"Foulds.

　Kingdom of Fahls.
　A nation of desert elves whose religion is the religion of the Holy Fire.

　It is also the home of Scheherazade.

　It is the only country in the world with a national power comparable to the Lemurian Empire.
　It is the only country in this world that has the power to rival the Lemurian Empire, especially in terms of military power.

　The current king, King Sasan VIII, is renowned as a great ruler and a great general.

　But ......
　The Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Fars made peace a long time ago and signed a treaty not to violate each other's borders.

　The treaty, known as the Perpetual Peace Treaty, states that the Lemurian Empire will pay a fixed annual tribute to the Kingdom of Phallus in exchange for the Kingdom of Phallus not invading the Lemurian Empire.

　Since the signing of this treaty, the Kingdom of Phallus has not invaded the Lemurian Empire.
　Even when Hadrian was defeated by Darius, and when Hercule was crowned after dying of illness, and when Hadrian started a civil war ......

　Such a kingdom of Phallus attacked . 　　
　Why?

　...... Hercule had only one idea.






　"Scheherazade?
　"No, I don't think so.

　Todoris shook his head in denial.

　If Scheherazade was the reason, they would have attacked us, claiming to be trying to retake Scheherazade. If Scheherazade was the reason, they would have claimed that they were trying to take her back. It seems that the cause of this invasion is ...... our Tunde.

　According to ......
　The Lemurian Empire has stationed troops on the borders of the Kingdom of Fars.

　This is an obstacle to peace between our two countries.
　Emperor Hercule must withdraw his troops as soon as possible.

　...... To be clear, I can't say that there's a good reason to break the peace treaty and invade. 　
　I'm sure you've heard of it, but I've never heard of it.

　You also have a lot of things to say about water use.
　"Well, I can understand your feelings. Is it really necessary to start a war?

　Hercule tilted his head. 　
　The Lemurian Empire is a great power even if it is rotten.

　If you want to, you can gather about 200,000 soldiers ...... as mercenaries.

　The Kingdom of Fars is not a superpower that can wage war against such a large nation and remain unscathed.
　Sasan VIII is not such a reckless man.

　Therefore, this invasion is unnatural.
　Hercule thought.


　There is one thing I can think of, sir.　
　"Tell me.
　Did you know that King Sasan VIII of the Kingdom of Fars is currently on an expedition to Sindhira?
　Yes, I know. I heard he's playing with elephants.

　The Kingdom of Fars borders the Sindhira region.
　They're expanding their territory to the east.
　Therefore, there is no reason to deal with Lemuria at this stage.
　If ...... Phallus is a monolith.

　"The expedition to Sindhira is accompanied by the third prince of the Kingdom of Farus, Baharam. He is the best candidate to become the next king of the Kingdom of Farus.
　At ......?
　The first prince, Yazdegerd, is currently in charge of guarding the capital of the Kingdom of Phals, Kultellifon. Do you understand ......?
　"I see, I understand.

　Hercule nodded broadly.
　Karolina nodded her head.

　I don't understand. What do you mean?
　"You know a lot, Scheherazade.　Explain it to her.

　Hercule asks Scheherazade, who is probably the most knowledgeable about the family affairs of the King of Fars, to explain.
　Scheherazade thought for a moment and then ......

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on, but I'm not sure if you'll be able to. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you have. You know that ...... Yazdegild wants to show his father ...... Sasan VIII that he is better than Baharam and that he can win the war, right?

　Then Carolina made a move as if to say, "I see.

　So you want to win the war against the Lemurian Empire and become the next king?
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

　And I was imprisoned. ......
　And I was imprisoned," Scheherazade added in a quiet voice.

　Hercule cowered.

　"It's ...... annoying as hell. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. ...at least the way he looks at children is cloudy.

　Well, no one wants to think that their own children are that stupid.
　Well, no one wants to think their children are that stupid," Hercule thought to himself as he commented on Sasan VIII.

　It is difficult to evaluate one's own children objectively.
　Sometimes you can be too lenient, and sometimes you can be too ...... harsh.

　He said, "His Highness Yazdegerd is his wife's child. His Royal Highness Yazdegerd is the son of his wife, and Baharam and I are the sons of his aunt and uncle. ...... There have been many calls for Yazdegerd to be made king.
　I see, so you knew he was an idiot, but you couldn't do anything about it because he had a large following.

　In the Lemurian Empire, the commoners were the free people.
　In the Lemurian Empire, the term "commoners" refers to the free people, who are guaranteed human rights, freedom of movement, and the protection of the law.


　According to the law, if a nobleman harms you, you can sue him in court.

　Therefore, the relationship between nobles and commoners in the Lemurian Empire never goes beyond that of "landlords and peasants.

　The emperor alone controls the land and the people of the Lemurian Empire, and the nobles are only allowed to lease the land temporarily by paying a "land tax" on it.

　In the Lemurian Empire, the gift of land is basically just land, and the right of non-invasion is not granted to the land.

　The only "ruler" of the Lemurian Empire is the "emperor," who rules the earth as an agent of God and is the protector of all Messiahs.

　Therefore, the most important factor in the succession to the throne is the emperor's decision, and the other factors do not matter.


　On the other hand, there are two kinds of commoners in the Kingdom of Fars.
　On the other hand, there are two types of commoners in the Kingdom of Phallus, the free people and the serfs, with the serfs accounting for ninety percent.
　The free people are not so different from the Lemurian Empire. ......

　But the peasants are different.

　The serf is a peasant who is subservient to the land, half farmer, half slave.
　They are not allowed freedom of movement.

　The existence of the serf is what makes the state systems of the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Fars so different.

　The peasants are the people who are enslaved to the land, and therefore they are always attached to the land.

　Therefore, the gift of land in the Kingdom of Phallus is a set of land and serfs attached to the land.

　This is why the nobles of the Kingdom of Fars have a strong control over the land, and as a result, their right to speak out is increased.
　Therefore, in the succession to the throne, not only the king's decision but also the support of the nobles is an important factor.


　More ......
　The Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Phars are almost equal in power, but the military power of the Kingdom of Phars is overwhelmingly stronger because of this.

　The commoners of the Lemurian Empire can move freely and evade taxes easily.
　In addition, they are allowed to have their own individual personalities, so they are hesitant to impose ...... "heavy taxes" on them.

　There are still a few traditions from the time when the country was originally a republic.

　On the other hand, the commoners of the Kingdom of Fars are serfs and not ...... 'humans'.
　No one hesitates to exploit non-human livestock by imposing heavy taxes on them.

　As a result, the total national income of the Kingdom of Fars can be larger than that of the Kingdom of Lemuria, even though the national power and wealth produced by both countries are the same.

　In addition, while the Lemurian Empire is a thoroughly centralized state, the Kingdom of Phallus has introduced a feudal system of rule in the provinces in combination with centralized rule over the areas under its direct control.
　This makes the aristocracy more powerful in Phallus, but reduces the labor cost of maintaining a large number of bureaucrats.

　This is the reason why Phallus is superior to Lemuria in military power.

　However, ...... it is true that Phallus has more total state revenue than Lemuria, but Lemuria has far more money at the monarch's disposal.
　Between the Lemurian emperor, who collects all the tax revenue in the country, and the King of Phallus, who shares it with his subjects, the former is naturally richer.
　The former is naturally richer than the latter, though he also spends more.

　"Well, whatever the reason, as long as you're trying to invade my country with your own feet, I'll have to welcome you.

　The number of soldiers that Erkur has stationed in the province of Shuria, near the border with the Kingdom of Fars, is 20,000.
　I don't know how long they can hold out.

　Carolina, I need you to run and get Darios, Galfis, Edmond, Oskar, Christos, and Loukanos.
　"Yes, sir!

　Carolina runs off in a flash.

　"Scheherazade. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to be quiet for a while. I don't want you to be compromised.
　"Yes, I know. I'll follow your instructions at .......

　Scheherazade said and bowed lightly.
　I'll follow your instructions. Hercule thought about it and then ......

　Finally, he looked at Todoris.

　"Perhaps the Bulgaron Kingdom will attack. Go check it out.
　"...... Why is that?
　"Yazdegerd is an idiot, no doubt about it, but he's not a total idiot. If they're not idiots, they'll certainly work with the Bulgurons. ...... No, they're not. It was probably the Bulgurons who approached me first. It's been a little cold this year.

　Cold -> sheep die -> starve -> loot!

　It is a self-evident truth.





　

　"So it's the Bulgurons too?

　An hour after Hercule gave the order, the capital city of Nova Lemuria was informed that the Kingdom of Bulgaron had attacked the province of Tranquia.
　Hercule's reading had come true.

　Tranquia also had a certain amount of troops stationed there.
　In addition, the Kingdom of Bulgaron is not good at sieges, and none of its cities have fallen so far.

　In addition, the Burgalon Kingdom is not good at siege warfare, so none of the cities have fallen so far. ......, but the human and economic damage to the rural areas is estimated to be enormous.

　It will be a two-front operation,......, which is tricky.

　Galfis frowned with difficulty.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

　I'd rather not do that. I don't want to do that. Neither of us is an enemy that can be dealt with single-handedly.

　Hercule said to Galfis and then ordered ......
　I'd rather not.

　"Make peace with the Bulgarons. Prepare immediately.
　"Yes, sir.

　After understanding Hercule's intentions, Todoris ran, shaking his fat belly, to make contact with Bulgalon.
　After seeing Todoris off, Karolina asks Hercule, "Why the Kingdom of Bulgalon?

　I'm not sure what to make of it.　It's a country that broke its promise ...... ago. Even if you pay for peace now, they will definitely break it again.
　That's true. But the invasion of the Bulgurons was an economic one. On the other hand, the invasion of the Kingdom of Foulds is a political one. The Bulgallon Kingdom is easier to deal with. Besides, it is highly likely that the Kingdom of Foulds is acting on the assumption that the Kingdom of Bulgalon will invade. If the Bulgallon Kingdom retreats, it will discourage the Foulls Kingdom.



　Hercule continues.

　And personally, I find it easier to read the thoughts of the Bulgurons than those of the Falses. They are quick to break their promises, but their ...... behavior is rational. That's what nomads are.

　The living conditions of nomads are harsh.
　Therefore, they always act rationally and avoid unprofitable fights.

　The goal of the Bulgurons is to fill their bellies.
　What is important is the end, and it doesn't matter if the means ...... are plunder or tribute, as long as there is income.

　This is why peace is so easy.

　Now, let's get a move on. This time, speed is of the essence.

　Hercule grinned.