Lunalie was running.

　During the war, Lunalie was in charge of logistics in the city in the Lemurian Empire that was closest to the Kingdom of Bulgaron, and she kept sending food and arrows to Hercule on the battlefield.

　I'm sure that Hercule will come back victorious this time as well. ......
　Just as he was thinking that, Lunalie heard that Hercule had been defeated.

　In addition, there were various information about Hercule, such as "dead," "missing," and "unconscious in critical condition," so Lunalie had no idea what was happening to Hercule.

　In addition, it seems that afterwards, the Bulgurons launched an all-out attack against the defeated Lemurian army. ......
　The Lemurian army was forced to abandon most of the cities they had occupied and retreat.

　About a week after the news of their defeat arrived.
　Finally, the Lemurian army returned to the Lemurian Empire.

　Unable to stay, Lunalie mounted her horse and headed for the Lemurian army's encampment that had just entered the country.

　And now, she was galloping towards the tent where Hercule was sleeping.




　"Your Majesty!

　Lunalie shook off the silence of the guards and entered the tent.
　What Lunalie saw there was ......



　"Your Majesty, ahh.
　"Aww.

　It was Hercule who was being fed an apple by Carolina.
　If you look closely, you can see that he is stroking Carolina's buttocks with his left hand.

　Lunalie slumped down on the spot.

　"Luna, what's wrong?

　When Hercule asked, Lunalie stood up unsteadily and walked over to ......
　I'm not sure if you've seen this before.

　You know how worried I was about you flirting with ...... me at a time like this!
　"What, you were worried about me?　You have a cute side.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's not afraid of you.

　I'm not worried about you.
　"You're saying the opposite of what you said before.

　Hercule smiled bitterly and let go of Lunalie.
　She turned away with a bright red face.

　You're saying that it was a false alarm that you almost died?
　"No, it's true.

　Hercule then raised his right arm.
　Seeing this, Lunalie's eyes widened.

　The tip of the arm was missing from just above the elbow.

　If Carolina had been a few moments later to cut it off, she would have had to go to the gods before you.
　Are you okay ......?
　The wound is closed. The demon I'm under contract with is taking care of the phantom limb pain, so there's no pain. It will be a little inconvenient, though.

　Hercule shrugged his shoulders.
　I'll just have to let the servants take care of me since I'm missing a hand.

　If there is a problem, it's that I look a little worse for wear, and I can't draw my bow to shoot deer or boar anymore, and I can't ...... rub your breasts with both hands. It's a shame, really, that you have two breasts and I can only squeeze one.

　Hercule said, sounding truly disappointed.
　Even Lunalie was taken aback by this.

　You really look okay.
　"For now. But it's true that you were unconscious.　I really thought I was going to die.

　Hercule said and let out a sigh.
　I'm much better now, but a few days ago I had a high fever and was having nightmares.

　But now I finally have a black mark on my record. In addition to that, most of the cities I regained were taken by the Bulgarons, and I lost more than two hundred men.

　Fortunately, there were relatively few casualties among the Long-eared Elves.
　The elves, who can see better at night, were less likely to be confused.
　But even with that in mind, they still suffered heavy casualties.

　For the time being, we have to fill the infantry with Tonden-hei and the cavalry with reserves. But until we recover from these losses, we can't take any military action. I'm worried about how Fahls will react. Well, we have Scheherazade and an alliance with the Kuro Tongue, so I don't think he'll suddenly attack us.

　What we have lost is great.
　Hercule said gloomily.

　What are we going to do with Bulgalon?　Make peace?

　When Lunalie asked, Hercule shook his head.

　"No way, if I get scared and make peace with them, that's exactly what Bulgallon wants.

　And ......
　Hercule slammed his left hand down hard on the bed.

　Karolina and Lunalee cowered involuntarily.

　I'm not sure what to make of that. And then, as if by design, a huge army followed up. It's really annoying. ......

　Hercule said in a voice filled with anger.

　I'll forgive you if you do a little looting ....... But you took my right hand, my precious hand. You'll pay a heavy price for this, Bourgaron ...... and Alicia Crom.

　Hercule whispered the name of the woman who had taken his right hand.

　"Yeah, fine. I'll go all the way. I will not accept any more peace offers from the Bulgurons except total surrender. We will destroy and conquer them once and for all. No more short term battles. We're going for the long haul. We'll see about that, Brugalon. ......



　He smiled the most brutal smile I've ever seen, emitting murderous intent and anger.
　Carolina and Lunalee shuddered and hugged each other.







　You're right, Alicia Crom. Thanks to you, we've been able to turn the tables ......, and it's really reassuring to know that you're my son's fiancée.
　"Thank you, my king.

　Alicia knelt in front of King Bulgalon and received his compliments.
　Alicia kneels before King Bulgalon and receives his compliments. Telerig watches her with a pained expression.

　"Tell him, Terelig, you should learn from Alicia.
　"Yes, ......, Father.

　Terelig's expression was one of regret.

　If it weren't for Alicia's efforts, the Bulgurons would have lost many of their cities to the Lemurian Empire and would have had to make a humiliating peace with them.
　If that had happened, the fame of the Kotormir clan would have fallen to the ground.

　The Kotormir clan and Telerig were saved by Alicia.

　However, Terelig was not so happy about Alicia's success.
　He felt grateful to Alicia and congratulated her on her great victory, but he also felt jealous of her military prowess and achievements.

　Hahaha!　I feel really good!　Now Lemuria will give up and retreat.

　If the other side wants to make peace, I'll accept.
　King Bulgalon thought so.
　Of course, I'll demand payment of tribute.

　King Bulgalon smiled with amusement. ......
　The vassal in charge of diplomacy barged in.

　"My king, a letter from the Emperor of Lemuria has arrived!
　"Hmm, an offer of peace?

　With a happy look on his face, King Bulgalon accepted the letter.
　He breaks the seal and looks inside.

　There it is: ......


　"Dear dogs.

　It seems that the barbarians of Bulgalon, or rather the dogs, are incapable of even the bare minimum of keeping a promise.
　Therefore, I now give you an ultimatum in the name of the Lemurian Emperor Hercule I, God's representative on earth.

　Surrender to me within a week.
　Otherwise, the Kingdom of Bulgalon will disappear from the map.


　Without thinking, King Vulgaron slammed the letter on the floor.

　"Who's the dog?

　To the Bulgarons, "dog" is the greatest insult.
　Hercule knew this and wrote this.


　"Yes!　There will be no peace!　All-out war!

　Total war!" King Vulgaron declared.








　"Are you sure?　Your Majesty?

　Hercule repeated, without anger, to the bureaucrat who had asked him back.

　No problem. Evacuate all residents of the villages and cities included in the area.

　Hercule ordered the lowering of the defense line against the Bulgarons.
　He declared the complete abandonment of all villages and cities near the border with the Kingdom of Bulgalon.

　On top of that, ......

　"Use the evacuated residents to build fortresses and watchtowers. Have them blockade all roads leading to the Kingdom of Bulgalon. And have a large number of Tonden soldiers settle near the fortress. Worst case scenario, we can evict the current residents.

　A complete blockade of the border between the Kingdom of Bulgaron and the Lemurian Empire.
　That was what Hercule had ordered the bureaucrats to do.

　And all merchants are notified: ...... Anyone who does business with the Bulgarons will be executed. It is also strictly forbidden for any Lemurian to enter the Bulgaron Kingdom without permission.

　In addition, Hercule summoned Todoris and ordered him to exert diplomatic pressure on the small tribal nations that bordered the Bulgaron Kingdom to stop doing business with the Bulgaron Kingdom.
　Of course, it was unlikely that the whip would be enough to stop the trade, so he promised to give them aid money - candy - in return for stopping the trade.

　When he had finished his orders, Hercule smiled wryly.

　You can't survive without trade with the peasants. And only my country can trade with you on a large scale. Now, how long do you think you can last?