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The Crown Prince Desires to Retire

40. Are You Overstepping Because I’m Letting You? (2)

The fact that Kariel had entered training was publicly disguised as news of him collapsing from overwork.

Given that he had been working overtime as if it were a meal, the assertion that he was resting due to overwork sounded quite convincing.

As a result, the previously overwhelming power of the Inspection Department waned.

Naturally, the Noble Assembly, burdened with intense workloads, could finally breathe a sigh of relief, and the merchants, who had been hunched over in fear, could stretch out as well.

“It’s just one absent Emperor…”

The Chancellor stared blankly at the office, unable to believe the sight before him.

Clearly, the Emperor’s illness was a painful situation for the Empire.

It was not an ordinary circumstance; the news of the Emperor collapsing from overwork during wartime would dampen the morale of the Empire Citizens.

Furthermore, it would also lower the spirits of the military, which was actively engaged in combat.

Nevertheless, a soft smile graced the lips of the bureaucrats.

When Winston cleared his throat at that sight, they hurriedly masked their expressions and lowered their heads.

“Ahem!”

Sometimes, when Winston signaled them, they would swiftly fix their faces, but the Chancellor himself occasionally found a smile escaping.

Even with projects piling up due to the Emperor’s absence, the ministers openly appeared to feel as though they were going to survive after all.

After all, who could say anything about delays in the work? Just that alone gave them a sense of hope.

However, beyond that, the situation continued to deteriorate.

Contrary to the empire’s expectations, the resistance from the Southern Kingdoms remained persistent.

Without the Emperor to preside over the Grand Council Meeting, the Chancellor had no choice but to convene key meetings from the Chancellor’s office, and today he sat first in the center of the conference room to lead the meeting.

A few minutes later, as officials trickled into the conference room, the Chancellor spoke up.

“First, let’s hear reports about the Southern Kingdoms.”

In response to the Chancellor’s words, Talion reported on the progress to date.

“More persistent than anticipated.”

Winston sighed, receiving Talion’s report on behalf of Kariel, as the nearly concluded Rotheon clung tenaciously to the Empire’s Intelligence Department.

“From Rotheon’s perspective, thinking that retreating now would be the end, they’re pouring all their strength into this.”

The Chancellor nodded slightly at Talion’s words.

From the Empire’s point of view, it would have been preferable for them to back off, but from Rotheon’s standpoint, that was not an option.

Talos, too, had poured copious amounts of funds into the effort and had successfully drawn some criminal organizations to their side.

Perhaps because of that, a tremendous amount of funding was flowing into the border region between the Empire and Talos.

Given this situation, the rebel forces within Iron remained undeterred as well. The Southern Kingdoms were enduring, so the rebels weren’t surrendering but holding out.

This meant the Roman Empire had to be kept in check, but that too was no easy task.

Unlike the pro-Empire Pirate King, some of the pirates were reluctant to join the Empire’s plans.

For the pirates, this chaotic time was just perfect.

“What a mess.”

“Considering they’re pirates, it’s hard to believe that even the Pirate King can completely control them.”

Winston sighed at Talion’s words.

Rather than going through the trouble of establishing a country to become the Empire’s dog, there were those who preferred to remain in their current position.

This was causing plans to support the neighboring countries of Roman to be delayed time and again.

The issue was that internal chatter within the Empire had also begun to surface because of this.

Even the mightiest Empire couldn’t keep spending vast amounts of money indefinitely. Eventually, the time would come to prioritize and postpone or cancel existing plans.

It would have been great if a powerful Emperor could push forward, but the Emperor who should lead them had collapsed from overwork.

And that gap was being eyed by the Magic Tower.

“They seem to be consistently overstepping…”

The Minister of Finance said, and Winston solemnly nodded.

Everyone present in that room had received individual orders from Kariel.

With clear directives laid out for everyone, they could manage unexpected situations—even if they were unfolding.

“Still, isn’t it getting dangerous? Shouldn’t we notify His Majesty?”

Winston asked Talion, known as the Imperial Guard Captain and closest aide to the Emperor, but he shook his head.

“The Attendant believes it is still not the right time.”

“Hm…”

The judgment of a mere attendant.

This could have been a source of humiliation for the ministers gathered there.

After all, they were all high-ranking nobles or elites.

However, the attendant currently serving Kariel was not just anyone.

The mere fact that the attendant was a member of the Secret Guardians was enough to earn respect, and furthermore, Kariel had drastically elevated his authority for the current attendant.

Thus, even Chancellor Winston respected his judgment.

“It seems the Magic Tower has not completely overstepped yet.”

“Rather… things are getting perilous.”

Winston looked uncomfortable.

Unlike before, the central ministries had begun to challenge them.

Seeing the Magic Tower, which was starting to intrude into Empire plans, made him worry that if they were left unchecked, they might grow to be an irretrievable force in the future.

“Because of that, the Noble Assembly sent a petition to condemn the Magic Tower.”

The Minister of Internal Affairs stated, displaying the petition sent from the Noble Assembly.

As more local nobles who had succumbed to the central nobles’ dominance began aligning themselves with the Magic Tower, the influence of the Noble Assembly was steadily diminishing.

Alarmed by this, the Assembly began to submit petitions demanding punitive actions against the Magic Tower.

Dissatisfied with the Inspection Department’s slap-on-the-wrist punishments, they began uncovering and forwarding the Tower-related corruption to central authorities.

However, this time was different.

Rather than sending them individually, they had formally met to send the petition to the Minister of Internal Affairs.

“With this, we’ve surely built up enough justification.”

Once the Chancellor had read the entire petition aloud, everyone nodded gravely.

“Yes, all that remains is His Majesty’s Secret Plan.”

“Is it time to begin?”

In response to the Minister of Finance’s words, the Chancellor looked at Podolski and asked.

“Yes, when the Secret Plan is finalized, His Majesty ordered the Inspection Department to act.”

“If they become too aggressive…”

“Then he ordered the military to sweep away the Magic Towers first.”

This time it was the Minister of Military who spoke.

Hoping it wouldn’t reach that point, if the Magic Tower crossed the line, it would mark the end of their existence within the Empire.

Perhaps they knew this as well, as they tried hard not to tread over the line, but could they really control themselves that well?

Those blinded by greed were precariously pushing the boundaries, and sometimes when they crossed over, the punishment was too lenient, leading to more and more transgressions.

If this cycle continued, they might find themselves unaware of how far they’d fallen into ruin.

“Please… may the worries I have not come to pass.”

At the Chancellor’s words, everyone nodded solemnly.

The mages of the Magic Tower were vital resources for the Empire. If those beings stepped over the line and perished, one critical pillar of the Empire’s progress would crumble.

Rationally, he thought that they wouldn’t cross the line, but somehow, the Chancellor had an ominous feeling that they were on the brink of committing an irreversible act.

And, unfortunately, that prediction came true.

*

One month ahead of Kariel’s eighteenth birthday.

At last, the event he had been dreading occurred.

As the Emperor, who had collapsed from overwork, remained down for longer than anticipated, whispers began to spread about potential health issues.

Rumors floated that he had relapsed from an illness contracted in childhood, coupled with theories that the internal damage suffered while preventing the volcano eruption was the cause.

As rumors spread that Kariel’s health was gradually worsening, confusion began to seize the Empire.

With the Empire shaking, the central ministries were similarly destabilized.

The Inspection Department couldn’t escape the confusion either, and as a result, the weakening grip of the Inspection Department allowed the Magic Tower to attempt to sell some magical tools to the South.

Of course, from the Tower’s perspective, these were merely trivial magical tools.

The problem was that these magical tools could be crucial resources if processed into weapons.

In an attempt to maximize profits, they tried to offset part of the resources from the South into magical tools, but the fact that the target was the enemy nation currently engaged in warfare was a significant issue.

Despite strict warnings against selling, the Magic Tower could not resist their greed, prompting the Chancellor to act upon receiving reports from the Inspection Department.

Winston determined that they had completely crossed the line.

“It feels like the right time to report to His Majesty.”

“Understood.”

When the Chancellor conveyed this notion personally, the aged attendant nodded in agreement.

They had known from earlier about the signs of the Tower trying to smuggle major magical tools to the South. Yet, they had waited until now due to Kariel’s Secret Plan.

Upon returning, he locked the front and entered the Emperor’s Palace.

Then, he activated a mechanism to create a passage leading underground and descended.

Soon, he arrived at the massive iron door built underground.

“It seems the time has come. Please inform His Majesty.”

-…Indeed.

Bowing his head to the small fireball guarding the door, it nodded and disappeared in front of the door.

Moments later, the gigantic door began to open.

Boom!

As the iron door swung open, what lay beyond was Kariel surrounded by numerous fireballs and controlling them.

As the fiery orbs, which filled the training ground, gradually sank into Kariel’s body until they disappeared, the attendant spoke up.

“Your Majesty.”

“Has the Magic Tower crossed the line?”

“It seems the Chancellor has made that judgment.”

Kariel’s expression distorted at the attendant’s report.

Ultimately, the event he had dreaded had come to pass.

“What of the Secret Plan?”

“It’s nearing completion.”

“It is time then.”

Kariel’s eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought of the moment he had been eagerly awaiting.

“Go ahead and gather the ministers in secret.”

“Yes! Your Majesty.”

As soon as he issued the command, the attendant rushed up as Kariel calmly organized his thoughts, slowly leaving the training ground.

At last, he was about to initiate the plan he had formulated.

The first step to fully seize control of the West Continent would start with subduing the Magic Tower.

As Kariel emerged from underground, he activated the mechanism.

Before him, the grand design he had cherished alone manifested.

Step 1

Dismantle the Magic Tower — Advance Magic Engineering and Industry — Expand the Middle Class — Dismantle the Class System

↓ Step 2

The Revolution of Iron — Split the Southern Kingdoms — Occupation or Subjugation of the Southern Kingdoms

↓ Step 3

Pressure the Holy Nation — Dominate the Continent — Unify

By just disrupting the solid class system, numerous oppressed individuals across each nation could become resistant factions.

Once they reached that stage, truly unifying the West Continent would be just a dream away.

“The Magic Tower, huh…”

Kariel bit his lips, contemplating the Magic Tower, which would serve as the first sacrifice to fulfill his grand dream.

Lost in thoughts gazing at the plan he had crafted for a long time, Kariel responded to the attendant’s call by activating the mechanism and stepping outside.

“I present myself before Your Majesty.”

Seeing the familiar faces of the Chancellor and the ministers after such a long time, their expressions brightened.

The stern superior had returned, but he was also the one who would put the insolent Magic Tower in its place.

“Is everything ready?”

“All is complete.”

With the Chancellor’s response, Kariel smiled and issued commands to his ministers.

“It’s time to show those insolent Tower folks their place. Begin.”

“We shall obey Your Majesty’s command!”

All the ministers, without exception, knelt on one knee and, receiving Kariel’s orders, dispersed in unison.

As if they had been waiting for this moment, the ministers began attacking the Magic Tower everywhere.

The Tower, momentarily flustered by the sudden onslaught from the central ministries, soon began to resist, using the forces they had gathered.

As the Empire fell into chaos once again, a public newspaper was distributed in the Square.

“His Majesty has returned!”

 

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