The Emperor Hercule, a national hero and famous general for the Lemurians, is the subject of many stories, as are his contemporaries, Sasan VIII and Ludwig I.

　In addition to the war stories featuring the Emperor Hercule, there are also war stories featuring the famous generals who served him, such as ...... "The Kuro Panther," Darios Leopard, as his trusted lord.

　Or as a gentle but misogynistic man in the love stories of the women who adorned the Herculean emperor, such as Carolina Galleanos.

　Or as an innovative and progressive patron in stories featuring the artists and scientists supported by the emperor.

　Or as a devout messianist in picture books and stories used by the clergy for preaching.

　And in stories featuring Sasan VIII and Ludwig I, he is a formidable adversary.

　In some stories, a man from the future comes to Emperor Hercule and teaches him knowledge of the future, and in others, Emperor Hercule becomes a woman.

　However, the personality of Emperor Hercule as depicted in such stories has two patterns.

　One is as a good monarch who is kind-hearted, always thinking of his people, pious and devout, and shedding tears over the death of his soldiers.

　The other is a brutal, man-less, godless, means-less, but still glorious tyrant.

　It is true that there are different kinds of Herculean Emperors for different writers.
　However, it is a fact that the view of the Herculean emperor is greatly divided.

　What is about to happen now is a famous historical fact that is completely divided by the way it is portrayed by different writers.

　This is Hadrian's Rebellion.

　One historian argues as follows.
　Some historians claim that Hadrian's Rebellion was planned by the emperor Hercule.

　Some historians argue that Hadrian's Rebellion was planned by the Emperor Hercule.
　Hadrian's Rebellion was unexpected by Hercule.


　Now ......
　Which is the truth?

　Only one thing can be said.

　But one thing is for sure: Hercule does not leave any 'inconvenient facts' in history.









　"But I feel sorry for Hadrian. When the Emperor's army was destroyed, he took a chance and raised his troops, only to find that his army was unharmed.

　A dandy of a man with a mustache said to Hercule with a smile.
　His hair and eyes are brown.
　Long, slender ears protrude from his hair.
　His skin is tanned and brown.
　His hair is tanned and brown, and he wears his hair in a very advanced style.

　The clothes and ornaments he wears show that he is very fashion conscious.

　The man's name is Edmund Erdemort.
　He is a half-elf of mixed race, a military nobleman.

　And ......
　He is also Hercule's half-brother.

　He was the son of the previous Emperor Hadrian III with a human concubine.
　This is the origin of Edmund Erdemort.

　Gullfith excels at commanding heavy cavalry (cribanarius).
　Of course, it does not mean that he can only lead heavy cavalry, but he is the best at it.

　Edmond, on the other hand, is an all-rounder and can handle basically any kind of troops.
　However, he is not particularly good at commanding.
　If I had to say one thing, it would be archers.

　During the battle against Darios, Edmond was the only general who could take charge of the defense of the Imperial City, so he had to stay at home.

　This time, Galfis is taking over.
　But this time, Galfis is taking over.

　I don't know why there is such a difference between you and Titus when you are both my brother.
　"I'm glad you think so, Your Majesty.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　Unlike Edmond, Titus is a High Elf like Hercule.

　Titus is a talented artist, but has no political or military talent.
　That's why he'll be a burden to you if you bring him into the war. ......

　If Titus remains in Nova Lemuria, Hadrian may try to kill him.
　That's why he is staying with Hercule, the safest man in the world.

　Yes, this expedition to the Principality of Trabizos was a trap to catch Hadrian.
　On the way to the Duchy of Travizos, Hadrian met with a storm and his army was destroyed. 　
　By secretly informing Hadrian that the army was destroyed in a storm during the expedition, Hadrian and the nobles of his supporting faction would revolt and be suppressed, thereby wiping out the opposing forces.

　This is the plan that Hercule has come up with this time.

　Rather than purging them slowly, defeat them once in a war, bring them to their knees, and teach them that they are no match for us.
　And then purge them at the roots.

　That would eventually stabilize the political situation.
　That is what Hercule decided.

　Rebellion is bound to happen someday.
　Then let it happen sooner rather than later.

　"But, Your Majesty. Are you really so stupid as to fall for ...... Hadrian?
　It's not as easy as it sounds, though, is it?

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you have.

　Hercule thought back to the beautiful demon with black hair and kimono.
　Thanks to Asmodeus' deception, the first stage was a great success.

　"Your Majesty!　I see you!　It's Nova Lemuria!

　Christos shouts.

　Up until now, Hercule and the others have been at sea.
　They turned back when Hadrian fell for their false information and claimed to be the emperor.

　Now, all we have to do is fight Hadrian and win.
　My arms are ringing. Finally, it's your turn.

　Edmond laughed in amusement.






　Meanwhile, Hadrian and his merry men looked downcast.
　No wonder.
　As the gods had said, everything was going to be all right.



　So, as soon as I raised my troops, Hercule came back.

　How many men have you gathered?
　"Eighteen hundred infantry. "About eighteen hundred infantry, two hundred crossbowmen. 200 cavalry. We've got 800 cavalry reinforcements from the Kingdom of Vulgaron. Total, three hundred.
　"...... Hmm.

　Hadrian thinks.
　The standing army that Hercule has is about 200 infantry, 100 cavalry, and 100 archers, for a total of about 400.

　And there is no time for Hercule to gather mercenaries or conscript commoners as soldiers.
　Given that, ......

　We have a chance!　We have no choice but to win!

　Hadrian was on fire.
　Hadrian was on fire. His opponent outnumbered him.

　If Hadrian defeated Hercule, Hadrian would be recognized as a great general who overcame the difference in numbers.
　If Hadrian wins against Hercule, he will be recognized as a great general who overcame the odds.

　That's what I thought.

　In the first place, wars are usually waged when you have a numerical and qualitative advantage over your opponent, and when your enemy has an advantage over you, you have lost the war strategically. ......
　Hadrian is unaware of this.

　It is true that Hercule had fewer men than Darius when he defeated him. ......
　But he was always in control of the war.
　He was able to win the war because he made up for the difference in strength.

　In this case, Hercule was in control of the war from the beginning.
　Hadrian was forced to revolt.

　It is obvious that Hadrian had no military talent.

　But no one has pointed this out.

　Now that many nobles have abandoned Hadrian, the only nobles who follow Hadrian are either fools who cannot read the situation or those who can no longer back down.

　After all, let's have a quick battle on the plains to decide the outcome.
　"Wait!

　Hadrian's decision was delayed.
　It was a dark-skinned man who raised his voice.

　Large body.
　Dark skin.
　Wiry hair.

　Misrule, a province in the south of the Lemurian Empire.
　An indigenous nobleman who has established his power in the southernmost part of Misrule.

　The second son of a branch of the house of Almon.
　Oskar Almon.

　The Almon family had a vast land in the southern part of the province of Misrule since ancient times and had great economic power. ......
　They have often been at odds with the elven nobility.

　The Elves are jealous of the huge wealth of the Armon family, and the Armon family has been jealous of the blood of the Elves.

　The current head of House Armon was not very smart and got into a muddy boat.
　And unfortunately, the second son of the branch family, Oscar Almon, was also forced to join him.

　What?　A nobleman of no name, who is neither the head of the main family, nor the head of the branch family, nor the heir, has made an opinion to me. Depending on what you say, I'll slash you. Are you prepared for that?

　Yes, I am. Yes. ...... I think it would be best to avoid a meeting on the plains. The Emperor's army is outnumbered. And the enemy's heavy cavalry is dangerous. Above all, our army is made up of poor quality mercenaries. So, ......

　"You want me to stay in the fort and fight?　You want me to stay indoors and fight!　You think I'm a coward for fighting like that?

　I'm sorry, .......

　This is no good.
　Oskar sighed inwardly.

　Fortunately, he was not angry enough to take it out on him. ...... No, he was not ready to take it out on him. Hadrian forgave Oscar and forbade him to speak to him again.

　Thus, Hadrian foolishly went to war against Hercule on the plain.





　The armies of Hercule and Hadrian faced each other at a distance of about three days from the imperial city of Nova Lemuria.

　Hercule had almost his entire army.

　Two infantry legions: 920.
　One cavalry corps: 960.
　One archer corps 960.

　Total: 384,000.

　Hadrian, on the other hand, had eighteen hundred infantry mercenaries, two hundred crossbow troops, and eight hundred reinforcements from the Bulgars.
　And, to a lesser extent, 200 of his own cavalry.

　Three hundred in total.

　Hercule has the advantage in numbers.

　"30000......, you've got quite a lineup. The enemy?
　No, it's not like that. They're imperial nobles, after all.

　While Darios was surprised by the number of enemies, Hercule remained calm.



　To begin with, the Emperor is not the only one with an army in the Lemurian Empire.
　The nobles also have a certain number of private soldiers.

　The security in this world is much worse than in Japan.
　There is no police force that specializes in maintaining security, and it is the knights and other soldiers who catch the criminals.
　The military's primary role is to fight foreign enemies, not to arrest criminals.

　Banditry and the like are quickly eliminated ...... but their existence cannot be eradicated.

　Therefore, people with a certain amount of wealth will take up arms for self-defense.
　This goes without saying for the aristocracy as well.

　The aristocracy has a certain number of mercenaries for self-defense.

　Also, unlike mercenaries who do not have a power base like Darios, nobles have established themselves throughout the empire since ancient times.

　Houses and their vassals.
　A vassal of a branch family and a vassal of a branch family.
　Vassals of branch families.
　Vassals of vassals and vassals of vassals. ......

　It is not very difficult to prepare a certain amount of troops by combining these forces.

　This is why the nobility is so troublesome.

　They have the power of blood, a power that has been passed down from generation to generation.

　Bloodline is power.
　It is a certain power that a person possesses that is as valuable as talent, hard work, connections, wealth, and education.

　To deny that bloodline is not a power is as foolish and blind to reality as to deny that God-given talent is not a power.

　And Hercule is one of the people who have benefited the most from his bloodline in this world.

　And Hercule is one of the most benefited people in this world by bloodline. "Well, bloodline is just red water if it rots. ...... Well, they don't deserve the noble blue blood. Let's just dump it on the ground and give it back to the gods right here and now.

　What?

　Hercule said, looking back at his vassals.

　Galfis, Edmond, Darios, and Karolina smiled in reply.

　So, gentlemen ......, let's start by getting rid of those pesky cavalry.