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

Chapter 50

I could understand why Jereuth hesitated to reveal the identities of Kalitos and Vaisar. It was because the two were ‘slaves.’

In a civilization at the level of the medieval era, a ‘slave’ was not a human. They were the owner’s property and assets.

For me, the crown prince, to refer to such beings as ‘them’ and consider employing them as operators or managers for farms and market construction, Jereuth’s awkwardness was a natural reaction.

‘But honestly, I don’t really care that Kalitos and Vaisar are slaves.’

A figure named ‘Deng Xiaoping,’ who led the economic development of ‘China’ in the world I originally came from, once said, 「“It doesn’t matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.”」 —In other words, all that matters is getting results. He wasn't a person I particularly liked, but I acknowledge that he was an outstanding individual.

In any case, my situation was the same. It didn't matter if Kalitos and Vaisar were slaves, commoners, nobles, monsters, or beasts.

All that mattered was that they produced results.

As I was lost in these thoughts, Jereuth spoke in a cautious voice.

“Your Highness. Did you perhaps not know that Kalitos and Vaisar are slaves?”

I didn’t know. But I, who was presenting the image of a ‘perfect crown prince,’ could not say that I didn’t know the two were slaves.

“No. I knew.”

“…And you still intended to employ them?”

“Yes.”

“…”

“If Kalitos and Vaisar have ability, the fact that they are slaves does not matter at all.”

“As long as they have ability, even a slave doesn’t matter…?”

“Yes. I believe that whether a horse is black or white, as long as it runs well, it’s fine. The role of a ‘horse’ is to run. It’s not right to compare a person to a beast, but it’s the same for people. Whether a slave, a commoner, or even of noble birth, if they have ability, I will use them.”

“Whether a horse is black or white…! Y-yes, that would be so. In doing work, ability is important, nothing else matters.”

At my words, Jereuth wore a rather surprised expression. It seemed the ‘black horse, white horse logic’ was quite impressive to him.

‘I feel a little guilty for plagiarizing someone else’s words… but since no one in this world knows Deng Xiaoping, it probably doesn’t matter.’

For now, I continued to speak nonchalantly.

“More importantly, I have something I want to ask. Are there many slaves in our kingdom?”

“As of now, there are almost no slaves in the kingdom. Most of the slaves were drafted as slave soldiers in the war with the demons and died.”

“Then how are Kalitos and Vaisar still alive?”

“It is because their bodies were unable to go to war.”

“Their bodies were unable to go to war?”

“Yes. Kalitos is a hunchback, and Vaisar is cross-eyed. As you know, being a hunchback and cross-eyed are known as curses that symbolize misfortune, and since they are curses that can be transmitted to others, they were not drafted for the war.”

“Kalitos the hunchback, Vaisar the cross-eyed.”

“That is correct. Nevertheless, because the abilities of the two were so outstanding, their masters, Duke Panshin who owned Kalitos, and Duke Vaimal who owned Vaisar, always put them to work on their farms and construction sites. As far as I know, Kalitos and Vaisar led various tasks as the leaders of the slaves.”

A hunchback is a person with a bent back. I seem to remember seeing on some health program that it’s a disease caused by a lack of vitamin D. However, it’s not a contagious disease like a cold.

Cross-eyed refers to a person whose eyes are not aligned. Like being a hunchback, it is not a curse. It’s just that their body is a little different from others.

But for a hunchback and being cross-eyed to be symbols of misfortune and a curse that can be transmitted to others… it was difficult for me to understand from a common-sense perspective.

‘Is this why things like witch hunts happened in the Middle Ages?’

“Do you think so too, Commander? That being a hunchback or cross-eyed brings misfortune or is contagious to others?”

“No, I do not think so. If being a hunchback and cross-eyed were contagious curses, then all the slaves who were with Kalitos and Vaisar should have become hunchbacks and cross-eyed. But among the slaves of Duke Vaimal and Duke Panshin, only those two were hunchbacks and cross-eyed.”

It was a relief that Jereuth was a person capable of normal thinking.

“However, not only our kingdom but most of the continent despises and scorns hunchbacks and the cross-eyed. That is why the two were not drafted for the war. It was the ‘Allied Forces of Humanity,’ after all, so they couldn't take such people and lower morale.”

“I see.”

To summarize Jereuth’s words, it seemed Kalitos and Vaisar were individuals who had done all sorts of labor as slaves. It even seemed they had led other slaves and worked on their own.

Such individuals happened to be a hunchback and cross-eyed, so they ‘could not’ be drafted for the war, and thanks to that, they were still alive.

‘It’s a stroke of luck for me. I’m fortunate.’

“Commander, do you happen to know where those two are?”

“Yes, they are in the dungeon.”

The dungeon?

“Why are they in prison? Did they commit a crime?”

“No. The two are doing odd jobs like cleaning in the dungeon as slaves. After their masters, Duke Vaimal and Duke Panshin, were purged, there was no particular place for them to stay, so they were made to stay in the prison.”

“I see. Then, Commander, I have one last thing to ask. In your opinion, Commander, what kind of individuals are Kalitos and Vaisar?”

In the , it was stated that Jereuth recommended Kalitos and Vaisar. So Jereuth probably thought well of the two.

Even though I knew that, the reason I asked Jereuth for his assessment of Kalitos and Vaisar was to be cautious, even with a stone bridge.

“If you ask what kind of individuals Kalitos and Vaisar are…”

Jereuth thought for a moment and then answered.

“Kalitos and Vaisar are individuals essential for the reconstruction of the kingdom. There are no others in the kingdom who know and do manual labor as well as those two. I too farmed when I was young, and after joining the army, I have commanded various constructions on the battlefield, but I am no match for their skills.”

“…”

“It was not for nothing that Duke Panshin and Duke Vaimal gave those two the authority to command their slaves. Their abilities are certain, Your Highness.”

High praise from Jereuth.

I had to hire them.

***

Plank Royal Palace Dungeon.

Drip… drip…….

Smelly and dirty prison dew dropped onto the floor. With almost no light coming in, the place was dark and filled with a damp chill.

The corridor where the guards walked was narrow, but the cells where each inmate was confined were even narrower. Each cell was so small that it was impossible for a single adult man to lie down comfortably.

Generally, prisons confine multiple inmates in one place. But the royal palace’s dungeon had only solitary cells.

And no matter how vicious a person is, being confined in a solitary cell for a long time is bound to break their spirit.

The constantly flickering torches that made it impossible to tell day from night, and the continuous sound of dripping water.

The faint sound of other prisoners’ anxious breathing.

The terribly tasting meals that even the prison rats wouldn't eat.

That place, where all those things combined to create a place even the guards didn't want to enter.

There were those who managed and maintained that place as cleanly as possible, ‘Kalitos the hunchback’ and ‘Vaisar the cross-eyed.’

Swish— Swish—.

Kalitos wiped the dungeon corridor with a rag that was no better than a piece of cloth. One might wonder if wiping with a rag would make this dirty dungeon clean, but surprisingly, the places Kalitos’s hand touched were particularly clean.

It was understandable, given that it was the mopping of Kalitos, whose forearms were as thick as an average man’s thigh.

“…”

“…”

Another dungeon cleaner, ‘Vaisar the cross-eyed,’ silently passed by Kalitos, who was mopping without a word.

In the dungeon, the prisoners were more uncomfortable with Vaisar than with the guards, and that was because Vaisar’s appearance instinctively made them feel repulsed.

The only one who could look Vaisar straight in his large eyes, which seemed to look everywhere, was Kalitos, who was in a similar situation.

It was then.

Creeak…!

From afar, the sound of the dungeon door opening was heard, and a guard entered and said.

“Kalitos, Vaisar. Get ready to go out.”

“…?”

“…?”

At the guard’s word ‘outing,’ Kalitos and Vaisar tilted their heads. It was because since being assigned to the dungeon, the two had never once left this place.

The two ate and slept here.

“…”

“…”

Kalitos and Vaisar had many questions but said nothing and stopped what they were doing.

Then, they carefully placed the cleaning tools they were holding on the floor and approached the guard moderately.

As the two approached, the guard covered his nose with his hand. It was because of their smell, but also out of concern that their ‘curse’ might be transmitted to him.

The guard looked at Kalitos and Vaisar’s appearance and asked.

“…You seem dirtier than usual today. The smell is particularly strong too. Did you dispose of filth?”

—Nod.

—Nod.

“Damn it, of all days…. Can’t be helped. I can’t take you in that state when He has summoned you.”

“…?”

“…?”

“Just follow me.”

The guard muttered to himself with a sigh and beckoned with his finger. This time too, Kalitos and Vaisar had many questions but followed the guard without a word.

Trudge— Trudge— Trudge—.

After following the guard for a while, Kalitos and Vaisar reached the prison exit.

It was the first time they had seen the exit, except for when they entered the dungeon.

“…!”

“…!”

Seeing that door, the two slaves’ hearts were moved. Just because they went out that door didn't mean they would become free men, but still, the hope of being able to go outside the dungeon arose.

Until they were assigned to the dungeon after their masters were purged, Kalitos and Vaisar had thought they would never be able to go outside for the rest of their lives.

Creeak—!

The guard who opened the exit pointed to a small building opposite the dungeon and said.

“Go in there and wash. Thoroughly, with clean water.”

At the guard’s instruction, Kalitos and Vaisar nodded and headed towards the building the guard had pointed to.

The look in their eyes was different from usual.

‘…Wash with clean water.’

‘…How long has it been? Is it the first time since the flood poured into the farm?’

Kalitos and Vaisar washed their bodies for the first time in years.

***

Thud—.

“Eat.”

When Kalitos and Vaisar came out after washing, the guard threw them bread. It was just one loaf of bread, but Kalitos and Vaisar’s mouths watered. It was because it was soft bread that they couldn't even imagine in the dungeon, no, as slaves.

Gulp— Chomp—!

The two slaves devoured the bread in an instant, like a snake swallowing a rat.

The guard tried not to look at the two as much as possible.

‘They said the hunchback’s curse is transmitted through physical contact, and the cross-eyed’s curse is transmitted through eye contact. So I just need to be careful of that.’

No matter how much he knew how to avoid the curse, the guard wanted to get away from the two as soon as possible.

‘But is it really true that He summoned those two?’

Just as the guard was thinking of the person whose name he dared not speak.

“Are you ready?”

“!”

At the familiar, deep male voice from behind, the guard snapped to attention. He hurriedly turned around.

There, he saw the pinnacle of the kingdom’s military, Jereuth, and the knights and soldiers following him.

The guard said in a voice full of military discipline.

“Yes, yes! Commander Jereuth! As instructed, I have Kalitos and Vaisar on standby!”

“Good work.”

“Thank you!”

“But, Commander. May I ask one thing?”

“Haven’t you already asked?”

“…”

“It’s a joke. What are you curious about?”

Jereuth was really joking, but the guard couldn't take it at face value.

“I asked what you are curious about?”

“Ah, yes! May I ask what you are taking those two slaves for?”

“His Highness has summoned them. Weren’t you notified in advance?”

There was only one person in the royal palace whom Jereuth would call ‘His Highness.’ It was Crown Prince Leonardo, also known as the ‘Tyrant of Blood.’

‘…So it’s true that His Highness summoned the slaves. I wondered if it was real when I received the message.’

The guard nodded with a reluctant expression and replied.

“I did receive the message. But I wondered if His Highness really summoned the slaves… I-I apologize! How dare I question His Highness’s thoughts!”

“It’s fine. Then, since His Highness is waiting, I will take them.”

“Yes!”

The guard stepped back, and Jereuth spoke to Kalitos and Vaisar.

“Kalitos, Vaisar. Prince Leonardo has summoned you. Follow me.”

“…?”

“…?”

Kalitos and Vaisar had heard the conversation between the guard and Jereuth just a moment ago. So they knew that what Jereuth was saying now was the ‘truth.’

But that didn't mean they weren't flustered.

‘Prince Leonardo… a royal is summoning us? The one who purged the nobles?’

‘Why, why…?’

Kalitos and Vaisar had a mountain of questions but asked nothing.

Having lived their whole lives as slaves, they knew well that questions were a luxury.

***

In front of the Crown Prince’s room door.

Kalitos and Vaisar, with pale complexions as if they were about to faint at any moment, stared at the tightly closed door.

‘I-I really came inside the royal palace.’

‘What in the world is going on…’

Entering the royal palace itself made the two nervous, but what made them more burdened were the knights and soldiers around them, exuding a fearsome killing intent.

—…

—…

—…

—…

The knights and soldiers said nothing. However, they were holding their swords and spears as if they would kill Kalitos and Vaisar immediately if they made the slightest strange move.

In that fierce atmosphere, Kalitos and Vaisar could feel even more keenly that they were really in front of the crown prince’s room.

Just then.

Click—.

The door to the crown prince’s room opened. The one who opened the door was a maid who looked quite young but would clearly become a great beauty soon—a maid who looked like she would become a greater beauty than any noble lady Kalitos and Vaisar had ever seen.

However, Kalitos and Vaisar’s gazes were drawn to someone else rather than the pretty maid.

It was the boy inside the room, sitting leisurely on a desk.

“Ah…”

“Ah…”

They had seen numerous nobles while living as slaves. But they could confidently say that there had never been a boy who exuded such nobility as that boy.

Although they were seeing him for the first time, Kalitos and Vaisar could tell that this boy was the ‘crown prince’ who had summoned them.

“Come in. Don’t just stand there.”

At the crown prince’s permission, no, command, Kalitos and Vaisar immediately entered the room.

As the two approached, the crown prince offered them chairs and said.

“Pleased to meet you, Sir Kalitos. And Sir Vaisar. I am Crown Prince Leonardo. Please, have a seat there first.”

“…?”

“…?”

The crown prince was speaking to them politely. Not just to any slaves, but to them, a hunchback and a cross-eyed person.

At that, Kalitos and Vaisar were not moved by the crown prince’s grace, but rather instinctively feared what was to come. They were scared of what business he had with them to speak like that.

“…Y-yes, Your Highness! We obey!”

“Yes… yes!”

In any case, Kalitos and Vaisar could not refuse the crown prince’s words, so the two hurriedly sat down. It was the first time in their lives they had sat on such a soft and plush chair.

After watching the two for a moment, Crown Prince Leonardo opened his mouth.

“You must be curious as to why I have summoned you two. I dislike beating around the bush, so I will get straight to the point.”

Leonardo spoke leisurely and approached the two. Kalitos and Vaisar stared at him blankly, forgetting that their curses might be transmitted.

Soon, the boy said something completely unexpected.

“Do you have any intention of working under me?”

Truly a direct and unexpected question.

At those words, Kalitos and Vaisar, forgetting who was sitting in front of them, dared to ask back.

“…Pardon?”

“…Pardon?”

When for a slave, the only thing permitted was ‘Yes!’, not the question ‘Pardon?’.