After the battle, the Lemurian army marched three days further south and captured the capital of Arsinia.
　The city opened its gates to Hercule without resistance, as word had already spread of the defeat of the Kingdom of Farus.

　As a result, Hercule was able to enter the city unharmed.

　After entering the city, Hercule again strongly forbade his soldiers from looting and raping, and paid them an allowance.
　The soldiers who received the extra bonus went out to the city with joy to get some money for the city's brothels, souvenirs for their families back home, and the first good meal they had eaten in a long time.

　Note that this money did not come from Hercule's wallet.
　It was taken from the vault of the governor's office in the capital of Arsinia.

　Well, since it belongs to Hercule now, we can say that it came from Hercule's purse.

　And while the soldiers were playing, Hercule ordered the city's leaders and merchants to gather as much fresh food, fodder, and firewood as possible.

　The purpose of this was to provide the soldiers with fresh and warm food whenever possible.

　In order to make up for the lack of food that could be procured locally during the march, we had already consumed not a little of the food we had brought with us - about five days' worth, to be specific - so we gathered up four days' worth of new food and put it on the Transportation Corps wagons.

　And after that, ......





　But what to do after this ......?　Karolina, are you listening?
　Ugh ......, now is not the time .......

　Hercule and Karolina were both on the bedding, half naked.
　In contrast to the clear face of Hercule, Karolina's face is red, her white skin is sweaty, and she is breathless.

　I'm sure you'll be fine. ...... You're going to die. ......
　I'm sorry, I'm sorry. ...... It's been so long, I forgot to take it a little easy.

　After more than a week of abstinence, Hercule's was, well, amazing.
　What is it?
　I'll leave that to your imagination.

　"By the way, would you rather have ...... or me?
　"Which one, ......?
　The whore.
　Oh, the lunary. You, of course. There's no comparison.

　When someone asks you a question like this, don't hesitate to say, "You're the best! is the correct answer.
　If you hesitate even a little, you will be hated.
　Even if you are lying, it is correct to say that you are the best.

　Incidentally, Hercule is a rather omnivorous person, and his tastes in women change according to his mood.
　In that sense, it is never a lie to say that you are the best (at this moment, today).

　...... Well, that's good.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you need to do to get it.

　However, without cracking open Hercule's brain, we will never know the truth.

　Then it is wise to take the words that come out of Hercule's mouth as the truth.

　"So, what do we do now?　What do you mean?

　"Well, I've sent a peace envoy to the Yazdegerd in the capital of the Kingdom of False. I was wondering if they would actually come to the negotiating table.

　We lost so badly, you know.　I don't think we have the option of not making peace. ......

　If he admitted defeat, his succession to the throne would be impossible. Not only that, but you never know what kind of reprimand your father might give you.

　Worst case scenario, his head might physically fly into the air.
　At the very least, it would be obvious that he would not be able to get away with a butt pen.

　"Well, whether we make peace or continue the war, ...... we can't stay here forever. It's only a matter of time before we eat up all the food around here.

　An army is like a migratory fish; if it stops, it dies.
　You have to keep walking and keep eating.

　Besides, ...... you have to attack the enemy before they can counterattack.

　Well, ...... if the Yazdegerd won't accept peace. Well, if the Yazdeh Guild won't accept peace, then we'll just have to make them want to.



　The next day, Hercule was visited by a man.
　He was the man whom Hercule had shot in the back with an arrow: ...... Coward.

　"How are you?　How are you doing, Lord Coward?
　"This is ...... the Emperor of Lemuria. Thank you, .......

　Coward greeted Hercule with a complicated look on his face.

　He hated the man who had defeated him and shot him in the back with an arrow.
　But he was also a benefactor who had healed him, and above all, a general like Hercule should be respected.

　He seemed to be caught between these conflicting feelings.

　"Actually, Sir Coward, I have a suggestion for you.
　"A ...... proposal?
　"Would you like to be my man?

　Hercule said, reaching out his hand to Coward.
　Coward was taken aback.

　"...... I'm a Torchbearer, remember?
　"That doesn't mean you're not a good general. I hold you in high esteem. I want you to be my man and fight with me. ...... There will be no place for you in the Kingdom of Foulds if you don't.

　Coward's face broke into a smile at Hercule's suggestion.

　It is a great honor to be held in such high esteem by a monarch like you.
　"Then ......
　"But there is only one lord, Sasan VIII.

　Coward looked straight at Hercule and said.



　What if they kill you?
　'I would rather be killed by my lord's hand than betray my country, my lord.

　I'd rather be killed by my lord than betray my country.

　It's a shame, because ...... well, that's fine. Either way, your release or non-release depends on the ransom and peace negotiations. If ...... you change your mind, you can always offer.
　"Don't worry.

　Coward bowed to Hercule from his bed.
　Hercule cowered and then walked away.




　After staying in the city for five days, Hercule continued his march along the Dajra River for ten days.

　There are two reasons for Hercule's march along the river.

　The first reason is that the Dajra River is the granary of the Kingdom of Fars.
　The area around the Dajra River is the birthplace of agricultural civilization, and it is also the place where many ancient civilizations once sprang up.
　Therefore, the land is very fertile and food is abundant.

　In other words, there is no need to worry about food at all.

　The second reason is that we can use the water transportation of the Dajra River.
　Around a big river like the Dajra, there is a lot of water transportation using the river.

　By hijacking this system, we can transport a large amount of food and military provisions.
　The burden of logistics will be lightened considerably.

　In other words, it was for the sake of logistics.

　
　Well, the food has been good lately.

　Hercule plunged a piece of hard bread into the soup with melted cheese, softened it, and brought it to his mouth.
　It was much poorer than the food Hercule usually ate in the palace, but ......
　It was a much better meal than the ones Hercule usually eats at the palace, but it was better than anything he had eaten in a while.

　I'm sad that I find ...... this tasty.
　"Patience until the war is over. Be patient.

　Hercule admonished the disgruntled Lunalie.
　In the Lemurian army, the diet is the same whether you are a soldier, an officer, a general, an emperor or a princess of another country.

　"Can't you do something about the consistency of the bread?　Your Majesty.
　"If I could, it wouldn't be so hard.

　When most Japanese people hear the word "hard bread," they probably think of bread like French bread. ......
　That is "soft" bread by the standards of this world.

　In Antarctica, they say you can hammer a nail with a banana, but in this world's army, you can hammer a nail with bread.

　The Lemurian army is currently developing a hard bread as soft as Japanese dry bread.
　If you have an idea of how to make it, please contact the Lemurian Army.

　After managing to soften the hard bread and chewing and swallowing it, Hercule reached for the dried dates.

　They are the dried fruit of the date palm.
　It is widely used as a preserved food in this area.

　Dried fruit is delicious, after all. ...... Yes, I'll make this the mainstay of my rations.

　Thanks to his long expedition, Hercule learned a few things.

　First of all, there is a need for a specialized Transportation Corps.
　It is impossible to procure food from the home country and transport it by piston. ......

　However, I thought that there was a certain amount of need for a unit specializing in scavenging for food in the field.

　In particular, Hercule wanted men who were good with numbers and could calculate the amount of food left.

　Even in the current situation, if Hercule worked "incredibly hard", he could manage to calculate.
　However, Hercule is a person who does not want to work incredibly hard.

　The second is the development of military food (rations).

　It was good that he made canned food. But the problem is that the cans are too heavy and bulky to rely on.
　By the way, if I were to rank the meals that Hercule has eaten so far, taking into account portability, shelf life, nutrition, calories, and taste, I would say: ......

　Sixth: Bottled food ...... is the worst because it breaks and is heavy.
　No. 5: Canned ...... but still heavy.
　No. 4: Dried meat ......, heavy and hard.
　No.3: Hard bread...too hard.
　No.2: Cheese......Nutritious, non-perishable, tastes okay.
　No. 1: Dried fruit...... tasty, nutritious, never spoils.

　And so on.

　With that in mind, as Hercule was talking to Lunalie, ......

　"Your Majesty!　I'm sorry to interrupt your meal!　There is a messenger from the Kingdom of Foulds!
　"All right. Tell him to wait until the meal is over.

　Hercule replied and concentrated on eating again.
　Lunalie asks.

　"Are you sure?
　"She's the one crying and apologizing. There's no need for me to rush over there.
　......, but they might refuse to make peace.

　To Lunalie's question, Hercule shook his head and answered.

　I don't think so.
　...... Why?
　"Well, .......

　Hercule smirked.

　Of course we don't want to be stuck here for a long time with an army that marches around spreading Messianic Bibles everywhere it goes.

　Renarier looked at Hercule with a frown.
　To which Hercule replied happily.

　What you don't like to see done to you, you do to others, that's what war is all about.





　Then, after finishing the meal, Hercule granted the messenger an audience.



　As Hercule had predicted, the Kingdom of Fars accepted the peace.