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!　
They are growing in number day by day, and they are plotting to destroy us, the Messiahs, the people of God! I`m not planning anything.

　I'll raise the specific threats one by one, Hercule .
　Those threats are the ones that everyone knew about, ...... and no one wanted to think about.

　"We must fight as God's people!

　Yes!　Yes, yes, yes!
　The senators agree with Hercule.

　It's the priests of the church who have been given seats in the senate who are agreeing with Hercule.
　In their view, it is the duty of the emperor to protect Lemuria, the land of God, from demonic pagans and heretics, and it is the Senate that supports the emperor.

　"For hundreds of years, our country has been overrun by enemies who have taken our territory and overrun our fields. Some of you may have experienced bitterness as well. Some of you may have suffered bitterly. ...... It is true that I have imposed a heavy tax on your lands. But if you don't, even the land you have now will eventually be overrun and taken away. Then we will be left with nothing but a landless people, a people with nowhere to live, and a corpse that has starved to death!

　He explained that he had no choice but to raise taxes.
　It was inevitable that the taxes were raised, he argues, and if they hadn't been, more damage would have been done. Hercule argues.

　This was convincing.
　The fact was that the nobles' lands were being taken and devastated with each passing year.

　Many of the great nobles nodded their heads in agreement.

　(First appeal to faith, then to pragmatism. So far, so good. The rest is .......)

　"We have to fight. To defend the Lemurian Empire. And we must reclaim the land our fathers shed their blood for!　Our homeland, our homeland!

　"Oh, oh, oh, ！！！！

　Some of the senators cheered.
　Some of them were in tears.

　They were noblemen of the Elves and Dwarves.

　Some of these long-lived people had spent their childhoods in territories once taken by barbarians.
　Their ancestral tombs are also located in the west of the Lemurian Empire.
　But now the barbarians have taken over and they cannot visit.

　For them, it is a longing to exterminate the barbarians and reclaim their homeland.

　Hercule appealed to the emotions of the old men, who had great influence in the Senate.

　(You get the drift. The rest can be found at ......)



　"Fortunately, we have the money for the war. All I ask is that you remain loyal to your country and your God!　Either we let our country be overrun again by barbarians, heretics, and infidels, or we will crush the enemy and reclaim our homeland before they do!

　He argued that the burden on the nobles was small, and gained their support.
　Then, he demanded something very 'hard to deny', loyalty to the motherland and God, and forced them to agree.





　That's His Majesty, isn't it? You've got those difficult nobles in your mind. If only you could show that kind of motivation on a regular basis. ......

　Hercule is making a speech and the nobles are listening to him.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. Those who don't agree are branded as lacking loyalty to their country and God. It's a terrible talent.

　Galfis, who himself holds a seat in the Senate, spoke highly of Hercule's speech.
　The atmosphere in the Senate is completely dominated by Hercule.

　He's handsome, a political genius, a military genius, and a great orator?　They say that God doesn't give two gifts, but that's not true.

　Darius mutters with a wry smile.

　But not yet. But not yet. I haven't gotten the approval of the nobles yet.
　"That's true. One more push is needed.

　Christos and Loukanos, on the other hand, have stern expressions on their faces.
　People are not creatures driven only by profit.
　We still need to push harder.

　That's what they were thinking.
　To put it bluntly, it's easy to just say it.
　What's important is whether you can do it or not.

　If you force them to bleed and they lose, it's just a loss.

　And that's what Hercule was thinking as well: ......




　The odds are stacked against us!　Our country has the traditional strong cavalry and archers. We have a strong standing army of cavalry, archers and newly organized infantry. We have a strong standing army. These are elites who have endured rigorous training!　Let's teach these barbarians a lesson about real war!




　Your Majesty's words are very convincing.
　"Well, I don't know how you feel about that. I don't know how you feel inside, but I'm sure it's persuasive enough. You're still alive, aren't you, ......, the man who defeated the mercenary captain Darios?
　"Don't kill me without permission. I'm talking about the Emperor. You've been planning to make this speech all along, and you've come to defeat me?　I've been used as bait. It's an honor. Huh. ......

　Christos, Loukanos, and Darios say to each other.
　And then, after Lucanos' words, Karolina said.

　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
　"Well, we've been on a losing streak. Our country has been on a losing streak for some time now, and the only way we've been able to win is to trust .......

　I'm sure you'll agree with me," said Galfis, nodding in agreement.
　And ......

　As his retainers look on, Hercule puts the final touches on his plan.





　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.　If we continue like this, we will never be able to repay our fathers!　Are you not ashamed of yourselves?　I'm so ashamed I can't sleep at night! He is sleeping soundly.

　Hercule speaks of their ancestors and their past glory.
　Yes, it's the pride of Lemurians. Something that must never be lost.

　Lemuria must be God's country, the last paradise that will exist on earth until the final judgment.
　It must be a world empire.

　And ......

　I will now show the barbarians the strength of Lemuria and fight to reclaim our land and people.

　The War for Homeland Recovery.

　Now.

　Here.

　I now proclaim: ！！！！








　"Finally, the former glory of Lemuria and the purpose of this speech. ......

　Karolina listened in amazement.
　Even Karolina, who was not familiar with politics, could understand.
　I'm sure you'll agree with me.

　"That's the Emperor. Look at those nobles.

　LUCANOS points to the nobles.
　There's ......




　"Oh, my God!
　"Long live Lemuria!　Long live the Emperor!
　"Avenge the gods!


　"Our home, our home!
　"Let us show the barbarians the valor of Lemuria!




　There was no sign of the nobles who had been complaining about heavy taxes.
　With this speech, he won the support of all the elven nobles.
　Hercule gained the support of most of the non-Elven nobles.

　Some of the nobles who had joined Hadrian's faction and most of the nobles who had wavered between Hercule and Hadrian's faction were now completely in Hercule's camp.

　Thus, the first sieve succeeded: ......
　Hadrian's supporters were reduced to a third of the original number.


　Later, Hercule made a similar speech in front of the citizens, and gained the support of the common people as well.

　The first stage of the War of Land Restoration was to take place in the Duchy of Travizos, a small country founded by barbarians in the Lemurian Empire.
The first stage of the War of Land Restoration was the invasion of the Principality of Travizos, a small country founded by barbarians in the territory of the Lemurian Empire.