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

Chapter 102

The reason I was trying to seal the Minotaur was singular and simple.

It was to avoid a war with the monsters.

But looking at my newly written ending in the <Future Diary>, it seemed the war would happen regardless of the Minotaur being sealed.

‘Is war…… unavoidable?’

It was shameful to admit, but I had never experienced war.

I had seen news of unbelievable terrorist attacks on the other side of the globe, or of certain groups and nations at war, but that was an ‘indirect experience.’

An indirect experience that, frankly, I thought had nothing to do with me. Whether they died or not, I attended classes at school and worked part-time.

But this situation was different.

A war would break out someday. And I would be the supreme commander of that war.

The biggest problem was…… that war was destined for defeat.

‘Even without the Minotaur, the monster army must have been far stronger than the kingdom’s army.’

The only silver lining was that the <Future Diary> mentioned the Minotaur had been sealed.

It meant I could put out the most urgent fire.

But even after putting out that fire, the Black Orc ‘Krokas’ had led the monster army and devastated the kingdom, so it was not exactly hopeful.

‘There must be some way.’

……Yes, there must be a way.

‘That may be, but…….’

This truly seemed hopeless. According to the diary, everything would go smoothly for the next five to six years, and based on that, the military strength was diligently reinforced, and yet-

they were still helpless before the monster army’s advance, so what way could there possibly be?

“…….”

My mind felt empty. Instead, my chest was heavy.

I think I was tired. Tired of the repeated, garbage-like future.

‘Anakros in the <Future Diary> said it. To run away. If I run away as it said…….’

Just as the weak part of me deep inside my heart was tempting me.

“Leonardo, are you not feeling well? You were gone for a while, so I came to check.”

“!”

I heard the King’s voice from behind me. I hurried, yet skillfully, tucked the <Future Diary> into my bosom and stood up.

It was a bit much for me to describe it myself, but it was like the movement of an elementary school student hiding a dirty magazine from his parents.

Ahem.

“No, Your Majesty. I am better now.”

“It seems you have buried what you did in a pit and cleaned up well. Without a trace.”

“Ah…… yes. Someone might step in it, you see.”

I answered awkwardly to the King, who was looking at the ground where I had been sitting.

“Right. That could happen. In these deserted mountains.”

The King replied as if accepting it and continued speaking.

“Is something troubling you?”

“…….”

“It seems there is.”

Actually, I did not have a specific trouble right now.

I was just exhausted, my heart instantly heavy from the hopeless future.

“It seems you have something to say, but let’s talk on our way back to the campsite.”

“……Yes.”

There was not much I could say to the King. I could not speak about the <Future Diary>.

Still, I answered and followed the King back to the campsite. For origınal chapters go to Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

The King spoke as he pushed through the bushes.

“Are you worried about the kingdom?”

He was a truly perceptive old man. He was not king for nothing.

“Yes, well…… I am.”

“I see. I thought you were worrying about which of the maid and Olivia you should choose. I figured it would be difficult to choose between two beauties with different vibes― while this father of yours could only have one wife, I was envious of the young lad.”

“…….”

“It was a joke.”

He said it in a serious voice that did not sound like a joke at all.

“Do you remember? What you asked me a long time ago?”

“What I asked you?”

“Yes. You asked me. 「“How should I solve the countless problems that will come, for which I have no idea of the solution?”」 you said.”

Come to think of it, I think I had asked such a question.

“Yes, I remember.”

“Do you also remember the answer I gave you then?”

“Yes. You said something along the lines of, since even a king cannot know everything…… to seek advice from experts.”

“You remember. Yes, that is right. No matter how much of a king one is, one cannot solve or know everything alone. Even if one knew the future.”

“……?!”

The King seemed to be speaking playfully, but.

I could not hide my flustered expression.

‘……Even if you know the future, there are things you can’t solve?’

A profound statement, as if he knew I could see the future.

However, perhaps it was my baseless fear, as the King spoke playfully again.

“Another joke. Unless one has been cursed or blessed by a god, how could anyone know the future?”

“…….”

“Anyway, to get back to what we were talking about, you know the advice I gave you then, so why do you not ask?”

“Why do I not ask…… what do you mean by that?”

“I am asking why you do not ask me, who is more of an expert on being a ‘king’ than you. I may be a failed king compared to you, but I have been a king for a long time in my own right. Are you ignoring me?”

“Ah, no, Your Majesty. It is not that I am ignoring you…….”

What should I say?

“I was just…… a little tired.”

“Tired? You mean the journey is tiring? With that necklace on, your body should never be tired.”

“I think my head is tired, not my body. My mind is also a mess.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Thump―.

The King suddenly stopped.

I had been following him, looking at the ground as I walked, so I almost bumped into his back. Fortunately, I did not.

The King turned around. He knelt on one knee to meet my eyes and spoke.

“Leonardo, I will tell you two things. First, do not tell anyone but me that you are tired. Because everyone in this kingdom is relying on you. You are the symbol of the kingdom. A symbol of the kingdom that must never seem tired, nor fall. So, no matter what you are agonizing over, never look tired. You must always stand firm for everyone in the kingdom.”

“The symbol of the kingdom…….”

“Yes, that is you. As you said when you received the sword from me, you must protect the people of the kingdom as that symbol. Do not lose that heart.”

The King's playful tone from just a moment ago was gone.

“Second, there are two types of kings. One is a king who believes he can solve any problem, and the other is a king who admits there are problems he cannot solve.”

“…….”

“Both types of kings are right. A king can solve any problem, but on the other hand, there are bound to be problems that cannot be solved. We are only human, after all.”

“…….”

“So, all you have to do is choose. Will you stand tall as a king who ‘believes he can solve any problem,’ no matter how tired you are, or will you step back or run away, admitting that ‘there are problems that cannot be solved,’ and calmly accept the history that is to come.”

Hearing the King's words.

I remembered my own weak thoughts from earlier.

‘……I was thinking of running away because it seemed impossible to solve.’

Thinking about it again, I did not want to do that.

Is it not too pathetic to run away now?

To run away now, I have come too far.

As I thought with a hazy gaze, the King smiled faintly and said.

“It seems you have something on your mind.”

“Yes.”

“It was just the ramblings of an old man, but it is good that you thought of something.”

“…….”

“There is something more important than that.”

“More important?”

“Mm. Do not give a woman that dazed look you just had. The woman who receives that gaze will surely be unable to sleep all night, thinking of your eyes and expression.”

“…….”

“It is a great wrong to make a woman toss and turn in her bed all night thinking of you. If there is such a woman, it is a man’s duty to go to her. Remember this well too.”

The King's serious tone changed back to a playful one. The King was, what should I say…… a truly unpredictable person.

The King turned around again and led the way to the campsite. His footsteps were light.

I asked his back.

“Then…… what kind of king were you, Father? The king who believed there was nothing that couldn't be solved? Or the one who ran away―.”

“I believed there was nothing that could not be solved. It is true I made many mistakes and was a failed king, but I never gave up. Because I wanted to be remembered not as a failed king, but as a king who constantly challenged.”

“…….”

“And as a result, I created a solution called you. The makings of a great king that will never be seen again in this kingdom, ‘Leonardo.’”

The King glanced back and asked me.

“What kind of king do you want to be remembered as?”

***

We returned to the campsite.

Jereuth said he was worried because I had not returned for a long time and questioned the King as if interrogating him about why it took so long.

The King laughed lightly as if he knew Jereuth would question him like that and retorted his words.

「“Do your knights have to report even the time they spend pooping?”」, 「“They must report!! Especially in a place like this where you never know what might happen!!”」 Such a conversation had taken place.

Anyway.

We finished our meal of grilled wild boar meat and soup that Jereuth had prepared. Then we headed towards the Wasteland of Ruin again.

My daily routine continued much the same. A repetition of training, meals, rest, and training.

Unlike that simple routine, my mind was complicated with various thoughts. Because of the advice the King had given me and the war with the monster army that would happen in a few years.

But in any case, time flowed equally for all.

And we reached the last mountain before crossing into the Wasteland of Ruin.

That mountain was the one mentioned in the <Future Diary>, where I would meet Anakros and the Giant named Grondar who would become my companion.

‘When I meet Anakros, let’s try to talk to it. About the monster army.’

***

Grondar.

Son of the Giant Elder Barut and a young Giant who had set off on a journey to the human kingdom.

He was climbing a mountain, heading south. It was the path to the human kingdom of ‘Plank Kingdom,’ which his father had adventured in the past.

‘But this is a bit strange.’

Grondar thought to himself, tilting his head as he continued to walk.

‘Why are there no monsters?’

Come to think of it, monsters had not been seen much near the Giant village recently. No, he had not encountered one in the last few months.

That was certainly a good thing. It meant the village was that much safer.

But the situation was different now. From the perspective of Grondar, who was on an ‘adventure,’ monsters had to appear.

Wouldn't that make the adventure more exciting?

‘A human woman in trouble because of a monster. A human man running away, unable to face the monster. Then, a cool Giant appears and saves the human woman. I wanted to become that kind of Giant…… This won't do.’

“Sigh. It’s hopeless, hopeless.”

Just as Grondar was shaking his head, thinking his dream journey was less fun than expected.

He soon reached near the summit of the mountain.

Then, three ‘humans’ came into his sight.

Grondar’s eyes widened. It was because it was his first time seeing humans.

“Uh, huh?!”

His curiosity piqued, Grondar examined the humans’ faces. The humans had horses with them, but perhaps because the mountain was steep, they were not riding them but walking, holding the reins.

‘Real humans! There’s a really small human too!’

“Oh…… It’s humans!! Hello!!!”

Grondar, wanting to get along with the humans, greeted them brightly.

However, the reaction of the humans who heard Grondar’s sudden greeting was completely different.

“……Show yourself.”

As the old human in gleaming silver armor said with a glare, Grondar peeked his head out from between the trees and replied.

‘……Are they surprised?’

“Ah…… I’m a good Giant! I have no intention of fighting!!”

“Show yourself!!”

“Hic!”

Even though Grondar was the son of the Giant Elder, he was still just a ten-year-old youth.

Therefore, he could not help but be startled by the scolding of the old human who was much smaller than him.

Grondar, who was behind the tree, fully revealed himself and hurriedly― calmly introduced himself.

“I-I am Grondar! I’m a Giant! Uh…… Ah! I am the son of the Giant Elder Barut and the diviner Haera!”

―…….

“I’m a really good Giant! I’m not a bad Giant! We Giants don’t eat humans!!”

―…….

“I like mysterious human items, so if you happen to have any, I’d like to take a look―!”

Just as Grondar was approaching the humans with an innocent smile.

A giant ‘snake’ passed over the humans’ heads.

Even by the standards of a Giant, who has an average height of 3-4 meters, it was a giant snake.

“Uh, uh……?!”

Grondar had faced countless monsters in the Wasteland of Ruin until now. He had hunted very ferocious monsters with other adult Giants. He had even hunted monsters over 5 meters long, like the Great Desert Centipede. Grondar was a born warrior among the Giants.

But this ‘giant snake’ was something he could not size up at all. Not because it was a monster he had never seen before, but because it looked truly dangerous just by looking at it.

‘That snake…… is dangerous. Really dangerous!!’

Grondar’s instinct as a born warrior warned him. Never to confront that monster.

If he were to confront it, he had to thoroughly plan the hunt with at least ten skilled Giant hunters.

“Your Highness, danger……!”

The old man in heavy armor shouted at the young boy. Although there was some distance, Grondar heard it clearly.

‘'Your Highness'? I learned that’s what humans use to address royalty?’

Grondar, who was very interested in human culture, knew this.

To meet human royalty on a mountain like this was surprising.

But more important was the existence of that ridiculously large and dangerous-looking snake.

‘F-first, I have to save the humans! Humans are a weak species, so they must all be terrified! I have to carry them and run! ……Horses, I’m sorry. The snake might eat you.’

With such good intentions, Grondar instantly approached the humans. Though he was a large-bodied Giant, his leg strength was immense, making his movements very fast and light.

His strength was so great that the ground Grondar stepped on was deeply dug out and became firm.

However.

Swish―.

Before Grondar could approach the humans and say anything, the small human called ‘Your Highness’ quietly spoke as he lowered the old man's sword with his hand.

“That giant snake is Anakros……. Commander, it seems to be just passing by, so let’s watch for now.”

It was a very calm voice. Grondar was rather flustered by that voice.

‘……How can he be so calm? He looks like a really weak human?’

The Giants were a race that valued courage as much as friendship with friends.

So, Grondar could not help but feel favorable towards the small human’s calm and brave actions.

Ssssssssss―.

As the one called ‘Your Highness’ had said, the giant snake continued on its way.

‘……It’s really just leaving?’

―Just as Grondar was naturally blending in with the human group and staring blankly at the snake.

Whoosh―!

The snake suddenly turned its head and looked towards them.

“Hgek……!”

“Your Highness, get down―!”

“……!”

Grondar was startled. Likewise, the old man in armor and the other old man could not hide their surprised expressions.

But this time too, the young human called ‘Your Highness’ was different.

“…….”

The young human called ‘Your Highness’ approached the snake by one or two steps without a word.

“Y-Your Highness! Danger―!”

The old man said, surprised by his sudden action, but.

Swish―.

As if to say it was okay, not to worry, to be at ease.

The young human raised his hand and calmed the old man. Then he took another step towards the giant snake.

Ssssssssss―.

As the young human approached, the giant snake also slowly lowered its head and came closer.

Even though the snake approached slowly, because it was so huge, it was a matter of moments before it got close to the young human.

The giant snake’s head came right in front of the young human. The distance between them was less than a handspan.

“…….”

―…….

The young human and the snake stared at each other. It was like they were having a battle of wills. Grondar, Jereuth, and King Philip, who were watching from behind, could not even breathe.

Watching the scene for a moment, Grondar’s heart beat fast with excitement. To the point where his hands were sweating.

‘That small human…… is really strong! That’s a really strong human!’

In terms of physical ability, that small human would be pathetic from a Giant’s point of view.

He would probably not be able to withstand a single one of his punches.

But look at him standing tall and not batting an eye in front of that overwhelming snake.

As a man, he could not help but acknowledge it.

A fire ignited in the young Giant’s heart.

‘I want to be friends with that human!’

Grondar, who had left his village about a month or two ago, had met someone he truly wanted to be friends with for the first time.

Grondar.

He was the son of 'Barut', who was called the strongest Giant in history, and-

he was a young Giant recognized by everyone to become stronger than his father within a few years.