192 Episode 33 The Country Of Sale




 Fourteen days before Hercule's arrival in Azdavia.
 That is, twenty-seven days after the desert crossing.

 An independent ranger unit led by Jebe entered the city of Teripol.

 "Good to have you back, General Jebe.
 "It's good to have you here.

 Jebe was greeted by Stefan and Oskar.
 Jebe checked with them.

 Who is in charge of the defense of Teripol City?
 I'm in charge this time," Stefan said.

 Stephan said.
 Jebe nodded.

 "His Majesty tells me you're a good defender. It's a good choice.

 I'm not going to argue with His Majesty's choice in the first place," Jebe added.
 Jebe added.

 Even if I don't trust the generals and vassals that Hercule has chosen, I can trust the way he looks at people.

 Such is the psychology of the Lemurian vassals.

 Do you have any other generals?
 "I'm here.

 The one who appeared was Nia.
 Jebe muttered to himself as he looked at the Nightmare girl with a fearless smile.

 "You're here too?
 What is it? What's wrong with me being here?

 When Nia grumbled, Jebe shook his head.

 It's not like that. ...... I thought you were going with His Majesty.
 I would have liked to have gone with you, but I was ordered by His Majesty to protect the city of Teripol.

 I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. ......
 But it seems that disobeying Hercule's orders is not an option.

 In the event that the king ordered him to be embraced by another man, even by a greasy, disgusting old man, he would fulfill that order, even if it meant crying.

 Jebe thought inwardly.

 Even Jebe, who felt grateful and loyal to Hercule, was not loyal enough to accept such an order.

 I'm not sure what to make of it. ...... Have you lost a third of your men? I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that. That's surprising.

 Nia doesn't like Jebe very much,.......
 But he did have an appreciation for his abilities.

 So it was a bit surprising that he came back with a third of his troops gone.

 That's about it. I'd like to ask General Stefan and General Oscar about this. ...... The enemy has a troublesome general.

 Jebe then described the generals and troops that had hit him, the Red Wolf Princess and the Red Wolf Squad.

 But he's protecting Cerda, isn't he? It's not a problem, is it?

 Stephan said, and Jebe shook his head.

 Unfortunately, the ...... Red Wolves joined the army heading for Teripol City as soon as I left Ifrikia. The Red Wolves number about three hundred. In other words, the enemy's strength was 5,300.

 Since the Red Wolves were not originally part of the Chelda defenders, the Chelda defenders still numbered about one hundred and ten and were guarding Chelda City and the Royal Palace.

 But we're going to be fighting a siege, so we don't need to worry about it.

 Oskar said.
 The Red Wolves are heavy cavalry, but ...... heavy cavalry is useless in a siege.

 You're right. You're right. It's not good to be too fearful and reluctant. Just keep in mind that ...... is a good place to start. By the way, I have three questions for you, if you don't mind.

 Jebe held up three fingers.

 One, ...... have you finished repairing the city walls?
 That's already taken care of.

 Stephan nodded.

 So, ...... I hear there are loopholes in the castle, is that okay?
 No problem about that either. The enemy lieutenant told me about it.

 Not a few of the generals were unhappy that Carmine and his men had escaped.
 They easily showed him the loopholes that existed in the city of Teripol.

 Stephan also interviewed the citizens of the city and ......
 I've plugged all the holes thoroughly.

 We can't be sure that we've completely closed all the holes, though, so we need to be careful.

 So finally, ...... how many archers do we have?

 The bow, a projectile weapon, is an indispensable weapon in siege warfare.
 If you don't have one, you will have to substitute stones.

 Stones thrown from the top of the walls are also a considerable threat, but they are no match for arrows.

 General Jebe's three battalions ...... are now actually two battalions of 1,200? Along with that, there are General Nia's three battalions.
 "I see.

 I'm sure you've heard of it, but I don't think I've ever heard of it.
 And Nia's independent rangers can also handle bows and arrows as a 'universal force'.

 In addition, I have prepared a ...... crossbow. I'm going to give these to the infantry.
 "Oh ......, that's reassuring.



 The crossbow is a very expensive weapon, and its mass production requires a great deal of money and superior technology.
 However, the Lemurian Empire has both.

 Since it is not official equipment, it is not usually carried on expeditions. ......
 Teripol is a port city, and the Lemurian Empire has control of the seas.

 You can make them in advance and bring them to Teripol City on a transport ship.

 The crossbow will be powerful enough to be carried by a soldier who does not normally handle projectile weapons.

 And ...... the chiefs of the Barbarian and Shuyen clans, Masinissa, are on their way here to reinforce. Their numbers seem to have dwindled a bit in the battle, with 500 cavalry and 110 infantry, for a total of about 160,000,......, but they are still a valuable force.

 Currently, the force defending the city of Teripol consists of three infantry corps and six battalions of Jebe-Nia's independent rangers.
 Originally, this would be 19200. ......
 However, the siege that took down the city of Teripol and Jebe's pursuit of Sonia have reduced his forces.

 The actual strength of the three infantry corps is about 280.
 The independent raiding force led by Jebe is about 240.
 The independent ranger corps led by Nia is almost undamaged, about 360.

 In total, about 340,000.

 If you add to this the troops that Masinissa is expected to lead, about 160,000, ......
 The total will be about 500,000.

 The enemy force will be 5,300 coming from Cerda City and 3,000 coming from Teriportania. Total: 8,300. However, ...... there is a possibility that they will bring together soldiers who escaped from the previous battle of Teripol and soldiers who could not be gathered due to the confusion caused by His Majesty's crossing the desert, so you might want to be prepared for around 10,000 soldiers.

 Teripol City is right in the middle of enemy territory.
 It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

 The enemy has twice as many troops ...... as we do, but we still have control of the seas.

 Oscar smirked.
 This means that the cities of Cyrene, Alexandria, and Nova Lemuria will be sending in huge amounts of food and weapons by sea.

 We will not have to worry about starving to death.


 It will be an easy defensive battle. Our goal is not to defend the city of Teripol. Our goal is not to defend this city of Teripol, but to defend it and then ...... see how much damage we can do to the enemy.

 Stephan said with a wry smile on his face.


 



 Meanwhile, the next day.
 Twenty-eight days after the desert crossing.

 Carmine had joined up with the Teripol Liberation Army, reinforcements from Cerda City.
 As a result, the command was automatically transferred to Carmine.

 "I can't believe it, ...... Father. I can't believe you abandoned Teripol City and ran away. I've failed you!

 Sonia shouted at her father.
 I'm not sure what to make of that.

 Her adorable dog ears and chestnut hair were poking at the sky in anger.

 I'm not sure what to say. There's a reason for this. ...... Even if I stayed, the city of Teripol would have fallen. I can't be caught in there. Isn't that right?

 That's ...... true, I suppose.

 I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
 The only people who can command a large army in the kingdom of Cerda and stand up to the Lemurian Emperor are Iason and Carmine.

 It is true that Carmine can't be caught while Iason is stuck in Azdavia City.

 I understand.
 I'm not convinced, but I understand.

 I'm not convinced, but I understand," Sonia said, about to open her mouth to say something.

 But, but ......
 Here Carmine says something unnecessary.

 I can't let that traitor, Hoamel, do what he wants.
 "...... Hoamel?

 Sonia furrowed her brow.
 Carmine nodded broadly.

 'Oh, yes. If I'm caught, the royal court of Cerda will be controlled by that Hoamel. I am the only one who can resist Hoamel. ......

 "For ......?

 Yeah? What did you say?

 This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your money.
 Sonia looked up slowly.

 She glared at Carmine and shouted at him.

 "Is this a political battle! At a time like this!!!!

 Sonia's shout echoed outside the curtain.
 Carmine panicked and tried to keep his voice down, but ......

 I can't believe it! I can't believe it! At a time like this, at a time when the nation is dying, you're still going to have a political fight? Oh, I see. Well, yes, the region of Teriportania and the city of Teripol are the support base of Hoamel. It doesn't hurt to lose them to your father. ...... On the contrary, if Hoamel's power recedes, he'd rather let the Lemurian Empire take them. ...... Is that what you're saying?

 To Sonia's words: ......
 Carmine choked on his words.

 It's not like Carmine was willing to let the Lemurian Empire take away the land of Cerda.
 But ...... the support base of Hoamel, it would not hurt to lose it, in fact, it would be a boon if Hoamel's power was reduced.
 It was a fact that I thought that it was a good idea.



 So he could not immediately deny it.

 When Carmine went silent, Sonia took it as an affirmation and said, "You're a traitor.

 ...... You traitor.

 And then he left the camp with his teeth chattering so hard you could hear it clearly.