This is the heyday of the Lemurian Empire, when it had great military power, invaded the world, and prevented barbarians from invading.
　Then, the Lemurian Empire's military superiority collapsed, barbarians invaded various parts of the world, and the Empire fell into decline until it was divided into East and West.

　Normally, the number of triumphalist ceremonies would be higher in the heyday and lower in the decline.

　In reality, however, the number of triumphalist ceremonies actually increases in the declining period.

　Why?
　It is because triumphal ceremonies are now held even for small military victories ...... such as defeating bandits and rebels, which would not be considered worthy of a triumphal ceremony in the heyday.
　In other words, triumphal ceremonies have become a ritual to promote national prestige, rather than a ceremony to celebrate victory.

　Now, Hercule has held three triumphal ceremonies so far.

　The first was when he defeated Darios.
　The second was when he defeated his brother Hadrian.
　The third was when he conquered the Duchy of Travisos.

　Now, ...... these three victories were, in fact, a little too small for a triumphant ceremony in the sense of the Lemurian Empire in its heyday.

　The Pelosonian Mercenaries and the Duchy of Trabizos were small countries (in the eyes of the Lemurian Empire in its heyday), and it was common sense not to hold triumphal ceremonies for the defeat of rebels, since it was a disgrace that they had rebelled in the first place.

　And ......
　Hercule will now hold his fourth triumphal return ceremony.

　The victory over the Kingdom of Fars, the protectorate of the Kingdom of Hayastan, the large amount of reparations, the looted treasures, and the recovery of the flags and national treasures taken in the last war: ......
　Are these enough for a true triumphal return ceremony?

　The answer is: ......

　
　Yess.

　The Kingdom of Phallus is a military power comparable to, if not greater than, the Lemurian Empire.
　We defeated the Kingdom of Phallus.

　Even the bald man who founded the Lemurian Empire would applaud him for this.
　Well done, my friend.

　Thus, ......
　The triumphal return ceremony begins.




　"Long live the Emperor!　Long live the Emperor!

　The parade continued amidst the cheers of the citizens.

　Led by Hercule on a four-horse chariot, surrounded by the generals, followed by the warriors who fought with Hercule, then a large group of coffins ...... who had died in battle, but had certainly fought with Hercule, and were honored with a triumphant return. Then follow those who have died in battle, but who certainly fought with Hercule and deserve the honor of a triumphant return.

　Finally, carriages carrying the loot and spoils of war won by Hercule marched proudly down the main streets of the capital.

　Among the loot were the captured generals and soldiers of the Kingdom of Fars, including Coward.

　A band accompanied the parade, playing gorgeous music, and bureaucrats rained prearranged flower petals from the tops of buildings to add color to the parade.

　The parade ends at the Great Racecourse.
　At the end of the parade is the Great Racecourse, where Hercule, holding a box in his hand, dismounts from his carriage and sets his feet on the ground.

　He is followed by the high ranking generals ...... Galfis, Edmond, Carolina, Darios and Oscar.

　And they, the generals, whisper into Hercule's ear every time he takes a few steps.

　"Memento mori.
　"Memento mori.
　"Memento mori.

　You may be at the top of your game now, but you don't know if you will be tomorrow.
　One day you will die, you will decay. Remember that and never be conceited.

　That's what I remind the winners.

　And so the group arrives at the big race track.
　The bleachers are filled to overflowing with citizens, and they are greeted by Lucanos, Christos, Todoris, and a number of high-ranking vassals.

　Galfis, Edmond, Karolina, Darios, Oskar, and the rest of the vassals who had been waiting for them at the Great Racecourse all kneeled to Hercule.

　And they chanted in unison.

　"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live our Emperor, whom the gods have given us!
　"God bless our emperor!
　God bless the Lemurian Empire!　Lemuria, forever!

　"God be with us, God be with us, God be with us!

　And with that, the quiet citizens chanted in unison.

　"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live our emperor, whom God has given us!
　"God bless our emperor!
　God bless the Lemurian Empire!　Lemuria, forever!


　"God be with us!　God be with us! God be with us!　God be with us! God be with us!　God is with us! God is with us!　God is with us! God is with us!　God is with us! God is with us!　God is with us! God is with us! God be with us!







　"Thank you for coming, Titus. I have a favor to ask you.
　"Does the Emperor have a request for me ......?　Anything.

　The day after his triumphant return, Hercule summoned his brother Titus.
　Titus has a strange look on his face.

　Is it a maid's uniform?
　I'm not sure what to make of it.　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.　I just remembered that!　...... Later, I'll give you her three sizes, and you can design something that will look good on her.

　And with a grin, Hercule smiles.

　Hercule hadn't forgotten the grudge he'd been framed for by Renalier.
　It made him feel good just to imagine that innocent face turning red with shame.

　In addition to the maid's uniform, there were many other things to dress her in, such as a bunny girl, a nurse, a dancer, and a Chinese dress.

　But that's all for now. ......

　First of all, the Nova Lemuria Cathedral needs to be renovated ...... or rebuilt. That thing could collapse at any moment.



　Nova Lemuria Cathedral.
　This cathedral, the workplace of Loukanos, where the Patriarchate of Nova Lemuria is located, was built several hundred years ago.

　The durability of the cathedral is questionable because it was originally designed at the very limit of its technical size. ......

　As a matter of fact, there have been complaints from Lucanos that it is leaning and that it sometimes makes strange noises. ......
　It will probably collapse in a flash if an earthquake or a fire occurs.

　In the first place, Hercule had to compromise with the orthodox clergy of the Lemurian Empire when he issued the decree of Aletheia. ...... In other words, he owed them a favor.

　It is time to return the favor.

　That was the rebuilding of the Nova Lemuria Cathedral.

　"As far as I'm concerned, you're the best architect and artist in the country. Can you do it?
　Yes, sir!　I'll build you the greatest cathedral in the history of architecture. ...... By the way, what's your budget? ......
　There are limits, but I don't mind if it costs a little more. I don't mind if it costs a little more, but I want it to be amazing.
　Yes!

　In addition to the reparations, the Lemurian Empire's treasury was flush with tax revenue from monopolies, tax reform, and increased agricultural productivity.
　The cost of building the cathedral could be covered.

　And one more thing, build me an Arc de Triomphe. ...... It's the biggest one in the history of Lemuria.
　Oh, ...... that's fine, but ......

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of a man named Hercule, but he's not very greedy, but he's very vain.
　In fact, Hercule has always wanted to build the Arc de Triomphe to commemorate his victory.

　And if possible, the largest Arc de Triomphe in history.

　Waste of money?
　Reparations and increased tax revenue are all thanks to me. You can't complain.

　That's what Hercule is saying.

　Well, at least there's no one who can complain about Hercule in his current state.

　Hercule is one of the least wasteful of the monarchs.
　He has won so many victories in wars and has achieved so many things, such as rebuilding his finances and resolving religious issues, that no one could fault him for that.

　...... And it's also a tourist attraction.

　I'd like to see a cenotaph built near the Arc de Triomphe. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will make you feel at home.

　"Wouldn't ...... require a certain amount of space?

　Yes, that's why I'm going to build a new park with the Arc de Triomphe and the cenotaph. A new urban area will be built around the park. It will support the growing population.

　The influx of people into Nova Lemuria continues.

　The city of Nova Lemuria is a planned city, and it was built with a lot of space to reflect the fact that Lemuria, the capital of the old Lemurian Empire, had a very bad urban environment.

　As a result, there is plenty of room for a park.

　The design, including the park, will be entrusted to Titus and his friend, the artist. Let me know when you have a design and an estimate of the necessary costs.

　With that, Hercule stood up.
　There were other things that Hercule had to do.

　In particular, he has to deal with the diplomacy and internal affairs of the kingdom of Hayastan, which has become a vassal state. ......
　There is also the unfinished business of paying reparations from the Kingdom of Fars, and the return of prisoners of war and military flags.

　It is a war, including the post-war process.

　Oh, yeah, ...... don't forget the maid's uniform, okay?
　"I know, .......

　Titus smiled bitterly.




　Later, when Lunalie heard about the construction of the Arc de Triomphe, the Cenotaph and the Park, she commented on Hercule.

　I don't know if this man is trying to build the Cenotaph as well as the Arc de Triomphe, the Arc de Triomphe as well as the Cenotaph, or if the Park is his main goal.

　Also, without looking into his mind, we can't tell whether he is trying to build the Cenotaph out of concern for the soldiers' hearts, or whether he is trying to build the Cenotaph to deflect complaints from the bereaved families of the soldiers and to boost morale by glorifying death.

　There is only one thing I can say.

　It is because of this attention to detail that he is supported by the people and soldiers.

　A genius who makes people unhappy by doing things they do not like can also be a genius who 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.


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A little bonus.


The secret of the Lemurian army's strength

1 Severe training
2 Unusually fast marching speed
3 High morale (because it is a standing army)
4 (Because they are all devout Orthodox Messianics, and death is honorable, they are never afraid of death.
5 Strong organization
6 Excellent non-commissioned officers to support it
7 Iron discipline
8 Excellent generals
9 Hercule, the Commander-in-Chief