Now ......
　Under Hercule's orders, Carolina arrived at the forest behind the village of Karol, leading 12,000 medium-armored cavalry (cataphracts).

　Since she left Hercule before arriving at Karol village, Stefan assumed that Hercule had not brought any cataphracts with him.

　"Now, everyone, please dismount and tie yourselves to the trees near ....... I'll leave you two hundred to look after the horses and guard them.

　Carolina said, dismounting and ......
　She then dismounted and tied the horse to a tree.

　Then she took off her armor.

　Please take off your armor, too, except for the ...... breastplate, which is the only part that protects your vitals.

　Following Carolina's orders, the soldiers took off their armor.
　The soldiers wondered what the Empress intended ......, but obeyed the order.

　And please leave your ...... lances and maces behind. We are only equipped with swords and bows.

　Then Carolina said ...... as she walked towards the forest.

　I'm sure you've all climbed a tree or two as a child,......, since you're Elves.　Don't tell me you can't ...... do that.

　Hearing Carolina's words,......
　The soldiers finally understood the intention.







　In the event that you've got a lot of time, you may want to take a look at the following.
　Some of the soldiers were looking down at the whole thing as they advanced over the trees. ......
　It's a good idea to keep your eyes on the road.

　The Elves originally lived in the trees.

　It is certainly difficult to march through the forest without breaking formation, but it is not ...... impossible.

　For three days, they carefully pushed through the forest ......
　Finally, early in the morning of the fourth day, we came up behind the village of Karol.


　As Hercule had predicted, there were no trenches dug behind the village.
　All that was left was a simple fence.
　Rather than being careless ......, they did not have the time or labor to spare.

　Instead, about 200 soldiers were posted as guards.

　Even if the soldiers marched through the forest, ......
　Even if the soldiers march through the forest, the formation is broken when they come out of the forest.

　Stephan thought it would be no problem if he could find them quickly and destroy them individually.

　Of course, if it was a warbeast or a human, he would be right.
　But the ...... opponent was an elf.

　They used to live in the woods.
　That's what Stefan failed to realize.



　The battle began with the sound of arrows shooting through the air.

　First, Karolina climbed to the top of the tree and shot an arrow with her arrowhead. ......
　In that direction, 10,000 elves shot arrows from the top of the tree, the top, the middle, the bottom, and the ground.

　It is a short bow for riding, so it has a shorter range than the bows used by longbow troops. ......
　It is a compound bow, so the arrow flies much farther than a normal bow.

　The arrows rain down on the soldiers on guard.

　By the time you have wiped out 200 soldiers, ......
　About 100 enemy reinforcements arrived.

　Again, we showered them with arrows.

　They also threw stones in response. ......
　They can't hit the elves lurking in the forest, and ...... their distance is different.

　After the arrows were shot, Karolina pulled out her weapon spirit, Eligos, and ......
　She landed from the top of the tree.

　As if on cue, the elves drew their swords and attacked at once.

　The Elves are strong in the trees, but ......
　Naturally, they are also strong on the plains.

　Using their long arms and legs, the elves overwhelmed the mercenaries with their swords.

　In addition to the difference in physical ability and numbers,......
　In addition to the difference in physical ability and numbers, there is also the difference between those who have received formal military training and those who are self-taught .......

　The mercenaries were being cut down one by one.
　And when Karolina moved into close combat, ......

　Hercule also launched an all-out attack.

　This time, not only the mercenaries, but also the Tonden and allied soldiers joined in. ......
　It was a simultaneous attack from the front and from both sides across the river.


　If we send troops to the front and sides, ......
　If you send troops to the front and flanks, they will not be able to withstand an attack from behind.

　But if you send men behind you, the front and flanks will be breached.



　Stefan was completely trapped.




　Thus, ......
　The Lemurian army regained the village of Karol with only a loss of 250 mercenaries: ......
　They killed 200 mercenaries and took 200 prisoners.


　




　"You've given me a lot of trouble, Stefan Sheikoski.
　"......

　After Stefan was interrogated, he was given an audience with Hercule.
　Of course, he was tied up with ropes ...... with Nia behind him and Karolina next to Hercule.

　Even if Stefan had a knife hidden in his hand, ......　
　If you're not sure what to do, just ask.

　But since he was stripped naked and checked for weapons before the audience,......
　It's an impossible assumption to make in the first place.


　The mercenaries you captured ...... seemed to adore you a great deal. It's rare for mercenaries to adore individuals. Is that a virtue of yours?
　"...... I'm honored by your compliment. Your Majesty.

　Stephan bowed lightly to Hercule.


　Of course,......, the expression on his face was cloudy and he did not look flattered.

　The strategic point of view is not so bad, but that defensive position ...... tactical ability, that's a rare talent. I'm not saying that even I can't make something that strong ......, but I'd have a hard time making it.
　"Ha, ha, .......

　The emperor hates to lose. ......
　Stephan thought, but did not say it.

　And for a mercenary, he's a very loyal one. You should have escaped on your own, but ...... you obeyed your employer's orders and led your men to fight to the end.
　"......

　You're mistaken.
　I was troubled by the fact that you followed me on your own.

　Stefan was going to say, ...... but he felt it would be better not to say it because of the atmosphere, so he did not say it.

　"Well, it's a bit of a roundabout way of saying ......

　Hercule walked up to Stefan and ......
　He pulled out his sword.

　Stephan closed his eyes in determination.
　But ......


　But the pain he was expecting didn't come.
　When he opened his eyes, he saw ......

　The rope had been cut and the restraints had been released.

　Hercule reached out his hand to Stefan.

　"Stefan Sheikoski. I give you the honor of becoming my vassal.
　"Vassal?

　That's when the first ......
　Stefan realized that he was being recruited.

　His heart burned ...... and he felt as if something was rising from deep within him.

　The Lemurian Empire ...... is one of the world's greatest superpowers.
　It was a direct invitation from the emperor of that country.

　How could I not be happy?
　And for Stephan, who was looking for ...... success in life, there was no reason to refuse.

　There is no better place to serve.

　It's a great honor, sir!　By all means!
　That's good to know.

　Hercule smiled and ......
　He grabbed Stefan's hand and pulled him away.





　Stephan Shaykoski.

　A half-human, half-warbeast.

　Served in the Taurica Rebellion as a rebel mercenary.
　He was recruited directly by Emperor Hercule to join the Lemurian army after the defeat at the Battle of Karol Village.

　His nickname is "The Snowman.

　He is one of the Seventeen Pillars of the Emperor Hercule.






　By the way, what would you have done with me if I had refused?
　Nia would have jumped on your head at the first sign of hesitation.
　Yeah, ....... (You can't just show hesitation, .......)

　There is nothing more terrifying than a competent person who is not on your side.

　If you don't join us, we'll kill you.
　That is the man called Hercule.










　Now, three months later: ......
　At about the same time as the turmoil along the coast of Taurica was ending, there was movement on the island of Rosa.

　At last, the Rosa pirates surrendered.