While Hercule was leading Nia and the others to the Flato River.
　An army of 500 troops led by King Sasan VIII had already reached the river Flato.

"Oh, ...... the Emperor of Lemuria is heading this way, huh? You have very good instincts.

　When Sasan VIII heard the report from his men, he smiled belligerently.
　Once he had gathered his troops in Orontia, the Emperor of Lemuria divided his army into two and left the city in the hands of his ventriloquist, while he himself sailed to intercept Sasan VIII.

　He was leading an army of about three hundred men.
　However, it seems that he is advancing by joining the Tonden soldiers along the way. ...... By the time he comes into contact with Sasan VIII, the size of his force will be about 500.
　He said.

...... The Lemurian army has changed quite a bit, gathering troops as it marches.

　The one who raised her voice in surprise was a beautiful elf woman.
　She had a steel shield and a lance in her hand.
　But the most striking feature was ...... her large breasts.

　Helena Uarelius Cog.
　Queen of the Kingdom of Firth and one of the ...... Eight Loyal Generals.
　Helena of the Shield.

　She was Scheherazade's mother, and originally from the Lemurian Empire.

　So she should be familiar with the military system of the Lemurian Empire. ...... However, in her common sense, the Lemurian army cannot be so dexterous as to gather troops while marching.

　It's easier said than done.
　Without the morale and skill of the troops, and above all, a good road network, logistics facilities, bureaucracy, and good-quality non-commissioned officers, such a feat would not be possible.

　The Lemuria of old did not have that.
　But ...... has it now.

You might want to change your assumption that the Tundan soldiers are not of high quality because they have not experienced real warfare. ...... Your Highness, Helena.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　Darius Dalmares.
　One of the Eight Lords, Darius the Hammer.

I'm not going to let my guard down. ...... is where my precious daughter is getting married.
That's right. If you don't do this, you won't be a worthy husband for ...... Scheherazade.
......" (Are they waiting to be told off?)

　I'm going to invade her husband's country.
　Darius couldn't help but chuckle.

　Then Sasan VIII called out to the other eight generals.

Shaheen, you are to redeem yourself. Is that clear?
"Yes, Your Majesty.

　An Elven man, perhaps a little over a hundred.
　Shaheen Charlequin.
　One of the Eight Lords, the Shaheen of the Sword.
　In the past, he was defeated by Hercule I in a battle twenty years ago. ...... This time, he will be taking his revenge. 　
　Therefore, he seemed to be fully motivated.

But ...... even the Emperor of Lemuria would not be able to see through this scheme. It's the first time he's done this against Lemuria. Let's do this, Dareios.

"Yes, Your Majesty.

　The two of you work together to formulate your magic.
　They summoned the demons of ......'s own contract.

"Bael, the great spirit of irrigation and flood!
"Agares, the Great Spirit of Earth and Earthquakes!

　Sasan VIII and Dareios shout the names of the demons.
　Sasan VIII and Darius shouted the names of the demons, both of which are the 72 great demons and spirits.

　...... Even though they are the same Great Spirits, their effects and scale vary.

　For example, Karolina's contract with Eligos is fuel efficient and easy to use.
　In addition to magical power, Eligos uses blood from menstruation as the price of the contract.
　The price of the contract is small, and the effect is proportionally limited, but it is attractive in that it can be called up and used easily .......

　In contrast, ...... Bael and Agares demand a great price for their use.
　For that reason, their great magic can only be used once every few decades.
　Therefore, it is important to know when to use it. ......
　In return, it is very powerful.

"Bael!　Raise the flood and drink up the earth!
"Agares!　Shake the earth and break its banks!

　The first thing that happened was the swell of the great river.
　The waters of the river Flato began to create unnatural waves.
　Gradually, it became ...... enormous.

　The next thing that happened was a very localized earthquake.
　The strong tremors and shock waves hit the bank on the Lemurian side of the Flato River.

　At the same time as the levee collapsed, a great flood swept it away in an instant.

　In the blink of an eye, the land of Lemuria was covered in water.
　People, farmland, ......, fortresses, great walls, moats.

　The water washed it all away.

"Wahahahaha!　Thank you for destroying our irrigation system twenty years ago!

　Sasan VIII, who was apparently still holding on to the fact that the invading Lemurian army had ravaged his land twenty years ago, laughed hysterically.
　Then he quickly returned to his serious expression.

It was only a small part of the levee that was breached. And only a small part of the defense line was destroyed. The line of defense built by the Emperor of Lemuria. They'll be repaired in no time if we don't do something about it.



　No matter how great the spirit is, it can't create a catastrophe that can remake the terrain.
　No, maybe they can, but ......
　At least, humans cannot pay that price.

　Therefore, the floods that have occurred are very localized.
　Even the hole in the defense line is a needle in a haystack in terms of its total length.

　But ......
　As long as we can make the hole, we can do the rest.

"Let's go. Over the river!
Yes!

　Thus, the armies of the Kingdom of Farus entered the land of the Lemurian Empire.




　When Hercule received the information that the army of Phallus had broken through the defensive line and was advancing through the province of Suria, he clucked his tongue.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. ...... Anything is possible, I suppose. Magic is.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　The elves have been using spirit magic for a long time. ......
　However, there is not much information about which demons use what kind of magic.

　Can control water.
　Can control fire.
　Can control the earth.

　But the details of their abilities are often unclear.

　...... This spirit magic is the reason why Hercule didn't want to fight against Foulds.
　You can't predict what he will do to you.

But your Majesty. I'm sure you're aware of that. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. ...... Is it possible that the localized damage could render the troops posted along the border useless?

　This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.
　The Great Wall that Hercule found to be the border line with the Kingdom of Foulds stretched for tens of kilometers.
　Naturally, there are a good number of soldiers guarding it.

　The Great Wall that was destroyed is only a small part of it.
　Considering the length of the entire area, it is only a needle hole.

　It didn't feel right to Carolina that the defense line had been neutralized because of that small hole.

That hole is fatal. The Great Wall is there to temporarily hold back the enemy. If it can no longer hold them back, the Great Wall will lose its function. And all the troops that had been attached to the Great Wall have become idle soldiers.

　This is an inherent flaw in the defense equipment and system of the Great Wall.
　Because of its lack of mobility, once an enemy escapes, it is impossible to pursue him.

It is reported that the 15,000-strong Fars army has also suddenly changed course and begun to move westward. ......
At this rate, the soldiers on the Great Wall will be pinned down by the 500 that have entered from the inside and the 150 that are coming from the outside.
If they build a supply route to ......, it will be troublesome.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

　Currently, the army of the Kingdom of Fars, which has invaded the territory of the Lemurian Empire, is ......
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one.

　The "hole" that they broke through should have already been plugged if the system that Hercule had built was functioning.
　Even though the Great Wall is not designed to be attacked from the inside ......, it can still contain the enemy to some extent.

　However, if they are attacked from inside and outside at the same time, it is a different story.

　If a part of the Great Wall is "occupied", the army of the Kingdom of Fars can breathe through it.
　They will be able to conduct military operations freely within the Lemurian Empire.

　They would lose the strategic initiative.

All right, we'll take them out before the Foulds' army of 50000 joins up with the 15000!

　Hercule immediately made a decision and began to march to the target point.




　Thus, ......
　The two armies came into contact near the village of Sardel.