Kill the Emperor

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 83 : I am a Ruffian

“……Your Excellency, I am a person who knows my lacking skills and spends my time buried in the countryside doing minor things. I already feel my own inadequacy deeply, so what could I possibly wish for to argue about cold rice or hot rice and complain? Please withdraw the words you said a while ago.”

At my changed tone, Sheldrick’s eyes seemed to shake very briefly.

But soon he revealed that he wasn't refusing my proposal to save his pride.

“……You have nothing you wish for?”

“That is correct. If my greed was bigger than the ability I possess, it would have been painful as well. But because I know my vessel and do not dream vain dreams, I also have no lingering attachment.”

“Is that so? Then I will ask just one thing.”

I rose from my seat and opened the closet.

“For what purpose did the person who has no greed and no dreams leave behind so many books?”

Thud!

A moment later.

With dull sounds, thick books filled the desk one after another.

“…….”

Sheldrick’s eyes, confirming the titles of the books, shook more violently than a little while ago.

‘How did the Grand Duke get these books…….’

It was true that Sheldrick wrote the books I took out.

But because he used a pseudonym and the number of published books was so small that they were only passed on by word of mouth, it was close to impossible to realize that the author was Sheldrick.

“Someone said this. That a book written by a scholar is like a will left behind out of worry that his shout towards the world will be forgotten.”

“…….”

“If you truly had nothing you wished for, would there have been a need to bother writing it down and spreading it?”

Of course, for me who knew information about Sheldrick’s books through memories before regression, it wasn't that difficult a task.

“…….”

“Now, next question. Sheldrick Apelheimer, what kind of dream do you possess?”

“……I believe I have no obligation to answer that question.”

“Then you don't have to answer. Because I already know the answer. Even without hearing it through your mouth, these guys told me what your dream is.”

Every time my smooth finger poked the pile of books, Sheldrick’s eyes also shook minutely.

“You want this country to change, right?”

“……How could an ignorant person like me have such a grand…….”

“Shall I speak a little more in detail? You want to make Zodiac a country where even the lowest and weakest person in this country can manage to live, don't you?”

At my consecutive questions, Sheldrick could not bring himself to say no.

I accurately captured the desire he had dreamed of for a long time but had given up on, no, believed he had given up on.

“An opportunity to make your long-cherished dream a reality has come. But you're going to refuse it? Your dream must be cheap enough to have a lower priority than pride.”

“……I mentioned that it wasn't because of pride. And…… I will not deny that I once dreamed of what you just mentioned. However…….”

“However?”

Was it because the word ‘cheap’ came out of my mouth?

Before anyone knew it, a slight anger was imbued in Sheldrick’s voice.

“My thirst is not deep enough to be in the same boat as a ruffian who habitually engages in trickery and plotting to eliminate political opponents for his will. Your Excellency!”

“A ruffian, you say. Whatever you think of me is your freedom. But haven't you thought about what a ruffian who habitually engages in trickery can do for you with the power obtained through that trickery?”

I took out a document from my bosom and placed it on the table.

“As soon as the King succession ceremony is over, there will be a large-scale reorganization in each department including the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Finance.”

The document was densely written with the names of those who would take charge of each department, but only one position, the name of the Chief Minister who would assist the King and oversee domestic affairs, remained vacant.

“As soon as the reorganization is completed, I will wash my hands of all domestic affairs issues and only be in charge of military and diplomacy. Issues regarding domestic affairs will be overseen by the next Chief Minister with His Majesty’s permission.”

A declaration to lay down a considerable part of the power he had almost monopolized until now.

Sheldrick had no choice but to be surprised.

Because in the meantime, he had thought of me as something like an incarnation of lust for power.

The current declaration was words a person blinded by power could never say.

“I have placed a talent equipped with virtue and qualities as the next King, and I have cleaned away all the trash that might bother you. But you're going to miss this opportunity just because of antipathy towards me?”

“…….”

“I tell you clearly, I cannot work together with a fool who doesn't know the value of his own ideals. Because one of the things I despise is a cheap three-penny ideal that cannot even overcome petty pride.”

Sheldrick was shaken.

He might be denying that fact himself, but Sheldrick was clearly being shaken.

“If it is difficult for you to make a decision, I will give you one more piece of advice. Sheldrick, this is the last opportunity I will give you.”

I drove a wedge in.

“I swear in this seat. If you refuse this opportunity, as long as I am here, you cannot do anything in this country. Because I will make it so.”

It was words that could sound like a threat, but I was unhesitating.

“As long as I am breathing, you will not be able to have any opportunity, and you will not be able to unfold any will. All your books will also be used as nothing more than firewood at best.”

“……!”

When my fair hand brushed over his books, Sheldrick had to feel goosebumps rising without realizing it himself.

The biggest fear a scholar who could not achieve his will possesses.

I was accurately digging into that.

“If you are confident in living longer than me, or if you are satisfied with living while reading books like now, I have nothing more to say. But if not, there is only one thing you can choose.”

Sheldrick could instinctively intuit.

That among all the words the Grand Duke said to him, the resolution contained in the words ‘this is the last opportunity’ was the most firm.

If he missed this opportunity, there would never be another opportunity coming to him.

With this, having finished everything I had to say…….

“Dorian!”

“Did you call, Your Excellency!”

“Thanks to you bringing your teacher here, I was able to share a good conversation.”

I called Dorian immediately.

“It seems your teacher looks a little tired. So you may escort him back now.”

“Yes, I will do so. Your Excellency! Teacher, I will escort you.”

The teacher’s expression was somewhat subtle to call it tired.

But Dorian followed my order without complaint.

“Then I will be waiting for your next visit, Sir.”

I offered a farewell greeting with my gaze directed towards the books piled up on the desk.

‘Indeed, I wasn't in a position to talk about others either.’

Left alone, I smiled bitterly.

In my ears as I closed my eyes, the shout I heard a very long time ago but was still vivid like yesterday echoed.

“Alexar, do not throw away the ideal you harbor! You must not deny it as vain either. Trust me and bet yourself. Because I will lead you to a new world.”

***

“Urahchacha!”

“Ugh!”

“Did you see? Did you see? Did you all see me land a blow on this guy’s crown?”

“Hey! You hit my head while I was wiping sweat like a coward? You, just wait! Because exactly 3 minutes later I will pay you back double!”

“Kuku, I've never seen a guy who says he will pay back double actually get his money's worth.”

The sunset was already passing over, but the voices of the Haken Knights guarding the training ground never subsided.

Looking back, the footsteps the Haken Knight Order had walked for the past 2 years could be said to be truly phenomenal.

Just before meeting me, they were lunatics isolated in a border fortress.

But now, no one saw them like that.

Haken was the Royal Guard Knight Order assisting the Family Head of the most noble family in Zodiac, and at the same time, they were undefeated warriors who won victories on the front lines of three wars.

Before anyone knew it, Haken had become an object of envy for the young knights of Zodiac.

‘Ah, even just once would be fine, if I could serve the invincible Grand Duke.’

‘If it’s the Royal Guard Knight Order, Grand Duke Reichart would teach directly too, right? Just imagining it makes me envious.’

‘Is there no plan to expand personnel? If only there was additional recruitment, I would risk my life to pass and enjoy the glory.’

Even if there weren't the victory records they achieved, Haken might have become an object of admiration for knights just for the reason of being ‘the Grand Duke’s Sword.’

“Now, then suck down a cool cup of cold water, and go again.”

“Come a hundred times, a thousand times! Does anything change!?”

However, none of the Haken members wanted to keep their seats solely on the Grand Duke’s status.

“Arachacha!”

“Your side is empty! You rascal!”

However, even with such rapid change in status, there were two things that hadn't changed a bit compared to 2 years ago.

Exactly the craving for strength, and…….

“You came out! Commander!”

“Greetings to the Commander!”

It was loyalty close to blind devotion towards their lord.

As soon as my appearance approaching the training ground from afar was seen, a thunderous voice that seemed to make the royal castle float burst out from the members’ mouths.

Since I had ordered the members to call me ‘Commander’ at least in the training ground, the title they called me was Commander just like before.

“Duties must have increased heavily lately, so you must be tired, but you came out to the training ground?”

“I am not tired at all.”

“Rather, since coming to the capital, I haven't had to work to use strength so my body feels stiff.”

“If there is a command to give, just say the word anytime. I will even go to hell and come back.”

“Well, right now there is no work to send you to hell, but wait. If it becomes necessary, I will tell you right away.”

“Haha, just give the command! We will be waiting. Your Excellency!”

Although I rarely joked in front of ministers, it was different in front of them.

Before anyone knew it, Haken had become an existence just like my alter ego, not simply a Royal Guard Knight Order.

“Since we are talking about it, shall we test how many friends can come back safely from hell?”

“……!”

Hearing the words coming out of my mouth, the members’ eyes began to sparkle fiercely.

“I-I will go as number 1!”

“No. That friend was sparring until just now so his stamina must be depleted a lot. I will go as number 1.”

A moment later, members raised their hands one after another and asked to receive teachings from me first.

Since entering the capital, I made time occasionally to give teachings to the members directly.

Sparring with me, which came rarely, was a big event the members looked forward to endlessly.

“It seems you guys had a lot of improvement in these few days. If not…….”

Watching such appearances of the members, I took out one of the practice wooden swords stuck neatly and walked to the center of the training ground as I spoke.

“No matter how overflowing with confidence, you wouldn't be able to say you will face me alone, would you?”

“Scatter!”

As soon as my words ended, the members who were gathered together scattered in all directions and surrounded me.

‘36 people…….’

I quickly checked the number of members in the training ground.

Ismael had reported that all members achieved a state of 3rd Star or higher.

‘Judging only by Blade Aura operation, about 3rd Star. But considering these friends’ enhanced physical abilities, should I see it as 4th Star or higher on average? Among them, there must be friends who reached a higher state than that.’

For a status of ignorant bumpkins who didn't know what Blade Aura was during the time of 2 years, this much achievement wasn't a very bad result.

‘Now that it seems they have the basics, I should pay more attention to the members’ skill improvement too. Since they are friends with a lot of talent, they will follow along reasonably well.’

But this much was still lacking.

Because the expectation I hung on Haken was incredibly high.

In my head, the invincible Knight Order that roamed the battlefield wrapped in entirely pitch-black armor came to mind.

‘Immortal’.

The invincible undead army that became Gillian’s limbs and embroidered the front lines during the Unification War.

The current Gillian would be raising them secretly, but I had never forgotten their existence even once.

‘It can’t be helped that national power is pushed back, but even the Royal Guard Knight Order cannot be pushed back. You guys must become wolves with fangs that can bite off even undead for my sake.’

Gulp.

In my ears, which were lost in thought for a moment, the sound of a member located in front swallowing dry saliva was heard.

Training started with the intention of tempering the members, but before anyone knew it, tension was hard to believe as training lingered in the training ground.

“Are you going to just watch? The sun will set completely.”

The very moment these words ended.

“Ta-at!”

“Pounce!”

“Let’s all die once today!”

The cries of wolves who captured the prey’s opening covered the training ground where the sunset had settled thickly.