The Prince Wants to Retire

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The Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

After commanding Talion to bring back information on the Ancient Werewolves, Kariel immediately returned to the palace with one thing in mind—to collapse into bed.

“Ugh…”

Exhausted from just a stroll around the imperial report, Kariel found himself groaning in disbelief at his own pathetic stamina. Despite cursing his weak physique, he couldn’t shake the sense of anticipation bubbling within him.

‘It’s real.’

The gods mentioned that they needed to form a contract with a mythical being and bestowed upon him the ability to be a Contract Holder, but he hadn’t fully believed it. His skepticism towards the divine was heavy.

He thought the contract process would be complicated or buried in some hard-to-find location, but that wasn’t the case at all. Even though his physical condition had deteriorated and he might have failed, it was promising enough to nurture some hope.

“Body Technique…”

Kariel muttered as he drifted into thought, contemplating the Body Technique of the Ancient Werewolves. He needed to master it to ensure he had the minimal stamina required for the contract.

The only problem was finding this long-lost technique of the Ancient Werewolves, which would be incredibly difficult. Hence, he took the risk and sent Talion to handle it.

“Tsk, looks like we’ll have more Rogues around for a while.”

With a tired expression, Kariel gazed out the window. Thanks to Talion’s presence, there wasn’t a significant threat, but they had had their fair share of eliminating Rogues in the past.

If it weren’t for Talion, he would have likely been dead long ago.

‘If news about what happened in the palace reports spreads, things will get even more hectic.’

The once-docile crown prince had suddenly become more proactive. Just this change alone was enough to draw attention, and he would be tested to see if he was indeed working on something.

Whether he discovered a way to recover his body or found some sort of reassurance, it would surely tire others out, leading some factions to actively hinder his recovery.

Before that happened, he had to find the Body Technique of the Werewolves and complete the contract with Surth.

“There can’t be much time left.”

Kariel murmured as he glanced at the stack of books before him.

「Considerations on Werewolves (1)」

He picked up a thick book that seemed filled with content, but after a quick skim, he threw it far away. It turned out to be a long-winded list of trivial stories.

“Truly, there’s a lot of garbage out there.”

The book was undoubtedly penned by someone of professor-level, yet the contents were less substantial than a grain of sand.

Books related to monsters and ancient mana utilization were no better. Many professors who had risen through the ranks thanks to their noble status and connections published these worthless books in the palace to boost their reputations, extending their academic lives.

However, in his previous life, due to rebellions and outside invasions, he had to endure even such trash, which had been a significant stressor.

He didn’t intend to become an emperor this time around, so he didn’t mind much, but if someone else were to take that role on his behalf, they would be faced with an incredibly annoying circumstance.

Work piling up with no competent talent in sight—it was only natural.

“Well, that’s none of my concern.”

Kariel remarked as he tossed another book aside. The one he had just read had some worthwhile insights, but none related to the Body Technique.

Unless he was not searching for the Body Technique, he might have found something useful, but since there was a directory, returning was unnecessary.

Thus, Kariel waited calmly for Talion, filled with a sense of hope.

As if sensing his feelings, Talion returned shortly after.

“Your Highness.”

“Quite the haul?”

As Talion entered pulling a cart, it was piled high with an astonishing amount of books.

Most of them were useless; it seemed Talion had brought along plenty of books meant to deceive the enemies.

“What’s with the spellbooks?”

“Haha….”

Talion awkwardly chuckled in response to Kariel’s reprimanding tone.

“And the orders?”

“Here they are.”

Talion revealed two old, thin books.

“These are the only two I could find with my authority.”

“Just these?”

Kariel’s sour expression deepened as he regarded the two worn-out tomes.

“So, I need to find the rest myself, huh?”

His tone turned serious.

“May I ask what you’re searching for?” Talion inquired, watching him closely.

After a moment of contemplation, Kariel quietly replied, “The Ancient Werewolf’s Mana Utilization Method. Specifically, I need their Body Strengthening Method.”

“Body strengthening…”

“It was briefly described, but it stated it enhances the body itself.”

Upon hearing this, Talion stroked his chin pensively.

Since he had spent his entire life perfecting the Mana Refinement Method, this topic was completely foreign to him.

“Hmm, is it a method different from the typical Mana Cultivation Method?”

“It seems that way.”

Kariel nodded at Talion’s question.

Although the Mana Cultivation Methods used by monsters appeared different, they all shared a fundamental principle.

They formed tiny mana holes in muscles or organs, circulating mana through the blood vessels to transform pure mana to fit the body.

Some scholars even referred to the Mana Cultivation Method as ‘Mana Utilization for Body Enhancement.’

But he believed the Ancient Werewolves were on a whole different level.

“I suspect it might be a way to stack mana in the body itself without using mana holes.”

“That could very well be an ancient pure body enhancement method.”

Understanding the implied meaning, Talion replied thoughtfully.

During an era when magical techniques weren’t as developed, there were indeed rumors of extremely inefficient mana utilization methods that simply stacked raw mana onto the body.

Thus, Talion, stroking his chin, concluded it was plausible.

“Though it’s risky… it does seem there’s potential.”

Nodding, Talion articulated the thought that these conventional methods aren’t without danger.

Unless one aggregates and refines mana in one place, the risks compounded.

Even the multiple mana holes used in Mana Cultivation Methods were notoriously tricky to control due to the unruliness of mana itself; directly cramming mana into the body?

That was a tremendous risk.

Humans didn’t go through the trouble of forming mana holes in their hearts and refining mana in one spot just for kicks.

Pure mana behaved like a little imp, darting around the body, making it incredibly hard to manage.

Kariel began to examine the books Talion had brought.

However.

“For now… that’s a no-go.”

He sighed, putting the book down; it contained none of the desired information.

“I have no choice but to visit the library directly.”

He concluded that using his status as the crown prince was the only way to access the deeper volumes of books.

At that point, Talion spoke up.

“Your Highness, if you’re looking to restore the ancient methods of mana utilization, I know someone who can assist.”

Kariel’s face twisted in confusion at Talion’s statement.

“Someone who can help?”

“Yes. I have a friend who… specializes in physical enhancement. However…”

“However?”

Kariel tilted his head in inquiry as Talion hesitated before speaking again.

“The problem is, he’s quite the oddball!”

At that, someone crossed Kariel’s mind for just an instant.

A knight obsessed with muscles.

“Could it be Sir Toto?”

“Y-Yes, that’s him.”

Talion’s expression turned sour at Kariel’s mention.

A knight obsessed with researching Mana Cultivation Methods and muscles, who trained incessantly like the bodybuilding fanatics on Earth— that was Toto.

Of course, he wouldn’t have gained such a reputation merely for his absurd focus on fitness.

He was remarkably competent, standing out even among the imperial ranks despite being an eccentric.

“I didn’t know he was friends with you, Talion.”

“We lived in the same neighborhood as kids. But once I entered the palace, I haven’t seen him much.”

Talion’s expression turned somewhat bittersweet.

Being of the shadows, he had to minimize his acquaintances, which meant severing ties with many of his original connections.

“Hmm, I see,” Kariel mused after a moment of thought.

Then he raised his head to address Talion.

“If I’m going to seek assistance, we should gather more people.”

“More people, you say?”

“Right. There are hardly any experts on Mana Cultivation in the palace, are there? So, we should look outside.”

Kariel smiled brightly as he said this.

Then he called for paper and listed down the names of individuals who came to mind.

The fire-obsessed mage Arshuna.

The berserker Iris.

The monster surgeon Brion.

“All are notorious oddballs! Where on Earth did you hear about them?” Talion asked incredulously.

Kariel pointed to the towering piles of books.

Talion sighed quietly.

“Understood.”

“Good, it will be a lot of work, but thank you.”

“Yes!”

After informing Talion that this matter was his top priority, Kariel slipped into slumber right away.

*

The following day, before dawn broke, Kariel awakened and set off towards the palace library atop his mount.

Seizing the moment, he relayed to Talion to come to the palace library to fetch Toto for body enhancement, then immediately began searching for the Ancient Werewolves.

Perhaps due to the events reported in the palace leak?

Everyone in the palace library bowed their heads at precisely ninety degrees, showing proper respect.

Kariel walked past them and entered the palace library.

He moved past the area accessible to nobles and entered the royal section reserved strictly for royals.

Once he passed through the depths reserved for direct lineage, an elderly librarian came forth to greet Kariel.

“Your Highness, it is an honor to see you.”

“May I go inside?”

With a smile, the old man gazed at Kariel for a moment before stepping aside.

This section was placed even deeper beyond the royal archives.

Kariel had come to the palace library specifically to access this area.

Since the books Talion had rifled through the Servant Hall with his authority were unsatisfactory, this was the last place left to search.

“Thank you.”

“Of course it is your right.”

Though he bore the nickname of a ‘mere prince,’ this aged librarian guided him as if it were of no concern.

‘A Shadow, perhaps?’

As he followed along in silence, contemplating the librarian’s unusual gait, Kariel passed through several locked doors and reached the innermost part of the palace library.

“I’m sorry, but could you assist me?”

In comparison to his prior tone towards the inner attendants, his current respectful tone lit the librarian’s eyes.

“That’s what a librarian is here for. Please, speak freely.”

“Then, I would appreciate your help.”

Kariel requested books regarding the Ancient Mana Utilization Methods, ways to enhance the body, and the Mana techniques of the Ancient Werewolves.

The librarian’s eyes sparkled with curiosity before fading with a hint of seriousness.

“Sit back and relax. I shall fetch them promptly.”

As the librarian left to gather the materials, Kariel found himself lightly fatigued just by being there. He slumped into a chair while waiting, until, before he knew it, the old librarian returned quietly, carrying a collection of ancient texts.

“Your Highness.”

“Did you find them already?”

Seeing the aged librarian return with several historic tomes made Kariel straighten up.

As the librarian set the books down, he said, “If it is the Ancient Werewolf’s Mana Utilization Method you seek, I have it right here.”

“Hmm…”

As Kariel swallowed the sound of his awe, the librarian smiled broadly, his wrinkled face lighting up.

“Rest assured, I will have no need to venture outside for this.”

Kariel gazed intently at the elderly librarian.

He had definitely seen this man several times during his childhood in his previous life but hadn’t laid eyes on him since ascending to emperor.

‘Curious.’

He instinctively felt something was off about him, but that wasn’t the key issue at the moment.

In a hurry, he checked the open pages the librarian presented, grinning broadly.

“I found it!”

At long last, having discovered what he had been seeking, Kariel smiled with joy as he turned to the old librarian.

Noticing his emotions, the librarian swiftly fetched a piece of paper and a pen.

With expressions of gratitude, Kariel rapidly jotted down the crucial information, carefully folding the paper and tucking it into his robe before rising from his seat.

“I will repay this kindness.”

“It was merely my duty.”

As the librarian bowed his head, Kariel promised he would return the favor one day, before promptly exiting the library.

The librarian quietly muttered to himself as he watched him leave.

“The will of fire shall not fade.”