BGFV Chapter 156

Chapter 156 

On the way to the bloodpox quarantine facility, the only people in the carriage were Hestia and Sylvester.

Because of the way Sylvester had just argued with Sir Karl, Hestia was a little cautious around him.

“…Sorry you had to see that,” he said awkwardly.
“Do you think I seemed too stubborn?”

Hestia wasn’t sure whether to answer as a subject to her emperor or as a friend his age. But since he had come as “Slie,” she answered in kind.
“Honestly, I’m just as bad as you are.”

Sylvester’s eyes widened.
“As bad as me? You didn’t even come here by choice.”

“Well… actually…”

Hestia awkwardly admitted that she had left the ducal castle on her own and even argued with Luciard before coming.

Sylvester’s expression turned from shock to pity—toward Luciard and everyone else who had to deal with them.
“…They must have had a hard time.”
“You’re not one to say that. You and I both worry people the same way.”

Only then did Sylvester seem to realize how he must look to others.

“I came partly because I wanted to see the situation in the north for myself, and I also had the imperial order to justify it… but why did you come? You didn’t have to.”

Hestia didn’t answer right away.
“If it’s hard to talk about, you don’t have to.”
“No… I just didn’t want to sound petty. And honestly, besides you and Luciard, there’s no one else I could say this to.”

“Me and Luciard?”
“Yes. Neither of you gossip, and you keep a healthy distance from the emperor’s faction. Plus, you see things objectively.”

Hestia couldn’t tell if that was a compliment or a jab.

“…Lately, I’ve been wondering if I’m even fit to be emperor.”
“You don’t mean doubting the throne itself—you mean feeling powerless?”
“That’s right. When I was young, I thought it was natural for others to protect and help me. But I’ll soon be an adult. I should be able to lead the empire myself, and yet I still have to rely on others. It’s frustrating and humiliating.”

This outbreak, for example—without Winston and Kenneth’s help, the empire could have faced disaster.

“It’s not that I hate help. Thanks to it, the country recovered quickly. I’m grateful. But even so, I feel useless.”
“…That’s why you reacted so sharply to Sir Karl.”
“Exactly. I know he was worried about me, but I can’t hide behind others forever.”

“So you came all the way here…”
“To prove I can handle something on my own.”

Hestia could see the weight on his shoulders. This wasn’t just insecurity—it was years of pressure bursting out. The regent from Florence hadn’t stepped down, Sylvester hadn’t had any clear achievements yet, and even his refugee policy had become controversial because of the plague.

“You’re doing well, Slie.”
“Don’t bother comforting me. I know how pathetic I am.”
“I’m not lying.”

Her serious green eyes made him pause.

“A noble has the duty to care for their people and govern their lands. They must listen to advisors and experts before making important decisions. I think an emperor is no different.”

“….”

“No matter how many good ideas I, Luciard, or Count Kenneth give you, in the end it’s you who decides whether to accept them. Without your approval, nothing moves forward.”
“That’s…”

If even after hearing this he still couldn’t believe it, then his confidence must have been at rock bottom.

“…Then prove it,” she said.

Sylvester looked up in surprise.
“See the situation with me today, and let’s find out what you can do.”

He straightened his back and nodded firmly.

At the quarantine facility in Roman Territory, a northern aide advised, “I don’t recommend going inside. Even with the new medicine, infection is still possible here.”

Hestia and Sylvester were both speechless at the sight. This facility was larger than most, but hygiene and order were terrible.

“Stepping in here might give you a disease you didn’t have before,” Hestia muttered.

Covering their noses and mouths with cloth, they looked around—coughs, cries, and desperate shouts of “I don’t want to die!” filled the air. The smell of sickness and death made Sylvester hesitate.

“What do you think you can do here, Slie?”
“I…” He couldn’t answer.
“You don’t have to answer now. Just watch what I do.”

She called for the person in charge. The man ran over, bowing nervously.

“I came to deliver the supplies you requested,” Hestia said coldly. “And to inspect the site. It’s a mess.”

She listed the problems: patients not separated by condition, filthy surroundings, instructions ignored.
The man stammered that they lacked the manpower to follow all the rules.

“I know you’re short-staffed. But that’s exactly why you should’ve followed the guidelines—it would have saved lives,” she said firmly.

The man admitted that even the staff were falling sick, and no one wanted to volunteer here. Hestia sighed—she understood it wasn’t just negligence.

“Have you heard about the new cure?”
“Yes… a few days ago we learned the disease was called bloodpox.”

Hestia handed him a document.
“Today, you’re getting sixty-three doses. Give one to each staff member first, then give the rest to severe patients—especially those whose rashes are turning black.”

The man’s eyes filled with tears. “I thought this medicine would never reach commoners like us…”

Sylvester, moved, grabbed the man’s hand. “You are precious citizens of the empire. The cure will be given equally, to all.”

Hestia added, “Winston is producing more as fast as possible, and the imperial family is supporting us. Hold on a little longer.”

The man promised to improve conditions. Hestia and Sylvester even helped with physical labor before moving on to other facilities, delivering medicine and supplies until night fell.

On the way back to the castle, both were exhausted.
“How was today?” Hestia asked.
“The hardest day of my life. I couldn’t just sit still while our people suffered.”
“So… do you think you made a big difference?”
“…No.”

All he’d really done was carry things, help patients, and give advice. He still felt powerless.

“They’re all my people. I wish I could take all their pain away…”
“Only a god could do that.”
“True.”

He thought hard about what more he could do, but the truth was—Hestia had been the one making the real impact.

Seeing his mood drop, Hestia said, “A house has three essentials: pillars, walls, and a roof. Without pillars, it can’t stand. Without walls, it can’t keep danger out. Without a roof, it can’t protect from the elements.”

“….”

“The walls are the people. The pillars are the nobles. And you, Slie—you’re the roof. If the roof fails, the whole house will quickly fall apart.”

“…I’m the roof…”
“Each part has its own role. Pillars can’t be the roof, and the roof can’t be the walls. Every part matters.”

Sylvester’s fists clenched, his heart beating faster.
“My role… what only the emperor can do.”

She hadn’t said it outright, but he understood. The determined look in his eyes said it all.