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

Chapter 18

Jereuth left the room.

I decided to immediately check the .

‘I don't know which family Jereuth will exclude from the Purge. Still, since there's a change in the Purge plan, the future might have changed because of it.’

And if the future had changed to one where the Purge fails.

Then I would have to devise another method. Meaning, I would have to find a way to make the Purge succeed while appropriately sparing the nobles useful for when I rule the kingdom.

With that thought, I opened the . It was the part that showed the future closest to the present.

…….

I asked Jereuth to decide on the families to be excluded from the Purge. In other words, I requested a change to the Purge plan.

There wasn't much time left until the Purge. So I wanted to receive Jereuth's revised plan even a second sooner. However, a day passed, and then two, but Jereuth did not bring me the plan.

Of course, I trusted Jereuth's abilities, but I couldn't help but feel anxious.

Scribble, scribble―.

The diary continued to be written in real time.

…….

Time passed, and the night before the Purge arrived. Contrary to my troubled heart, the night sky was particularly clear, and the moonlight was beautiful.

Finally, Jereuth came to see me. He reported the revised Purge plan to me as I had requested.

After reporting the minute-by-minute Purge plan to me in detail, Jereuth asked if I had anything to add to his plan.

However, I had no intention of nitpicking his plan in the first place. I thought it wasn't right for me to give advice on a Purge plan that a veteran who had been on the battlefield for half his life, and the best knight in the kingdom, had painstakingly come up with.

That being said… to be honest, there was something about Jereuth's plan that I didn't like.

Nevertheless, I decided to follow his plan. Because I knew that Jereuth's judgment was correct.

“Proceed as planned.”

As I approved the Purge plan that Jereuth had established, it wasn't long before Jereuth and his knights began to move.

As planned by Jereuth, the knights assassinated Viscount Krain of the Vaimal Ducal Faction.

And they disguised it as the work of the Panshin Ducal Faction, heralding the beginning of the Purge.

Not long after Viscount Krain was assassinated, the entire royal palace was in an uproar. The knights, mages, and servants of the two ducal factions, deceived by my discord, began to kill each other.

Dozens, hundreds of people screamed and rampaged at each other. The sound of screams was endless. Men, women, the elderly, without exception, were all thinking only of killing each other.

I watched it all from the palace terrace. The scene of ‘people killing each other.’

Under the indifferently beautiful moonlight, the mutual slaughter of the two ducal factions in the royal palace continued until the morning sun rose.

With that, the Vaimal Ducal Faction and the Panshin Ducal Faction lost numerous supporters and were virtually disarmed—

After that, Jereuth and the 3rd Knight Order dealt with the nobles easily, as if dealing with a toothless tiger.

Thus, the Purge was a success.

This was the content of the newly written .

Originally, the had written, ‘The success of the Purge was guaranteed.’ But now, it was completely nailed down as ‘The Purge was a success.’ Besides that, the situation of the Purge was described in considerable detail.

It seemed that as I gradually got closer to the future, the content was coming out in more detail.

‘Then all that’s left is… to just watch the coming future?’

To succeed in the Purge, crush the noble faction, and seize royal power.

That was the successful future I had hoped for and intended.

But for some reason… my heart felt heavy.

‘When I first discovered the and planned the Purge, I thought I would be happy if the Purge just succeeded… Why am I not happy? I get to live, right?’

It was ‘my own heart,’ of all things, yet I didn't know the reason for this displeased feeling.

Perhaps it was because my success was written in the , but I was anxious because I hadn't experienced it directly.

Thud―.

I closed the and put it anywhere on the bookshelf.

‘It says Jereuth will come to see me at dawn on the day before the Purge… so let's rest comfortably until then. I think I've done everything I can now.’

That's right. The die was now cast. The result would surely be successful, and it wouldn't change no matter how much I fretted.

So I tried to somehow comfortably catch up on my overdue sleep.

“……Haa.”

But I couldn't relax.

For some reason, my heart felt heavy.

Especially the inside of my chest felt heavy.

***

Time flew by, and the day before the Throne Handover Ceremony—the Purge—arrived.

The day before the Purge that would begin with the assassination of Viscount Krain.

Hoo―.

A sigh wouldn't leave my mouth.

Contrary to my heavy heart, the night sky was so clear. Just as described in the , the bright and clean moonlight from the clear sky shone on me.

Bathed in that moonlight, I sat in a chair, staring blankly out the window, and thought.

‘Jereuth will be here soon.’

The said that Jereuth would bring me the Purge plan on the night before the Purge. The exact time wasn't written, but it said ‘night,’ so Jereuth would be visiting me soon.

As each second passed, my tension grew. Perhaps I was even more nervous because I knew what was about to happen.

Ding— Dong— Dong—.

The clock hands pointed to 11 o'clock, and the alarm rang. And as if waiting for that moment, a knock was heard from outside, along with Elly's voice.

—Knock, knock.

—Your Highness, Captain Jereuth has come to see you.

“……”

Even though Jereuth had arrived, I couldn't readily tell him to come in.

‘When Jereuth enters the room, he'll explain the Purge plan to me. Then the Purge that will change the history of this kingdom will begin.’

I found that burdensome. In front of others, I was acting like a crown prince, but in reality, I was just a university student struggling with part-time jobs, grades, and job preparation.

Because of that, maybe I wanted to postpone that burdensome beginning even for a little while.

But I couldn't delay any longer. I had already committed to it.

“……Come in.”

At my words, the door opened and Jereuth entered. Elly, who was about to follow Jereuth in, saw my serious expression and, taking the hint, closed the door and left on her own.

Shunk!

Jereuth saluted me with a stiff expression, like a warrior about to go into battle. It seemed that even a veteran who had been through numerous battlefields was nervous before a Purge.

“I apologize for the late hour, Your Highness. I have come to report on the Purge plan.”

This is the real beginning.

“First, reporting on the assassination of Viscount Krain, we have divided into five teams for his assassination and disguise. Knights from the 3rd Knight Order that I dispatched are already on standby near Viscount Krain’s room and the East Palace―.”

“You don't need to give a detailed report.”

“Pardon?”

“I said you don't need to report. I believe in the Captain's skills and plan.”

It was written in the . Jereuth's plan was perfect. So I didn't think I needed to hear it.

At my words, Jereuth looked at me silently for a moment before nodding his head.

“I will surely succeed to repay your trust.”

“Yes. Do you have anything else to say besides the Purge plan?”

“There is nothing else in particular… but there is something I would like Your Highness to see.”

“What is it?”

“This is the list of nobles who have issued statements supporting each duke for the Throne Handover Ceremony.”

Swish―.

Jereuth handed me a few documents. As Jereuth had said, it was a ‘list of nobles’ supporting each duke, and it was as neat as if it had been organized in Excel.

Vaimal Ducal Faction

Marsius von Vaimal (Duke) ― 54 years old

Dominic von Haibarn (Marquis) ― 47 years old

Hermon von Dakemus (Count) ― 48 years old

…….

Their names, titles, and ages were listed. It seemed to be written in order of rank.

But… there was something strange at the bottom of the list.

Dankan Vaimal (Vaimal House) ― 6 years old

Mistri Denbai (Denbai County) ― 4 years old

Rit Ebingdon (Ebingdon Viscounty) ― 3 years old

Charles Montgomery (Montgomery Barony) ― 2 years old

Undecided (Coventry Barony) ― 0 years old

…….

At the bottom of the list, young children were written.

Pointing to it, I asked.

“What about the children at the bottom?”

“They are the children of each noble, or vassal, or servant.”

“……Are you saying the nobles mobilized even their children for the Throne Handover Ceremony?”

“That is correct.”

I hadn't expected it. That the nobles would drag even children into politics.

“Then what does ‘0 years old’ mean?”

“They are children who have not yet been born.”

What? They dragged unborn children into politics?

‘…No, maybe it’s to be expected. Since it’s the moment to decide the king, it’s natural to mobilize everything.’

I realized I had missed something important.

‘I didn’t set an age limit on the right to vote.’

It goes without saying, but I had no intention of killing children. Let alone the children in the womb, listed as ‘0 years old.’

Why? Because they were not guilty.

‘But the fact that Jereuth included these children's names on the list of nobles means… he intends to purge them too.’

Then I suddenly remembered the content of the that I had read and passed over without much thought.

‘My future self said so. He liked all of Jereuth's plan, but there was just one thing he didn't like. …Was this it?’

I finally understood why that seemingly insignificant sentence was written. As expected, there were no sentences or content written in the without a reason.

‘It was written that my future self didn't like that Jereuth was going to purge even the children, but he followed it because he knew it was right. Then… do I have to kill the children too, like my future self? Isn't that wrong? The children are not guilty of anything. They were just born to noble parents, and there are even unborn children…’

Perhaps I had thought of ‘Purge’ too lightly. No, maybe I had thought of killing people too lightly.

As my expression hardened, Jereuth said.

“For now, I have designated everyone on that list as a target for the Purge.”

“So… these ‘young children’ are also targets for the Purge.”

“That is correct, but is there a problem? If there is anyone you wish to exclude from that list, please tell me.”

Jereuth asked back. From his tone, it seemed he was asking why I was so serious about people who should obviously be purged.

‘…Right, Jereuth is right. If I’m going to do a Purge, I have to do it properly. There is no act more foolish than leaving behind future trouble.’

But.

‘Still… they’re children. Children with no sin.’

Once again, the trivial conscience of a modern person tormented me. A similar uncomfortable feeling to the one I had when I decided to carry out the Purge dominated my heart and mind.

‘The kings or leaders who drew the blade of Purge probably said it firmly. To eliminate everyone, whether child or elderly, without distinction.’

Logically, that is correct. There is no act more foolish than sparing the child of a purged family, leaving behind future trouble.

Also, to proceed according to the contents of the , it's better for me not to interfere unnecessarily.

So logically speaking, it's right to purge the children as well.

‘I know too. I know it well. But… still, fuck, they’re kids…?’

In the end, I shook my head.

No matter how I thought about it, that was not something a human should do. Sparing the children was a different choice from the one my future self in the made, so I didn't know what variables might arise, but I intended to maintain at least the minimum conscience as a human being.

“……Captain.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Please do not kill the children.”

“Pardon?”

Jereuth asked back as if he couldn't understand.

“Wha, what do you mean by that? Your Highness, this is a ‘Purge.’ Naturally, the children too―.”

“I also know that killing even the children is a ‘Purge.’”

“……”

“But the children have no sin. I will not punish those who have no sin. It is not right as a human being to kill even those children just because their parents are nobles, and I do not want to ascend the throne while committing such a sin. No, I cannot do that.”

“Your Highness…!”

“Will the Purge plan go awry if we don't kill the children?”

“That's not it, but…!”

Jereuth seemed to have a lot to say but couldn't finish his words properly. I returned the documents to him and said.

“Excluding the children, killing the rest will not pose any problem to my seizing power. And if it doesn't cause any major disruption to the Captain's Purge plan, then please do not kill the children. This is not a request, but an order.”

At my words, Jereuth wore a deeply contemplating expression.

A silence fell upon the room. The quiet of the dawn was rather deafening.

In that silence, Jereuth heavily nodded his head.

“I understand. I will make it so that Your Highness does not kill the children.”

“Thank you for understanding, Captain.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. Then I will take my leave now.”

Jereuth spoke as if he had finished what he had to say, then added a word as if he had forgotten something.

“Your Highness. As you know, it will be a bit noisy for a while. I will come for you when everything is over. So, please do not open the door for anyone but me.”

“Yes.”

“And… please keep Your Highness’s maid in the room as much as possible. It is for her safety.”

“I will do so.”

After hearing my answer, Jereuth bowed his head in greeting and left the room. Watching his back, I thought.

‘If sparing the nobles’ children becomes a source of future trouble, let’s deal with it then. It’ll work out somehow…’

As I was silently thinking, Jereuth left and through that door, Elly came in.

Elly, who entered the room, wore a puzzled expression, a little awkward from the heavy tension remaining in the room, and then asked me.

“Um… Your Highness, it is very late. How about retiring for the night?”

Retiring, sleeping, a deep sleep.

If I could do that, I would have done so long ago. But I wasn't sleepy.

I managed a smile and said.

“I'm not very sleepy. Could you prepare a cup of tea for me?”

Now that the big event was upon me, I wanted to run away.

From my position, and from this world.

***

Outside Leonardo's room.

“Captain, have you finished your report already?”

One of the knights of the 3rd Knight Order who was waiting for Jereuth outside the room asked, sounding puzzled.

Jereuth, who had gone to report the Purge plan to the crown prince, had come out too quickly than expected.

“Hmm… it turned out that way. His Highness told me to proceed with all plans according to my will. Except for one thing.”

“Except for one thing, what do you mean by that?”

“His Highness told me not to kill the children.”

At Jereuth's words, the knights tilted their heads.

“Not to kill the children… what could that mean? Wasn't what His Highness ordered a ‘Purge’?”

“Yes, it was a Purge. But His Highness said that the children have no sin, and killing innocent children is a sin that humans should not commit.”

“That is…”

“‘Chivalry.’ The chivalry I studied and taught you all. It seems His Highness possesses chivalry despite not being a knight.”

Hoo―.

As Jereuth sighed again, another knight standing next to him asked.

“Then… what did you say you would do, Captain? Did you say you would spare the children?”

“No, I said, ‘I will make it so that Your Highness does not kill the children.’”

“By that you mean―.”

“Yes, not by His Highness's order, but I, by my own judgment, by my own decision alone, will kill all the children of the nobles. Because that is the right thing to do.”

“……Ca, Captain. That is insubordination to His Highness's command―.”

“Ask no more. If His Highness said that killing innocent children is a sin, then I will commit that sin for the sake of His Highness's royal authority.”

Jereuth's words were firm and clear. The knights who confirmed his will nodded their heads and asked no more.

Jereuth's voice was so strong that at a glance, it seemed he had no hesitation in killing children.

But Jereuth's heart was just as heavy. How could his heart be light? He had resolved to kill children not by order, but by his own will.

‘I have decided to become His Highness's ‘ruthless knight.’ Even if the world condemns me as a demon, and history denounces me as a heinous murderer, I will not regret it. Anyway, since Victoria died, I have no lingering attachment to this world.’

Having firmed his resolve once again, Jereuth ordered the knight right behind him, Vice-Captain Hagen.

“Hagen, make sure to write it down clearly in the Purge log. That the one who killed the children in this Purge was not Crown Prince Leonardo, but an evil deed committed at the whim of ‘Jereuth,’ a base commoner knight captain with no surname.”

“……I understand.”

Hagen's voice was heavy—

And so, the time for the Purge was approaching, and all preparations were complete.