novelraw Chapter 257: Epilogue (5)
Chapter 257: Epilogue (5)
Chapter 257. Epilogue (5)
Lumiere, the capital of Francia.
Beneath a sky bathed in bright sunlight.
Eris walked through the central square, a path she had trodden many times before.
Condemned as a witch, she had walked this path amidst scorn.
Praised as a Saintess, she had walked this path amidst awe.
Worshipped as a Queen, she had walked this path amidst respect.
Eris slowly ascended the podium and faced those who were watching her.
Countless citizens of Francia had their eyes fixed on her.
"My respected citizens of Francia. I, Erisliste Lilianne De Francia, have been with you for eight years as the Queen of the Francians."Many still did not understand why she was stepping down from the throne.
"During that time, we faced countless hardships, and had to pay a significant price."
Many also doubted whether the president who would succeed her could ever replace the Queen who was praised across the continent as the Saintess Queen.
"Some considered your revolution to be nothing more than a momentary revolt."
Everyone she held dear was here today.
"Some refused to accept the government of the people and believed we would soon collapse."
The father-like knight who had protected her for so long. The lady-in-waiting who had suffered so much taking care of her stubborn, impatient self.
"Nevertheless, we ultimately overcame it all and are standing here today."
The man who placed her on a throne she never expected. And the person who helped her get this far, indulging her stubbornness to the very end.
"This is all thanks to everyone doing their best with one heart and one will to protect this nation we have built."
The woman who, despite being wary and failing to understand her, had helped her using every means possible for the sake of the husband she loved.
"As of today, I will conclude all my duties as Queen. I will now lay down the authority I received from the people, but…"
Even the people of the National Assembly who had trusted and helped her, despite her status directly threatening the legitimacy of the Revolution.
"Just as the people of Francia have stood with me, I believe you will continue to unite with the new government and accomplish many great things."
Having spent a happy childhood thanks to their devotion, she had been taught that it was only right to be devoted in return.
It had certainly begun as a sense of duty.
But…
"The past eight years with you all have been a great joy and an honor for me."
At some point, that had become her own happiness.
Now that she knew, thanks to the former Saintess's favor, that her efforts would lead to salvation, Eris could say it with sincerity.
"Thank you for everything. May God's blessing be with Francia and with all of you."
Seeing the same smiles on the faces of those who applauded her with gratitude, Eris smiled and shed a secret tear beneath her veil.
"You have worked hard, Your Majest— no, Lady Saintess."
At the words of Maurice Talleyrand, the first President of Francia, Eris smiled softly and removed the red sash she was wearing.
A cloth embroidered with brilliant gold thread, as if it were the only luxury permitted on her body, which was otherwise clad in a simple white robe.
It was the symbol of authority as the leader of Francia, which Count Anjou had insisted on making for her, but which she herself only wore for ceremonies before casting it aside.
Eris reached out and draped the sash over Talleyrand.
"Hmm, this. I'm feeling a little nervous."
To a jesting Talleyrand, Eris chuckled and said.
"You should be. This is a binding. It is the authority passed on by a queen beloved by the people, who steps down for the people. What's more, a knight greater than any other is watching you, Mr. President."
The cause that arose in the name of Freedom, Equality, and Fraternity was being protected by none other than a remnant of the Old Regime, who was now returning it to serve the people.
It was no different from showing all of Francia that if those who started a revolution in the name of the people were to defile the power entrusted to them, it would never be tolerated.
"Haha, that is quite terrifying. Still, I must say this, Lady Saintess."
"Yes?"
"That the Princess of Francia just happened to be the Saintess, and that the one to enthrone that princess just happened to be Marquis Lafayette. …I believe all of that was God's blessing. Thank you for all your hard work."
Eris chuckled softly and stepped back.
"By the way, what will you do from now on?"
The Saintess who had run ceaselessly for Francia, what would she do now?
To Talleyrand's question, thrown with pure curiosity, Eris answered with a broad smile.
"First, I'm going to do nothing all day but roll around in bed and eat lots of delicious food."
"Oh. How very... saintly of you."
Talleyrand spoke jokingly, then stepped onto the podium as the first President.
Eris smiled gently, turned her back, and smiled again as she looked at the warm sunlight through her veil.
I can say this with confidence.
I did my best.
*
Several years later.
Germanburg, the capital of the Germania Empire.
Eris walked down the corridor, led by an attendant.
The Imperial Palace she had visited several times was magnificent, but its splendor could not completely conceal the bleakness of autumn with its fluttering maple leaves and the dark atmosphere.
"It is an honor to see you again. Thank you for coming all this way, Your Majesty the Saintess Quee— Ah, excuse me. Lady Saintess."
To the words of Marshal Jill von Leonhardt, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army, unsure if it was intentional or a mistake, Eris replied with a soft smile.
"It has been a long time, Marshal. Have you been well?"
"I haven't been particularly well, but I suppose I haven't been too bad either! In any case, I'm glad to see an old comrade-in-arms. Many years have passed since that Holy War. Although, that very comrade-in-arms has caused quite an upheaval in the Empire."
Eris merely smiled lightly.
"Haha, then I will show you the way."
Jill soon guided her to a large door and told an attendant.
"The Saintess Erisliste Lilianne De Francia has arrived. Announce her inside."
While the attendant went inside to make the announcement, Jill spoke again.
"As you know, His Majesty the Emperor has also requested to see you."
"Yes, I know. I will see Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager first, and then I will visit him."
Jill met Eris's gaze for a moment, then bowed his head and replied.
"Then I shall wait here."
Eris nodded and entered the room.
Princess Cecilia of Francia.
And Kaiserin Cecilia.
The woman, now called the Empress Dowager, sat on the bed with her back ramrod straight, a perfect smile on her lips.
Though her face was deeply wrinkled, unable to defy the flow of time, her grace and dignity remained.
However, Eris smelled the scent of death with every step she took toward her.
"It has been too long, Your Majesty, Empress Dowager."
As Eris greeted her with proper etiquette, Cecilia replied with a faint smile.
"Welcome, Lady Saintess. I am very glad you came all this way."
As Cecilia spoke, she dismissed the attendants with a natural gesture.
After everyone had left and Eris sat in the chair prepared in front of the bed, Cecilia remained silent for a moment before asking.
"May I still treat you as a sister?"
"Of course, sister."
When Eris answered without a moment's hesitation, Cecilia replied with a wry smile.
"Thank you."
After saying that, Cecilia lay back down on the bed.
Her movements seemed difficult, but instead of trying to help and potentially hurting her, Eris waited quietly.
"…Let me take a look."
"No, there's no need. Many from the Holy Theocracy have already visited, and I know my own body best..."
Cecilia laughed self-mockingly.
"It's my time to go."
Eris did not deny it, and Cecilia slowly closed her eyes and added.
"…I know His Majesty will offer an immense fortune to keep me alive a little longer. I don't know if you still have that power, but pay it no mind."
Eris watched Cecilia quietly for a moment before speaking.
"…Do you not resent me?"
"Resentment, you say, resentment…"
Cecilia let out a short laugh and added.
"Yes, if you're asking if I resent you for snatching away the throne I was going to abandon with my own hands, it would be a lie to say I don't."
In the end, Eris finished her term and arbitrarily created the position of president before stepping down.
A mere commoner named Maurice Talleyrand became the new monarch of Francia, and Cecilia had wanted to respond in some way but failed.
Most nations were extremely skeptical about raising tensions again before they had even healed the wounds from the war with Abyss Corporation.
Moreover, the web of interests between nations, connected through the Aquitaine Merchant Guild, made it even more difficult to hastily start a war.
This was especially true since it was not long after Eris had toured various countries and solidified a system of cooperation just before relinquishing the throne.
Cecilia spoke as if lamenting.
"Yes, when I think about it, my life has been a continuous process of being tormented by Francia."
"…"
"Don't look so sad. How could that be your responsibility? It is all because of my unfortunate fate and excessive ambition that things turned out this way."
In truth, the one who had the right to openly declare her resentment was not her, but the Saintess before her.
"Still, I did my best."
Cecilia had suffered a crushing defeat in the war to seize the throne of Francia, but she had somehow managed to handle the civil war that had fractured the Empire.
Taking advantage of Krafte's defeat to Francia, she succeeded in securing her son's succession to the throne.
She appointed new figures, including Jill von Leonhardt, to reform the utterly corrupt Imperial Army.
She gave them the opportunity to perform well in the war against Abyss Corporation, and by deflecting all sorts of attacks against them for their achievements, she built a faction in the imperial political circles that would support the Emperor.
"…But not everything went well."
Although she had lost the civil war, it was difficult to restore the Empire's once-shaken authority, and Cecilia always had to struggle to control the dissatisfaction of the feudal lords and manage internal affairs.
Meanwhile, the influence of Francia, which had become a republic and was passing all sorts of radical reforms, was spreading naturally due to the close trade and cooperation between nations.
Although the imperial subjects under the imperial monarchy did not immediately start a revolution from that influence, the voice demanding reform was spreading, slowly but surely.
Cecilia had maintained the situation by implementing some lenient reforms to reduce dissatisfaction and crushing excessively radical demands.
But that, too, could not last forever.
Cecilia turned her gaze outside the window.
Eris followed her gaze and looked at a gaunt tree that had shed most of its leaves.
"…In the end, my life is fading, and the Empire is facing its autumn."
From a young age, Cecilia had to whip herself mercilessly to escape the worst situations.
Her body was as broken as the great feats she had accomplished.
But despite all that effort, her inherently weak son could never become a great emperor.
The Emperor relied on Cecilia as much as she struggled, and even the new military establishment she had painstakingly cultivated trusted her more than the Emperor.
Why else would he be pleading with Francia, begging them to bring the Saintess, when the Holy Theocracy itself has washed its hands of me, saying my lifespan cannot be extended?
"Was it too heavy a burden for His Majesty?"
She knows that everyone in the Empire compares her son to King Heinrich I of Krafte.
She even knows that the President of Francia, a mere commoner, while considered too radical, is rated better in terms of ability than her son.
Everyone knows that the moment she dies, the Empire will face winter once again.
"It seems I will be remembered as a foolish woman who was consumed by personal greed, failed to teach her child, and ruined the Empire."
It was not a statement expecting an answer.
"…I'm sorry. To meet after so long, only to lament my predicament. This is not how I should be treating you."
"No, I cannot say I am unrelated."
Although Eris had not directly been hostile to Cecilia, Eris's actions had, as a result, mostly dealt Cecilia a fatal blow.
"I do not know how you will be remembered by future generations."
So she said only what needed to be said.
"But at the very least, you will be remembered by me and many others as someone who did her best from her position."
It was an arduous task for a princess sold off as a hostage of an enemy nation to accomplish alone.
She was born in the wrong era, compounded by the misfortune of having too many talented individuals in neighboring countries.
Still.
"If you did everything you could, you can leave the rest to those who remain and hold your head high."
Eris added with a serene smile.
"The people who have trusted and followed you until now will remember you that way, and they will not be shaken."
Cecilia looked at Eris quietly, then let out a forced laugh.
"Isn't it more convenient for your country if the Empire is shaken?"
Eris's smile did not fade, and her answer was calm.
"I am no longer a queen, and happiness gained through the misfortune of others is merely returned someday as another misfortune. I do not want such things. I believe the people do not want them either."
Cecilia stared at Eris for a moment, then asked impulsively.
"…Yes, you haven't changed. You travel the Francian world doing charitable work. Are you content with that? To live a life solely for others after abandoning the throne, a life that leaves nothing of one's own."
"I don't live solely for others, sister. I am happy every time I see them rejoice and show their gratitude. I am happy every time I see people living slightly better lives because of my actions."
"…Yes, a saintly mindset. But even so, it is not your own, is it? What remains for you after doing all that?"
"Why would nothing of mine remain? The people my traces are left on, they thank me and try to return even a little of the good will they received. At every turn, all the people praise and thank me. I am welcomed wherever I go, and everyone is eager to treat me with respect. I even enjoy it sometimes!"
Eris chuckled and added.
"These are things I don't have to be anxious about losing. This is a legacy that will remain here even when I go to the embrace of God and meet my mother, so isn't this, in fact, my eternal possession?"
"Ha."
Cecilia let out a forced laugh.
In Eris's clear, purple eyes, there was not a trace of lies, let alone hypocrisy, so she had no choice but to accept that Eris sincerely believed it.
It was a way of thinking that she, who had been obsessed with 'my Emperor' and 'my son's Empire', could never understand.
Perhaps that was why she was destined to lose.
"…Then, could you, the noble Saintess, pray for me, who once made your people bleed?"
Eris replied with a gentle smile.
"Gladly. If I may add, God is truly merciful, so if you sincerely repent, He may just bestow His mercy upon you."
Cecilia gave a hollow laugh as she watched Eris piously clasp her hands in prayer, a faint holy power beginning to shine.
After a moment of silence, Cecilia opened her mouth.
Even if she was a half-sibling, young enough to be her daughter.
"That you were my sister... I resented it, and I was furious…"
Cecilia added softly.
"…and I am proud."
Eris, who had finished her prayer and slowly opened her eyes, replied with a smile.
"I thought so, too."
Cecilia smiled faintly and closed her eyes.
In that case…
To my departed husband.
To my pitiful, foolish, beloved Emperor.
I have one more thing to say with my head held high.