Meanwhile, the Lemurian army led by Hercule was invading the territory of Hayastan, maintaining a speed of 30 to 25 kilometers per day.

　The question that arises is how they can maintain such a high speed.

　Of course, there are seeds and tricks.

　First, Hercule had divided his army into three groups.

　There are two advantages to this.
　First, it genuinely increases the speed of the march.

　It is faster to march in groups than to walk in a long line.

　Another advantage is that the burden of logistics is reduced.
　In principle, local procurement is relied on, so it is more convenient to have dispersed troops than to have them all in one place.

　In addition, local procurement is basically purchase and requisition.
　As a general rule, Hercule forbids looting.

　However, there is a possibility of looting as a last resort if food is unavoidably unavailable.

　However, in order to make up for the shortage of food, Hercule requires every general to carry three days' worth of food, and has Transportation Corps prepare six days' worth of food, so the army can march for nine days without supply.

　What worries me is the possibility of being destroyed individually. ......
　The number of three is important.

　The Lemurian army is about 400,000.
　So even if we divide them into three, there will still be more than 10,000.

　The army of the Kingdom of Fars in Hayastan is at most 100,000, and they are dispersed all over the country.

　Well, in other words, the possibility of them being defeated individually is extremely low.

　There is another reason why Hercule is able to maintain a rapid marching speed.

　That is because it ignores fortresses and cities, and advances towards the capital while bypassing them.
　Of course, fortresses that cannot be bypassed will be forcibly breached. ......

　Well, the number of enemy soldiers holed up in fortresses is at most 100, and in some cases, they have already escaped or surrendered before the fight. ......
　This is not a big obstacle.

　In addition, the light cavalry established by ...... Hercule was of great help.
　Because they marched ahead of the infantry and heavy cavalry, surveyed the terrain, and scouted carefully, they were able to march smoothly.


　That is why Hercule is advancing at an unbelievable speed.


　Well, this marching speed is possible because there is no chance of meeting with the enemy, so good children should not imitate it.

　Hercule proudly tells Karolina while riding his horse.

　Hercule's marching speed takes into account the fatigue of the soldiers.
　If you maintain 30 kilometers day after day, the soldiers will get tired.

　They won't be able to fight properly.

　There are almost no enemy troops in the territory of Hayastan.
　That's why we're marching so fast.

　Your Majesty, how much longer until we reach the capital?
　"Well, looking at the map, ...... is only three days away. Tomorrow, we will meet up with Darios and Galfis, who are leading a separate force, at a predetermined rendezvous point. Then, after a day of rest, we'll march slowly the next day to Erstadt, the capital of Hayastan.

　The reason for slowing down the march after taking a rest is because there is a high possibility that we will enter a siege.
　However, I don't think they have enough troops.

　When you have to be careful, you are careful.
　That's who Hercule is.






　After that, Hercule and his men closed in on the capital, Erstadt, as planned.
　It was six days after they invaded Hayastan, twenty-six days after they accelerated their march, and forty-six days after the war began.

　Hmmm, my readings are off. ......

　Hercule's voice was languid but annoyed.
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　He was in a hurry because a certain number of troops were encamped in Erstadt.

　"What do you think, Darios? How does a light attack feel?

　Hercule asked Darios after he finished his reconnaissance.
　Darios shrugged his shoulders and replied.

　Darios cowers and replies, "I'd say about 500. The number of flags is around 2,000... Well, you're bluffing. Seventy percent probability.
　That means there's a 30 percent chance that there really are around 200,000.

　Apparently, there are at least two hundred flags.
　But two hundred is indeed impossible. There is no way that the Kingdom of Fars would accept the possession of that much military power.

　In the first place, however, the fact that there are 500 soldiers in the castle itself is also strange.
　The information that the army of the Kingdom of Phallus is in full retreat has already reached Hercule.

　If the information was correct, it was impossible.
　Then, a possibility flashed in Hercule's mind.

　I see. A volunteer soldier.
　"What do you mean?

　Carolina asks Hercule.
　Hercule explains to Karolina.

　"It's simple. The Kingdom of Foulth's army retreated in a panic. They probably left all their spare weapons and armor in the armory. They must have recruited volunteers to arm them.

　In a defensive battle, new recruits are more than capable of fighting.
　Even a child throwing a stone from above can be useful.

　"But I'm surprised to see volunteers. How did you get them all?

　A nation for the people.
　The concept of a nation for the people, that is, a nation-state, first began to emerge in modern times.

　In this world, the country is the property of kings and nobles, and the people merely live in that country.

　The people are only interested in taxes, public works such as flood control, and whether or not the courts are doing their job.

　Therefore, they do not have any say in politics.


　Instead, they have no desire to protect their country.

　From Hercule's point of view, it is astonishing that the Kingdom of Khayastan has gathered a volunteer army.

　But ...... well, once you know the species, it's easy. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of these in the marketplace. ...... It's within the range of a forceful attack.

　It sounds good to call them volunteers, but they are just farmers and bakers who were plowing the fields with hoes just a few days ago.

　In Hercule's eyes, they were mere mantises.

　If he attacked them day and night in waves for a week, they would fall into insomnia and open the gates without doing anything.
　That's what Hercule decided, and he was about to give the order to attack.

　That's when...

　"Your Majesty!　
　"Edmond, what's wrong?

　Edmond rode up to Hercule on his horse.
　He got off his horse and bowed.

　"A letter from the King of Khayastan, Your Majesty.
　"Hmm.

　Hercule breaks the seal and opens the parchment.
　There it is: ......

　"Well, that's interesting.

　Hercule grinned.

　"All right, let's meet.







　"Are you the Princess Lunalie, the one who gathered the volunteers?
　"Yes, your majesty. Thank you for taking the time to see me today.

　The Lunarian Alshak knelt before Hercule.

　"I want you to look up. It is not proper for a princess of a country to kneel like that.
　"......, Princess of a defeated nation.

　Lunalie said with a blank expression.
　But Hercule could see a little ...... of the girl's emotions behind those expressionless, violet-crystal-beautiful, but cold eyes.

　(Nervousness, anxiety, fear, and excitement. ...... Calling yourself the princess of a defeated country means you want to ...... draw me into a conversation and negotiate something.

　Interesting, let's go for it.

　Hercule thinks so and says to Lunalie.

　"You are a defeated country again, and your volunteers are fighting bravely.
　In front of you, they are pebbles that will fly away. ...... now.
　"Well, what do you mean, now?

　Hercule will go along with Lunalie's story.
　If it's a boring story, just end it.

　...... At this point, Hercule is halfway into Lunalie's storytelling, but if you point this out to him, he will claim that he is doing it on purpose.

　The Volunteers are poorly trained. But they do have a heart for their country. Give them time, and they will become a strong army.
　"Well, so what?　What are you suggesting?

　Hercule smiles cruelly.
　A light flashed in Lunalie's eyes.

　"Your Majesty, form an alliance with my country. We will be the shield and the spear of Lemuria against the Foulth.

　(Hmm, I see. That's what you wanted to say.

　Hercule somehow realized Lunalie's intentions.
　The purpose of gathering the volunteers was to show Hercule the value of the Kingdom of Hayastan.

　"Aren't you an ally of the Fals?
　"You forbid your allies to bear arms, you ask them to pay tribute, and when the time comes, you run away. How can such a country be considered an ally?

　The Kingdom of Phallus cannot be trusted.
　That's why I'm switching to the Lemurian Empire.

　"You're like a bat.

　When Hercule spoke sarcastically, Lunalie replied matter-of-factly.

　"That's why our country has survived until now. Surrounded by Lemuria and Foulds, we have no choice but to do so.

　Diplomacy is based on betrayal and being betrayed.
　Hercule would not be offended by such a thing.

　But ......

　"What's in it for us?
　"If you accept our alliance, we will open the castle. Isn't it a bad idea to deplete our forces before the final battle with the Kingdom of Foulds?　Also, if you are going to move south and fight a decisive battle in the Foulls Kingdom or in our country, wouldn't our support be useful to you?

　If we are going to fight inside the Kingdom of Fars, we need to cut off the worries behind us.
　If you are fighting inside the Hayastan Kingdom, it would be easier to fight if you could tell us about the topography of the Hayastan Kingdom and provide us with food.

　Hercule thought for a while, and then answered.

　I've heard some very interesting things about you. Very well, let's accept it.

　And so Erstadt fell.



　"Is that all right, Your Majesty?
　What?
　The alliance. The alliance. ...... Will the Kingdom of Fars accept it quietly?　Even I can see that the Kingdom of Hayastan is a strategic location.

　After entering Erstadt, Karolina asked Hercule in a whisper.



　The Kingdom of Khayastan is a strategic location for the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Phars.
　Especially for the Kingdom of Phars, it is an important land for its security.

　This is because ......
　If the Lemurian Empire were to invade the Kingdom of Phars, it would normally have to cross the Dajra Hurat River.
　This river is so wide and so deep that no army can cross it without a bridge or a boat.

　The Kingdom of Fars is protected by this natural barrier.

　But ......
　What if we go through the Kingdom of Hayastan?

　The invasion route from the Lemurian Empire to the Kingdom of Hayastan does not have a huge natural wall like the Dajra Flato River.
　The same is true for the Kingdom of Fars from Hayastan.

　And ......
　If you go down from Hayastan to the south, it is the granary and heart of the Kingdom of Phars.

　In other words, if Hayastan is taken by the Lemurian Empire, it means that the Kingdom of Fars will be forced to fight a battle that it cannot afford to lose.

　Would the Kingdom of Fars accept that?

　If they were to accept it, they would have to achieve a great victory.
　That was Karolina's concern.

　In response, Hercule asked with a curious look on his face.

　"Hmm ...... Karolina, why are you assuming that my country will defend the entire kingdom of Hayastan?
　"Huh?　Because of our alliance .......
　Yes, we have an alliance. Of course we will protect the Kingdom of Khayastan. But we didn't promise to protect everything. Worst case scenario, we can cede the eastern or southern half to the Kingdom of Fars. Then the Kingdom of Farus will be assured of the protection of its capital region.

　Karolina looked at Hercule with a stunned expression.
　Hercule smirked.

　It's worse to be deceived!