I'm home now!

　Hercule triumphantly returned to the palace with the Nightmare girl he had picked up in one hand.
　The guards tilted their heads when they saw the battered object that Hercule was holding in one hand.

　"Your Majesty!　Where have you been?
　"I took a little walk. Oh, yes. I've brought you a souvenir.

　Then Hercule showed Carolina a little girl clad in tattered rags.
　Carolina frowned.

　"Your Majesty ...... is finally kidnapping people. And the girl is a child, no matter how you look at it. I'm afraid that's not ...... Messianic enough for me. ......　
　You think I'm going to fall in love with this filthy brat?　That's rude.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

　In the first place, I am not a pedophile.
　The absolute minimum age for s*xual intercourse is 14.

　What is it, then?
　"Well?　I don't know either, but ...... what you find is what you get. If you die, the food won't taste good. I'll have to take you to a doctor after I clean you up.

　Hercule looked into the face of the girl who had been unconscious and hadn't moved a muscle since a while ago.
　Her heart is beating feebly and she's breathing slightly, but she looks like she could ...... die at any moment.

　"Well, it's a little weird or uncomfortable that His Majesty is doing a rare act of charity, but ......

　Saving lives can't be a bad thing.
　In a rare moment, Karolina felt admiration for Hercule.

　By the way, are you human?
　No, I'm Nightmare.

　Then Hercule showed the girl's tail to Karolina.
　At that moment, Karolina, with a frightened look on her face, moved ten meters away.

　"What are you picking up?
　"What?　No?
　No. ...... is a nightmare, isn't it?
　So what?

　Nightmares are a symbol of fear and loathing in this world.
　The only difference is that Hercule is an anomaly, and Karolina's reaction is perfectly normal.

　"Because ...... eating people is ......
　I have five bodies.　I don't think he's ever eaten anything, let alone a person.
　Eye contact can kill you. ......
　I did, and I'm still alive.
　Touch its tail and it sucks your soul out. ......
　I touched it, but it didn't suck my soul out.
　Oh, and ...... you're supposed to be dead if you get too close.
　You and I are both alive.

　Hearing Hercule's words, Karolina gradually closed the distance between them.
　Then, fearfully, she tweaked the girl's body with her fingers.

　...... It's okay, I guess.
　Right?　Well, ...... ciphany. Come here.

　He beckoned to one of the servants, who had been looking away from Hercule and the others.
　The servant shuddered and pointed to his face.
　The servant shakily points to his own face. Hercule nods broadly and walks fearfully down to him, as if he has given up.

　"Wash him and put some clean clothes on him. Oh, yeah, yeah. He's got lice all over him, so get that off, too. Can you do that?
　It's a, uh, ...... nightmare, isn't it, ......?
　What, you don't like it?

　Hercule's mood rapidly worsened.
　At the same time, the cold temperature seemed to drop even lower.

　Hercule, who was in a bad mood, unconsciously let out the inherent magic of Awe.

　The truth is that Hercule is rarely angry with his servants.
　He may complain, grumble, or whine, but rarely does he get angry.

　There is nothing more frightening than the anger of someone who is not usually angry.
　And if the angry person is a tyrant with absolute power, and also has the magic of awe, ......
　It is no wonder that the servants turn pale with fear.

　"You've come a long way, disobeying my orders. Are you feeling like a co-ruler?　Ciphany.
　"No, no, ......, I'm happy to oblige!

　The servant known as Ciphany grabbed the girl from Hercule and hung her in the bathroom in a flash.
　Hercule looked away from her in a good mood.

　Incidentally, Hercule knows the names and faces of all the ministers, generals, civilians, military officers, guards, and servants who work at the palace, as well as their family structures and relationships.

　

　After instructing him to wash the girl, dress her in clean clothes, and put her in a warm bed, Hercule summoned Loukanos.
　Lucanos has a contract with Malvus, the Great Spirit of Healing and Crafting, and he also knows medicine.
　He is the most "decent" doctor in the Lemurian Empire.



　Lucanos examined the sleeping girl.
　I couldn't tell when she was dirty with dust and feces, but she had a pretty face, about as pretty as an elf's, and she was sleeping.
　Her skin was earthy and skinny, but she was ......
　I'm sure she'll shine when she eats properly and gets in shape.

　Her peach-colored hair is also in a shabby state at the moment, but it will improve with proper grooming and care.

　"What do you think, Lucanos? I fainted and haven't woken up since.
　Yes, ...... his pulse is weak, but it's not serious. In this snow, he could have frozen to death in a few hours. ...... I thought he would wake up soon. I'll use my Malbus to heal you.
　I'm sure your genie specializes in healing injuries and illnesses, but ...... can it also cure malnutrition?
　I'm not sure. If you don't eat properly, you'll die anyway. ...... That chef should be able to make meals for these patients. He's also a medicine man.
　"I've already asked him to make it for me. Now we just have to wait for him to wake up.

　It was also the chef's job to make sure that the monarch was well fed and strong when he was sick.
　It was not for Hercule's sake, but for the sake of the Nightmare,......, which the chef was not happy about, but he did not show it in his attitude and prepared it immediately, so he did not incur the wrath of Hercule like a servant.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's a bit of a jerk.
　Was that bad?　
　No, there is no mention of ...... nightmares in the Bible, and if you're a Messianic Christian, you can say that nightmares are your brethren.

　Messianism is a religion that has gained followers by advocating love of neighbor and equality before God.
　In principle, all Messianic believers are brethren.

　Pagans and heretics should be excluded, tolerated to some extent, and loved as neighbors. ......
　Even among the clergy, there is a difference of opinion about the treatment of non-Messianic people: ......

　There is no such discrimination within the same messianic community.
　It's called equality before God.

　But it's just a precaution.

　I ordered all the brats on the street to be thrown into an orphanage. ......
　I've been doing this for a long time. I've been around longer than you,......, almost a hundred years, and this is the first girl I've ever seen.

　If you're going to do this, do it thoroughly.
　I don't do things by halves.

　Hercule had intended to help all the orphans of Nova Lemuria when he set up the orphanage and worked on the policy of helping orphans.
　That's why he set up a budget to help them and issued an edict to do so.

　It would be a shame if they were left out because they were demons.

　"So, Your Majesty, what should we do?　What will you do if I save this girl?
　Of course I'll raise her. Of course we're going to raise her. There won't be anyone to take her in anyway. Judging from your reactions, I can easily imagine that no matter what kind of shelter you throw her into, there will be nothing but trouble. Then I'll put them where I can see them.

　If you feed a stray cat, take care of it until it dies.
　If you can't take care of them, don't feed them in the first place.

　If you can't take care of it, don't feed it in the first place.

　So, you're planning to adopt her?
　"Well, if I adopt him, I'll get jealous and some conspiracy theorists will come out of the woodwork. And I don't want to have a child at my age. ...... Well, I have an idea, so don't worry about that.
　What do you mean?　What do you mean? ...... Who the hell are you?
　Maybe you'll be surprised.
　"Oh, .......

　Lucanos tilted his head.
　I'm sure you're not the only one.

　Well, if Hercule says not to worry about it, then I guess I don't have to worry about it.

　Lukanos thought so, and did not pursue the matter deeply.

　Later, Loukanos would deeply regret this, but it was too late.


　"Yeah, ......, this is .......　
　Oh, you're awake.

　While Hercule was talking to Loukanos, a girl woke up.
　Her peach-colored eyes, the same color as her hair, reflected Hercule and Loukanos.

　Lukanos held out three fingers to the girl.

　How many fingers does it look like?
　"...... Three.
　You seem to be conscious.

　The girl looked at the two men in front of her in confusion, "Where am I?
　The girl stares at them in confusion.

　Hercule asked the girl.

　We have a meal for you. Can you eat?
　"...... food?

　The girl tilted her head, as if she was still asleep, but ......
　She immediately understood the meaning of the word, and her eyes lit up.

　At the same time, there was a loud rumbling in her stomach.

　The girl blushed.

　The girl blushed. "If she's that healthy, she should be fine.

　Hercule rang the bell, and the servants brought the meal.
　First, Hercule grabbed some hot water.

　If you suddenly put solid food in your stomach, your stomach will cramp up and you will die. Just put it in your stomach now. Slowly, okay?



　The girl did as she was told and sipped at the hot water in the bowl.
　At first she drank it slowly, but halfway through, she couldn't wait to finish, so she started drinking it faster.

　After confirming that the girl had finished her meal, Hercule handed her a cup of hot water.

　"Put this in your stomach slowly, too.

　The girl slowly drinks it as if she is chewing it.
　Even so, her pace quickened and she finished it in a flash.

　At least I won't die of a stomach cramp.
　So, he handed a small amount of milk porridge to the girl.

　Incidentally, Hercule hated milk porridge.
　He cannot stand the combination of milk and porridge.

　Using a spoon, the girl takes a mouthful of the porridge into her mouth.
　Her pace was so fast that Hercule and Loukanos were worried about her. ......

　Suddenly, the spoon stops.

　"Are you okay?

　Hercule rushed to the girl to see what was wrong.
　You've come this far, you can't die.

　No, no. ...... Sorry, I'm fine. If you don't mind, ...... a little .......

　The girl was crying.
　A few drops fell into the porridge.

　With tears streaming down her cheeks, she finished the porridge.

　I'm sure it's not enough for you, but you'll have to content yourself with this for now. When you get better, I'll feed you steak, stew, whatever you want." ......
　Oh, um, ...... why did you help me?

　The girl asked Hercule.
　Hmm, I see. That's certainly curious.

　Hercule thought for a moment and then answered.

　"Isn't it natural for people to help those in need?

　...... What are you talking about?
　Lucanos looks at Hercule with white eyes.

　It is very weird that the type of person who beats a drowning dog with a stick in the river would say something like this.

　"I'm a Nightmare, you know?　I am.
　I'd say so what, but ...... well, that seems to be a big deal to people other than you and me. You should not worry about that right now, but think about healing your body.

　Hercule said and stood up.
　Lukanos stood up at the same time.

　I'll be back in three hours to check on you. ...... If anything goes wrong, you can ring that bell.
　Oh, my God!
　What is it?
　I'm ...... Nia. Oh, may I ask your name?

　Hercule thinks for a moment and then answers.

　"I'm Hercule. This is Loukanos. Well, I'll explain more when you're feeling better. Until then, don't think about anything else, just think about getting well.

　With that, Hercule and Lukanos left the room.
　The girl put on a soft blanket for the first time in a year and muttered.

　"...... Master Hercule.

　With a slight blush on her face, ......