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The Crown Prince Wants to Retire

37. Preparation for the Future (2)

When Kariel moved, the Imperial Palace was thrown into chaos.

Using the Chancellor’s visit as a pretext, a Grand Council Meeting was called to urge a resolution for the personnel shortage.

With orders for all High Nobles of the Noble Assembly to attend, the council convened, and everyone entered with tense expressions.

They all knew Kariel’s patience had reached its limit.

Throughout his time as Crown Prince, Kariel was known for his cold demeanor, and after becoming Emperor, he was seen as having softened slightly—mostly because the nobility had slipped by without facing consequences.

From an outsider’s point of view, one might question, “What the hell is going on?”

He had just recently dealt with the Rebel Forces, using that opportunity to selectively purge the nobles who opposed him.

However, when the Noble Assembly presented a legitimate opposition, Kariel took a step back.

The reason he hadn’t made any major shifts after becoming Emperor was exactly this.

But that was all going to end today.

“His Majesty has drawn his sword.”

“You’ve got enough weapons in hand… no need to hold back any longer.”

The ministers believed this was the time when the Noble Assembly would be cleaved in two.

They had no grounds to stop an Emperor wielding a sword.

The Emperor secured legitimacy.

A shortage of manpower.

The nobility who couldn’t find solutions despite being given chances.

And the urgent situation drastically heightened due to the sudden turmoil in Iron.

All of this became a weapon for Kariel.

Even the two dukes had given up on the throne, leaving no way to check Kariel anymore.

Despite that, the nobles also found themselves with no place to retreat.

The moment they accepted the Revolutionary Forces, the commoners they had sought so hard to keep at bay would storm into the political realm.

Determined to prevent that, the nobles of the Assembly steeled themselves with grim expressions.

“Is everyone gathered?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kariel, seated on the throne, coolly stared down at the nobles with his chin resting on his hand.

The nobles, who were trying to maintain their composure, felt their gazes falter under his cold stare.

Kariel opened his mouth quietly, his expression colder than usual.

“As you all know, the Empire is in crisis. We face the threat of war with the Holy Nation and the Southern Kingdoms. On top of that, Iron is currently embroiled in divisions.”

Just after the civil war ended, they were about to leap into war with the major powers of the West Continent.

However, retreat was not an option.

To pull back now would mean the everlasting loss of the Empire’s glory. The honor of being the strongest in the West would vanish, alongside the façade of their imperial status.

The nobles were aware of this, and that’s why they couldn’t oppose the war.

“Everyone knows that the war about to erupt from Iron will be more serious than the one instigated by the Dark Mages. Therefore, we must keep internal matters in order….”

Kariel trailed off and frowned. The nobles looked at him with tense expressions.

“The situation is spiraling out of control; the administration is on the verge of paralysis. But am I to solve this just because you’ve come to me?”

Looking at the ministers, Kariel noticed their apologies manifesting in bowed heads.

Everyone then turned their gaze to the Chancellor with a subtle expectation.

It was his time to speak.

He had always intervened to thwart Kariel’s attempts to employ the Revolutionary Forces.

But this time, the Chancellor remained silent.

His face displayed clear signs of distress.

‘The Chancellor must be struggling too.’

Kariel chuckled inwardly while observing the stoic Chancellor.

Last night, perhaps realizing the dire circumstances, he had sent a brief message.

Without an introduction or conclusion, it essentially read…

“Please act according to the Will of His Majesty.”

In other words, the Chancellor had surrendered.

“I have only one answer: let’s select able individuals and utilize them. But nobles opposed it. Shouldn’t you all be the ones to provide a solution?”

He looked at the nobles, but the two dukes remained silent. Other High Nobles were taken aback.

They at least expected the dukes to oppose him.

With the two heads of the Aristocratic Faction keeping quiet, the remaining High Nobles bowed their heads in silence.

“My answer remains the same: let’s bring in the Revolutionary Forces.”

“However, they are too dangerous!” one noble protested.

“If you fear what they might do, then shouldn’t you supervise them closely to ensure those fears don’t come to pass?”

With that retort, the noble who had stepped forward fell silent.

Just then, a woman stepped forth.

Seeing her bow slightly, asking for permission, Kariel nodded slightly.

“Your Majesty, the results of employing the Revolutionary Forces in Salem are evident in the current East.”

“The current East….”

Kariel gestured for her to continue, and emboldened, the noble presented the data he had prepared to everyone.

It contained information on nobles who had lost their fiefs, the desertion of territory residents, and the diminishing authority of nobles due to pressure from wealthy commoners.

The loss of noble authority was notably profound.

The Empire was undeniably a class-based society.

Yet, it was absurd that wealthy merchants had risen above the fallen nobles.

“Your Majesty! The number of individuals trading noble titles in the East has drastically increased. This undermines the foundation of the Empire. Even though we utilized revolutionary elements in Salem, if we employ them in the center, the entire Empire will be at risk!”

That argument held weight.

“We are not simply opposing for opposition’s sake. We recognize that an increase in wealthy commoners could contribute to the stability and prosperity of the Empire. However, if we implement changes so drastically, our barely stable Empire might plunge back into chaos.”

Seeing the woman speak earnestly with worry etched across her face, Kariel found it intriguing.

“I don’t desire that either. I have reiterated that the authority of the nobles must be guaranteed. Do you not trust me?”

At Kariel’s question, the woman bent her waist further.

“How could that be? However, unlike your intention, they will only grow greedier, and in the end, I fear chaos will ensue.”

Her body trembled as if afraid, yet she bravely expressed her concerns. Kariel smiled broadly at her.

“How amusing. So, what’s your counter-proposal? Surely you didn’t simply come to oppose without any solutions?”

“… The current Revolutionary Forces in the East should not be allowed.”

“And if not them?”

“There should still be scholars from common backgrounds remaining across the provinces. Employ them first.”

“That would still be drastically insufficient.”

“Not at all. For example…”

Kariel shook his head as if that was still inadequate, and the woman began calmly explaining her proposal.

1. Prioritize the employment of semi-nobles who have been pushed out of the central government.

2. Should they demonstrate ability, even commoners would be raised to the rank of semi-noble (limited to barons in this era).

3. If still insufficient, allow for the recruitment of the Revolutionary Forces that have not yet moved into the East.

Kariel fell deep in thought as he listened to her explanation.

And everyone stared at his face, anxiety etched in their expressions.

In fact, for the nobility assembly, this level of proposal was inconceivable. However, they chose not to interrupt the woman’s words because, from what they had witnessed of Kariel today, it seemed he would attempt to take the Revolutionary Forces in their entirety from the East, and they calculated that it would be better to contain matters at this level.

“What is your name?”

“Shasta Decher.”

As Kariel tilted his head, indicating he had never heard of her, the attendant who was waiting nearby quietly whispered in his ear.

A family that had been pushed out of the central government long ago when the era of the Hidden Monarch began.

Originally not a part of the Aristocratic Faction, the woman had switched sides upon becoming the head of the family, ultimately gaining entry into the central government.

‘Impressive.’

Kariel sincerely admired her as he observed her.

While it wasn’t impossible for a woman to become the head of a family in the Empire, the hurdles were immense. Yet she had not only achieved that but also switched to the Aristocratic Faction and managed to enter central government circles.

However, what was most impressive was how remarkably young she appeared.

“How interesting. As you say, too much recruitment of the Revolutionary Forces could cause problems. However, due to the acute shortage of personnel, I will heed your suggestion and prioritize employing semi-nobles and bureaucrats of commoner origin who have been exiled to the provinces. Nevertheless, should that still be insufficient, would you consider bringing in personnel from the East, limited to the gaps left? How does that sound?”

With Kariel’s question, Decher found herself unable to respond, her head bowed. Eventually, her face reflected frustration over not having been able to prevent this situation.

She had struggled immensely to reach her current position, but now it looked as if she would be pushed back out to the provinces again.

Seeing her thoughts, Kariel smiled warmly and said, “Despite that, you’ve provided a worthwhile opinion, so I shall grant you an opportunity.”

“… Yes?”

To her dazed expression, Kariel continued, “I grant you the authority to monitor the Revolutionary Forces on behalf of the nobles.”

“Gasp!”

“Just as you expressed, rapid transformation can lead to chaos. Prevent that. Additionally, steer the flow to allow for appropriate alterations.”

As Decher finally grasped what Kariel was saying, she hurriedly knelt down.

“I shall undoubtedly repay Your Majesty’s grace.”

Kariel nodded at her words and turned to the ministers.

“This time, select properly. I shall not grant any more opportunities. If a repeat of the previous incident occurs….”

Kariel shifted his gaze to the sword without finishing his sentence, causing panic among the ministers, who hurriedly bowed.

Satisfied with their response, Kariel nodded and moved on to the next agenda item.

“The armies led by the Masters from Talos and Rotheon have entered Iron.”

“I shall go.”

At Duke Devir’s words, Kariel wore an apologetic expression. Sighing at the duke’s willingness to volunteer before he could issue orders, Kariel said, “I apologize for sending you back to battle so soon after the previous war. I will ensure your sacrifices are rewarded once the war is over.”

After granting him authority to move some Central Army troops, he immediately transitioned to the next subject.

“The Principality has sent a request for support.”

“Surely….”

“Roman is preparing to attack with a great army.”

As Kariel reported this, he distributed the documents brought by the Shadows. As the compiled information based on the reports of the Pirate King was handed out, the expressions of the nobles began to darken.

“Talos and Rotheon have officially become enemies of the Empire from this day forward. Is there anyone who disagrees?”

At Kariel’s question, everyone gathered in the hall bowed their heads.

The documents contained evidence of Talos and Rotheon forming a secret pact with Roman and mobilizing the great army at just the right time, something that could hardly be coincidental.

“I am considering appointing a commander for the troops to be sent to the Principality….”

“I shall go….”

“You will remain.”

As Duke Welch spoke up, Kariel firmly shook his head.

“You are to enter retirement from today. This is my command.”

“Your Majesty….”

“You must break the walls and elevate to the level of a Master for the sake of the Empire. That should take priority.”

Duke Welch was on the cusp of becoming a Mage.

Unlike Sword Masters, Mages required meditative periods to contemplate their acquired knowledge each time they neared their personal limits.

Only after revisiting everything they had learned could they finally reach the level of a Mage, which is why Kariel decided to give Welch the time he needed.

“I shall send Marquis Achelio to the Principality.”

“Your Majesty! There must be one Master left in the capital.”

Kariel shook his head at Welch’s words.

“The capital of the Empire is strong even without a Master. And if you’re worried about instability, why not become a Mage yourself?”

At Kariel’s statement, Duke Welch’s eyes widened before he bowed.

“I shall certainly meet Your Majesty’s expectations.”

“Just don’t be overly impatient.”

With that, Kariel summoned Marquis Achelio.

After some time, as Achelio arrived, Kariel presented him with a sword.

“I will assign one squad from the Imperial Palace Knights and two squads from the Central Knight Order. The Grand Duke Family’s knights will also join.”

“Yes.”

“You will aid the eastern commander to establish a solid defense.”

“Your orders are acknowledged.”

As Marquis Achelio bowed, Kariel nodded in satisfaction and dismissed the Grand Council Meeting.

With that, all preparations for the great war that would soon unfold on the West Continent were complete.

What remained was to secure victory and reclaim the glory of the past.

 

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