The Prince Wants To Retire

18. gifts for siblings (3)

imperial ruin.

A nickname for Kariel that is spreading implicitly in other countries.

It was the nickname given to him for seeing him mercilessly dealt with his enemies and criminals and even smashed warlocks.

Although his own force was insignificant, his extraordinary brain and judgment, and his unwavering determination to execute it, were terrifying enough to be called a disaster in other countries.

“… … How long do you think the ruins are left?”

“It will be here in a few hours.”

Roteon’s Master Pires took a deep breath.

The trade prince, Marquis Wilsingham, reported that the Empire had been officially putting pressure on the Confederacy.

In addition, the Confederate Army had no choice but to take the lead in the war against the Warlock and subdue it as Kariel came directly from the situation where they were putting pressure on them, even in Seongguk and Iron.

If Kariel had a cruel disposition and determination not to resist a decision once made, as rumored, the Confederates had to pay the price of stepping on the Empire’s land by sprinkling their own blood and ‘completely’ subjugating the warlocks.

It was already well-known in the Western Continent that diplomacy or customs did not work for him.

“It’s a definite achievement… … .”

The Duke of Pires had a troubled expression on his face.

“after… … It’s already late, but I’ll try to impress you as best as possible.”

“I will prepare the welcome ceremony as big as possible.”

At the words of the Duke of Pires, the lieutenant bowed his head and went outside.

It was a humiliation.

It is an empire that has been thought of as a giant scarecrow.

In such an empire, the entire Confederacy had to bow down and pray.

An empire that had been rolled over for three generations was rising again.

“… … Crisis.”

For the Duke of Pires, the future of the Confederacy was bleak.

Whether it will be just darkness or ruin will be known only by seeing the Crown Prince himself.

‘I hope the rumors are exaggerated… … .’

The Duke of Pires thought so, and earnestly hoped that Kariel wasn’t as cruel as rumors had it.

And it was the same with Duke Cleta.

* * *

While the Confederacy was waiting with a trembling heart for Kariel, who was called a loser, Kariel was meeting the Southern Margrave.

“Meet Your Highness!”

Locan Barsailles, who is praised as the best commander in the empire, greeted Kariel.

When he saw the appearance of the best master he had eventually lost in his previous life, Kariel strode up to him and greeted him warmly.

“Nice to meet you. Kariel Friedrich von Blazer. I’m happy to see the best commander in the empire in person like this.”

“It’s a title… … . It is just an undeserved title.”

“No way. The one who is blocking the south alone is not a master general… … . Be too modest.”

Some considered it dissatisfying that someone other than the Master was in the position of Southern Marshal.

However, the one who suppressed the dissatisfaction of those people with his skills was the present southern Marquis Rocan Barsailles.

A person who blocked the forces, including the Masters of the South, to near perfection with only strategy.

The fact that he could see such a person in person like this, Kariel couldn’t help but be happy.

‘I hope I can retire in style in this life.’

I had a chat with the Southern Margrave, thinking that it would be nice if I didn’t die and retired after reaching the full retirement age.

The faces of the Masters who followed nearby hardened as they saw Kariel with a smile on her lips all the way to the Confederate Army.

‘I don’t think it was like that when we met… … .’

‘You’re overly welcoming.’

‘Well… … .’

The three masters looked at the Southern Margrave and Kariel with small complaints inwardly.

Then, the knights who noticed the somewhat jealous eyes of the masters cleared their throats without realizing it.

While everyone was surprised by the rare appearance of jealousy of the three pillars of the empire, the imperial army, which gathered its battle lines, eventually arrived at the location of the confederates.

“Meet the Little Sun of the Empire.”

“Meet the Little Sun of the Empire.”

Two Masters of the Confederate Army came out to meet Kariel.

Kariel quietly got off her horse while watching the welcome ceremony, which seemed to be paying attention in her own way.

Unlike the conversation with the Southern Margrave while laughing just before, Kariel put on a cold expression.

“Did you come to fight or to play? … .”

Kariel clicked her tongue as she said that, then looked around.

Then the two Confederate generals contorted their faces.

It was an insulting remark, but I couldn’t protest against Kariel.

‘Really, all three pillars of the empire have gathered.’

‘And to the Southern Margrave… … .’

If you act recklessly, your soul will be stolen by those standing behind Kariel.

Now, there was no other way but to persevere even in humiliating circumstances.

“I heard that there is no progress in the subjugation of the warlock… … Is it true?”

“no. Currently, they have occupied halfway up the volcano, so all that remains is to subdue them.”

“Go into the details… … .”

At Duke Cleta’s words, Duke Pires smiled and tried to guide them into the barracks.

However, Kariel firmly shook her head.

“Time is the key to subjugating warlocks.”

At Kariel’s question as if he didn’t know that, the two Masters frowned again.

To them, Kariel deliberately spoke as if admonishing.

“I don’t have time to mess around like this. We must surround the entire volcano right now and completely annihilate it.”

It was openly blaming the Confederates for their lapses so far.

Then Duke Pires spoke as if pointing out Kariel’s weak body.

“You must be tired from the long journey, are you okay?”

“It is to subdue the black magician. You cannot be swayed by personal circumstances.”

Cariel shook his head firmly at the Duke of Pires’ worried words and gestured to Tharion.

“The situation here is well known to the Confederate Army that has been subjugating so far, so I will entrust you with the main role. We will form a siege, form a special force, and head to the summit of the volcano.”

“Well… … .”

As expected from Kariel’s words, the two dukes let out a sigh.

As if driving a wedge into them, Kariel had Tharion open the map and started explaining.

This is to prevent time wasting in advance by turning it into another word.

The description of the operation was simple.

Confederate forces stationed halfway down the hill slowly press down on the Warlocks, while the Imperial forces form a siege that encircles the entire mountain behind them.

Then, even the Eastern Army, who arrived at close range, joined forces to form a siege that a mouse could not escape, and while the Confederate Army fought against the Warlocks, the Imperial Special Forces organized by Kariel carried out a surprise operation at the summit of the volcano. it was unfolding.

“If I personally accompany the Masters of the Empire and deal with the Warlock’s cadres at the top, the damage of the Confederate forces will not be too great.”

“directly… … Are you saying you want to go up?”

At the words of the Duke of Pires, Kariel smiled and nodded his head.

The Crown Prince goes directly to the summit.

That meant that the Empire would be in a safe zone and would not be able to protest if the Confederates were forced to sacrifice.

The Crown Prince of the Empire took the risk and took the cause, and it was clear that there would be little practical damage as he led a special army that included three Masters.

In the end, Kariel’s operation was to eliminate even the justification for protest while only the Confederate forces had accumulated damage.

“Anyway, we decided that it would be better for us, who had experience dealing with the warlocks’ executives, to do it. How are you?”

At Kariel’s words, the two dukes could only nod their heads in silence.

With all the justifications and pressure, there was nothing I could do but accept.

After finishing the operation meeting so quickly, Kariel set off to the top of the volcano with the special forces on the spot.

Meanwhile, the Southern Frontier formed a siege with the Eastern Army.

“after… … I’ll have to go on my own.”

“It seems like the last remaining task for us is to reduce the damage even a little.”

At Duke Cletta’s words, the Duke of Pires said with a bitter smile.

The two masters sighed a little as they watched Kariel move without giving even the slightest bit of room.

It is because the atmosphere of the Continental Conference that will begin after this war is already pictured in his mind.

“Let’s move. I think it’s best to help them out as quickly as possible… … .”

“… … Let’s do it.”

The two masters sighed and moved.

Since the operation failed, it was best to retreat while conserving as much power as possible, but the crown prince who currently leads the empire seemed to have no intention of doing so.

In the end, their plan to retreat with minimal damage went awry from the start.

Because of the sins committed, they started being pushed back from the cause, and because the number of masters was insufficient, a humiliating situation unfolded in which they had no choice but to accept Kariel’s words without being able to resist even once.

As the two famous masters in the South moved with a deep sigh, the Confederates also engaged in a large-scale war of warlocks with morale plummeting.

On the other hand, the morale of the Imperial Army soared to the sky.

Although he saw it from a distance, he personally saw Kariel pressing against the two masters in the south, and above all, the fact that the crown prince of the empire moved at the forefront was a different approach to the imperial army.

Within a few hours of the Crown Prince’s arrival at Kapur Volcano, a major movement occurred.

First, the imperial army began to spread a wide siege.

At the same time, the Confederate forces moved in earnest and pressed the warlocks.

“It is said that the two masters from the south stood at the forefront.”

“Are you trying to minimize the damage? Great. Let us move too.”

According to Tarion’s report, Kariel was placed on his back.

Then, as in the Northwest, the three Masters began to move first, with the intention of making a path of blood.

As the Masters opened the way by emitting auras, Kariel’s special forces also began to move.

They reached near the summit of the volcano, smashing the warlocks and summoned creatures they had placed on the volcano, just in case, while the warlocks at the volcano rushed to stop the Confederate forces from launching an all-out offensive.

“Fire is tormenting.”

“… … Yes?”

At Kariel’s words, Tarion tilted his head as if asking what he meant.

Then Kariel made a face that he didn’t know why he said this. But the feeling that the fire was tormented was certain.

And the reason became clear as we approached the summit of the volcano.

“They are trash.”

The movement of fire, clearly visible only to Kariel’s eyes.

Things that had been put together in the past were broken into pieces and scattered around the volcano to form a magic circle.

In the Northwest, if they tried to create a runaway spirit by force, this time, there were traces of trying to summon a being from another dimension using fragments.

– I feel sorry for you.

Surtur appeared before he knew it and looked at the fragments of the Spirit King that had been torn into pieces.

Kariel frowned as she looked at the screaming fragments.

“The only thing I can do now is put an end to that pain, right?”

-… … okay.

The moment it was torn apart by the Warlock, its extinction was predestined.

For the poor being who was forced to become a sacrifice for summoning as even extinction was postponed by black magic, Kariel ordered the Masters.

“Destroy all buildings similar to that one.”

At Kariel’s command, the Masters bowed their heads slightly and moved quickly.

They too, indirectly, felt the fire’s mana fluctuate, because they heard Kariel’s words and realized that it was the cry of an anguished spirit.

But just as the Masters were scattered, a group of warlocks appeared from somewhere and attacked Kariel. It was the elders of the warlocks and elite warlocks who were watching for opportunities nearby.

But if it was a warlock, there was no way Kariel, who had been through so much, could not stand still.

The guards, Tarion, and the Imperial Palace knights blocked them, and the Knights of the Grand Duchess came behind them.

A trap centered on Kariel, who deliberately took the bait.

All of the warlocks caught in it were terribly dead.

“big… … The race never ends… … Did… … .”

“You only do that in the eastern continent.”

Kariel approached the elder who was speaking while vomiting blood with half of his body missing and said with a cold expression.

“just… … step back… … I won’t… … .”

Kariel clicked her tongue as she looked at the elder who passed away at the end of those words.

Despite hearing the words like a curse, Kariel didn’t waver in the slightest.

It seemed that the black magician would do a trick before leaving the western continent, but that had nothing to do with Kariel.

The rest was for the younger brothers and ministers to do.

“after… … .”

Kariel looked up at the top of the volcano to do the last thing he could do as the crown prince.

Fragments torn by the warlocks turned red and began to gather into the center.

At that moment, the energy that had been sleeping in Kariel’s body began to resonate with it.

A resonant sound as if calling itself.

Guided by the resonance, Kariel slowly headed towards the center of the volcano.