21 Episode 20 Fathers and New Ones (1/2)

I'm so sorry!　Please let me pay for this with my life!

”No, I don't want your head.

The poison was contained only in the melon, and neither Hercule nor Carolina were harmed.

The melon was brought to the table where it was cut into pieces.

This means that the poison was inside the melon from the beginning.

It must have been mixed in with a needle or something. Well, it's understandable that he didn't notice. You don't think there's poison inside from the start, do you? Be careful from now on.

”Yes, sir!

The chef prostrated himself to Hercule again and again.

It's so annoying that Hercule shoved his hand away and ......

”Well, Galfis. Christos. Lucanos. Karolina. ...... I actually have an idea who the mastermind is. Who do you think it is?

You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

The three of them and Karolina looked at each other and said, ......

It's the man?

”That's him, isn't it?

It must be him. ......

It's got to be him.

The one whose name must not be mentioned: ......

That's what I'm saying.

Lucanos, I want you to find out how the poison got in here. Just don't let them know it's you. And don't do anything. This time, we'll let it slide.

Are you sure?

You'll never get there.

There's little point in following a string that breaks halfway.

Hercule!

As they were talking, a woman's voice echoed through the palace.

There is only one person in this country who is allowed to call the Emperor of Lemuria, the emperor of the Lemurian Empire and the agent of God on earth, by his first name.

Well, well, Mother. What brings you here unannounced? What can I do for you?

Empress of the Lemurian Empire.

The mother of Hercule and sister of Christos.

I've heard of you, Hercule. ...... What do you intend to do?

”Fortunately or unfortunately, we'll never get to the culprit. Well, I'll do my best to prevent it from happening again. I don't want to die.

Hercule shrugged his shoulders.

The Empress is Hercule's mother, but she is also ......

She is also Hadrian's mother.

Although Hercule and Hadrian are older, they are ...... brothers born from the same belly.

And ...... the Empress loves the latter more than Hercule and Hadrian.

She loved the latter because he was her first born son and she and her husband, Hadrian III, loved him very much.

On the other hand, Hercule was deliberately separated from his mother, the Empress, in order not to repeat Hadrian's educational failure, and Hadrian III did not dare to talk to him.

A son who was born wise, unaided, unspoiled, brilliant, and rarely spoke to his mother or father, and a son who was not so brilliant, unaided, and spoiled whenever he could.

It is natural for a mother to love the latter more than the former.

However, it is also obvious that the latter will be ruined as a human being and the former will not love his parents.

”So you're saying you're not going to do anything?

”Well, I can't do anything this time. However, as an emperor, I can't just leave him like this. I'm going to put you through a sieve in the near future.

”...... Sieve?

The Empress does not know what kind of sieve Hercule is talking about.

The Empress did not know what the sieve was that Hercule was talking about, but she did know that the sieve would kill her other son.

”Can't you do something about it?

”I can't help you. I can't help you. You have to do something about it.

Hercule shrugged.

The Empress clasped her hands tightly.

”Please, be as merciful as you can.

”Yes, I will try. Yes, I will try.

The Empress understands.

The Empress Dowager understood Hercule's intentions in his reply.

”Your Majesty, Hercule, I'm thinking of joining a monastery.

”A monastery?

Yes, I intend to live a life of prayer to God. ...... for the repose of my husband's soul, for the sins of my sons, and for my own inability to stop them.

Galfis, Christos, Loukanos, and Karolina looked at the Empress' words in disbelief.

Even though she is the mother who gave birth to the emperor, there are some things she is allowed to say and some things she is not allowed to say.

The Empress Dowager's comment about the sins of her ...... sons cannot be overlooked.

Fortunately, Hercule didn't seem to mind, and just smiled bitterly.

I have nothing to say to you if that is what your mother has decided. ...... Have you already chosen a place?

”...... Yes, Your Majesty. Goodbye.

The Empress bowed deeply to Hercule and left.

Silence reigned.

”You poor thing. It's a pity. I'm so sorry.

Hercule said, sounding truly sympathetic.

But his voice was flat and somewhat strained.

The four vassals looked at the broken family with pity.

Later, Hercule summoned the Senate.

The Senate.

The Senate used to be the highest organ of state power when Lemuria was a republic.

Today, it is a mere honorary position with no real power and is a mere decoration. ......

Even so, it is a place where many aristocrats who hold important positions are present.

Its influence is immeasurable.

”Fathers and newcomers. I understand the distrust some of you have for me. But I want you to listen. There is a grave national crisis at hand. If we ignore this crisis, the only thing that awaits us is destruction.

Hercule hadn't called a meeting of the senate since his accession.

The Senators listened to Hercule's words, though they looked puzzled by the sudden call and his statement.

(I think we got the point.)

”What is the crisis, it goes without saying. It is the barbarians, infidels, and heretics who surround our country!　The warbeasts are brazenly sitting on the land our ancestors conquered, cultivated, and cleared to build their nation. These barbarians, who spout such falsehoods as the sons of God are men, are still vigilantly targeting the territory of our country, the land of God.

The Warbeast ......

A race that once lived in the great forest region that stretches outside the Lemurian Empire.

It is a race that caused a massive migration of people and invaded the interior of the Lemurian Empire, decisively leading to the decline of the Lemurian Empire.

Their fighting ability and ferocity is second to none.

And above all, ......

They are also Messianic, but believe in a different doctrine: ...... heretics.

From the north, the abominable Bulgarons demand tribute year after year, invade our territory, rob our people of their property, and assault our women. This is something that cannot be overlooked!

Common sense does not apply to the nomadic Bulgarians.

For them, looting is a normal thing.

But the people who are being looted are not happy about it.

And our greatest enemy, the Kingdom of Foulth!　The infidels who believe in paganism and evil gods!