It was over a year ago.


　I'd say, "Okay, ......, but I have a condition. ...... Cecilia, could you give us a moment, please?
　"Well, Master Hercule. Are you hiding from me?　You'll have to tell me later.

　After making sure that Cecilia left the meeting, ......
　Hercule turned to Masinissa, the chief of the Shuyen clan.

　You are based in the Fesan region, south of the Teriportanian region of the Kingdom of Cerda, correct?
　Yes, that's right. Yes, that's right. Originally, Qurenaica and Teriportania were also our lands.

　The Barbarians used to live in a rich coastal area in the north of the southern continent, in a place called Liebua.
　And in the old days, they were called Leibureans, not barbarians who spoke a strange language.

　But the Leibureans were defeated in a war with the later settlers of the southern continent. ......
　They lost their land little by little.

　Today, the richer parts of the region where they once lived are part of the Lemurian Empire's province of Qurenaica, while the Teriportanian region is part of the Kingdom of Cerda.
　And they were relegated to the not-so-rich Fezzan region.

　Hmm, I don't know if I should ask for it back now.
　I'm not going to say anything like that. ...... That was over a thousand years ago.

　Our homeland is Feathern.
　Our home is Featherstone," said Masinissa.

　I see. But ...... I heard that the Chelda Kingdom has been invading your land a lot lately?
　Yes, ...... we've been losing land to the Kingdom of Chelda for the last few hundred years. You know a lot about it.
　I've done my fair share of research.

　The Barbarians have been driven into the Featherlands, but not all of their land has been taken.
　Until a few hundred years ago, they had been living in the southern part of Terriportania.

　Before the invasion of the warbeasts, the region of Teriportania was also under the control of the Lemurian Empire, but the Lemurian Empire tolerated the settlement of Teriportania by the Barbals.

　If it was a military invasion, the Lemurian Empire welcomed it as long as it was a peaceful settlement.

　However, this all changed after the invasion of the Warbeasts and the establishment of the Kingdom of Cerda.
　The warbeasts took the land from the humans, became landlords, and exploited the humans as peasants.

　The indigenous Barbarians were no exception.
　No, rather, the Barbarians, who were originally discriminated against, were treated far more discriminatorily than the other human races.

　If they were exploited as peasants, they were still better off.
　Many Barbarians were forced to move to the Fesan region and completely lost their lands in Teriportania.

　And the invasion of the Kingdom of Cerda is still going on, isn't it?

　"Yes. There are some oases in the Fesan region, but ...... they are trying to take away even the few remaining rich lands. Although recently their military actions have been reduced due to the civil war in the Kingdom of Cerda.

　Masinissa frowned in displeasure.

　It may sound like the Balbals are being bullied by the Chelda Kingdom, but ......
　In fact, the Barbarians are doing their fair share of fighting back.

　They have repeatedly invaded and plundered the Teriportanian region.

　The reason why the Kingdom of Chelda is invading the Featherlands is not to steal the rich lands, but rather to crush the Barbals who are repeatedly invading Teriportania.

　The relationship between the Kingdom of Chelda and the Barbarians may be similar to the relationship between the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Bulgalon.

　In other words, the Kingdom of Chelda and the Tribe of Balbaru are enemies. And ...... the Kingdom of Chelda and our country are also enemies. So, why don't we form a military alliance?

　"A military alliance?

　Exactly. ...... Let's destroy the Kingdom of Chelda together.

　We will destroy the Kingdom of Chelda.
　We don't fight it, we destroy it. Destroy. Conquer it.

　Masinissa gulped.

　'Well, it's basically the Lemurian Empire we're fighting, isn't it?　All you need is a few troops and ...... some logistics.

　...... In return, what do we get in return?

　"We welcome you, the Barbarians, as subjects of our Lemurian Empire.

　Masinissa frowned at Hercule's words.
　This means that they should be under your control .......
　At least, it's not something that can be called "quid pro quo".

　I'm not sure if you got the message.　...... I have no intention of getting involved in what my subjects do or settle in any land of the empire.

　That's ......

　"Well, I mean, I'll allow them to settle in the Terriportanian and Qurenaic regions. However, if you settle in ...... Teriportania and Qurenaica, you will have to pay taxes to the Lemurian Empire. As for the Feathern region, it will be your autonomous territory. You will not be required to pay taxes. I'll also give you a monopoly on ...... desert trade. What do you think?

　"......

　Masinissa pondered.
　In fact, the lack of land was a very serious problem for the Barbarians.
　The Fezzan region was a land of desert and wilderness, making nomadic herding, let alone farming, difficult.

　Oases are plentiful, but there are not so many ...... oases.
　As the population increases, there will be a shortage of food, and some people will starve to death.

　Therefore, the permission to settle in Teriportania and Cyrenaica was an attractive proposal. 　


　If the Barbals can be settled, or in other words, abandoned, food shortages will become less of a concern.

　In addition, the monopoly on desert trade is very attractive.
　If we could use the profits from the trade to purchase wheat from the Lemurian Empire, our current food problems would improve.

　And if our nasty virtual enemy, the Kingdom of Cerda, really does disappear, ......
　I'd be more than happy.

　But the risks are great.
　First of all, we don't know how much the Emperor of Lemuria is willing to keep his word.

　The other is the risk of interference in the internal affairs of the country.
　Masinissa herself is a Messianist, and she wants to govern the Barbals with Messianic morals and laws, but she does not want the Emperor of Lemuria to use that as an excuse to interfere in her internal affairs.

　If it becomes a self-governing territory, the Lemurian Emperor's power will nominally extend to it.


　However, it is not only the Barbals who are at risk from .......
　For the Lemurian Empire, this proposal also poses a considerable risk.

　In particular, they would be crossing a very dangerous bridge when it comes to settlement permits.
　In some cases, the Lemurian Empire would risk losing Terriportania and Qurenaica to the Barbarians.

　However, ...... Hercule is confident that the Balbals can be transformed into Lemuria, which is why he is willing to allow them to settle.

　...... I understand. I accept your offer of a military alliance.
　That's great. Then we are friends from today. Now, ......, I have a favor to ask of you. ......

　Hercule smiled and gave an outline of his plan.





　Now, about a year later, in early October, when Hercule was thirty years old.
　After the strategy meeting, Hercule immediately began military operations.

　First, an infantry corps led by Oskar, composed of black men who were resistant to the heat.
　Then, a corps of medium-armored cavalry (cataphracts) with high mobility.
　Then there are the independent rangers of Nia and Jebe, six battalions in total.
　And a legion of Bulgarian cavalry, formed around the Crom clan.

　A total of 4,320 troops were assembled and loaded onto ships in the middle of the night.

　They then traveled by sea for several days to the province of Misr and entered the city of Arrecia at midnight.

　Under the cover of darkness, they changed to smaller ships and traveled up the Neil River, riding the monsoon that blows from north to south on the southern continent in winter.

　In this way, they quickly moved to the interior of Misrule Province and finally unloaded the entire army from the ship.

　"Oh, uh, Your Majesty.
　"Hmm, what's wrong?　Alicia.
　You said you were going to fight the enemy. ...... Which enemy will you fight?

　Alicia asked Hercule in a reserved manner.
　And so it should be.
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

　Many of the soldiers were bewildered by the sudden move into the desert.
　Especially the Bulgurons who were not used to the desert climate were completely confused.

　"Your Majesty. I would appreciate it if you could tell me as well.

　Scheherazade also said to Hercule.
　Sheherazade, who had been told by Carolina that she would be taking care of the Emperor, was very excited, but she was baffled by the fact that they had come so far and had not been told their destination.

　"Could it be that the Nuba Kingdom is the enemy?

　The only country south of the province of Misrule was the Kingdom of Nuba.
　Scheherazade mobilized her knowledge of geography and made a prediction.

　But Hercule shook his head.

　No, it's not. Well, ...... I'll tell all the soldiers where we're going, so don't worry. First, ...... get ready to go before they come for you. Alicia, do as I say. Scheherazade, you'll be my escort.

　"...... Yes.
　Yes!

　Alicia looked confused, while Scheherazade replied with an expression of unconcern.







　Where the hell are you going with this expedition, ......?

　Alicia stared at the shining sun and let out a sigh.
　Alicia had been ordered to spend two weeks training the Bulgarron cavalry to get used to the climate.

　The climate was harsh, but ...... as expected of the mighty bulgarian cavalry, within a week they were able to perform reasonably well under the blazing sun.
　The problem is the horse. ...... Hercule had instructed her in advance to bring a replacement horse so that it would not be a problem even if it was crushed, so it was not much of a problem.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　In Alicia's field of vision, she could see a series of ships sailing up the river in the monsoon.
　A large amount of military supplies are being transported from Aletheia City to inland ports using the Neil River waterways.

　And this was also ...... prepared many years ago.
　The military supplies are loaded onto Transportation Corps, which consists of over 10,000 camels and donkeys.

　If it's not the Nuba Kingdom, it's the Cherda Kingdom. ...... If it's the Cherda Kingdom, it's this far away. ...... No, wait, what?　...... No way.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　I have a really bad feeling about this.

　I'm not sure what to say. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
　"Oh, I understand.

　When Alicia received the report from the messenger, she suspended the training and arranged the Bulgurons in the exact place she was told.
　The black infantry corps led by Oscar Almon, the independent rangers led by Nia Lucarios and Jebe, and the medium-armored cavalry (cataphracts) that Hercule was to command directly were already gathered there.

　With the arrival of the Alicia-led Bulgaron cavalry, the entire army was assembled. ......
　Hercule went up to the stage.

　Then he raised his voice and spoke to the soldiers.

　"Gentlemen!　You are fortunate. You are fortunate, because you are about to witness, or at least be a part of, a feat unparalleled in military history!



　Hearing these words, ......
　Alicia let out a sigh inwardly.

　And then ...... Hercule said the words that Alicia had expected.

　"Gentlemen!　From now on, we will cross the ...... Great Desert, the Feathern Region, and launch a surprise attack on the Kingdom of Cerda!


　
　Thus, the greatest military feat of the champion of the three continents, the "Holy Light Emperor" Hercule I, the great military action .
　A major operation that would rewrite the common sense of military history.

　A legendary feat that etched Hercule's name in the history of warfare as a great general.

　An act of madness comparable to, if not greater than, the crossing of the Great Mountains by that legendary general.




　The crossing of the Great Desert has begun.