The genius that makes people unhappy by doing things they don't like can also be the genius that makes people happy by doing things that make them happy.

　The ability to read people's minds is probably the most necessary talent for a monarch.

　About Hercule

　-"Your Majesty.







　"Your Majesty. The tunnel has reached the basement of the city walls. It can be destroyed at any time.
　Tell Edmond, Darios and Oskar. All hands on deck.

　Winter came soon after the rebellion was crushed, and Hercule celebrated his birthday, turning sixteen.
　Then came spring, and today, the summer: ......

　Hercule was attacking the Principality of Travisos.
　Last fall, the Duchy of Travizos had become wary of Hercule's moves to attack the Duchy of Travizos, even if it was to start a rebellion, and had hired many mercenaries.

　The Duchy of Trabizos became more vigilant and hired many mercenaries.
　The Duchy of Travizos, which did not have a great general like Darios, was easily defeated by Hercule in the field.

　After defeating the Duchy of Travizos, Hercule launched an attack on the capital and trading port of Travizos.

　And ......
　Two weeks into the attack.

　Finally, the tunnels that Hercule had been digging reached the basement of the city walls.

　The tunnels were not meant to dig a hole to attack the enemy directly.
　The tunnels were not meant to dig holes and attack the enemy directly.

　The tunnels were dug in order to break down the walls.
　The tunnels were dug to break down the walls.

　As long as the wood supports the walls, they will not collapse.
　But if you set it on fire, it will collapse. ......

　Needless to say.



　What about the generals who received Hercule's orders: ......

　So, it's finally fallen. ...... It's been a long battle. I don't like sieges, after all.
　Darius, who was in charge of the eastern wall, sighed and said.

　You've done it. I guess we can finally go home now.
　Edmond, who was in charge of the southern wall, smiled happily.

　The tunnels are dug on the west side. The tunnels are dug on the west side. ...... So I'll be the first to attack. Thank you. Thank you.
　Oscar, who was in charge of the western wall, muttered with deep emotion.




　And ......
　A part of the wall collapsed with a noise.

　Then Oskar led his own troops in a charge.

　"Go!　Long live the Emperor!

　The soldiers led by Oskar poured into Trabizos from the collapsed wall.
　The soldiers of the Duchy of Trabizos are unable to react to the sudden and confusing situation.

　In the meantime, Oscar's soldiers open the east and south gates.
　Then ......

　"Well, we're finally on the job. Let's go!
　This is it!　Fight with all your heart!

　Darios and Edmond pour in through their respective gates with their armies in tow.

　So, the game is decided, then?
　"As expected. Your Majesty.

　The sixteen-year-old Karolina smiles at Hercule.
　Hercule stood up, kissed Karolina on the forehead and said: ......

　How do you feel?　What did you think of the siege?
　"Boring, wouldn't you say?
　No, I feel the same way. I'm not sure if I'd say it's boring or not, but I'd say the same thing. ...... Sieges are a pain in the ass, aren't they?

　Hercule shrugged his shoulders.


　On this day, the Duchy of Trabizos was destroyed by Hercule.







　Afterwards, Hercule returned to the capital and was cheered with "Hail to the Emperor", and held a review meeting with his generals.

　I have a few things to say. ...... Do you guys have anything to say?
　"Well, can I start?

　Oskar raised his hand.
　Hercule nodded silently and allowed him to speak.

　I'm not sure what to make of this. It may be that my command was poor. ......
　No, it's not that your command is inferior. In fact, new recruits are less mobile than veterans. ...... I'm sorry I put you through that. I'm sorry I put you in charge, but I thought you'd be a better fit racially.
　No, that's not true. ...... We're going to train you even better and make you an army that will satisfy His Majesty!

　After the rebellion.
　Hercule had created a new army.

　He had a new and excellent commander, Oscar Almon.
　Financially, the monopoly on coffee and bone ash porcelain was starting to take off, and there was enough money to create a corps.

　At this point, Hercule put into action a plan that he had been thinking about.



　The current infantry of Lemuria consists mainly of Caucasians (although there is no such thing as Caucasians, and it is inappropriate to distinguish them by skin color, but for the sake of convenience, I will refer to them as Caucasians).

　This is because the inhabitants of the suburbs of the capital are white, and because it is the easiest to gather them.

　However, the Lemurian Empire is a multi-ethnic nation with a large territory.
　In the southern part of the empire, there are many people who are commonly referred to as "blacks.

　An army composed entirely of whites would be unbalanced.
　That's what Hercule thought.

　Therefore, he decided to form a new army of only black people, since Oscar, the excellent commander he got this time, was black.

　This was also an attempt to make the races compete with each other.

　Since the Lemurian Empire was originally a multi-ethnic nation and there was not much discrimination based on race, this was accepted without any resistance.

　For this reason, Oscar led the Third Legion, which was composed entirely of blacks.

　I think he did a pretty good job. I think I did pretty well," he said. ...... Southern humans are very strong and talented. As a soldier. As a soldier, you can fight in hot weather. ...... Tell them I look forward to seeing them in the future.
　"Yes, sir!

　Oskar thanked him earnestly. 　

　"Anything else?

　Darios and Edmond responded by shaking their heads.
　Hercule muttered a small "I see.

　This is the same as in the previous rebellion,......, the flank siege is too weak. ...... I still want to increase the number of halberd units to some extent to increase flexibility.

　In the last rebellion, Oskar succeeded in getting out of the flank.
　In the current war, Hercule surrounded the outnumbered Trabizos forces, but ......

　This time the encirclement was slow and they lost a few men.

　In both cases, it was due to the small number of halberd troops.

　Well, the success of the siege of the rebels and the failure of the siege of Travisos was due in large part to the skill of the enemy commander.

　The rebels were the dumb Hadrian, and the Travisians were an ordinary general, but an ordinary general with ordinary skills.

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out the best way to get the most out of this. It's a good idea to have a good balance between the two. ...... However, if you increase the number of pikes by more than two, the strength of the pike troops will be reduced, and the frontal strength will be reduced. ...... If you have only one pike troop, won't the odd number cause imbalance?

　In response to Edmond's point, Hercule nodded broadly.

　That's right. ...... So, I'm thinking of adding two new battalions to make ten battalions, four battalions as halberd units and six battalions as pike units.

　In other words, Hercule's idea was to add 240 units to the original 960 per corps to make a total of 120.

　You'll have to take care of two new battalions, but ...... it won't be much different.
　I don't see much difference between a couple of battalions and a couple of battalions, and I'm sure you'll be happy with the increased flexibility in your tactics. ......

　Darios points out the biggest problem with this reform.

　"Two new battalions were added to each of the three corps. That's a total of six battalions. ...... That's an increase of 720 troops. In effect, it's like adding one new corps. ...... Isn't that difficult?
　"Yes, it will be difficult under the current financial situation, but we have ...... the funds to do it. Don't worry.
　Then I have nothing to say to you.

　Darios easily backed down.
　Hercule's skill in domestic politics is evident from the fact that he restored the country's finances a few years ago.

　It is not for amateurs to interfere.
　That's what he decided.

　And I need Transportation Corps.
　And I want Transportation Corps ....... Does that mean more horses?
　That's what I'm thinking.

　Hercule nodded in response to Edmond's question.

　Lemuria is won by logistics (logic). 　
　That was a long time ago.

　Nowadays, many logistics functions have been lost.
　There are still books on the subject: ......, but the empirical techniques have inevitably fallen into disuse.

　The Lemurian army, for example, is now in a state of disarray.
　For example, the Lemurian army now requires each soldier to carry at least three days worth of food.

　With this, we can operate for at least three days without any food.
　It's only three days, but it's still three days.

　But it's still not enough.

　But do you have enough money for more horses?
　Well, I have a plan to get them cheaply, but it's not possible yet. I'll let you know as soon as I can. Finances are my business, not yours. ......

　Hercule sighs.
　The emperor's job is still a pain in the ass.

　I'd like to do this quickly.　I want to do this as soon as possible.
　I'm not sure what to say.　I'm not sure what to say.

　Oskar tilted his head.
　From Oscar's point of view, the Lemurian army seems to have enough cavalry power.

　The heavy cavalry is good. They're just fine. What I want is light cavalry for scouts and messengers. I want a battalion of .......
　Do you really need that many?
　Gathering and exchanging information is important. Isn't that right?
　No, sir, you're right.

　Oskar nodded his head.
　Oskar understood the importance of information.

　And one last thing. And one last thing. Train your endurance so that you can march faster. ...... 20 kilometers a day is not enough.



　Today, in a world where the level of warfare has stagnated, even a march of ten kilometers a day is called "fast".
　In a bad army, you can go no more than five kilometers a day.

　This is a matter of soldier's morale.
　Mercenaries and forcibly conscripted peasants lack morale even if they have physical strength.

　As a result, they walk sluggishly, and their marching speed is reduced.

　But the standing army of Hercule is different.
　This elite force, gathered to protect the country, has high morale and can build up their physical strength through daily training.
　Because of this, they were able to successfully march 20 kilometers a day.
　The ...... does not seem to be up to the standard that Hercule requires.

　What speed are you looking for, Your Majesty?

　Darios asks, to which Hercule replies with a smile.

　"Normal march, five hours a day, twenty-five kilometers. Heavy march, thirty to thirty-five kilometers in six to seven hours. Strongest march, day and night, as much as possible, ......?
　...... That's the speed of the old Lemurian army, right?
　The Lemurian army used to be the same people, remember?

　Darius gives me a look of dismay.
　I'm sure you've heard of it.

　There is nothing that humans can't do if they train hard and put their minds to it.
　Some of the generals are crazy (a word of praise) enough to traverse seventy or eighty kilometers in one day and night, so Hercule's request is still within the bounds of common sense.

　The key is daily training and energy.

　Anyway, it's a marathon. Listen, soldiers respect speed. The faster you move, the more control you have. This is number one. It doesn't matter how strong you are individually. First is speed, second is discipline, third is coordination. Listen, train hard. That's what a standing army is for.

　""Yes, sir!"