< The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire >

36. Signs of a Huge War

A massive fire blazed brightly, illuminating the entire capital of Ignit.

The unquenchable flames roared back to life, causing all the Empire Citizens and Nobles to cheer.

The birth of the great Emperor was broadcasted through the colossal Image Sphere installed in key areas of the Empire, allowing all Empire Citizens to cheer in unison.

The powerful Principality, now a strong ally, also celebrated this fact. Thanks to the strength of the alliance, the Principality could ensure its own safety.

On the contrary, other nations were quite different.

At least in Iron, those with Pro-Empire sentiments were congratulating, but others wore expressions that looked like they had bitten into something foul.

Most urgent were the envoys from the South.

“Ha… this is the worst.”

Watching the overwhelming support for the Emperor’s birth, the Envoy Leader from Rotheon let out a long sigh.

The very situation that Rotheon had feared had come to pass.

Kariel becoming the Emperor.

And yet, that guy not only resurrected the royal emblem but also created the same emblem as the First Emperor.

As a result, Empire Citizens believed that the Empire would return to its great days.

Having inherited the legitimate line of the royal family that had been severed, there was no way to shake the Empire from within. If there was no internal turmoil, then there was only external pressure, but that wasn’t easy either.

“The Empire has started to intervene in Iron.”

The Envoy sent from Rotheon to congratulate the Emperor’s coronation sighed at the report from his subordinate.

The keen Emperor would not sit idle. Using the coronation as a weapon, he halted everyone and moved alone towards Iron.

“In the end… it has begun.”

What some Nobles from Rotheon had worried about had finally come to fruition.

There were even those within Rotheon who argued to invade Iron before the Empire concluded its civil war.

However, that opinion faced opposition from those who argued that if Rotheon moved to intervene in Iron’s civil war alone and later the Holy Nation and Talos pulled out, it could result in a major crisis, and thus ultimately disappeared.

Moreover, the justification that Iron had presented asserted that it could not switch sides until the Empire’s civil war was over, leaving them with no justification at all.

Above all, even if the Rotheon army intervened in Iron, there was no guarantee they would win.

This was due to the fact that the Pro-Empire faction and Iron’s Master were both involved.

As a result, time dragged on.

“We should have moved while enduring the risks…”

As the Envoy Leader clicked his tongue, the man with black hair quietly spoke.

“The King ordered to delay things at all costs.”

The envoy leader let out a hollow laugh at the royal command.

The current Emperor was already regarded as a political genius surpassing the northern foxes since his days as the Crown Prince.

Was it even feasible to delay time against such an Emperor in order to slow down Iron’s intervention?

“Are they asking me to die instead?”

One misstep against the current Emperor would make it hard to return alive.

Plus, the current Emperor was cunning.

A small mistake could give them a bad justification.

“…It’s a little fine. Just delay time.”

“Is that even meaningful?”

“There will be movement from the East.”

The envoy leader’s eyes widened at his subordinate’s words.

He sighed and asked, “Is there a solid defense? Can we breach it?”

As long as there was a guardian protecting the West Continent from the East Continent, breaching it would be difficult.

Knowing that, the Empire could focus on Iron.

“They will create a situation where the Empire has no choice but to help.”

At the man’s statement, the envoy leader fell silent and pondered.

“Let’s give it a try.”

It seemed clear that some deal had been struck between the upper echelons and Roman.

With the belief that they would not move as clumsily as before, the envoy group began preparations to persuade the Emperor.

And this was also the case for Talos.

If they could just buy some time, even if it were only a few days, it would be beneficial.

Rotheon was already on the verge of entering Iron, and secretly the Talos forces had also passed through Rotheon, arriving at Iron’s border region.

All that remained was for the East Continent to make its move.

If the main forces of Talos and Rotheon intervened in Iron, it would be hard to stop them with just the Empire’s Western Army.

Even if the Southern Army arrived late, it would not matter as the situation would be over by then.

*

“Your Majesty, the envoy from Rotheon requests an audience with you.”

After the Attendant Hall’s announcement, Kariel commanded them to wait and fell into thought.

In front of him stood Talion.

“If this message is true, then that envoy is here to buy time, right?”

“Yes.”

Through Salem, the Pirate King’s secret letter was discreetly conveyed.

This letter detailed that small troops near Roman’s borders were gradually moving somewhere.

At the same time, it noted that a large quantity of supplies was moving in the western regions of Roman.

Since some merchants disguised as pirates were selling goods to the East Continent, they were bound to be sensitive to rumors, so the suspicious tidbits they had gathered were reported back.

“Has Talos reviewed it?”

“The troop numbers remain unchanged. However, several commanders have disappeared.”

Talion’s report caused Kariel’s expression to harden.

“Is there a possibility they’ve removed just the elite?”

There was a chance they could have swapped the elite troops stationed at the border with regular soldiers just to fill the ranks and moved the elite westward.

“I’ve already checked. Talos’s main knights have been confirmed to be moving west.”

“…So, there’s a high likelihood that the elite forces of Rotheon and Talos will intervene directly in Iron?”

“That’s correct.”

At Talion’s answer, Kariel fell into deep thought, wearing a serious expression.

Then, as if curious, he asked, “Will the Central Army arrive before they intervene?”

“It seems so. However, if the Western Army joins, they should be able to hold out until the Central Army arrives.”

“Discuss that with the Minister of Military. I’ll leave all authority regarding this to you.”

“Yes!”

As Talion, given his orders, silently disappeared through the window, Kariel called for the Attendant.

“Bring in the Rotheon envoy.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After a while following the directive to summon the Rotheon envoy, a middle-aged man entered the Emperor’s office.

“Your Greatness, I greet Your Majesty!”

Upon entering and immediately bowing respectfully, Kariel’s brow furrowed slightly at the sight of the envoy.

‘He’s definitely trying to buy time.’

Just on seeing his face, he could be certain. The determination in his eyes was filled with a willingness to endure any humiliation.

“I congratulate you on overcoming the long-standing grievances of the Empire.”

“Thank you.”

Receiving the diplomatic niceties with a vague acknowledgment, Kariel got straight to the point.

“Alright, what brings you here?”

At Kariel’s question, the Rotheon envoy bowed his head and replied.

“We, Rotheon, wish to align ourselves with Your Majesty, who has newly ascended the throne.”

“Weren’t you just acting like you were about to go to war a little while ago?”

As Kariel clicked his tongue, he burst into laughter.

“How amusing. What’s the reason behind this?”

“Because we lack the confidence to oppose Your Majesty.”

“Lack confidence to oppose me…?”

The Rotheon envoy knelt down, remaining in the same position.

“Please grant us mercy.”

“Mercy…?”

“I have heard that you have given several opportunities even to the small nations that opposed the Empire. Please give Rotheon an opportunity as well.”

At the envoy’s words, Kariel rested his chin on his hand, wearing a nonchalant expression as he asked.

“Will you give me territory if I ask for it?”

“Yes.”

With that response, Kariel couldn’t help but snort with amusement.

“Rotheon has already decided to offer trade cities near the Union of Small Nations as a price for apology. Moreover, for the next ten years, they plan to freeze customs duties by lowering them.”

“That’s not enough.”

As Kariel stood up as if bored, the Rotheon envoy spoke urgently.

“We will send all the Nobles who have intervened in the Empire.”

“Any more offers?”

“I will send the Crown Prince of Rotheon to the Empire’s Academy.”

“Ho….”

This prospect seemed intriguing to Kariel, who sat back down again.

“How interesting. Are you sure Rotheon has made such a decision?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Seeing the envoy speaking with a desperate expression, Kariel let out a slight chuckle.

“Convince Talos. Then I’ll trust you.”

“Are there conditions?”

“Withdraw completely from the disputed territories.”

With those words, he motioned for them to leave, and the Rotheon envoy exited the office, suppressing his feelings of humiliation.

“It’s definite.”

Still, Rotheon controlled the southern part of the West Continent.

The one who had so arrogantly treated him during the late Emperor’s funeral suddenly came to him like this?

“It’s clear they’re trying to buy time.”

Muttering this, Kariel had a bright smile as if a fun idea had struck him.

With a mischievous grin, Kariel summoned his ministers to discuss further plans.

“I think it’s time to have a little fun.”

“Fun, Your Majesty?”

At the Emperor’s abrupt words, the Minister of Foreign Affairs tilted his head, confused.

To this, Kariel explained.

“How many days will the festival last?”

“About a week.”

With the attendant’s answer, Kariel nodded slightly and spoke to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Engage in practical negotiations with Talos and Rotheon. The first condition is to break the confidentiality treaty with the Holy Nation, and the second is a territorial negotiation.”

“Yes.”

“Act as if you’re genuinely preparing. Only you should know that this is false.”

The intent was to make everyone, except the Minister of Foreign Affairs, genuinely believe that negotiations with the Southern Kingdoms were real.

“I will do so.”

“Good. I’ll trust you on this.”

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs left, Kariel, with a face filled with childish mischief, fell into thought.

Having scored one on Rotheon and Talos, there was only the East Continent left to deal with; the North was accounted for by the Count of the North.

“Roman is increasingly irksome.”

Muttering this, Kariel looked at the continent map.

Currently, three nations opposed Roman in the East Continent.

The desert unified empire, Sandria.

The Knight Kingdom, Wingzar.

The mage nation, Michelan.

Unlike the others who consider themselves vassals by trading with the magically renowned Roman, these three were different.

But there was a problem: Roman was overwhelmingly dominant.

However, what if the Empire provided support to one of these nations?

Michelan, which was raking in massive profit through trade, would likely not need the Empire’s support.

The desert empire would be difficult for the Empire to approach.

“Wingzar.”

Deciding on them with a tap of his finger on their location, he smiled.

Just as he was about to call his ministers, he was interrupted by the attendant.

“You must attend the banquet starting today.”

“Ah… right.”

“Why not take a break for a few days?”

As the attendant looked at him with concern, Kariel stroked his now rough skin and nodded.

“What a surprise. I’d never imagined I’d become a workaholic.”

Realizing he had become a workaholic instead of living a Yolo life, Kariel slapped his cheeks hard with both hands and spun his head around.

“Alright, off you go.”

As Kariel proclaimed, having regained his composure, the attendant smiled and prepared his attire for the banquet.

*

And so, while Kariel attended banquets to receive congratulations on his ascension for several days, fierce negotiations unfolded behind the scenes between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the representatives from Rotheon and Talos.

Finally, the last day of the festival celebrating Kariel’s ascension arrived.

“Hooked, huh?”

“…Indeed.”

The urgent letter from Rotheon and Talos arrived.

It stated that the Empire’s Central Army had entered Iron’s territory.