V6C32 Temporary return - Santairiku Eiyuuki

Hercule departed from the city of Teripol and set sail for the city of Cyrene, approximately eight hundred kilometers away. The speed of the journey by ship depended largely on the direction of the wind, making it impossible to adhere strictly to any planned calculations. Nevertheless, it was significantly faster than traveling over land. Though the voyage from Teripol to Cyrene was far from smooth for Hercule, they fortunately avoided any bad weather. As a result, they crossed the sea and reached the city of Cyrene in twelve days. It marked exactly thirty days since they'd crossed the desert. --- "It's been a while, Luna! Did you miss me?" "...Not in the slightest." Once he disembarked at the port, Hercule spread his arms open as he approached Lunaria, who had come to greet him. He embraced Lunaria, who appeared indifferent. "But the mere fact you came to greet me means you must have thought of me at least a little, right?" "...Not really. I'd just be frustrated if you died." "So, you were very worried about me, weren't you?" With those words, Hercule forcibly lifted Lunaria's hair... "Mm!" ...and pressed his lips against hers. Lunaria was momentarily taken aback. In that moment, he slipped his tongue past her lips, dominating their soft membranes. "You must have been longing for me all this time, right?" "Ugh, no, that's not... Hey, where are you touching?!" "My hand's on your backside." "Not in that sense... Stop it!" Lunaria protested against Hercule's inappropriate actions. Hercule smirked mischievously. "So, shall I not hold you tonight? I plan to head to the city of Asdavia immediately." "What!? N-No, um..." "You weren't lonely or yearning at all, were you? In the nights I wasn't here." Lunaria flushed with frustration at Hercule's words. "Ugh... Y-You're a cheater..." "Huh? Cheating?" "...Lame." Lunaria whispered softly. "What? What did you say?" Feigning sudden deafness, Hercule asked. With her face bright red, Lunaria spoke up. "Please... hold me." "Louder." "Please hold me!" With a voice audible enough for those around them, Lunaria declared. Hercule, while patting her head, said, "Well, if you insist so much, I can’t refuse. But perhaps you should tone it down a little?" "...Shut up, you pervert." Lunaria grumbled quietly. As Hercule and Lunaria continued their flirtation... "Your Majesty!" A woman with fiery red hair came running towards them at full speed. Catching her breath, she approached Hercule. "Welcome back, Your Majesty." "Oh, Carolina, I'm back. By the way, I thought I told you to stay back in Nova Lemuria?" At Hercule’s words, Carolina shook her head. "While you did order me to stay, you never specified where, Your Majesty." "Did I now? But I wanted you to wait in Nova Lemuria." "...I see. I apologize. Please punish me... tonight." Carolina suggested, her eyes glistening as she gazed up at him. Since the discovery of her pregnancy, this would be the first time she would have been intimate with Hercule again until now. "Hmm... Well, enough time has passed, so it should be fine." With that, Hercule reached out to Carolina's head. Enjoying the silky smooth feel of her hair, he planted a kiss on her cheek. Carolina's face blushed to the shade of her hair. "By the way, Your Majesty, may I have a moment with Lunaria?" "I don't mind." Somewhat reluctantly, Carolina stepped back from Hercule and approached Lunaria, who was pretending to be oblivious while gazing at the sea. "Why didn't you tell me His Majesty was arriving today?" "You didn't ask." "If you knew he was coming, you should've informed me!" "I forgot." "Don't lie!" "I'm not lying." "You are." "No, I'm not lying." "You perverted, masochistic, useless cow." "Shut up, flat-chest." Watching Lunaria and Carolina begin their quarrel, Hercule thought to himself, "Ah, I'm back." --- Hercule spent two nights with Carolina and Lunaria. During the day, he worked on replenishing and reorganizing the ranks of the Bulgaron cavalry regiment and the Cataphract heavy cavalry regiment he had brought with him. On the morning of the thirty-second day since their desert crossing, as they were about to depart from Cyrene... "Your Majesty, I'm coming with you." "No, but, you see..." When Hercule woke up, he found Carolina already fully armed. "Plenty of time has passed since giving birth. If I continue to rest, I'll lose my edge." "...Indeed, that's true." Over three months had already passed. Hercule thought it would be fine and granted permission for her to accompany him. "Take care, Your Majesty." Seemingly with no intention of joining, Lunaria waved her hand from the bed, her head tousled, and her eyes still sleepy. She glanced at Carolina and added, "The good wife awaits the return of her husband from battle." "What do you mean by that? If you have something to say, say it directly to my face." "Your Majesty, how about taking a bath together before you leave? There's time for that, isn’t there?" "Don't ignore me!" Carolina shouted in protest. --- The Lemurian army, having departed from Cyrene, advanced towards the city of Asdavia at a speed of about forty-five kilometers per day. Although it seemed fast, it was a comfortable pace considering the army was comprised solely of Cataphract and Bulgaron cavalry and that they were moving within domestic territories with scarce logistical worries. Hercule arrived near the city of Asdavia and met with Garfis and his forces nine days after leaving Cyrene, making it the forty-first day since their desert crossing. Thus, the Lemurian army assembled near Asdavia consisted of: - A regiment led by Garfis of heavily armored cavalry called the Clibanarius. - A longbow regiment led by Edmond. - Two infantry regiments under Darios. - One light cavalry battalion for reconnaissance, totaling 49,200 troops. Additionally, two regiments, one of Cataphract heavy cavalry and another of Bulgaron cavalry, totaling 24,000, joined them, increasing their numbers to a formidable 73,200. "Oh... The situation is spiraling further and further into chaos." Jason let out a sigh. The total military strength of the Azdavia garrison under his command amounted to 50,000 troops. Originally, they had positioned themselves with their backs against the city of Azdavia, using its walls as a defensive bulwark against the enemy. However, upon hearing that the Lemuria Emperor was personally leading reinforcements of 24,000 troops, they decided to retreat within the city walls. This decision, however, infuriated the beastfolk aristocrat officers. "Are you fleeing from the enemy, you coward?!" they exclaimed. The attitude of these beastfolk aristocrat officers had been deteriorating by the day, which only added to Jason's troubles. "The Barbar tribe has merged with the forces at Teripol City..." At the same time the Lemurian forces were joining near Azdavia, Jason received the distressing news he had feared: the Barbar tribe had entered Teripol City. Jason’s concerns were fully realized when the reinforcements sent from the Teripoltania garrison inadvertently allowed enemy reinforcements access to the city. The Barbar tribe and the Lemurian forces operated under different chains of command. Jason hoped they wouldn’t coordinate well and would end up hindering one another, but that was wishful thinking. Unlike field battles, siege warfare is comparatively easier to coordinate, allowing even amateurs to fight competently. "...It's more likely that our side will fail to coordinate effectively." The Teripoltania garrison was under Jason's jurisdiction, which meant the general leading the reinforcements to Teripol City was a subordinate of Jason, someone aligned with the Hoamel faction. Meanwhile, the Cherda garrison was under Carmine's control. Naturally, the reinforcements sent from the Cherda garrison to Teripol City were under Carmine's subordinates. Having evacuated Teripol City, Carmine and his subordinates joined with the reinforcements from the Cherda garrison, and Carmine was reportedly the de facto commander at this point. This meant that the upcoming assault on Teripol City would involve Carmine and generals from the Hoamel faction—two completely different command structures. "Moreover, neither army is prepared for a siege, which is the worst-case scenario." Neither of them aimed to reclaim Teripol City through a siege. They set out to defeat the forces surrounding Teripol City. Neither side had prepared for nor was mentally ready for siege warfare. Of course, it also depended on how much they managed to prepare along the way, in terms of provisions and siege weapons necessary for a prolonged engagement. "...I cannot afford to move the remaining Teripoltania garrison any further." If, under these conditions, the remaining Teripoltania garrison attempted to come and assist Azdavia City, it would be disastrous. The Teripoltania region would be left completely vulnerable. If the Lemurian forces circled around Azdavia City and invaded... the Teripoltania region would fall under the Lemuria Empire's control without any resistance. "Before we're completely surrounded, I must send out orders." Jason issued a command to the Teripoltania garrison commander, instructing them to 'absolutely' not abandon their post. --- "As expected, they’ve holed up, Your Majesty." "Indeed," Hercule nodded in agreement with Darios's remark. "The decision is commendable, with no mistakes whatsoever." Hercule smiled. Except for misjudging the possibility of crossing the desert, Jason hadn't made any strategic or tactical errors so far. "However, moving part of the Teripoltania garrison to Teripol City was a blunder." "Hmm, knowing Jason's character as a general, that might not have been his intention," Hercule speculated. Maybe circumstances forced his hand, Hercule mused. "Nevertheless... there’s nothing wrong with this decision." In terms of military strength, the Azdavia garrison would be defeated if they engaged in a pitched battle. Transitioning to a siege was not a poor choice. Fortunately, Azdavia City didn’t have a large population, and there had been enough time since the war began to stockpile provisions. Considering the disparity in forces, as long as they restricted themselves to siege defense, defeat was unlikely. However... "While not a mistake, it's certainly not the right answer," Darios concurred. "It appears our enemies completely misunderstand the sentiments of their troops." Both Hercule and Darios laughed. "They refrained from sending reinforcements until now? Plus, an esteemed superior is surrounded by the enemy. Even if told not to assist... it's human nature to want to help." Hercule grinned slyly. Darios mirrored him with a mischievous smile. "It’s different if you have trust. If His Majesty told me not to come to his aid, I wouldn't..." But how much trust did their subordinates have in them? The two laughed merrily, gazing at the walls of Azdavia City.