"Well, I never thought I'd see a meal like this on the battlefield!

　King Ludwig I said in a good mood.
　In front of him was a sumptuous Lemurian meal.

　Sitting around the same table as Ludwig I are ......
　I'm not sure what to say.

The best food is in Lemuria, after all.

　Says Cecilia sorrowfully.
　Cecilia spends six months of the year in Lemuria, but ...... it seems that the food in Lemuria is not to Cecilia's taste.
　You can find a lot of people who are looking for a new way to live.

　Her palate had naturally learned to appreciate luxury.
　Cecilia was also unhappy with the fact that she could not bathe freely in Lemuria.

　Water is precious.
　That's why Cecilia was actively working on the reconstruction of Lemuria in order to improve her own living environment.

But the problem is that it tastes too good. When I go back to my home country, ...... the soldiers might start a mutiny. ...... Is that what you want?　Hahahaha!

　With a joke, King Ludwig I praised the logistics capabilities of the Lemurian Empire.
　The Lemurian Empire is the only one in the world that can prepare fresh and plentiful food for two hundred thousand people.
　When it comes to infrastructure and food storage technology, the Lemurian Empire surpasses the Kingdom of Fars.

　Hercule showed this to King Ludwig I, his subordinate lords and knights, and even his own soldiers.

　Currently, it is the Lemurian Empire that is providing for the 60,000 troops that have come as reinforcements.
　This is partly because they are in a position to receive help, but also because ...... the Fulling Kingdom's army brought only the minimum amount of food to begin with.

　If we don't feed them, all 60,000 of them will turn into bandits.
　It is natural for the Lemurian Empire.

　In addition, Hercule had no intention of bearing all the expenses related to the mission, nor did he intend to pay any gratuity.
　And King Ludwig I had no intention of accepting it either.

　This is because if Hercule paid all the money, the ......
　In the case of the Pagan Crusade, the entire army of the Kingdom of Fulling would be mercenaries hired by Hercule.

　If this is the case, it is only logical that Hercule would be in charge of all of them. ......
　You can't sell your debt to the Lemurian Empire because you are only a hired hand.

　Of course, there is also the issue of Erkur's, or rather the Lemurian Empire's, financial situation.
　Since we have mobilized to the limit of our national power, we are naturally already under a heavy financial burden.

　We can't afford any more.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. ...... Now, can we move on to some serious discussion and debate?

　Hercule said as he sipped his grape juice.
　There was no wine being served here.
　No wonder.

　A very important discussion was about to take place between the three of them.

"Hmm, let me start by asking you something straightforward.　Your Majesty, Hercule. What would you like to see as the end of this war?

　Wars are easy to start.
　But ending it is difficult.

　Therefore, it is important to set the conditions for victory at .......

As far as I am concerned, the only way to win this war is for the Kingdom of Fars to ...... crush the possibility of the infidels coming out of the Album Sea.

　King Ludwig I did not enter this war out of righteousness and faith.
　He did not enter the war out of righteousness or faith. He wanted to keep the pagan forces from reaching the Album Sea.
　If he could do that, Ludwig I's business in this war would be over.

　...... Of course, it's also important to save face, because once you've raised an army, you have to achieve a tangible victory.

That's good to know. ...... For me, the conditions for victory are to drive the infidels back from the land and to defend it. You and I have the same goals.

Does that include the Kingdom of Khayastan?

　Ludwig I asked with a smile on his face but no smile in his eyes.
　Ludwig I wants to protect the provinces of Suria and Misr.

　The Kingdom of Hayastan does not face the Arubum Sea. ......
　If the Kingdom of Fars would pull out on the condition that the Kingdom of Hayastan be ceded, it was only natural that he would want to push for it.

Naturally, it is included. I'm also the king of Hayastan. I am also the King of Hayastan. ...... And Hayastan is a Messianic state. At the Council of Nova Lemuria, it was decided to protect our Messianic brethren from the infidels. Therefore, the Kingdom of Hayastan is included in our defense.

　Of course, from Hercule's point of view, the Kingdom of Hayastan is an object of defense.
　In the first place, the reason why Hercule did not make peace with the concession of the Kingdom of Fars was to protect the Kingdom of Hayastan.

If I remember correctly, the Kingdom of Hayastan is an Alethian kingdom, isn't it?　It's a heretical sect that supports monos*xism.

　And King Ludwig I has no desire to shed blood for the Kingdom of Hayastan.
　Of course, it was only natural that he would ask Hercule to give up the Kingdom of Hayastan in case of emergency.

"The Queen of Khayastan, Lunalie, is Orthodox. Of course, I'm Orthodox too. Of course I'm Orthodox. Therefore, Hayastan's doctrine is Orthodox and we are brothers.

"But the majority of the people remain Alectian, don't they?　You tolerate the Alectian faith in your country. Isn't the majority of the nobility still Alectian?

"In the first place, there is no text in the Council of Nova Lemuria that excludes heretical sects. Therefore, even if the majority of the Kingdom of Hayastan is Alectian, it is still a Messianic nation and therefore subject to defense.

"Huh?　That's a misinterpretation. The theologians that I have are only defending the Orthodox Messianic people. ......

In the first place, the majority in the provinces of Shulia and Misr are also Achaetians. The majority in the provinces of Shulia and Misr are also Alethian. If the provinces of Shulia and Misr are to be defended, then it makes sense to include the kingdom of Hayastan.



It doesn't matter what the people believe in. What is important is whether the ...... nobles believe in the orthodox teachings. The nobles who rule the provinces of Suria and Misr are Orthodox. But what about the Kingdom of Hayastan?

　Hercule doesn't want to lose the Kingdom of Hayastan.
　King Ludwig I wants to make him give up the Kingdom of Hayastan.

　The war of words between the two continues.

　The one who stopped it was ...... Cecilia.

I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but I do.

　Clearly, Cecilia stated.
　The eyes of Hercule and Ludwig I were fixed on Cecilia.

　Cecilia said to them unabashedly and rather intimidatingly.

Cecilia said to them in an unabashedly intimidating manner, "We cannot allow even a single piece of our sacred land to fall into the hands of filthy infidels. Even if it is a land inhabited by heretics. Do you understand?　Know that any concession to the infidels in defense of the land, even a single copper coin, will incur the wrath of the Lord.

　The leader of this pagan crusade was nominally Cecilia.
　Cecilia is nominally the ally of this pagan crusade, and in her position, she cannot be asked to compromise with the pagans.
　In particular, she would have to defend the obvious goal of "land.

　The Grand Alliance of the Messianic Church was issued in Cecilia's name, even if it was actually proposed by Hercule.
　Therefore, its failure would result in the loss of Cecilia's authority.

"No matter how much blood is spilled?　Your Holiness.

　When Ludwig I asked this, Cecilia replied aloofly.

"Those who shed their blood in defense of the land will surely be redeemed in the afterlife. As the one who holds the keys to heaven, I assure you.

　Cecilia has neither the money nor the men.
　But she does have the right to speak.
　Cecilia lends her name to Hercule and Ludwig I.

But it is important to keep them out of the clutches of the infidels in order to lead them to orthodoxy and correct teaching. If we abandon the Alexians, they will become even more superstitious.

　It would be in Cecilia's best interest to protect the kingdom of Hayastan.
　It would be in Cecilia's best interest to protect the kingdom of Hayastan, because it would improve the Alectian sentiment toward the Orthodox.

　Heretics are the enemy of the Orthodox Messianic Church, but they are also its frontier.
　The more converts there are, the more power the Church has, the more revenue it receives, such as the one-tenth tax, and the more ...... influence Cecilia has.

The more converts there are, the more power the Church will have and the more revenue it will receive, including the one-tenth tax. But I'm not sure if ...... my vassals will agree with me. ......

　Thinking that the odds were against him, King Ludwig I seemed to have changed his strategy.
　No, ...... perhaps he didn't have much hope of getting Hayastan to give up in the first place.

"We are here to protect our fellow Messiahs. We are not here to protect the personal interests of His Majesty Hercule of the ...... Lemurian Empire. If the ...... knights think that our blood and sweat are being used to secure the interests of the Lemurian Empire, they will return to their homeland. And there's nothing I can do to stop it.

　Hercule and King Ludwig I.
　Ludwig I is the one in a stronger position.
　No matter how he tries to put it, Hercule is in a position to help him.

"You want money?

　When Hercule asked, King Ludwig I shook his head from side to side.

No way!　We are not mercenaries. We're not here for money, but for righteousness and faith. So we don't ask for money, but ...... isn't there a minimum level of sincerity?

I'd like to get straight to the point.

I'd like you to be straightforward with me. I'd like you to correct the unequal trade treaties that were signed before. Specifically, improve the tariff rates.

　The Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Fulling made peace during the Edelna War and have been actively trading ever since.
　The Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Fulling made peace during the Edelna War and have been actively trading ever since.

　With the influx of cheap wheat from the Lemurian Empire, the lords who rely on physical rents will naturally be impoverished.

"...... is good. That's the price to pay, of course.
One more thing.

　King Ludwig I held up a finger.

"I will pay in blood and sweat for the defense of the Messianic homeland. But I will not fight to satisfy your needs. ...... I've heard that this war is largely a battle for control of trade between the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Fars.

　Strictly speaking, it's a struggle for supremacy within the Habila Peninsula.
　The Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Phallus started the war because of it.

The Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Phallus started a war. But we will not cooperate in the struggle for control of trade or the seizure of the Farse Kingdom's territory. Do you understand?

　We may not be able to take territory from the Kingdom of Foulds.
　Even if we can't take the trading rights of the Havilah Peninsula from the Kingdom of Fars.
　Even if we can't take the trade concessions from the Kingdom of Fahls.

　Once you have secured the territorial integrity - for Ludwig I, the safety of the provinces of Suria and Misr - you should make peace with the Kingdom of Fars as soon as possible.

　That was the demand of King Ludwig I to Hercule.

You're right. This is a Messianic war for the defense of the land. It's not a war of aggression. Anything more than defense would be against the purpose of the alliance.

　Cecilia agreed with King Ludwig I.
　Cecilia agreed with Ludwig I. It would be easier for her to proselytize if he "invaded" her, but since she had made Ludwig I concede on Hayastan, she thought that she would have to make a concession to Hercule here.



　Ludwig I and Cecilia demanded that Hercule ......


　A small, snorting sound.


We have no intention of invading. You have a good point.


　I agreed.




"You got me there, Behnam.

　Pagan crusaders.
　That's what the allied forces of Lemuria and Fulling called themselves.
　And their ally is the little girl who was at Scheherazade and Hercule's wedding, the chief priestess of the Messianic religion.

It's horrible. ...... is Messianism.

　Messianism is one of the most fanatical of all religions.
　It is one of the most fanatical of all religions," thought Sasan VIII and Behnam.
　This is because it occasionally shows such unity.

　Whenever a war broke out between the Lemurian Empire and the Kingdom of Phars, some of the Messianists in Phars would riot.

　However, ...... this movement of Messianists does not stem from the exclusiveness, aggressiveness, or fanaticism of Messianism.

　It is more fundamental to the organizational structure of the religion of messianism.
　The Messianic religion is highly organized, bureaucratic, centralized, and has strong vertical and horizontal connections.

　A normal polytheistic temple is often terminated in a single temple.
　Even if the temples are dedicated to the same deity, even if they are neighbors, they are completely different temples and have no horizontal connection.

　But Messianism is different.
　Messianism, or more strictly the Messianic Church, has succeeded in creating a strong sense of belonging to the Church by creating a hierarchical structure.

　The Messianic Church is a kind of state without territory and military power.

The Church of the Messiah is a kind of state without territory and military power. "Well, but King Fulling is not so auspicious a man as to wage war for his faith, is he?　Most likely, the Lemurian Empire has promised him some kind of concession.

　Still, it's amazing that he brought tens of thousands of reinforcements.
　Sasan VIII's opinion of the head of the Messianic Church, the High Priestess, was greatly enhanced.

　The one who mediated between the Emperor of Lemuria and King Fulling was, without a doubt, the High Priestess.

　Whether this war is won or lost.
　Whether this war is won or lost, it is a certainty that a diplomatic window will be created for the High Priestess who is capable of mobilizing such a large army.

So, what can I do for you?　Your Majesty.
"We can't bow to them when we haven't lost yet. But I don't think they're going to bow to us either.

　At least Fulling's army hasn't fought a single battle yet.
　The Emperor of Lemuria will not allow us to flee back without a fight.

"And I'm worried about Kuro Thrust's movements. Now that King Hlauring has made his move, Kuro Thrust will make his move as well.

　There was no way that the Emperor of Lemuria had not approached Kurotsuki.
　In addition, ...... has received information that a fleet of the Lemurian Empire is currently sailing along the coast of the Havilah Peninsula.

　To say the least, the navy of the Kingdom of Fars is not very strong.
　If they invade our territorial waters, ...... the Kingdom of Phallus will have a sword at its throat.

　This is very bad.
　So.

　We have to end this before it happens.

Well, that's a problem.
...... You look like you're having a lot of fun, though.

　Behnam pointed out.
　Sasan VIII touched his face with his hand, looking a little surprised.

　Indeed, Sasan VIII was smiling.
　He hadn't noticed it himself.

"Kuku kuku ......

　Sasan VIII gave a small laugh.

"Think about it!　Think about it! You get to fight two of the most famous generals in the west at the same time.　There is nothing more delightful and enjoyable than that!

　Sasan VIII laughed out loud as he shouted this.
　Then he waved one hand and clenched his fist.

"As soon as the troops have rested, we will march!　We will defeat the Emperor of Lemuria and the King of the Fulling ...... all together!

　Three days later.
　Three days later, the army of the Foulds began to march again.





　The pagan crusaders and the Phallus army.
　The two armies faced each other on the same battlefield ...... as a few days ago, the land of Ilkhamus.


　In the east fluttered a flag with a golden eagle and sun on a red background.
　Male of the East. The Kingdom of Phallus.
　The conqueror of the world, Sasan VIII, the Sun King, is in charge.


　Opposed is a red cross on a white background.
　And the eight flags of Lemuria, Hayastan, Bulgaron, Chelda, Tretum, Fulling, Edelna, and the Church of Messiah.
　The Grand Alliance of the Messianic Church against the pagan crusaders.
　The commander-in-chief is the High Priestess and Pope, "Saint Cecilia Peter," the "Guide of the Faithful. 　
　At the helm are the Lemurian emperors, Hercule I, the "Holy Light Emperor," the "Champion of the Three Continents," and Ludwig I, the "Knight among Knights," the "Lion King.


　Thus, a great battle that will be engraved in history for all time to come.
　The battle that announced the beginning of the Middle Ages to the world with blood and rage.
　The world and history will witness ...... who the real hero is.







　The Second Battle of Ilkamus, also known as ......






　The Second Battle of Ilkamus, also known as the Battle of the Three Empires, has begun.