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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

35. Coronation! (2)

Finally, when the victory news arrived, everyone cheered, and Kariel’s long-awaited coronation was officially announced.

As a result, the tense situation in the Iron Alliance eased momentarily.

This was only natural, as the Empire, which had formally occupied the territories of the Small Nations, now faced the Southern Kingdoms at their borders.

Consequently, Rotheon, stationed in Iron, found itself in a precarious position.

The army that had swallowed the Small Nations seemed poised to invade Rotheon’s borders at any moment.

The situation was the same for Talos as well.

Tension among the Southern Kingdoms, now directly facing the Empire’s military, was no laughing matter.

Amid the atmosphere where war seemed imminent, the coronation was about to take place.

“Your Majesty.”

At the call from the Attendant Hall, Kariel, who had escaped from the paperwork hell for the first time in ages, stood up.

Having rested and received massages, a certain glow returned to Kariel’s face.

In such circumstances, he donned a purple cloak and held the Emperor’s scepter, slipping on a ring.

Now all that remained was to wear the crown.

“What about the expeditionary force?”

“They will arrive shortly, Your Majesty.”

“Let’s go.”

Kariel stepped into the wagon to personally greet the victorious army, passing through the square toward the city gate.

He waited at the city gate for the glorious army that had reclaimed the Former Territories to arrive for the coronation.

Shortly after, the neatly dressed troops entered through the city gate.

Soldiers who had changed into prepared attire from nearby fiefs stopped in front of the Emperor.

“I greet Your Majesty, the new Emperor!”

“You all have worked hard. May glory be upon those who have reclaimed honor.”

All the troops bowed their heads as they held their weapons with both hands at the Emperor’s blessing.

“I dedicate all this glory to Your Majesty.”

Kariel, who alone bore all the glory of the Empire, nodded and mounted the prepared white horse.

Finally, walking the Path of Glory with the victorious army, the Empire Citizens began to cheer.

The Emperor, who had steadfastly held on and organized the chaos amidst civil war and external threats, passed through the square with the victorious army.

Normally, they would head to the Imperial Palace, but this time was different. They were heading to a place that only the proven Emperors could access.

They proceeded toward the Tower of Fire, honoring the First Emperor as revealed once more by the Secret Guardians.

The door to the Tower of Fire, which had not opened even once in ages, swung wide.

At that moment, joy filled the faces of the victorious troops.

Not only had they celebrated their victory, but they had also gained the rare opportunity to enter the Tower of Fire, a monumental site in the Empire’s history.

“I will go with those who have reclaimed the Empire’s glory.”

“Everything is as Your Majesty wishes.”

It was truly a rare occasion for a duly qualified Emperor to emerge after so long.

At his command, all members of the Secret Guardians bowed and cleared the way.

And so, many troops ascended the Path of Glory together.

The four Counts of the Border, three Masters, and the heroic family that had saved the Empire from crisis were allowed to join only by the Grand Duke family, Young Duke, and finally the two Crown Princes and Princess.

As the victorious army filled the glorious space where even the Chancellor and ministers could not sit, Kariel dismounted and slowly ascended toward the elevated torch.

In that moment, a red aura began to radiate from Kariel’s body, igniting the torches on either side of the stairs.

Flames rose slowly with every step upward, connecting all the way to the torch.

Just as he reached the top, a red symbol appeared on Kariel’s forehead, shining brightly before igniting the torch.

Flames erupted from the massive torch that had remained extinguished through three generations of dark times and decades prior, generating fire visible from anywhere in the capital.

At that moment, another translucent window appeared.

[You have qualified to fulfill the royal promise. The contract conveyed only to the qualified will be enacted.]

[Power to conquer the Gatekeeper of Hell resides within you.]

[According to the pact, you will be able to use all hidden powers of the royal family.]

[The primal fire stabilizes. From now on, the primal fire will faithfully follow your commands.]

As Kariel stared vaguely at the messages displayed in the air, a red column soared to the heavens above him.

At that instant, another translucent window materialized.

[??? Another contract with the God exists. The contracts overlap.]

[Your body has fully recovered, and a hidden special gift from ??? God has been granted.]

[Rewards regarding ??? God’s hidden contract will be given based on achievements.]

[You will receive rewards for exceeding expectations.]

[1. Expel the Dark Mage from the Empire.

2. Revive the Ancient Pact.

3. Annihilate the Dark Mage in the West Continent.

* Since you have achieved all three of these accomplishments, additional rewards will be granted.]

[You will be informed of all dangers related to Hell in the future.]

[The growth rate of Contract Holders is accelerated.]

As Kariel dazedly read through the messages floating in the air, an alert sound audible only to him rang out.

[A message from the reserved ??? God is here. Would you like to hear it?]

Nodding subtly in response to the alert, the windows before him vanished, and a new window appeared containing the message from God.

[Well, I didn’t expect you to make it this far.

The fact that you can see this message means the ancient pact I made with the First Emperor has been revived.

It’s up to you whether to keep this pact or not, but I would recommend fulfilling it.]

Kariel’s expression hardened at the sight of the divine message.

Once again faced with a God that subtly pushed responsibilities onto him, he silently cursed.

He had no desire to keep any pact.

He was already struggling, and trying to uphold a pact would mean he might never retire.

[As a side note, let me tell you that the Empire you once preserved has eventually fallen.]

At that moment, Kariel’s eyelids began to twitch.

“What?”

Unconsciously repeating, the message reappeared in the air.

[Are you curious about the reason?

Your sister Miriel did her best to lead things, but ultimately it fell.

The Demon King’s army has reappeared.

You’re wondering how someone who died could come back?

A new Demon King has emerged. The title of Demon King is not much different from her Apostle.

If she is not stopped, the continent will eventually be overtaken by Hell.]

As Kariel read up to this point, his expression began to crumple.

The crisis in the West Continent felt like nothing but child’s play.

The real problem lay ahead.

[By the way, the only one who can stop her is my Apostle. You may have figured it out by now, but you are my Apostle.

You may not like it, but there’s no other choice.]

“Damn it….”

Unknowingly muttering curses, Kariel gritted his teeth.

[You might be angry, but what can be done?

To protect this world, you must roll with it…

So, just watch for now. You know you have to enjoy your life while it lasts, right?]

With that, the message from God came to an end.

[The qualified person has heard the truth of the world. You have acquired all qualifications to be an Apostle.]

[The Goddess of Hell observes you.]

[With the emergence of the Apostle, the Fire Priests in the Empire can now use Divine Power.]

[You will receive the blessing of the Spirits of Fire.]

[All individuals in the Empire will be granted a blessing for all talents related to fire.]

[* Minions of Hell have begun activities in the East Continent. Prepare for future crises.]

Alongside the message urging preparation for future crises, the translucent window vanished.

Even so, Kariel’s expression did not lighten.

At that moment, another translucent window reappeared.

[??? You have acquired the remnants of destruction as a special gift from God.]

With that, memories of events that happened after his death in his previous life flooded into his mind in an instant.

“…The Empire truly fell?”

It was the Empire he had struggled to preserve through every hardship in his last life.

That Empire ultimately met its demise.

Even though Miriel, with her significant talent, achieved tremendous technological advancements, eventually creating Masters, the strange monsters led to its downfall.

Every nation in both the East and West Continent was obliterated, and Miriel, who fought valiantly with the capital as a stronghold until the end, perished along with the Empire when the capital fell.

Afterwards, the New Continent and southern islands were completely swallowed by Hell.

‘…Is this the reason I was brought back?’

Kariel had no idea what God had received from the God of Earth.

One thing was certain: the fact that God deceived him into returning suggested an attempt to change a future that was destined for ruin.

Moreover, the existence of the pact led to the Gatekeeper of Hell.

Perhaps that Gatekeeper would play a decisive role in preventing Hell from encroaching.

Although it felt like his head would explode, Kariel understood all eyes were on him, so he turned to face the victorious troops.

At that moment, the eyes of the Secret Guardians widened in shock.

“That… that symbol!”

The royal symbol engraved on Kariel’s forehead was changing.

It transformed into a symbol that had never been seen since the First Emperor, radiating a soft light.

At the same time, a holy light streamed from his body, unmistakably illuminating the air around him.

As Kariel descended the steps, appearing like a saint, he followed the path created by the split victorious troops.

Meanwhile, the ministers waiting outside bowed their heads in unison.

“I greet Your Majesty!”

As the ministers and all the nobles bowed to the mysteriously glowing Kariel, the Chancellor carefully placed the crown upon Kariel’s head with trembling hands.

As the Emperors’ scepter, ring, and crown emitted a red light, a red wave radiated around them.

As the royal treasures, which only respond to those recognized, shone, even the Empire Citizens gathered nearby fell to the ground.

“Thus, you have officially ascended as the new Emperor of the Empire of Ignit.”

The Chancellor spoke with a trembling voice, bowing down, while Kariel stood alone, gazing around at everyone.

Not a single person dared to meet his eyes; all bowed their heads.

To these people, he wanted to promise one thing.

“I promise you this: while I am on the throne, there will be no decline in the glory of the Empire.”

The Empire, which had ultimately fallen in his previous life.

Miriel and Glen, who had only struggled and perished alongside the Empire.

For their sake, he vowed to protect this Empire in this lifetime.

‘Retirement has slipped further away.’

The moment he became Emperor, he understood retirement was now a distant thought.

However, upon learning the truth of the world, he questioned whether he could truly retire before turning forty.

‘I guess I might be able to one day.’

Thinking this, Kariel slowly walked along the path created by the bureaucrats and Empire Citizens.

Seeing this, everyone couldn’t help but think.

‘Could it be that a being equivalent to the First Emperor has emerged?’

The most revered figure in the Empire’s history, the First Emperor.

Before long, Kariel had become a being challenging the legacy of the Empire Citizens.

Yet, some entertained a more dangerous thought.

Perhaps they might be serving the most magnificent Emperor in the history of the Empire.

After all, the First Emperor never displayed such formidable actions in his teens, making this notion plausible.

One thing was sure: Kariel had already achieved something among the most remarkable feats in the history of the Empire.

In honor of such an individual, every newspaper in the Empire published the same headline.

“Praise the Great Emperor Who Will Illuminate the Empire.”

 

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