It was about a month ago.
　The war between the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Phallus had begun.

　When Cecilia heard the news, she hurriedly left Lemuria for Nova Lemuria after finishing her business.
　When she arrived in Nova Lemuria, she found ......
　When I arrived at Nova Lemuria, I was greeted by Loukanos, the Patriarch of Nova Lemuria.

　At the same time, he received a letter of intent from Hercule.
　After reading the letter, Cecilia nodded loudly to .......

I'm aware of the situation. Hopefully, my coming here was a waste of time. Hopefully, my coming here was a waste of time. ...... I suppose I should be happy for my misfortune, though.

　Cecilia divides her time between Nova Lemuria and Lemuria, where she works tirelessly on political matters.
　She was in Lemuria when the war broke out between the Kingdom of Foulds and the Lemurian Empire. ......

　In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

　That is why Cecilia came to Nova Lemuria.
　The fact that it was not a waste of time means that the ...... "what if" moment has occurred.

Are you ready for the council?
"Already in place, Your Holiness. Your Holiness.

　The two men walked at a brisk pace and carried on their conversation.
　Now is not the time.

As for the council's decision, it can wait until after the fact.
Are you sure you want to go to ......?
Soldiers respect speed, don't they?　Don't worry, ......, we've talked about it beforehand.

　And Cecilia muttered, "Master Hercule is rough with people.
　The request that Hercule made to Cecilia before the war began was not only to come to Nova Lemuria.

　There was another.
　There was another very important task that Hercule had asked Cecilia to do.

"Then ......

"Yes. And by now, Hercule's letter of intent should have arrived at Ludwig's door. So, I will write the letter, send it to His Majesty Ludwig at ......, and by the time it reaches him, it should already be in working order.

　This caught Lucanos off guard.
　Hercule and Cecilia had only exchanged letters of intent.

　Despite this, they were working in unison.

　Perhaps it was because they were in perfect harmony as a couple.
　Or is it because of the meticulous consultation and planning that took place over several years beforehand?
　Or is it because of their outstanding abilities in .......

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

Let's put out a call for the formation of a pagan crusade.





　The time goes back a few more weeks.


　The Lemurian Empire had been building an intelligence network against the Kingdom of Fars for many years.
　The network consisted of merchants, Messianic missionaries, and local Messianic churches and monasteries.

　In other words.
　Cecilia and Hercule actually share a part of the intelligence network.

　Therefore, Cecilia knew the situation and the power of the Kingdom of Fars as well as or better than Hercule. 　

　That is why the "sense of crisis" that Hercule and Cecilia had was equal. ......
　This is why Cecilia accepted Hercule's "request" without hesitation.

　In the event that you've got a lot of questions, you can contact us at our own web site.

"Hmmm ......, Lemuria and Phars have started a war. I'm sure you'll be able to understand why. I'm sure it's of little consequence to our country, isn't it?

　When King Ludwig I heard the news of the war between Lemuria and Phallus directly from Cecilia, he frowned.

"You don't mean to tell me that you and Phallus should attack Lemuria together?

　King Ludwig I has his own channel to the Kingdom of Phars, from a different direction than Hercule and Cecilia.
　However, it is more of a diplomatic channel.

　In other words, Ludwig I did not know much about the power of the Kingdom of Phars and its situation.

　But this is not surprising.
　There was no way for him to know the situation of a country that was far away from his own borders.
　Just by having a diplomatic window, Ludwig I can be said to be a very diplomatic monarch.

(I've learned a great deal about Lemuria's military power. (I've had enough of Lemuria's military power. ...... I don't want to have to deal with that country again.

　That's what King Ludwig I was thinking inwardly.
　In fact, he had made a secret agreement with the Kingdom of Phars to attack the Lemurian Empire, but ...... Ludwig I had already benefited from the agreement.

　In addition, a marriage relationship was to be established with Lemuria.
　There is little merit in fulfilling the secret pact.

(Well, let's hope that the Kingdom of Foulds will do its best. It would be safer if Lemuria's national power was a little lower.

　For King Ludwig I, the Kingdom of Phars is only a tool to control the Lemurian Empire.
　Therefore, this is the best he can do.

I'm sure you're not aware of the gravity of the situation.
"......?　What do you mean by serious?

　In the event that you've got a lot of time, you may want to take a look at the following.
　To Ludwig I, Cecilia said, "There is a possibility that Lemuria will be defeated.

There is a possibility that Lemuria will suffer a crushing defeat.
It is true that a major defeat for an ally would be grave. But I am the King of the Fulling Kingdom. I'm too busy with my own country. ......
"Even if the Album Sea were to fall into the hands of the infidels?
"...... what?



　Album Sea.
　It is an inland sea facing the Lemurian Empire and the Fulling Kingdom.
　It has a mild climate and has been used for maritime trade since long ago.

　Currently, the Lemurian Empire holds the hegemony of this sea.
　This situation is actually very convenient for the Kingdom of Fulling.

　This situation is actually very convenient for the Kingdom of Fulling, since it is unable to organize a navy no matter how hard it tries.

　It can't protect its own waters in the Album Sea.
　Therefore, the Lemurian Empire's domination of the Album Sea is a comfortable situation.

　Also, ...... In a feudal state, the first thing a monarch is expected to do is to protect his subjects, and the second thing is to distribute benefits to his subjects.
　These "benefits" included not only land, but also luxury goods such as spices and silk.

　So where does King Ludwig I get it from?
　Naturally, from the economic zone of the Album Sea.

　Of course, the purchase of luxury goods requires a price.
　Where does that price come from?

　It comes from the economic zone of the northern seas, the seas around the Kingdom of Albion and the Scardinawea Peninsula, under the rule of King Ludwig I.

　He sells the goods of the Northern Sea Route - salted fish, timber, and furs - to the Album Sea Route, and buys luxury goods from the Album Sea Route.

　In fact, the source of Ludwig I's power lay in the mediation between these two economic zones.

　Therefore, any disruption in the Album Sea Economic Circle would be very bad for King Ludwig I. 　
　Not only would goods in the Northern Sea Route Economic Circle become difficult to sell, but if the amount of wheat and other grains imported decreased, prices could skyrocket.

　This meant that the power base of King Ludwig I would be shaken.

No surprise there. If the provinces of Suria and Misrule were taken by the Fals, we would have a situation where the infidels would be walking around the Album Sea as if they owned it.

But the Lemurian Empire can't afford a major defeat. ...... Lemuria is a superpower capable of mobilizing 200,000 troops in a defensive war.

　Since the war five years ago.
　Since the war five years ago, King Ludwig I had gathered more detailed information about the Lemurian Empire's military power and national strength.

　The Lemurian Empire can mobilize more than 150,000 troops for an external campaign and more than 200,000 troops for a defensive war,.......

　There was no way that a superpower of this magnitude could be defeated.
　King Ludwig I thought so, but ......

The Kingdom of Fars is a superpower with an army of over 300,000 men.
"Three hundred thousand?

　That's ridiculous.
　Ludwig I's eyes widened.

"Yes, it is. If the military power of the Kingdom of Flaring is one, the Lemurian Empire is two, and the Kingdom of Fahls is three.
"......
"The Sea of Album must be free of infidels. Your Majesty is wise enough to know that.

　That's the worst case scenario.
　It's not going to happen unless it's ...... unlikely, but if it does, it's a big deal.

...... So, what is it that you want from me, Your Holiness?
I want you to be prepared for any eventuality.
...... What exactly?
The Counter-Pagan Crusade.

　A crusade against paganism.
　It was Cecilia's idea (supposedly, but it was actually Hercule's idea) of a military alliance of all Messianics against the Pharisees.

　When King Ludwig I heard about this, he said, "Such a situation cannot happen. It is impossible for the Lemurian Empire to rely on other nations. It's just a political appeal," he thought.

　But at least Cecilia and Hercule had anticipated such a future to some extent.

"...... Hmm.

　Ludwig I immediately understood that Cecilia's words were in fact Hercule's words.
　Hercule, because of his position, told King Ludwig I that he did not know if the war against the Furarus could be won. Therefore, he could not say to King Ludwig I, "Please prepare reinforcements in case our country is in danger.
　That is why I am indirectly conveying my will through Cecilia.

"If the Emperor of the Lemurian Empire sends us a request for support, will you agree to ......?
...... I will have no choice but to do so at that time.

　The proud Emperor of Lemuria bows his head.
　That is when the pagans are really about to set foot on the Album Sea.

　Such a situation could not possibly happen.
　Even though he thought so, King Ludwig I shook his head at that time.



　And it seems that the Lemurian Empire is not doing well.
　He began to prepare to gather his troops.

　And ......
　When he received a request for help from Hercule, he began a massive mobilization of troops.

　The King's Kingsguard Infantry Corps (Kingsguard Infantry) 10,000.
　Royal Guards Infantry Corps (Guards Infantry) 200,000.
　Royal Guards Cavalry Corps(Kingsguard Cavalry) 500. 　
　Royal Guards Cavalry Corps(Escort Cavalry) 10,000.

　In addition to the above, the Comte de Roland, the Comte de Bradamante, and the Comte d'Astolfo have gathered up 500 cavalrymen.
　In total, 600,000.

　Currently, this 60000 is the limit of what King Ludwig I can move alone.

But I never thought I'd actually have to start a pagan crusade. Your Majesty.
"Hmm. Well, it's not technically a crusade against paganism yet.

　Ludwig I responded to Ganelon's words with a wry smile.
　The letter that Hercule sent to King Ludwig I was in effect a request for help. ......
　But more precisely, it said, "Be prepared for the possibility that Her Holiness Cecilia Peter will soon send you a request to participate in a pagan crusade.

　As a superpower, it would be difficult for them to bow down to her honestly.

　Because of the contents of such a letter of intent, unless Cecilia formally requested King Ludwig I to join the crusade against paganism, this army would not be a crusade against paganism.
　And also, it cannot pass through the territory of the Lemurian Empire. 　



"His Majesty the King. ...... received a letter of intent from His Holiness Cecilia Peter.
Finally.

　King Ludwig I received the letter from Tulipin.
　He opened the envelope and looked inside.

　It was a formal request to join the crusade against paganism.
　And that a council would be held in Nova Lemuria within two weeks to pass a resolution on the Grand Alliance of the Messianic Church.

"Very well. ...... Namo, please send my apologies to the diplomats of the Kingdom of Phallus.
"Awe, Your Majesty.

　Then King Ludwig I told Ganullon, Namo, and his son Ludwig II that he was leaving them in charge of the city, and ordered Chulpan to go alone to Nova Lemuria to attend the council.

　Finally, he turned to his subordinates, Astolfo, Laurent, and Bradamante.

"Well, gentlemen. Let's go to ...... and rescue our people!
""Ha!!!




　And so it came to pass that an army of 60000 men made their way from the Fulling Kingdom to the Lemurian Empire.