In early April, when the weather began to gradually warm up ......
　The countries along the coast of the Album Sea were in a state of shock.

　The Lemurian Empire has invaded the island of Rosa!

　You've landed successfully, haven't you?
　"Well, that's because ...... no one saw it coming.

　I'm not sure what to make of that, but I'm sure it's a good thing.
　In contrast, Christos smiled bitterly.

　Even with a standing army, Hercule was the only sovereign to act so electrifyingly.

　Hercule is a man who starts wars as if he were going on a picnic.

　This is because the standing army is always on standby in Nova Lemuria, and Hercule can say, "Let's go to war! This is because the standing army is always on standby in Nova Lemuria, ready for any moment when Hercule says, "Let's go to war!
　As a sovereign who doesn't talk much, Hercule rarely talks about his plans, even to his own subjects. ......
　The soldiers are prepared and ready to go to war at any time.

　For the soldiers, the sudden war was just another day in the life of the Emperor.

　In the capital of the Lemurian Empire, there is a huge stockpile of wheat, preserved food, and military food (rations), and there is also a large stockpile in military roads, towns, and villages.

　Therefore, when other countries want to start a war, they have to hire mercenaries, gather soldiers, collect rations, ......
　In this war, Erkül was able to start and finish the war as quickly as possible.

　In this war as well, Hercule suddenly summoned the navy to Nova Lemuria, immediately loaded them with soldiers, and went into battle. 　
　Therefore, from the enemy's point of view, the enemy landed before they had time to prepare.

　That's why the enemy landed before we could prepare.

　"Well, Your Majesty. What do we do now?
　"The enemy has given up on naval warfare and is probably holed up in their inland fortresses. Let's take our time and bring them down.

　Now, let me explain about Rosa Island.
　The island of Rosa is about 600 kilometers south of Nova Lemuria in a straight line.

　It is the capital of the province of Misr.
　A straight line from Aletheia, the capital of the province of Misrule, is about 600 kilometers to the north.

　Surrounded by the territory of the Lemurian Empire, this island is ......
　It was practically occupied by pirates.

　The Lemurian Empire calls them the Rosa Pirates.

　However, they themselves called themselves the Knights of St. Rosa.
　They are dedicated warbeasts of the Western Messianic religion, and are said to be "bringing to justice the heretics (Orthodox Messianic merchants) who trade with the evil pagans.

　He is a pirate by any measure.
　Thank you very much.

　However, there is a nation that recognizes and even supports the self-proclaimed Knights of St. Rosa as a holy order.
　That is the Kingdom of Cerda.

　This is because the Kingdom of Chellda is a Western-style Messianic nation, and it has a warbeast supremacy policy, and the Lemurian Empire is its virtual enemy.

　The Kingdom of Chellda is aiding the Lemurian Empire in order to prevent its ships from being attacked by the Rosa pirates, and to drag the Lemurian Empire down as much as possible.
　The Rosa pirates were also grateful for the support and assistance of the Kingdom of Cerda as they turned their looted goods into money to buy weapons and food.

　It was a win-win situation.

　But for the Lemurian Empire, it was unbearable.
　The island and its pirates are like a bone stuck in its throat.

　With several ships being sunk every year, the direct damage alone is not uncommon, and the indirect damage - the cost of escorting the ships and the loss of time in making detours - would amount to an enormous amount.

　The emperor Hadrian had sent troops to eliminate these pirates many times, but each time he had been forced to retreat due to the support of the Kingdom of Cerda and their cockroach-like stubbornness.

　The island of Rosa has a strong fortress that was built in ancient times and is still being repaired and strengthened by the pirates. Therefore, the siege would be a long battle.
　The former side will run out of food before the latter side.
　This is why Rosa's pirates have survived so long and have continued to plunder until now.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　Hercule smiles happily.
　The troops that Hercule has brought to this war are two legions of infantry 24000, two battalions of heavy cavalry (cribanarius) 24000, one battalion of scouting messenger light cavalry 12000, eight battalions of longbowmen 96000.
　Total: 372,000.
　In addition, 150 galleys.

　Commanded by ......
　The infantry are Hercule and Oscar, the heavy cavalry (cribanarius) are Carolina, and the longbowmen are Edmond.
　Hercule also has light cavalry under his command.
　And the navy is led by Christos.

　Incidentally, during the last year, Hercule has made some changes to the heavy cavalry (cribanarius) and longbow troops, from one legion of eight battalions to one legion of ten battalions, and at the same time, he has expanded the heavy cavalry (cribanarius) and longbow troops to two battalions each.

　In contrast, the Rosa pirates are ......
　Their number, including miscellaneous soldiers, is about 400.

　The difference in strength is overwhelming: ......
　I'd like to say, but even so, when they don't fall, they don't fall in a siege.

　Emperor Hadrian once gathered mercenaries and went into a siege with a large army of 10,000 ......
　The results were disastrous.

　Well, it was largely due to Hadrian's lack of ability.

　Now, if our reconnaissance is correct,......, they are holed up in a fortress inland south of here. First, let's capture the largest port, Rosa, and take their galleys or destroy them. ...... Well, unless they're really stupid, I think they've already destroyed it.

　A port city and an inland fortress are better defended by the latter.
　This is because port cities are vulnerable to intrusion from the sea.

　The Rosa pirates, who abandoned the port because they knew they couldn't win in a naval battle, would have destroyed the galleys to prevent the Lemurian Empire from using them.

　Well, considering that it's a tool of their business, it's possible that they've tied it to a rock somewhere and are hiding it.

　Let's go!

　First, Hercule divided the army into three groups, with one group going to occupy the port: ......
　The other was headed for the fortress city twenty kilometers away.
　The other was to raid and plunder the villages a little further along the road or in the vicinity of the fortress city.

　"Your Majesty.
　What's wrong?　Nia.

　Nia, who was following Hercule as his chamberlain, asked Hercule a question.

　You know, ......, why are you attacking a farming village?　And there are so many of them. ......


　'Hmm, that's the thing: ......'

　Hercule thought for a moment, then grinned.

　"Well, yes. It would be boring to give a straight answer. It's best to figure it out for yourself. It's better for you. Well, maybe I'll give you a hint. Nia, what do you think was the reason my father Hadrian failed to bring down this island?
　"...... Well, he had a lot of mercenaries, right?　I guess. I'm sure you'll agree with me.
　"Oh, that's a good point.

　Hercule pats Nia on the head.
　Hercule stroked Nia's head and gave her the answer.

　"The correct answer is that we have gathered 10,000,000 men. That's far too many. Do you know why ......?
　"Because of the strain on logistics?　And then there's the ...... plague. It's also a lot of manure to deal with.
　Yeah. That's true. But the root cause is that it took a long time to collect it. So we gave the Rosa pirates time to gather mercenaries and provisions. In addition to that, as Nia said, the poor quality of the mercenaries, the burden on logistics, and the disposal of manure added up to a ...... flat tire.

　The Rosa pirates took advantage of the reprieve they were given and prepared enough food for a siege for a year.
　In the meantime, Emperor Hadrian was unable to make full use of his troops, and in fact made them a burden.

　That's why this time we're going to invade with an elite force. We won't give them time to prepare food.
　"Perhaps you'll attack the villages to prevent them from carrying food?
　No, it's too late for that. They've probably already requisitioned food from the surrounding villages.

　The Lemurian army didn't just move in an instant.
　The pirates had that much time left on their hands.

　"I don't know what ...... is. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. ...... In the first place, the people of this island were ruled by the Rosa pirates, right?　Shouldn't they be welcoming your rule, then?
　"No, no, Nia. No, Nia, you're mistaken. If that were the case, your father would have succeeded in bringing this island down. The reason Rosa's pirates have survived all this time is because they have the support of the islanders.

　Rosa's pirates are pirates in the eyes of the Lemurian Empire.
　But to the Kingdom of Cerda, they are a knightly order and an ally.
　And to the people of ......, they are a great ruler who brings wealth to the island.

　"The inhabitants of this island are mostly Western Messianics. "Most of the inhabitants of this island are western messianists, and they have benefited from the Rosa pirates. The Rosa pirates shared their plundered wealth with the islanders, who paid taxes in return.
　"I see. ...... So that's why you're killing ...... them as an example?
　"Haha ......, well, that's one thing. But there's a better way.
　Better?　A better move?
　Yeah, it's .......

　I dare you to let the islanders live.

　Hercule smiled lecherously.





　The Lemurian army is ...... violent, even against those who are not involved in the battle. ......

　The Order of St. Rosa, Commander.
　Jean de Rett was outraged by the atrocious behavior of the Lemurian Imperial Guard.

　But it's fortunate that no one was killed.
　"...... Hmm, yes.

　Jean nodded vaguely at the vice commander's words.
　Jean was angry at the Lemurian army's actions, but at the same time he was relieved that none of the islanders had been killed.

　But ......
　At the same time, he wished that they had died.

　It would have boosted the morale of the entire Order of Saint Rosa.
　Above all, ......

　How much food do you have left?
　I've got enough for a year. We have enough for a year. ...... I would say that, but after all, 60000 people, a third of the islanders, have fled.
　...... Four months at most.

　Jean sighed.
　It is your mistake to delay in detecting the movements of the Lemurian Empire's army,.......
　I'm not sure what to make of this.

　"By the way, Sir Knight. The Emperor of Lemuria has sent us a surrender order, what should we do?
　"Let me see.

　Jean received a letter from Hercule from the sub-commander.
　He unsealed the wax and opened the letter.

　"...... What does it say?
　"It seems that the kind-hearted Emperor of Lemuria does not wish to see anyone die. If we collectively convert, he will allow us to surrender and guarantee our lives and property.


　"Haha, that's very kind of you. ...... Do you really think we'd accept such terms?
　"No, you don't. That's why you're making these recommendations. ...... In other words, we're an example. It would be troublesome if there are too many western messianists on this island when we rule it in the future. If we convert en masse, the other two-thirds of the islanders will convert naturally. If we die in vain,...... two-thirds of the inhabitants will convert out of fear of death,...... I guess that's the calculation. This is the Lemurian Empire's specialty, divide and rule. This is why heretics are ......

　Jean smiled fearlessly.

　"The Lemurian army is about 40000, right?　This island with a population of less than 20,000 doesn't have enough food to feed 400,000 people. They won't last ...... two months. Besides, ...... King Cerda won't just sit back and watch. He'll take this opportunity to make up for his insult to the Emperor of Lemuria and come to our rescue immediately.
　It's going to be a tough fight, but ...... it's not an unwinnable fight. Let's show them our faith.

　Jean and the sub-commander laughed together.






　After a week of maneuvering, Hercule had succeeded in completely encircling the enemy's stronghold.
　All the small forts around the fortress city were taken, and the city was completely surrounded with shelters, fences, and stakes.
　The city was completely surrounded with bunkers, fences, and stakes, and high ground was set up to constantly monitor the enemy.
　Cavalry was deployed at equal intervals to deal with the enemy as soon as they tried to break through.

　It was a perfect siege.
　The pirates would never be able to leave the fortress.

　Oscar has also placed his troops in every port on the island, and they are well protected. ......
　In addition, there is no room for reinforcements as the fleet led by Christos continues to guard the perimeter of the island.

　And best of all: ......

　It's a good thing I'm not the only one. It looks like you did what I told you to do and got the rural residents back to the (・・・・・) fortress city alive.
　I'm not a fan of ......, though. I'm not sure what to do. I hope you'll surrender ...... to His Majesty's command.
　I hope so. The fewer dead, the better. Friend or foe. It's up to them, though.

　The kind-hearted Hercule disarmed the rural residents and the surrendered soldiers of the fort and let them go.
　Of course, he took into account the possibility that they might turn against him again.

　However, Hercule still wanted them to live.

　Even if they were a group of pirates who had attacked the merchant ships of the Lemurian Empire, sometimes raiding coastal fishing villages, looting property, killing innocent people, kidnapping them, selling them into slavery, and sometimes raping them, or those who had collaborated with them.

　Even if they were western messianists, heretics.

　Same people.
　Messianic.
　Brothers of the earth.

　So it's only natural that we want them to live.

　We fight to keep friend and foe alive as long as we can. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it. ...... I'm a war hero.
　I'm not sure if I'd be able to do that. I'm not that open-minded.

　Karolina smiled at Hercule.
　But still, the man I love. Karolina would not leave Hercule like this.

　And ......

　You're not too worried about it, are you?
　"No, I'm not. To be honest, considering all the innocent civilians they've killed, including Orthodox Messianics, Alexians, and other pagans such as the Six Stars, I'd say they're doing us a favor by giving us a choice. Besides, ...... is necessary for future governance, right?
　"Yes, exactly. This is a logistical hub. We don't want a rebellion. ...... But again, I'm hoping for the most peaceful solution possible. A peaceful solution where no one dies. That's the truth, okay?

　Thus, ......
　The year-long (・・・・) siege of the island of Rosa, also known as the "Scourge of Rosa," was to shake the Messianic world with fear.