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

Chapter 42 : Chapter 42

Chapter 42After coming to this world and accidentally discovering the , what worried me the most was the ‘popular uprising,’ in other words, the ‘rebellion of the kingdom's people.’

But my newly written ending wasn't about a rebellion of the kingdom's people.

‘Instead… it changed to an ending where the kingdom is ruined because of rampaging bandits.’

It was like running away from a tiger only to run into a wolf.

Phew—.

I took a deep breath and organized my thoughts.

Considering the history of ‘Earth’ where I originally lived, there were many cases where countries were endangered by bandits.

A prime example is the Eastern Roman Empire, which ruled over Europe, Asia, and Africa, and fell due to the invasion of bandits and barbarians.

Not only in the West, but also in the East, there were many cases where nations collapsed due to bandits.

It was so common that one of the most famous and oldest novels in the East, ‘The Romance of the Three Kingdoms,’ begins with the backdrop of bandits called the Yellow Turbans running rampant.

That's right. It is a very typical event for bandits to run wild when a country is weak and chaotic.

‘Yes… it’s natural for bandits to run rampant when the country is weak. But even so, as the one who has to deal with them, I can't just accept it calmly.’

Phew—.o miss such a subtle change in Jereuth's tone.

“Is there any problem with recruiting new soldiers?”

“No, Your Highness. I believe you have your reasons for doing so. And if that is the kingdom's policy direction, I will follow it.”

Jereuth's answer was still not clear-cut. Naturally, Leonardo was worried about Jereuth's attitude and wanted to hear his honest opinion.

Heinshtangl, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, thought he knew why Jereuth was worried about ‘increasing military power,’ unlike Leonardo.

‘Now is not the time to increase troops…’

But could he object when that tyrant said he would increase troops?

A tyrant who purged more than 80% of the kingdom's nobles at the age of twelve and mercilessly executed all the thugs and wicked merchants of the royal capital.

Moreover, even Jereuth said he would follow the crown prince's words as they were. In such a situation, there was no room for Heinshtangl to object.

‘Right, let's just stay quiet. That's better for my well-being. I'm going through all this trouble because I said one unnecessary word at the banquet, I can't repeat that mistake.’

Heinshtangl decided to keep his mouth shut.

However, a quick-witted kid always torments the adults. Leonardo was a boy who was an expert at that.

“Sir Heinshtangl, it seems you have something to say about the conscription, please speak your mind.”

“…?!”

Heinshtangl's mind went blank as Leonardo suddenly singled him out. More than anything, he was flustered by the tyrant's ability to know that he was concerned about the increase in military power, as if he could read minds.

But since he had been singled out by the tyrant, he couldn't not answer. Moreover, since Leonardo seemed to have already noticed that he was against conscription, he couldn't lie either.

‘…His Highness clearly said he dislikes lies. In fact, he even threw all the nobles who wrote false thug lists into the dungeon.’

Heeup—.

Heinshtangl took a deep breath. His beloved wife, his unsatisfactory son, and his proud daughter flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.

‘No matter what I say, I must not lie. I have to speak my honest thoughts. Otherwise, I too will be thrown into the dungeon.’

Of course, Leonardo had no intention of throwing Heinshtangl in prison. But because of the fear he had shown so far, Heinshtangl couldn't help but think that way.

Whether Leonardo intended it or not, a reign of terror had taken root among the former nobles in the royal castle.

“Th, then I will state the reasons why we should not conscript new troops now. First—!”

Heinshtangl's desperate struggle for survival began.