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

Chapter 110

The Monster Mountains.

A mountain range that ran like a spine from the northeast end to the southeast end of the Plank Kingdom, and as its name suggests, a mountain range ruled by monsters.

Naturally, there were many monsters in the Monster Mountains. No, there should be. That's why it's called the Monster Mountains, isn't it?

But the situation was a little different now.

“It's strangely quiet.”

Barut said, looking around as he climbed the mountain. As he had been doing throughout this journey, Barut was at the front even when climbing the mountain.

“Except for some goblin that rushed us at the entrance earlier, I haven't seen a single monster. It's strange.”

Barut repeated the word ‘strange’ twice.

Of course, I knew why there were no monsters around here, so it didn't feel that strange to me.

‘Seeing that there are no monsters…… it seems the monsters have really all gathered somewhere.’

Not encountering monsters before going to the Minotaur's dungeon was certainly a good thing. It was safer and allowed us to conserve our stamina.

But when I thought about the fact that the monsters would become an army and attack the kingdom someday…… it was certainly not a good thing.

“Aww, dad. Why are you thinking so seriously? It's a good thing if we don't encounter monsters. I'm actually so relaxed that I wish something would pop out.”

Grondar said with a yawn, as if bored, as he walked with his hands clasped behind his head. Then Barut glared at Grondar.

“Don't say such useless things. Words can become seeds―.”

It was then.

―*Grrrrrrrrrr……. *

A sound of phlegm gurgling from deep down in the throat.

Along with that sound, a monster appeared in front of them. I hadn't seen many monsters in my life, but even to my eyes, it was an unusual monster.

‘……It seems like a dangerous one.’

The creature looked like a large, grown-up goblin.

But unlike a goblin, its body was not shabby. Even from the outside, its muscles were firm, and the weapon it held was not a flimsy club but a ‘longsword.’ Although its sword was rusted, it looked even more dangerous because of it.

Its height was about 2 meters. Its skin was an unpleasant color that was hard to tell if it was green or brown. If I had to describe it, it was like ‘the brown of clotted green blood.’

The creature wore an ornament-slash-armor made of human skulls and bones on its pelvis.

And for its upper body, it wore clothes made of human skin, hair, and leather.

I would appreciate it if you didn't ask how I knew the leather of its clothes was human.

……I just saw the shape of a human face in the leather, and the symbols of a man and a woman.

“Urp……!”

I retched without realizing it. I tried to reduce the sound as much as possible, but Jereuth and Grondar were not ones to miss my retching sound.

The clothes and ornaments the creature was wearing were so disgusting to me.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“B-brother! What's wrong all of a sudden?!”

What's wrong, you ask…… it's because the clothes that monster is wearing are disgusting.

‘……Am I the only one disgusted? Is that kind of thing normal in this world?’

“I'm fine. I just suddenly felt sick.”

I waved my hand as if to say I was fine, making an awkward excuse. Jereuth and Grondar continued to look at me with worried eyes, but since I said I was fine, they didn't say anything more.

“A troll.”

Barut said calmly. Then the King responded.

“I'll take it.”

“You will?”

“Mm. In the meantime, you protect Leonardo. Trolls usually operate in groups of two or three, so there might be others nearby.”

“Got it.”

When the King said he would step forward, Barut stepped back without a word. Then he paid no attention to the King and approached me.

I asked Barut, who had come near me.

“Uh…… does that mean Father will face that monster alone?”

“Why, are you worried?”

“Rather than worried―.”

“It's a useless worry.”

Barut said nonchalantly.

“A troll like that won't even be able to touch a hair on your father's head.”

Just as Barut finished speaking.

―Hkyyaaaaaaak!

Just like when it first appeared, the troll let out a sound of phlegm bursting. At the same time, it rushed at the King. It was fast.

It charged at the King with its long legs of a 2-meter frame, swinging its sword wildly.

It seemed that it would be difficult to face such a wild sword swing with swordsmanship. No matter how great the King's swordsmanship skills were.

However.

Slash― Shlick―!

Thud.

Thump…….

……What just happened?

The King, who was holding his sword motionlessly, simply swung his sword diagonally, and the troll fell. The King had just swung his sword from the lower left to the upper right.

With that simple attack, the troll's torso was cut in half diagonally. As the torso cut by the King's sword fell, its neck followed. The neck rolled down the mountain and disappeared somewhere.

“……?”

The King said, wiping the blood off his sword.

“Leonardo, did you see that?”

The King suddenly called out to me, and I was a little taken aback.

“Ah…… yes. I saw it, but I don't really understand what happened.”

“It's simple. You watch the opponent's movements carefully and predict their next move. Then you aim for an opening and cut the enemy's space with your sword. Remember. You're not cutting the enemy, you're cutting the enemy's space. If you don't understand, just accept it.”

Watch the opponent's movements, predict their next move, and aim for an opening.

And cut the enemy's space, not the enemy…… I don't know what that means.

It was like the art lecture of ‘Bob Ross’ that I had watched as a child in my previous world.

The man who said, 「“You just draw with the brush like this, swish—swish—. See, it's that easy, right?”」

As I stared blankly at the King, he approached me, let out a hollow laugh, and said.

“Do you remember when you thrust your sword at my arm when you were sparring with me?”

“Yes. I remember it because that was the only time I successfully attacked you, Father.”

“It's the same as that. At that time, you unconsciously watched my movements, predicted my next move, and aimed for an opening. And you pierced my space.”

“…….”

“You were born with my talent, so you'll be able to do it intentionally someday. That's my swordsmanship.”

The King spoke seriously, then sheathed his sword and continued playfully.

“So, how was it? It was pretty cool, right? Cutting down a troll in one blow?”

“…….”

“How could your mother not fall for me with this? I turn my back and thwack, thwack! Should I show you something like that too?”

……He's back again. The light version of the King.

Thanks to borrowing my necklace, the King seemed to be full of energy.

But what's this 'back and thwack, thwack'?

I feel like I've heard it somewhere before.

***

Phew―.

‘We've finally made it to the top.’

After climbing the mountain without a break from early morning until sunset, we arrived at the summit.

It was quite tiring.

‘Still, I think my stamina has improved a lot from moving so much during this trip. In the past, I wouldn't have been able to even climb a mountain, let alone walk on flat ground like this.’

Improved stamina.

It was a big gain I hadn't expected.

‘But where is the dungeon?’

There was nothing at the summit. There were only a few trees and a wide, flat piece of land.

As I was looking around, Barut, Jereuth, and the King were talking.

“There's still some time before the moon rises, so let's have a simple meal.”

“Hmm. But is what you said earlier really true? That you didn't encounter any monsters on the way from the royal capital to the Wasteland of Ruin?”

“It's true. And seeing that we only encountered a few monsters on our way up here…… Philip and I were thinking that perhaps the same thing that happened 30 years ago is happening again.”

“If you mean the incident from 30 years ago, are you talking about the time the ‘Triple Head Ogre’ was almost born?”

“That's right.”

“Then that means the monsters might be gathered somewhere in the Monster Mountains. Just like back then.”

Barut, Jereuth, and the King seemed to be analyzing the current situation based on their experience.

As expected of seasoned veterans, they were making a correct analysis.

“The moon will probably rise in about an hour. Then the Minotaur's dungeon will appear, so let's finish our meal before then.”

“Hmm.”

“Let's do that.”

At Barut's words, the King and Jereuth nodded their heads.

Jereuth approached me and said.

“Your Highness, I'm preparing a meal. Is there anything you'd like to eat besides jerky and hardtack? I can hunt something nearby.”

“Jerky and hardtack are fine. But Commander, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but what did you mean by ‘the Minotaur's dungeon will appear when the moon rises’?”

“Ah, I haven't told Your Highness.”

Jereuth pointed to one side of the flat land and said.

“When the moon rises, a temple will appear on that land. And if you go down to the basement of that temple, there's a long tunnel, and that's the Minotaur's dungeon.”

“A temple that appears when the moon rises…… and a tunnel.”

“Yes. I think I've told you this before, but the Minotaur's dungeon itself is not a very difficult dungeon. It's a narrow cave-type dungeon, so Barut alone could probably push through all the monsters. He could also break through the traps by taking the hits with his body. In a narrow space, a Giant's monstrous strength is overwhelmingly powerful.”

Pushing through all the monsters by himself?

I didn't know what that meant, but I decided to keep listening. I would find out when I saw it myself later.

“Still, it's a dungeon, so we don't know what variables there might be. So Your Highness should not let your guard down.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Looking around, everyone was busy doing something. The King was sharpening his sword, and Barut and Grondar were taking out armor from their backpacks and putting it on. I had wondered what was so much in their huge backpacks, but it turned out they had brought things like armor and gauntlets.

“Hey, you brat! Aren't you going to put on your shoulder pads?! Put them on quickly!”

“Ah, stop nagging me! I'm ten years old too! And you said all I have to do in this dungeon is lift some rock! Then why do I have to wear shoulder pads! You wear shoulder pads to tank monsters, and if you wear them, it's just uncomfortable in the armpits―.”

“Hey, you fool! You need shoulder pads to comfortably carry a rock on your shoulders! And it's not a rock, it's an anvil!!”

“Aha. Hehe, you're right.”

Clap―.

Grondar clapped his hands as if he had a great realization and laughed awkwardly. Then he started to put on his shoulder pads.

“Good grief, my fate. To think I have to enter a dungeon with a guy like this…….”

“I've been in a dungeon before, at my coming-of-age ceremony, you know?”

“That was a dungeon? It was a kids' playground, wasn't it?”

“You were so surprised when I brought back a red scorpion alive.”

“I was surprised because you brought it to the village, you brat!! What kind of crazy bastard brings a monster to the village!”

The Giant father and son's comedy routine continued here as well.

***

The center of the Monster Mountains.

In the center, there was a huge ‘basin’ that no human had ever entered. A basin is a flat piece of land between mountains.

It was just very wide, a seemingly ordinary basin that could be seen anywhere.

But this basin was not an ordinary place.

This was the place where the Minotaur would appear when it revived in a few years.

The monsters, the masters of this land, called this basin that.

The ‘Basin of Glory.’

***

The center of the 'Basin of Glory.'

At a huge altar built for the Minotaur that would revive in a few years, the leaders of each monster tribe were gathered. Googlᴇ search novᴇlfire.net

From common monsters like goblins, orcs, trolls, and ogres, to lesser-known half-human, half-beast werewolves, gremlins with goblin wings, doppelgangers that could copy the appearance of others, and larvae called ‘sandworms’ or ‘giant heinous worms’ depending on the region.

Not only that, there were also some powerful species with special titles.

Species like the ‘Black Orc.’

Hiss, hiss, hiss―.

Grrrrrrrr―.

Ahem, ahem, ahem.

Inhale… exhale… inhale… exhale.

A huge round table.

At that round table, the leaders of each species were glaring at each other, breathing heavily.

The chieftains of powerful monsters, any one of which could be a threat to cities, towns, and even kingdoms.

The reason they were gathered at the round table was to decide on a leader to manage this enormous monster army.

The leader of this monster army was, of course, the Minotaur that would revive soon. But a ruler was needed to manage the army until the Minotaur revived.

To put it simply, an ‘underboss’ was needed to rule everyone under the Minotaur.

Naturally, the leaders of each monster wanted to be the underboss. Of course, they did.

As everyone was glaring at each other and sizing up the atmosphere.

An ogre with three arms stood up and said. It was an Ogre Lord.

“I, Ogre Lord ‘Balcum,’ will lead the monster army until the revival of Lord Minotaur.”

―Grrrrrrrrrr?

―Ahem?

―Hiss, hiss, hiss…….

“You're making all sorts of displeased sounds. But this is the tradition of monsters. We monsters are ‘survival of the fittest’! Since I am the strongest, naturally I am the underboss―!!”

As Balcum was speaking, the leaders of several monsters rose up.

―What?! You're the strongest?!

―Ogres, step aside! A race that brought disgrace to the monster army 30 years ago has the nerve to talk!!

―Bring it on! I'll tear you to pieces! I'm the strongest!!

―Who are you again!!

―G-goblins abstain. Don't touch us.

―We kobolds…… also abstain.

The meeting place instantly became a pandemonium.

As the commotion continued and was about to escalate into a fistfight and a sword fight.

Clang―!

Someone threw an enormous steel glaive, which looked to be over 30cm thick, into the center of the round table. At that sudden action, the area around the round table became silent in an instant, as if a ghost had passed by.

As everyone's gaze was drawn to the glaive.

Step-.

A black orc climbed onto the round table. It wasn't a large build compared to the other monsters, but its presence and atmosphere were tremendous.

For some reason, it even felt dignified. Dignity was not a common thing for monsters.

“I heard someone mention the incident from ’30 years ago.’ I came up because I have something to say about that.”

―Who are you! A nameless brat……!

As a certain monster tried to rush the round table.

Smack―!

The black orc instantly picked up the huge glaive that was on the round table and swung it.

From top to bottom.

With that simple attack, the monster that was trying to rush the round table was ‘crushed’ from the top of its head to its chest. Its head to its solar plexus was caved in.

With that one show of force, the black orc succeeded in gaining everyone's fear and recognition.

The black orc stepped on the monster that was crushed from the top of its head to its chest and said.

“My name is ‘Krokas.’ I am the leader of the Black Orcs. Anyone who is dissatisfied with what I have to say, come out again.”

―…….

“It's quiet, which is good. Let's continue what we were talking about. As you all know, 30 years ago, we gathered in anticipation of the birth of the Triple Head Ogre. But a cowardly human attacked and the mother who was pregnant with the Triple Head Ogre died.”

―…….

“What I want to ask is, what will you do if something like that happens again? What will you do if someone stops the revival of our lord—Lord Minotaur again? Will you scatter in all directions like 30 years ago?”

At Krokas's question, the leaders of each species discussed with the executives of their own species. Most of them were monsters who had gathered 30 years ago, so they were ones who knew exactly what had happened at that time.

“If you're worried that someone will interfere with Lord Minotaur's revival, why don't you Black Orcs just guard the area near the Minotaur's temple?”

The Ogre Lord, Balcum, said with a sneer at Krokas.

Then Krokas approached Balcum. Then he squatted down on the round table and looked down at Balcum from above, saying.

“In a few years, Lord Minotaur will be revived here. In other words, he could be revived tomorrow. But if I go to guard that dungeon and Lord Minotaur is revived and I'm not here?”

“…….”

“Then only me and our Black Orcs will be the fools. Lord Minotaur will doubt our loyalty. Did you think I wouldn't know that? Isn't everyone gathered here, leaving Lord Minotaur's temple unattended, because they're worried about that?! Don't try any tricks!!”

At Krokas's outburst, Balcum was honestly scared. His presence, his dignity as a monster, his level as a living being was different.

“S-sorry.”

Balcum backed down. His pride was hurt, but Balcum didn't have the confidence to stand up to Krokas.

The other monsters were the same. They all implicitly acknowledged Krokas as stronger than themselves.

Krokas returned to the center of the round table and said.

“Let's get back to the main point. I propose that we dispatch one outstanding warrior from each species to guard the Minotaur's dungeon. Of course, we Black Orcs will also go. ‘Hor’!”

As his name was called, the Black Orc ‘Hor’ raised his weapon high. It was a huge glaive, though not as big as Krokas's.

―I'll go too!

―I can't be left out!

―Guarding Lord Minotaur's dungeon is an honorable thing!

―I'll go! Even if I'm not here for Lord Minotaur's revival and incur his wrath, for the glory of monsters!

That became the starting point, and one by one from each species, the strong warriors of each monster species raised their weapons and volunteered.

Seeing that, Krokas said to Hor.

“Hor. You will lead these great warriors and go to guard Lord Minotaur's dungeon.”

“Yes!”

“And take this too.”

Krokas handed Hor a fist-sized crystal ball. It was a bright red crystal ball. It felt more bright red and sinister than crimson blood.

“It's a crystal ball that turns redder as Lord Minotaur's revival gets closer. If Lord Minotaur succeeds in his revival, the crystal ball will break, and if the revival is thwarted, it will return to its original blue color. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand. So if this crystal ball breaks, it means Lord Minotaur has revived, so I should come back here then?”

“Yes. But if this crystal ball turns blue again…….”

Krokas finished his words, gritting his teeth and growling.

“Bring anyone you find in the vicinity. And make sure they're alive.”