Three days after the battle of Lesheret.

"Rejoice, men!　We have won!

　Hercule said cheerfully to his generals.
　The generals, however, have subtle expressions on their faces.

"...... Your Majesty.
"What is it, Carolina?
It's a tie, isn't it?
"......

　Hercule was silent for a moment.
　But then he said with an air of superiority.

"It was the enemy who retreated. Then it was us who won.
...... It appears that our losses are slightly more than theirs.
"It's not the numbers that matter. It's not about the numbers, it's about what we've accomplished.
I'm not sure we've achieved ...... that.

　The strategic goal of the Lemurian army was to defeat King Ludwig I on the battlefield once and for all.
　I'm not going to say we lost, but we did suffer some losses.

　I wouldn't go so far as to say we lost.
　But it was not a victory.

"I'm worried about General ...... Nia.

　I'm worried about General Nia," muttered Sonia.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.
　And Sonia seems to approve of Nia's activities this time to a certain extent. ......

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I don't have a problem with that. I know you're alive. You know you're alive, and you'll be treated with respect as a prisoner of war.

　It was well known that Nia was Hercule's lover.
　Even so, she is a general and vassal who is highly valued by Hercule.
　There was no way she would treat such a person roughly, much less violently.

　If he did, Ludwig I would be on the wrong side of Hercule.
　And Hercule would not be able to back down for the sake of face.

　The war would go on forever until both sides were decisively defeated.

　Ludwig I would never make such a foolish choice.

And the same goes for us. Be sure to treat her ...... with the respect she deserves when it comes to the enemy general Bradamante.

　Bradamante is a hero in the kingdom of Fullerling, who has the title of "Temperance" and is praised along with the seven heroes.
　He is also a chief vassal of King Ludwig I.

　If he were to be disrespectful, Ludwig I would not be able to forgive Hercule.
　Emotionally and in terms of honor.

　Hercule does not want to go to war with King Ludwig I forever.

　Therefore, although he keeps a watchful eye on her, he treats her as a guest of a nobleman.
　Also, Bradamante did not show any sign of running away, as if he understood that he was being released directly.

Anyway, ...... we won. At least, that's what you should tell your generals. And to our allies. We won. In politics, if you say you've won a hundred times, you've won, even if you've lost. Understand?

"Ha!

　The loyalists decided to pretend that they had won.




　And that night...

"Herr Bradamante. Is there anything I can do for you?

　Hercule said as he poured wine into Bradamante's cup.

　They were sitting on a plush carpet with a beautifully decorated table between them.
　They were sitting on a luxurious carpet with a beautifully decorated table between them, and on the table was a delicious looking dish.

No, not at all. We are very comfortable here.

　Bradamante said as she poured the wine into Hercule's cup.
　They took the cup and bumped it lightly against each other.

"Here's to our friendship.

　They sip the wine.
　Then Hercule asks Bradamante.

"A thirty-year-old from Khayastan, delivered from the capital. I hope it suits your taste.
"It's so rich and fragrant. The Lemurian Empire, I might add.　How could they prepare such a thing for the battlefield?

　Bradamante said as he looked at the food on the table.
　Bradamante said as he looked at the food on the table. It was so sumptuous that it was hard to believe it had been prepared on the battlefield.

　Of course, if this was prepared only for Hercule and Bradamante, and the soldiers were lacking in food, ......
　Bradamante would have despised Hercule.

　But Bradamante knows, because he has been observing the meals of the Lemurian soldiers for some time.

　The food is not as good as the food displayed here, but the food of the Lemurian soldiers is also delicious.

(As you can see, I can't help but feel the difference in national power.

　The food of the Fullerling army, not to mention the ordinary soldiers, knights, lords, and even the king, King Ludwig I, is mainly hard stone-like bread.
　At least, it's not as tasty as the food of the Lemurian army.

I'm thrilled to be praised by a beauty like you.


"A beautiful woman, no way. ......

　Bradamante's cheeks flushed slightly.
　It's no bad thing to have a beautiful young man like Hercule compliment you on your looks.

　Fullerling men are often crude and vulgar.
　So it's a little refreshing to be wooed by a gentleman like Hercule, who is (on the surface) a gentleman. ......

There are not many women as beautiful as you in Lemuria. I thought the Fullerlings were crude, but there are beautiful women like you.

　Then Hercule winked.

I think we can find a way to reconcile with the Fullerlings.
"Yes, indeed. If you withdraw your troops from Edelna, ......
But you're the one who has to leave.

　In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find out.
　In Bradamante's vision, Hercule and King Ludwig I overlapped.

I would very much like to entrust you with the task of reconciliation.
"Well, you can tell my lord what you said, but ...... I'm not going to do anything that will benefit Lemuria.

　Bradamante also said this firmly.
　To be honest, I don't dislike Hercule.

　On the contrary, perhaps because of the demon's curse, it is also true that his face makes me nervous.

　But that's not the same thing as this.
　I have no intention of selling out my country for love, like some other people.

　I will take any cowardly means to win.
　But I will keep the bond of master and servant that I have made through the bilateral contract as long as my lord continues to offer me a price.

　That is a fulling knight.

"Well, I'm not so sure about that. It is my opinion that the interests of Lemuria and the interests of the Fulling are not at variance.
"...... What do you mean?
I'm sure you're aware of that.　I'm sure that by now, Fullerling's army is having a hard time even finding bread.
".......

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　In the event that you have any kind of questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at our own webpage.

　On the other hand, it is impossible for the Fulling army.
　Even if they could supply food, ...... the lords and knights would want to return to their own lands.

　If the war continues for a long time, it is the Fulling army that will be at a disadvantage.

I'm sure you'll agree. Fortunately, time is on my side. Fortunately, time is on my side. ...... I've told you an unpleasant story. Let's have a nice talk.
"Sure. Let's get back on track.

　The two of them toasted again and had a conversation about their respective cultures.





　Meanwhile, at the main camp of Fulling's army.

"Well, what do you think?　What do you think, Lord Nia? How is our food?
"...... is very, very good.
Wa-ha-ha!　I can see it in your face. I can see it on your face. It didn't taste so good, did it?

　Ludwig I laughed in amusement at Nia's distorted expression as she popped the venison into her mouth.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

The wine is quite good.
"Hmm, I see. I'm glad to hear that. ...... By the way, what part of our cuisine did you find tasteless?
...... I found it too spicy for my taste.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　In the Fullerling Kingdom, spices are a sign of wealth.
　That's why they flaunt it by sprinkling it all over the food.

　In the Lemurian Empire, spices are also a precious commodity, but ...... even the common people can afford them if they stretch themselves.
　Therefore, they do not use it in large quantities like the Fulling Kingdom.
　Because they are cheap and plentiful, they cannot be used as a tool to show off one's wealth or differentiate one's status.

Is that so?　For me, it is also very tasty.

　In addition, human taste buds are indoctrinated.
　If you eat spicy food all the time, you will come to enjoy spicy food.

　The nobles of the Fullerling Kingdom are not eating bad food to differentiate themselves from the rest, they are eating it because they think it is delicious.

They think it's delicious. "Well, but was it inappropriate for me to entertain General Nia, whose palate has been spoiled by Lemurian cuisine?　I apologize.
"No, your sentiments are well appreciated. I'm very glad to hear it.

　Just as Bradamante was being entertained by Hercule, Nia was being entertained by King Ludwig I.
　I hope that my captors will take a liking to my country or to me and will act in my country's favor after they return to the enemy country. ......
　The same is true for both sides.

But General Nia's military prowess and his judgment are amazing!　But General Nia's military prowess and judgment are impressive. ...... Would you like to join our army?　I'll give you an estate and a title.　If you do, our seven heroes will become eight!

I'll accept your offer.

Wa-ha-ha!　I've been rejected!



　After laughing in amusement for a moment, King Ludwig I proposed to Nia in a rather serious tone of voice.

Now, I want you to be my peace envoy to the Lemurian Empire.
...... You can tell my lord what you say, but I have no intention of doing anything to benefit the Fullerings.

　Oddly enough, Nia utters the same words as Bradamante.
　And ...... King Ludwig I also spoke the same words as Hercule.

I don't know about that.　I believe that the interests of Fulling and Lemuria are not different.
The longer this war goes on, the more advantageous it will be for our country. I'll make it clear, the Fulling army's logistics are weak.

　Nia has clearly seen with her own eyes the food conditions of the soldiers of the Fulling army.

　At first, Nia thought that they were being served bad food as a form of harassment, but ......
　He knew that bad food was the norm in the Fullerling army, and that it was now deteriorating not only in quality but also in quantity.

　It's not just the food that's bad.

"Hmm, you've hit a sore spot. But you know what?　Warfare is an extension of politics.
"...... What are you trying to say?
Unlike our country, Lemuria has a great enemy behind it, I think.

　Nia's eyes widened at Ludwig I's words.

No way!　Phallus is now an ally of ours. ......
"Oh?　I never said anything about the Fahls.

　I never said anything about the Furls." King Ludwig I grinned.

Friendship between nations is never permanent. And ...... is not the only country with capable diplomats. We have excellent ones, too.

　Nia was stunned.
　Ludwig I smiles broadly.

　Then Ludwig I picked up a bottle of wine.

I've told you an unpleasant story. I'm not so quick to say that I have to give you an answer today or tomorrow, although my time is limited. Lemuria and our country have a certain amount of time left. So, let's have some fun tonight.

　King Ludwig I poured a glass of blood-red wine.