Thank God. ......

　As he looked down from his perch at the mercenaries fleeing left and right, Hercule felt the shaking in his body subside.

　In fact, he was a little scared that Darius might have a secret plan that he hadn't even thought of. ......
　I was a little scared that Darios might have a secret plan that I hadn't thought of, but I was relieved to see that his move was as expected.

　Darius' goal was definitely to surround and destroy the heavy cavalry Clibanarius.

　Then it would be easy.
　All he had to do was make the Cribanarius turn back.

　The problem is that the battlefield is a hill.
　Hills are easy to run down, but difficult to run up.

　Running uphill through a crowd of enemies while showing your back will be a difficult task.

　Especially for a heavy cavalryman "Clibanarius" who was exhausted from the assault.
　It would be impossible for Galfis to turn back on his own.

　That's why Darios took this step.

　Yes, if he's alone.

　"Gather 3,000 cribanarious heavy cavalry in reserve. Then take ...... infantry, 9,000.

　Not all of the cribanarious cavalry charged at once.
　Galfis led 5,000. Hercule kept the remaining 3,000 in reserve in case of emergency.

　Just as Darius had kept his son's troops in the rear.

　I'm learning quite a bit from Darios when I think about it.

　Hercule chuckled.

　Taken in by Hadrian, Hercule had been on the battlefield since he was a child, repeatedly losing and escaping. ......
　One of the generals who defeated Hadrian III was Darius.

　I don't know if I was influenced by him without knowing it, or if we simply think alike.

　Well, it doesn't matter now.

　"Your Majesty, we are gathered.
　"All right, ......, gentlemen!　Let's go hit those cowardly mercenaries again!
　"Oh!

　Hercule accelerated at once and ran down the hill.
　With Hercule at the top, the 10,000 Lemurian troops in a triangular formation rush down the hill in unison.

　"Asmodeus, can you give me five seconds to use ...... illusion to make our army look ten times larger?
　You'll be paid handsomely for your trouble ...... later.
　Just enough to keep me alive, please.

　Hercule's contracted spirit used an illusion, and in five seconds ......
　I'll show you a tenfold increase in Hercule's army.
　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a number of things you can do.

　The mercenaries, who had regained their composure, fled backwards, forgetting that they had been instructed to run left and right.
　And ......

　"Galfis!　Fall back!　
　Your Majesty!　Just as we planned. ...... Thank you for your help. Take charge of the troops. I'll go on a rampage for a while and then come back.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.
　In the back, the elite led by Galfis rampaged to prevent the pursuit, while the infantry on the flanks held back the mercenaries. ......
　There was not a single enemy soldier who could attack the heavy cavalry (Clibanarius).

　Thus, Hercule succeeded in forcing the heavy cavalry to retreat and won the battle without any serious damage.



　Lemurian Army

　Heavy Cavalry 《Clivanarius》 damage 300, remaining 770.
　Longbow troops suffered 200 damage, 480 remaining.
　Infantry unit loss 100. 　1,400 remaining.

　Total number of remaining soldiers: 2,650.


　Darius' Army

　Infantry damage 0, remaining 40000.
　Child-raised crossbow troops damage 0, remaining 300.
　Damage to mercenary infantry: Destroyed (practically wiped out due to many casualties, escape, and loss of will to fight).
　Barbarian cavalry damage 0, remaining 500

　Total remaining: 1,200 men.


　The result: Darius is defeated.








　Surprising. I thought you would put up a little more of a fight.
　After such a crushing defeat, I don't think the soldiers will follow me. I don't have the bloodline or the authority that you do.

　The next day, Darios had easily agreed to peace and had visited the tent of Hercule.
　Darios' hands were tied behind his back, with Galfis and Carolina on either side of him to protect Hercule.

　Darios had lost over 20,000 soldiers in one day, but ......
　These are all mercenaries, disposable soldiers.

　The main force has been preserved.
　Therefore, they can still fight. ......

　You can still fight, but you can't win.
　Darius realized that he was completely defeated.

　The only way to defeat the Herculeans on the hill was to attack them head on.
　But there were no more disposable soldiers.

　The soldiers under Darios' command were no better than mercenaries, except for their loyalty to Darios.
　It's clear that we'll just repeat the same defeats over and over again.

　"I've come this far on my own merits. ...... Yes, you've defeated me. Your Majesty. I have underestimated you. I would like to apologize.
　Haha ...... Well, I guess I won this time. By the way, ...... what do you think would have happened if we fought head-to-head on the plains?
　I think I would have won.

　Darius said confidently.
　The vassals of Hercule look annoyed.

　What a rude mercenary, even though you lost!　
　!

　But Hercule says with a bitter smile.

　I think so too.

　The vassals' eyes widened as Hercule said it simply.

　Hercule thinks he's a genius, but ......
　He does not believe that he is a genius, and he knows that there is a higher power.

　But that's just for now.

　"Now, ......, what are the terms of peace?
　"I will return all my lands to you. Also, can you please forgive my child soldiers?　They can be expelled from the country. They were just following me. The other mercenaries are free to go to ...... as they please, and my head is free to go. You can either expose it or dedicate it to His Majesty Hadrian.
　"Well, that's fair enough.

　It's not like Hercule enjoys killing people.
　As long as the territory is returned and security is ensured, that's enough.

　The territory of the Pelosonian Mercenaries was held together only by the military power of Darios.
　As long as Darios is defeated and the mercenaries are disbanded, there will be no problem.

　"Very well, but on one condition. The damage you've done to my country and the prestige you've lost is incalculable. Your head is too cheap.
　There is nothing else I can offer you. ......
　"You will have to give me your body, not your head.

　For a moment, a strange atmosphere enveloped the tent.
　What?　
　The body ......

　That's ......

　What?　Could it be that the emperor is ......

　"Be my vassal. That's the deal.

　Don't use confusing expressions!　
　Unusually, Darios, his vassals, and Karolina agreed.






　"You've got to be kidding me. You'll be a lion's advocate, won't you?

　Darios laughed at Hercule's suggestion. 　
　To appoint the man who had brought shame upon his father?

　That's impossible.
　It's a joke, he thought.

　"I have no doubt you have a talent for warfare. Our country has been on a losing streak lately. We're not even a shadow of the military power we once were. I thought I'd bring in some good men to strengthen us. And it's a problem that Galfis is the only one with the talent to take on more than 10,000 soldiers. I don't want to move as much as I can.

　Hercule's expression is very serious.
　Darius gulped.

　"Are you serious?
　I'm serious.
　What happens if I say no to ......?
　Ha-ha-ha!

　Hercule didn't answer, he just laughed.
　A chill ran down Darios' spine.

　"Oh yeah, did you say you'd turn into a lion?

　Darios' body starts to shake naturally. 　


　This is ......

　"Do you really think you can beat me?

　Darios' lips turn blue as he is hit head-on by Hercule's immense magical power.
　It's not just Darios.
　It's not just Darius, but Galfis, Karolina, all his vassals, and all the humans, animals, and insects around here. ......

　All of them stopped moving.

　I'm not sure what to say. 　

　"Awe III".

　The effect is simple and straightforward.
　The effect is simple and straightforward. The amount of magic power is enough to strike fear into the people around you.

　No one has ever been able to move in the face of Hercule's Awe III before.
　No matter who it is.
　Not even Darios, who went so far as to take a country.

　"I'm not deporting your boy soldier. I'm going to give them someplace suitable to settle. Our lands are being ravaged. Well, not all at once, of course, but you know what ...... means, don't you?
　".......

　If you betray me, I'll kill your pretty little mercenary.
　That's what I'm saying.

　That's why you're my vassal from now on. Nice to meet you.
　"...... Yes.

　Darios was not given the right to veto.


　


　The mercenary captain Darios. Darios the Kuro Panther, also known as Darios.
　He is a warbeast of high rank.
　The third son of a small baronial family.
　The third son of a small baronial family, and one of the Reconstructionists. ......
　He is also the king of the Pelosonian Mercenaries.

　And ......

　He is one of the seventeen pillars of the Erkur Empire.