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

Chapter 78

When Jereuth announced that he would be the first to participate in the sparring match with the pirates, Danilo and Walter were disappointed, saying that they had lost their chance to show off their skills in front of the Crown Prince.

However, the other knights, aside from those two, had quite, no, very expectant looks in their eyes.

'To be able to see the Commander's sword...!'

'It's a really rare opportunity. Truly!'

'I won't take my eyes off for a single moment!'

Jereuth had now aged and entered the ranks of the old masters. However, he was a hero recognized by all of humanity in the war against the demons. He was the only shining light of hope on a battlefield of utter darkness, and he was the one who had single-handedly raised the prestige of the Plank Kingdom in the allied forces of humanity against the demons.

Of course, now that he was quite old, he would not be able to display the same prowess as he did back then. Time is a truly difficult thing to overcome.

But Jereuth was still, in name and in reality, the best knight in the Plank Kingdom, and a person whom no one on the continent would dare to take lightly. Jereuth was one of the few humans who had instilled fear in the demons during the war against them.

Seeing Jereuth wield his sword was a stroke of luck for the knights, so they couldn't help but be excited.

Receiving the expectant gazes of the knights, Jereuth spoke.

“Send a messenger to bring the pirates before His Highness' carriage. The sparring match will be held there.”

—Yes!

Watching the backs of the knights who were confidently heading towards Leonardo's carriage, Jereuth thought to himself.

'There is only one thing His Highness emphasized in this sparring match. That no one should get hurt. I must make sure to abide by that.'

***

After recruiting Ronak.

I returned to the carriage and was checking the <Future Diary>. It was to see the results of the sparring match between the knights and the pirates before it began.

'In the original <Future Diary>, it said that the pirates and the knights got into a fight and were seriously injured. In other words, in this 'sparring match,' someone could also be seriously injured. So... if the <Future Diary> says that someone will be seriously injured, I need to prepare for that in advance.'

Not only the knights, but also the Ingrid Island Pirates were valuable personnel that I needed. It wouldn't do for such people to get hurt while sparring with their own allies, not while fighting the enemy.

Flip—.

Thinking, I opened the <Future Diary>. It was the future closest to the present.

...

I was worried that the knights and pirates would get hurt in the sparring match. It would be the biggest black comedy if allies who now had to join forces were to get hurt in a sparring match.

What I was most worried about was if Ronak came out as a participant and got hurt by a knight. Since Ronak was a person who received the absolute support of the Ingrid Island Pirates, if he were to get hurt in the sparring match, the relationship between the knights and the pirates would become awkward.

While I was having such thoughts, Jereuth, who was waiting in the carriage, called me.

—Knock knock.

—Your Highness, the preparations for the sparring match are complete.

Jereuth's voice was calm, but I was anxious.

The content on this page seemed to reflect my current state exactly.

I immediately turned to the next page.

The representatives of the pirates were the pirate captain Ronak, the vice-captain Rollo, and the charge captain Hark.

The representatives of the knights who would face them were Jereuth, the senior knight Danilo, and the lord of Misty Port, Walter.

There were various things that happened in the sparring match, but the result was simple.

However, without even giving the other knights a chance to shine in the sparring match, Jereuth single-handedly took care of all the pirate representatives.

What was surprising was that even though Jereuth fought against three people by himself, no one was seriously injured.

'...Jereuth fought against all three by himself?'

For me, it was a bit surprising that Jereuth himself had participated in the sparring match.

Jereuth was practically the commander-in-chief of the entire kingdom's army, so wasn't it strange that he had personally participated in a sparring match with pirates?

'No matter how great a knight Jereuth is... he's still old, so how did he fight against three people by himself without any harm? Judging by Ronak's appearance, he looks like a complete monster.'

I had such questions, but unfortunately, the <Future Diary> did not provide detailed information.

'Well, at least no one was seriously injured, so that's a relief. I can see the details for myself.'

While I was having such thoughts.

I heard Jereuth's voice from outside the carriage.

—Knock knock.

—Your Highness, the preparations for the sparring match are complete.

It was just as it was in the <Future Diary>.

"Ah, yes. I'm coming out."

Just a moment ago, I had been worried that someone might get hurt in the sparring match, but now my anxiety was completely gone.

Instead, that anxiety was replaced by a subtle anticipation. It seemed to be because I was about to see a 'proper sword sparring match' for the first time since coming to this world.

It was a moment that made any man's heart pound.

Thud—.

As I got out of the carriage, I saw the knights and the pirates.

With the carriage as the center, Jereuth and the knights were gathered on the right, and the pirates were gathered on the left. Although the gazes of the knights and the pirates towards each other were fierce, it was not to the point where I could feel hostility.

It was more like a sense of competitiveness, a desire to win.

“...”

Jereuth silently looked at me.

'He's asking me to start the sparring match, isn't he?'

"Then, will the representatives for the sparring match please come forward."

At my words, from the knights' side, Jereuth, Walter, and Danilo came forward, and from the pirates' side, Ronak and two other pirates came forward. Those two pirates were probably the 'Vice-Captain Rollo' and the 'Charge Captain Hark' mentioned in the <Future Diary>.

'The diary said that no one was seriously injured in the sparring match... but I should probably say something just in case.'

"As I said in the tent earlier, no one should get hurt in this sparring match. Do you understand? This is a friendly match. We're not trying to kill each other."

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Yes!”

Jereuth and Ronak answered on behalf of their respective sides.

"I understand. Then, Commander, please begin the sparring match."

Not knowing how to proceed with a 'sparring match,' I decided to leave the proceedings to Jereuth. Fortunately, Jereuth proceeded with the sparring match without any further words.

Screech— Clank.

Jereuth skillfully drew his sword, lightly tapped his chest, and took a step forward.

The gazes of everyone present were focused on him. It would have been burdensome, but Jereuth paid no mind and spoke in a firm and strong voice.

“I am Jereuth, the Commander of the 3rd Knight Order of the Plank Kingdom and a vassal of His Highness, Crown Prince Leonardo. In this sparring match, I solemnly swear before my lord to uphold mutual honor and courtesy, and even if my opponent is an unbeatable foe, I will raise my sword with all my might until the very end.”

—Victory to the Commander!

—Victory!

—Glory to the Commander!

—Glory!

—And honor that surpasses all else!

—Honor!

At Jereuth's words, the knights all drew their swords and raised them high to cheer him on.

The soldiers raised their spears instead of swords.

The pirates seemed somewhat flustered by the unexpected performance. I was also flustered, but fortunately, I managed to pretend to be calm.

“I am… Hark, the charge captain of the Ingrid Island Pirates.”

A rather nervous-looking man walked out from among the pirates. He was a so-called 'muscle pig' with a large build, a bald head, and a bushy beard. The weapon he was holding was a sword-like weapon with a short handle but a thick and long blade.

"It's been a while since I've faced a glaive. Then, Hark, shall we begin right away?"

"W-wait a minute. I have something I want to ask before we start... but."

“His Highness is waiting, so ask briefly.”

Hark, looking a little shaky, unbefitting his appearance, asked Jereuth.

"If you're 'Jereuth,' are you really 'that Jereuth'? The one who rode a horse alone into an army of hundreds of thousands of demons and wreaked havoc on the enemy lines?"

"That rumor seems to have been exaggerated a bit. It is true that I charged towards the demon army in the war against the demons. However, I did not do it alone. I was with the brave knights here."

Jereuth spoke nonchalantly, but the impact was considerable.

—I-is he really that Commander Jereuth?

—I told you he was! I saw him from afar when I was in the demon war!

—Goodness... wait, then is that black horse over there the famous 'Kartum'? The one that doesn't fall no matter how many spears and arrows hit it?

Like the pirates, I was also a little flustered.

'...Charged into an army of hundreds of thousands?'

I knew that Jereuth was a great knight called 'a single ray of light that cuts through the battlefield.' I had vaguely known that he was a great knight from the way he was respected by the knights and soldiers.

However, I didn't know that he had achieved such an absurd military feat.

To charge against an army of hundreds of thousands, even a madman wouldn't be able to do that.

“The idle talk has gone on for too long. His Highness is waiting, so let’s get started.”

“Then… uh, no. Very well.”

The pirate Hark's tone became polite. Perhaps that's how great Jereuth's reputation was.

Hark slung his huge sword over his shoulder, and with his other hand, he slightly extended it to gauge the distance from Jereuth as he approached him.

Contrary to his title of 'charge captain,' he was being cautious. Perhaps he was showing such a demeanor out of respect and awe for Jereuth.

However, despite Hark's cautious approach, Jereuth spoke rather coldly.

“Do you want to lose that wrist? Why are you extending it?”

"...Pardon?"

Instead of answering Hark's question, Jereuth showed him with his actions.

Whack—!

It was in an instant. Jereuth had struck the back of Hark's extended hand with the back of his sword.

If he had struck with the blade instead of the back of the sword, as Jereuth had said, Hark's wrist would have lost its owner.

But I couldn't see it properly. I had been watching without taking my eyes off for a second, but I hadn't seen the moment Jereuth struck Hark's wrist with the back of his sword.

'...He's incredibly fast.'

They say that when you watch a fighting competition like boxing in person, the spectators can't see the fighters' punches because they're too fast. They just judge that 「”Ah, that fighter got hit by something.”」 when a fighter falls.

The current situation seemed to be similar to that.

"Ugh, ghhhk...!"

Hark let out a painful groan and pulled back the hand that had been struck by the back of the sword. The pain must have been considerable, as the large-framed Hark was trembling. He also took a step back to increase the distance from Jereuth.

However, Jereuth did not give Hark time to recover.

Tat-tat-tat—!

Jereuth closed in on Hark in an instant. It was like watching a boxer's forward lunging step. It was a speed that was unimaginable for someone with a heavy body and wearing heavy iron armor.

“...?!”

Hark was flustered by Jereuth's rapid approach, but as if to show that he was one of the pirate representatives for a reason, he swung his glaive at Jereuth with all his might.

But.

Clang—!

Jereuth, as if he had expected it, leisurely parried it with his sword. Then, he kicked the ankle of the practically neutralized Hark, making him fall on his buttocks on the sandy beach.

Thud—!

"Gah...!"

"Your name was Hark, wasn't it? Will you continue?"

When Jereuth asked Hark, who had fallen on the sand, Hark let out a hollow laugh and shook his head, muttering.

"Losing so ridiculously should make me feel bad... but it's not at that level. I guess I should be satisfied with having crossed swords with a hero."

“...”

"I have lost."

Hark cleanly admitted his defeat. Then, Jereuth lowered his sword and looked at Ronak and Rollo, asking.

"Who's next?"

"...It's me! Vice-Admiral Rollo!"

Even though Hark had been defeated without doing anything, Rollo stepped forward confidently in front of Jereuth, as if he was looking forward to it. If it were me, I would have been completely intimidated by Jereuth's skill, but he wasn't intimidated at all.

Perhaps they weren't the pirates who ruled the southern seas for nothing.

"Then, let the second sparring match begin."

The moment Jereuth said that.

"Yaaaaaah—!!"

Rollo, who had already drawn the two swords on his back, charged at Jereuth. The sharply honed swords cut through the air. Without slowing down at all, he was about to swing his twin swords at Jereuth.

However, Jereuth just stood there and watched Rollo's charge without making any move.

'...Why isn't he doing anything? I-isn't it dangerous?'

—the moment I foolishly worried about Jereuth.

Whack— Crack!

"Gah...!"

Jereuth planted his fist in the face of Rollo, who was charging at him. A dull sound of bone and flesh being crushed could be heard.

Thud—.

Perhaps because the force of Jereuth's fist was added to the momentum of Rollo's charge, Rollo, who had charged with great vigor, had his face turned into a bloody mess and fell to his knees, burying his face in the sand.

This time, too, I couldn't see Jereuth's attack.

"A direct and fast attack is certainly powerful. But considering the risk of being counterattacked, such an attack should be made with one's life on the line."

“...”

“Train harder. With that level of skill, you cannot repay His Highness' expectations.”

Jereuth seemed to be giving advice to Rollo, but it was doubtful whether Rollo could hear him. It seemed Rollo had fainted immediately from Jereuth's single blow.

‘...The <Future Diary> definitely said that everyone only suffered minor injuries, but is that a minor injury? It looks like his nose is broken.’

It seemed there was a difference in the concept of 'minor injury' between my world and this world.

Perhaps it was because I was a modern person who had grown up in a greenhouse.

As I was watching the situation blankly, Jereuth spoke to a nearby knight.

“That pirate fought bravely and excellently. Take him and treat him with respect.”

"Yes, I understand!"

The knight, as if he had expected this, nonchalantly supported the unconscious and fallen Rollo and left the place.

Looking at the situation so far, Jereuth was dealing with the pirates relentlessly, but at the same time, he seemed to be 'educating' them.

—H-he lost so easily?

—Even if his opponent is a hero...

—He's too strong. Too strong.

—You don't just become a hero for nothing.

The pirates were in a stir at Jereuth's overwhelming military power. In the meantime, Jereuth looked at Ronak with a calm voice and said. Fresh chapters posted on novel~fire~net

"Are you next?"

The last remaining pride of the pirates, Admiral Ronak.

He stepped forward at Jereuth's call and said.

"...I will learn a lesson from you."

It seemed Ronak had already resolved to serve Jereuth as his superior.