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

Chapter 47

“I understand, Your Highness. I will tell Sir Heinshtangl to summon all the merchants of the royal capital.”

Elly confirmed my words again and left the room. She was probably going to deliver my message to Heinshtangl right away.

“Yes, thank you.”

As I spoke to the departing Elly, something suddenly occurred to me.

‘Wait. Should I wear a mask when I meet the merchants this time too?’

I had worn a mask when I revealed myself to the people of the royal capital to hide my frail appearance.

That time when I purged the thugs.

For the time being, it was advantageous for me to maintain the image of a ‘strong crown prince.’ So it seemed like a good idea to wear a mask when meeting the merchants this time as well.

‘Whether great leaders or terrible dictators in history, they all gave symbolic points to their appearance to maintain a strong impression. Mussolini’s bald head, Hitler’s mustache… things like that.’

I don’t know why only the symbols of trashy dictators came to mind. Perhaps it’s because their symbols are deeply ingrained in my mind.

‘Some have even made such an assessment. That the Nazi symbol and Hitler’s mustache were the most powerful symbols in human history. In a bad way.’

Anyway.

‘I don’t know if a mask can leave as strong an impression as the symbols of those dictators, but for now, hiding my weak appearance is important, so a mask seems to be the best option.’

I picked up the mask that was lying carelessly on one side of the table. It was the same mask I wore when I purged the thugs.

‘Until the day I become healthy enough to reveal my bare face. Until then, let’s wear this mask when I make public appearances.’

***

Heinshtangl’s office.

Befitting Heinshtangl’s frugal nature, his office had no particular decorations. However, with documents and reports messily scattered on the desk, it couldn’t help but look a bit untidy.

In that office, Heinshtangl asked the crown prince’s maid, Elly, who was standing before him.

“So… His Highness ordered to summon all the merchants of the royal capital to the castle?”

Elly nodded her head and replied.

“That is correct.”

“Did he not mention the reason?”

“No. His Highness only said to gather all the merchants remaining in the royal capital.”

Elly’s words were simple and clear, but Heinshtangl rubbed the back of his neck as if it were a headache.

‘Why is His Highness suddenly gathering the merchants? He already dealt with all the wicked merchants in the capital, so he’s probably not trying to kill them… no, that tyrant might even eliminate innocent merchants. As the young tyrant who intends to seize all the kingdom’s markets and commerce with his army, he might even deal with all the merchants and confiscate their assets.’

No matter how positively Jereuth spoke of Leonardo, and no matter how Heinshtangl himself had decided to follow Leonardo, he still perceived Leonardo as a fearsome being.

‘If, as I fear, His Highness really intends to deal with all the merchants and confiscate their assets, that would be a huge problem.’

Although he hadn’t told Leonardo, Heinshtangl believed that the merchants’ help and role were essential for Leonardo’s ‘army policy.’ Recruiting and maintaining an army required a significant amount of provisions and equipment, and to obtain them, he had to rely on the merchants.

Therefore, Heinshtangl, being from a merchant family, intended to use his merchant connections to purchase the necessary provisions and military supplies as quickly as possible.

But what if the tyrant killed those merchants?

‘…I would have to travel all over the kingdom myself to buy provisions and military supplies.’

Heinshtangl had no confidence in purchasing all of that by himself. Just managing the reconstruction of the capital’s market and the budget was a mountain of things to worry about, and buying provisions and military supplies himself was absolutely impossible.

It would be difficult even if he had ten bodies.

Phew—.

Heinshtangl sighed out of frustration, then, realizing the crown prince’s maid was standing in front of him, he cleared his throat.

“Ahem, my sigh was not because of His Highness’s order. I must have eaten too quickly today, my digestion is not good.”

The reason Heinshtangl was so mindful of Elly as to make such an awkward excuse.

It was because Elly was Leonardo’s ‘personal maid.’ If she were to tell Leonardo, 「“Heinshtangl sighed upon hearing Your Highness’s order,”」 it would certainly not be good.

Ahem—.

Heinshtangl cleared his throat once more and added another word.

“Did His Highness say by when to summon the merchants?”

“He did not mention that either.”

“Then I must summon them as quickly as possible. I cannot keep His Highness waiting.”

“I think so too.”

To Elly, who nodded with a light smile, Heinshtangl nodded back with a stern expression. No matter if Elly was just a maid, since she was delivering the crown prince’s words, her words were as good as the crown prince’s.

Heinshtangl turned his head to the side and said.

“Olivia.”

“Yes, Father.”

At Heinshtangl’s call, the woman sitting at the small desk next to him, Olivia, answered.

Olivia. She was the most outstanding of Heinshtangl’s children, to the extent that Heinshtangl would sometimes ask for her advice despite her being much younger than him.

‘It’s as if she was born with all the talent my incompetent sons lack. She is my pride.’

Olivia’s appearance was as outstanding as her inner abilities. Her unique pale white skin, sharp eyes, nose, and mouth that could be considered cold, a swaying dark brown bob, and a matching expressionless face.

Many powerful nobles were attracted to Olivia’s appearance and approached her, but none were chosen by Olivia.

‘Though the family had been in difficult situations because of Olivia’s cold attitude.’

As Heinshtangl thought, Olivia’s cold attitude—her ‘stuck-up attitude’—was disliked by many nobles. Nevertheless, Olivia never once changed that indifferent attitude. To the point where she wouldn't even show a smile.

If anything, that cold attitude only further stimulated the competitive spirit of many men.

‘Since the family’s power wasn’t that strong, there were awkward situations because of Olivia’s attitude. But I couldn’t force her into an engagement if she didn’t want to. Marriage should be with someone you love.’

For a noble of this world, Heinshtangl was extremely open-minded.

In any case, the most trustworthy person to Heinshtangl right now was his daughter.

Therefore, Heinshtangl decided to entrust the most important task to Olivia.

“Olivia, it is His Highness’s command. Send people into the capital and bring all the merchants to the royal castle. If necessary, ask Commander Jereuth… no. Ask Vice-Commander Hagen for help.”

“Understood.”

Olivia left the room immediately without any particular questions. Having heard the conversation between Heinshtangl and Elly, she had anticipated that Heinshtangl would make such a request of her.

Olivia’s characteristic expressionless face remained.

Watching Olivia leave the room, Heinshtangl sighed inwardly and wished.

‘I just hope His Highness doesn’t kill the merchants.’

***

In front of the banquet hall door on the 2nd floor of the Central Palace, the ‘Central Palace.’

The same banquet hall where the nobles were purged.

All the merchants of the royal capital were gathered in front of the banquet hall door.

Fortunately, the area in front of the banquet hall door had been cleaned thoroughly, leaving no trace of the purge. Nevertheless, the merchants were all considerably nervous about the crown prince’s sudden ‘invitation.’

—…

—…

—…

—…

However, some merchants were full of spirits. They were happy to have ‘received an invitation from the royal family’ and were expecting an unexpected opportunity to make money. Thanks to the disappearance of all the wicked merchants and thugs from the capital, there were now many opportunities for the surviving merchants to earn money.

Heinshtangl and his daughter Olivia were also with the merchants. The reason was that they were the ones who had gathered them.

Among the merchants, a particularly old man, the most seasoned and experienced merchant named ‘Abraham,’ looked around the royal palace and thought silently.

‘Hmm… the atmosphere is unusual.’

Abraham, who was looking around, asked Heinshtangl, who was standing nearby. To Abraham, Heinshtangl was a noble but a ‘pushover merchant,’ and until now, Abraham had gained much information and profit from Heinshtangl.

“Sir Heinshtangl, do you really not know why the royal family has summoned us merchants?”

No matter how much of a pushover Heinshtangl was, Abraham asked with the minimum courtesy for a noble.

At that question, Heinshtangl shook his head and answered briefly.

“I really don’t know either. But… it probably won’t be a bad thing. Probably.”

At Heinshtangl’s tone, Abraham narrowed his eyes.

‘Heinshtangl doesn’t know why the crown prince summoned us either? Hmm…. There’s not enough information. If the crown prince intended to kill us like he executed the other merchants under the pretext of a ‘war on crime,’ he wouldn’t have summoned us here, so can I rest assured for now?’

As Abraham was worrying and contemplating, Heinshtangl threw a piece of advice.

“I don’t know why His Highness summoned you, but just keep one thing in mind.”

“Are you offering advice?”

“Yes. Whatever happens, do not say anything that will provoke or displease Prince Leonardo. This is the best advice I can give you. …He is a truly fearsome person.”

To Heinshtangl, who was looking him straight in the eye and speaking seriously, Abraham smiled lightly and replied.

“Haha, I am not foolish enough to provoke the Crown Prince.”

“I’m glad you seem to understand—.”

“However.”

Abraham rudely cut off Heinshtangl’s words and continued with his own.

“If His Highness intends to do business with us, then I will do what I must as a merchant.”

“Doing what you must as a merchant, does that mean you intend to profit off His Highness?”

“Yes. As I said, if His Highness intends to do business with us. I cannot do business at a loss, can I?”

“…You’re mad.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

Heinshtangl felt from Abraham’s tone that he was subtly looking down on Leonardo.

Heinshtangl swallowed a sigh inwardly.

‘Phew… he must have seen His Highness execute hundreds of thugs and wicked merchants, yet Abraham’s spirit is not broken in the slightest. Should I say, as expected of Abraham? Or should I see it as him looking down on Prince Leonardo because he doesn't know his scariness yet? Is this a perfect example of the saying that ignorance is bliss?’

Whatever it was, Heinshtangl hoped this meeting would end without any trouble.

As Heinshtangl was lost in complex thoughts, Abraham asked him.

“May I ask one more thing?”

“Ask.”

“I heard through rumors that many nobles were purged. Is that true?”

“…Why do you ask?”

“From the way you say it, it seems to be true. So the rumor was true.”

Abraham nodded as if he had learned something good and continued to speak.

“Then I will ask another. I heard a rumor that the one who carried out the purge was Prince Leonardo, who is only twelve this year, is that true? I don't think he, who was so weak he could barely move, could do such a thing.”

“…”

“Could it be that Commander Jereuth wants to seize power but lacks a pretext, so he is using Prince Leonardo as a front? And the person who ordered the execution of the thugs from the castle wall yesterday, the one wearing a mask, was that really Prince Leonardo? If so, why did he wear a mask?”

Saying he would only ask one thing, Abraham relentlessly questioned Heinshtangl. He was trying to squeeze out as much information as possible from Heinshtangl.

In fact, for Abraham, a commoner, to ask Heinshtangl about the noble purge or matters inside the royal castle was a very dangerous statement.

The reason why Abraham did not watch Heinshtangl’s expression despite this was simple.

Because Heinshtangl was a pushover. Heinshtangl had always yielded a step or two to Abraham and the other merchants.

The usual Heinshtangl would have reluctantly answered Abraham’s words. But the question Abraham was asking now was too dangerous. And for good reason, because the question Abraham was asking now was about the ‘crown prince.’

To even ask if Commander Jereuth was using Leonardo, Heinshtangl broke into a cold sweat, worried someone might have heard.

“…Abraham, shut your mouth. You know nothing. How scary Prince Leonardo is—.”

Just as Heinshtangl was speaking with a stern face.

—Clank. Clank. Clank. Clank. Clank. Clank.

Suddenly, from the other end of the corridor, knights and soldiers approached. They were all heavily armed knights with their helmets down, covering their faces.

The marks of arduous training and battle were evident on their armor. There were even knights with indelible bloodstains on their armor.

A sense of intimidation was felt as they approached.

—…W-why are the knights here?

—What’s going on?

—D-don’t tell me…?

The merchants stirred. Abraham, using his experience, tried not to show his agitation.

However, Abraham was also quite flustered inwardly, just like the other merchants.

‘Heavily armed knights coming to the banquet hall… why? And with such an aura?’

Abraham hurriedly checked Heinshtangl’s expression. He thought Heinshtangl, who had gathered him and the other merchants, might know something.

“…………?”

But Heinshtangl’s expression was not much different from the merchants’. He was clearly flustered.

His daughter, Olivia, standing next to Heinshtangl, was looking at the knights with her characteristic unreadable, expressionless face.

—Clank!

Before long, the knights and soldiers had completely surrounded the merchants.

A short but heavy, uncomfortable silence passed.

Soon, the knight at the very front raised his helmet’s visor, revealing his face, and spoke.

“I am Hagen, Vice-Commander of the 3rd Knight Order of the Kingdom. Beyond this door, Prince Leonardo awaits you. And you will soon have an audience with Prince Leonardo.”

—…

“Before that, there will be a body search. If you have anything that could be a weapon, submit it voluntarily. Be warned that if you do not submit it yourself, you may receive rather harsh treatment.”

—…

“None? Then from now on, any weapons found will be confiscated, and you will be punished according to the severity. Knights, soldiers, begin the search.”

Hagen gestured for the body search with a nod of his chin. The knights and soldiers then began to roughly rummage through the merchants’ bodies. They did not discriminate between old merchants, young merchants, men, or women.

—A-aah!

—What the…?!

—Kyaa—!

The knights treated the merchants as if they were criminals. The merchants, who had been full of spirit just a moment ago, were instantly intimidated and terrified.

As the rough body search continued, a knight took out a pen from a merchant’s clothes and asked.

“Why did you bring a pen?”

“Well, as a merchant, I carry it because I don’t know when I’ll have to sign something?”

“It’s a sharp weapon.”

“…What did you say?”

“‘What did you say’? Am I your friend? Do you take a knight for a pushover?!”

When the merchant asked back as if it were absurd, the knight asked back as if it were even more absurd. Then, as if he had no intention of letting it go, the knight roughly twisted the merchant’s arm.

“U-ugh! Wh-what are you doing—!”

“Shut up. Bringing a weapon to an audience with His Highness, you could be executed for treason right now. I have the authority, the will, and the ability to do so.”

“…T-treason! Even a knight doesn't have that right!”

“‘Right’?”

The knight tilted his head, then scoffed at the merchant and replied.

“‘He’ gave me that right.”

“…”

“If you say one more word, I will exercise the right that He gave me. The only reason you are alive right now is because you are a guest invited by Prince Leonardo. Be grateful for His mercy.”

At the knight’s words, which sounded like he would genuinely kill him, the merchant couldn't say anything. He couldn't even open his mouth, fearing the knight’s words.

Starting with that knight’s absurd body search, the other knights and soldiers also began to pressure the merchants.

“What is this?”

“A-an accessory… a brooch. I wore it to show respect as I was invited by the royal family, it’s a family trea—.”

“This is not a simple accessory, it is a throwable weapon with a sharp needle attached. It will be confiscated.”

“What?! A brooch as a weapon… ugh, ugh!!”

“Prince Leonardo said it. That I should judge any weapon as I see fit. And in my judgment, this is a ‘weapon’.”

In this manner, several merchants—in fact, all the merchants—suffered hardships such as having their belongings confiscated and their arms twisted. The confiscated items ranged from pens to hairpins, brooches, and even long hair ribbons.

A body search that could only be called a fabrication.

At the merciless treatment, the merchants felt a stifling sense of repulsion, but they couldn't say anything to the knights and soldiers who were exuding killing intent.

Heinshtangl watched the situation with a bewildered gaze.

On the other hand, Olivia watched silently without a word.

But inwardly, she was secretly smiling.

‘The reason Prince Leonardo gathered all the merchants is probably because he needs their cooperation for his policy. To build an army, a lot of provisions and supplies are needed, so the cooperation of the merchants is essential.’

Olivia had learned about Leonardo’s ‘military economy’ policy while helping Heinshtangl. A policy to strengthen military power naturally while developing agriculture and commerce by mobilizing the army.

So Olivia had already thought about Leonardo’s ‘military economy’ policy on her own and had finished her analysis.

‘Yes, for His Highness’s policy, he needs the help of the merchants. Nevertheless, why did His Highness mobilize the knights and soldiers to conduct such a rough body search? If he wants their help, he should be coaxing them… Ah, is it to break their spirit before negotiating with them? No. Perhaps he’s trying to break the merchants’ spirit for my father’s sake. Since my father, by nature, will be swayed by the merchants, he’s helping him gain the upper hand when negotiating with them beforehand.’

Crown Prince Leonardo’s way of thinking is quite interesting—.

At that thought, a slight smile escaped Olivia’s lips. She, who was bored by any man she met, had her characteristic expressionless face crumble just by calculating Leonardo’s thoughts.

Of course, no one here noticed Olivia’s smile. As the scene was one where the knights and soldiers were violently and crudely crushing the merchants’ spirits.

—Confiscated!

—Kneel!!

—A dagger?! Isn’t this woman crazy!!

—I-it’s not a dagger, it’s a hair accessory…!

After the crude body search by the knights and soldiers ended.

All the merchants, including Abraham, were literally ‘battered and bruised.’ Hagen said he would not return the items confiscated from the merchants and threw them all carelessly into a container. The merchants had worn their most precious accessories to come and meet the crown prince, and all of them were taken away.

Of course, no merchant dared to express any complaint about it.

After the merchants’ body search was over, Hagen spoke to the soldiers standing by the banquet hall door.

“The merchants are ready to see His Highness. Open the door.”

“Yes!”

Kwoong—.

With the soldier’s reply, the large door of the banquet hall opened.

The merchants were led into the banquet hall by the knights and soldiers. Like criminals being dragged in.

When the merchants entered the banquet hall, the first thing that caught their eyes was the bloodstains splattered everywhere.

The second thing that caught their eyes were the people sitting at the desks along both walls of the banquet hall, working busily. They were being watched by knights and soldiers.

Abraham stealthily rolled his eyes and examined the faces of the working people.

‘Those people… they’re all nobles, aren't they?’

Nobles. People of a blessed status who could live without working.

Such people were working as if being chased by something, under the watch of knights. Like slaves.

‘S-so the rumor was true. That the crown prince stripped all the nobles of their titles while purging them.’

Realizing that, Abraham’s mind snapped to attention. He had thought the rumor was just a rumor, but it was no joke. The crown prince was a truly dangerous being.

‘Heinshtangl told me not to provoke Prince Leonardo, there was a reason for it. Wait… does that mean this is the banquet hall where the nobles were purged? Is the blood on that wall the blood of the nobles who died in that purge, blood?!’

Just a moment ago, Abraham had looked down on Leonardo. He had heard the rumor that the royal family had purged the nobles, but he had thought that the young and frail Prince Leonardo couldn't have done it.

But now, Abraham was certain.

That the master of this royal palace was ‘Crown Prince Leonardo.’ And that Heinshtangl, who worked under his command, was no longer a pushover noble.

While having these thoughts, another thought came to Abraham.

‘Still… if the crown prince holds such strong power, he will surely be able to make me a lot of money. If I can get on his good side!’

Like a seasoned merchant, Abraham smelled money even in the midst of a crisis. Then, his gaze fell on a boy sitting on a chair on the dais. A boy wearing a mask.

‘Crown Prince Leonardo!’

The boy in the mask. It was undoubtedly Crown Prince Leonardo. The same absolute ruler who had ordered the execution of the thugs with a merciless gesture of turning his thumb down.

To Crown Prince Leonardo’s left stood a maid holding a bundle of documents. Although she still had a youthful feel, it was clear that she would become a great beauty in time.

And to the crown prince’s right stood the hero of the nation, known to everyone in the Plank Kingdom, Knight Commander Jereuth.

-….

Until Abraham and the merchants reached the front of the dais, the banquet hall was as quiet as a mouse. The only sound was that of the former nobles diligently writing something on paper.

Soon, as the merchants reached the front of the dais.

The masked crown prince stood up from his seat and spoke to the merchants.

“Thank you all for coming. I am Crown Prince Leonardo.”

-….

“The reason I have gathered you all here is to propose a ‘deal.’ It’s only natural, I suppose, since I’ve gathered the most prominent merchants of the royal capital.”

—…

“Let me say this first, I will not cause you any losses. I respect you, the merchants. So, if you promise to cooperate obediently, everyone will be able to leave the royal palace on their own two feet.”

Crown Prince Leonardo spoke politely, saying he respected the merchants and had no intention of causing them harm.

However, his words hid a clear threat. 「“If you cooperate obediently, you will be able to leave on your own two feet.”」 was no different from saying, 「“If you do not cooperate, you will not be able to leave on your own two feet.”」

The merchants, who had already undergone a harsh initiation ceremony by the knights and soldiers, understood Leonardo’s threat perfectly.

—…

—…

—…

—…

The seasoned merchants said nothing.

No, they couldn’t.

A moment of silence followed.

The crown prince in the mask began to speak.

“Well then, since we are all busy, let’s get straight to the point. The deal I want to propose to you is—.”

The crown prince spoke leisurely, saying he was ‘proposing a deal,’ but.

The merchants were already prepared to nod their heads even before hearing the crown prince’s words.

Since there was no wealth more precious than life, they were prepared to offer all their assets if that terrifying young tyrant demanded it.

The merchants all wanted to leave the royal palace on their own two feet, and to them, Leonardo appeared as a tyrant holding their leashes.

It was the same way the officials perceived Leonardo.