"So, Oskar. I've read the report, but ...... let me hear it from you, just in case.

　After returning to the island of Rosa, Hercule said to Oskar, who had been given overall command.
　Oskar nodded lightly and said: ......

　"Yes, Your Majesty. Out of a total of 10,000 people, 300 were freed by family pleas for help along the way, and 600 died of starvation. Of the 10,000 who were liberated in response to mass conversions, only 500 are alive today. ......

　In other words, after the siege, 500 people died for some reason.
　Considering the fact that they were starving to death, it is safe to assume that their deaths were caused by illness or worsening injuries.

　It is also conceivable that they died of shock due to the sudden introduction of food into their stomachs.

　And the enemy general?
　"It seems that Pirate Chief Jean died of starvation two months ago. After that, his second-in-command was killed in a mutiny.
　"I see.

　Hercule chuckled.
　A rebellion broke out, killed the leader, and surrendered.

　It meant that he had completely surrendered to the Lemurian Empire from the bottom of his heart.
　It's the best outcome for Hercule.

　"What's the breakdown of the remaining 500?
　"Forty are residents and one hundred are pirates.
　I see. ...... Well, let's get the bodies out of here. I'll get a Western Messianic bishop from Cerda.

　He refused to convert to Christianity until the end and died.
　Hercule had the mercy to give him a funeral in the Western way.

　However, at Hercule's words, ......
　Oscar looked a little complicated.

　He seemed to want to say something .......

　What's the matter, Oscar?　Are you dissatisfied with something?
　No,......, I have no complaints. But I'm not sure if I can ...... have a funeral.
　Hmm?　Are you concerned that I'm going to call a Western bishop?　If that's the extent of it, it's a little late for that now, including the Edict of Alexandria. ......

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

　It's not that I'm not a fan of this kind of thing,......, but I'm not a fan of this kind of thing,.......
　What is it then? Tell me what you want. I don't like to be rushed.

　Hercule said in a slightly sullen voice.
　Oscar hesitantly opened his mouth.

　I'm not sure what to say. There are no clothes left,.......
　"No body and no clothes?

　Hercule tilted his head and ......
　Erkur tilted his head and clapped his hands.

　"Oh, I see!　You're right. ...... I'm sorry about this. I'm sorry I didn't see that coming.

　Hercule nodded his head.

　The human body is made of protein, and the clothing of this region is mainly made of wool.
　Wool is also a protein, of course.

　"Well, even if it all turns to shit, it's better than not doing .......

　Hercule said aloofly.
　Oskar asked Hercule with a blue face.

　"Are you sure about ......?
　"What?
　"Well, no, ...... that .......

　Hercule cowered.

　I didn't do it, you know. I gave you a way to save yourself. But he still died, so it's like suicide. But according to the Bible, suicides go to hell. ...... Will he be okay?

　Looking at Hercule's seriously worried face, Oscar was about to say, "Wouldn't it be better for you to worry about yourself than about others? He was about to say that, but stopped himself as he was afraid that he would not be understood.

　I was going to say, "If you think about it, they're heretics, they should have all gone to hell in the first place. I'm sorry I ...... forgot about that.
　"......

　Oscar made a firm decision to increase the number of times he prayed, and to pray that not only he but his master would go to heaven as well.


　After that, Hercule helped Oscar to withdraw his troops from the city. ......
　He reiterated his predetermined policy of governing the island to his deputies and withdrew.

　Thus ended the siege of Lhosa by the Lemurian army ...... also known as the "Tragedy of Lhosa".

　After that, Hercule never visited the island of Lhosa. ......
　Also, there was no rebellion on Rosa Island.





　After that, Hercule regrouped his forces on Rosa Island and landed again on the Taurica Peninsula with his army. ......
　After that, Hercule regrouped his forces on Rosa Island and led them back to the Taurica Peninsula.

　The tragedy on Rosa Island was deliberately spread by Hercule, and ...... most of the city-states in the interior of the Taurica Peninsula chose to surrender without a fight.

　Thereafter, for the duration of Hercule's reign, ......
　No rebellion directly caused by religion ever occurred in the Lemurian Empire.





　Then, six months later.

　"Your ...... Majesty, is there anything ...... troubling you lately?
　"Yes. How did you know?


　"You look like you're in trouble sometimes. ......

　At the dinner table, ...... Nia asked Hercule.
　Nia is a favorite of Hercule and is invited to dinner at least once a week.

　In this way, it seems as if being invited to dinner more often = being Hercule's favorite. ......
　Darius and Oscar have never been invited to dinner, and Galfis, Christos, and Loukanos have been invited much less often.

　On the other hand, Scheherazade and ...... are not vassals.
　Hupatia, a pagan, was also invited many times.

　So is being a woman a criterion? ......
　In fact, Titus and Linasha were also invited many times.

　So the criterion is simple: ......
　They are chosen not as Lemurian emperors, but as private citizens, people who want to be friends with Hercule.

　Titus is a friend of mine in the field of art and clothing, and Hyppatia is a friend of mine in the field of natural philosophy.

　"...... Is this about the island of Lhosa?
　"Rosa Island?　...... Yeah, it sure cost a lot of money for a day-long expedition. Including the suppression of the rebellion on the Taurica Peninsula and the rebuilding of the navy damaged in the battle against Cerda, ...... the expenses are considerable. It's troubling, that's for sure. But ...... that's not what I'm worried about.
　(That's not what I meant to say. ......)

　(That's not what I meant to say. ......) Nia thought about it, but ......
　(That's not what I meant. )

　The man in front of me seems to be troubled by ......
　But the more she thought about it, the more she couldn't think of anything.

　The more you think about it, the more you can't think of anything.

　I'm not sure what you're talking about.
　I'm not sure what to say.　I'm not sure what to say.
　No, I don't want any trouble. ......
　No, no, no, no!　If there is anything I can do to help, please do!

　Nia leaned forward.
　It was not often that Hercule relied on others.


　I've been thinking about a birthday present for Cecilia.
　"Cecilia's ...... birthday present?

　Nia tilted her head.
　It's true that Cecilia's birthday is January 1st and ...... it's currently October.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　Hercule is now 20 years old and will be 21 in December.

　What did you give him last year?
　"No, I didn't give her anything. But this year, when I wrote to Nia and told her about the birthday present I gave her, she suddenly became very unhappy. ......

　I see. ......
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

　"First of all, do you exchange letters with Cecilia?
　"Once a month. Hasn't Cecilia told you?
　"No, I haven't. ......

　What's that, that's more than me. ......
　Nia thought.

　Nia also exchanges letters, but not that many.
　That's because I can't.

　The Lemurian Empire has a well-developed postal system, but that's only for military and administrative purposes.
　If you want to send a letter for personal use, you have to hire someone directly.

　(......, why didn't you tell me?)

　Nia was slightly distrustful of Cecilia.
　(...... Why didn't you tell me?) Nia was slightly distrustful of Cecilia, though she didn't realize that it was jealousy.

　(Why doesn't His Majesty bother with me, but he does with Cecilia? ......)

　Nia begins to get a little annoyed.

　(......?　Is she getting grumpy?　Did something tug at your heartstrings?

　Hercule, on the other hand, is a little confused.
　Hercule, a man, also has an unknown field.

　It's female friendship.

　He is good at romance, but when that romance involves female friendship, ......
　He is good at love, but when that love involves female friendship, even Hercule becomes unpredictable.

　I'm not sure what to do with it. I'm not sure what to do with it.　It lasts a long time and is delicious.
　"Uh, yeah. ...... Thanks. Yeah.

　I'm not going to use that as a reference.
　I'm not going to use it as a reference," Hercule managed to swallow the last word.

　...... By the way, what do you want, Nia?　You gave her a dress last year and a coat the year before that, right?
　I'm not sure what to say.　I'm sure you'll be able to find something to suit your needs.
　(This guy recommends dried fish as a gift for his friends, but asks for a coat for his own birthday? ......)

　I don't know where the old days of cuteness and innocence have gone. ......
　Hercule is nostalgic for a few years ago.

　However, Nia has actually grown up a lot.


　When I picked him up, he was so skinny that his bones stood out and he was about 120 centimeters tall. ......

　He is now over a hundred and fifty and growing.

　Lunalie has already been defeated.

　Her breasts have reached the size of a B cup, and Karolina, fearing that she would be overtaken by her height and breasts, has now started drinking milk.
　It is questionable whether the milk will increase the breast and height of Karolina who is already 20 years old.

　Well, Karolina is 165 centimeters tall, so ......　
　There's still plenty of time for Near to surpass that.

　It's still a safe bet.
　I don't know about the future.

　And by the way, I'm fourteen and ...... I'll be fifteen on my next birthday.

　Nia clapped her hands and said with a ......
　I'm sure you're right.

　I guess so.

　Hercule responded as if to say, "What does it matter?
　And then Nia said, ......

　I'm fourteen, ...... and I'll be fifteen on my next birthday," he repeated.

　She repeated.

　That's right.

　Hercule also repeated.


　"Oh, by the way, I'm fourteen and ...... I'll be fifteen on my next birthday.
　Right.

　Oh, by the way, I'm fourteen and ...... I'll be fifteen on my next birthday.
　That's right.

　Oh, by the way, I'm fourteen and ...... I'll be fifteen on my next birthday!
　Yeah, right.

　Oh, by the way, I'm already fourteen and ...... I'll be fifteen on my next birthday!
　Yeah, right.

　Oh, by the way, I'm already fourteen and ...... I'll be fifteen on my next birthday!
　Yeah, right.

　Oh, by the way, I'm already fourteen. ...... I'll be fifteen on my next birthday. ！！！！
　Yeah, right.


　Speaking of which, I'm already fourteen. ...... I'll be fifteen on my next birthday. ！！！！！
　......

　Hercule let out a sigh.
　And ......

　...... "Well, yeah. I don't have an age problem, and I'll take ...... that into account. How about as a reward for some great military or political achievement you've made?

　"Yes!

　Nia replied loudly.