< The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire >

25. The Game of Perception! (4)

Thus, Kariel headed east to achieve what can be read as securing a conflict zone, but is actually about securing a personal resort.

Could it be that the Great Army is on the move?

It took just a few days for this news to spread across the West Continent.

Naturally, the Holy Nation and Talos, who had acted first, were now in a frenzy.

Contrary to what they expected, the Behemoths were dealt with swiftly, making them rush.

Meanwhile, the Principality showed a relieved expression.

The Imperial Army in the East was striking at the Undead’s rear, easing the defenses, while the unpredictable Holy Nation and Talos were also being kept in check by the advancing Imperial main force.

“Disaster has been averted.”

At the Crown Prince’s words, the nearby knights wore gloomy expressions.

They couldn’t help but shed tears at the proud Principality now being in a state worse than a Small Nation.

“The three nations are coming to consume the Principality. Which side shall we align with?”

The Crown Prince asked the nobles with a bittersweet smile, but everyone collectively turned away, avoiding his gaze.

Seeing the nobles lose their pride, the Crown Prince signaled for them to step back and quietly walked towards the city walls.

There were traces of many soldiers who had lost their lives fighting the Undead scattered all over the walls.

“Your Highness.”

“I see you’ve arrived.”

As the fully armed princess ascended the wall, the Crown Prince let out a bittersweet smile.

The princess had only concentrated on internal affairs.

Having lost her mother at a young age, the princess, raised with great care, now wielded a spear.

The spear techniques that once were only for safeguarding herself were now used to cleave down Undead, contributing to the defense of the Principality’s fortress.

Seeing the princess like that, the Crown Prince solemnly asked, “……I must ask one last time. Will you have no regrets?”

Understanding what the Crown Prince was implying, the princess quietly bowed her head and replied.

“For the Principality, I would gladly sacrifice my life without a second thought.”

At her words, the Crown Prince clicked his tongue.

“Tch! Just speak candidly.”

“Fufu~.”

The Crown Prince sighed as he watched the princess’ strange smile.

“They say raising daughters is useless….”

Recently, a letter arrived from the Empire to the Principality.

It was about an engagement between the princess and the First Prince. The Crown Prince intended to tear it up and outright refuse.

How could he allow his daughter, known as the second most beautiful in the Principality, to be taken away?!

But as he was filled with rage that was absolutely unaccepting, the princess quietly entered the room.

“If it’s for the Principality, I would even throw myself into a fire. Please, only think of the Principality.”

With a noble will that reflected the pride of knights, the princess demonstrated her resolve.

Upon seeing this, the Crown Prince tried to hold back tears but could only tilt his head in confusion.

There was an inexplicable glimmer of expectation in the princess’s eyes.

The strange blush on her cheeks was just like her expression when she received rare items from the East Continent.

At that moment, the Crown Prince recalled a truth he didn’t want to face.

He remembered the princess looking at the First Prince with admiration during the Continental Conference.

As this unpleasant reminiscence ended, the Crown Prince furrowed his brow.

“Do you hold the First Prince in such high regard?”

Seeing his daughter blush instead of answering his question made the Crown Prince grit his teeth.

What had he raised her for if she was so easily charmed away?!

“If you marry the First Prince, he is likely to become the next Crown Prince.”

“I don’t care.”

At the princess’s answer, the Crown Prince let out a sigh.

The princess, who had once been a strong candidate for the next Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince had deliberately refrained from having other children for her sake.

Yet, the position he had protected was suddenly on the verge of being handed over to the Empire.

The First Prince’s identity was already a burden, but his skills were exceptional.

Moreover, he was known as a hero of the Empire, which left the Crown Prince with no choice but to sigh.

“……Let’s just observe for now. The First Prince will be coming to the Principality… to see what demands he might have… And…”

“Whether he’s a worthy man to give my daughter to.”

Gritting his teeth, the Crown Prince swallowed his last words and gazed beyond the walls.

It seemed the Undead Legion was preparing to charge again, writhing in immense numbers.

As the sun set, soldiers were moving busily to prepare for the war that was about to begin.

Although the situation had improved, the war was far from over.

While the Principality’s nobles acted as if the war was already concluded, the Crown Prince had a nagging feeling that it was not the end.

‘Something feels off…’

*

Was the Crown Prince’s instinct correct?

The worst scenario for the Principality had occurred.

“Commander! Dark Mages have appeared behind the fortress!”

At the report from the lieutenant, Marquis Chardonnay frowned prettily.

“What do you mean?”

As Marquis Chardonnay questioned, a strange aura began to emanate.

Was the Leader of Dark Mages appearing, perhaps?

A tremendous power of dark magic began to envelop the fortress, known as the Iron Wall, a challenge even for her to guarantee victory over.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Marquis Chardonnay unleashed her spirit, slicing through the dark magic’s waves.

However, that was not the end of the unfolding situation.

“Repugnant Roman scum…”

The army of Romans, disguised as bandits, created a gigantic blue sword.

One of the many Masters from Roman she had clashed with before now revealed themselves.

‘Today is the day I die.’

Marquis Chardonnay thought to herself as she gripped her sword tightly.

“Everyone, raise your weapons! We will resist until the end! Do not forget the pride of the Principality!”

At her cry, all the forces raised their weapons in unison.

They too were beginning to feel it through their skins.

That the iron wall, which they had endured so far, was on the verge of crumbling under the immense power surrounding them.

But since their commander, who was their hero and goddess, had prepared to give her life, it was only right that they followed her lead.

“We will die here today!”

“Woahhhh!”

Despite the grim premonition of death, the soldiers of the Principality cheered.

Tears streamed down Marquis Chardonnay’s face at the sight of her soldiers.

She unleashed her aura.

The powerful aura that had enabled her to become a Master spread throughout the fortress, creating a steel-like barrier.

“Come on! I will take at least one of you to hell with me!”

At the moment Marquis Chardonnay resolved to fight with all her might, the Dark Mages and Roman forces began pounding at the Iron Wall from both sides.

Although she was known as the best at defense on the continent, even Marquis Chardonnay couldn’t hope to face two Masters simultaneously.

Thus, tiny cracks began to form in her once steel-like barrier.

“Block them!”

“Stop the enemies!”

The soldiers of the Principality strained with all their might to support the valiant Marquis Chardonnay.

But the overwhelming difference in numbers and power was an unavoidable factor.

Soon enough, one of the walls of the Iron Wall crumbled, allowing Roman forces to pour in and Undead Mages attacking from behind to swarm in.

That marked the turning point, and soon the Iron Wall shattered under the pressure.

“Finally, I shall end your life with my own hands.”

“……”

Before the breached wall stood a Master from the East Continent, who had clashed with her countless times.

Beside him stood a wizard in a black robe, leisurely looking down at Chardonnay.

“Are you the Leader of Dark Mages?”

At Chardonnay’s question, the dark-robed wizard nodded slightly.

After a long time of staring at her, the Dark Mage placed a hand on his heart, as if to pay respect.

“……It is an honor to witness the last moments of the Iron Wall.”

Faced with the Dark Mage’s words, which seemed to confirm her doom, Chardonnay could only bite her lips at the undeniable reality.

What she could do now was to take at least one arm from the Roman Master with her.

“Take even an arm to hell with you!”

“Arrogant wretch!”

At the moment the Roman Master lunged at Chardonnay with a furious expression, the Dark Mage conjured a massive black orb in the sky.

While Chardonnay battled the Roman, he intended to conclude it with high magic.

Just then—

“Guh!”

In a sudden turn, the huge sword flew toward the Dark Mage, who hastily created a magical barrier.

But it seemed the barrier hastily built couldn’t fully seal the blow, as he sustained severe injuries.

“Unfortunate, I had thought to end this in one strike… Good enough, considering you’re the leader who has brought the West Continent to its knees.”

With a relaxed expression, one man stepped into the Iron Wall.

Behind him, knights who had been hiding their power began to reveal themselves all at once.

“I shall take care of the Dark Mages.”

“Yes.”

The Young Duke of the Grand Duke Family, known as the next Master, bowed his head as he led the knights to pursue the Dark Mages fleeing to the East Continent.

Seeing this, the Roman Master gasped in shock.

“A Master from the Empire?”

“Roman’s Master, right? Pleased to meet you. I am Achelio.”

Presenting himself succinctly, Achelio cast a cold glance at the Dark Mage floating in the air.

“The Commander of the Imperial Palace Knights has come here? In this madness…”

While the Roman Master was astonished, the Dark Mage quickly grasped the situation.

“They send a guardian to protect the Imperial Palace… Quite bold.”

The Dark Mage’s faction had seemingly planned to incite chaos within the Empire to prevent the Empire from sending Masters.

Yet the royal family had only entrusted the problem to Duke Devir and sent the Commander of the Imperial Palace Knights here.

In a usual Empire, this would have been unthinkable.

With Wolksher and Devir, it was almost impossible to send the Commander of the Imperial Palace Knights out.

But under the current Empire, it was possible.

“……Another First Prince, is it?”

“How sacrilegious. He is not a being that a lowly wretch like you can speak of freely.”

As Achelio spoke, he swung his huge sword.

But the Dark Mage, who had been ready, perfectly evaded this time and fell back.

“Master! We will buy you some time!”

“Calling yourself a Master…”

Achelio scoffed as he pursued the retreating Dark Mage, specifically the Dark Master.

The vile energy he felt when blocking his sword was not only dark magic but the energy of a Demon, thus he cast even the slightest respect for those who had reached the level of Sorcerer out the window.

The heights of Sorcery achieved by contracting with Demons were not worthy of any respect.

“Today, the Dark Mages will be exterminated on this very spot. So you do your part.”

“……Thank you for your assistance.”

“We will only deal with the Empire’s enemies. On the contrary, I appreciate you allowing us to fight within the Iron Wall.”

With a bright smile, Achelio began to move, chasing after the Dark Master.

In the meantime, Marquis Chardonnay created a wall of iron, pointing her sword at the Roman Master. Upon seeing the perfectly formed barrier again, the Roman Master wore a weary expression.

Having been blocked by that wretched wall so many times, he often found himself in draws.

“Again! Will I be blocked again?!”

With a look of despair, the Roman Master exerted all his efforts to create an aura blade.

Even with a massive sword swung with all his strength, there wasn’t even a scratch on the magical barrier. He instinctively knew he wouldn’t be able to break this damned iron wall again.

*

As the Roman Master was ensnared by Chardonnay, the Dark Mages were suffering immense losses at the hands of the knights of the Grand Duke Family and Achelio.

“Push back the enemies!”

“The Iron Wall will endure forever!”

The soldiers of the Principality, fired up with spirit, shouted as they began to drive the Roman soldiers who had entered through the crumbled wall back.

Thus, the Roman soldiers who had invaded began to retreat.

As a result, the Roman Master had no choice but to fall back as well, and the forces of the Principality and Empire succeeded in completely driving the intruders back beyond the broken wall.

“I wish to pursue the Dark Mages further.”

“The Principality will assist.”

At Achelio’s words, Chardonnay commanded her forces to chase after the Dark Mages who were also their enemies.

At the same time, she ordered that the current situation be reported to the Crown Prince.

*

Just as the two Masters began to chase the retreating enemies, the Crown Prince, who had been in battle with the Undead Legion, received this news.

“The Iron Wall has been breached?”

“Hao na, but the Empire’s Master and knights have arrived and successfully held them off! They are currently pursuing the enemies!”

“Huh… the Empire?”

While the Crown Prince was taken aback, another piece of news came in.

“The Empire has occupied the disputed region of Aysarman. However, something feels odd.”

“What seems odd about it?”

The Crown Prince frowned slightly, as he had already known the Empire was targeting the disputed regions, so he was only mildly displeased.

But upon hearing the next report, he tilted his head in confusion.

“They declared that they would protect the regions under the Principality?”

The Empire’s army occupied only the regions that Talos had claimed, proclaiming they would protect the principal areas of the Principality in Aysarman.

“They said the Empire is moving to protect peace from the wolves that are eyeing the Principality in its moment of crisis.”

“What nonsense…”

“Your Highness! The First Prince has commanded the Holy Nation and Talos’s armies to drive out from the Principality. Additionally, they have declared they will also withdraw from the Principality’s territory once the Undead Legion is exterminated!”

With every report that followed, the Crown Prince’s eyes began to quiver.

He was at a complete loss regarding how this situation had arisen.

Yet, the faces of the knights nearby began to show a budding fondness for the Empire’s army.