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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

39. Will the winds of change from the Empire reach Iron?

Those who joined forces with Rotheon to look beyond Jeyron’s stronghold.

And to punish them, the government of Iron brought in the Imperial Army.

Both sides were aware that this incident could lead to a fracture within Iron.

But there was no turning back.

Ever since Jeyron decided to partner with the Empire, perhaps from the moment he began to lead an overwhelming upper tier—

“……This is the worst.”

The aging merchant leaders, neutral and not aligning with either the Pro-Empire or Anti-Empire factions, sighed at the words of an old leader.

As the aftermath of the colossal factions’ conflict affected the small and medium-sized merchant groups, they found themselves worrying about their survival.

While they managed to avoid direct losses, the ripple effects led to the disbandment of smaller factions.

“How did this nation end up like this?”

The old merchant reminisced about the past of Iron.

It all began with the aim of creating a society without discrimination.

But soon enough, within Iron, identities became divided by wealth, turning it into a hell worse than the Empire.

Those slaves they had so despised.

Individuals who, despite hating power, wielded it to oppress others.

And all manner of criminal organizations exploiting the situation.

All of this unfolded within the nation of Iron.

Yet, on the surface, it appeared to be a free country because numerous factions were raking in immense profits and developing the entire city.

However, an association without coercion has its limits.

Only a select few reach agreements based on their own gains, leading to treatment of ordinary people that’s far worse than the highly detested Empire.

This situation began to gradually change with the emergence of a man possessing overwhelming talent.

‘Jeyron Paul.’

He started amassing enormous wealth with his exceptional merchant skills and soon grew to become the most powerful faction within Iron.

Then, as he rose to the position of the federation leader representing all of Iron at the regional merchant association, he began to improve conditions for those at the bottom, albeit slowly.

He contributed the most money himself while wringing a portion of funds from the factions within the federation to enhance the treatment of common people.

Yet, there were still limits.

Despite pouring in vast sums, the already decayed base offered no room for improvement, and numerous factions within Iron were accumulating grievances.

Then, conflicts with the Empire erupted.

After Jeyron’s first defeat, his absolute position began to tremble, and eventually, disgruntled faction leaders rebelled, leading to the current situation.

“……I thought something like this would happen someday. But…… it’s really unfortunate.”

The old merchant sighed as he witnessed the decline of Iron.

Other merchants also sighed in agreement.

The only nation for merchants in the West Continent. It was heartbreaking to see that great nation crumbling due to greed.

At that moment, as everyone lamented over the current state, the armies of Rotheon and Talos entered Iron, and the Imperial Army was busy defending, causing the war to expand, unbelievable rumors began to flow in from the Empire.

“The Empire is changing?”

“I can’t believe it.”

All the merchants in Iron expressed disbelief, rejecting the rumors.

However, they were aware that revolutionary forces had already settled in Salem, the Empire’s only eastern port.

Currently, the driving force behind the revolution within the Empire was Salem, and it had been instigated by the current Emperor, Kariel.

Now, that Emperor had begun to instigate reforms even within the central information.

At this, the internal structure of Iron began to shake little by little.

「Iron is finished! Let’s abandon the greedy and return home!」

「Let’s return to the reborn Empire!」

Posters plastered all over the capital, yet people showed little interest.

Nobody believed these rumors.

Merchants who had returned from Salem dismissed even the rumors they brought as lies; no one could believe the Empire was transforming.

In the hearts of the merchants who had left to seize freedom from the Empire, a deep-seated distrust lingered.

Because of this, the flickering flames of dissent within Iron never spread further.

However, it was clear that news about the Empire continued to reach Iron, and one day, as this accumulated, it would inevitably turn into a great blaze.

Knowing this, the revolutionary forces within Iron waited in silence.

For the day they would return to the grand Empire once more…….

As Iron fell into chaos, the Empire was busily moving.

At the center, the Imperial Palace was bustling with people daily.

“Your Majesty, here’s the report regarding Iron.”

Today, as Talion presented the report about Iron, Kariel slowly read through it with a weary expression.

“……The reaction is beyond what I expected?”

“I had my doubts several times upon receiving the report as well.”

Talion nodded at Kariel’s words, surprised.

“I thought there would be some influence, but I didn’t expect it to be this significant.”

Considering Iron was a place where freedom-seeking individuals gathered, Kariel assumed they would be interested in the winds blowing from the Empire.

But he never anticipated there would be a faction so openly advocating a return to the Empire.

Countless people who had left in pursuit of freedom in the West now felt the staggering reality that freedom comes with a cost.

A freedom without a stabilizing entity can soar high, but conversely, it can plunge into an endless abyss.

From their perspective, the Empire appeared alluring.

Kariel, being the center of change, would lay the groundwork for them, and though it may not be as great as Iron, the Empire would provide opportunities to many with a certain level of guaranteed freedom.

However, the Southern Kingdoms were different.

They still wished to maintain noble rule, making them a less preferable choice for Iron.

Even though the power was monopolized by the upper-tier factions, without the multitude of merchants at the bottom, they would be incapable of wielding significant power.

If these leaders only support the Empire……

‘They could swallow Iron whole.’

If they completely ‘subjugated’ Iron, rather than treating it like a principality or an ally, Kariel’s envisioned plan could achieve growth at an unprecedented speed.

‘If only they succeed in trade with the New Continent due to Iron’s influence, as well as through Salem to the East Continent…….’

Cultural exchanges between the East and New Continents would converge into the Empire’s capital.

This would signify an immense synergy.

At that moment, if they could dismantle the Mage Tower’s current privileges and advance magical engineering, they could easily surpass the advancements of the previous life.

‘Is there really no curse against death?’

As those thoughts crossed his mind, Talion cautiously handed him yet another report he was holding.

“And…… Your Majesty, here’s a request from the Principality.”

“A request?”

Kariel tilted his head in confusion.

Upon seeing the Principality’s request, Kariel’s expression hardened.

“Are they really requesting this from the Principality?”

“Yes.”

“Is this genuinely from the Principality?”

“Yes.”

Talion answered with a serious expression, seeing Kariel’s successive incredulous inquiries.

「The Principality desires a constant garrison of the Eastern Army.」

A brief summary.

But the implications it contained were anything but light.

“……Do they wish for me to marry their princess in the near future?”

“Not exactly. While there are indeed those who hope to be bound to you in the future, it seems unlikely to happen immediately.”

“So they’re purely requesting…

Kariel’s expression conveyed his confusion.

Even a blood alliance would struggle to have Imperial troops stationed within a nation.

For the Imperial army to continually remain within a country essentially acknowledged that nation as a vassal state of the Empire.

Yet, for a principality to desire that was alarming.

“It indicates that the situation within the Principality is dire…”

“The current situation of the Principality isn’t good, to be honest.”

At Talion’s words, Kariel tilted his head.

“Isn’t the economy of the Principality booming due to Salem’s development?”

The vast resources being funneled into the Salem port weren’t solely coming from within the Empire.

Much of it was quickly procured from the nearest Principality.

This influx was causing a substantial amount of capital to flow into the Principality.

Kariel had previously received a report indicating that they might recover from the damages inflicted by the Dark Mages soon.

“The Principality has cut off support from Talos.”

“……Are they brazenly revealing that they’ve made an alliance with Roman?”

The Southern Kingdoms committed acts that should never have happened as part of the West Continent. Hence, even clandestine efforts would seem insufficient; ceasing support for the Principality practically amounts to an admission of that alliance.

By cutting off support for the Principality, they openly acknowledged they were prepared for robust backlash from the citizens of the West Continent.

“So, they have no intention of halting this?”

“……Yes.”

“Rotheon will also cease support for the Principality.”

“The issue lies with the Holy Nation.”

While money could be somewhat compensated through the funds generated from the Empire, the situation is different with the Holy Nation. Without the priests they dispatched, the military strength of the Principality could not be maintained.

It was the potions they sold and the healing through Divine Power that allowed them to endure continuous damage while sustaining their defenses.

But if the Holy Nation doesn’t dispatch priests?

Maintaining military strength would become nearly impossible. Under such circumstances, fending off Roman’s Great Army would be close to impossible.

“How many clergy members within the Empire are unaffected by the Holy Nation’s influence?”

“Approximately 15 percent compared to the priests from the Holy Nation.”

“That’s still inadequate.”

“However, the numbers are rapidly growing.”

Flipping over the next page of the report, Talion noticed figures showing an astonishing growth rate.

The pure faith that once worshipped the fire within the Empire.

Formerly regarded as mere folk beliefs due to the Holy Nation, it now experienced an enormous growth spurred by Kariel’s support. Even accounting for that, the surge was overwhelming.

“The number of individuals awakening Divine Power of Fire is rapidly increasing. Most of them hope to become priests and are showing swift growth.”

“Is the Principality aware of this?”

“They likely don’t know the extent of this growth. However, they are aware that the Empire’s priests are increasing in the East. More so, they seem to have taken an interest in the potions being produced via magic in Salem.”

As Talion reported, Kariel pondered while stroking his jaw.

The Principality wished to break free from the Holy Nation’s shadow.

‘Are they willing to enter under the Empire’s shadow instead?’

The Principality’s intentions to risk becoming a vassal state in exchange for support from the Empire.

This demonstrated just how perilous the current situation of the Principality was.

“……For now, contact the Eastern Commander and instruct them to assist the Principality. Fulfill their requests as much as possible.”

“Yes.”

“And request cooperation from the Temple of Fire as well.”

“Understood.”

Talion lowered his head at Kariel’s orders and withdrew.

“Hmm…… My plans might have to change.”

The initial plans Kariel envisioned.

It was to bind Iron and the Principality into a formidable alliance and effectively pressure the other nations of the West Continent into submission.

Thwarting the Southern Kingdoms and the Holy Nation, replacing their leaders with pro-Empire factions, and politically unifying the West Continent.

Afterwards, the war preparations against the East Continent would be Kariel’s grand design.

But the situation shifted.

“A complete unification of the continent, huh…….”

Muttering to himself, Kariel smirked.

He thought that perhaps the true return of the great Empire’s days, rather than just a symbolic resurrection, might be on the horizon, and adjusted his plans accordingly.

 

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