Chapter 360 – Gaiden 8. The Great Emperor.
A floating boat that flew in, creating a huge shadow on the ground.
The gigantic Vermand Dua circled her capital several times and then slowly landed on her landing pad.
The one who got off there was the legendary hero who retired long ago, Carl. Although he has long since retired, he is still the hero’s idol and mentor at the same time.
However, there was someone who was such a great warrior and respectfully held up his hands.
The person who came down with the support of the former hero, Karl, is the living history of the continent, the father of Karl, and the first hero, Allen Dwise Pomwell.
He got off the floating boat and gazed at the capital for a long time with vague eyes.
“… It’s been a long time here, too.”
“Yes, father. Almost two years.”
Allen nodded his head a few times and walked slowly towards the carriage sent from the imperial palace. There, the grandson of the Emperor Murloc stood and greeted Allen warmly.
“Welcome, Lord Allen.”
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness.”
“It took a lot of hard work to come a long way.”
“What a hardship. You have to run right away.”
“Get on.”
Allen got on the carriage with Karl, the crown prince, and Agnes.
And as soon as the carriage moved, Agnes could not stand it and asked the prince.
“How is Your Majesty now?”
“… You are very heavy. I hardly ever take medicine anymore.”
Agnes, hearing of the emperor’s condition, darkens his face. However, this was literally an old age, so it was unavoidable. If you use a heal or a drug that works well, you can recover your energy for a very short time, but that is also slowly reaching its limit. A state where it is difficult to control the body with it anymore.
The carriage rode vigorously along the main roads of the capital and went straight into the imperial castle. And the carriage stopped in front of the imperial palace. Allen got off there, greeted the middle-aged prince and princess, and greeted him affectionately before entering the palace.
The atmosphere in the imperial palace where the emperor lay ill was gloomy. As Allen walked down that quiet and eerie hallway, his feet felt strangely cold. … Is it because the aura of death is everywhere?
A while later, a group of Allens arrived in front of the Emperor’s bedroom.
The servant politely knocked on the door, and the bedroom door slammed open.
… Ah…
Allen entered the emperor’s bedroom, which smelled of strong medicine.
The bed was as quiet as a tomb, and the old emperor lay on the bed as if he were dead.
With an urgent expression on his face, the prince asked the doctor about the condition of His Majesty the Emperor. … However, with a dark expression, he lowered his head as if he was embarrassed.
“… I dare not say anything. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
It means that there is no way to do anything anymore.
… The emperor will probably have a hard time getting over tonight.
The prince approached his father and informed him in a whisper that the long-awaited Allen Danju had arrived.
Then Emperor Roh, who had been breathing without budging, opened his eyes a little.
“Your majesty!”
Immediately, everyone except the prince and Allen prostrated themselves on the floor.
Allen immediately approached the emperor and held out with both hands the medicine he had brewed directly from Vermandois.
“… Your majesty. You will be able to recover your energy for a while.”
Originally, the order was for a servant to check it first before offering it to the emperor, but the prince made an exception for this time.
When the prince glanced at the doctor, he quickly stood up, took the vial from Allen’s hand, and slowly poured it into the old emperor’s mouth.
And after a while, the emperor really recovered his energy. He even slightly raised his upper body on his own.
“It is good medicine. Thank you, friend.”
The emperor, who had regained quite a bit of energy, had a good conversation with everyone.
Agnes, who had followed along, sobbed while holding the emperor’s withered hand to the extent that her blunt personality was colorless. … To her, the murloc her uncle, leaving her title, is like her father.
“Son, don’t be so sad. There are times when everyone has to leave. That time has just come for me.”
“Your majesty… !”
“I always give thanks to Heaven for reaping you.”
“Thank you. You raised me.”
“You are big. Thanks. So, wonderfully big… Being a wonderful wife and being a mother.”
After the conversation, the emperor ordered everyone except Allen.
“… Everyone, let’s leave for a while. After a long time, I want to share time with an old friend.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
So, only Allen and Murloc were left in the sleeping quarters. Allen pulled her chair up to the side of the bed and sat down on it.
The murloc gazing silently at Allen’s old face gave a chuckle. Then, thinking about the old days, Allen smiled.
“You, too, are now very old.”
“Are you still younger than His Majesty?”
The emperor laughed at Allen’s joke.
“I lost the bet. After all, I’m going first.”
“Did you really intend to win?”
“Of course.”
“Think of your children and do that. Shouldn’t you make your son emperor? Seeing that, I am dying of pity because I am old.”
“Isn’t that why you want to go here?”
The two looked at each other and smiled happily.
“Meantime… , Well done. I respect you. And until the day I die, I will respect you, Your Majesty…”
“I wish I had heard this from you… , I must have bought hard, right?”
“You’re right.”
“Right. Okay. … Yes dear.”
The old emperor smiled brightly.
“But the medicine you gave me is really effective. Until just now, I thought I was really going to die like this.”
“I don’t know how long the effect will last.”
“… Will you die when it’s over?”
“Maybe… , You will have a hard time holding on…”
“Right. Still, not yet. It’s still up and running.”
“Last time with my family…”
“No, that’s okay. I’ve had enough time with my family. I don’t want to hear you cry until the end. … Lastly, I want to go with a smile, remembering the old days.”
Allen was heartbroken in her. The older she was, the more her tears became, but she did not cry now. She couldn’t cry Murlocs don’t want you to cry.
“… Yes, I understand. I will be by your side until the end.”
“Thank you.”
And Allen and Murloc continued their last conversation.
“How are the children?”
“Now I’m grown up and started a family of my own.”
“Karl Go, even if I ask you to do Hero a little more… The gear backed out. Who do you look like!”
“If you’ve been doing it for thirty years, you’ve done a lot. Please understand. Isn’t it a big deal if you don’t have a carol?”
“How big is the difference between staying there and not?”
“What can I do?”
It has been 45 years since Murloc became emperor.
“As expected, the emperor and I don’t get along.”
“Haven’t you been doing it for 45 years?”
“I did it because I was told to do it. Even if you didn’t want to be a hero, didn’t you? It’s the same thing.”
“… I can’t argue.”
“This one won.”
“Yes. I lost.”
Kuhh
“… Come to think of it, I’ve lived quite a long time. Good luck though. Dying before you … To be honest, I didn’t want to see you die.”
“Me too… The same goes, Your Majesty.”
“It is destiny. As expected, you and I get along well.”
“Yes, fate.”
Allen felt the murloc’s eyes flicker slightly. Her breathing gets longer and longer…
“Since I’ve lived this far, there are many good things, but… , There are so many things I regret.”
“Isn’t that how people live? Sometimes I do well, sometimes I don’t…”
“… Yes, yes That’s right. That’s right…”
“Yes that’s right… Your majesty.”
“Let’s talk about the old days. These days, my head is young, I’m dazed… I can’t remember the old days…”
“… All right.”
So, Allen told the murloc that she was walking the continent with her. She put on enough weight.
… So long, deep into the night…
“… Your majesty.”
“… Huh, … I’m listening. … Yes, it was we. … Keep going.”
At one point, the murloc lay back and closed his eyes.
Her breathing quickened, and a faint smile appeared on her face. … Is she remembering those free and enjoyable days?
Allen continued to speak in a husky voice. … It’s like reading a fairy tale to your little grandson who is lying down to sleep.
“… Your majesty.”
“… … Hmm.”
The murloc emperor nodded, very slightly. So small that you have to look closely.
Allen started talking again. Quieter than before, in a whisper.
He… , So that you can have happy dreams…
“… Your majesty.”
Instead of an answer, a slow, long breath came out.
Like I’m listening.
And heavy silence.
He is,
Went a long way
Like back then
Freely.
Allen wept and stroked the murloc’s forehead lightly.
“… … Have a nice trip, Your Majesty. … … Older brother. Together, by doing I really enjoyed it.”
The sun has risen.
A black flag was planted on the top of the imperial castle.
Numerous citizens who had been waiting impatiently all night without sleep collapsed in their seats and wailed when they saw it.
Great emperor
Please go to the underworld.
May you rest in peace.
