103 Episode 10 Bible or Sword?




 The failure of King Hilderic II and his merry band was that they saw only my Edict of Alexandria and mistakenly believed that I was a conciliatory monarch. I mistakenly believed ...... that they had the same political ideology as me. This is a typical example of how people can only see what is convenient for them. If you had looked at the Council of Alexandria as well as the Edict of Alexandria, ...... you would have seen what I'm talking about.

 In the event that you've been deceived, however badly, you've thought it through ......, and now the Kingdom of Cerda won't be able to attack our country for ten years.

 I'm not sure what to make of that.
 I'm not sure what to do.

 "Your Majesty.
 "What's wrong? Nia.
 ...... Isn't it unnatural? I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who'd like to know more about it. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

 Nia asks Hercule.  
 Nia's question is legitimate.

 Since they are planning a coup d'etat, a major event that will determine the fate of themselves and their country, it is only natural that they should be careful.

 You're not careful enough.

 It's that simple. I sent the money through Antonio.
 "Antonio ......, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade?
 Yes, yes. Look at it this way. Antonio is a human, a foreigner, a ...... former merchant. And one of King Hilderick II's aides is a human and a merchant.
 "No way. ......

 Yes, you guessed it.
 What's more, Hoamel and Antonio know each other.

 It seems that people feel more comfortable when they are with someone they have something in common with. When Antonio told Joamel that humans are discriminated against and have a hard time, he seemed to trust him easily.

 I'm not sure what to make of this.

 This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time with your family and friends.
 You look like a nice guy, but you're not. ......

 Then Hercule replies with a smiling (・・・・) face.

 "Well, don't believe anyone who smiles on a regular basis. Think about it. He's got that much money at his age. I bet he's done a lot of nefarious things that would make Shylock look pretty.

 Shylock gets dissed without a second thought.
 It's a pity he's treated like a villain just because he's a loan shark with bad looks.

 But I'm sure neither of you would want to be told that by Hercule.

 By the way, Your Majesty. What do you plan to do after this?
 "What do you mean?
 The Rosa pirates. As I recall, they refused to agree to a mass conversion even after sending a letter from King Cerda to ......?

 The Rosa pirates call themselves Knights, and they have a lot of guts.
 As a result, they're still holed up.

 Shouldn't they be running out of food by now?
 "What do you think? If we kill the horses early and eat them, we can last a little longer. If we kill the horses early and eat them, we can last a little longer. Besides, ...... you can eat weeds, rats, lizards, and worst of all, the straw in the mud walls.

 Aside from rats and lizards, weeds and straw seem to be too difficult for humans to eat.
 Humans can't break down cellulose.

 And then there's ...... people. ...... No, let's not do that.
 "Wait, Your Majesty. What were you going to say?
 "I hope they all live!
 Wait, wait, wait, wait!







 Your Majesty. What is the purpose of this?
 It's costly to keep them surrounded. But if we don't bring them to their knees, this island will never be stable. That's why we're going to ...... try to divide them.

 Before Hercule, Carolina, Nia, Oscar and Edmond, ......
 The inhabitants of Rosa Island had been gathered.

 But they weren't just gathered in the dark.
 Gathered were the families, relatives, lovers, and friends of the knights and residents who were currently holed up in .......

 If you want to help them, come forward," Hercule ordered.
 If you want to help them, come forward," Hercule had ordered.

 When he was sure that almost everyone had gathered, he got up on the lectern and spoke to them.

 Thank you, gentlemen, for gathering here. Thank you for gathering here, gentlemen. They are very lucky to have such an important group of people, even if they are pirates.

 Hercule said, looking down at them with a provocative smile.
 Many of them swallowed their anger and clenched their fists tightly.

 But I pity them. If this continues, ...... they will die. It's the most painful way to die imaginable. Will the man-eaten (・・・・・・・) and the man-eaters (・・・・・・) ever make it to heaven? I'd have to ask a theologian. Well, they're heretics, so they're sure to go to hell anyway. Oh, by the way, you're heretics too, aren't you? Good for you, we'll see you in hell.



 Hahahahaha! 
 said Hercule with a laugh.

 The residents stared at Hercule with anger and hatred in their eyes.
 They must have one thought.
 "You can go to hell! and ......

 But here: ......
 Hercule smiled serenely.

 But I don't want them, or you, to go to hell. No, it's true. I want them all to be saved, if possible. ...... So I'm giving you a chance. It's your last chance to save the ones you care about. ...... Well, if you don't want to hear what I have to say, you can walk away. I don't blame you for that. I don't blame you. ...... I'm sure it's going to be harder for you to live with.

 Hercule said, looking around at the ......
 Hercule looked around at the inhabitants.

 Not a single one of them left.

 Hercule nodded in satisfaction.

 Thank God you are wise. You and I have the same intentions. I want to help them. Now let's talk terms. A mass conversion from heresy to orthodox messianism. Those are the terms on which I accept your surrender. But this means that there will be people who are willing to convert, but cannot because of fools, and will die. This is too pitiful. So, .......

 Hercule smirks.

 "First you must convert from heresy to orthodoxy. And only those who convert to ...... will be allowed to send a special letter (・・・・・・) to their loved ones beyond the city walls, inviting them to convert. And for those of you on the other side of the city walls who have agreed to convert, I will allow you to surrender to ....... But that's only possible if Rosa's pirates open the walls and let your loved ones out. ...... There's nothing I can do about that. It will depend on how much the pirates love you and your loved ones.

 In response to Hercule's words: ......
 The reaction of the inhabitants was mixed.

 Some were happy to be able to help. ......
 Some were frustrated, but still happy: ......
 Some were angry, but swallowed it as they had no choice. ......
 Some show hesitation ......
 Some were indignant, saying that they could not possibly accept such conditions.

 Seeing the reaction of the residents, ......
 Carolina and the others realized what Hercule was trying to do.

 Divide and conquer.

 Hercule's conditions were: ......
 Hercule's conditions meant that the inhabitants of Rosa Island would be split in two.

 One side swallowed Hercule's conditions, accepted the rule of the Lemurian Empire, converted to Orthodoxy, and became ......
 The other was the one who had accepted the terms of Hercule, and had been converted to Orthodoxy, and could live happily ever after without being taxed heavily and without having to rescue his family and friends.

 The other is the one who does not accept the terms of Hercule, does not accept the rule of the Lemurian Empire, remains a Western Messianic, is heavily taxed, leaves his family and friends to die without being able to help them, and can live with guilt and suffering in the future.


 The former will never defy Hercule again, and will alienate the latter who irritates Hercule.
 The latter will continue to defy Hercule. ...... On the other hand, they will not be able to hold a genuine grudge against Hercule because they will continue to feel deep down that they are the ones who left their loved ones to die, and they will hate the former for giving them to Lemuria.

 If the inhabitants of Rosa Island are divided, they can't work together to oppose Lemuria.

 And also ......
 On the other side of the wall, there will be three groups: those who cannot be helped, those who can, and those who were offered a hand but rejected it.

 Carolina (my husband, but still the same ......)
 Nia (As expected of His Majesty, ...... is wonderful!
 Oscar (Will we be split up before we know it too?)
 Edmond (I have to say, I'm impressed that you don't use force, but only talk to reduce the enemy's strength ......)

 "Well, ...... what do you say, gentlemen?

 I'm sure you've heard of it.









 "Oh, you Lemurian! You're a sneaky little bastard!

 Jean, Commander of the Order of Rosa, trembled with rage.
 The emperor of Lemuria proposed at this time, when the food supply was almost exhausted, to allow ...... individual conversions instead of mass conversions, only for those who had pleaded for the lives of their family members, close friends, or loved ones who had converted to ...... orthodox messianism.

 The purpose of this proposal is to protect the Order of Rosa and its members.

 The purpose of this is to divide the Knights of Lhosa and the inhabitants of Lhosa, no doubt.

 "How many ...... people are there?
 There are 2,000 non-combatant ...... people, and about 500 to the Knights.

 Jean was troubled and ......

 "Leave ...... to free will.
 "Are you sure, sir?
 ...... It's a losing battle. Then the fewer ...... deaths, the better. Tell them that only those who want to keep the faith will stay. We will not stop those who want to live ...... in defiance of God.

 Jean said ......
 Biting his lip, he said.

 He knew.
 He knew this was the purpose of the Emperor of Lemuria.

 The Emperor of Lemuria is not only the Knights of Rosa, but also the pirates who ravage the seas around the Lemurian Empire and ......
 People who cooperate with pirates.


 And you want to show the infidels in your country what happens when they defy you .......

 But he doesn't want ...... to be resented.
 He wants fear, not hatred.

 Hatred can leave a new spark.

 That's why he's taking this ...... roundabout way.


 "Oh ...... God, save us .......

 Jean folded his hands and prayed to God.
 But ......

 But God just kept silent.






 And ......
 Five months have passed since then.

 Some were converted by the pleas of their loved ones and made it out of the city walls alive. ......
 Others died of hunger and plague.


 Initially, the fortress held 10,000 people, including 4,000 members of the Order and 6,000 people from the surrounding area. ......
 During the nine-month siege, the population was reduced to 3,000.