---

The Crown Prince Wants to Retire

34. The Emperor with a Streak of Bad Luck! (2)

As everyone in the Imperial Palace had anticipated, the moment the late Emperor’s funeral concluded, civil war erupted in Iron.

True to their merchant natures, it all started as a war of finances.

They were undermining each other’s cash flows, eating away at their power.

The lower-tier merchant alliances were already halfway ruined by this conflict.

“Things are progressing quite rapidly.”

“It seems so.”

Hearing Talion’s report, Kariel wore a serious expression.

The ministers who had gathered in the office for the meeting also looked grave, lost in thought.

The numerous merchant alliances in Iron were divided into two factions.

Most of them were already crumbling.

The most severe situation was with the Pro-Empire Faction.

“Fortunately, it wasn’t a betrayal.”

“Yes.”

Seeing Kariel sigh in relief, Talion nodded, thankful as well.

In truth, even the current Pro-Empire Faction had their reservations until the very end.

When Kariel was in the East, most of the Pro-Empire Faction had made secret pacts with the Southern Kingdoms.

Jeyron was the one who argued that they should mediate and uphold at least the agreed period with the Empire.

And it was entirely thanks to Jeyron Paul’s abilities that the Pro-Empire Faction was maintained until now.

However, many merchants who he thought were allies had switched sides to Rotheon.

As a result, the remaining merchants of the Pro-Empire Faction were in dire straits.

They were being pushed out in real-time, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they faced defeat at any moment.

The only reason they’ve managed to hold on this far was due to Jeyron’s overwhelming influence.

“What can the Empire do to help at this point?”

“It’s going to be tough diplomatically.”

At the Foreign Minister’s words, Kariel turned to the Minister of Military. But even the Minister of Military shook his head.

“We’re already at our limit. We need to finish this civil war before we can mobilize our troops.”

All of the Empire’s military had been deployed to keep tabs on various nations, leaving no forces to spare.

What little remained were the Capital Defense Force and some of the Central Army, but withdrawing them would leave the center utterly unprotected.

“Are there any ways for the Empire’s merchants to aid Iron?”

“The Western Merchant Alliance could assist, but… then it would mean we’re officially intervening in their civil war.”

The Chancellor looked perplexed at the Foreign Minister’s words.

“Aren’t they doing the same thing?”

In fact, Rotheon had been providing Iron with massive financial support.

“Providing funds secretly and having the merchants intervene is two different matters. Rotheon hasn’t sent their merchants into Iron yet.”

This was to signal that they were not meddling in Iron’s civil war even on the surface.

“So the difference is that stark?”

In response to the Chancellor’s question, the Foreign Minister nodded gravely.

“The trade volume between Iron and the South exceeds that with the Empire.”

“That can’t be… The volume coming into the Empire…”

“It’s due to exchanges between the goods traded by the West and the Southern Kingdoms’ goods from the East Continent.”

At the Foreign Minister’s explanation, everyone, including Kariel, focused intently on him.

Each nation had its areas of expertise.

Even the Magic Towers varied significantly between countries, let alone the merchant alliances.

Sometimes, goods or ores from the East or New Continent might be needed for their main focal areas, and they sold the finished products solely to the Empire.

“Such fools.”

Summarizing it plainly, Kariel frowned. The Chancellor and other ministers lowered their heads in shame.

They all understood that the present situation was a direct result of their past mistakes.

‘Indeed, the Magic Towers are the problem. Once things settle down, I need to sort those out first.’

Kariel sighed inwardly.

While the Empire faltered in its endeavors, the previously small Southern Kingdoms and the fledgling nation of Iron were loosening restrictions for rapid development.

After a century of blunders, the once-mighty Empire was now the butt of jokes.

It was only due to the powerful Masters, their military, and their relatively advanced systems in weaponry that the Empire managed to endure.

“Are you going to bow your head and hold a reflection meeting or something?”

The ministers flinched at Kariel’s question.

“Don’t waste time reflecting; work! There’s no time.”

Having said that, Kariel turned to the Finance Minister.

“Gather the leaders of the Western Merchant Alliance and prepare for intervention if necessary.”

“However…”

Kariel raised a hand to stop the Finance Minister, then turned directly to the Foreign Minister.

“Foreign Minister.”

“Yes.”

“Lodge a strong protest with the Holy Nation and the Southern Kingdoms. If they don’t withdraw their troops from Iron immediately, a war with the Empire will commence.”

“…Are you declaring war?”

At the Foreign Minister’s question, Kariel nodded slightly.

“After all, war is inevitable. We need to find a reason for it, at the very least. Finance Minister, be ready to intervene the moment they respond aggressively.”

“Yes!”

“Minister of Military.”

“Yes.”

“Prepare to mobilize the Central Army.”

Upon hearing Kariel’s orders, the Minister of Military’s eyes widened in shock.

“Your Majesty!”

“It’s just preparation.”

Despite the confusion on the faces of the Minister of Military and the other ministers, Kariel added for their sake.

“Let’s stage a movement of the Central Army and some of the Capital Defense Force to make it seem like we’re deploying, as if I might personally lead an effort to aid Iron.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Not going out.”

Although Talion spoke urgently, insisting he wouldn’t go, everyone doubted him.

Knowing Kariel’s temperament, they all understood that he would likely lead if the situation called for it.

“Considering that the Empire’s remaining forces are just the Central Army and some of the Capital Defense Force, I should indeed take action myself.”

“However, that’s too dangerous.”

“If it’s merely a simple threat, then it’s not risky at all. Plus, I’ll be able to utilize the Masters and the Imperial Palace Knights by moving myself. That alone will put immense pressure on them.”

After saying this, Kariel looked at the ministers.

“We’re merely preparing for potential situations.”

A leader must always be ready for any eventuality.

Even if it might never come to bear, preparation is key.

And so they all sighed and nodded in agreement.

Now, they had to construct an emergency response centered around the Chancellor in case the Emperor were to lead himself.

It was tough enough with the ministers already overwhelmed, but now they had another major task thrown at them, making every one of them feel exasperated.

“If it gets too tough, don’t hesitate to ask the Noble Assembly for help.”

As soon as those words were spoken, the ministers, who had been sulking, immediately perked up. Kariel’s suggestion sparked a reflexive reaction among the ministers, who were nearing a breakdown.

“Are you sure about that?”

The Chancellor asked, to which Kariel nodded as if it was no problem.

“I’m not opposing nobles because I want to shift disappointing people into government positions; I’m just trying to avoid them. If I intended to shun them, I wouldn’t have utilized the Revolutionary Forces.”

As Kariel said this, he glanced at the half-dead ministers.

“If you want to reduce your workload, then pick some capable individuals. I promise to abstain from any involvement with personnel management this time.”

“Yes!”

At Kariel’s pledge, all the ministers beamed and replied.

“Talion, inform the Minister of Internal Affairs.”

“Yes!”

After giving that command to Talion, Kariel dismissed everyone with a wave of his hand.

As he slumped back in his chair, gazing out the window, he muttered to himself.

“…Endless.”

Ever since he ascended to the throne during the worst financial times, Kariel’s workload never seemed to diminish.

It hadn’t even been a month since he inherited the throne, and already major issues piled up back to back.

“Should I call for assistance?”

Kariel mumbled, thinking of the talented individuals hard at work in Salem.

Every time he received the occasional report from there, it felt like a different world compared to the chaotic state of the Empire due to the civil wars of Iron and the Empire itself.

While the Empire was bogged down by urgent events, Salem was steadily developing and simultaneously running several experimental policies.

It was entirely different from the Empire, which was preoccupied with handling significant incidents.

Of course, the eastern nobility was in dire straits.

Thanks to Salem’s progress, the nearby lords were doing slightly better, but the rest of the lords were feeling the burn as commoners kept flocking towards Salem.

As a result, many weakened lords in the vicinity were even contemplating selling their lands to Salem.

“Revolution…”

Though only applicable to certain regions in the East, the revolution had already begun.

Those who had been marginalized or neglected due to their commoner statuses were pouring in, turning Salem into the most liberated city on the West Continent.

While there were still many shortcomings to address and much room for growth, the value of Salem was skyrocketing.

“There’s a shortage of talent.”

If it were up to him, he would have taken drastic measures.

But he still had to hold on. At least until the civil war was over.

“When will this end…?”

Watching his own reflection deteriorate day by day only left him feeling disheartened.

He used to have a handsome face, but now he looked like a mere overworked company employee.

Wishing earnestly for the end of the civil war, Kariel buried his face in his hellish paperwork.

*

While Kariel was once again ensnared in the paperwork hell, the ministers were bombarding the Minister of Internal Affairs with bribes.

“Hey, how’s your health these days? Take this.”

“Thanks, but giving this won’t really change the number of people I’m able to allocate to you.”

The Foreign Minister gingerly offered a high-grade potion but was firmly rejected by the Minister of Internal Affairs.

All kinds of ministers and high-ranking bureaucrats had been swarming the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a while now.

Even the Chancellor had come and gone.

Yet, the only words the Minister of Internal Affairs could muster were.

“I’ll distribute according to the predetermined numbers.”

“Are you going to be stingy with us?”

“Would you prefer a larger share? What about the other ministers? More importantly, if I give you more, I’ll get summoned by the Emperor afterward, and I wouldn’t have the guts to endure it.”

The Foreign Minister sighed at the sight of the trembling Minister of Internal Affairs, almost scared at the mere thought.

He wanted nothing more than to retire.

Yet, the Chancellor, who seemed to be handing in resignation letters every time, was also struggling to stay afloat.

Could they really afford to retire?

“Ugh… Then make it worthwhile.”

“Exactly.”

Nodding gravely in response to the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Internal Affairs understood that if he remained as he was, he would be risking his life. That was precisely why Kariel ordered him to add more personnel. He was even instructed to include nobles from the Noble Assembly, whom he loathed to call “garbage.”

Feeling like he might genuinely die, he was told to recruit less than ideal individuals for the time being to at least patch things up.

Understanding Kariel’s intentions well, a massive influx of nobles was incorporated within a week.

As long as they had graduated from an academy, these less-than-ideal individuals at least possessed the minimum education.

The plan was to give them a test drive and let go of them if they didn’t work out, but…

“Are you kidding me?”

“…I apologize.”

The Minister of Internal Affairs sweat coldly and bowed his head, feeling the chill of Kariel’s icy gaze.

It wasn’t just a matter of increasing his workload by teaching rookies; some nobles were causing problems with competent commoners, delaying processes altogether.

“If we carry on like this, we’re all dead.”

Seeing Kariel’s haggard state, the Minister of Internal Affairs shed tears. Everyone, from the Emperor down to the lowliest bureaucrats, was drowning in work.

Just then, Talion rushed in, panting.

“Your Majesty! The Rebel Forces have been suppressed!”

As soon as Talion’s report reached him, both Kariel’s and the Minister of Internal Affairs’ faces brightened. They looked at each other, both thinking the same thing.

‘The workload has lessened!’

 

---