The Prince Wants To Retire

23. Who is the real number one in the empire? (3)

Even when another prince appeared, Kariel did not take any special action and concentrated on the northeast. In the imperial palace, a man called Derek gradually began to annoy her.

Because work in the Northeast was urgent, I let it go, and it continued to grow.

Eventually, this fact reached the emperor’s ears.

“your majesty.”

“I’m here to ask if the rumors are true.”

The emperor smiled as he saw the two princes who came to him with haggard expressions.

“What if the rumors are true?”

“… … You should accept them as members of the royal family.”

At the second prince’s words, the third prince nodded as if he was of the same opinion.

I had to seal it up like that and focus on the northeast.

This is because information was coming one after another that what was happening in the Northeast was not a simple earthquake, and as the continental conference was postponed indefinitely, it was unknown what the heads of each country would do after returning to their countries.

“The South did something strange.”

The emperor, who had already been informed through the shadows, asked the two princes.

“… … That’s right. In particular, Talos’ military movements are unusual.”

“Rotheon also withdrew the knapsacks he made in the Empire.”

Following the 3rd prince, the 2nd prince spoke, alerting the southern kingdoms to unusual movements.

The current situation, on the surface, was gathering strength while condemning the black magicians, but in reality it was no different from walking on thin ice.

At least, as Iron was attached to the Empire, it was difficult for the southern kingdoms to work immediately, but the situation could be different if the Empire suffered great damage in the northeast.

Therefore, from the point of view of the two princes, it was necessary to bring Derek to the Imperial Palace to silence the chaos in the capital.

“You have confidence.”

When the confidence that it was okay to make Derek a prince appeared in the eyes of the two princes, the emperor smiled.

This is because they showed the political sense they learned from their older brother Kariel and, above all, the confidence that they could never touch their position through the competition for the crown prince, who was confirmed as the successor as the two princes after stepping down from the throne.

“Once I answer your questions, I don’t know.”

“… … Yes?”

“How many women do you think I met when I was young?”

At the emperor’s question, Luffiel said with a stupid expression on his face.

“female… … About ten people?”

“Are you kidding me?”

“uh… … .”

When Luffiel looked at Seriel as if he didn’t know, he also made a face that he didn’t know.

“Twice! They are my children, how can they be like this… … .”

The emperor clicked his tongue and gave a pitiful expression.

However, Luffiel and Seriel were crazy about magic and swordsmanship, and recently they had no time to live because of Kariel’s hard work.

“In conclusion, there are so many that I don’t know.”

“ah… … .”

“Well, it wasn’t that I was holding on to anyone and dating.”

The Emperor recalled the past for a moment.

What he did to cover his abilities that were inferior to his younger brother.

There were various factions such as merchants, mines, ports, and farms, and in order to attract them, she had a relationship with one of the ladies of a noble family belonging to those factions.

And in the process, he developed friendships and, to some extent, wanted to be on his side, so he met another woman.

“For Jim, even dating was an extension of politics.”

“Well… … .”

“… … .”

Seeing the two silent princes, the emperor grinned.

Geniuses would not understand the emperor’s actions, but it was an inevitable choice for the emperor at the time, when everything was lacking except for the eldest son.

“Twice! Haven’t you noticed yet?”

said the emperor with a click of his tongue.

“None of the women Jim had ever met was of an uncertain identity.”

When the emperor said that, the eyes of the two princes widened.

“Then is it more likely to be a fake?”

“It is very likely to be fake. However, there is a possibility that some of the women I have met secretly gave birth, so I can’t be sure.”

The emperor answered Luffiel’s question and smiled.

Then, doubts filled the eyes of the two princes.

“Do you wonder why Jim leaves him alone?”

“… … Yes.”

“yes.”

In response to the two princes, the emperor smiled and said.

“It’s the same reason Kariel is still.”

However, the two princes still could not erase their suspicious faces.

The emperor looked at him and thought.

‘Yeah, that’s right.’

At this age, it is still appropriate to be less mature.

In the case of himself, even after becoming emperor, he was able to grasp the magnificence he has reached today after ten years have passed.

However, Kariel was already demonstrating abilities that were comparable to, or even more than, his own.

‘But it’s good that these guys have humanity.’

The emperor thought so, smiling.

“I’m going to wait for the guys behind him to come out.”

“ah… … .”

“Well… … .”

“What are you worried about? You and your brother made all the plates. No matter what he and the forces behind him do, this plate will not be broken. Even if the plate shakes, what’s the problem?”

At the emperor’s words, the two princes thought of someone for a moment and then nodded.

“If the empire shakes, he will take care of it. So don’t worry and do your job.”

“Yes!”

“yes!”

At the answer of the two princes, the emperor gave a small nod and waved his hand.

Then, the princes quietly bowed their heads and left the palace.

When the door closed, the room instantly fell silent.

The emperor, who was sitting calmly on the throne, suddenly covered his mouth with his hand.

“Cool! Cool!”

The emperor let out a cough that he had been holding back because he was in front of the princes, and let out a rough breath.

Seeing the black blood coming out, I didn’t think I would be able to last that long.

“… … your majesty.”

The chamberlain, who hurriedly brought the medicine, looked at the emperor.

“… … Okay.”

The emperor waved his hand and gave a self-deprecating smile.

“My sons are finally coming to me.”

As he muttered, the emperor thought of his first child who was suffering from afar.

He was obviously a weak guy.

The guy who thought he couldn’t be more talented than himself.

But at some point, he started to play an active role and changed the empire.

It was true that I was resentful and jealous at that appearance.

However, after he decided to leave his hometown, his thoughts changed a lot.

Sometimes, I was jealous, but seeing him roll while struggling, the jealousy that was rising quickly melted away.

“… … Are you okay with heart disease?”

The emperor smiled and nodded his head as he saw the vassal mentioning the heart disease.

“I’m running him as Jim intended, so why would I have a heart attack?”

I was holding and rolling the guy who was about to retire.

In addition, other ministers except for himself, and the nobles who tormented him so much were rolling with him.

In a situation like this, how can you not be happy?

“You are having fun in your later years.”

Even when I met so many women, or when I ascended to the throne, I wasn’t this happy.

“Cool! Cool!”

The emperor coughed once more and put on a sad expression.

I was just enjoying life, but my body was running fast toward the end.

“… … I want to hold out a little longer.”

The emperor thought of the first one rolling hard.

Every time he did something, it was the first thing that brought a big change to the empire, so this time, I wondered what ingenious way to rectify this confusion and develop the empire.

“I’m sure he’ll try to quietly retire once he’s settled down again.”

“… … It will come.”

“I want to stop him from retiring at least once more.”

The emperor smiled and looked at the chamberlain.

“Aren’t you like that too?”

“… … If Your Majesty puts his mind to it, anything is possible.”

“👑👌👌👌 You, too, want the first one to inherit this position.”

When the emperor said that, the chamberlain was silent.

The emperor, who laughed while watching such a chamberlain, quietly thought about it.

‘The first one becomes the emperor… … .’

It reminded me of Kariel, who was escaping from reality with a horrified expression on her face.

At the coronation ceremony, the appearance of presiding over the Daejeon meeting wearing the imperial crown with a frown on his face and not wanting to work made the emperor happy.

“It sounds like fun.”

As the emperor spoke with a strange look in his eyes, the chief chamberlain next to him let out a silent voice.

It was because the life that Kariel wanted did not seem to come true.

* * *

As the dying emperor squeezed out his last ounce of energy to sabotage Kariel’s YOLO life, the two princes silently immersed themselves in their business.

Perhaps because of that, rumors about Derek, who was known as the hidden prince, were further inflated and spread throughout the empire.

“Rumors about a man named Derek have spread all the way here.”

Tarion said quietly to Kariel, who was resting in a rural village free from the damage of the earthquake.

Then Kariel said.

“Leave it.”

And I thought about my past life.

The black magicians who used Derek to create an additional rebellion against the empire that had been destroyed by a rebellion once.

They used it to divert Kariel’s eyes and do other things.

It was highly likely that it would be the same this time.

‘At that time, it was only about committing terrorism using dark magic.’

But now that I think about it, after avoiding the eyes of the empire, I induced neighboring countries to invade.

Since all of the Masters had died and the troops were weakened, the neighboring countries must have thought that it was worth trying.

So he fell for the cunning tricks of the black magicians.

Assuming that even the monster wave was related to the warlocks… … .

The power of the empire was gnawed in the order of rebellion – invasion of neighboring countries – monster wave.

Considering that the human-horse war happened after that, it was quite possible.

If so, it was clear that he would use a similar method this time as well.

Having prevented two volcanic eruptions without much damage, it was clear that they had planned something bigger this time around.

“What is… … .”

“Yes?”

“Because warlocks don’t seem like the kind of people who can barely finish this.”

He forced many of his and the Empire’s troops to gather in the northeast and caused chaos in the capital.

Since he turned his gaze like that, the black magicians had to secretly prepare a move.

“Your brothers and sisters? Aren’t you confused?”

“Yes, they say they are concentrating on their work.”

Kariel, who was satisfied with Tarion’s answer, rubbed her chin.

I expected that they would be confused because they were still young and immature, but the will of the younger siblings was stronger than I thought, so I thought that I could take on more work.

“Give this letter to your brothers and sisters. It’s urgent, so as soon as possible.”

“Yes!”

While Tarion disappeared to give orders to the shadows, Kariel called the commanders.

The corps commander from the central army, the eastern margrave, and the northern margrave gathered together.

“I think it’s time to put some pressure on Seongguk… … What do you all think?”

“I think so too. As long as the Pope participates in the war, it seems meaningless to wait for the Holy Kingdom to suffer further damage.”

To the words of the northern margin, the eastern margin added.

“I think we should move faster.”

“What is the reason?”

“According to reports, the level of monsters in the labyrinth is quite high. From a commander’s point of view, I think they need to get an advantage before they spread further.”

“What do you think of the commander of the Central Army?”

“I have the same thoughts.”

At the thoughts of the commanders, the Northern Martyr gave a slightly disappointing expression.

It was because he wanted more damage as the pope had not yet reached the northeast.

From the standpoint of the Northern Margrave, who had to keep the Seongguk in check alone, he wanted more troops of the Seongguk to die at this point.

The Northern Margrave seemed to be disappointed, but Kariel was determined.

“Let’s move quickly.”

At Kariel’s decision, the Eastern Margrave and the Central Corps commander nodded and left to prepare for the campaign.

Kariel turned her attention to Marquis Sicario, the northern Marquis who was left alone. There was still a look of regret on his face.

“The reason I made this decision is because I don’t think the Seongguk should be blamed for anything.”

Cariel explained to Marquis Sicario the reason for this decision.

“We have already learned the information about the labyrinth, and we have obtained a card that will put pressure on Seongguk in the future. It’s a pity that the power of Seongguk hasn’t weakened further, but I think it’s the right decision in the grand scheme of things.”

“… … Yes.”

“I’ll give you a bigger one later, so please follow along this time, even if it’s a pity.”

“I believe.”

As Marquis Sicario nodded, Cariel smiled.

It won’t take long to feed the castle in one shot.

‘After the labyrinth is finished, I’ll give you a bite right away, so please wait a little bit.’

Cariel thought so, and prepared himself to go out.

And after a while, Kariel departed for his destination with the Imperial Army.