted to discussions about their union.

However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, a few days later, an announcement was made that Kariel would head to the Imperial capital with the Princess.

“Aila the Princess! Off to the Imperial capital to meet the Crown Princes!”

“The Empire grants the Princess the power to choose among the Crown Princes!”

“Who is the most envied woman on the continent? None other than Princess Aila!”

Having granted the much-loved daughter of the Prince the privilege to choose one of the Crown Princes made the people of the Principality exceedingly happy.

The Principality’s favorable treatment from the Empire greatly enhanced their good impression.

Thus, the concern that one of the Crown Princes might become the Prince and effectively make the Empire a vassal state faded away.

Even if they became a vassal state, there were murmurs that it wouldn’t be so bad.

With Kariel enhancing the Empire’s image in the Principality, he firmly stamped the final agreement and concluded negotiations with the Prince.

“The second agreement will take place in the Imperial capital.”

At Kariel’s words, the Prince nodded slightly.

“Are you planning to head straight to the conflict zones?”

“Indeed.”

In response to the Prince’s question, Kariel smiled and nodded.

Having essentially completed his tasks, he was considering retreating to the villa personally gifted by the Prince.

After all, his fief would be managed from the Imperial Palace, so going to the villa from here wouldn’t matter.

There was money sent from the Empire, and the considerable sum gifted to Kariel from the Principality ensured he wouldn’t need to worry about living expenses.

“…I envy you.”

“You should quickly hand the Princess over and take a break, Your Highness.”

“I would love to, but…”

As much as the Prince wanted that, the Princess still had many areas needing improvement.

While she had some credibility as a merchant, she lacked significantly in political power.

In contrast, the man in front of him was a different story.

Kariel, hailed as a complete package, was in a state where the Empire was eager to keep him.

Hence, the Prince gazed at Kariel with a hint of greed in his eyes.

“Hmm, I shall conclude it here then.”

“Tsk! Let’s do just that.”

The Prince clicked his tongue in disappointment.

However, Kariel being envisioned as a Prince didn’t seem likely.

Having stepped out of the Crown Prince’s role, why would he eye the position of a simple Prince?

If he set his mind on it, he could become the Emperor without hesitation, so he had no reason to pursue the role of a Prince.

“May your break be enjoyable.”

As the Prince spoke, Kariel smiled brightly and nodded.

‘A permanent vacation begins!’

 

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