102 Episode 9 Yesterday's enemy is today's friend, so ...




 "A hundred ships captured. ...... How many of them are usable?

 Hercule asks Christos.
 Christos reads the report from his men.

 Fifty can be used without any problems.
 So let's keep those fifty ships and ...... sell or dismantle the rest. I'm sure Antonio can handle it.

 It's been a week since Hercule and his crew returned to Rosa Island after rescuing the fallen soldiers.
 The battle against the Rosa pirates is still ongoing.

 I'm sure they'll surrender now.
 I'm not so sure about that. Well, I don't know. I've been cut off from all information, good and bad. In the meantime, I'll have Raus I write a letter saying that we can't help them anymore. ...... I wonder if he'll believe it.

 It could be a ploy by the Lemurian Empire!
 The Lemurian Empire may be behind this!

 In the end, it's just a matter of how long the Rosa pirates' spirits will last.

 "By the way, what should we do with the ...... prisoners and Raus I?
 "Treat them with respect. They are still of use.

 "Aside from the prisoners, the value of Raus I as king of a country is high.

 How much ransom can we get?
 "Ransom. ...... If I'm right, I don't think there will be any ransom.
 What's the ...... forecast?
 It's ......

 Just when Hercule was about to tell Christos what he thought, ......

 "Your Majesty! Excuse me for interrupting! I have an urgent report from the secret agent we sent to Cerda!

 Hercule received the report from his messenger.
 He broke the seal and opened the report from the secret agent.

 "What does it say on ......?
 "As I predicted, it seems that the Dauphin Hilderic has staged a coup d'etat and ascended to the throne as Hilderic II.

 Hercule smiled with amusement.
 Thus, Hercule's plan had entered the next stage.





 The ransom is going to be expensive.

 Rouse I sighed.
 Rouse I is in a small room that was assigned to him by Hercule.

 It was a renovated room of a relatively large mansion on the island of Rosa.

 Fortunately for Rouse I, he was treated better than he had expected. ......
 The unfortunate thing was that it was almost impossible for him to escape.

 But will ...... Hilderic be able to get my ransom in order? I'm ...... worried.

 Rouse I and his son, Hilderic, did not get along very well.
 This is because they are at odds with each other on political principles.

 Raus I is, needless to say, a warbeast supremacist and an ardent western messianist.
 Therefore, he persecuted the wealthy non-Warbeasts, non-Western Messianic sects and religions, and sometimes imposed heavy taxes on them.

 His son Hilderic, on the other hand, is much more conciliatory than Raus I.
 He advocates equal rights for warbeasts and non-warbeasts, and believes that religious persecution should be stopped.

 However, Raus I has the upper hand.
 This is not surprising, since the Kingdom of Chelda is dominated by the Western Messianists of the Beast Race (Warbeasts).

 If we stop taxing the non-warbeasts and non-western messianists heavily, where will we get the money from? That is the question.
 If the tax revenue is left to decline, the cost of public works and military spending will be reduced, and the national strength of the Kingdom of Chelda will decline. ...... On the other hand, if we try to maintain the current tax revenue, it is obvious that the wrinkles will go to the warbeasts and western messianists. .

 But but but ......
 There are more than a few forces that support Hilderick, so we can't be too careful.

 "Your Majesty, King Chellda. Excuse me. May I come in?
 Of course, come in.

 As soon as King Raus I gave his permission, a girl with peach-colored hair appeared.
 Raus I frowned.
 The girl had black horns on her head and a black tail.

 "Nightmare ......, get out of here!
 This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing. You're still the same as ever,......, and you're still the king of a country. It's not like you're a weakling or a scumbag.

 Nia smiled bitterly.
 The lower class citizens of Nova Lemuria changed their attitudes as soon as Nia became a nobleman.
 However, Raus I would not change his attitude even if he was a prisoner of war.

 To Nia, Raus I is a more consistent and reasonable person than the lower class citizens of Nova Lemuria.

 The Emperor has asked for a meeting with you. If you're not feeling well, I can tell you that. ...... What can I do for you?
 I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure I'm in a position to say that. ...... Lead the way.
 "Okay. Then follow me.

 Then follow me." Nia said, and led Raus I down to Hercule.

 "Your Majesty. I've brought His Majesty King Chelda.
 "Oh, thank you. Thank you, Nia.



 Hercule thanked Nia and ......
 He turned to Raus I.

 "Please, take a seat. My ally, King Cerda.
 "Ally? Hmm, the Emperor of Lemuria seems to be quite fond of a joke.

 Raus I said sarcastically to Hercule as he sat down and faced him.
 The servants prepared tea and sweets for the two men.

 Hercule takes a sip of the tea and then tells Rouse I. "Let me get straight to the point.

 "Let me be frank with you, my friend.
 "Let me tell you something first. I have never been your friend.
 "Yesterday's enemies are today's friends. I went toe to toe with you fair and square. What do you call me if not a friend?

 When Hercule said this, ......
 When Hercule said this, Rouse I looked at him in dismay.

 Are you serious about that? If so, you need to see a doctor. At least in the kingdom of Cerda, you don't call winning a battle by having your men hit you on the head from behind 'fair and square'.

 Hercule cowered.

 "That's harsh. Now, let's get down to business. Your son, the Dauphin Hilderic, staged a coup d'etat and ascended the throne as Hilderic II.

 Hercule told him. ......
 Raus I's face twisted in anger.

 "That stupid son of a b*tc* ...... took advantage of the sweet talk of the lowlifes and heretics. Reconciliation is not the way to govern a country. It would only cause more confusion. ...... Why don't you understand ......?

 Such is the case with Rouse I. ......
 There is no sign of anger, but no sign of surprise or embarrassment.

 He must have been prepared for this to some extent.

 "Now then, my ally. I have a suggestion for you, .......
 "Proposal? You're not going to help me return to the throne, are you? If so, you are more than welcome to accept. ......

 How can that be?
 It's not a big deal, anyway.

 He was about to say, but Hercule interrupted him.

 That's good to know. That's good. I'm ready to help you get back on your throne.
 "...... Are you serious?
 "If my friend is in trouble, I'll give him a hand. It's the natural thing to do!

 ...... No matter how good the content of the statement, if the speaker is Hercule, it will not be convincing.

 If you agree to my terms, I'll release all the prisoners. If you reorganize the prisoners, it should be a good enough army. In addition, I can lend you some money for your army, as well as food and weapons.
 "What are your demands for this extraordinary support?

 Raus I asked. ...... 
 Hercule grinned. The grin was not a friendly one, at least not to a friend.

 "Your Majesty, come in.
 "Sorry, Nia.

 Hercule unrolled the map that Nia had handed him on the desk.
 It was a highly accurate map that clearly showed the entire Album Sea.

 "We are on the island of Rosa. And ...... to the west of it are Crenos, Marne, Sicily, Sardia, Corus, and the Balmeras Islands. All six of these islands are in your territory or under your influence.

 The islands mentioned by Hercule were the key islands of the Album Sea, which the Kingdom of Cerda had once fought against and taken from the Lemurian Empire.

 I demand the cession of ...... Crenos and Marne. I demand the cession of Crenos, the Marne, the leases of Sikelia, Sardia and Corus, and the permanent abandonment of the Balmeras Islands. ...... What do you think?
 "That's a very excessive demand. ...... You think I'm going to accept that?

 In short, give us all the islands in the Album Sea that are controlled by the Kingdom of Cerda.
 Erkur is saying, "Give us all the islands in the Album Sea that are controlled by the Kingdom of Chelda.
 I can't just nod my head.

 Is that so? I don't think that's too much to ask. ...... The only islands ceded are Crenos and Marne. The islands of Sicily, Sardia, and Corus, which you demanded to be leased, are like collateral for the loan of military funds to you. As soon as you pay me back the money I loaned you, including interest, I will return the three islands to you. As for the Balmeras Islands, they are hardly your territory to begin with. It's close to the Kingdom of Tretum, and I hear there are many native nobles who are pro-Tretum.

 The Balmeras Islands are a disputed territory between the Kingdom of Cheluda and the Kingdom of Tretum, and as soon as the navy of the Kingdom of Cheluda was destroyed, it was as good as a territory of the Kingdom of Tretum.
 In other words, there is no such thing as permanent abandonment, and we have no choice but to abandon it in the first place.
 It is simply a matter of accepting the current situation.

 In the first place, ...... the current Kingdom of Cerda is ruled by Crown Prince Hilderic. You have nothing more to lose. In addition, the Chelda Navy has been destroyed. Whether you accept these terms or not, my country intends to take these islands back, and I believe it is possible. Of course, it will be easier for us if you accept the terms.



 Rouse I thinks for a moment, then asks Hercule.

 '...... If I refuse this, what will you do?
 "If I do, I have no choice. I'll have to negotiate with my ally King Hilderic, who has similar political views, for your custody.

 The best outcome for King Hilderic II would be for Raus I to die.
 Then King Hilderic II can ascend to the throne without any guilt.

 On the other hand, the next best outcome is for Raus I to be imprisoned in the Lemurian Empire forever.
 As long as he's alive, he's in danger. ...... At least as long as Hilderic II maintains friendly relations with the Lemurian Empire behind the scenes, the Lemurian Empire will never release Raus I.

 What would not be so good is if Hercule returns Raus I to Hilderic II.
 Then Hilderic II will be forced to either kill, imprison, or reinstate Raus I as king.
 Since the former has more supporters than the latter,......, Rouse I's presence in the country would be dangerous for Hilderic II.

 And the worst possible outcome is ......
 The worst outcome is that Hercule unleashes Raus I.

 In other words, Hercule can negotiate with Hilderic II that if he doesn't want Raus I to be released, he should give him the island if he wants him killed.
 In other words, even Raus I can be killed by Hilderic II.

 In other words, both Raus I and Hilderic II can go to ...... 
 It doesn't matter to Hercule as long as he gets the island, and he gets it no matter what.

 There is one weakness to this .......
 However, there is one weakness to this: if both King Hilderic II and King Raus I refuse the terms.

 If Hilderic II says, "I would rather release my father than give you the island," and Raus I says, "I would rather be killed than give you the island," then ......

 If Raus I were to be unleashed and try to harass Hilderic II, Raus I would lose nothing and the possibility of being reinstated as king would roll over.
 On the other hand, if Hercule kills Raus I, ...... Hilderic II will lose nothing and will be able to become the king with dignity.

 Game Theory: ...... 
 This is a little different from game theory, but if both sides reject Hercule's demands, then one side will gain without giving anything to Hercule.

 But ...... 
 That is, if both refuse.

 There is no relationship of trust between Raus I and Hilderic II in the first place.
 If you ask King Raus I who he would rather have as a son, Hercule or King Hilderic II, he will answer the former without hesitation, and if you ask King Hilderic II who he would rather have as a father, Hercule or King Raus I, he will answer the former without hesitation.

 Of course, Raus I's answer was obvious.

 "So there is no choice in the first place. Fine. I'll sign it! 
 "It is my pleasure to be your ally.
 Yeah, I'm lucky, too. My ally.

 There is no such thing as true friendship between nations, nor true enmity between monarchs.
 There are only interests, and ......
 Yesterday's enemies are today's friends.


 Now, there is only one question here.
 Yesterday's enemies are today's friends.
 Then ......
 Today's friend is tomorrow's what?

 The answer is ......







 Well, that went well. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ...... No, Your Majesty the King.
 "Uh-huh. ...... But, Hoamel, will the nobles of the Warbeast race accept my accession quietly?

 Hilderick II asked his aide, Joamel, uneasily.

 King Hilderic II was a warbeast and a werewolf, a high-ranking member of the warbeast race.
 On the other hand, his aide, Hoamel, was a ...... human.

 Hoamel is a man who has made a fortune in business.
 However, the Kingdom of Chellda is a warbeast-dominated country, and humans have a narrow view of it.
 Hoamel had also been unfairly deprived of his wealth by the Kingdom of Chelda as a tax.

 He was not happy about it.

 But God had not abandoned him.
 But the gods did not abandon him, because King Hilderic II was fortunate enough to fall in love with his daughter, Kassandra.

 Hilderic II passionately approached Kassandra and ...... the two fell in love with each other.
 Through his daughter, Hoamel approached King Hilderic II and ...... plotted to make him king.

 Originally, Hilderic II belonged to the reconciliation faction, which was the opposite of the warbeast supremacy.
 On more than one occasion, he and Raus I were at odds over political ideals. (Although Hilderic II, who was not a strong man, never won a dispute with Raus I.)

 As a result, not a few conciliators gathered under King Hilderic II.
 Most of the conciliators were humans and elves, but there was also a large nobleman from the ...... warbeast race.
 Raus I's supremacy over the warbeasts was a bit excessive, and some of the warbeasts objected to it.

 In addition, Hoamel, a wealthy merchant, and his associates followed King Hilderic II.
 Hilderic II's faction grew to a considerable size.

 However, the power of Raus I was still strong. ......
 Also, Raus I himself was in good health and showed no signs of dying.

 However, assassination was too difficult and ...... Hilderic II did not have the courage to do so.

 But here comes a turning point.
 A certain person from the Lemurian Empire (・・・・・) sent a secret letter in support of Hilderic II's accession to the throne.
 If Hilderic II were to stage a coup d'etat, he would provide financial support.

 This was accepted by Hoamel.
 As a result, Hilderic II obtained a huge amount of money from the Lemurian Empire through a number of merchants.

 And ......
 The time had finally come.

 Raus I went to ...... and was defeated in a battle against a certain person (・・・・・) of the Lemurian Empire.

 Hoamel persuaded the reluctant King Hilderic II to stage a coup d'etat.
 Hilderic II was crowned king.

 The rest is at ......
 The only thing left to do is for a certain person in the Lemurian Empire (・・・・・) to kill Raus I as originally planned.

 Even if you don't accept it, you will have to accept it once Raus I is executed by the ...... Emperor of Lemuria.


 "Uh-huh. ...... Really? But ......
 "Your Royal Highness!

 At that moment, a girl's voice echoed through the throne room.
 The one who appeared was ...... a beautiful girl about six years old.

 Brownish hair and eyes.
 She had wolf-shaped ears on her head and a tail growing out of her hips.

 The most striking thing about her is her sharp, strong eyes.
 No man would be able to look away from her if she looked at him with those eyes.

 It was because of those eyes that many men avoided her in spite of her pretty appearance.

 "Master Sonia, you are not the Dauphin, you are the King. ...... 
 "Keep your mouth shut you lowly merchant!

 Sonia glared at Hoamel.
 The sharpness of her gaze causes Hoamel to take an involuntary step backwards.

 What is the meaning of this, Your Royal Highness?
 "What do you mean by this?
 I'm not sure what to say, but I'd like to know why you usurped the throne without consulting my fiancé or my father! Your Highness, the Dauphin!

 Hilderick II looked away.
 Hilderick II is twenty years old, and Sonia is six.
 It's not only the age difference, but also the sharp look in his eyes that Hilderick II didn't like.

 Why should he be pressured by a girl who was younger than him?
 It hurt Hilderick II's pride.

 Well, some people in the industry might say that it's more of a reward or that it makes them want to cry, but Hilderick II is quite normal.

 However, we can still bear with that.
 There is no need for couples to love each other.
 What is important is whether they can have children or not.

 The only thing that matters is whether or not they can have children.

 However, there was one thing that Hilderick II could not resist.

 It's not too late. I will persuade the King. Let's negotiate a ransom with the Lemurian Empire and save the king as soon as possible.
 "Sonia! You think my father should continue to be the king? It's true that the Warbeasts are the majority in this country. But there are also Humans and Elves! Don't you think we should help each other? At least I think so. My father and I are incompatible!

 Hilderick II said. ......
 Sonia glared at Hoamel.

 "...... You are the one who put bad ideas into the Dauphin's head! You lowlife!
 "Sonia! Hoamel is my vassal. Hoamel is my vassal. I will not tolerate abusive language!
 Wake up, Dauphin. Do not listen to these lowlifes and their whores. ......
 Sonia! Who's the whore? You're not talking about Kassandra, are you? I will not allow you to insult her in any way!

 Hilderick II shouted angrily.
 This made Sonia tense up.

 In other words, Sonia is a warbeast supremacist.
 From Hilderick II's point of view, Sonia was a racist, and from Sonia's point of view, Hilderick II was a softy who sycophants other races.
 It is only natural that they do not see eye to eye.

 In addition, Hilderick II and Sonia were very close in blood, and there was an instinctive dislike between them.
 Also, from Sonia's point of view, Hilderick II's love for Kassandra, a lower species, was really disgusting, even though she was his fiancée.
 On the other hand, Hilderick II compares Sonia with Kassandra, who is quiet and respects him, and hates Sonia more and more.

 That's why they don't get along well.

 I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out. You can find a lot more information at ...... Your father was in favor of the accession of His Majesty the King (King Hilderick II) in the first place.
 No! But I've never said that .......
 No, that's true. Sonia.

 She bowed and entered the room. ......
 Sonia's father, Carmine, entered the room.

 Carmine knelt before Hilderick II.

 "I'm sorry my daughter was rude to you. I'm sorry, sir.
 "It's all right. I could not have ascended to the throne without your support. I expect nothing less than your loyalty.
 "Thank you, my dear.

 Sonia looked at her father in surprise.

 In the first place, there is no reason why fathers and daughters should have the same ideology.
 Just as Raus I and Hilderic II were at odds with each other, Sonia and Carmine had different political views.

 Carmine is also a reconciliationist.
 He is also a conciliatory person, though a secret conciliatory person.



 If Carmine had publicly declared himself a conciliator, Rouse I would not have approved of Sonia and Hilderic II's engagement.
 Until this moment, he had kept his fangs hidden.


 Incidentally, Hoamel and Carmine are both Reconciliationists, but their views differ slightly.
 Whereas Hoamel is on the left, advocating equality for all races, Carmine is on the right, advocating "harmony" and not equality between warbeasts and other races.

 Just as Sonia and Kassandra don't get along very well, Carmine and Hoamel don't get along very well either.
 However, they have formed a joint front as the same reconciliation faction.

 However, the Rouse I to be defeated is no more: ......
 All that was left was to settle the score.

 Hoamel has the wealth and the trump card of Kassandra: ......
 On the other hand, Carmine has a vast territory and a large number of troops, so the power relationship between the two is very close.

 Unless Hilderick II is on one side or the other: ......
 He is not a man who can do that.

 Wow, I disagree! Please reconsider! There is no way that any country would allow the crown prince to ascend to the throne in the first place. ......
 That's not a problem, Sonia. My accession has the support of the ...... Lemurian Empire.

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

 I'm sure you've heard of it. What evidence do you have?
 "There is evidence, Master Sonia. The Lemurian Empire has provided us with military funding. Without this funding, we will never be successful. ......

 Sonia interrupted Hoamel's words.

 But what solid evidence do you have that the Lemurian Empire has signed off on ...... the Lemurian Emperor's support for the crown prince's accession?
 There can be no such thing. If it were to come out, the Lemurian Empire would be accused. This is a secret diplomacy and no evidence has been left behind.

 Carmine replied, and Sonia put her hand on her forehead.

 Did you take ...... the word of that crook, the Emperor of Lemuria, to heart?
 "No, but the fact is that he helped us finance our army. Sonia, I understand how you feel, but the reality is .......

 When Hilderick II tried to remonstrate with Sonia, ......
 Sonia clung to Hilderick II.

 "Your Royal Highness! I'm not going to take the word of such a crook seriously! Do you remember the Council of Alexandria and the Edict of Alexandria? That man uses double-talk with impunity! The man's goal is probably .......

 To split the kingdom of Cerda in half and start a civil war.

 And Sonia could not say the last word.

 Because ......
 A diplomat barged into the throne room and told everyone present.

 "Your Majesty, the King! I have urgent news! Raus I, with the support of the Lemurian Emperor, has led an army into the Kingdom of Cerda!


 Thus, ......

 A civil war broke out between the King (King Hilderic II) and the former King (King Raus I) factions.

 This civil war led to the rapid decline of the Kingdom of Cerda.



 The Emperor's words seem very big and heavy. Everyone wants to believe them, and their impact is great. But his words are not really full of substance. Try dropping his words into water. They will float in the water.

 About this man Hercule.
 -Hupatia.