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Chapter 31: The Crown Prince Wants to Retire

“On the very day the First Prince returns to the capital, not only does he shock us by becoming the Crown Prince, but he also receives the Emperor’s authority.”

But wait, the first order he gives with that immense power is to set the main enemy.

As always, just because there’s an enemy doesn’t mean we can immediately march out with the troops to crush them.

First, we need to deal with those sneaky rats hiding inside.

To manage that, everyone sprang into action swiftly.

It all started with the upper echelon in the capital.

“Why are you doing this all of a sudden…?”

“It’s the Crown Prince’s command.”

The Inspection Department barged in unexpectedly.

As they began to raid the factions they’d been suspicious of, the Security Brigade also turned a blind eye to the organizations they’d been ignoring.

These were areas connected to the revolutionary group known as ‘Deriel,’ which couldn’t be touched until now.

Kariel had commanded that they be handled ‘personally.’

As a result, everyone in the capital began to feel emotions they hadn’t experienced in a while.

“I think we’ve made a blunder.”

“Ugh… Was bringing back His Highness the Crown Prince the right decision…?”

The nobles who had agreed to rehabilitate Kariel as Crown Prince to calm the confused Empire were now starting to regret that decision. The Crown Prince they had once seen as a soft target was now back, eyes blazing, ready to sweep away the Emperor’s faction.

Consequently, all the plans the Noble Assembly had previously made went up in smoke.

Initially, the atmosphere in the assembly had hoped that once Kariel returned, they could mess with the rights of the nobles again.

They had thought to manipulate him using the criminals and revolutionary forces as leverage.

But now, the situation had shifted entirely.

They had to check among the merchants associated with them to see if any were trading with the small nations.

Blood Prince!

That name, which had faded from their minds after Kariel left the capital, began to resurface.

And so, the nobles began to divide.

The Central Nobles, who understood how frightening it was that Kariel held the justification, began to step back, while the Eastern and Northern Nobles fell silent, and the Western Nobles pretended to watch from the sidelines.

It didn’t concern them directly.

Only the Southern Nobles were rushing around like their feet were on fire.

As everyone bustled about, Kariel headed towards the Crown Prince’s Palace.

“Did you enjoy yourself while I was away?”

All the Imperial Guards who had been diligently researching in what was now officially the Crown Prince’s Palace gathered together.

Though they had received intermittent reports while he was in the East, they had been quite busy working hard.

“Being ordered around right after you return, huh?”

As Arshuna grumbled, everyone nodded in agreement.

“We need to pay our dues. The results haven’t matched the expenses at all.”

At Kariel’s blunt remark, they all coughed awkwardly and looked away.

“And being cooped up in the palace must have left you stiff. Time to stretch a bit.”

With that, Kariel handed the entire Imperial Guard a badge containing the authority to lead the Imperial Palace Knights.

“You’ll have the authority to lead one squad of Imperial Palace Knights and one unit of the Central Army. Go and smash them.”

“Yes!”

Following Kariel’s orders, the very Imperial Guards who had once made him the Blood Prince began to mobilize.

Panic finally struck the nobles who had hesitated until the end. Newspapers across the board reported the Blood Prince’s return, heralding a storm of bloodshed.

Inside the Imperial Palace, too, Kariel’s fierce gaze couldn’t be avoided.

He quickly summoned all the ministers working in various departments to the Crown Prince’s Palace.

“I intend to reorganize the Intelligence Department.”

“When you say reorganize…?”

The Minister of Military cautiously asked, and Kariel tossed them a plan.

“I’m thinking of appointing Talion as the new head of the Intelligence Department. At the same time, I plan to merge most of the shadow units directly under the palace into the Intelligence Department’s special forces. The existing special forces will handle external matters, while the shadows will focus on the Empire’s internal affairs.”

He was combining organizations created amid the rivalry between the royals and nobles.

“Your Highness, does His Majesty permit this?”

“I already asked His Majesty, and he said to do as I see fit.”

“W-well then…”

“I know it won’t be easy, but it’s necessary. Each department gathers intelligence separately, which consumes a ridiculous amount of time. Plus, with the insufficient manpower, dozens of people are submitting the same information.”

As Kariel spoke with a visibly irritated expression, everyone bowed their heads.

Yet the Minister of Military still wore a worried look.

To ease the Minister’s concerns, Kariel continued.

“I have no intention of meddling with the military. But the Intelligence Department must be unified.”

“…Understood.”

“I also plan to identify and utilize some Intelligence Department agents in the Inspection and Security Departments to reduce unnecessary time wasting.”

In other words, from now on, everything related to information would be entrusted entirely to the Intelligence Department.

And the haphazardly constructed network of information, born from the various factions, would be consolidated into the reorganized Intelligence Department.

“Additionally, the military should establish special forces linked directly to each command.”

“…Will that be feasible?”

“It has to be. With the current chaos, we can’t even properly suppress a small nation’s alliance.”

As Kariel clicked his tongue, the ministers bowed their heads.

None of them had anything to argue.

Failing to suppress the rebel forces was understandable; after all, there was a chance the rebels might be the Emperor’s child, involving multiple issues.

Though claiming he wasn’t the Emperor’s child had made it awkward to act until Kariel returned, deliberately stalling.

But what about the small nations’ alliance?

Even with the backup of the Southern powers, that was all. If they had marshaled a massive army and struck first, it would have been swiftly annihilated.

However, each department had its own situation to consider, and dealing with their concerns meant dragging things out as the two princes tried to accommodate everyone’s needs.

“There’s no reconsideration for the Intelligence Department. Remember that.”

“…Yes.”

Kariel, having firmly established his stance, spoke to the concerned ministers.

“I don’t intend to create more chaos right now. The top priority is to crush the small nations’ alliance while also suppressing the rebel forces.”

With that said, Kariel moved swiftly to reorganize the Intelligence Department.

Simultaneously, he directed the Inspection and Security Departments to capture the insurgent forces hiding within the capital.

Spotting the slightest gap, they rooted out every last rat lurking around, stabilizing the center.

Now all that was left was to go out and personally exterminate the pests.

Once Kariel felt that the internal situation had been sufficiently stabilized, he promptly convened a Grand Council Meeting.

Summoning all the Counts still present in the capital, Kariel sat cross-legged on the throne, resting his chin on the armrest.

“Ugh… Honestly, I’m disappointed.”

After officially becoming the Crown Prince and gathering all the major nobles, Kariel bared his thoughts openly.

Sighing, when he clicked his tongue, the two princes standing in the front row bowed their heads.

“Handling matters piece by piece only drags it all out. Well, I can understand the younger ones, as they’re still young.”

Kariel shot a pointed look at the two princes before glaring at the ministers.

“However, for those who should know better…”

As his face twisted in anger, the nobles quickly averted their eyes, bowing their heads.

“Ugh… I’ll let it slide, as I understand it’s a complex situation, but now that it’s time to take care of things, let’s get to it.”

With that, Kariel rose from his seat and called the Counts.

“Marquis Sicario, from now on, ensure that the Holy Nation cannot mess around within the Empire.”

“I will do as you command.”

“Even those referred to as wandering priests! Is that understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Marquis Sicario nodded, Kariel turned his gaze to the Count of the West.

“Marquis Mikel.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Make certain to stabilize the security in the West in close ‘cooperation’ with Iron.”

Mikel, having grasped the implication behind Kariel’s words, silently lowered his head.

Officially, it was ‘cooperation,’ but the real meaning was to warn Iron not to make any foolish moves.

To express such a meaning in a public setting like the Grand Council Meeting was practically a warning that said, “I know what you’re all up to, so be careful!”

“Now only the South remains.”

Kariel then turned his gaze to the two Counts.

“Count Lokan.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Do you think you can prevent the two southern kingdoms if you work with the Eastern Army?”

Count Lokan Versailles fell into thought, unable to immediately answer Kariel’s question.

“…I won’t be able to stop them. However, I might be able to buy time until everything is over.”

At Lokan’s words, Kariel nodded.

I figured if the renowned general, Baron Lokan Versailles, along with the best knight order in the Empire, the Eastern Army, teamed up, they could buy some time.

Since Baron Lokan, known for his honesty, had said he could hold out until the end, there was nothing left but to tidy up the chaotic Empire.

“Marquis Nofel, advance the Eastern Army to the conflict zones. We must pressure Talos’s First Sword to lead the troops directly.”

“I will do as you command.”

“Baron Lokan, you too, ensure that the main forces of Rotheon are deployed to the border regions.”

“Yes! Your Highness.”

After giving clear orders to the two Counts, Kariel thought only about letting them manage their own affairs.

“All that remains are the small nations’ alliance and the rebel forces.”

With that, Kariel gazed at the leaders of the Aristocratic Faction.

“Duke Devir.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Can I interpret your summoning me back to the palace as a sign that you’re prepared to bear some losses?”

“Just give the command.”

“Duke Welch, what about you?”

“I share the same sentiment.”

As the two Dukes bowed their heads and spoke, Kariel nodded slightly.

“Duke Devir, I grant you the authority to command two legions of the Central Army. Likewise, Duke Welch, I grant you the same authority.”

“Your Highness! If you send away two legions of the Central Army, the capital will be endangered!”

The Minister of Military spoke with a pale face, and other nobles began to murmur.

Four legions in total. It was practically equivalent to most of the Central Army being siphoned away.

Aside from the legions designated for the defense of the capital, it would only consist of dregs. Even if they were gathered, they could barely form one complete legion.

“There are legions designated for defending the capital. And there are also units directly under the palace, so what’s there to fear?”

At Kariel’s words, the Minister of Military opened his mouth, unable to say anything. Naturally, the nobles fell silent as well.

Though theoretically correct, that argument remained valid.

There was an elite legion left, plus the dregs could make up almost a legion. Additionally, the palace units would still protect the capital, so it remained fundamentally safe.

But in the presence of ‘what if’ situations, nobles couldn’t help but feel anxious.

“Did you intend to suppress the enemies without such resolve?”

Kariel said, frowning.

Their griping about keeping the military for their safety was getting them nowhere.

That’s exactly why the Holy Nation and the southern kingdoms kept crossing the line.

“Summoning me back to this position surely means you wish for me to resolve this crisis.”

Kariel spoke as if to say there would be no rebuttals.

He gazed once more at the two Dukes.

“I’m giving both Dukes four legions of support. All that remains is for the nobles to come together. Is that possible?”

“We’ll fill any missing troops ourselves.”

At Duke Devir’s answer, Kariel smiled with satisfaction and nodded.

“Good. Then Duke Devir will handle the small nations’ alliance, and Duke Welch will suppress the rebel forces. Each will take charge of two legions of the Central Army for their younger brothers.”

The forces of each faction would be commanded directly by the Dukes, with the Central Army providing support to the princes as a means of decentralizing authority.

It wouldn’t do to let the leaders of the Aristocratic Faction command the Central Army outright.

The expressions of the Neutral Faction nobles, previously uncomfortable, softened. As the core military faction, they had been secretly displeased with the thought of being led by the two Dukes.

“The timeframe is two months. Is that achievable?”

“I’ll return in that timeframe.”

Duke Welch spoke confidently.

Then Duke Devir also bowed and said.

“I will shatter the allied forces and deliver news of victory within a month.”

As the contest of pride between the two Dukes commenced, Kariel nodded with a satisfied expression.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

This time, he scanned the faces of the ministers and nobles to ensure they wouldn’t disappoint him and then exited the meeting boldly, exuding a fierce momentum.

Before long, the expedition to wipe out the enemies was underway.

Each Count moved quickly to their respective command centers to block surrounding nations, while the two Dukes and the two Princes departed the capital with two armies.

At that moment, the Empire Citizens, believing in Derek as ‘Prince Deriel,’ began to rebel.

In response, Talion, newly appointed head of the reorganized Intelligence Department, commenced his first mission.

“Your Highness, is this really alright?”

“It’s best to do things for certain in this case.”

“Yet the authority of the royal family…”

As Talion expressed concern, Kariel smiled slightly.

“The royal family’s image is already a mess. Adding some filth won’t change anything.”

There was an easy way to define Derek completely as a rebel, and there was no need to go back.

With resolute determination, Kariel watched as Talion sighed and lowered his head before stepping outside.

In the reorganized Intelligence Department, Talion stood for the first time in an official capacity.

“The leader of the rebel forces, Derek, is not the child of His Majesty.”

At Talion’s words, the nobles and reporters present collectively held their breath, waiting for what he would say next.

Surely, they hadn’t gathered everyone here just to hear this.

“However… he is of royal blood.”

As Talion uttered that, he wore an expression that seemed to ask if he really had to make this announcement.

After pondering at length, Talion finally spoke in a trembling voice.

“His identity is that of a bastard born between the Empress and the Head of Belphus.”

 

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