88 Episode 26 Next | Princess Miko "Medium" (1/2)

”As the next medium, I nominate this girl ......, Cecilia Peter. Therefore, I would like you, Hercule, to be her guardian.

If that's the case, I'd be happy to say .......

Hercule questioned the medium.

High Priestess Millennia, I consider you to be a very good ...... politician. That's why your choice is so puzzling to me. It's not good to say this in front of you, but ......

Hercule glanced at Cecilia and Lemurian Patriarch Cronus, who were standing beside the medium, before returning his gaze to the medium.

I'm not sure what to say. I'll be the guardian of this twelve year old girl. I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.　I find nothing but discomfort in your actions.

Hercule took a sip of his tea before continuing.

It is true that Cecilia is your direct descendant, but that does not mean that she must inherit the position of medium. There are many more candidates than Cecilia. There must be someone older and more skilled in political maneuvering in the Peter family. Cecilia is certainly good. That much is clear from just a few words. But she's too young, isn't she?　...... In my eyes, it looks as if you are trying to force her to take over the position of medium for the sake of your grandchild, and the world will see it that way.

Hercule's question was not yet finished.

I don't see the need for me to be his guardian in the first place. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.　It is true that successive princesses (mediums) have received military and political patronage from the Emperor of Lemuria. However, there are not many cases where they have been the direct guardians of the emperor. Usually, the Patriarch of Lemuria is the backer.

Hercule stares straight at the medium.

”Let me ask you again. High Priestess Millenia. I would like you to tell me why you have chosen Cecilia to be your new medium and why you have asked me to be her guardian.

The medium took a sip of her tea and smiled.

”Yes, I understand. I will answer your questions one by one.

The medium stuck out a finger.

”First, a correction. I do not intend to die right now. I intend to live for another three or four years. Therefore, it is a misnomer to give the rank of medium to a twelve-year-old girl. To be more precise, she is a 15-16 year old girl.

...... Still, she seems young, doesn't she?

Oh, you say that, Your Majesty?　His Majesty Hercule, who ascended to the throne at the age of twelve.

”I'm a genius.

I'm a genius,” Hercule said proudly.

The medium smiles at Hercule's words.

Your Majesty ...... and I share the same thoughts. Just as Hadrian believed in your potential, I believe in Cecilia's potential.

”...... I see, I understand.

Hercule had only exchanged a few words with Cecilia.

So how good is Cecilia?　I'm not sure.

He could only trust the words of the medium.

Hercule glanced at Cecilia.

Cecilia, who had been praised for her excellence, was red-faced and embarrassed,......, but she seemed pleased.

She doesn't seem to be accustomed to being praised much.

It's probably because she's usually scolded so harshly by the medium.

(Is she that good?).

Hercule tilted his head inwardly.

In addition to that, there is a reason why you should choose young Cecilia: ...... ”Because she is young. In addition to that, there is a reason why the young Cecilia was chosen: ...... One of the effects of the inherited magic of the medium is that it slows down the aging process. ...... I can't go into detail, but one of the effects of the inherited magic of the medium is that it slows down the aging process. When you are young ...... you can live as long as the elves if you get this inheritance magic before your early twenties. However, the lost youth will not return. If you pass the throne to a younger person, you can keep the position of medium stable for a longer period of time. ...... In the long run, this is beneficial.

Lack of experience in the early years is a minor problem ......?

Yes, the longer you live, the more experience you gain. But physical deterioration cannot be reversed.

The older we get, the more our brains deteriorate.

This is self-evident.

Compared to the brain at its peak in the early twenties, the brain of a person in his forties or fifties is ......

It must be said that memory, judgment, and persistence are deteriorating.

However, in terms of work, people in their forties and fifties are better than people in their early twenties (with the notable exception of Hercule).

The reason for this is that they have experience.

People who have lived for a long time know how to deal with various situations.

Experience is very important.

Now, ......

Let me give you an example.

An experienced person in his fifties and an inexperienced person in his late teens.

Who is better?

The answer is the former.

The answer is the former, unless the latter is outstandingly good or the former is ridiculously incompetent. ......

Usually, the former is judged to be superior to the latter.

So ......

If you're in your fifties and have a lot of experience, and if you're in your late teens but have the same experience as a fifty-something, what do you do?

Without any doubt, the latter is superior.

Well, I mean ......

This is the reason why the medium is trying to appoint Cecilia as the next princess miko.

It is true that it would be a safer choice to have an experienced person in her forties or fifties as the next High Priestess (Medium).

However, since she is already old, even if the inheritance magic of the medium slows down the aging process a little, it would be a drop in the bucket.

She will die soon.

But what about the young and talented Cecilia, even if she lacks experience?

It is true that it will be uneasy at first, but in a few decades, a medium will be born with a 'young and talented brain' and a 'wealth of experience'.

In the long run, it is better to appoint a young Cecilia.

So, why Cecilia at ......?　It's not because I love my grandchild. It's because Cecilia was the only girl in the Peter family who was young, bright and had the same ideas as me.

”What do you mean by ......?

I'm talking about the pro-Lemurian and anti-Lemurian factions. In the churches of the former Western Lemurian Empire, the anti-Lemurians are becoming the mainstream. Until a while ago, I was more in that camp myself. ......

The medium drinks a cup of tea and moistens her throat.

I've changed my mind since you proposed the Council of Alexandria. You are a man who understands, and under your reign, the Lemurian Empire will be restored. Anti-Lemuria is contrary to the coming times. And ...... will be fine while I'm alive. But after my death, there is no anti-Lemurian leader who can stand against you. Rather than provoking you and having the Church of Lemuria dominated by secular powers, ...... a leader who is as good as Cecilia, and who can also keep pace with you to some extent, will help the Church of Lemuria maintain its independence in the long run.

Hercule asked the medium if she thought it was okay to let the secular powers control the Lemurian Church.

Erucul asked the medium.

But the medium said, ......

Cecilia was chosen to lead the Church of Lemuria so that it would not be ruled by a secular power, and so that the Lemurian Emperor, Hercule, would not be angered by her inappropriate defiance.

I replied.

For a simple explanation for the Japanese, see ......

The question is, which is more likely to maintain independence and security, ”fighting head-on” against the US, a country that can do anything if angered, or ”compromising to some extent and obeying”?

That's the question.

If you are confident that you can win, you can choose the former. ......

If you are not sure you can win, it is wiser to choose the latter.

”So, you asked me to be your guardian, .......

”Yes, I did. I'm sorry to say that I don't know how much power Kronos will be able to exercise in the Church of Lemuria after I'm gone.

I don't know how much power Kronos will be able to exercise in the Lemurian church after my death. That's how powerful the anti-Lemurians are. That's why I'm asking you as a last ditch effort.

As the medium said this, Cronus, who was standing by her side, stepped forward and bowed to Hercule.

It's all because of something beyond my control. ...... Your Majesty, I ask for your help. The political and military backing of the Lemurian Empire will continue to be essential to the survival of the Church of the Messiah. Please ......

Hercule was a little surprised by this.

The only image he had of Kronos was that he was arguing with Loukanos, the Patriarch of Nova Lemuria.

He had thought he was anti-Lemurian.

Surprising. I thought you hated me.

”...... The only thing I don't like is that jadeite over there. I have no feelings for the Emperor.

Kronos glared at Lukanos, who was standing by Hercule's side.

Lukanos glared back.

”Well, if that's the case, then I'll help you. I have no intention of taking control of the Church of Messiah, becoming emperor and pope, and ruling the secular and sacred worlds together ....... The secular and sacred worlds should be able to be separated to some extent. As for me, I have no intention of intervening in the ...... Messianic Church itself as long as I can establish the dominance of the secular world. But ......

Hercule turned his gaze to Cecilia.

”Cecilia. I have yet to hear your will. High Priestess Millennia said that Cecilia is pro-Lemurian. ...... What does that actually mean?　I can't simply nod my head yes without hearing your opinion.

When Hercule asked, ......

”Yes, Your Majesty. As Grandma ......, High Priestess Medium, said, I believe that we should be in step with the Emperor. The Church of the Messiah needs a strong protector. If His Majesty the Emperor can protect us, there will be no better guardian. .........

Cecilia stared at Hercule with eyes full of strong will.

I have no intention of losing to the Emperor, and I will say what I think is wrong. And ......, you said earlier that the world is superior.　I believe that the Medium and the Emperor of Lemuria should be equal. I am pro-Lemuria. I believe we should be in step with the Emperor. But I have no intention of obeying you or becoming your vassal. And I will never be a lapdog.

Cecilia looked Hercule squarely in the eyes.

”The Emperor of Lemuria is the protector of the Messianic Church. Nothing more, nothing less. The Church of Messiah is led by a medium. The sacred world is the sacred world. Secular is secular. They should be mutually inviolable. There is no such thing as ...... ordained ministry (・・・・・・・・・) in the five head temples, and there is no such thing as ”simonia.

The air became quiet.

At the very least, this is not the attitude of a person who is about to seek refuge.