96 Episode 3: Battle of Rhosa Island Vol.1 "The Attac... (1/2)
In early April, when the weather began to gradually warm up ......
The countries along the coast of the Album Sea were in a state of shock.
The Lemurian Empire has invaded the island of Rosa!
You've landed successfully, haven't you?
”Well, that's because ...... no one saw it coming.
I'm not sure what to make of that, but I'm sure it's a good thing.
In contrast, Christos smiled bitterly.
Even with a standing army, Hercule was the only sovereign to act so electrifyingly.
Hercule is a man who starts wars as if he were going on a picnic.
This is because the standing army is always on standby in Nova Lemuria, and Hercule can say, ”Let's go to war! This is because the standing army is always on standby in Nova Lemuria, ready for any moment when Hercule says, ”Let's go to war!
As a sovereign who doesn't talk much, Hercule rarely talks about his plans, even to his own subjects. ......
The soldiers are prepared and ready to go to war at any time.
For the soldiers, the sudden war was just another day in the life of the Emperor.
In the capital of the Lemurian Empire, there is a huge stockpile of wheat, preserved food, and military food (rations), and there is also a large stockpile in military roads, towns, and villages.
Therefore, when other countries want to start a war, they have to hire mercenaries, gather soldiers, collect rations, ......
In this war, Erkül was able to start and finish the war as quickly as possible.
In this war as well, Hercule suddenly summoned the navy to Nova Lemuria, immediately loaded them with soldiers, and went into battle.
Therefore, from the enemy's point of view, the enemy landed before they had time to prepare.
That's why the enemy landed before we could prepare.
”Well, Your Majesty. What do we do now?
”The enemy has given up on naval warfare and is probably holed up in their inland fortresses. Let's take our time and bring them down.
Now, let me explain about Rosa Island.
The island of Rosa is about 600 kilometers south of Nova Lemuria in a straight line.
It is the capital of the province of Misr.
A straight line from Aletheia, the capital of the province of Misrule, is about 600 kilometers to the north.
Surrounded by the territory of the Lemurian Empire, this island is ......
It was practically occupied by pirates.
The Lemurian Empire calls them the Rosa Pirates.
However, they themselves called themselves the Knights of St. Rosa.
They are dedicated warbeasts of the Western Messianic religion, and are said to be ”bringing to justice the heretics (Orthodox Messianic merchants) who trade with the evil pagans.
He is a pirate by any measure.
Thank you very much.
However, there is a nation that recognizes and even supports the self-proclaimed Knights of St. Rosa as a holy order.
That is the Kingdom of Cerda.
This is because the Kingdom of Chellda is a Western-style Messianic nation, and it has a warbeast supremacy policy, and the Lemurian Empire is its virtual enemy.
The Kingdom of Chellda is aiding the Lemurian Empire in order to prevent its ships from being attacked by the Rosa pirates, and to drag the Lemurian Empire down as much as possible.
The Rosa pirates were also grateful for the support and assistance of the Kingdom of Cerda as they turned their looted goods into money to buy weapons and food.
It was a win-win situation.
But for the Lemurian Empire, it was unbearable.
The island and its pirates are like a bone stuck in its throat.
With several ships being sunk every year, the direct damage alone is not uncommon, and the indirect damage - the cost of escorting the ships and the loss of time in making detours - would amount to an enormous amount.
The emperor Hadrian had sent troops to eliminate these pirates many times, but each time he had been forced to retreat due to the support of the Kingdom of Cerda and their cockroach-like stubbornness.
The island of Rosa has a strong fortress that was built in ancient times and is still being repaired and strengthened by the pirates. Therefore, the siege would be a long battle.
The former side will run out of food before the latter side.
This is why Rosa's pirates have survived so long and have continued to plunder until now.
I'm not sure what to make of it.
Hercule smiles happily.
The troops that Hercule has brought to this war are two legions of infantry 24000, two battalions of heavy cavalry (cribanarius) 24000, one battalion of scouting messenger light cavalry 12000, eight battalions of longbowmen 96000.
Total: 372,000.
In addition, 150 galleys.
Commanded by ......
The infantry are Hercule and Oscar, the heavy cavalry (cribanarius) are Carolina, and the longbowmen are Edmond.
Hercule also has light cavalry under his command.
And the navy is led by Christos.
Incidentally, during the last year, Hercule has made some changes to the heavy cavalry (cribanarius) and longbow troops, from one legion of eight battalions to one legion of ten battalions, and at the same time, he has expanded the heavy cavalry (cribanarius) and longbow troops to two battalions each.
In contrast, the Rosa pirates are ......
Their number, including miscellaneous soldiers, is about 400.
The difference in strength is overwhelming: ......
I'd like to say, but even so, when they don't fall, they don't fall in a siege.
Emperor Hadrian once gathered mercenaries and went into a siege with a large army of 10,000 ......
The results were disastrous.
Well, it was largely due to Hadrian's lack of ability.
Now, if our reconnaissance is correct,......, they are holed up in a fortress inland south of here. First, let's capture the largest port, Rosa, and take their galleys or destroy them. ...... Well, unless they're really stupid, I think they've already destroyed it.
A port city and an inland fortress are better defended by the latter.
This is because port cities are vulnerable to intrusion from the sea.
The Rosa pirates, who abandoned the port because they knew they couldn't win in a naval battle, would have destroyed the galleys to prevent the Lemurian Empire from using them.
Well, considering that it's a tool of their business, it's possible that they've tied it to a rock somewhere and are hiding it.
Let's go!
First, Hercule divided the army into three groups, with one group going to occupy the port: ......
The other was headed for the fortress city twenty kilometers away.
The other was to raid and plunder the villages a little further along the road or in the vicinity of the fortress city.
”Your Majesty.
What's wrong? Nia.
Nia, who was following Hercule as his chamberlain, asked Hercule a question.
You know, ......, why are you attacking a farming village? And there are so many of them. ......
'Hmm, that's the thing: ......'
Hercule thought for a moment, then grinned.
”Well, yes. It would be boring to give a straight answer. It's best to figure it out for yourself. It's better for you. Well, maybe I'll give you a hint. Nia, what do you think was the reason my father Hadrian failed to bring down this island?
”...... Well, he had a lot of mercenaries, right? I guess. I'm sure you'll agree with me.
”Oh, that's a good point.
Hercule pats Nia on the head.
Hercule stroked Nia's head and gave her the answer.