"Long live the Emperor!　Long live the Emperor!

　Hercule was riding in a four-horse carriage through the confetti created by the citizens.
　Every time Hercule waved his hand, the citizens went into a frenzy.

　This was because it had been a long time since the Lemurian Empire had won a proper war.
　This was because Hadrian III had been so bad at war.

　This will boost my support.

　Hercule was in a good mood as he was cheered loudly.
　If you win a war, your support goes up.
　This is true for any country, era, or culture.

　Generals and kings who are strong in war will be supported regardless of their personalities.

　No matter how mismanaged, heavily taxed, or oppressive, ......
　If you win the war, your reputation will be turned upside down.

　Now Hercule's power base is secure.

　...... Though there are those who feel itchy about it.





　"That's it!　The Great Postwar Reflection!

　This time, Hercule gathered the generals who served in the war and said with high tension and applause.
　Darios is also in attendance.

　"What is this about?　
　"It's a review meeting, of the war.
　Didn't we win ......?
　Maybe we could have won a little better. And there were some improvements.

　Hercule answered Galfis' question.

　In fact, Hercule is one of those people who are said to be hard workers.
　A glimpse of his past behavior might make you tilt your head, but ......

　He has read a lot of books, learned several languages, accumulated a huge amount of knowledge, read and reviewed a lot of government documents, reviewed the tax system, persuaded bureaucrats, and even worked on paperwork. ......
　All of this is undoubtedly effort.

　Effort is just a process to achieve a goal.
　And the more fun the process is, and the shorter it is, the better.
　This is what Hercule believes.

　Since time is limited, we should save as much time as possible, use as little effort as possible, and work with as little stress as possible, and use the extra time for other things.

　Wasting time, energy, and stress for a long time is not effort, it's laziness, and it's worthless.

　That is Hercule's view.

　That is why we reflect.

　If the result was good, analyze the reason why it was good, and plan how to make it better.
　If the result was bad, we analyze why it was bad and try not to repeat the mistake again.

　Keep improving and improving.
　That is what we call effort.

　That is why ......

　The big review meeting. For now, Darios. Let's start with yours.
　"...... mine?　I was the enemy. ......
　It's important to analyze why the enemy lost, right?

　I see, Darios agreed. ......
　He thinks for a moment and then opens his mouth.

　"We could have won on the plains.
　"You think I'd be stupid enough to go head-to-head on the plains against an army that outnumbers my own?
　Do you think I'd be stupid enough to go head-to-head on the plains against an army twice my size?
　That's not human skill. There's no way a fifteen year old can do that.

　At the very least, the current Hercule has no ability to reproduce the famous art of war.
　In the first place, Darios would not allow it.

　Darios would be able to push his way through and win before Hercule could surround him.

　In the first place, it is strange to cite someone who has the crazy idea of taking an elephant to climb a mountain before the war.

　"Well, yes. If you want to think about it seriously, there was no other general who could lead a large army properly. That way, we could have spread out our forces a little more and been more vigilant. Well, adding another general is not an option. Mercenaries can't be trusted.
　You used to be a mercenary, right?
　Mercenaries are the least trustworthy people in the world.

　It's called homophobia.

　Well, your remorse has been put to good use by welcoming you into my army. Rest assured.
　...... It's hard to say.

　Darios has a complicated expression on his face.
　But for now, Darios did not want to betray Hercule, nor did he hold a grudge.

　Rather, he liked his new master for giving him a chance to rise in the world, and he thought it would be a good idea to watch the young boy who had defeated him grow up.

　"Shall I tell you the reason for your defeat?
　What is it?　
　You took a territory from your father. You shouldn't have taken a territory you couldn't run.
　Ha, ......, you're right.

　Darius had a good impression of Hercule, but ......
　Darios had a good impression of Hercule, but he also felt uncomfortable.
　And so it should be.

　His current colleagues were the same generals he had once beaten.



　But then again, there is no general with the backbone to challenge Hercule's decision.


　Now that we've covered Darios' reflections, let's look at ...... our own.
　But is there anything we can do to improve?　I think everything went well this time.

　Karolina tilted her head adorably.

　"Well, there were no problems with strategy or tactics. The only problem was the combat ......, or weapons.
　"...... weapons?　What kind?
　"Infantry spears. It's a good thing we adopted a five-meter spear at once, but ...... it's hard to handle!　It's not flexible enough.

　Until now, the Lemurian army had been equipped with a combination of daggers, shields and spears. 　
　This is very flexible, but it is outdated in the modern age when cavalry has developed.

　Therefore, the shields were abandoned in favor of five-meter spears, and the tactics were changed to be appropriate.
　This five-meter spear was a revival of the spear used in the old phalanx tactics called the Sarissa.

　In other words, for the first time in thousands of years, the Lemurian army has returned to its original equipment.
　But ......

　The first time I sent them down the hill, I realized that they were no good. They break ranks too easily, and they're too weak for melee combat.

　Some of the infantrymen even threw away their spears and fought with swords.
　After all, the long spear was useless in close combat or in places with bad footholds.

　What Hercule is looking for is an army with high flexibility.
　An army that can draw a certain level of strength from any enemy, in any terrain, and in any weather.

　The land of the Lemurian Empire includes deserts, plains, and mountains.
　The enemies are nomadic and mountainous.

　There must not be any terrain that cannot be used.

　There must not be any terrain that can not be used. There must not be any terrain that can not be used.

　"So, Legion?

　You've changed it, and now you want to change it back?
　Galfis asks Hercule.

　It's a good idea to use a spear rather than a dagger. But I would like to have a shield to protect me from arrows. And to prevent cavalry, five meters is not enough to prevent a cavalry charge,......, so you need seven meters.
　"......
　Is there any weapon that has a longer reach, has an advantage over the enemy, can be maneuvered on bad ground, is strong in melee combat, and is light enough to be used with a shield?
　""......"

　That's a bit extravagant.
　The generals pondered inwardly.

　There is no such thing as a convenient weapon. ......

　"Then why don't you use them all?

　Darius said jokingly.
　Then ......

　That's it!
　"...... What?

　Thus, the equipment policy of the new Lemurian army was decided.