You're in a good mood, Carolina.
　"Of course I am...

　Karolina patted her belly happily.
　As you can see from this behavior, Karolina is pregnant.
　She had just found out, so her belly was not yet swollen.

　"Do you want a boy or a girl?
　I don't care which, as long as it's a healthy baby.
　I'll do my best. I'll do my best.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　I'm not sure what you're trying to do.
　You can't change the s*x of the baby no matter how hard you try.

　Hmm, maybe a girl.
　"Are you sure it's not a boy?　I'm the heir to the family.

　Karolina raised her voice in confusion at the unexpected reply.
　I think she was ready to have a boy.

　I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.　
　"Oh ...... I see.

　If Hercule dies at the age of 200, as is the average lifespan of the Elves, then a child born today will ascend the throne at the age of 170.
　If that child lives as long as the average lifespan of an Hercule, he or she will reign for only thirty years.

　Well, that doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with it. ......

　I'm not sure what's wrong with that. Well, if it comes to that, we can just adopt the boy. It's not like I really want a boy.
　Then why do you want a girl?
　Same as with Ciphany. You can never have enough girls. ...... Well, I also want a daughter personally. She's cute.

　Hercule said and cowered.

　I'm not sure what to do with it.
　The Kingdom of Hayastan doesn't care about the male line, so that's not a problem.

　Lunalie joins the conversation.
　In addition, Lunalie was dressed in a maid's uniform as a prank by Hercule.
　She doesn't look like a queen, but ...... not surprisingly, she is.

　You may be good, but there are people who are bad. For example, the Kingdom of Phallus, the Kingdom of Phallus, the Kingdom of Phallus, and so on.

　There are many ways to make things difficult.
　The fact that the king is not a man is a reason to complain.

　Choosing a son-in-law is more troublesome than choosing a wife. "Choosing a son-in-law is more troublesome than choosing a daughter-in-law, because there is a possibility of being taken over.

　The throne should be male.
　Especially in the case of the Kingdom of Khayastan, which has only been under the rule of the Lemurian Empire for a short time.

　Your Majesty, may I have a moment of your time?
　No problem, come in.

　No problem, come in." A voice suddenly called from behind the door.
　When Hercule gave his permission, it was Todoris who came in.

　Immediately, Lunalie hid behind Hercule.
　She was embarrassed to be seen in her maid's and servant's clothes by her vassals.

　"What's going on?
　"The civil war in the Kingdom of Chellda has ended.
　"Oh. ......

　Hercule raised his eyebrows.
　The civil war that lasted for more than ten years has finally come to an end.

　Did the idiot son win?
　"Yes. Raus I was defeated and Hilderic II was victorious. Hilderic II was crowned the sole king of the Kingdom of Chelda. ...... The nobles of Raus I's faction want to go into exile, what should we do?

　Raus I fought hard, but in the end Hilderic II, who was superior in economic power, won.
　As a result, many warbeast nobles were forced to flee to the province of Misrule.

　What did King Hilderic II say?
　He's demanding it back. He has also accused us of violating the ...... secret agreement and supporting Raus I. What should we do?
　Ignore them.

　Hercule had no intention of answering their accusations in any serious way.
　Just let them say it.

　"Accept the exiled nobles as much as you can. If you want, I can throw you a welcome party.

　Hercule was going to welcome them.
　Hercule was going to give them a welcome party because it would be a good way to advertise how tyrannical Hilderic II was.

　I'm sorry to say that relations with the Kingdom of Cerda will worsen.
　"No problem. It's a country that's about to disappear.

　Hercule grinned.






　"Hello, Cecilia. I'm here to see you today.
　"Well, well, Mr. Hercule.

　The next day, Hercule visited Cecilia at the mansion she was renting.
　Cecilia's cheeks broke into a smile as she welcomed him.

　"What can I do for you today?


　"Oh, you needed me to come to you. I'm sorry about that.
　Please don't be so mean to me.

　Cecilia hit Hercule lightly with her fist as he cowered as if to say he was hurt.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.

　Cecilia glanced at the bed and Hercule.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but ...... I have a favor to ask.
　I'm sure you have your own business to attend to.

　Cecilia smiled bitterly.

　I've come to ask you for a favor. I've come to ask your forgiveness, that's more like it.
　"Forgiveness?

　Cecilia tilted her head.

　I'm about to issue a new edict on religious matters. I'm going to issue a new religious edict. ...... It's an edict that will bring the treatment of Western Messianics in line with that of the Alexians and Orthodox.

　Cecilia narrowed her eyes.

　I see. ...... Am I correct in assuming that this has something to do with the end of the civil war in the Kingdom of Cerda?
　"Yes. I'm not sure what to make of it, but it's a decree for the Kingdom of Cerda.

　I'm not sure what you're talking about.

　I'm not sure what's legitimate and what's heretical. ...... That's the domain of the Holy Realm and my jurisdiction. But how to deal with heretics is within the realm of the secular. So it's up to you, Hercule. ......

　Cecilia said, and then ......
　She smiled mischievously and stuck out her tongue.

　I'd like to say that I don't like it.
　I'd like to say that I don't like it either.

　Hercule grinned, grabbed Cecilia by the shoulders and pushed her down on the bed.

　What are you doing?
　"Bad boys get punished. You'd better be ready.

　Hercule and Cecilia's bodies came together.







　This is my report on the criminal organization of Nova Lemuria.
　"Hmm, well done. However, it is still a weasel. There's no end to this kind of thing, no matter how hard you try to destroy ....... It's like a weed.

　Hearing Near's report, Hercule let out a sigh.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　The more people gather, the more criminal organizations are formed.

　"Your Majesty, there's one thing I'd like to ...... advise you on.
　"Well, what is it?　Tell me.

　It was rare for Near to make a suggestion.
　Hercule narrowed his eyes.

　I want to expand the police force nationwide.
　"Hmm, ...... seems like Nova Lemuria has its hands full at the moment, why is that?

　If this had come from someone other than Nia, Hercule would have made this decision.
　If it had come from someone other than Nia, Hercule would have concluded that she was trying to increase her power.
　The police power is more troublesome than the command power.

　It's just that ...... Nia is morbidly in love with Hercule, and is absolutely loyal to him.
　It's a level that Hercule is not comfortable with.

　"The expansion of the distribution network has created a horizontal connection between criminals. Especially between the major cities, Nova Lemuria and Aletheia.
　"Hmm, ......, so that's it. So that's what you were talking about, the urbanization and expansion of bandit gangs.
　Yes, that's right.

　Traditionally, bandits were based in mountains or caves.
　They attacked travelers and merchants on the road and took their money.
　This was the common practice of bandits.

　In recent years, however, this has not been the case.

　The reason is the Tonden-bei.

　The reason for this is the presence of the "tonden-hei," a group of soldiers who, in the event of an enemy attack, would act as a delayed reaction and a reserve for the standing army. ......
　In addition, they also play a role in maintaining public order and as administrative police.

　In the event of a rampage by bandits, etc., the Tonden-hei would catch them.

　Since the main roads are the routes of the enemy's march, the Tonden-bei are naturally set up on them.
　This made it difficult for bandits to run amok along the main roads.

　This is possible on narrow roads in remote areas, but this time there are not enough travelers or merchants to sustain a bandit corps.
　As a result, the classic bandits who lay low in the fields and mountains, waiting for their prey to come to them, are dying out.

　On the other hand, the number of bandits hiding in the cities is increasing.

　The trouble with them is that they usually live as ordinary citizens.
　Moreover, they do not attack merchants, but even join forces with them.

　In short, they are like the yakuza or the mafia.

　According to Nia, they are strengthening their ties between the cities.
　In particular, Nova Lemuria and Aletheia are geographically far apart, but they are connected by sea, so they are actually quite "close".

　If they get on a ship and run away, we can't track them anymore.
　"Hmm ......, I see.

　Hercule looked up at the ceiling.


　And after a moment's thought, he asks Nia.

　"Are you sure you can handle the workload?　I don't want you to neglect the independent rangers I've entrusted you with.
　"I'm fine. ...... I leave it to my men.
　Hmm.

　That means you're using people well.
　That's great growth.

　In the Lemurian Empire, the police force is made up of patrolmen, tonten soldiers, and a standing army.

　In the Lemurian Empire, the military is in charge of the police and fire departments.
　In the Lemurian Empire, the military is in charge of the police and fire departments, and we don't have the financial means to split them up.

　But only Nova Lemuria has a judicial police force to investigate crimes. It's ...... not a bad idea to set up something similar in Aletheia.
　"Then ......
　"Let's try to spread it throughout Alexia on a trial basis.

　Nia's face lit up at Hercule's words.
　Nia's face lit up at Hercule's words. She was happy that Hercule had accepted her opinion.

　"Do you have any idea who they are?
　"Yes. I have some ideas about that.
　Good. ...... So, yes. Now give me a concrete plan.
　Yes!

　Nia's tail wagged in a good mood.

　"Yeah, but you don't have to do that now. Focus your efforts on training the independent rangers.
　It's ...... I see, I understand.

　Nia understood what Hercule was trying to say.
　This means that there will be a war soon.

　"By the way, Your Majesty.
　Yes?
　...... It seems that you and Cecilia have been getting along quite well lately.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　Hercule patted his knee lightly.

　You can come now.
　Yes!

　Nia jumped onto Hercule's lap with great joy.
　They kissed each other.

　You're so jealous of my attention to Cecilia. You don't get that way with Carolina or Lunalee. ...... May I ask why?
　I don't want to lose to ...... Cecilia.
　We're friends, right?
　Because she's ......
　It's complicated.

　I don't understand.
　I don't understand." Hercule shrugged as if to say.

　"Oh my God!
　You're as sensitive as ever here, though.

　Hercule grabbed Nia's tail and stroked it.
　Nia breathed hard, grabbed Hercule's clothes, and shivered.

　"So Nia ...... you want to marry me?
　I've never really thought about ...... marriage.

　I've never really thought about it," Nia said, her cheeks flushing.

　If you want, you can have the ceremony after everything is taken care of.
　I'd like to have a ...... wedding.
　Well. Well, .......
　But I don't want to get married at .......

　Hercule's hand stopped at Nia's reply. 　
　Her tail left Hercule's hand and hung down.

　"What do you mean?
　I think that politically it is not a good idea for me, the adopted son of House Lucarios, to marry His Majesty.
　"Oh, ......, did Lucanos tell you that?
　...... No, it's my personal opinion. But considering the balance of political power between the ...... father-in-law, General Galfis and General Christos, I think it would be better for me not to marry him.

　Galfis married his daughter, Carolina, to Hercule.
　Christos is Hercule's uncle.
　And Lucanos was Hercule's tutor.

　The balance of power between these three men has created political stability in Hercule's government.

　But my power is now absolute. Even if it collapses a little, it's still within the margin of error, right?
　"Yes, but ...... I don't want to inconvenience you. And .......
　And?

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

　I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure what to say. I'm sure you're not the only one.
　"Well, that's true.

　Hercule smiled bitterly.

　And I'm not like that. I want to be of service to you as a vassal.


　"I see. ...... So, you want to have a wedding?

　I'm sure you've heard of it.

　It's a girl's dream, isn't it? I'd like to have a nice wedding and wear a bridal gown.
　"You mean that. A wedding is a private affair. But I won't be married in the official sense, that is, I won't be a concubine?
　Yes. ...... Is that selfish of me?

　I'm not sure what you mean by that.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.

　I don't mind. I'm not a man if I don't give in to that kind of selfishness.

　Hercule laughed and grabbed Nia's tail again.
　Nia squealed in delight.

　I'm going to sit on you today. I'll give you lots of love.
　"Hee, hee, .......

　Nia's cheek rested against Hercule's breastplate with an enraptured look on her face.