I Didn't Want to Become the Emperor of This World

Chapter 67

3rd Knight Order Barracks.

In Jereuth’s office on the top floor, an important meeting was continuing today as well.

Usually, the topics of the 3rd Knight Order’s meetings were mainly about the recruitment and training of new soldiers, plans for royal capital patrol operations, and schedules for various construction work assignments.

However, today’s meeting topic was a little different.

“Then, I will now briefly explain the operation to safely escort His Highness the Crown Prince to Misty Port.”

Mid-rank Knight Peralta said. Originally, Vice-Commander Hagen was supposed to lead this meeting, but he was temporarily absent due to other duties.

‘Hoo…… I’m nervous.’

Peralta was a mid-rank knight, a rank that would not normally be able to attend such an important meeting.

Nevertheless, the reason Peralta was attending this meeting and even giving a presentation was because Jereuth trusted his abilities. Although he was only a mid-rank knight, Peralta was accomplishing a lot in terms of knight order operations and management.

Peralta forced himself to shake off his nervousness and opened his mouth.

“As you all know, Misty Port is a city located at the southeastern end of the kingdom. To escort His Highness there quickly and comfortably, we must first go to the city of ‘Saulim’ along the Livegne River, which flows south from the royal capital.”

When dividing the Plank Kingdom into north and south based on the royal capital, ‘Saulim’ was a city in the center of the southern part of the Plank Kingdom. Before the war with the demons, when the Plank Kingdom was relatively prosperous, all logistics in the southern part of the kingdom passed through the city of Saulim.

In other words, Saulim could be called the core of the southern part of the kingdom, and currently, Jayce, who was a high-rank knight of the 3rd Knight Order, was serving as its lord.

“His Highness will be traveling by carriage, but he will still be very tired as he is not used to long-distance travel. So, when we arrive in Saulim, we plan to rest for a day or two.”

“Don’t say a day or two, tell me exactly how many days we will rest.”

At Jereuth’s remark, Peralta became tense again and continued speaking.

“Ah…… yes! Two days! That should be enough to relieve some of His Highness' fatigue and give us time to reorganize.”

“And after that?”

“Yes! When we head south again from Saulim, it would be best to cross the ‘Dortan Plains.’ The Dortan Plains have few gravel and are flat, so His Highness will be less tired when traveling. Also, the soldiers’ marching speed will be fast, so it is considered the most effective marching route.”

Swish—.

Peralta moved the crown-shaped marker that was on ‘Saulim’ on the map down past the ‘Dortan Plains’ and continued speaking.

“After passing the Dortan Plains, we must pass through the Ateras Gorge. The Ateras Gorge is narrow and has many rocks and stones, making it inconvenient to travel, but…… it is thought to be safer than crossing the Monster Mountains.”

The Monster Mountains was a long mountain range that stretched from the northeastern end of the Plank Kingdom to the southeast, forming a shape like the spine of the Plank Kingdom.

And as the name suggests, it was a ‘mountain range dominated by monsters.’

There were not many mountain ranges on the entire continent dangerous enough to be called ‘Monster Mountains.’ Considering that, the fact that the weak Plank Kingdom had the Monster Mountains shows how tough this kingdom had to be to survive.

“Above all, passing through the Ateras Gorge will greatly shorten the time. Not only in terms of distance but also because we are unlikely to encounter monsters.”

That’s right. Strangely, even though the Ateras Gorge was a valley in the Monster Mountains, monsters did not approach it. So, the people of the Plank Kingdom often used that gorge when traveling from south to north.

If the Ateras Gorge didn’t exist, the exchange between the north and south of the Plank Kingdom would have been really difficult.

Peralta continued.

“Once we pass through the Ateras Gorge, it’s about a half-day’s journey across the plains to Misty Port. So, I don’t think there will be any major problems once we pass through the gorge.”

“Good.”

Jereuth nodded his head in satisfaction and continued to ask Peralta.

“How are the preparations for the tent where His Highness will be staying during the trip? What about the supplies needed for meals and convenience?”

“Yes! The existing royal tent was poorly managed and severely damaged. So, the veteran soldiers…… under the command of the ‘sergeants,’ the soldiers are repairing the tent. Besides that, things like the bed and sofa that His Highness will use are—.”

In the middle of Peralta’s words.

The voice of the knight standing guard outside was heard.

—Knock, knock.

—Commander, the Head Maid has come to see you.

At the words ‘Head Maid,’ the knights looked at each other. They were surprised that she had come to the barracks.

Like the other knights, Jereuth was also surprised.

‘Why has the Head Maid come?’

“Peralta, open the door.”

“Ah, yes!”

At Jereuth’s permission, Peralta opened the door. Then Elly entered, and her atmosphere was somehow different from usual.

‘……She’s wearing heavier makeup. And high heels.’

That’s right. Elly had made her already white face even whiter with makeup, and her eyes were drawn sharply, giving them a slightly cold feel.

Elly with such makeup looked more mature than usual. Of course, since she was not yet an adult, the makeup and heels were a bit awkward, but Jereuth was certain that in a little while, when she reached an age where such adornments would suit her, she would steal the hearts of many men.

Despite Elly’s appearance, none of the knights did the foolish thing of even glancing at Elly.

It wasn’t because Elly was young. At Elly’s age, it wouldn’t be strange for her to be engaged to anyone.

The reason the knights didn't even glance at Elly was because she was the Crown Prince's maid and Head Maid.

Being the Crown Prince’s personal maid and Head Maid meant that she could be considered the Crown Prince’s woman, so the knights did not even pay attention to such a woman in the first place.

Even if the story of the unrequited love between a master’s woman and a knight was a popular story among young girls and maids, to knights who knew honor, it was nothing short of a disgrace.

-Besides, because of Jereuth’s past, it was an unwritten rule in the 3rd Knight Order to never speak of the ‘love between a master’s woman and a knight’.-

‘But she seems to have dressed up subtly similar to Olivia. Snow-white makeup, dark and long eyeliner, and bright red lips…… it could be the fashionable makeup style.’

Click—.

Elly entered. And with her came the subtle scent of perfume.

Chk—.

As Elly entered the conference room, the knights, who were already standing straight, corrected their posture even more to show their respect for the Head Maid.

At the knights’ show of respect, Elly bowed her head slightly to express her gratitude, took a small note from her bosom, and handed it to Jereuth.

“This is a note His Highness asked me to deliver to you, Commander.”

“His Highness sent me a note?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…… I see. Thank you. Is this why you came?”

“Yes. Since it is His Highness' note, I could not have another maid deliver it.”

“That is true.”

Jereuth took the note Elly handed him. Then he asked Elly in a passing tone.

“The reason you dressed up like that, is it because His Highness mentioned Lady Olivia? You seem to have put on makeup with a similar feel to Lady Olivia.”

“……I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“The fact that you can’t answer properly means I’m right.”

As if he had no particular interest, Jereuth averted his gaze from Elly. But inwardly, he was thinking about various things.

‘It seems she dressed up similarly because His Highness mentioned that Lady Olivia was a beauty……. Since it's a good thing, I guess I can just leave it be.’

It was a good thing that many women admired Leonardo. Because then they could give birth to many sons and strengthen the foundation of the kingdom.

Not in a blasphemous sense, but if the king suddenly died, it was naturally good to have many excellent successors to follow him.

‘Right now, the message His Highness sent is more important.’

Jereuth cleared his mind of other thoughts. He then respectfully unfolded the note Leonardo had sent and read it.

It was a short note.

Commander, you are probably preparing for my journey. There are a few things I would like to request regarding this.

Please keep the travel preparations to a minimum.

*Tent, luggage, etc., everything to a minimum. A real minimum.

*Instead, please move up the departure schedule as much as possible.

There may be a sudden change in the weather, so please prepare for this as well.

*For example, it would be good if you could plan the travel route well so that we can utilize forest paths or caves in preparation for a sudden gale or rainstorm.

It was a surprisingly neat and elegant handwriting.

While admiring that trivial thing, Jereuth felt a sense of doubt.

‘I understand the request to minimize travel preparations considering His Highness' personality. But why did he ask me to be mindful of a sudden change in weather?’

It was late September, around the end of the harvest, the time when the weather was best in the Plank Kingdom. It was the season when the sky was high and the horses grew fat. From now until November, although the weather in the Plank Kingdom would get colder, it would not become so harsh as to worry about gales or rainstorms.

The time to worry about gales and rainstorms was from June to mid-August, when the rainy season continued.

But Leonardo was concerned about the weather.

Since it was Leonardo’s concern and no one else’s, Jereuth could not take it lightly.

‘I’ll have to be mindful of the weather for now. That being said, for His Highness to ask to minimize the tent and luggage…… hmm.’

Reducing the tent and luggage would naturally be easier for those preparing for the journey.

It would also greatly reduce the fatigue of the soldiers on the march.

However, the ‘tent’ and ‘luggage’ were items that symbolized the authority of the Crown Prince during a journey. It was common sense for a person in power to assert their authority by carrying a large, magnificent, and splendid tent and luggage even during a journey.

‘Besides asserting authority, there are also practical reasons.’

It goes without saying that marching and traveling are arduous. No matter how much you travel by carriage, it is tiring and exhausting, and no matter how comfortably you prepare your sleeping arrangements, it is more uncomfortable than sleeping in a mansion or a palace.

That is why people in power, without exception, have their tents prepared with the best quality goods. So that the arduous journey would be even a little more comfortable. There were even some kings or nobles who would decorate their travel tents exactly like their mansion bedrooms. The source of this content ɪs NoveI[F]ire.net

‘There’s no way His Highness doesn't know such a common thing…… why would he ask to reduce the tent and luggage?’

At that moment, a thought flashed through Jereuth’s mind.

‘……Wait. Be careful of gales and rainstorms. And reduce the tent and luggage?’

The two were correlated. And a very close correlation at that.

‘If His Highness predicted that a gale and rainstorm would come, and therefore asked to minimize the large tent and luggage that are vulnerable to gales and rainstorms…… then the story fits perfectly, doesn’t it?’

If, by any chance, Leonardo was really predicting the weather, then his reasoning would be correct.

—With that thought, Jereuth stood up from his seat.

Fwump!

As Jereuth suddenly stood up, the other knights also hurriedly stood up, and Elly took half a step back. Jereuth looked at the knights.

“I will go to see His Highness. You all will continue to review the operation route for now. And Peralta, you will check other marching routes in preparation for a sudden change in weather. Be especially mindful of gales and rainstorms.”

“Gales and rainstorms……? Ah, yes! I understand!”

Peralta didn't understand why Jereuth suddenly told him to prepare for gales and rainstorms, but if it was the commander’s order, he just had to follow it.

After giving instructions to each knight, Jereuth spoke to Elly.

“Let’s go see His Highness.”

***

Upon reaching the front of Leonardo’s room, Elly knocked.

—Knock, knock.

“Your Highness, Commander Jereuth has come to see you.”

—Yes, come in.

The answer was heard, and Elly opened the door. Jereuth entered Leonardo’s room with familiar steps and bowed politely.

“I apologize for disturbing your rest, Your Highness. I saw the note the Head Maid delivered a little while ago, and I came because I have something I would like to ask.”

“The note…… ah, yes. Just a moment. I’ll just put away the book I was reading.”

Leonardo closed the books on his desk and tidied them up. Leonardo was always reading a book or working. He was truly a remarkable lord.

“So, what is it you wanted to ask?”

“Yes. First of all…… I am curious as to why you asked to minimize the tent and luggage. I believe Your Highness is also aware, but the tent where you will stay on your journey is a symbol of your authority. The knights and soldiers see that tent and are reminded of who they serve and with what mindset they should serve. Therefore, I think it would be best for Your Highness to take the royal tent.”

Deciding to ask about the gale and rainstorm later, Jereuth first brought up the topic of ‘authority’ to Leonardo.

“Hmm…… the tent is a symbol of my authority……”

Leonardo trailed off, then smiled lightly and continued.

“Well. I have no need for an authority that rises when a tent is pitched and falls when it is not. Such an authority will collapse when someone else pitches a bigger and more splendid tent.”

“……”

“I want the knights and soldiers to follow me not because of anything else, but simply because it is ‘me.’ Even if I have nothing.”

Leonardo might have said it without much thought. But upon hearing those words, Jereuth felt as if he had been struck on the back of the head with a blunt weapon.

‘……That is true authority.’

An authority that cannot be built up or torn down by something like a tent.

That young boy was interpreting ‘authority’ on a higher level than himself, who had lived on the battlefield for decades.

In his shock, as Jereuth was staring blankly at Leonardo, Leonardo smiled lightly like a boy and said.

“Besides, it’s troublesome and tiring to pack up my tent and belongings. So please pack not only the tent but also other luggage to a minimum.”

“Pack up……. I see. I understand.”

At Leonardo’s words, Jereuth was at a loss for words.

‘……I knew he was a great and respectable person. But I didn’t know he was thinking about the knights and soldiers to this extent.’

He was none other than the ‘Crown Prince.’ A Crown Prince who wielded absolute power.

But how could one not be moved when such a Crown Prince was trying to lessen the hardship of the knights and soldiers, and saying he would use the same kind of tent as them.

‘I shouldn’t ask about the gale and rainstorm. That, too, was probably said out of concern for the knights and soldiers, as a measure of preparation.’

In reality, all sorts of things happen during a march or journey. Jereuth knew that better than anyone. Because Jereuth had been an adventurer before becoming a knight.

Jereuth had seen the bones of a sea monster in an inland cave, not to mention sudden changes in the weather, during his travels. He had also encountered a huge snake monster that regenerated no matter how many times he cut it.

‘Thanks to His Highness, I have been reminded of the basics.’

Jereuth, who had been reminiscing about the past for a moment, looked at Leonardo without hiding his admiring gaze.

“I understand what you mean. Then we will finish the departure preparations within the next three days.”

Jereuth had expected the preparation for this march and journey to take about two weeks.

But that preparation was reduced to three days.

The journey to Misty Port would become that much faster and easier.

Three days passed like that.

***

‘I have the <Future Diary>, I have a book to read when I’m bored…… I also have the expensive-looking liquor from Duke Vaimal’s liquor cabinet. Good, this should be enough.’

On the day of departure for Misty Port.

Before departing, I was checking my personal luggage.

For reference, the reason I took the liquor from Duke Vaimal’s liquor cabinet was to give it as a welcome drink when I met the pirates. I didn't know if liquor would be useful when talking to the pirates, but it would be better than nothing.

I thought as I looked at the <Future Diary> in my backpack.

‘The <Future Diary> still hasn't shown what kind of conversation I had with the pirates, or what kind of attitude they showed towards me…… It only showed what I went through on my way to Misty Port.’

That's right. The <Future Diary> had not yet shown the content after meeting the pirates.

Also, fortunately, the content about encountering a gale during the journey had disappeared.

It seemed it was thanks to me moving up the schedule and minimizing the luggage to arrive at Misty Port quickly.

‘But that didn't mean there were no problems on the way to Misty Port.’

Instead of a gale, another unsettling content had appeared.

It was content like this.

……

We were attacked. In the Ateras Gorge.

Despite being attacked…… I made it to Misty Port. Many things happened, but at least I wasn't injured, so it wasn't a very big problem. Probably…… that is.

Creak—.

The carriage, damaged in the attack, made a sound. Perhaps because of the gloomy sky, or perhaps because of what happened in the gorge, the sound seemed even more ominous.

My heart feels heavy.

Content about being attacked in the Ateras Gorge instead of encountering a gale.

It was not content to be taken lightly. Absolutely not.

‘Still, seeing that I wasn't injured…… does that mean Jereuth somehow took care of it.’

I should depart first and talk about it when we get to the Ateras Gorge.

-As I was thinking that and doing a final check of my personal luggage.

Elly's voice was heard from outside.

—Knock, knock.

—Your Highness, Commander Jereuth says the departure preparations are complete.

It was time to depart.

To meet the pirates, to Misty Port.