However, Eratosthenes also did not intend to end it so suddenly and noisily.
If Perdiccas II had not harbored ill will towards the First Prince and the Crown Prince, his death would have been quiet and slow.
"You can't see you trying to smear the filth on those children."
Eratosthenes thought of the 1st Princess.
He thought of the place she was trying to protect and the people in it.
He won't be inside that fence, but Cesare, that child will definitely exist.
That belief made Eratosthenes make a decision without hesitation.
This is what he can give in a situation that cannot be called a family.
It will be the first and last gift.
"The chief of court who will raise it! Is there anyone else outside?"
The moment Eratosthenes confirmed his long-standing grudge, all hopes of Perdiccas II were dashed.
He stumbled and turned towards the door.
There was a sense of urgency in his staggering steps.
"Call the palace, ugh! No, call the divine, cough! No, call the wizard, cough. Quick!"
However, all the servants had long since been released.
Before taking three steps, the Emperor leaned forward.
The blood flowing from his mouth formed a puddle on the golden carpet and spread.
"Hurry up...!"
With his breathing heavy, his hand scratched the air in vain. As if trying to hold on to something.
The hand that was wandering in the air immediately fell off.
With his eyes wide open, Perdiccas II died.
In the end, he died before he could even reach the door.
Dark red blood and filth flowed down the corners of his mouth.
Nowhere on his face, imprinted with astonishment, horror, and despair, was there any majesty like an Emperor.
The end of the one who drove so many people into the abyss of suffering and death was truly short and miserable.
"Haha. It's shabby."
Did you spend decades trying to end it in such an instant?
"Eleanor, this father is stupid."
If I had done that, I would have been able to see you earlier.
All that remained in the room was the laughter of a collapsed old man.
***
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
Cesare's horse was about to leave the palace gate.
"Your Highness, you must not go!"
A group of palace attendants rushed over, panting and blocking Cesare's path.
Kurrrum! The black horse threatened.
"Your Highness, please...! You must come to the Emperor's Palace. Now, right now."
They were wearing the same imperial palace clothes as the palace people that Cesare had chased away a while ago.
However, even though he shrank his shoulders in fear and lowered his voice, he did not back down.
He turned his head. The cold gaze was asking what was going on.
"His Majesty, His Majesty... He was killed."
A little while ago, the servant entered the Emperor's room, which was too quiet, and found the body of Perdiccas II.
"You call me, and now you want to pretend to be my death?"
There was a lot of ridicule in his cold eyes.
"Now it seems that he wants to overturn the crime of killing the Emperor, right? Tell him not to provoke too much. Even so, I am holding back the desire to lead the army and trample on it right now."
The anticipation emanating from all directions was even eerie.
"No! I, really! Trust me! His Majesty... He is dead!"
Cesare turned around without the slightest hesitation. It must have been false.
It is the imperial palace of Katzen.
Who would go all the way to the Emperor's Palace, the heart of the city, and kill the Emperor?
"Eh, Lord Eratosthene...!"
Before he could finish speaking, the hem of Cesare's cloak flew away.
As soon as he entered the Imperial Palace, a thick bloody smell brushed the tip of his nose.
Perdiccas II was lying on the ground.
A pitch-black complexion. Clothes covered in blood.
From his stiffened face, filled with fear and anger, it was clear that he had never expected such a death until the end.
The staff in his hand was stained with blood.
"Are you here, Cesare?"
Cesare turned his head.
An old man stood next to the golden throne.
The old gray suit was soaked with blood and darkened.
Cesare alternately stared at the faded old man and the fallen corpse.
Blood was dripping from the end of the old man's suit. It was not Perdiccas II's.
"Why..."
His golden eyes filled him with surprise.
This situation was not included in his prediction.
He never expected that Eratosthenes would choose this ending.
"Why the hell are you..."
The last words were swallowed with heavy breathing.
Why did you choose this ending?
I know best that the revenge you've been waiting for is not in this form.
Eratosthenes. A human being who does not ask a speck of dust, who is full of pride and honor.
For what.
Did you stain your own pride and honor by smearing your own blood directly on your hands?
"Why, you..."
Eratosthene didn't care and wiped the blood from the throne with the other hem of his robe, which was not stained with blood.
Even though it seemed difficult to hold back even his staggering body, he carefully played with his hands, as if polishing the throne was his last remaining mission.
Swoop. Whoa.
In this way, even the last trace of blood that Perdiccas II vomited as he was dying was erased without remembrance.
The throne shone with gold again.
It's hard to believe that a tragedy just happened.
Eratosthenes said.
"Now, the place where you will sit is clean."
"..."
Cesare pursed his lips, but no words leaked out.
In fact, it was because he noticed the answer.
He guessed why this old man had all the stigma.
If he hadn't, he would have killed him with his own hands.
"...come here."
Eratosthene, who seemed tired, leaned under the throne and reached out to him.
Jerk, jerk. Cesare's steps quickened.
It almost seems to be running fast.
As the distance drew closer, Cesare's shadow covered Eratosthene.
A faint smile appeared on the corner of the old man's mouth.
"When did time pass so quickly..."
A small child who couldn't even reach his waist grew up in an instant.
"...No way."
Cesare bent his knees.
"I don't accept leaving like this."
An expressionless face that has erased emotions, an indifferent voice.
But only Eratosthenes, who raised him by hand, would be able to notice that the end of his words was trembling.
This kid is ridiculously similar to him.
He would rather die than show my weakness.
"It's useless."
Eratosthene smiled and pushed away the vial that Cesare was taking out of his arms.
The blue holy water in the medicine bottle was flickering.
He prepared his whole life to kill Katzen's Supreme, but he wondered if he had used poison that could bring him back to life with holy water.
"I... It... only..."
Eratosthene took a deep breath and struggled with what to say to Cesare.
However, none of the words seemed appropriate.
Time does not return, and the moment that has already disappeared cannot be reversed.
"I don't... regret anything. Not... a single thing."
I avenged my daughter, and I raised you to be my grandson.
And the one who abandoned you.
Trembling, wrinkled hands rummaged through his arms.
He tried to find something, but he didn't have the strength, so he wasted it.
He barely managed to squeeze out his energy and finally pulled something out of his arms.
"Come on..."
With a wry smile, Eratosthene tried to wipe what he was holding in his hand again with his suit.
However, his front cheeks were already soaked with blood.
He eventually gave up and curled up his hands again.
It seemed that heaven was unwilling to allow him to apologize for the last time.
"I'm sorry... That's right."
Hah.
With his last breath, his breath stopped.
Cesare received the body of an old man who was collapsing.
And, degururu.
In the old man's weakened hand, something he was holding rolled down.
"..."
It has some blood stains, but it still has a semi-shiny glow...
It was in the same shape as the wooden toy that Eratosthenes had carved for him in Cesare's house now.
The only difference is that it looks much newer than Cesare's, which has traces of time.
Just like they have been making the same toys over and over again.
He couldn't forget the affection he had once had.
Cesare was not alone.
"..."
Cesare's throat shook wildly, as if he were swallowing something.
On the back of his hand holding the hem of the cooling Eratosthene, rough veins stood up.
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