Follow up on a character who got SAGE and became a victim of the Herculean AGE.


　This novel is basically a "me too" story. And as the fate of "me tuee", the characters around me are saged to some extent. This is to make Hercule stand out.
　However, it's too sad that they remain victims of Hercule, so ......
　I'm thinking of following up a bit.

　Hadrian the Elder.

　The father of Hercule.
　Because of the structure of ......, in which the country was rebuilt after Hercule ascended to the throne, Hadrian is inevitably subject to criticism.
　In other words, he is compared to Hercule.
　Therefore, I depicted him as a not-so-brilliant person ...... in the story.

　But in reality, he is either incompetent or competent.
　In fact, I'd say he's either incompetent or competent.

　So, why did the Lemurian Empire decline?
　You might be thinking: ......

　It's a simple story.
　Hadrian did not cause the decline of the Lemurian Empire, but he was wearing the imperial crown during the decline of the Lemurian Empire.

　If he had ascended to the throne at the height of the Lemurian Empire, he would certainly have been regarded as a great monarch.

　In a situation where the old social and military systems had collapsed and the territory was invaded by many barbarian tribes due to its location at the crossroads of civilizations: ......
　The Lemurian empire is still intact and has been handed over to Hercule.

　You could say that.
　The decline of the Lemurian Empire was an inevitability of history, and Hercule was an irregularity.

　Hadrian was undoubtedly an excellent emperor and a great emperor who did his best to maintain the Lemurian Empire.

　In fact, Hercule acknowledged this point.
　In fact, Hercule has never called Hadrian "incompetent, stupid, foolish, or old".
　As a father, Hercule doesn't think highly of Hadrian. ......

　As a father, Hercule doesn't think highly of Hadrian, but as an emperor, he actually thinks highly of him and is grateful to him.

　Therefore, I would like to grade his abilities.
　The basic score is one hundred points. The average score is fifty. The red score is twenty-five.


　Military ...... 40 points

　That's a little harsh right off the bat!
　You might be thinking: ......

　Yes, there is no way to follow up on his lack of military talent.
　I think his talent is below average.

　He was born with this ability, so there is nothing we can do about it.
　While there are born generals, there are people who can only be below average no matter how hard they try.

　Just look at ......
　There is also the aspect that the opponent is bad.

　The opponents who beat up Hadrian were all first-rate generals.

　In particular, the current king of the Kingdom of Phars, King Sasan VIII, is, well, ......
　In the eyes of King Sasan VIII, 30, 40, 60, 70 or 80 points of military ability would be no different.

　You can't win against a born genius, a hero of history, a child of the wind.
　It is natural for you to lose.


　Diplomacy...... 80 points.

　That's a high score. 　
　What score?　You were on your knees in tribute diplomacy, weren't you?

　Yes, we were.
　That diplomacy is a big hit.

　Instead of going to war with an unwinnable opponent, losing territory, and getting reparations, ......
　It would be a thousand times smarter to get down on your knees from the start, pay tribute, and ask them to leave.

　In addition, while paying tribute, the emperor did not harm the authority of the Lemurian Empire too much by keeping his stance of "unilateral and generous concession".

　Well, most of the Lemurian people would probably blame Hadrian for this, and it would be ripped apart in later history. ......
　I guess it's better than fighting a war you can't win and losing.

　During Hadrian's reign, the Lemurian Empire lost a lot of territory. ......
　The Lemurian Empire lost a lot of territory during Hadrian's reign, but it did not lose any important places, including the provinces of Misru and Suria.

　He successfully defended the Lemurian Empire and handed over the territory to Hercule.

　Well, many of Hadrian's diplomatic achievements can be attributed to the "extremely talented diplomats" he recruited.
　The achievements of his subordinates are the achievements of the sovereign.

　By the way, I don't know if Hadrian intended this or not, but ......
　Hadrian's diplomacy of tribute payments was very damaging to the Bulgarian kingdom.

　The enormous wealth and luxury that Hadrian brought to the Kingdom of Bulgalon destroyed the economy, culture, society, and military of the humble Kingdom of Bulgalon.

　The nomadic people, who lived a simple life, have been taught luxury.

　How will this affect us? ......
　Well, I can say for sure that it will help Hercule a lot later on.

　Economy and Finance......70

　Above average.
　The tax system is not something that can be changed very often.
　The fact that Hercule did well is a consequence.

　There is a good chance that it would have destroyed the economy, culture, and society of the Lemurian Empire if it had not been successful.
　Like the Emperor Caracalla.

　First of all, Hadrian managed to maintain the existing tax system.
　This alone should give him an above average score of sixty points. 　

　The remaining ten points are for tax reform.

　Hercule criticized Hadrian's monopoly on salt: ......
　In fact, the salt monopoly was a great success at first.

　In fact, the salt monopoly was very successful at the beginning, and it supported the finances of the Lemurian Empire as a substitute for the per capita tax before the introduction of illicit salt.
　In other words, Hadrian was successful in reforming the tax system.

　However, it did not solve the problem drastically.




　Foresight: ...... 80 points

　Hmm, I feel like this guy should be included in the military evaluation: ......　
　I think military talent and good intuition to read the trend of the times are a bit different vectors ......

　So I separated them.
　What is it?

　It's about the cavalry.
　Emperor Hadrian changed the military system of the Lemurian Empire, which was mainly infantry, and made it mainly cavalry.

　He realized that cavalry was the way of the future.
　And Hercule made good use of Hadrian's heavy cavalry (cribanarius).

　I thought I could give him 80 points for this.
　However, he did not have the talent to make use of the cavalry.


　Domestic Politics......80 points

　Another high score.
　This one is easy to do: ......

　He ruled the country well, even though it was in financial difficulty and military expenses were high. ......
　That's about it.

　First, public works.
　We try to maintain the flood control and irrigation systems as much as possible. We are also doing the bare minimum in terms of infrastructure.
　Thanks to this, Hercule has only needed a few repairs and modifications.

　When you are in financial difficulties, it is tempting to cut back on public works. ......
　The Emperor Hadrian maintained the minimum.
　As a result, the flooding of rivers and other disasters were kept to a minimum.

　He was a man who was able to pay attention to even the most humble things.

　Other measures against famine and plague were also taken.
　In each case, the damage was kept to a minimum.

　What is important is that he kept the bureaucracy and the army in check and maintained centralized power until the very end.
　In times of war like this, local forces tend to become independent. ......
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.


　Personnel ......90 points.

　There is little to complain about in this.

　"Hercule inherited most of the appointments made during Hadrian's reign.

　The fact that "Hercule inherited most of Hadrian's personnel" shows the perfection of Hadrian's personnel.

　He definitely had a good eye for human resources.
　Especially in the development of bureaucracy. ......
　It's nice that he prepared people like Galfis, Christos, and Loukanos.

　Hadrian also recruited a very talented diplomat, who will appear in Chapter 2.
　Good job!


　Succession to the throne: ...... 90 points

　Which part is the most amazing first: ......
　He weighed Hadrian IV (the eldest son) against Hercule (the third son) and chose the latter.

　Let me explain it in simple terms.

　A fifty year old politician who is definitely not very good, but his subordinates are very good, and with the help of his subordinates, he has the potential to be a good politician.

　A super elementary school student who has been featured on TV and is well-liked. Twelve years old.

　Which one would you choose as your prime minister?
　That's the question.

　I think most Japanese people would probably choose the former.
　Both in terms of seniority and in terms of common sense.
　Elementary school students would certainly not choose the former.

　I can understand Fujii*dan, but he's a junior high school student, not an elementary school student.

　Emperor Hadrian chose the latter.
　And he hit the jackpot, he was right.

　To be honest, I can give him 70 points for choosing Hercule as his successor.

　And the rest?
　I would say that I chose Galfis, Christos, and Loukanos to be Hercule's guardians.

　Since Christos is his uncle, it is unlikely that he would despise Hercule.

　Garufis is politically opposed to Christos, but if he makes his daughter Karolina the actual fiancée of Hercule, she will be able to function as Hercule's backer and will be able to deal with Christos to some extent.

　After that, Lucanos would be brought in as a coordinator between the two and as a representative of the clergy class. I would also appoint Lucanos as Hercule's educator to give him a solid backing.

　All three of them are good men and have good personalities.

　And by appointing them together as Hercule's guardians, they can keep an eye on each other to make sure that no one person's power will overshadow Hercule's and that he will not abuse his position as a guardian.

　That's brilliant, that's brilliant.

　With the heads of the army and navy and the head of the clergy behind them, there is nothing to fear.
　In addition, if he can get the support of the elven nobility, he will be able to hold his ground.

　The rest of the bureaucracy will support the young Hercule.
　The vassals will run the empire until Hercule becomes a great emperor.

　I think it's perfect.

　Unfortunately, it would have been a hundred points if he had lived ten years longer.

　Hadrian was going to appoint Hercule as co-ruler and teach him political know-how before making him emperor.
　He also enlisted the support of the non-elven nobility, ......

　And he was going to 'dispose' of the rebellious nobles and his eldest son, Hadrian IV, as his last dirty job.

　But he died before that: ......
　So, minus ten points.

　In terms of the average age of the Elves, Hadrian could have lived a little longer.

　But I don't know what the Lemurian Empire will be like in ten years. ......
　I honestly don't know.

　The timing might have been the best.
　That's the way it turned out.


　Parenting: ...... 25 points

　Yes, there is no way to follow up on this.


　That idiot son, Hadrian IV, is the Emperor Hadrian's responsibility.

　A child's personality is mostly determined by the education of his parents in his childhood.

　It is said that children are responsible for themselves, but they cannot choose their parents.
　I mean, it's Hadrian's job to raise the heir.

　Did you raise Hercule?
　He didn't raise him, he nurtured him. ......

　Or rather, it grew up. ......

　If it wasn't Hercule, there is a good chance that he would have gone in a different direction than Hadrian IV because he missed his parents.
　In fact, the relationship between Hercule and his own mother is glacial.

　All of this is Hadrian's fault.



　Religious Policy: ...... 40 points

　This is discussed in detail in Chapter 2.
　Well, it's Hadrian's fault, isn't it? Hercule will have to wipe his ass.

　However, depending on the time and timing, it could have worked.
　If it had gone well, 90 points would have been a solid score. ......



　


　


　Hadrian IV.

　Brother of Hercule.
　Well, to be honest, I don't have anything to say in defense of his abilities.

　Is this really Hadrian III's son?
　Is he really Hadrian III's son or Hercule's brother?

　He is so incompetent.
　Sometimes a dragonfly gives birth to a hawk, and sometimes a hawk gives birth to a dragonfly, as in the case of .......

　I think that's more common in reality.

　Maybe you inherited only the bad parts of your father and mother. ......



　By the way, ......
　Aside from their abilities, Hercule and Hadrian IV are also brothers.

　Here's a list of their similarities.

　1. handsome. (Actually, they're both quite good-looking.)
　2 Athletic ability. (They both work out a lot, so they have a good, strong physique.
　3 Self-esteem. (They are both incredibly proud.)
　4 Ambition. (Both of them are greedy and don't know how to get enough)
　5 Vanity. (They also have a strong desire to be thought well of)
　6 Narcissistic. (They both think they are the best looking and most talented people in the world.
　7 Self-centeredness. (They are convinced that they are absolutely right at all times. (If I'm wrong, it's not because I'm wrong, it's because the world is wrong for not conforming to me.

　And maybe there are more, but they are both alike.
　The reason why they dislike each other is definitely homophobia.

　That's right, if you're like a biting dog, you'll hate each other.

　The only difference between them is their ability, and frankly speaking, their natural talent.

　Hercule had talent, and his trashy inner life had an opposite effect on him, making him attractive.
　On the other hand, Hadrian IV is ...... unavoidable.


　There are some things in this world that can't be helped by hard work. ......



　However, Hadrian IV himself may not be able to do anything about it, but depending on how he was raised, he definitely could have done something about it.
　That's why ......
　I'm going to try to explain why he became greedy.




　Cause #1: Overprotective parents

　It's a classic.
　It's not love to be spoiled.

　I tried to nurture him, but he grew beyond my imagination and became helpless.


　Cause 2: My parents' sudden and half-hearted abandonment.

　My parents regretted that they had spoiled me too much.
　So they decided to be strict in order to correct him.
　...... As a matter of course, there is no way that a child who has been told that he does not have to stand up and has never stood up before can suddenly be told to stand up.

　And halfway through, the father was thorough, but ...... the mother still hid and pampered.
　Hadrian IV was so cute. I can't help it.

　From this point on, I began to shut out information that was inconvenient for me (mainly my father's words) and absorbed only information that was convenient for me (mainly my mother's words).

　When this happens, you are no longer human.



　Cause #3: People around you turn their back on you


　Even so, Hadrian IV was regarded as a successor, and was respected and praised by those around him.
　Edmond, Titus, Christos, and Galfis, to name a few, were the ones who were well-liked.

　Edmond was trying to get ahead in the eyes of Hadrian IV, the next emperor, and Titus was trying to show that he had no ambition to devote himself only to art.

　Christos was Hercule's uncle, but we should not forget that he was also Hadrian IV's uncle. 　



　Garufis, of course, was also flattered by the opposition to Christos.
　Incidentally, Carolina's first fiancé was Hadrian IV. (Since Karolina was born a few months earlier than Hercule, Galfis made a suggestion to her.

　However, to his surprise, Hercule was born.
　At that moment, all the people around Hadrian IV disappeared. No, really, in an instant.

　Just think about it.

　Titus: "Excellent work, brother!　You're the man!　You're the next emperor!　I'm not even close!

　Edmund: "Well, your Highness is wonderful!　I'm honored to serve you, Your Highness!

　Christos: "I am indeed proud that you are my nephew!　I'm sure you will become a hero who will save the Lemurian Empire!

　Galfis: "I recently had a daughter. ...... How is she?　I'm sure you'll be very proud of yourself. I hope you'll consider it!


　The moment these guys find out that the child they're having is a boy (Hercule), ......


　Titus: "Bello Bello Bar!　It's a big brother!　Oh!　He held my hand!　That's my brother . That's my brother!　I'm not even close to you!　Hurry up and grow up and make my brother's life easier!　Hmm?　Hadrian's ...... Oh, by the way, I had a brother. I totally forgot.

　Edmond: "Oh!　You may be young, but you have the dignity of a hero!　I am honored to serve you!　You see, my name is Edmond. My name is Edmond!　Don't forget it. What?　Hadrian's what?　Uh, yeah, well, there was someone like that.

　Christos: "Oh!　What a gallant baby. ...... That's my nephew!　I've never been able to hold a nephew before!

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a little nervous about this. What?　I'm not sure what to do.　I don't remember ...... that.　I don't remember. ......


　I don't remember.
　I'm not sure what to say.

　...... Well, it was his own fault that he only had enough charisma to be stolen by a baby.
　(However, if you consider that Titus' "sasuoni" to Hadrian IV is on the same level as "sasuoto" to Hercule for squeezing his hand, then I feel too sorry for Hadrian IV.


　Also, unless you're really dense, you'll probably notice that when he praises Hadrian IV, his eyes are dead, but when he praises Hercule, his eyes sparkle. ......


　Incidentally, Lucanus became Patriarch of Nova Lemuria during this period.
　Hadrian III had asked Lucanos to become Patriarch of Nova Lemuria as his guardian after his death, but Lucanos refused saying, "I don't want to be the guardian of his stupid son! He had refused.
　However, after Hercule was born, Loukanos finally accepted the proposal, saying that he would be willing to let him educate the baby and then enthrone him as the next emperor.

　This was not because Loukanos had a great personality: ......
　This is not because Lukanos had a great personality, but because of the difference in his position with Christos and Galfis.

　Lukanos is a member of the Church and a resident of the Holy Realm, and he does not care about the Emperor of Lemuria!　On the other hand, Christos and Galfis are in the position of serving the state and are residents of the secular world, so they have to serve the Lemurian Emperor even if they don't want to, and have to pull the reins of Hadrian IV from now on.

　They both said, "In order to make this idiot the emperor and somehow maintain the empire, I must not die or be transferred to the left side!　I have no choice but to appease and incite him and guide him!

　I thought to myself .

　Titus and Edmond were ninety-nine percent defensive.



　Cause #4


　Mr. Hercule is too good.
　You're too good.

　Had he been as good as himself or as dumb as his age, Hadrian IV would have been able to maintain some self-respect, but ......

　And at twelve, he's impossibly brilliant: ......





　Conclusion!
　Bad environment, bad environment!!!!