175 Episode 16: Before the Great Strategy (1/2)

In October, when he was thirty years old, Hercule finished his wedding with Scheherazade and other internal affairs.

Hercule launched his long-planned invasion of the Kingdom of Cerda.

”Well, gentlemen. Let's start with a review of ...... our military capabilities.

After saying this, Hercule ordered his servants to hand out the documents.

He then ordered his servants to distribute the documents to the generals of the Lemurian Empire.

As you know, after the ...... Bulgarian War, we established a new infantry corps. In addition, Nia and Jebe have been given two new battalions each to account for their achievements.

Five legions of infantry, one legion of archers, one legion of heavy cavalry (cribanarius), one legion of medium cavalry (cataphract), one battalion of light cavalry, and two rangers of three battalions.

That's 1,044,000.

That's the entire standing army of the Lemurian Empire.

”Oh, but keep in mind that the light cavalry is for spotting, so they don't take part in direct combat much. As for the Tonden-bei, 600,000 people, about three percent of our country's total population, are engaged.

A total of about 700,000 troops.

This may sound enormous.

However, it is the standing army, about 100,000, that has the capacity to go out to war.

The Tonden-bei is a completely defensive army, or rather, a status. ...... While the scale is huge, the financial burden is low, and the fighting capability is low.

If the enemy attacked, they would not be able to use any tactics other than delay.

The navy has also been strengthened to maintain control of the seas, with the number of ...... ships reaching five hundred.

Naturally, the number of personnel has increased accordingly.

”Now the question is, what is the total military strength of the Kingdom of Chelda? Well, ...... we don't know the exact number, so it's just a guess. ......

The population of the Kingdom of Chelda is around 6 to 8 million.

Of these, about 55%, between 3.3 million and 4.4 million, are warbeasts.

In the Kingdom of Chellda, warbeasts = warrior class = soldiers, so the total number of warbeasts is quite large, but ......

Before they are warriors, they are also farmers.

Therefore, in terms of the total mobilizable (・・・・・) military force, it is reasonable to think that it would be about 300,000 to 400,000, or 10% of the population.

It's a good idea to make a large assessment of the total military strength of the country, even though it has been exhausted by the recent civil war. ...... I'm sure you've heard of it.

The Lemurian Empire's total military strength is about 700,000.

The Lemurian Empire has a total of about 700,000 troops, but only about 100,000 are standing troops that can actually be sent out on expeditions.

The enemy force is three times our size. In addition, taking into account the existence of the ...... Fullerling Kingdom, it is not desirable to fight for too long. Decide on a short-term battle. Well, ...... three years at the most.

After saying that, Hercule looks around at the expressions of the generals.

As Hercule had predicted, ...... many of them had expressions that said, ”Are you serious? As Hercule had expected, most of them had a ”are you serious?

However, their eyes did not show any suspicion of Hercule.

They are waiting to hear what Hercule has to say next, and what his specific plan and strategy will be.

I'll tell you the name of the operation.　The name of the operation is ...... ”Operation Surprise”. What do you think?　Isn't ...... adorable?

”'......'.

That was a little slippery.

Hercule scratched his cheek and regretted what he had just said.

It would have been better, he thought, to have taken the 'no tiger without a tiger' approach.

Oh, I'm sorry. I'll give you a rundown. ...... First, ......

When the generals heard of Hercule's plan, their reactions were mixed.

”...... Are you insane?

Galfith's eyes widened.

”There is a fine line between genius and something .......

Christos held his head.

You might want to get your soldiers to prepare their wills before they go into battle.

Edmond let out a sigh.

”Ha-ha-ha!　Great, Your Majesty!　If this works, the Emperor will be the greatest a**h*le in history!

Darius burst out laughing.

...... I still have a kid.

Oscar looked stunned ......

”Huh. ...... Looks like I'm not in charge there. Good luck, General Oskar.　When you die, I'm going to tell your children that their father was a great soldier.

Stefan sends his sympathy and encouragement to Oskar.

”Huh. ...... A short life, huh?

Jebe, with a faraway look in his eyes, looks in the direction of his native prairie and twilight.

”...... Are you nuts?

The Lunarian in charge of the supply line frankly abused Hercule.

You're right, it's His Majesty!　I'm not sure what you're talking about.　That's what makes me numb, that's what I admire!

Nia said to Hercule, ”Fool” in an offhand way.

And ......

”Your Majesty!　My name is!　What do you want me to do!

Karolina shouted.

Hercule has something to say to Karolina.

”Stay.

Oh, no!　Why not!!!

Karolina closed in on Hercule.

Hercule let out a sigh.

Why? You just had a baby. You need to rest now. ...... I can't take you on a dangerous expedition like this.

So who's going to protect you?

I'm taking Scheherazade and Alicia with me. Isn't that enough?

It's a matter of trust that Scheherazade and Alicia are not here.

I can't tell you right now ...... because the mission is the mission.

Hercule personally trusts them (Scheherazade because of her personality and Alicia because of her position, it is unlikely that she would divulge the mission), but the people around her were not convinced.

But the people around them weren't convinced, though they were told before the expedition.

So, but ......

I'm talking for your own good. You know?　Carolina ......, you need to rest this time.

...... I understand.

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

I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

...... Your Majesty should first worry about the soldiers who are forced to go along with your reckless strategy.

All the generals agreed with him.

The end of November.

King Hilderic II gathered his subjects and held a meeting.

The topic of the meeting was the movements of the Lemurian army.

”Gentlemen, as you may have already heard on ......, about 80,000 Lemurian troops gathered in Alectia about a week ago. Since then, the Lemurian army has split into two groups, one by sea and one by land, and is heading towards our country.

King Hilderic II said in front of his subjects.

Hilderic II's face twisted in abhorrence.

The greedy, deceitful Emperor of Lemuria is finally about to overrun our land. ...... We must work together as one against this.

Hilderic II then glared at his subordinates, Hoamel and Carmine.

Even after the end of the civil war, the government of the Kingdom of Chelda has not been stable.

This was because Hoamel and Carmine started a political war.

King Hilderic II was unable to stop them, and felt itchy.

However, he could not afford to have a political war at a time of national crisis.

Therefore, Hilderic II knew that it was useless, but he nevertheless nailed it down.

But ...... land or sea. Probably the best bet would be the sea route. I'm not sure what to make of that.

Carmine muttered.

The south side of the Kingdom of Chellda faces the desert.

Therefore, its real territory is the narrow coastal area between the desert and the sea, which is the only area that is passable.

There are not many roads that pass through this narrow coastal area.