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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

32. The Blood Prince Unsheathes His Sword! (4)

He had become the Emperor he so desperately wanted to avoid.

Though unofficial, with all authority transferred, he was no different from the Emperor.

Feeling that the hardships endured were now meaningless, Kariel looked up at the sky with a dazed expression, while Talion secretly commanded the Shadows to gather the Chancellor and the ministers.

Then he turned his gaze back to Kariel.

“Your Maj….”

“It’s unofficial anyway.”

“Uh-hem! Your Highness, I have contacted the ministers and the Chancellor. Let’s head to the Crown Prince’s Palace.”

Just as the words “Your Majesty” were about to slip out, Talion corrected himself under Kariel’s glare.

Kariel shook his head.

“I can’t even be bothered to move. Just tell them to come here.”

“It’s chilly.”

Despite Talion’s worried words, Kariel gazed up at the night sky, seemingly devoid of strength to walk.

In response, Talion sighed and commanded a nearby attendant to bring a thick overcoat and drape it over Kariel.

As the two waited numbly in the slightly chilly night air, the ministers started to arrive one by one at the Emperor’s Palace.

Last to arrive was the elderly Chancellor.

“Your Highness? What are you doing here…?”

Winston tilted his head, observing the ministers sitting on the floor around Kariel, who sat on the stairs.

“I called you here because I have something to tell you. Everyone, have a seat.”

At Kariel’s orders, Chancellor Winston sat down on the floor, looking quite flustered.

The quick-witted Talion placed cushions on the ground for them, which Winston cautiously sat upon as he inquired.

“Is there a matter of concern for Your Majesty…?”

Kariel silently showed them what he was holding in his hand.

Upon seeing it, the eyes of the ministers and Winston widened in shock.

“It seems that Your Majesty may struggle to last fifteen days.”

Upon hearing Kariel’s words, Winston and the ministers began to sweat.

Time was too tight.

“There isn’t enough time to persuade the Noble Assembly.”

Winston’s words prompted other ministers to nod in agreement.

Of course, it could be done. However, there would undoubtedly be consequences afterward.

Perhaps Kariel could use this as leverage to challenge his future plans.

In fact, this was precisely what worried both the Chancellor and Kariel.

“Inspection Department.”

Kariel, appearing bored with the explanation, called the Inspection Department to come and elaborate.

An elderly attendant approached quietly and began to speak to the ministers and the Chancellor.

What the current Emperor had prepared for the next Emperor.

These included not only the Will and the Emperor’s Ring but also preparations made to allow not even the slightest crack in legitimacy.

But these were merely side notes.

“Lastly… Your Highness.”

At the attendant’s address, Kariel let out a small sigh and drew up Fire Energy.

At that moment, a clear symbol appeared on Kariel’s forehead.

“Gasp! Surely… no!”

Winston’s expression was the first to show shock, soon followed by the other ministers, who looked on in awe.

“Can you manage the preparations?”

At Kariel’s question, the ministers and Winston all bowed their heads in unison.

Procedure? That was no longer necessary.

Even if he was a bastard child, if he had decided to become Emperor, it was certainly possible, especially now that he bore the symbol denoting him as the rightful heir—there was no way nobles would rebel against him.

“I will unveil the symbol last.”

When Kariel said this with a tired expression, the Chancellor and ministers tilted their heads in confusion.

It made little sense to reveal it after the fact when they could prepare to ascend the throne quickly.

“My sheath is still empty.”

With those words, Kariel stood up.

In that brief moment of staring at the night sky, his fatigue transformed into fury.

Since the sword he drew had yet to enter the sheath, he planned to use that anger to clean up the trash.

Witnessing the writhing crimson aura of fury, the ministers and the Chancellor gulped.

“If you’ve understood, proceed as quickly as possible. There’s no time.”

“Yes.”

In response to Kariel’s command, Winston bowed his head on behalf of the ministers, and they scattered hastily.

With the Emperor’s remaining time limited, everything had to be wrapped up before then.

However, perfect preparations were unnecessary.

With the most potent weapon in hand, they could push forward even if things were a bit lacking.

*

The very next day.

Public newspapers were distributed throughout the Empire’s plaza.

The Empire citizens and nobles, bustling to work, wore shocked expressions.

The hot-off-the-press morning paper contained alarming news.

“Your Majesty is in Critical Condition!”

The enormous headline sent everyone into a state of shock.

The content indicated that the Emperor was in such a state that death would not be surprising, and that the next Emperor would be Kariel.

That same day, the Chancellor announced the results of his meeting with the ministers.

“We have reached an agreement to crown the current Crown Prince, Kariel Friedrich von Blazer, as the next Emperor.”

The Chancellor’s announcement was met with backlash from the Noble Assembly.

They had made such a sudden declaration without consulting them at all.

Typically, such announcements would be made following discussions with the Noble Assembly to schedule them simultaneously.

Yet the central government had broken that custom.

“The Noble Assembly cannot accept this announcement!”

“Crown Prince is indeed excellent, but procedures must be followed!”

“We must obtain the consent of the Noble Assembly to ascend the throne legitimately!”

Of course, this was merely the surface of their discontent.

After finishing their discussion with Kariel, the Chancellor and the ministers immediately notified the Noble Assembly and explained their reasoning to the High Nobles.

To rapidly crown the next Emperor and stabilize the government.

However, the nobles opposed, citing tradition.

While they did not outright oppose Kariel becoming Emperor, they insisted on following procedures.

The logic was sound.

They weren’t against Crown Prince Kariel ascending to the throne; they just wished to maintain legitimacy through due process.

But they aimed to drag things out, wanting to extract concessions from Kariel.

1. To suppress Criminal Organizations and Revolutionary Forces.

2. To guarantee the rights of the nobility.

These two demands would be paramount.

Although the Empire faced a crisis that bestowed Kariel with great power, it also afforded the nobles a reason to negotiate with him.

Without the cooperation of the nobles, it would be difficult for the Empire to fully overcome this crisis, and that was precisely what they were targeting.

Knowing this well, the ministers and the Chancellor promptly stated their stance.

And Kariel also expressed his position.

“Though His Majesty has named me as the next Emperor, the Empire is currently in a state of crisis. All matters will be postponed until this turmoil has ended. However, since His Majesty can no longer govern, all authority from this moment shall be executed by me.”

With those words, Kariel revealed the Emperor’s seal and ring, officially demonstrating that the Emperor had transferred all his powers.

Given the Empire’s crisis, it was entirely understandable for the Crown Prince to hold all authority in place of his ailing father.

However, his insistence in the face of the nobles’ objections indicated that Kariel had no intention of negotiating, darkening the nobles’ expressions.

Even the neutral faction supporting Kariel participated in the Noble Assembly to condemn his unilateral actions.

“Your Highness, the Noble Assembly is here.”

Nodding in response to the attendant’s words, Kariel gestured for them to enter.

Then, after two Dukes and several major nobles exited, Count Kante, who led the Noble Assembly, stepped inside.

“Sit.”

At Kariel’s command, Count Kante cautiously took his seat.

“What brings you here?”

Knowing Kariel detested wasting time, Count Kante carefully conveyed the opinions of the Noble Assembly.

“To maintain the procedures, persuade the Noble Assembly. Isn’t that what this means?”

“That’s correct.”

Although a significant portion of the high-ranking nobles were absent, Count Kante presented a resolute expression as a representative.

Eyeing him directly, with the firmness evident in his eyes differing from his earlier nervousness, Kariel spoke.

“I don’t like to dance around matters, so I’ll be straightforward.”

Kariel handed a report to Count Kante.

“This is….”

“The current development speed and plans for Salem Port.”

As Count Kante slowly began reading the report, Kariel inquired.

“If we hadn’t brought them here, would we have been able to achieve this pace?”

“Umm…”

“And I believe we made a clear promise, didn’t we? I am only employing criminals and revolutionaries within the Salem Port, as promised.”

Kariel was fulfilling the promise to the letter.

Thus, the nobles felt more uneasy.

What would happen when this Crown Prince, who shows no signs of leaving any room for error, became Emperor?

That was why they sought to secure their safety, even at this time of crisis.

“However, the nobles are anxious.”

“Yet, shouldn’t you refrain from using the crisis to hinder negotiations?”

Kariel’s icy expression caused Count Kante’s expression to harden.

“The Noble Assembly has not wavered in its desire to support you, Your Highness.”

“What then?”

“We wish to crown you with legitimacy and according to procedure. We must hold the coronation in the presence of the highest Dukes, the Count of the Border, and several princes.”

“Didn’t I mention that?”

“It is unreasonable to wield full authority without a coronation ceremony.”

In response to Count Kante’s words, Kariel let out a chuckle.

In essence, it was a plea to allow matters to proceed only after consulting with them before the coronation.

There was an underlying intention to explore ways to protect the nobles’ rights and eliminate the revolutionary factions before the coronation took place.

Even now, while wielding immense authority, Kariel was pressuring the nobles. While it may benefit the Empire’s citizens, it restricted the nobles’ range of actions, prompting them to resist.

Of course, some nobles also harbored hidden ambitions to secure a place within Kariel’s regime.

Aware of this, Kariel spoke with a voice laced with derision.

“His Majesty directly transferred his authority to me. What further legitimacy is required?”

Count Kante bit his lip at Kariel’s question.

“While the imperial family may protect the Empire’s core, it remains unchanged that the nobles form a crucial pillar of its support. If you break customs formed over a long history, it could lead to problems later. Is that what you desire?”

“Are you referring to after the Dukes return?”

“……”

Seeing Count Kante fall silent, Kariel scoffed quietly.

No matter how friendly the two Dukes were towards Kariel, they wouldn’t tolerate a Crown Prince infringing upon the rights of the nobility.

There have been instances in the Empire’s long history where Emperors rose by forcefully suppressing the nobles’ dissent.

The results were never good.

Yet that was an issue that arose from a fixation on the throne.

It had nothing to do with Kariel.

Pulling him down? That would be even better.

Thus, without a hint of regret, Kariel smiled broadly.

“Do whatever you wish. If you win, I’ll comply with your demands without complaint.”

Kante left with an expression of frustration after Kariel’s mocking words.

*

Just half a day after Kante’s departure, the nobles’ backlash officially began.

They started to obstruct bureaucratic work at every turn, demanding that things proceed according to procedure.

However, Kariel mocked them, selectively capturing those nobles who opposed him. He used petty charges he had previously overlooked due to their noble status as grounds for their arrests.

In response, the remaining nobles, observing from the sidelines, felt a sense of indignation.

Kariel, who brought them down for trivial reasons, made them feel as though their authority was crumbling.

Eventually, the claims of the Noble Assembly turned into official agenda items for the Grand Council Meeting, and the meeting was formally held.

“There’s no need for long-winded discussions.”

As Kariel declared this, he summoned Talion.

“This is Your Majesty’s Will. It has already received the approval of the Counts of the Border and the ministers. The only thing left is the Noble Assembly.”

Several nobles furrowed their brows at Kariel’s words. They hadn’t expected even the Counts of the Border to agree.

Yet there was still a chance.

To achieve complete legitimacy, the Noble Assembly’s approval was still needed.

At that moment, a crimson aura began to emanate from Kariel’s body, accompanied by a distinct symbol appearing on his forehead.

“W-What is that!”

A noble gasped, eyes widening as they beheld the glowing symbol on Kariel’s head.

In that instant, the Chancellor and ministers, along with the attendants, all knelt on one knee and exclaimed.

“We behold the true master of the Empire!”

Only those recognized by the First Emperor could receive such reverence, causing the nobles’ eyes to tremble. They simultaneously realized that Kariel had laid a trap to preemptively neutralize dissenting nobles following his ascension.

As proof of this, while the nobles gathered in the Grand Council, the Inspection Department began to take action.

They started to meticulously uncover the crimes of the nobles that had previously been overlooked, arresting them one by one.

“I believe I have provided sufficient opportunity until now.”

With a cold expression that suggested no further mercy, Kariel exited the Grand Council.

The nobles observed him with expressions of utter disbelief.

Yet no one pitied them. They had already been given ample chances.

 

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