178 Episode 19 Behind the Scenes Of The Great Strategy (1/2)

The scorching sun.

A desolate land where not a single plant or tree grows.

The few plants and animals that could be seen were only a few creatures specialized for this harsh environment.

In the midst of such a world, a group of more than ten thousand people were walking.

A double-headed eagle on a fluttering flag.

The elite of the Lemurian Empire, the standing army and the Bulgarian cavalry.

And leading them on their way, the people of the Featherlands, the Barbarians.

”Hmm ...... hot .......

Alicia muttered to herself.

It's incredibly tiring to march in the sun.

She wore a hooded cloak to keep out the direct sunlight, but the ...... sun's rays pierced through the cloak like an arrow, heating Alicia's skin underneath.

Sweat trickled down her ethnic clothing, hidden beneath the cloak.

I want to ...... take it off.

Alicia felt the urge to take off her riding pants.

The national costume of the Bulgarian women consisted of riding pants and a one-piece garment that covered the ankles with a deep slit.

Alicia was often harassed by Hercule to take off her riding pants, exposing her healthy legs to the public, and at other times she was forced to wear a dress that was extremely short, just above the knees or at the limit of what her underwear could cover.

There were also dresses that had a large opening in the fabric at the back, exposing the white back, and dresses with a ......

Some dresses had a heart-shaped cutout at the bust, exposing the cleavage of their white breasts. ......

Sometimes they were sleeveless, exposing their armpits, and other times the fabric of their abdomen was cut out, exposing their shapely navel. ......

In the worst cases, I was made to wear a dress that looked like a combination of all of the above.

I have been humiliated many times by the public exposure of my skin and the alteration of my costume, the pride of the Bulgars.

...... Most recently, as seen in the wedding dresses of Carolina and Scheherazade, skin exposure has become accepted as a fashion to some extent, and in Lemuria, ignorance of the Bulgarian culture may have led to people saying, ”Wow, Bulgarian women wear such clothes. In Lemuria, the ignorance of the culture of Bulgaron led to an oblique response such as, ”Oh, women in Bulgaron wear this kind of clothing, how interesting to see a different culture,” while in Bulgaron, the response was, ”Apparently, women in Lemuria don't have much resistance to exposing their skin. The Lemurian Empire was the cultural center of Lemuria. The Lemurian Empire is a cultural center. ...... That's civilized fashion. Nice!　The Lemurians also misunderstood the Lemurian women who began to imitate her, and the contamination and misunderstanding of the Lemurian culture began without Alicia's knowledge.

But that's a long story.

Anyway, Alicia had been forced to dress in such embarrassing ways, but now her pain from the heat and fever (・・・・・) was overriding that embarrassment.

I just want to dress cool.

If I wanted to, I could take a dip.

Alicia earnestly wished.

Boom!　Boom!　Boom!

A loud gong sounded.

It was a signal to rehydrate.

As if she hadn't waited long enough, Alicia grabbed the leather bag that was hanging around her waist.

She takes a few sips.

For a moment, she feels as if she is coming back to life.

But the sun's rays soon make her sweat.

”Hang in there, Alicia. We're almost at rest.

Hercule, who was walking next to her, called out to Alicia.

With a fluid motion, he stroked Alicia's buttocks.

”Yuck!

You're soaking wet. ...... For once, you're really sweating.

”Heh, you look ...... fine.

Alicia looks up at the smirking elf man.

His forehead was sweating, ...... but his expression was incredibly cheerful.

I've been working out.

So ...... you don't need to ride a horse by the way?

In order to conserve the strength of the horses, all of the party, including the cavalrymen, were traveling on foot, not on horseback.

The horses were carrying luggage and armor on their backs, though.

However, the emperor, Hercule, could ride a horse.

No one would complain, Alicia thought.

No one will complain, but some people will. In a march like this, energy and morale are important. I can't be the only one who has it easy.

He is a man who is disciplined in a strange way.

Alicia was bewildered by the gap and difference from her usual arrogant attitude, but it was because of such attentiveness that she was able to ......

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.

”Your Majesty.

”What is it, Scheherazade?

The new wife, who was also walking by Hercule's side in a disciplined manner, ......

Scheherazade, former princess of the Kingdom of False, new empress of the Lemurian Empire, asks Hercule, ”Why is this water so sweet?

I'm not sure if you can tell me why this water is sweet.　Also, ...... seems to have a slightly sour and sour taste.

Alicia had her own doubts about that.

The water that Hercule distributes during the march has a strange taste.

It has sugar, salt and lemon in it.

”Why does it taste like that?

Scheherazade asked. ......

Hercule forcefully embraced her.

He ran his tongue over her cheek and licked her sweat.

What are you doing ......?

What are you doing?” ”Sweat is tasteless, isn't it?