36 Episode 4 Cards




 So you kidnapped him.
 That's not kidnapping. He's a Farsi, he's an elf, he's a long-eared. Highborn, most likely. If he dies in my country... There'd be a war.

 After looking at Scheherazade ...... specifically at her chest, Carolina glared at Hercule.
 Hercule responded by cowering.

 In fact, ......
 There are nobles who are not elves, and there are commoners who are elves.

 It's the same in both the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Fars.

 However, Hercule determined that Scheherazade was a nobleman based on her "education in Lemurian" and the "upper-class Farse language" spoken by Scheherazade.

 In particular, the decisive factor is the beautiful Farsi spoken by Scheherazade.

 As in Lemurian and English in the previous world, the language spoken by the lower class is slightly different from that spoken by the upper class, even though they speak the same language.

 Class can be judged by the language spoken.

 Anyway, the first thing to do now is to call the Foreign Minister. Anyway, the first thing to do now is to call the Foreign Minister. ...... Now, before we do that, let's ask him some questions. Please answer honestly, Mr. Scheherazade.

 Hercule smiles at Scheherazade.
 Scheherazade asked Hercule with a nervous look on her face.

 "May I ask you a question about ......?
 "Good.
 So, you're the ...... Emperor?
 Yes.

 When Hercule nodded with a smile, Scheherazade bent her knees and put her hands on the floor.

 "I beg your pardon! Oh, it was never my intention to criticize you, .......
 "No, that's okay. I wasn't the emperor at the time, I was just Hercule.

 Hercule fluttered his hands to show that he did not care.
 It was Hercule's fault for not revealing his identity in the first place.

 But I'm the emperor now. ...... I will not tolerate lies. You're a nobleman of the Kingdom of Foulds, aren't you?
 "Uh, yeah, .......

 I'm sure you're a nobleman of the Kingdom of Phallus, aren't you?
 I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it.

 Don't look away!
 Yes, yes!

 Scheherazade replies with a tearful face to Hercule's sudden shout.
 Sheherazade did as she was told and looked straight into Hercule's eyes.

 "Are you a nobleman?
 "...... No, sir.

 Hercule stares straight into Scheherazade's eyes.
 He's not lying.

 "So you're a commoner?
 "...... No.

 "Then you're a commoner?
 What do you mean?

 Hercule tilts his head.

 Tell me who you are.
 "...... will remain silent.
 Sorry, you don't have the right to remain silent. Tell me!
 No! I beg your pardon!

 Hercule used his Awe spell to intimidate Scheherazade, but she just shook her head from side to side, crying.

 Hercule sighs.

 It can't be helped.

 Hercule's further questioning would be fruitless.

 "...... Your Majesty, do you enjoy torturing girls?
 "Don't say it the wrong way. Karolina.

 Hercule laughed at Karolina's glare.
 And while she was doing that, the Foreign Minister arrived.

 "Todoris Todorianus. Your Majesty.
 "Oh, you're here.

 Hercule is a small, fat man: ......
 Todoris Todorianus, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 Todris Todrianus.
 His race is the half-elven Half-Elves.

 He is a vassal of Hadrian III and handles all diplomatic affairs.

 Hercule trusted Hadrian III's eye for talent, so he appointed Todoris Todorian as is.

 "And she is?
 "Yes, that's right. Do you understand?

 Todoris stares at Scheherazade.

 ...... I didn't think you'd say Scheherazade, but...
 You know?
 I don't know what to tell you. ...... She is Princess Scheherazade. She is the daughter of King Sasan VIII, Princess of the Kingdom of Fars.









 Scheherazade.
 She is one of the five children of King Sasan VIII, a pure-blooded High Elf of the royal family.

 Her beauty is famous in the Kingdom of Foulds, but she is also famous for rarely attending social gatherings.
 The reason is simple.
 Because Scheherazade is a messianist.

 It is not a famous story.
 But it is not completely unknown either.

 Until a while ago, Messianism was not suppressed in the Kingdom of Fars. ......
 There were a small number of Messianics in the center of the country.

 But I didn't expect you to run away from home to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
 I've never heard of ...... that. I've never heard of such a thing. A princess running away from home.

 Hercule and Todoris stare at Scheherazade.
 I'm not sure if I'm a princess or not.

 The Emperor of Lemuria is going to catch us. ...... Oh, no. My father will be mad at me. ......

 Scheherazade crying and sobbing.
 Perhaps, but I'm pretty sure it's more than just being angry.

 "So, what do we do now? Here.
 "Your Majesty, please don't say this. She's a princess, after all.

 Todoris admonishes Hercule.
 Hercule shrugged his shoulders and approached Scheherazade.

 Scheherazade looked frightened and backed away.
 Hercule smiles at Scheherazade.

 "Don't worry. Princess Scheherazade. I am the Emperor of Lemuria. Ruler of the only divine empire on earth and protector of all Messianics until the Last Judgment. No matter what your status is, you are still a Messianic. All Messiahs are mine to protect. I'll protect you.
 "Your Majesty, .......

 Scheherazade looks up at Hercule with tears in her eyes.
 Sheherazade looked up at Hercule with tears in her eyes, and now Hercule's stock was rising in Scheherazade's mind.

 "Oh, please! Please, please don't let your father do this! If your father finds out that you've been captured by the Emperor of Lemuria, he'll have to go to .......

 Sheherazade grabbed the sleeve of Hercule's dress, as if she was quite afraid of her father.

 "Please, I will do anything, anything! So please keep it a secret.
 "Don't worry. Don't worry. I'm on your side.

 Hercule replied with a smile.









 I'm going to return it to you, do you have any objection?

 Gathering only his vassals, Hercule quickly spoke up.
 In the event you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 "Your Majesty, I thought I reviewed ......
 What did you mean when you said that?
 "No, you know what they say about lying.

 Hercule shrugs.
 He was trying to comfort her, but Karolina and Todoris didn't seem to understand.

 Well, that's a problem.

 Hercule looked around, thinking inwardly.

 I have no objection. If we're not careful, we could be accused of having kidnapped her. If we don't.

 Kristoff agreed with Hercule.

 I'm of the same opinion. The border with the Kingdom of Farus is currently stable. I don't think it's worth the trouble of starting a war. The military power of the Kingdom of Phallus is greater than ours. It's a shame.

 Galfis nodded his head, unusually agreeing with Kristoff.

 What about you, Loukanos?
 "..................
 Lucanos.
 What? Oh, ...... I'm sorry. I'm sorry?
 "So, I'm asking if I should return Scheherazade or not. ...... What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?

 Hercule asks Lukanos with concern.
 It's not every day that Lucanos is in a daze.

 I'm sorry, ....... There's something that's been bothering me.
 What's bothering you?
 It's nothing serious. ...... I think I should return it, too.

 Hercule tilted his head at the unusual appearance of Loukanos. ...... 


 If he had to say something, he would say it, so he decided to forget about it for now.

 Hercule looked at Karolina.

 "What do you think? 
 'I don't know about political decisions, but ...... I feel sorry for her, but I think we should give her back. I'm sure Sasan VIII is worried about her.
 I don't know what to make of that. ...... I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to try.

 Hercule thought about this and turned his attention to Todoris.
 Todoris is an expert in diplomacy.

 It is not too late to make a final decision after hearing Todoris' opinion.

 "I disagree, Your Majesty.
 Why is that?
 We mustn't give up this important diplomatic card.

 Todoris first distracted Hercule by saying this, and then began to explain.

 I will begin by explaining the damage our country will suffer by returning her. As His Majesty just told Scheherazade, the Emperor is the protector of all Messianics. Even if it is the royal family of the Kingdom of Fars, ...... no, because it is the royal family of the Kingdom of Fars, you have to protect her. If you give her back to King Sasan VIII, your authority as the protector of the Messiahs in our country will be ruined.

 The Emperor of Lemuria is the protector of the Messiahs.
 This is just a pretext, but ......

 In diplomacy, this is very important.

 Todoris was well aware of the great power of this authority in diplomacy.
 That's why, he said, we must avoid the loss of authority.

 But Hercule raises a question.

 Is it something that must be protected even in the event of war? Must it be defended even at the cost of territory lost, even at the cost of people's lives?
 "It depends on the scale. Your Majesty. Of course, it can't be compared to ...... Suria, Misr or the Holy Land, which are key locations of the Empire. But Your Majesty. The territory can be reclaimed. The population will grow. Armies can be rebuilt. But once authority and trust are lost, they are hard to regain.
 "So you're saying trust is more important than territory and population.

 Hercule smiles with amusement.
 It's not something that Hercule has often thought about.

 But it makes sense.

 And returning it does not necessarily mean that Sasan VIII will be friendly to our country. In some cases, he may attack us, claiming that he was kidnapped. This is quite possible. Considering the character of King Sasan VIII, it is not surprising that he would try to make up for the diplomatic blunder of letting it be known that his daughter is a messianist through war.

 I don't know what Sasan VIII's character is, but ...... well, I certainly wouldn't thank him either. If you are in Sasan VIII's position. There is a possibility that they will attack us.

 The military power of the Kingdom of Fars is greater than that of the Lemurian Empire.
 Threatening a man with a gun with a knife would be counterproductive.

 What are the advantages?
 "First of all, it will increase the credibility and authority of my country and the Emperor. If we win, of course, but even if we lose, the fact remains that we fought against the Kingdom of Fars to protect the Messiah. His Majesty's domestic support will also increase.
 I see. ...... But I'd like to see some real benefits. Trust and authority are not very appealing.

 Of course, it's not nice to be praised for being "so eloquent! It's not a bad thing to be praised. ......

 Yes, I understand. First of all, ...... Sasan VIII does not know that our country is harboring Princess Scheherazade in the first place. If he suspects, he can just pretend he doesn't know. Princess Scheherazade is very useful as a diplomatic card. I think we should keep her.

 I see," Hercule agreed inwardly.
 Scheherazade is a joker.

 Depending on how he's used, he can either damage the Lemurian Empire or benefit it greatly.

 Todoris judged the benefit to be greater.

 "Our country is losing in military power to the Kingdom of Foulds. And we are at a disadvantage until now. We should not miss the ...... card.

 Todoris concluded.
 It was up to Hercule to make the final decision.

 Hercule pondered a bit and then said, ......

 "Okay, let's go with Todoris' idea.

 Thus, Scheherazade stayed in the Lemurian Empire for a while.