The scorching sun.
　A desolate land where not a single plant or tree grows.

　The few plants and animals that could be seen were only a few creatures specialized for this harsh environment.

　In the midst of such a world, a group of more than ten thousand people were walking. 　
　A double-headed eagle on a fluttering flag.
　The elite of the Lemurian Empire, the standing army and the Bulgarian cavalry.

　And leading them on their way, the people of the Featherlands, the Barbarians.

　"Hmm ...... hot .......

　Alicia muttered to herself.
　It's incredibly tiring to march in the sun.
　She wore a hooded cloak to keep out the direct sunlight, but the ...... sun's rays pierced through the cloak like an arrow, heating Alicia's skin underneath.

　Sweat trickled down her ethnic clothing, hidden beneath the cloak.

　I want to ...... take it off.

　Alicia felt the urge to take off her riding pants.
　The national costume of the Bulgarian women consisted of riding pants and a one-piece garment that covered the ankles with a deep slit.

　Alicia was often harassed by Hercule to take off her riding pants, exposing her healthy legs to the public, and at other times she was forced to wear a dress that was extremely short, just above the knees or at the limit of what her underwear could cover.

　There were also dresses that had a large opening in the fabric at the back, exposing the white back, and dresses with a ......
　Some dresses had a heart-shaped cutout at the bust, exposing the cleavage of their white breasts. ......
　Sometimes they were sleeveless, exposing their armpits, and other times the fabric of their abdomen was cut out, exposing their shapely navel. ......

　In the worst cases, I was made to wear a dress that looked like a combination of all of the above.

　I have been humiliated many times by the public exposure of my skin and the alteration of my costume, the pride of the Bulgars.

　...... Most recently, as seen in the wedding dresses of Carolina and Scheherazade, skin exposure has become accepted as a fashion to some extent, and in Lemuria, ignorance of the Bulgarian culture may have led to people saying, "Wow, Bulgarian women wear such clothes. In Lemuria, the ignorance of the culture of Bulgaron led to an oblique response such as, "Oh, women in Bulgaron wear this kind of clothing, how interesting to see a different culture," while in Bulgaron, the response was, "Apparently, women in Lemuria don't have much resistance to exposing their skin. The Lemurian Empire was the cultural center of Lemuria. The Lemurian Empire is a cultural center. ...... That's civilized fashion. Nice!　The Lemurians also misunderstood the Lemurian women who began to imitate her, and the contamination and misunderstanding of the Lemurian culture began without Alicia's knowledge.

　But that's a long story.

　Anyway, Alicia had been forced to dress in such embarrassing ways, but now her pain from the heat and fever (・・・・・) was overriding that embarrassment.

　I just want to dress cool.
　If I wanted to, I could take a dip.

　Alicia earnestly wished.

　Boom!　Boom!　Boom!

　A loud gong sounded.
　It was a signal to rehydrate.

　As if she hadn't waited long enough, Alicia grabbed the leather bag that was hanging around her waist.

　She takes a few sips.
　For a moment, she feels as if she is coming back to life.

　But the sun's rays soon make her sweat.

　"Hang in there, Alicia. We're almost at rest.

　Hercule, who was walking next to her, called out to Alicia.
　With a fluid motion, he stroked Alicia's buttocks.

　"Yuck!
　You're soaking wet. ...... For once, you're really sweating.
　"Heh, you look ...... fine.

　Alicia looks up at the smirking elf man.
　His forehead was sweating, ...... but his expression was incredibly cheerful.

　I've been working out.
　So ...... you don't need to ride a horse by the way?

　In order to conserve the strength of the horses, all of the party, including the cavalrymen, were traveling on foot, not on horseback.
　The horses were carrying luggage and armor on their backs, though.

　However, the emperor, Hercule, could ride a horse.
　No one would complain, Alicia thought.

　No one will complain, but some people will. In a march like this, energy and morale are important. I can't be the only one who has it easy.

　He is a man who is disciplined in a strange way.
　Alicia was bewildered by the gap and difference from her usual arrogant attitude, but it was because of such attentiveness that she was able to ......

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.

　"Your Majesty.
　"What is it, Scheherazade?

　The new wife, who was also walking by Hercule's side in a disciplined manner, ......
　Scheherazade, former princess of the Kingdom of False, new empress of the Lemurian Empire, asks Hercule, "Why is this water so sweet?

　I'm not sure if you can tell me why this water is sweet.　Also, ...... seems to have a slightly sour and sour taste.

　Alicia had her own doubts about that.
　The water that Hercule distributes during the march has a strange taste.

　It has sugar, salt and lemon in it.
　"Why does it taste like that?

　Scheherazade asked. ......　
　Hercule forcefully embraced her.

　He ran his tongue over her cheek and licked her sweat.

　What are you doing ......?
　What are you doing?" "Sweat is tasteless, isn't it?

　When Scheherazade and Alicia heard Hercule's words, they were shocked.
　If you ask me, it is true that ...... sweat is soapy.

　This means that ...... salt is flowing out of the body at the same time as water.

　In addition to salt, sweat contains a variety of other nutrients. I'll spare you the details, but ...... it's more efficient to consume them together.

　"Is that why they give out those ...... candies during breaks?



　Alicia asks.
　Every hour, Hercule would take a break, and during these short breaks, each soldier would be given a candy bar.

　This was one of the few amusements for the soldiers marching in the hot sun.

　At first, Alicia thought it was to provide entertainment for the soldiers and to quench their thirst by salivating. ......

　That's right. Well, it's also for ...... entertainment.

　Hercule nodded.
　Alicia was impressed by this.

　...... The Bulgallon Kingdom must be defeated.
　You know exactly what I'm talking about. "You know exactly what I mean. And ...... the Kingdom of Cerda will be destroyed as well.

　Hercule grinned.
　When Alicia heard those words, she was convinced.

　The Kingdom of Chelda will be destroyed, no doubt about it.
　And the Crom Clan must not defy Hercule.

　By the way, Your Majesty, how much further walking do we have to do today?
　About twenty-five kilometers?　Well, about five or six more hours.

　Hercule replied to Scheherazade's question.
　I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to walk at this pace for the next five hours. ...... Scheherazade and Alicia let out a sigh.

　It's a good idea to slow down.　Your Majesty. We've already walked fifteen kilometers today.

　It's insane to walk for forty kilometers in the hot sun like this.
　Alicia complained to Hercule.

　If we slow down, our plans will go awry. We have to reach the next oasis by the day after tomorrow. Besides, ...... this isn't the first time you've walked forty or fifty kilometers.

　That's also ...... true, though.

　On average, the Lemurian army walked about thirty kilometers a day.
　Sometimes they would walk forty or forty-five kilometers, perhaps because of the distance between watering holes.
　In this great desert, this marching speed is extraordinary.

　Even with such a high speed, the number of people who have dropped out is still less than 10,000. ......
　The reason why there are still less than one hundred casualties is because of the steady pace of Hercule's planned march.

　"Just so you know, the slower the pace, the more people will drop out, right?
　"...... Is that so?

　Alicia's question was answered by Hercule's nod.

　I'm sure you're right. In a place like this, where water and food supplies are unreliable, it is safer to run ...... at a brisk pace than to walk slowly. The troops will be exhausted, but you can ...... make sure they get a good rest. Fortunately, this is the territory of the allied tribe, the Barbarians. There is no need to worry about fighting.

　If you don't have to worry about fighting, it's okay to march a little too hard.
　Rather, it is better to march through even if you have to.

　It is better to march through," said Hercule.

　But it is also true that ...... morale is on the decline. Let's give them some motivation.

　Hercule gathered his cavalry mounted messengers.
　Then he said to them.

　Tell the troops. ...... We'll reach the oasis city by noon the day after tomorrow. It's a large city of the Barbarians. We have water, food, women, brothels. Naturally, stealing and raping are forbidden, but ...... will give you some money. I'll give you a day to play as you wish, good luck.

　When the messengers heard Hercule's words, their eyes lit up.
　When they heard Hercule's words, the messengers' eyes lit up and they rushed out as if it was their mission to tell their friends about it.

　"This will restore morale.
　It's that simple. ...... was the man.

　Alicia thought of the men in her tribe and let out a sigh.
　Can you f*ck a woman?　I'm not sure what to say.　They were raiding the village with great glee.

　Even in the Lemurian army, where military discipline is strictly enforced, men are still men.

　"Whoa!
　"Yes!　Let's go for it!
　"Let's go!
　"Long live the Emperor!
　"Long live the Empress!
　Long live the Princess of Vulgaron!

　A cheerful voice came from the rear.
　Scheherazade, Alicia, Nia, and a few of the elven women knights in the cataphracts let out a collective sigh of dismay.

　I'm not sure what to say. Let's sing a song to cheer ourselves up. Alicia, follow me in singing.
　"Oh, a song?
　Yes. Scheherazade, you sing with me.
　Yes, yes.

　Alicia and Scheherazade nodded.


　After confirming that they nodded, Hercule began to sing a high-pitched chant in a good mood and in a strangely beautiful voice.


　A group of humans singing a high-pitched chant in the middle of the great desert.

　The vultures that had been flying above the Lemurian army were taken aback by this and flew away.