novelzi Chapter 200 : Chapter 200
Chapter 200 : Chapter 200
The Emperor’s birthday celebration festival continued day and night.In the early evening, one of the highlights of the festival, the final match of the swordsmanship tournament, was about to begin.
It was only natural, but the final match of the swordsmanship tournament was always filled with passionate heat, cheers, and rough encouragement.
Because it was the moment when the best knight and swordsman of the empire for that year was decided.
However, the atmosphere of the spectators watching the final match this year was quite different from previous years.
Of course, the stands were full. But there was no one cheering roughly, no shouts of a girl in love with a knight, no cries of a gambler who had bet recklessly.
Because the two who had reached the final of this year’s swordsmanship tournament were ‘foreigners.’
And from a small country in the east, the ‘Plank Kingdom,’ whose name the citizens of the empire did not even know well.
「“…Thank you for your patience. Then I will introduce the contestants for the final match of this year’s empire swordsmanship tournament.”」
Even the announcer’s voice was quite calm and serious.
He was aware of the atmosphere in the stands, and the announcer himself was not very pleased that two foreigners were competing in the empire’s swordsmanship tournament.
Even if the announcer was a fan of Jereuth.
「“The King of Plank, King Leonardo. His opponent is from the same kingdom, the knight of Plank, Jereuth.”」
—…….
「“The two knights, please prepare for the match as soon as you are ready.”」
It would have been the right thing to do as an announcer to introduce the two great knights who had reached the final with excitement.
But what couldn't be helped, couldn't be helped.
Ssk—.
Leonardo approached Jereuth, offered his hand, and said.
“The atmosphere is not good at all. It’s been getting worse since the two of us reached the round of 16. I wonder if the Emperor will hold us responsible for ruining the festival atmosphere.”
“Haha…”
“Is Lady Silvia in the audience as well?”
“Yes. I met her before the match.”
“That must give you strength. There is nothing more helpful than the support of family.”
“That is correct. As a challenger, I will do my best.”
“Yes.”
Jereuth naturally called himself a ‘challenger.’
If their conversation had been heard in the stands, everyone would have been surprised.
Jereuth and Leonardo returned to their respective positions and drew their swords.
Then, the announcer announced the start of the final match.
「“Then… begin!!”」
***
After the final match of the swordsmanship tournament ended.
In the taverns of the imperial capital, the people who had watched the match could not hide their excitement.
Especially, the highlight was when those who had watched the tournament live told the stories of the matches to those who had not.
“Sir Knight Jereuth swung his greatsword this big from top to bottom!!”
“He-he swung it?!”
“But the King of Plank just deflected it with his thin sword like this!”
“Oh… so, what happened next?!”
The atmosphere at the final match had been quite heavy before the match began.
However, at the high-level and beautiful match shown by Leonardo and Jereuth, the spectators unknowingly became engrossed in the match—
and when the winner of the final was decided, not only the spectators but also the announcer had cheered so loudly that the stadium seemed to be washed away.
“As soon as he deflected Sir Knight Jereuth’s greatsword, King Leonardo immediately thrust his sword at Jereuth! I really thought the king was going to kill his own knight!”
“…!”
“But who was his opponent? None other than Jereuth, right? Do you know how he blocked that sword?”
“Tell me quickly!!”
“He knocked it away with the back of his hand!”
“W-With his hand?!”
“Yes! Blood was pouring from the back of his hand, and he barely managed to deflect the king’s attack, but he couldn’t dodge it completely! In the end, his shoulder was pierced by the sword!”
“Th-Then what? Did Jereuth forfeit the match?”
“No way! He’s not called a ‘hero’ for nothing. Since his left shoulder was pierced by the sword and it was inconvenient, from then on, Jereuth swung that huge greatsword with one hand!!”
“Oh…!”
“It was like he was getting stronger! Like a berserker who gets stronger the more he bleeds! From that moment, I was cheering and shouting without knowing it, and the atmosphere, huh?!”
As if telling his own tale of heroism, the man spoke with energy, and soon, a crowd of people had gathered around him.
The man, seeing the people’s interest, became even more excited and continued to narrate the climax of the tournament.
“It seemed like King Leonardo was flustered by Jereuth who was swinging his greatsword wildly. Yes, I thought so. Until I saw the King of Plank’s next move!”
“Wh-What did he do?!”
“He just charged in! I thought he was a madman! Think about it. How would it look to rush at a huge knight swinging a greatsword this big?”
“It would look like a madman!”
“Yes! But it wasn’t! He was aiming for the small opening that was created while Sir Knight Jereuth was swinging his sword!”
“Oh…!”
“The King of Plank who charged in in an instant! He immediately shattered Jereuth’s jaw with his fist! But all of this took less than 3 or 4 seconds! I’ve gone to watch the swordsmanship tournament every year, but it was the first time I had seen such a high-level and cool match!”
“Then… did Sir Knight Jereuth lose?”
“Even with a shattered jaw, Jereuth did not fall. He stood until the end. But…”
“But?”
“He seemed to have lost consciousness and dropped his sword while still standing.”
“…He passed out while standing?”
“Yes. Isn’t he truly the epitome of a knight?! To not fall even in defeat!”
—Wow!
—Hmph… if I had known it would be such a match, I would have gone too! I sold the final match ticket I had been looking for for months at a cheap price because I heard two foreign knights had reached the final!
—I hope they invite the King of Plank and Sir Knight Jereuth next year as well!
—His Majesty the Emperor also watched the match live, so wouldn't he do so?
—That could be. And the stronger knights of our empire would also step forward to reclaim their honor!
Thus, the heat in the tavern was intense.
And just as intensely, the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace’s banquet hall was also heated.
Tiriri—.
Dong-do-dong—.
The banquet hall where only those invited by the Emperor could enter.
It was not crowded, but there were clearly many people filling the large banquet hall.
According to general noble etiquette, the more important the person, the later they arrive at a banquet.
And since the purpose of this banquet was to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday, it was right for the Emperor to arrive last.
It was polite to refrain from drinking and conversation until the main character arrived.
But even considering that, the inside of the banquet hall was very quiet. Only the sound of the orchestra’s performance could be heard.
—…….
—…….
—…….
The reason the banquet hall was so quiet.
It was none other than the women in the banquet hall who were assessing each other’s appearance and evaluating their own position.
‘I think I’m about in the middle.’
‘That dress… it’s pretty. Was it called a ‘dress’?’
‘If I had known, I would have worn shoes with heels.’
‘Why is that bitch’s waist so thin?’
‘I should have been more bold with my exposure. My father told me to cover up, but look at the other bitches. They’re practically naked.’
If the purpose of the swordsmanship tournament was to select the best knight, the purpose of the banquet was to select the most beautiful person.
Of course, unlike a tournament, one person was not explicitly chosen, but such a ranking was implicitly decided.
Especially among the women.
Just as a subtle sense of vigilance filled the banquet hall.
—His Majesty the Emperor is entering!!
The door at the front of the banquet hall, which only the Emperor could enter, opened.
But… the one entering through that door was not just the Emperor.
‘…It’s King Leonardo!’
‘The monarch of Plank!’
‘The winner of the swordsmanship tournament…!’
And above all.
‘My target for tonight.’
‘I will absolutely not let any other bitch have him.’
‘They say he’s not even married yet, so if I seduce him well, I can become the queen.’
‘Wow… but he’s really handsome. To the point where I’d want to spend a night with him even if he wasn’t a strong king…’
‘I’ve never even heard of the Plank Kingdom. But it’s clearly a very strong kingdom.’
‘But why is he entering with the Emperor?’
Everyone had various thoughts and questions as they looked at Leonardo, who had entered with the Emperor.
The women’s eyes sparkled, and they moved their bodies to a place where they could better catch the gazes of the Emperor and Leonardo.
The men, on the other hand, looked at Leonardo, their strongest competitor, with somewhat displeased gazes. However, most did not seem to consider Leonardo a competitor, and sent friendly gazes.
It was not because Leonardo’s level was low that he was not a competitor, but because they knew their own level did not reach his.
As everyone’s gaze was focused on the Emperor and Leonardo.
Two women entered through the still-open door.
The two stood demurely behind King Leonardo… and this time, the men took a sharp breath.
*Gasp…….
‘Wh-Who are those two women?’
‘The sun and the moon… perhaps?’
‘Beautiful. So very beautiful.’
‘A woman with a bright and cute beauty. And a woman with a cool and elegant beauty…!’
‘They said the King of Plank doesn’t have a queen. Then who are those two? To bring them to a banquet together, they must not have an ordinary relationship.’
The ones who entered with Leonardo were Elly and Olivia.
The two, who were already beautiful, had come dressed with a ‘pledge of desperation’ to block other women from approaching Leonardo at the banquet hall, so it was not strange for the men’s eyes to turn.
Of course, for the women who were aiming for Leonardo, it was a completely unexpected problem.
“…Damn it.”
A certain woman muttered her inner thoughts quietly. Fortunately, her voice overlapped with the Emperor’s voice, so almost no one heard.
The Emperor raised his glass and said.
“I do not like to speak at length. I hope that each kingdom and noble family will form a solid relationship at this banquet. That is all.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the Emperor downed the alcohol in his glass in one go and went up the stairs with Leonardo.
It was a separate banquet seat prepared for the Emperor, from where one could look down on the banquet hall.
Thump— Thump—.
Click— Clack—.
As the Emperor, Leonardo, and the two who appeared to be Leonardo’s attendants went up the stairs.
Everyone’s gaze followed them.
Both women and men wanted to follow them and exchange at least a word, but—.
No one dared to have the courage to do so.
***
Swoosh— Splash!
On the way back to the kingdom after the Emperor’s birthday festival ended.
I was leaning on the ship’s railing and watching the sea when Jereuth came up and asked.
“Is something troubling you?”
“Troubling me?”
“Yes. You were staring at the sea endlessly. Is it because even Your Highness is burdened by having to take six of the Emperor’s daughters?”
“Haha…”
“It must be quite a burden to have to worry about Head Maid Elly and Chief Administrator Olivia as well. With eight women aiming for Your Highness.”
I brushed off Jereuth’s playful words with a smile.
“How are Elly and Olivia? Their expressions were terrible when I told them I was taking six of the princesses.”
“They are still about the same. It seems the two of them are talking about something in their room together.”
“I see.”
It was something that happened at the banquet hall.
The Emperor told me to take not three, but six of his daughters, which was the original ‘deal.’
In return, he said he would raise the number of talented individuals from the empire that I could take to 200.
It seemed like a not-bad deal to me, so I accepted it immediately.
Because whether it was three of the Emperor’s daughters or six, it didn’t really matter to me.
It was just a little more baggage.
‘But Olivia and Elly were the most concerned about that.’
I had expected it from Elly, but Olivia was unexpected.
Anyway.
‘The Emperor was a more lenient person than I thought. The empire also had much to see and learn from. Although there were many problems if you looked closely.’
The empire I felt during my 50-day stay was a country that was ‘strong, but flimsy if you look deep inside.’
It might be excellent by the standards of this world, but from my perspective as a modern person, that is.
‘Perhaps that’s why it was written in the
According to the diary, the Emperor dies in four years.
Three years from then, the empire is divided into several countries due to power struggles among the royal family, nobles, princes, and princesses.
‘Taking advantage of the chaos and weakness of the empire, other kingdoms that had coveted the empire’s land invade… and in the end, it is destroyed.’
Whether the empire is destroyed or not is not a big problem for me.
But it was written in the
‘The refugees were the problem.’
While interacting with the empire for the next few years, the Plank Kingdom begins to be imprinted with a good image on the citizens of the empire.
So when the empire becomes chaotic, many people flee towards the Plank Kingdom to escape the war.
‘The problem was that the Plank Kingdom was not prepared to accept refugees either…. But they couldn’t refuse the refugees, so various problems arose.’
How that problem was solved was not written in the diary.
But thinking about it now, accepting refugees did not seem like a good choice. According to the diary, the Plank Kingdom did not seem to be sufficiently prepared to accept a large number of refugees.
‘Then there is only one way.’
The empire is becoming chaotic and weak.
Its citizens like the Plank Kingdom.
If left alone, other kingdoms will take over the empire.
And in the process, the Plank Kingdom will suffer various damages.
Then what should be done to prevent that?
‘…Before other kingdoms take over the empire, I must attack and take it myself.’
Or.
‘Before the Emperor dies, I must extend my hand first and become the next emperor.’
If that happens, I would become an emperor who rules over a vast territory encompassing the Angla Empire, the Plank Kingdom, and the Jerpan Archipelago.
I don't have the confidence for that now.
Even ruling the Plank Kingdom is a headache, how can I rule that vast land?
‘But somehow… I have a feeling. A feeling that an irresistible fate is coming.’
Just as I cannot avoid the death foretold in the
It seemed a future was coming where I would have to extend my hand or draw my sword first.
“…”
I was thinking while looking beyond the sea.
I threw the thoughts that complicated my mind into the sea.
‘It will work out somehow. I have the diary, after all.’
I don't know how long my diary will be with me.
But I hope it will be with me at least until it foretells a death that I am satisfied with.
There will be many choices I don’t want to make on that journey… but if I’ve worn the crown, I must bear its weight.
‘When I first came to this world, I had no thought of becoming an emperor.’
Such a thought came to me.
I had no intention of becoming an emperor… but it seemed the world was going to make me one.
My heart was full yet heavy.
It was a feeling I had always had since becoming a king.
Would it change if I became an emperor?
《I Didn’t Want to Become the Emperor of This World》 The End