It's been three years since the Lemurian Empire swallowed the Kingdom of Chelda as a confederacy.
　In those three years, the Lemurian Empire had completely digested the Kingdom of Chelda: ......　
　The Lemurian Empire has been able to completely digest the Kingdom of Chelda, but it was still able to move around.

　And so, Hercule's next target was ......

The Republic of Adleria. It's about time we drove this thing out of the Album Sea.

　Hercule declared in front of his subjects.

　Republic of Adluria.
　The Republic of Adluria was a commercial power that controlled the Adlurian Sea between the Kiris Peninsula, where Nova Lemuria City is located, and the Edelna Peninsula, where Lemuria City is located.

　Although it is a small city-state, its territory is surrounded by tidal flats.
　Therefore, it is extremely specialized in defense.
　It has been engaged in trade under the patronage of the Kingdom of Edelna and the Kingdom of Fulling.

　It has sometimes cooperated with the Lemurian Empire, and sometimes had commercial conflicts with it.

　However, now that Hercule had ascended to the throne and the Lemurian Empire's national power had begun to recover, it had completely lost its position as the dominant force in commercial trade to Lemuria and was falling.

　However, it is still a troublesome country for the Lemurian Empire as the home of pirates (i.e. privateers).

　At present, it is effectively a vassal state of the Fulling Kingdom.
　It also serves as a detour route for the Fullerling Kingdom to import spices and other luxury goods, and even today it has a certain amount of national power.

　However, compared to the current Lemurian Empire, it is nothing more than a puff of dust.

Now, as for our military strength, ......

　Five legions of infantry, one legion of archers, one legion of heavy cavalry (Cribanarius), one legion of medium cavalry (Cataphract), one legion of light cavalry, and two rangers of three battalions.
　And Sonia's Red Wolves also have three battalions.
　In addition, it is possible to summon at least one legion each from the Bulgarons and the Kingdom of Chelda.


　And this is only the land force.
　In terms of maritime power, we have absorbed the navy of the Kingdom of Chelda, and we have a large fleet of 500 ships, including newly built galleys.

There is no problem when it comes to dealing with the Republic of Adluria, but the problem is the Kingdom of Fulling.

　The Republic of Adluria is under the protection of the Kingdom of Fulling.
　If the Lemurian Empire attacks the Republic of Adluria, there is a high possibility that the Fullerling Kingdom will come out.

"Or should I call them the Fullerling Empire?　They're very irreverent.

　Hercule sniffed grimly.
　It was only recently that Hercule had heard that King Ludwig I of the Fullerling Kingdom had ascended to the throne as Emperor of the West Lemurian Empire.

　In the first place, when the West Lemurian Empire died, its crown was returned to the Emperor of the East Lemurian Empire, and at this point, the East and West Lemurian Empires were united.

　Therefore, legally, Hercule is the emperor of both East and West Lemuria.

　Therefore, there is no legal basis for Ludwig I to ascend to the throne as Emperor of Western Lemuria. ...... In the first place, he is a man who prepares a meaningless position such as Pope.

　It is better to think that logic does not apply.

　Of course, the Lemurian Empire does not recognize the emperorship at all.
　Therefore, I'm going to be very clear about that as well.

　In other words, the defeat of the Republic of Adleria is merely bait.
　Our main goal is to crush the Fulling Kingdom, which came out of nowhere.

"Antonio. As for my people in the Republic of Adluria, have they been evacuated yet?
Very well.

　The merchant from the Republic of Adorlia, Antonio, grinned and nodded.
　With all of the merchants associated with the Lemurian Empire gone, the Council of the Republic of Adorlia is undoubtedly anticipating war. ......

　That's to be expected.

"Good. Christos, you will lead your entire fleet to capture or sink every ship in the Republic of Adleria and the Kingdoms of Fulling and Edelna. We will also place an embargo on both of them.

　This is a double-edged sword that will have a huge impact on the economy of the Lemurian Empire: ......
　This is a double-edged sword that will have a major impact on the economy of the Lemurian Empire. However, in reality, the economy of the Lemurian Empire is supported not by trade with the West, but by trade with the East.
　In fact, the economy of the Lemurian Empire is not supported by trade with the West, but by trade with the East. Therefore, this is not a big problem in the short term.

Darios. For you ......, I guess. I'll give you a corps of infantry, four battalions of archers, and three battalions of near rangers. You will receive a total of 240,000. Use this force to blockade the Republic of Adleria and force them to eat.

"Yes, Your Majesty.

　Hercule knew that the mainland of the Republic of Adleria was impregnable.
　However, the Republic of Adluria is not even self-sufficient in grain, and is completely dependent on commerce.

　It's only a matter of time before it dries up if we shut down its land and sea routes.

(......) Mmm, you're with General Darios. (Well, I can't help it if His Majesty ordered it.

　Nia was not happy that she could not be with her beloved Hercule. ......
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

I will lead a corps of infantry and three battalions of archers to invade the Kingdom of Edelna from the north along the coast. Alicia will lead a legion of Bulgaron cavalry, Sonia will lead three battalions of Red Wolves and a legion of Cerda infantry, and Jebe will lead three battalions of Rangers to follow me.

""Yes!"

　The three of them replied in unison.
　The reason why Hercule had included Alicia and Sonia in his army was because he thought that he was probably the only one who could control them.

　In fact, both of them were so capable and proud that they would definitely not take orders from Darios or Galfis seriously.

I'll go with Darios on the road.

　When Hercule said that, Nia's expression relaxed a little.
　She seemed to want to be with Hercule as much as possible.

"Galfis, you will be in charge of a single legion of heavy cavalry, the Clibanarius. Edmond will lead a corps of infantry and three battalions of archers under Galfis' command. You two, from the south, invade the Edelna Peninsula.

「「「「「 Yes! 」」」」」

　Seeing that his men nodded, Hercule continued with his orders.

As for the legion of light cavalry, divide them into thirds and assign them as reconnaissance units. Including the light cavalry, we will invade the Kingdom of Edelna with 1,428,000 troops.

　Then Hercule held up three fingers.



"We have three goals. One is to destroy the Republic of Adleria. The second is to reclaim the city of Lemuria for our own use. And finally, we must crush the Fulling Kingdom, which has come to the aid of the Republic of Edelna and Adleria. That is all!　Begin your preparations. God be with us!

"Yes!　God be with us!




　It was some time later.
　While King Ludwig I was in his palace in Lutosy, he received urgent news.

"Your Majesty, there is movement in the Lemurian Empire. There is movement in the Lemurian Empire.

　Namo was the one who announced this.
　Using his contacts in the Lemurian Empire, he was the first to detect the movement.

　King Ludwig I immediately summoned the seven heroes.

No, but ...... hmm, military action in winter.

　The season is October.
　The season is October, and it will soon get very cold.

　Hercule's aim was clear.

In the winter, it will be difficult to lead a large army over the great mountains. The sea is controlled by the Lemurian Empire. The Lemurian Empire is holding the seas, and they want to destroy the Kingdom of Edelna and the Republic of Adleria before we can move our forces.

　Maraziji of Hope, one of the seven heroes, said.
　Half-human, half-warbeast, he is not only an excellent general, but also a sorcerer.
　Marajji's guess was quite correct, but ......

It's winter, so it's hard to cross the great mountains. ...... Crap, yeah. But I'm sure there are examples in history.

　Ludwig I said with a confident expression.
　The seven heroes were surprised by this, but ......

　I'm sure he can do it.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

　The one who said this happily was Astolfo of Love, one of the seven heroes.
　But King Ludwig I shook his head left and right.

No, no. There is no way that the Emperor of Lemuria, or rather the people of the Lemurian Empire who were tormented by such a great general, would not expect that. Therefore, he must be working on the assumption that I will cross the Great Mountains.

　There was a certain amount of trust in Hercule I in Ludwig I's voice.
　There was a certain amount of trust in Hercule I in Ludwig I's voice.

But...!　You can't call yourself a knight if you don't accept this offer!　It will take at least 100,000 to counter 150,000. Each of you must enlist your lords and gather at least 100,000 men!

　Then he turned his gaze to the last of the seven heroes.

He then turned to the last of the seven heroes. "The Emperor of Lemuria has divided his forces into three groups to achieve mobility and strategic flexibility, but this is a foolish way of distributing power. Bradamante!　I give you 15,000 of my best men.

"Yes, Your Majesty.

　The blonde girl smirked.
　"Yes, Your Majesty," the blonde girl grinned, "she is the last of the Seven Braves, Bradamante of Temperance.

"As an advance party, cross the Great Mountains!　"As an advance party, you will cross the Great Mountains and stop the Lemurian army from entering the Pasta Plains.
"Yes, sir. ...... By the way, Your Majesty.

　The girl asks her lord.

"You don't mind if I defeat him, do you?
Ha-ha-ha!　Well said!