"Well, Mr. Oscar Almon, ...... do you know why I called you?
　"Well, um, ......, I'm sorry. Please, can you tell me?

　Later, Hercule summoned Oscar Almon.

　Oscar Armon was the second son of a branch of the Armon family.

　The House of Armon was one of the great noble families that Hercule had targeted, and the head of the family had been imprisoned and had most of his lands confiscated.

　The head of the family was imprisoned and most of his lands were confiscated, but the branch families obeyed the head family.
　Hercule knew that if the original family participated in the rebellion, the branch families would have to participate as well, so the branch families of noble families that participated in the rebellion were punished relatively lightly.

　This was also the case with the branch of the Armon family, and although they were not blameless, they were able to avoid being crushed, having all their property confiscated, or being sentenced to death.

　But how could the emperor himself be summoned?

　Why was he summoned and not his brothers? ......

　Oskar thought about it, but he actually had an idea.

　Oskar was the only one who had succeeded in escaping the siege of Hercule.
　Could it be related to that?

　Oskar thought to himself as he bowed his head to Hercule and asked for an answer.

　Hercule's reply was as expected.

　Because you got out from under that siege. I had confidence in you. I was confident I could destroy every last one of them. But you beat me to it.
　"Am I to be executed?

　Oskar asked, turning a little pale.
　A rival faction's nobleman with superior command skills.

　It would be safer to kill him.

　Oskar wondered if Hercule was going to sentence him to death, imprisonment, or deportation.
　Oskar thought that Hercule was going to sentence him to something.

　And Oskar was prepared to take it.
　No matter what the reason, the fact was that he was a part of the rebellion. He could not complain about being killed.

　But Hercule said something I didn't expect.

　"Death penalty?　What are you talking about? ...... I have called for you to be my general.
　"What?　"What? General?

　Oscar looked puzzled.
　If you have achieved something, I understand.
　But Oskar was hostile to Hercule, and he had caused Hercule a small amount of damage. 　

　I don't get it: ......

　And then Oskar thinks back to an example.

　The mercenary captain Darios.

　The man who had once rebelled against the Lemurian Empire, who was said to have been the cause of the death of Hadrian III.

　Hercule had taken this man as his vassal.

　"I value your command abilities. A strong army needs a good general. I want you. What do you think?　It's not a bad deal. ...... You could restore the honor of House Armon.

　"I am honored that the Emperor would think so highly of me, Your Highness.

　Oscar bowed deeply to Hercule.
　In any case, Oskar had no choice.

　If he refused, it would be death for him.
　It was too dangerous to have rebels in the country who would refuse the Emperor's invitation.

　And it would jeopardize the position of House Armon.

　There's no reason to refuse in the first place.
　If you do well, you'll be able to move up the ladder.
　You can restore the lost glory of House Armon.

　Best of all, ......

　This emperor will give you a fair evaluation of your abilities!

　"I'm a young man, but I'm counting on you.
　"Haha, I'm a young man, too. Let's do our best so we don't lose to the old guys.

　Hercule extended his hand to Oskar.
　Oskar was puzzled, but grasped Hercule's hand tightly.

　You are my vassal from now on. From now on, you are my vassal. ...... There is no turning back now, is there?
　"Yes, Your Majesty. I will accompany you wherever you go.



　Oscar Almon.

　A branch of the Armon family, a noble family of Mysul.
　His nickname is "The Silent One".

　He was discovered by Hercule during Hadrian's Rebellion and taken under his wing.

　One of the Seventeen Pillars of the Emperor Hercule.






　"Your Majesty.
　Carolina, what's wrong?
　That's my line, Your Majesty. At this hour of the night.

　Karolina called out to Hercule, who was gazing at the moon from the balcony of his room.
　Hercule shrugged.

　No, I thought the stars and moon were different.


　What did you say?
　I'm talking to you.

　Hercule dodges.
　A truth that cannot be believed is a lie.

　But I don't like the idea of a woman coming into a man's room this late at night.
　Well, your father will be very upset, won't he ......?

　Karolina smiled wickedly.

　She was wearing a thin negligee and a stole, a very risky outfit.

　The only person who came to Hercule dressed like this was ......
　It was a sign that he trusted Hercule and felt that Hercule would be fine if something happened to him.

　Hercule was a little happy about that.

　"Actually, I have some good wine, would you like some?
　"Well, I'll take it if you don't mind.




　Hercule popped the cork and poured the bright red wine into Carolina's glass.
　Then, as he was about to pour it into his own glass, he said: ......

　I'll pour it for you, Your Majesty.
　"Really?

　Karolina takes the glass bottle of wine from Hercule and pours it into Hercule's glass.

　When they are sure that each other's glasses are filled, they lightly tap them against each other's glasses.

　"Here's to your eyes.
　"Cheers, as always. Your Majesty.

　They drink the wine slowly.
　They don't do anything vulgar like drinking it all at once.

　It's not the wine but their conversation that takes center stage.
　The wine is merely a lubricant for conversation.

　It is useless if you get drunk and lose your coordination.

　Thank you for your time. Your Majesty. It's been a long day, hasn't it?
　"Well, yeah. But if we don't clean up after ourselves, we'll be in trouble later.

　Cleanup, that is, postwar processing.

　Can we put down the rebellion, strengthen the ruling system, and make the country stronger?
　Or will it destabilize the country even more than before and weaken it?

　It all depends on the post-war process.

　"What did the Empress say at ......?
　"Thank you," she said. Well, killing your brother is an ugly business.

　Hercule thinks back to his mother crying and thanking him.

　"Well, fortunately for us, the Dowager Empress was wise. If Hadrian and I had rebelled together, I would have been named Mother Killer and Brother Killer.

　"Your Majesty is .......

　Karolina was a little puzzled, then asked.

　"Do you dislike the Empress?
　Carolina, I'll tell you something good.

　Hercule smiles.

　"The opposite of love is not hate or dislike. It's indifference.
　......

　Yes, indifference.
　That's why Hercule doesn't care what the Empress thinks of him.

　As long as he keeps quiet, there's no problem.

　You're boring me. Can't we talk about something more fun?　We don't have to talk about politics right now.
　"Well, .......

　The two change the subject and talk about something pleasant and cheerful that happened to them.
　As the conversation progresses, the sake is consumed, and the snacks brought by the maidservant are absorbed into their stomachs.

　This is delicious, isn't it? You're the chef, aren't you?　
　"Well, yes. He brings the right snacks according to the type of wine. He's as good as ever. But it's late at night, isn't it?
　Well, it's your job, isn't it?
　No way!　Well, I'll pay you for your overtime later. I'm trying to build a white country!

　The two of them became more talkative as they drank.
　Before they knew it, Hercule was sitting next to Karolina.

　When Hercule put his hand on her shoulder, Karolina did not reject it, but rather laid her head on his shoulder as if accepting it.

　"Your Majesty ......
　"What's wrong?
　"I love you. I love you.

　Hercule doesn't answer, but grabs Karolina's chin.
　Karolina closes her eyes.

　Hercule presses his lips to Karolina's.
　Their lips meet.

　I love you too.


　"Your Majesty ......

　They kiss once more.
　And Hercule asks.

　"What will you do?
　"...... leave it to me.

　Hercule pulls Karolina into his arms.
　Then he runs his tongue over Karolina's long ears.

　"Your ...... Majesty, ...... this is my first time, ......
　"Yeah, I know.

　They spent the rest of the night as sweet as honey.



　The next day, they made their engagement official.