Episode 257 Epilogue (5)
Lumière, the capital of Francia.
Under a sunny, sunny sky.
Eris walked through the central square, where she had already walked several times.
I walked this path amid criticism, being denounced as a witch.
She was praised as a saint and walked this path in reverence.
She was worshiped as a queen and walked this path in reverence.
Eris slowly climbed onto the podium and faced those who were looking at her.
Countless people of Franzia are looking at her.
“Respected people of Franzia, “I, Esiliste Liliane of Frangias, have been with you for eight years as Queen of the Frangias.”
There are still many people who do not understand why she is stepping down from her position as queen.
“During this time, we experienced many hardships and had to pay a considerable price.”
Many people doubt whether the president who will succeed her will be able to replace the queen, who was praised as a saintly queen across the continent.
“Some people thought your revolution was nothing more than a brief riot.”
Everyone she cherishes is here.
“Some people could not accept the people’s government and thought that we would soon collapse.”
A father-like knight who protected him for a long time. A maid who had a hard time supporting this girl who hated being stuffy and was stubborn.
“Nevertheless, we overcame it all and are standing here now.”
The one who put her in the position of queen she never thought possible. And the person who helped her get this far and supported her stubbornness until the end.
“It is thanks to everyone working together with one mind and one mind to do their best to protect this country we have built.”
A person who was wary of her and did not understand her, but did everything possible to help her beloved husband.
“As of today, I will finish all my duties as queen. Now, I will give up the authority I received from the people…”
Even the people of the National Assembly who believed in her and helped her despite her status as a direct threat to the legitimacy of the revolution.
“I believe that just as the people of Franzia have been with me, we will continue to achieve many things by uniting with the new government.”
Since I had a happy childhood thanks to their dedication, I learned that I should be devoted to myself.
The beginning was clearly a sense of duty.
However…
“The past eight years with you all have been a great joy and honor for me.”
Suddenly, it became her happiness.
Now that Eris knows that her efforts will lead to salvation thanks to the old saint’s favor, she can speak with all her heart.
“Thank you so much. “May God bless you and Franzia.”
The same smiles were on the faces of those who were applauding and thanking her, so Eris smiled, secretly shedding tears behind her veil.
“Thank you for your hard work, Queen Lung, or Holy Virgin.”
At the words of Maurice Talleyrand, the first President of Francia, Eris smiled softly and took off the red sash she was wearing.
The cloth was embroidered with gorgeous gold thread, as if it were the only luxury allowed on her simple white robe.
Although the Count of Anjou forced him to make it, he actually wore it only for ceremonial occasions and threw it away as a symbol of authority as the leader of Francia.
Eris stretched out her hand and wrapped the belt around Talleyrand.
“Hmm this. “I’m a little nervous.”
Eris smiled and said to Talleyrand, who was joking.
“You should leave. This is bondage. This is the authority that the queen, who was loved by the people, steps down and takes over for the sake of the people. Moreover, a knight greater than anyone else is watching over you, Mr. President.”
The great cause that arose in the name of freedom, equality and fraternity is being protected by none other than the remnants of the old system and is being returned to serve the people.
If those who started the revolution in the name of the people tarnish the power to which they have been entrusted, it is no different from showing to the entire Franzia that it can never be tolerated.
“Huh, that’s really scary. Still, I really want to tell you this, saint.”
“yes?”
“His Royal Highness the Princess of Francia was, after all, a saint, and it was the Marquis de Lafayette who enthroned her. … I think it’s all God’s blessing. Thank you for your hard work.”
Eris smiled and took a step back.
“But what are you going to do from now on?”
What will the saint who has been running tirelessly for Franzia do from now on?
Eris smiled and answered Talleyrand’s question with pure curiosity.
“First of all, I’m going to do nothing all day, just lie in bed and eat lots of delicious food.”
“oh. “It is truly sacred.”
Talleyrand spoke jokingly before taking the podium as the first president.
Eris smiled softly, turned her back and smiled as she looked at the warm sunlight beyond the veil.
I tell you this with confidence.
I did my best.
* * *
Years later.
Germanburg, the capital of the Germanic Empire.
Eris walked down the hallway following the servant’s guidance.
The imperial castle, which I had already visited several times, was splendid, but its light could not completely hide the gloomy atmosphere and the gloomy atmosphere of autumn when the leaves were fluttering.
“It’s an honor to see you again. Thank you for coming such a long way, Holy Queen. Oh, excuse me. “Saint.”
Eris smiled and responded to the remarks of Marshal Gilles von Leonhardt, commander-in-chief of the Imperial Army, who did not know whether it was intentional or a mistake.
“It’s been a while, Marshal. How have you been?”
“I haven’t had a very good time, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had a very bad time! Anyway, I’m glad to see my old comrade. Many years have already passed since that temple. “Actually, thanks to that comrade in arms, the empire was in great turmoil.”
Eris just smiled lightly.
“Haha, then I will take you there.”
Jill soon guided her until they arrived in front of the large door and told the attendant.
“Saint Esiliste Liliane de Francia has arrived. “Tell me inside.”
While the attendant went inside and spoke, Jill opened her mouth again.
“As you may know, His Majesty the Emperor also requested to see the saint.”
“Yes, got it. “I will come to you after seeing the Empress Dowager.”
Jill made eye contact with Eris for a moment and then bowed and answered.
“Alright, I’ll wait here.”
Eris nodded and entered the room.
Cecilia, Princess of Francia.
and Kaiserin Cecilia.
The woman now called the Empress Dowager was sitting on the bed with her back straight and a drawn smile on her lips.
Even though his face has deep wrinkles due to the passage of time, his grace and dignity do not disappear.
However, Eris felt the smell of death with every step she took.
“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has been on a high level.”
When Eris greeted her politely, Cecilia responded with a light smile.
“Welcome, saint. “I’m very happy that you came all the way here.”
As she spoke, Cecilia made natural gestures to the servants.
After everyone left and Eris sat down on the chair prepared in front of the bed, Cecilia remained quiet for a moment and then asked.
“Can I still treat you as a sister?”
“Of course, sister.”
When Eris answered without a moment’s hesitation, Cecilia responded with a bitter smile.
“Thank you.”
After saying that, Cecilia lay down on the bed again.
Although her movements seemed uncomfortable, Eris went to help Cecilia and waited quietly instead of hurting her.
“…I’ll take a look.”
“No, there is no need for that. “I have been to many places in the Holy Church, and I know my body well…”
Cecilia laughed self-deprecatingly.
“It’s time to go.”
Eris did not deny it, and Cecilia added, slowly closing her eyes.
“…I know that His Majesty will ask you to keep me alive a little longer, even if it means paying a thousand gold. “I don’t know if you still have the strength to do that, but never mind.”
Eris quietly looked at Cecilia and then opened her mouth.
“…You don’t blame me.”
“It’s resentment, resentment…”
Cecilia added with a grin.
“Yes, if it was the throne I was going to throw away with my own hands, I would be lying if I said I didn’t resent why they took it from me.”
When Eris finished his term, he created himself as president and stepped down.
A mere commoner named Maurice Talleyrand became the new monarch of Francia, and Cecilia wanted to respond in some way, but failed.
Most countries were extremely skeptical about raising tensions again before the wounds of the war with the Abyss Corporation had been healed.
Moreover, the spider web of interests between countries connected through the upper reaches of Aquitaine made it even more difficult to start a hasty war.
This is especially true because it has not been long since Eris toured various countries and established a cooperative system right before she threw down the throne.
Cecilia spoke as if she were lamenting.
“Yes, when I think about it, my life has been a series of being tormented by Franzia.”
“….”
“Don’t make such an expression. Is that your responsibility? “It all happened because I was selfish and overly greedy.”
In fact, I can proudly say that I am blaming not her, but that saint.
“Still, I did my best.”
Cecilia suffered a crushing defeat in the war to take the throne of Francia and somehow managed to resolve the civil war in the divided empire.
He took advantage of the situation in which Krafte was defeated by Franzia and succeeded in securing the throne for his son.
In order to somehow reform the already rotten imperial army, new personnel, including Gilles von Leonhardt, were hired.
By giving them the opportunity to play an active role in the war against the Abyss Corporation and suppressing all kinds of attacks against them for their contributions, he built a force that would be on the emperor’s side in imperial politics.
“…But not everything goes well.”
Although she was defeated in the civil war, it was difficult to revive the authority of the empire, which had already been shaken, and Cecilia always had to struggle to control the complaints of her feudal lords and manage her internal affairs.
Meanwhile, the influence of Francia, which has become a republic and is passing all kinds of radical reforms, is naturally spreading due to close trade and cooperation between countries.
Although the people of the empire under the Empire did not immediately start a revolution under its influence, voices calling for reform are spreading slowly but surely.
Cecilia has maintained the situation by implementing some loose reforms to reduce discontent and stamping out overly radical demands.
But that also cannot last forever.
Cecilia looked out the window.
Eris followed her gaze and looked at the bare tree, which had lost most of its leaves.
“…In the end, my life is coming to an end and the empire is entering autumn.”
From a young age, Cecilia had to beat herself harshly to escape the worst situations.
My body was damaged by all the feats I had achieved.
However, despite all his efforts, his inherently weak son could not become a great emperor.
The emperor relied on Cecilia as much as she struggled, and even the new military government that Cecilia had painstakingly raised trusted her more than the emperor.
Worst of all, since the Holy Church cries out that her lifespan can no longer be extended, is she begging Frangia to summon a saint and beg for her?
“I wonder if it was too heavy a burden for His Majesty.”
Everyone in the empire knows the comparison between her son and King Henry I of Krafte.
At best, the President of Francia, who is just a commoner, is criticized as being overly radical, but he is also rated better than her son in terms of ability.
Everyone knows that the moment she dies, the empire will face winter again.
“I guess in the end, I will remain a foolish woman who ruined the empire by being selfish and failing to teach her children.”
I didn’t say this expecting an answer.
“…I’m sorry. It’s been a while since we last met, and all I could do was lament about my situation. “I don’t want to do this to you.”
“No, I can’t say I’m not involved.”
Although Eris did not directly antagonize Cecilia, most of her actions resulted in fatal blows to Cecilia.
“I don’t know what my sister will be called in future generations.”
So I just said what I had to say.
“But at least you will be remembered by me and many others as someone who did her best in her position.”
It was a difficult task for a princess who had been sold as a hostage to an enemy country to accomplish alone.
I had the misfortune of being born in the wrong era and having many outstanding people in neighboring countries.
still.
“If you’ve done everything you can, you can leave the rest to the people left behind and just puff out your chest.”
Eris added with a calm smile.
“Those who have trusted and followed her will remember her in this way and will not be shaken to that extent.”
Cecilia looked at Eris quietly and laughed.
“Isn’t it only when the empire is shaken that your country is at ease?”
Eris’s smile did not disappear and her answer was calm.
“I am no longer a queen, and the happiness I gain through other people’s misfortune will only one day be returned through other misfortune. I don’t want that. “I believe the people will not want it either.”
Cecilia looked at Eris quietly and impulsively asked.
“…So you haven’t changed. Franzia travels around the world doing charity work. Was that enough for you? In the end, he would give up the throne and live a life only for others, leaving nothing of his own behind.”
“I don’t live just for others. sister. It makes me happy every time I see them happy and thankful. “I feel happy every time I see people living a slightly better life through my actions.”
“…Yes, you have the attitude of a saint. But even so, it’s not yours. “What is left after going that far?”
“Why isn’t there anything left of mine? Those who have left traces of me are grateful to me and return a little of the goodwill they received. Every time, everyone praises me and thanks me. Wherever you go, you are welcome and everyone is anxious to treat you with respect. “I even enjoy it sometimes!”
Eris chuckled and added.
“There is no need to worry about losing something like this. Even if I go to God’s arms and meet my mother, my legacy will remain here, but isn’t this part of me forever mine?”
“under.”
Cecilia let out a laugh.
There is no hypocrisy, let alone lies, in Eris’ transparent purple eyes, so we have no choice but to accept that she sincerely believes this.
A way of thinking that she cannot understand, as she has been obsessed with ‘my emperor’ and ‘my son’s empire’.
That may be why we had no choice but to lose.
“…Then, can that noble saint also pray for me, who once shed blood for your people?”
Eris smiled softly and answered.
“I am willing. I might add that God is truly merciful and may show mercy to you if you sincerely repent.”
Cecilia laughed and looked at Eris with her hands folded in prayer in a vaguely reverent manner, with a faint divine power shining through.
After a moment of silence, Cecilia spoke.
Even if they are half-blood relatives, about the same age as my daughter.
“I was resentful and angry because you were my sister…”
Cecilia added softly.
“…proud.”
Eris, who slowly opened her eyes after praying, smiled and answered.
“I thought so too.”
Cecilia smiled and closed her eyes.
Then….
the husband who left first.
To my poor, foolish, lovely emperor.
I have one more thing to say with confidence.
