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

Chapter 34

The officials' outing of their peers who had sought to falsely enhance their own merits came as a considerable shock to the other officials. Because the Crown Prince had directly shown his capabilities.

Crown Prince Leonardo had not succeeded in the Purge simply by borrowing the power of the 3rd Knight Order and the Mage Tower.

A ruler who had seized immense power through a ruthless Purge was also highly capable, making him difficult to deceive or manipulate?

The officials had never met such a tyrant before. Not even Duke Vaimal or Duke Panshin, who had wielded absolute power, were to that extent.

Therefore, when the Crown Prince asked for their opinions on the 'war on crime,' the officials were pouring out their impassioned speeches. Without exception, to avoid getting on the Crown Prince's bad side.

However, the officials' 'opinions' did not satisfy Leonardo.

***

"Your Highness! I fully agree with Your Highness's 'war on crime'! We must mobilize not only the soldiers but also all the knights to capture and kill all the thugs with overwhelming force and let the entire kingdom know of Your Highness's power! Isn't that right, everyone?!"

—That's right! Viscount Jekka…… no, 'Official Jekka's' words are a hundred times right!

—Your Highness! We must dye the Catis River red with their blood!

—Joint punishment! I also suggest joint punishment!

—That's a good idea! We must wipe out their seed!

One official's shout was echoed by the other officials. They were even shouting at me with veins popping on their necks. Enthusiasm is good, but I didn't like their opinions.

‘They've all been saying the same thing since a while ago.’

I had clearly asked the officials to suggest ways to carry out the 'war on crime' well.

But the officials all said similar things. That my policy was unconditionally right, so they should mobilize the knights and soldiers to arrest the thugs.

A parrot would probably say more diverse things than them.

If they had genuinely agreed with my policy and given such opinions, I wouldn't have felt bad. No matter how obvious the flattery, it was still lending support to my policy.

But they were not genuinely agreeing with my policy. They were just babbling without any thought to avoid getting on my bad side.

‘They probably acted the same way with Duke Vaimal or Duke Panshin.’

The kingdom had ended up in this state because bastards like them, who flattered those in power and only cared for their own lives, were ruling as nobles.

That thought made me a little very displeased.

"I have the same opinion, Your Highness! Let's catch all the thugs and greedy merchants that our loyal nobles…… ‘officials’ have reported and hang them upside down! With that, the era of Your Highness has arrived—!"

Another parrot tries to repeat similar words as if it were a person.

‘To think I have to run a kingdom with such people…… it's truly stifling.’

Swish—.

In the end, I raised my hand, cut him off, and said what I had to say.

"Besides mobilizing the knights and soldiers to arrest the thugs and wicked merchants, does anyone have any more detailed thoughts? Productive opinions."

—…….

"Anything is fine. I won't get angry just because your thoughts are different from mine, so please speak comfortably."

They all became mutes who had eaten honey.

Are they unwilling to think, or am I that scary?

‘Hmm…… the clearly said that keeping a few nobles alive would help in leading the kingdom, but it doesn't feel like that at all. Should I entrust it to Jereuth again? But I don't think I can keep entrusting everything to Jereuth.’

Come to think of it, I think I read something like that in a book before. That if a king or a ruler rules with fear, it is easy to maintain power, but that fear could inadvertently silence the people around them.

My current situation was exactly that.

‘But if I just laugh ha-ha-ho-ho without any authority, my subordinates will look down on me and try to deceive me…… becoming a king is truly difficult.’

It's a headache.

Hoo—.

When I frowned slightly and let out a faint sigh, the officials flinched. As expected, they all seem to be just watching my expression. Perhaps they are worried that I might kill someone again.

It was then.

"Um…… Your Highness, may I say a word?"

One of the officials sitting at the very end of the banquet hall cautiously raised his hand and said. He was a middle-aged man with a benevolent impression and innocent eyes. At a glance, he looked like a very good person.

I didn't know who he was, but he seemed to have a better opinion than the other officials.

"Yes, please speak."

"Thank you for allowing me to speak, Your Highness. My family has been a merchant family since long ago, so I do not know much about war. However, I would like to mention the problems that will arise when we indiscriminately arrest all the thugs and wicked merchants at once, as the other nobles…… no, ‘officials’ have said."

Two hours after the meeting began, a proper opinion finally came out.

Although it wasn't an opinion on how to proceed with the 'war on crime,' it was certainly a welcome development that a proper opinion had come out.

‘But I already know the problems that will arise when the thugs and wicked merchants are arrested all at once. Because I saw it in the .’

Since I knew that, I tried to speak first before he did. Because there was no need to listen if it was something I already knew.

"The problem you are trying to mention, is it that if we arrest the thugs and wicked merchants, the market and security of the royal capital that they have managed until now could be shaken?"

"Y-yes, that is correct. That is what I was trying to say. You already knew."

"Yes, well. It's only natural."

At my nonchalant reply, the officials looked quite surprised. Unlike the officials, Jereuth nodded calmly, as if it were natural for me to have such an expectation.

Feeling a little guilty for saying something I learned from the as if I had thought of it myself, I cleared my throat and continued.

Ahem—.

"Then do you perhaps know the solution to that problem— ah, before that. I don't know your name, who are you?"

"I-I'm sorry! I should have stated my name first before Your Highness asked. I am Heinshtangl von Ritzmann."

"Should I call you Lord Heinshtangl?"

"Yes, yes. I would be grateful if you would call me that."

Heinshtangl bowed his head and continued.

"As Your Highness said, the security and economy of the royal capital are currently managed by thugs and merchants. But if we eliminate them, other thugs may rise up to take the vacant positions of the thugs, and the hungry people of the kingdom may plunder the shops."

"Then do you also have a countermeasure for that?"

I asked Heinshtangl for now, but I had also come up with a 'countermeasure' of my own.

‘Have the knights and soldiers patrol.’

When I was studying public administration at university, I also studied police administration a little. It was because I had heard a rumor that the competition for police officer positions was lower than that of general civil servants and had thought of getting a job in that field. -It turned out to be a false rumor.-

Anyway, based on what I studied back then, the greatest effect of patrols is 'crime prevention'. So, just as police officers patrol for security, if the knights and soldiers go around the royal capital, neither the kingdom's people nor the thugs will be able to cause trouble rashly. Probably.

At my question, Heinshtangl pondered for a moment before answering.

"It is not so great as to be called a 'countermeasure'…… but I would like to offer my opinion based on my experience."

"Please come closer and speak comfortably. Don't speak with difficulty from afar."

"Ah, yes!"

Heinshtangl hurriedly ran to the front of the podium and continued.

"Your Highness, do you know why merchants take many escorts when they go on a trading journey?"

"Isn't it obviously to prepare for attacks from bandits or monsters?"

"That…… is a very wise statement, but—."

"Please speak comfortably. If I'm wrong, say I'm wrong."

"I-I was not saying that Your Highness was wrong. Of course, the reason why merchants take escorts is to prepare for attacks from bandits or monsters. But the bigger purpose is to 'prevent' their attacks."

"Prevention."

"Yes. From the merchants' perspective, the best thing is not to completely repel the attacks of bandits and monsters without any damage. It is to avoid their attacks in the first place. Because no matter how well the escorts perform their role, once they are attacked, damage, big or small, will occur."

Heinshtangl took a breath and continued.

"If there are many escorts, the bandits and monsters will not dare to attack that merchant caravan. They are not so foolish as to attack when it is obvious they cannot win. That is why merchants deliberately take many escorts when they go on a trading journey. If they don't have enough money for escorts, they give weapons to the caravan's personnel and disguise them as escorts."

For some reason, it seemed that Heinshtangl was trying to say the exact same thing as the 'patrol' function I had thought of.

"Please continue speaking."

"Yes. So…… what I was trying to say was that it would be good for the knights and soldiers to patrol the royal capital immediately after all the thugs and wicked merchants have been eliminated in the 'war on crime'. Just as merchants have escorts to protect their goods, Your Highness would have escorts—'guards'—on the streets of the royal capital."

It was really the same thought as mine. I liked it.

‘Of course, there are more effective ways to prevent crime than 'patrols'. By publicly torturing and killing the thugs and wicked merchants horribly. Then, probably no one would dare to commit a crime. Because they wouldn't want to suffer such a fate.’

But I don't want to do such a crude and inhumane method. Besides that, there is a decent and good method called 'patrol,' so there is no need to go that far.

‘Well…… it might not be for me to say, having already purged so many nobles.’

Anyway.

‘That official seems useful.’

"You said your name was Heinshtangl Ritzmann, right?"

Perhaps he didn't know that I would suddenly call his name, but Heinshtangl flinched and answered cautiously.

"Y-yes, that is correct. Did I perhaps say something unnecessary—."

"No, it was excellent. That's the kind of opinion I wanted."

"……?"

To Heinshtangl, who was stealthily raising his head to check my expression, I gave a light smile. It might not be something to say to someone much older than me, but his eyes are very gentle.

I took my eyes off Heinshtangl and looked at Jereuth, speaking.

"Head Knight, please work with this person to draw up a plan for the 'war on crime' and a plan for managing the royal capital afterwards. It seems the other officials don't have any particular thoughts, so I'll have to entrust it to the two of you."

"Yes, I understand."

"And Lord Heinshtangl, I would appreciate it if you would also think about how to revive the market and economy of the royal capital and let me know. I will entrust that role to you."

"M-me, you say?"

"Yes. You said you were originally from a merchant family, right? Then you must be more of an expert than me, so I will trust you."

"……."

"Why? You can't do it?"

I asked, wondering if I had entrusted him with too much. Taking on the market and economy of the royal capital would certainly be a burden.

But Heinshtangl, perhaps because my words 「”Can't you do it?”」 sounded like a threat, trembled and hurriedly answered.

"I-I will do it, Your Highness! No, I will get it done!"

It feels like I forced him to take on the job…… but does it matter?

"Good. Then this concludes the meeting, so the other officials, please help diligently when Head Knight Jereuth and Lord Heinshtangl ask for your help."

—Understood!

They were officials who answered very well.

"I say this out of an abundance of caution, but if I hear that someone is not cooperating properly with Head Knight Jereuth or Lord Heinshtangl, it will not end well. I have made it clear. I do not want to add any more red bloodstains to this banquet hall, so please keep that in mind."

—……Yes!

At my words that the meeting was over, the officials who had been relaxing, their faces hardened again at my last words.

With this, it seemed I had done everything I needed to do.

‘I should go back to my room and check the .’

When I got up from my seat, the officials also got up from their seats in unison to follow me.

The officials who had repeated the same words like parrots when asked for good opinions were good at such useless etiquette.

As I went down the steps of the podium, Elly followed behind me. When I passed by Heinshtangl, he bowed his waist even lower.

I thought about patting Heinshtangl on the shoulder, but I decided against it because I didn't feel like doing that to a middle-aged man much older than me.

***

After Crown Prince Leonardo left the banquet hall.

Thump.

Heinshtangl, who had been very tense, collapsed on the floor as his legs gave out. Cold sweat had formed on his neck, unable to even flow down.

‘……I-I must be crazy. Why did I step forward?’

Unlike the other officials, Heinshtangl had no desire to curry favor with the Crown Prince. He had no ambition for success either. He knew better than anyone that his abilities were very far from 'success'.

So why did he step forward? He wasn't the type to like being in front of others in the first place.

‘He's a Crown Prince who threw someone in prison right away for telling a small lie to himself. But if I had said a different opinion from him, it wouldn't have ended with prison. Still, looking at the Crown Prince's expression, it seems to have passed without any problems for now…… so can I be relieved for now?’

Hoo—.

Just as Heinshtangl was letting out a sigh of relief and calming his heart.

Thud— thud— thud— thud—.

Several knights appeared in front of Heinshtangl. When Heinshtangl raised his head at the large shadow cast over his face, Head Knight Jereuth, the 'tyrant's sword,' and other knights were standing there.

"Wh-what is it?"

After the Purge, Jereuth was an object of fear among the officials, to the point of being secretly called the 'tyrant's sword'. When he approached him with other knights, Heinshtangl's blood ran cold.

However, contrary to Heinshtangl's worries, Jereuth extended his hand and spoke gently.

"Can you get up?"

"Ah…… yes."

When Heinshtangl struggled to get up from the floor, Jereuth patted him on the shoulder and smiled.

"Why are you so tense? Were you perhaps worried that the Crown Prince's opinion would be different from yours?"

"……Of course I was afraid."

"Why? Because His Highness is a 'tyrant'?"

"That is correc-."

Heinshtangl almost nodded and answered out of reflex. Then, with superhuman judgment, he stopped his neck.

It might have been a life-or-death moment.

"……No."

"You don't have to be so afraid of His Highness. His Highness does not get angry just because your opinion is different from his."

The Crown Prince would not get angry? Not only Heinshtangl but also the other officials who were listening to his words could not believe it.

Seeing Heinshtangl's expression, Jereuth said calmly.

"You look like you can't believe it. You may not know, Heinshtangl, but His Highness has never gotten angry at any opinion I have given so far."

"That's because you are in a different position from me, Head Knight…… no."

Heinshtangl held his tongue. He didn't know what kind of trouble he would face if he said something unnecessary to Jereuth, who was completely on the Crown Prince's side.

Jereuth shrugged and changed the subject.

"You said to His Highness earlier that it would be good to have patrols after the 'war on crime,' didn't you?"

"Yes."

"His Highness probably already knew that method."

"He knew?"

"Mmm. Because he is a brilliant person."

"Is His Highness Leonardo…… to that extent? To the extent that a knight of your caliber praises him so much?"

"Even that is not enough. Anyway, since His Highness has entrusted you with the 'patrols' and the 'royal capital market economy problem,' please do your best. If you have anything to discuss, come and see me anytime."

"Ah, I understand."

Heinshtahgl nodded and then cautiously asked Jereuth.

"Head Knight. Then why did His Highness bother to ask me? If he already knew everything, he could have just given orders without asking."

"I don't know that either. Perhaps he wanted to hear various opinions, thinking that you might have a better idea than him, or perhaps he was trying to test you. The only thing certain is that it is impossible to perfectly grasp his intentions."

It was a 'test'?

‘Then if I had failed that test…… what would have happened to me?’

As Heinshtangl's expression hardened, Jereuth smiled and turned around. Then he ordered the Vice Head Knight, Hagen, who was standing nearby.

"Hagen, summon all the senior knights within 30 minutes. The reason for the summons is a meeting to plan the 'war on crime' as instructed by His Highness. We will eliminate the bastards whom His Highness has designated as enemies of the kingdom with our own hands."