Chapter 2: Completion of the Fortress City

WE SPENT THE NEXT WEEK BUILDING AND completing the fortress city. I still needed to finish extending it to the Wolfsbrook Mountain Range, but it was good enough for now.

The castle at the center of the fortress was elaborate and exquisite, and once I’d fixed the fortress walls that were already in place, I remodeled the tops of the walls with a Japanese aesthetic. I also built ten towers into the wall, each four stories high, and four smaller castles inside the fortress. These towers and castles were linked by connected passageways for quick access from anywhere in the fortress. The main castle at the center was cut off from this network, and any of the towers and smaller castles could likewise have their passageways cut off to slow down intruders.

In case of a head-on attack, I designed the whole thing so that our people could attack with machine bows from high ground. Intruders would have to pass through the smaller castles, so I made sure that we could shower them with arrows from the stone wall, the towers, and the small castles themselves. The place was impregnable.

I performed my final checks on the finished wall, then stood in front of the castle gates and looked up at my work: the small castles, the towers, and the impressive center castle that sat atop the stone wall in the distance. Not to toot my own horn, but the sheer force of it all was impressive. I could’ve stood there admiring it forever, but I didn’t have the time for that.

In front of the gates stood Dee and the Seatoh Village Chivalric Order, the nobles who had helped me with the project, and the commanders of the other orders. I looked at all their faces and said, “Um, everyone! It’s thanks to your hard work that we finished ahead of schedule! When His Majesty returns, he’ll look up at that incredible castle and see much work you put in, and of course I will personally tell him about all of your efforts. Thank you so much!”

I bowed my head deeply. When I looked up again, I found the arrogant nobles quietly bowing in return. Maybe it was the wrong time for jokes, but I was so surprised that I thought, What’s wrong,

guys? Do your stomachs hurt?

I stared at them until they each raised their heads to look right at me.

“This has been an incredible experience,” said one noble.

“If anything,” said another, “it is we who should express gratitude to you.”

“This fortress is going to become our nation’s most important base.”

Once the rest of the praise had died down, Pinin nodded, making his double chin wobble a bit, and stepped forward. “A week ago, none of us could lay claim to any personal accomplishments. But now, having worked on a construction project that will go down in history, each and every one of us is proud to say that we played a part. We offer you our deepest thanks for granting us the opportunity to be a part of this project.” His voice resonated with utmost sincerity.

What’s up, Pinin? Did you eat something bad? My shock must have shown on my face, because Pinin started to laugh, putting a hand on his hip and puffing out his chest.

“What, does it not seem in character? Frankly, at first I thought it was deeply shameful to be working for a baron, never mind a child. But now, looking at the castle that you created with your magic, I’m reconsidering everything I thought about you. If you’re amenable, we would like to form an alliance with you, just as Viscount Panamera has.”

This meant that he recognized me as someone of equal standing. Not only that, he wanted to ally himself with me. The baron of a super tiny territory on the border could ask for no better offer!

I nodded my assent, grinning. “Thank you so much! Oh, but I have to check with Viscount Panamera before I form any further alliances.”

“Ha ha ha! You really do act nothing like a child! Indeed, as she is your equal partner, we cannot well ignore her. However, as I am sure you are aware, we also cannot be away from our own territories for too long, so we will depart first and send emissaries at a later date.”

“Understood. Thank you for your consideration.” I shook hands with them all, sharing words of good fortune with everyone.

With that, each of the nobles headed back to their respective homes. They all had to pass through the monster-ridden Wolfsbrook Mountain Range, so I dispatched adventurers and Chivalric Order members as bodyguards. With Arb leading the machine bow squad, they’d have plenty of manpower, even with reduced numbers. I also loaned out two war wagons to make sure everyone would be perfectly safe.

Before Arb led Pinin and the others toward the mountain range, I gave him some quick instructions. “Once you get back to Seatoh Village, I want you to issue a job request to Ortho and his people. Oh, and I’ll be looking for volunteers to stay here for about two months, so can you tell Esparda to get things ready?”

“Yes, as you wish!”

“Ah, also spices! Spices and wheat flour!” “Oh, right! I won’t forget!”

At this point, five hundred or so people remained in the massive fortress city. We could defend the place if we manned the ballistae, but we couldn’t hold out for very long.

For this place to function properly, there would need to be at least three thousand people on site. The wall and the towers would require three shifts’ worth of lookouts, with each shift consisting of at least one hundred people. Without a minimum of a thousand people, nobody would be able to take breaks. We also currently only had two to three hundred soldiers to deploy as an immediate fighting force if we came under attack. If Yelenetta deployed twolegged wyverns or their black balls, I wasn’t fully confident we could hold the line.

“Hiring mercenaries for the long haul doesn’t seem viable,” I said aloud. “What should I do?”

Dee folded his arms and looked up at the castle. “Indeed. Even with assistance from Seatoh Village we wouldn’t have enough manpower for a fortress this size—and we need to make sure we don’t leave the village defenseless, either. I would say we need about a thousand more soldiers. I know that Seatoh Village has exceeded three thousand residents, but our Chivalric Orders combined only total about eight hundred; we receive temporary support from adventurers and mercenaries to fill in any gaps. I think we will need to solicit people to migrate here from elsewhere.”

Between the Esparda Chivalric Order and the Seatoh Village Chivalric Order, we had a combined eight hundred people? I had no idea. Saying that aloud would piss Dee off, though, so I just nodded.

Dee scratched his chin with a finger. “We need soldiers to protect this place, but we also need an acting governor. They would manage resources and food, so we need someone talented and intelligent.”

“How about Esparda?”

“No, I think that would be unwise. He is undoubtedly fit for the job, but we need him to manage the village when you are gone.” Okay, so Esparda wasn’t the right choice. But the only other person who seemed up to the task was Dee, and I needed him available if and when I got called into battle. Neither Arb nor Lowe was ready for that sort of responsibility.

“This is a problem. Maybe I should ask Panamera?” I suggested.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, but it would take at least half a year to come to fruition.”

“Could we hire mercenaries until then?”

“Hmm… If we called over one hundred members of the

Chivalric Order, then had Sir Esparda act as a temporary governor…

No, even then, half a year is too long.”

We were still brainstorming when a single soldier came running over from the Wolfsbrook Mountain Range side of the fortress. They were a member of the Seatoh Village Chivalric Order. “Lord Van!

Lord Murcia has arrived with five hundred men!”

“…What?” I looked up, blinking in surprise. “Murcia is here?”

“Heya, Van. Looks like you went and made something incredible again, huh?”

Murcia approached me with an exasperated look on his face, his eyes trained on the castle. Approaching from the Wolfsbrook Mountain Range side, you had to pass through two small castles and then the exterior wall before you arrived at the castle gates. It was a bit of a hike, all things considered; if someone wanted to take the whole place over and get through to the other side, they’d need at least five thousand soldiers to make it happen. Based on how impressed he looked, Murcia must have put this together as he made his way through the fortress.

“That castle at the center is the biggest one, right? It sure looks unique. Normally the center of a fortress is composed of linking towers; I don’t think there’s ever been a fortress as complex as this. And I’ve definitely never seen anyone build a castle on top of a wall! It would be difficult to put soldiers in formation and dispatch them in place like this, but if you’re putting everything into its defensive capabilities, it’s a brilliant design.”

Murcia’s observations were sharp. This surprised me a little— I’d always seen him as a fairly mild-mannered person—but it seemed that he had good instincts when it came to military matters. Or maybe this was just the result of all his hard work. If I were my actual age, I sure wouldn’t have been able to offer such astute observations about this strange castle.

Daddy dearest didn’t seem to value him much, but it was becoming clear that Murcia was highly talented.

“I know, right?” I said candidly. “What brings you here, by the way?”

Murcia laughed dryly and rubbed the back of his neck. “So, um, it’s kind of complicated. Father ordered me to give you assistance.”

“…In constructing the fortress city?”

Murcia made a complicated expression and shook his head. “I phrased that badly. I’m apparently no longer a candidate to become head of the family. His Majesty said some things, but I don’t actually know what’s going on. Father didn’t give me a firm objective or a specific timeframe; I was just told to do what I can to help you.” He gave a self-deprecating little laugh, then sighed.

Ah. Just like me, Murcia had been kicked out of the house. And this was after he dedicated so much time and energy to studying so that he could become the head of House Fertio. Now, out of nowhere, he no longer had any goal; I couldn’t begin to imagine how sad and frustrated he must have felt. And to add insult to injury, he was ordered to support his little brother. His self-esteem must have been at rock bottom.

I had no idea what to say to him.

Murcia seemed to snap to attention after a moment. He shot me a pained smile. “Hey, this has nothing to do with you. You have incredible talents, and you’ve worked hard for everything you have. That’s why, if you’ll let me, I want to learn as many things as possible from you.”

“Murcia…”

He flashed a warmer smile then; his words were akin to those of a saint. I almost squinted, as if I were blinded by a bright light. What a man. In his position, I would have spat out all kinds of resentful words about daddy dearest.

The man before me, my older brother, was the one person in my family who had been kind to me through thick and thin. This was my chance to show him my loyalty. With a heart full of determination, I looked solemnly up at him. “Thank you, Brother. As it happens, I’ve been looking for someone to become the lord of this castle.”

“Uh…what?” Murcia looked back at the massive Japanese castle sitting on the stone wall. He blinked a few times and pointed at it. “You can’t possibly mean that castle, right?”

When he glanced back at me, I smiled and nodded. “I absolutely do! We have fresh personnel headed here from Seatoh Village to swap places with the people currently here. We’ll only be able to have merchants coming and going for a bit, but I imagine that before long new adventurers and residents will move here. We’re in the process of boosting our Chivalric Order ranks, but once we have enough people, this place’s population will break past two thousand in no time. After that, the plan is to use it as a starting point to invade and take Yelenetta’s territory. I’m going to have you establish the Murcia Chivalric Order and place you as the supreme commander of it!”

“The Murcia Chivalric Order?!” Murcia’s eyes went wide.

There’s no way I’m just going to make him a governor. I need manpower, after all! “Correct. I believe you’ve been trained in

combat as well as domestic affairs, and you’ve been taught how to properly manage a Chivalric Order. You have the experience and knowledge of a member of House Fertio, which has spent much of its existence on the battlefield. So I think you’re a perfect fit for a fortress city designed for defense. I want you to use this territory as a foothold to eventually establish your own house!”

“What?! You want me to become independent? But I don’t have that kind of…”

“Why do you disparage yourself so much? I’ve always believed that you would become a better head of the family than Father ever was!”

“Y-you really think so? That seems so unlikely.” His expression was troubled, but I could tell that deep down he was happy. All

right! I’m going to take him to the top. I’m going to make this fortress city invincible!

“Murcia, your legend begins now!”

“My legend…?”

Leaving aside the question of whether Murcia bought what I was selling, he did at least seem willing to hear me out. “You know,” I said, “this is actually the first time you and I have ever eaten together like this.”

“Ah, that’s true.” Murcia cast his gaze out the window of the castle tower, his expression conflicted. “But, um, this place seems a bit wasted on me.”

The red sunset was gorgeous, and the green lines of the mountain range had turned a vivid orange. From our vantage, atop the massive castle and looking down, everything below was stained red. Lights illuminated the wall before us at equal distances, serving as a lovely garnish to the natural view.

It was, in a word, brilliant.

“What a tremendous view,” I said.

“Yes,” Murcia agreed haltingly. “It sure is.”

Why were we having the kind of conversation you’d expect to hear from a pair of lovers? Till arrived then with food in hand, interrupting the weird vibe. It was time to get down to business. I turned to face Murcia.

The room we were in had a traditional Japanese style, wood flooring or no wood flooring, and we sat on cushions around a large, round table. This was the kind of setting that soothed my nerves. Maybe Murcia didn’t feel the same way, but once he’d lived here for a while, he’d get used to it.

“If you’re willing to lend me your aid,” I said, “then I’d like to tell you my plan for the future. Will you agree to be the lord of this castle?”

Murcia gulped and sat up straight. For a moment he stared at me in silence, but then he seemed to accept his fate. “Of course. I was ordered to support you, after all. Just remember that there are things I can and can’t do.” He gave me a strained smile.

Relieved despite his underwhelming enthusiasm, I decided to share my plan with him. “Thank you, Murcia! Okay, so first I’d like you to defend this fortress city for a year. After that, depending on how our forces come together, we’ll invade Yelenetta and take their territory! We’re going to keep taking land closer and closer to the ocean, until we eventually acquire a port that can connect us to the Central Continent! At that point you will be the lord of at least three fortress cities, so once His Majesty gives you a peerage, I’ll need you to appoint governors to all of them! Once more people start moving here, I’d like you to select candidates with the potential to be your Chivalric Order’s commander on top of the governor candidates. Six to ten candidates for each, please! It might be difficult to figure this all out within a year, but I’ll send you people with high aptitudes, so

—”

“W-wait a second, Van! You’re being awfully loud about this crazy plan of yours! Are you sure that’s okay?”

He was flustered about my majestic plan, naturally. The truth was that I wouldn’t be able to get my hands on new spices or foods if I wavered here; I needed to gain a foothold that would lead me to the Central Continent, at any cost. I looked my brother directly in the eye. “Murcia, if we chip away at Yelenetta’s territory, eventually we’ll get our hands on the black balls. When that happens, we’ll never have to fear the enemy again. Worry not!”

His expression shifted to one of surprise, but it didn’t stop there. Eventually, his eyes narrowed and a strangely sad expression settled on his face. “You’re amazing, Van. I think I finally understand how someone so young has accomplished so much.” He rose abruptly to his feet. “So this magnificent fortress city will eventually be my home, huh? Protecting all of this is my mission… All right, Van. I’m sure I’m deficient in many ways, but I want to do my best to fulfill my duty.”

As he spoke, Murcia moved to the castle tower’s outer hallway, then cast his gaze around without moving the rest of his body. Finally he turned back to face me, smiling.

“I look forward to working together, Baron Van.”

I stood up and bowed. “Thank you so much, Murcia!”

His smile turned sentimental then, and he chuckled. “Van, I think our roles are backwards.”

“Ah, sorry!” I couldn’t help but smile back. I was just happy to finally have a chance to talk to my family.

Unfortunately, our brotherly moment was interrupted by a surprise attack. “It’s the enemy!” yelled a member of my order from out on the wall. “Yelenetta’s army is attacking!”

Hearing this, Murcia rushed out of the outer hallway, and I positioned myself next to him. We both looked down to the ground, where flaming arrow after flaming arrow soared toward the wall.

Fortunately for us, the walls around the city had been repaired by yours truly, so they were super-duper tough; fire arrows would have no effect. The Japanese-style roofing and walls protected us perfectly.

But there was a bigger issue: why hadn’t the members of the Seatoh Village Chivalric Order, with their incredible eyesight, seen this surprise attack coming? Was there some secret road besides the main one that let Yelenetta draw near undetected?

“Can anyone confirm where they came from?” I shouted, directing my question at nobody in particular.

A few people on the wall exchanged words and then hustled into action. Two people split off left and right, proceeding along the wall while the other order members posted up at the ballistae. The order members who’d received the report began gathering at the wall and the towers.

The order member who ran off to the right side turned to me and yelled, “Lord Van! It appears Yelenetta’s forces are coming through the forest!”

“Huh? Were they not visible from up high?”

“Correct! Nobody would have noticed them unless they were constantly keeping their eyes on that area!”

“Gotcha! Get ready to defend the fortress!”

“Yessir!”

I turned my attention to Yelenetta’s forces beyond the wall. They were getting into formation, and it was clear now that more troops were joining their ranks from the right side. Even more striking was their gall to get into formation right in front of their enemy.

Murcia cast me an exasperated look. “Is it just me, or does no one here have any sense of urgency? With that many Chivalric

Orders attacking, I don’t think I’d be able to stay calm.”

I shook my head gently. “They’re just doing their best to keep themselves together. The most worrisome thing is how quickly the enemy has returned after their defeat. It’s strange for them to be back already, having just lost such an important defensive position.”

“Huh?” He cocked his head in bewilderment. “Why? I doubt they expected the walls to have been repaired. It makes sense to me that they’d hurry back if they want to take advantage of us being unprepared.”

I nodded. “Indeed. Perhaps I’m overthinking things.

Remember, though, we took over one of their massive strongholds in the blink of an eye. Not only that, Scuderia’s army traveled straight through the Wolfsbrook Mountain Range to get here, so it would be reasonable to think most of our forces were still present. Why would they assume we only have a skeleton crew?”

“Don’t tell me…” Murcia frowned and swallowed hard, catching my implication. Once again, I nodded.

“This is only conjecture, but I believe there’s a traitor in our ranks.”