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Crown Prince’s Desire for Retirement

“That’s right! I want to retire!”

27. Starting the YOLO Life! (2)

Even though most of the Dark Mages lurking in the West Continent had crossed over to the East Continent, the aftermath of their presence was still causing turmoil across all the kingdoms on the continent.

Particularly for the Empire, things were so hectic that they had to worry about threats both within and outside.

“Everyone seems busy.”

As Kariel dined with Talion, everyone coughed awkwardly.

Since leaving the palace, he had been dining with attendants and knights, but he was not just stopping there; he also participated in some leisure activities.

That’s why he felt uneasy, which led to everyone clearing their throats.

“It seems the Dark Mages are tenacious. Especially the remnants of Belphus seem quite serious.”

Kariel nodded slightly at Talion’s report.

“They must have been operating in the shadows for a long time.”

It was no wonder that dealing with the beings that tormented him in his previous life wouldn’t be easy.

Among all the experiences he had after becoming Emperor, the most horrific ones weren’t the invasions from the Demon King or the Romans.

It was the rebellions and invasions from neighboring nations.

So, capturing Belphus, suspected to be the root cause of these incidents, couldn’t possibly be a straightforward task. He didn’t even know in his previous life that Belphus was colluding with the Dark Mages.

‘It just means that the Empire was rotting… still, it’s annoying.’

He had suspected it at one point, but then they had simply gone silent, and he stopped worrying when they were reported as exterminated.

There was so much chaos and so many incidents that he hadn’t had the time to worry about that.

However, looking back now, there were several suspicious points.

“Don’t rush to suppress them.”

“Yes. The Central authorities are also securing safe areas step by step.”

Their plan was to perfect the security in one area at a time while simultaneously suppressing the rebellions that erupted all at once.

At the same time, they were deploying Shadows and Special Forces to gather evidence of foreign intervention.

“Well… I guess they’ll handle it well enough.”

Kariel decided to focus on his meal, knowing that pondering over it further wouldn’t yield any answers.

Then Talion let out a small sigh.

He hesitantly brought it up, but it seemed he had no intention of returning.

“By the way, still no word from Talos?”

“Yes.”

Talion nodded in response to Kariel’s question, which made Kariel tilt his head in surprise.

No matter how much they provoked them with their prestigious lineage, it was only natural that Talos would feel uncomfortable.

So, he had thought they would at least send a letter of protest.

“That’s strange?”

“It seems they’re proceeding with a strategy that thoroughly ignores Your Highness.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

As Talion explained the operations that Talos seemed to be conducting, it turned out to include:

1. Secretly supporting small nations.

2. Financially aiding the Criminal Organization.

3. Covertly contacting and cooperating with the rebel forces within the Empire.

All of it was a scheme to shake the Empire.

Not only Talos, but Rotheon was also participating in this scheme.

Then what about the Holy Nation?

They weren’t remaining idle either.

Unlike the Southern Alliance, they were acting legitimately without any underhanded dealings.

Their strongest suit was their missionary work.

They aimed to penetrate the feelings of those affected by the continuous wars and subtly incite resentment toward the Empire.

Since they weren’t breaking the law, it would be difficult to arrest them, and because they weren’t priests affiliated with the Holy Nation, it was hard to expel them.

Originally, the Holy Nation wouldn’t have acknowledged any priests serving gods other than the Sun God, but they had no choice given the urgency of the situation.

“This is interesting.”

Kariel chuckled amusedly.

Talos, Rotheon, and the Holy Nation were all maneuvering while deliberately excluding Kariel.

As a result, the Principality remained peaceful.

They avoided eye contact with the East entirely, focusing all their efforts on tormenting the Empire.

“Their envoys must be wailing.”

“…That’s probably the case.”

Kariel smiled with interest at Talion’s reply.

The future had now drastically changed from his previous life. Around this time in his previous life, the noble factions would have been uniting to pressure the Emperor faction.

But now, the Emperor faction had vanished, and the noble factions were fragmented.

And there hadn’t been internal strife. Instead, a power struggle was occurring between the Empire and foreign nations.

“Anything else?”

“Yes. It seems the Southern Alliance and the Holy Nation secretly held a meeting.”

“They did that last time.”

“This time it’s not just that. They’re apparently meeting regularly and planning something.”

Talion spoke while retrieving a report wrapped in a black envelope.

Kariel’s expression hardened at the revelation of this top-secret information.

Looking through a document that only a select few could view within the Empire, Kariel furrowed his brows.

“Why are you showing me this?”

There must be a reason the Central authorities were sharing this top-secret information with him.

“…They hope you can put more pressure on Talos.”

“If we push more, it’s going to be war. You know that, right?”

Talion nodded slightly at Kariel’s words and lowered his head.

The way he held his tongue as though the decision rested solely on him made Kariel let out a deep sigh.

“How long has it been since I retired, yet I’m still getting stuff like this sent to me!”

Kariel threw the report in frustration, holding his head.

“The Empire is that troubled.”

“I’ve done enough already. If I’ve set the stage for them, they need to manage themselves. How long do I have to spoon-feed them?”

“Cough!”

When Kariel glared at Talion, he quickly turned his head away.

The others also focused on their food, avoiding Kariel’s sharp gaze.

“Phew…”

Calming his excitement, Kariel pondered deeply.

“Are they trying to exploit the chaos within the Empire from the small nations and the rebel forces?”

“That seems highly likely.”

“Do they intend to wage war against the Empire?”

Kariel muttered as he narrowed his eyes.

A war against the Empire.

Without a doubt, it would be a challenging decision for both the Southern Alliance and the Holy Nation.

With the Empire having formed an alliance with Iron and the Principality, the chances of victory would be extremely slim.

“Bring it back to me.”

“Yes!”

Talion hurriedly retrieved the fallen report and handed it back to Kariel.

As Kariel unfolded the crumpled report and began to read, he tilted his head in confusion.

“What are they banking on to do this?”

He mumbled while frowning.

‘Belphus? No matter how they are, they shouldn’t have the resources anymore… Are they trying to bind the Principality with the Romans? But still, the odds are low.’

Kariel tilted his head, trying to comprehend.

Where was the weakest link in the Empire right now?

The nobles?

But it appeared the current Empire was tightly knit with various factions.

It was divided into two factions of princes, while the neutral faction was united with the intent of making the Empire great.

‘I wonder about Iron?’

That was the only place that came to mind right now.

Even though they were said to be allied, it was not as firmly bound as the Principality.

Even considering that, it didn’t add up.

No matter how crafty the merchants were, they knew very well what would happen the moment they lost their integrity.

Having decided to align with the Empire, they could not betray it.

“Wait.”

Kariel tilted his head.

“What exactly are the contents of the treaty between the Empire and Iron?”

At Kariel’s question, Talion tilted his head, as if he didn’t know.

“Send a request to Central for the contents of the treaty.”

“Yes.”

As Talion bowed and hurried away, Kariel fell deep into thought.

If his assumptions were correct, Iron was pulling a fast one.

“Pulling a fast one, huh…”

Kariel’s expression hardened.

Given that the Iron Alliance was a nation formed by merchants, they had a sly nature.

If they had specified a period and required renewal, then once that time passed, officially Iron would hold no blame.

Considering their agreement made in the Continental Conference, it must be related to the Dark Mages.

‘If the renewal depends on driving out the Dark Mages…’

Kariel thought with a serious expression.

At the moment the rebel forces within the Empire were subdued, if all three nations attacked the Empire at once, and if Iron were to betray or maintain neutrality in that situation, then the Empire would find itself in a tough spot.

Talos, having frequent trade with the East Continent, might secretly establish an agreement with the Romans as well.

Which in turn meant the Principality would also be bound to the Romans.

Of course, such a scenario didn’t really make sense.

Betraying shortly after forming an alliance would tarnish their national prestige.

But what if Iron felt a sense of crisis regarding the growth of the Empire to the extent that they would consider that?

“Merchants are untrustworthy.”

Thinking back to his previous life tightened Kariel’s jaws.

He recalled the moments when they had wronged him in his immature days, and even now it sent shivers down his spine.

They were filthy creatures who profited by stabbing the Empire when it was in a weak spot.

So, he also couldn’t fully trust them this time.

“In the end, is a large-scale war going to break out?”

Kariel muttered softly, frowning deeply.

Even though it was in a different form from his previous life, it seemed the West Continent was inevitably heading toward a large-scale war.

While Kariel was mired in these troubling thoughts, Talion rushed towards him in a hurry.

“Did you send it?”

“Yes. A copy of the treaty and report will arrive shortly.”

Nodding at Talion’s report, Kariel rubbed his head and took a sip of the herbal tea meant to refresh his mind.

“If… the situation worsens, are you considering returning?”

“…I don’t know. We should confirm first.”

Kariel looked coldly at the report before turning his gaze away.

If it came to a point where there was no choice, he would have to step in.

If all three nations invaded, and Iron broke the alliance, chaos would ensue. Should that happen, the factions divided into two would also feel the impact.

Before that occurs, he had to take action and keep things in balance.

“…It shouldn’t happen.”

No matter how crafty Iron was, they wouldn’t be so unprincipled.

More than anything, the current Empire was not that weak.

Even if things played out as predicted, it would be enough to block it before facing the worst situation.

“I guess I need to move a bit more proactively.”

“What do you mean by proactive…?”

At Talion’s cautious question, Kariel paused to think before speaking.

“Tell Central to send some funds.”

“Funds?”

“Yes. If they’re using the small nations to bother us, then we should do the same to them.”

At Kariel’s words, Talion tilted his head in confusion.

“They are supposedly using bandits to disrupt the Empire’s borders?”

“That’s right, but… surely?”

“Yes. Let’s use pirates.”

Kariel smiled as he spoke.

“The Southern Alliance and Rotheon’s weakness is maritime trade. If we poke that with pirates, they won’t be able to rampage like this.”

“Hmm… Will that be alright? The Empire has little to no contact with pirates.”

“Then we should get the Principality’s help.”

That’s what alliances are for.

The Principality had occupied Aysarman for some time, so they should have some connections with the pirates in this area.

If they could summon them and set the stage, they could smoothly orchestrate to strike the Southern Kingdoms from behind.

“I hear the Pirate Alliance of the Aisa Archipelago is vicious, right?”

Kariel said with a smile.

They were feared not just by the Southern Kingdoms but even by the Roman Empire in the East Continent.

If they could sweet-talk that lot, they would deliver a powerful blow.

“It’s a letter to the Prince of the Empire. And this one is for the Inspection Department.”

“Why the Inspection Department…?”

“Are we just going to leave the Holy Nation be?”

“Ah….”

Talion nodded slightly at Kariel’s words.

“If we shake these guys down, there should at least be some dust coming out. Tell them to shake them down thoroughly.”

“Got it!”

Commanding Talion to shake down the wandering priests, Kariel gritted his teeth.

“How dare they disrupt my peace?”

Kariel had intended to resolve things amicably with the Southern Kingdoms, but it seemed he would have to bring out the club against these folks.

 

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