47 Episode 15 Marathon (1/2)

Hmm. ...... Okay. Let's accept the peace and withdraw. Tell the ...... Emperor, 'Thank you for your generosity to our starving people.

The general of the Bulgaron Kingdom said this to Todoris, who was sent as a diplomat.

Originally, the purpose of the Bulgaron Kingdom was to pay tribute.

It was not going to fight the great nation of Lemuria now that it had that money.

”Yes, I understand. I'll tell the Emperor that.

Todoris said, and left the place.

After Todoris left, the general of the Bulgaron Kingdom muttered.

Now, ...... let us watch the battle between Phallus and Lemuria, ...... and see what Emperor Hercule has in store for us.

”So peace has been made. Hmm ......, that was cheaper than I thought.

Hercule looks at the report from Todoris.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who can't afford to buy a car.

...... I don't want to settle this with money. Isn't that crazy?　I don't want to settle for money. Isn't it strange that they say, 'You can bet a thousand dollars on defense, but not a hair on tribute?

If it's only a hair, it's more economical. If the country is destroyed as a result of not allocating a hair, there's nothing to worry about.

For what it's worth, the Lemurian Empire has been kept afloat thanks to the ”tribute money” diplomacy of Hadrian, Hercule's father.

The Lemurian Empire's treasury has been squeezed because of this, but it has been able to survive because of this diplomatic policy.

In addition, the money paid to the Kingdom of the Bulgurons will come back to you, so it won't be much of a problem.

...... What do you mean?

”What I paid to the Bulgurons was gold. Precious metal. Carolina, can you eat gold?

...... You can't eat it.

Exactly. Money is inedible. I'm sure you're aware of that. ...... Now, how many countries can use money?

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

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

The gold and silver that flowed to the Bulgaron Kingdom always returned to the Lemurian Empire.

In addition, the luxury goods that can be obtained by using gold and silver, such as ...... spices, silk, tea, of course, sugar, coffee, and bone ash porcelain, once you have obtained and used them, it is human greed that makes you want the next one.

The current rulers of the Bulgaron Kingdom have sold off their sheep and horses to buy them in the Lemurian Empire.

And they won't last long. The Cotormia clan, the mainstay and ruling class of the Bulgaron Kingdom, is losing its centripetal force due to years of extravagance. They've monopolized the tribute from our country. Already, discontent has spread to all the clans of the Kingdom of Bulgalon. ...... Nomads are strong because they are always in need. A nomad who has learned to live in luxury is like a fat sheep.

Just keep fattening them up.

The fatter they get, the easier it is to hunt them.

Hercule smiled a cruel smile.

A chill ran down Carolina's spine when she saw that smile.

(...... This man is going to destroy the Kingdom of Bulgaron.)

Karolina gulped.

I'm not sure what to say. ...... This is where it all begins.

The Lemurian army, led by Hercule, was currently marching north away from the province of Suria.

If they went south from here, they would be in Suria, and if they went further east, they would be met by the army of Phallus.

Hercule was leading two infantry corps, totaling 2,400. He has six battalions of cavalry totaling 720.000. Six battalions of archers, 720. And one battalion of newly organized light cavalry, 120.

Total: 396,000.

That's a huge army of nearly 400,000 men.

On the other hand, the invading army of the Kingdom of Fars has around 30000 infantry, 10000 cavalry, and 500 crossbow troops, for a total of around 45000.

It was reported to Hercule.

500 more than the enemy.

But Hercule was full of confidence.

”Karolina.

What is it?

The war is a surprise, don't you think?

What the hell is he talking about?

Karolina looked at Hercule with a frown.

Hercule believes that there is an equation for war.

Of course, the same is true for mathematics, but there are many ways to get to the answer.

You can use vectors, or you can use calculus to solve it.

It is up to each person.

However, there is a method that suits each person.

Hercule had already established a method, a doctrine, that suited him.

First, use standing armies as much as possible, and always train them to be ready to go into battle at any time.

Second, gather as much information as possible about the enemy or potential enemies.

Third, as a general rule, fix the enemy to one person and do not fight multiple enemies. Always make diplomatic efforts to prevent third countries from intervening when you are at war with another country. If the enemy has formed an alliance with another country, break that alliance through diplomatic efforts. If that fails, concentrate your forces on one side or the other and try to defeat them individually.

If this fails, concentrate your forces on one side or the other and try to defeat them individually. However, do not mix weak soldiers with strong ones. However, do not mix weak soldiers with strong soldiers, because the ability of an army is matched by its weakest soldiers.

Fifth, as a general rule, the battlefield should be set in the enemy's territory. If you fight in your own territory, your territory will be devastated, and even if you win, enemy soldiers who have turned into bandits will spread throughout your territory. In addition, if you fight in your own territory, there is a risk of your soldiers escaping. If you are in the territory of another country, it will be more difficult for your soldiers to escape.

Six, the battlefield should be set as much as possible in a land favorable to your army, specifically in the plains. This is because the Lemurian army, with its main force of cavalry, pikemen, and archers, shows its true value in the wide plains. In addition, since the battlefield is set in the enemy's territory, there is always the fear of ambush in forests and mountains. On the plains, there is no room for subterfuge.

In order to achieve the goal of No.7 and No.6, you must always take control of the war and never let the enemy take control of it.

In order to achieve the seventh objective, you must attack earlier than the enemy and in places that the enemy cannot anticipate.

In other words, from now on ......, Hercule's strategy will be as much in line with this doctrine as possible.

By the way, can you tell me what the plan is?　You said you'd tell me later, and then you didn't tell me anything.

Haha, sorry, sorry. ...... Get me Galfis and the others.

At the order of Hercule, Carolina gathers Galfis and his men.

The four generals who will be participating this time are Galfis, Edmond, Darios, and Oscar.

As usual, Lucanos and Christos are on duty.

”Well, gentlemen. In bed at night, I'm better at attacking than being attacked, and I prefer to do what I want rather than being attacked. After all, I like to keep the initiative in my own hands.

Hercule said, and winked at Karolina.

No matter what, s*xual harassment is not forgotten.

Then he tells the generals.

”It's the same in war. So what we're going to do is not defense. It's an attack. With that in mind, ......

Hercule smirks.

”Do you like marathons, gentlemen?　I love it.

”I hear ...... you've got a lot of mooks, but you've got a lot more resistance than you think.

The general of the Kingdom of Foulds, Coward, frowned.

Coward is a nobleman of the Yazdegerd faction of the Kingdom of Farus, and one of the most prominent generals in the Kingdom of Farus.

Coward wanted to stop the declaration of war against the Lemurian Empire.

This was because the mission entrusted to the Yazdegerd by King Sasan VIII was to defend, not to attack.