What?　The army of the Kingdom of Fulling has crossed the mountain range?　...... That was surprisingly fast.

　After the siege of Edelna City, Hercule's eyes widened in surprise for a moment when he heard the report.
　In Hercule's estimation, it should have taken much longer for the Fulling Kingdom to gather its forces.

"How many men?
'Yes, Your Majesty. Yes, Your Majesty. 100 infantry troops, mainly crossbows and spears, and 500 cavalry. The total number of infantry and cavalry is 15,000. The enemy commander is the Bradamante of Temperance.
"...... I see. So it's an advance party.

　Hercule patted his chest inwardly.
　It was not as if Ludwig I had brought the lords together and led a large army much earlier than Hercule had expected.

It was probably the army of Ludwig I's protégé.

　The kingdom of Flering was a feudal state.
　As a military state, the total number and quality of its troops is moderate, but it takes time to gather soldiers.
　The fact that it was able to move into military action so quickly suggests that it was a kind of standing army, a tiger child that King Ludwig I could move quickly.

(But how could he entrust his precious elite to a single vassal? ...... And at such speed. You should think that they probably anticipated our moves at the stage when I moved my army, or even before that, in the preparation stage.

　It's a troublesome opponent, Hercule ponders.

　Fortunately, the city of Edelna had fallen easily.
　As a result, the "king" of Edelna and the nobles of his court have already expressed their intention to surrender to the Lemurian Empire.

　However, the Kingdom of Edelna is a country that is not yet centralized.
　Therefore, even if you cut off the head, the body and limbs will move on their own.

　The lords of the land have shown their will to resist.

　Currently, diplomatic measures are being taken to make them obey. ......
　However, it is a different story when the Fulling Kingdom army arrives so quickly.

　There will be many lords who will be shuffling left and right, weighing the Lemurian Empire against the Fulling Kingdom.

(It's those who don't know whether they're friend or foe that are the most troublesome. (It's the ones who don't know whether they're friend or foe that are the most troublesome. ......)

　This is probably exactly what Ludwig I wanted.
　On the tactical level, Hercule has a big lead at the moment, but on the strategic level, the board is even.

　Hercule has the corner of Edelna and Ludwig I has the corner of the advance troops.

　The battle situation is not in favor of Hercule.
　However, unlike ...... Othello, both sides' corners can be taken.

(If we can defeat Bradamante, the wind will be in our favor.

　Hercule chuckled.
　And then the generals gathered around him.

　They were Sonia, Alicia, and Jebe.

"Welcome. You know that an advance party of the Fullerling army has crossed the Great Mountains?
""Yes, Your Majesty."

　The three of them, who had already shared the information, replied in unison.
　Hercule nodded.

I'd like to say that I'm going to go to ...... to fight them off, but I can't leave for a while to coordinate and settle the surrounding area. Therefore, I will send out a separate force to intercept the enemy.

　The question is who to send out as a detachment: ......
　You can't send Sonia and Alicia out together.
　We can't send Sonia and Alicia out together, because it's obvious that they'll start to split up.

　So it's safe to say that it's either Jebe or these two.
　And considering the specialties of each of them, ......

"Sonia, you will lead an infantry corps of the Kingdom of Chelda and the Red Wolves to intercept them. Jebe, you will lead an independent battalion to assist you.
Yes, sir!
...... Yes.
"......

　Sonia wagged her tail happily. 　
　Jebe looks as if he's been entrusted with something troublesome.
　And then there's Alicia, who looks very unhappy.

(I wonder if it's okay ......)

　Hercule's anxiety got the better of him.




I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
Of course. I have no intention of disobeying your orders.

　"Of course. Jebe replied earnestly.
　When Sonia confirmed that Jebe listened to her firmly, she nodded her head.

　The detachment led by Sonia, with a total of 19,200 foot soldiers, was steadily closing the distance to the Fullerling Kingdom's advance party led by Bradamante.

　They were expected to arrive at the city where the Fullerling Kingdom army was stationed in two days' time.

　The Fullerling Kingdom's army seemed to be preparing for a battle with Sonia's detachment, gathering mercenaries from the surrounding areas and strengthening their forces.

I'm going to listen to what you have to say for now.
Oh, you're willing to listen to my opinion?

　I'm not sure if you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　I'm not sure what you mean by that.

What do you think you're doing?　First of all, use honorifics!　I am the Queen of the Kingdom of Cerda, the wife of the Emperor, and the Queen!

"This is rude. I'm still not very good at Lemurian.

...... Well, that's fine. I don't like your attitude, but I do recognize your abilities.



Oh, ......, that's good to hear.

"Yes, after all, ...... you've ravaged my country for so long.

　When it was pointed out to him that he had looted the kingdom of Cerda, Jebe cowered. 　
　That tactic would not work in the Kingdom of Edelna.
　There are many geographical obstacles such as rivers and mountains.

Unfortunately, the battle is being led by the other side. "Unfortunately, they are in control of the war. We want to eliminate the Fulling Kingdom army, but they don't. If we can fight them evenly, we can gain some support from the lords of Edelna. They will not cross the dangerous bridge.

...... So you're saying that the enemy won't leave the city?

　In fact, the Bludamanites have not shown any signs of leaving the city.
　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at our own web site.

If you want to keep gaining the support of the lords of Edelna, you have to show a certain amount of aggressiveness. So if we approach them or provoke them, they will have no choice but to fight in the field.

"I see, that's where you want to hit. If we are fighting in the field, we have the advantage because we are more numerous.

　Jebe nodded as Sonia smiled at him.
　And so the plan was decided.





　When Bradamante heard the report that a separate Lemurian force was heading straight for him, he couldn't help but smile.

It's a good decision to divide the troops again .......

　The reason why King Ludwig I sent Bradamante to Edelna as soon as possible is to keep Edelna on the side of the Fullerling Kingdom.
　He thought that if he waited too long, the lords of Edelna would fall under the influence of the Lemurian Empire in no time.

　On the other hand, the reason why Hercule sent the army to eliminate Bradamante even after dividing his forces even further was probably because he was confident that he could bring the Kingdom of Edelna completely under the influence of the Lemurian Empire if he could get Bradamante to back down.

　Currently, Bradamante's army relies on the lords and cities of Edelna for most of its logistics.
　Although they are cooperating with the Fulling Kingdom at the moment, depending on the state of the war, they may become dominated by the Lemurian Empire and become uncooperative.

　If that happens, the Kingdom of Fulling will have a hard time with logistics when the decisive battle comes.
　No, they may not even be able to fight a proper battle in the first place.

　It is actually more difficult to maintain logistics on the other side of the mountain range than it is to deploy an army across the mountain range.

If possible, I'd like to challenge you with a siege warfare. ...... It's a problem if people think we're not active in the war.

　As long as they are dependent on lords and cities for logistics, Bradamante must show that they are willing to fight to protect them.

　In the first place, it was for this reason that he had come all the way across the great mountains.

Good,......, let me deal with you. As a knight, I will deal with you fair and square.

　Bradamante smiled wickedly and stood up.

But ...... first we need to close the gap. Do you want to hurry up and hire mercenaries?

　Fortunately, we have plenty of money to hire mercenaries.
　Of course, this is the purse of the lords and cities, so it will not hurt the pockets of the Kingdom of Fulling, not to mention Bradamante.

　And since Bradamante is leading a large army to defend (occupy) this land, they cannot disobey Bradamante's orders.



　Is such a way really knightly?
　If I had asked that question, Bradamante would have answered with a smile.

　If this is not chivalry, what is?　And.


　This is the meaning of chivalry in the kingdom of ...... Fullerling.