Kill the Emperor Chapter 138 : Chapter 138

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 138 : What One Can Do?

I, Hein Reichart, smiled as I watched Belfodil, who could not hide his flustered look as soon as the words ‘Lake Isser’ ca out of my mouth.

‘I thought there was about a fifty percent chance, but it seems to be the correct answer.’

In fact, ntioning the lake to test Belfodil was halfway close to a bluff.

What I knew through the mories of my past life was only that Belfodil had a long-cherished wish that he must achieve.

I did not know the specific details of that wish.

But this ti was different.

It was because I was able to obtain information through Aurora that he was interested in the purchase cost of a sailing ship to float on Lake Isser.

“…….”

Looking at Belfodil, who was clutching his hamr without being able to say anything, it seed that my expectation was correct.

“A boat that could withstand the waves of Lake Isser would have to be no ordinary item. Well, even assuming you make the boat yourself, can an individual truly handle that enormous cost?”

“…….”

I let out words that were neither a worry nor a provocation.

But Belfodil was still motionless.

“If you could live a little, no, much longer than others, saving money steadily like now could be a way. But as soone who cherishes your skill, I cannot help but feel that it is a pity.”

“……How do you know that?”

As if his voice had suddenly gone hoarse.

Belfodil’s voice, which was already heavy, sank even deeper.

“Does that matter?”

“And why are you blathering about that in front of ? Are you intending to blackmail or sothing?”

As Belfodil’s reaction beca intense, thick veins naturally stood up on the back of his hand holding the hamr, and his beard, which was already stiff, puffed up.

“Blackmail, heavens no. I just want you to believe that the reason I ca here is not simply splurging money.”

However, Belfodil’s puffed-up physique was not even a slight threat to .

“I would like you to rember exactly two things. First, regardless of whether you grant my request or not, I have no intention of harming you in the slightest. Second, I have enough power to make your long-held dream a reality in the near future.”

Belfodil’s two eyes were covered by the blindfold.

But I turned my body as if to et his gaze.

“I shall withdraw for today. You will also need ti to think, and I have busy matters for the ti being as well. Then, I will visit again.”

I left the workshop in a casual manner.

“…….”

On the other hand, Belfodil’s appearance had beco markedly different from before.

He was just standing silently as if he had beco a stone statue.

The sound of hamring, which had been ringing without rest, was also no longer heard.

***

A week later.

The mbers of Haken Knight Order Squad 1, who had left for training at the Reichart territory for two months, returned to Abysin.

And the first thing that welcod them upon their return was.

“Pierce, take this organization chart and have the mbers familiarize themselves with it. Complete the preparations to depart by tomorrow evening.”

It was an organization chart that divided the mbers into squads of five and a sortie order.

“Commander, do we have to sortie?”

According to the set schedule, the mbers who completed two months of dispatch training were supposed to conduct autonomous training for the sa period.

However, I suddenly ordered a sortie to the southeastern part of the continent.

“Yes. There is no better training than actual combat. I think you guys would prefer this side too?”

“O-Of course that is so!”

Of course, for the mbers of Squad 1, including Pierce, it was truly welco news.

“Hmm…… We have to cross the border several tis. Haha! There were many friends who wanted to see how people in other countries live anyway, but thanks to the Commander, we will finally achieve our wish this ti. Haha!”

“Actually, I have sothing to say regarding that matter.”

At the mont Pierce burst into a hearty laugh as large as his giant fra,

“You, do you have any intention of trying a wig?”

“……Yes?”

And the usual hearty laugh vanished without a trace at the question I casually threw.

“As you know, we have to cross the border for this mission. But you, how should I put it. You stand out a bit more than other people. I thought…… if we did sothing about the hair, it might be a bit less.”

I asked in the most cautious tone since eting Pierce.

Pierce ended up bringing his hand, which was like a pot lid, to his completely bald head without realizing it.

“Commander, of course, for the sake of the operation, I can endure even a bit of humiliation. But just, that is, in my opinion. If I wear a wig, it seems it will beco even more awkward instead. If that happens and it ends up drawing more attention for no reason, wouldn't that-wouldn't that result in sothing worse than not doing it at all?”

“……Would it be so after all?”

“Yes, it is so. Commander. Please trust ! Although my body is a bit large, I will cross the border quickly so as not to be seen by people! I will infiltrate the area you ordered like a ghost!”

Did he hate wearing a wig that much?

Pierce beat his chest and pledged to complete the mission perfectly in this current state.

I nodded my head instead of answering.

“Then go out. I also have a place to go.”

“I understand, Commander. Then I will finish the preparations as ordered and wait for the command!”

***

“Grand Duke, wouldn't it be too dangerous?”

The first reaction shown by Friedrich, who was inford of the report related to the operation, was to worry about my safety.

“Of course, I know very well that you are a strong person, Grand Duke. But even so, this is too dangerous. For you to personally, and with only a small number of people, infiltrate the enemy camp yourself…… how could this…….”

Friedrich bit his lip, unable to finish his sentence.

“Your Majesty. It is an operation that I personally planned and led. The personnel deployed in the operation are also entirely my personal knight order. Therefore, it is right that I also conduct the field command.”

“Grand Duke, if your will is truly so, how about increasing the number of personnel deployed? if it is okay with you, I will support you with the Royal Guard Knight Order.”

“I am grateful for your heart, Your Majesty, but it is an operation where secrecy is vital. If you permit it, I would like to proceed with the operation together with the mbers I work well with.”

Friedrich, who eventually failed to persuade this ti as well, turned his gaze to Sheldrick, who had been listening silently.

“……Your Majesty, my thought as a subject is also the sa as the Grand Duke’s. It would be different if we did not attempt it at all, but I consider that it would be best for a small number of elites to be deployed for this operation. And there will not exist a knight order with more outstanding skills in this country than the Grand Duke’s personal knight order.”

But the young King’s belief missed the mark this ti as well.

Sheldrick, whom he thought would support him, instead ca forward to support .

“No, even so, if the Grand Duke personally participates in that dangerous operation and suffers harm, this country will…….”

Whether he was frustrated by the ‘two adults’ who had no intention of taking his side, Friedrich could not finish his words this ti either.

Of course, it wasn't that he was entirely ignorant of the progress of this operation.

Since I submitted reports at major milestones, he naturally grasped to what extent the flow of this operation was progressing.

However, I was the undisputed second-in-command and the person in charge of military power in Zodiac.

He had not imagined that such a person would jump into the perilous task of ‘personally commanding a guerrilla war across the border while accompanied by only a small number of personal knights’.

“Grand Duke, if I ask you to withdraw this operation, could you listen to ?”

“If Your Majesty orders it, I, your subject, will follow the command. However…….”

In the end, Friedrich chose to grab my trouser leg and plead as a last resort, but…

“If the ti is delayed, the optimal timing will be missed, and both Zodiac and Veradora will have to endure significant damage. Your Majesty, Esper and Wind Tail have already explicitly revealed their hostility and have habitually committed treacherous acts that hinder the welfare of the people. Without punishing them, the people of this land will not be able to enjoy stability. I only hope that Your Majesty will consider my intentions.”

“……Grand Duke.”

But even his last resort could not defeat my direct approach, and Friedrich realized once again.

As is always the case, the sad fact was that all he could do was wait for to return safely after driving into a deadly place.

Before he knew it, both of Friedrich’s fists were trembling.

On one side of the trembling fists, sadness was dwelling, and on the other, unhideable sha was dwelling.

“It may sound like an excuse, but I also want to beco strong like you, Grand Duke. But…… in the end, I end up only placing a burden on you again. While you are crossing the deadline without rest for this country…… for to do nothing but eat the fruit that you bring back as a King…….”

Both I and Sheldrick knew.

That the reason the ‘fourteen-year-old boy’ this year was bowing his head was to hide the surging tears.

“Your Majesty, though it is a presumptuous remark, none of the people of this country would want Your Majesty to beco like .”

Looking at such a boy, I shared what I had personally seen and felt in a calm voice.

“I heard that you had dinner outside the palace yesterday evening.”

“H-How did the Grand Duke know that?”

Friedrich raised his head with a reddened face.

“I, your subject, also know well that Your Majesty has valued the lives of the people since before.”

Of course, even so, I did not think that the King of a country would personally go as far as to disguise himself, visit the soup kitchens of the poor, and eat the sa thing as them for dinner.

“Your Majesty, I would like to ask one thing. You gave a separate order to the Ministry of Interior today, didn't you?”

And the first command given by the young King, who ca back after seeing what the poor of the capital eat with his two eyes, was.

It was to cut thirty percent of the Royal Family’s dignity maintenance expenses.

“Why on earth did you give them the order to buy them chocolate of all things?”

Along with the order to purchase a large amount of snacks with the saved costs and provide them to the poor across the country who visit the soup kitchens.

“O-Of course, I know that grain or clothing is more urgent for them than snacks that will disappear once eaten. However…….”

Whether he thought it was to reprimand him, Friedrich’s voice trembled much more severely than a mont ago.

“However, I thought it was very sad that there are so many children among the children of this country who do not even know what chocolate is. So…… so…….”

Friedrich bowed his head once more.

So he could not know with what kind of expression Sheldrick was watching this dialogue.

“I, your subject, have one request I must tell Your Majesty.”

“Please speak.”

“Please straighten your shoulders a little more. You may be much more confident than you are now. Are you not accomplishing things every day that I could never do, Your Majesty?”

“Grand Duke!”

“I can guarantee it. No King on the continent will be able to look at the people with the sa heart as Your Majesty.”

Until not long ago, a doubt that I had not been able to erase remained in .

No matter how outstanding the aptitude, was my choice to make a fourteen-year-old boy the King truly the best?

But if it is now.

If it is now, I could be certain.

That there would be no person more suitable as the King of Hein Reichart than this kid.

“The greatest pride of the people of this country is not Reichart. The fact that they are Your Majesty’s people will be the greatest joy for them.”

I rose from my seat while tucking in the hem of my cloak.

My eyes, which t Friedrich’s, were saying the following words.

‘Your Majesty can do the things that only Your Majesty can do. I will also do the things that I can do.’

“Your Majesty, please believe in , your subject.”

The dark blue cloak touched the floor lightly while drawing an elegant curve, then moved away again.

And with a voice as fluid as the fluttering hem of the cloak, I said.

“I will be back, Your Majesty.”