Chapter 233: Magic Against the Flying Dragons [Alternate View]

【Talga】

Since Fortress Centena was considered within the Fertio Marquis’s territory, Lord Jalpa would occasionally visit, leading his Knight Order. Because of this situation, I had met him before. However, as there had been no major conflicts with the Shelvia Confederation for a long time, I hadn’t known anything about the Marquis’s combat capabilities.

Due to this, I may have unknowingly underestimated Lord Jalpa Fertio.

Seeing him instantly give commands to the Knight Order, strengthening the fortress’s defenses while simultaneously preparing for an offensive, I strongly felt his competence as a commander. He issued instruction after instruction, which the commanders, including the Knight Commander, immediately executed. Upon receiving their reports, he issued the next orders without delay.

His actions were swift and accurate. Furthermore, the Marquis’s Knight Commander was also superb. His name was Stradale, I believe. While his appearance suggested a knight of noble birth, there was no doubt he had survived many fierce battles.

In a typical siege, the standard arrangement would be archers on the watchtowers, archers and mages on the rooftops, and heavily armored infantry protecting them. But before the fighting even began, the Marquis’s single word had led to a discussion of tactics vastly different from the conventional methods.

Stradale was executing this unique battle plan as if it were something he did every day.

“Do not take a direct hit from the cannons! Always take cover behind buildings! Mage Corps! If a wall collapses, restore it immediately! Infantry, fill the gaps with sandbags! Archers, pay attention to the cannon attacks while making sure not to let the enemy approach!”

Stradale’s commands called for an absolute defense. Anyone who didn’t know the situation might think he was cowardly. But after receiving the information about the cannons and the black metal, the perspective changed completely.

“Centena Knight Order! Cavalry and Magic Cavalry, hold position behind the main gate! Be ready to move at any moment! Archers, coordinate with the Fertio Knight Order to shoot down any approaching enemies! Heavy Infantry, come with me!”

I shouted in return, determined not to be outdone, and ascended the stairs. Occasional tremors and explosions echoed. Fine stone fragments and dust fell from the ceiling, but I paid them no mind.

“…Crimson Demon Bullet (Flamme Fresia)!”

Immediately after reaching the rooftop, magic was unleashed ahead. A black cape fluttered, and the golden bull and straight sword crest embroidered on the back caught my eye. Meanwhile, the mage’s forearm was engulfed in flame, illuminating the surroundings in red.

It was a high-temperature fire capable of incinerating anything that drew near. The fire raged fiercely, stretching upward in a band toward the sky. The Wyverns flew in an arc, trying to escape the flames, but the fiery band pursued them, refusing to let them get away.

To manifest fire of that intensity for a long duration requires a considerable amount of magical power, but to continue moving it as if it were alive is astonishing magical manipulation technique.

If one were asked who was capable of wielding such powerful magic, everyone would surely name the same person.

Lord Jalpa Fertio, the mage—dubbed the Watchman of Scuderia by neighboring nations—chased off the Wyverns with a dignified demeanor. Although they are a quasi-dragon species, Wyverns have terrifyingly tough scales. Since repelling them with swords or arrows would require a large number of troops, it is standard practice for a mage to deal with them.

That being said, there are few mages who could deal with them so brilliantly.

“Your Excellency! Be careful! Even though the Wyverns have been chased away, the threat of the cannons still remains!”

“I know! We are returning for now!”

“Yes, sir!”

Saying that, Lord Jalpa, who had somehow completed an incantation without my notice, walked toward me while unleashing a fierce, wide-ranging fire that enveloped the sky. The sky instantly turned bright red, and with the wall of fire behind him, Lord Jalpa looked almost demonic. It was a blessing that this mage was not our enemy.

“…That was magnificent, Your Excellency. Your magical power is truly impressive.” I said as we descended the stairs.

Lord Jalpa snorted and curled his lip.

“Nonsense. It’s just buying time. You must realize this yourself. The enemy is undoubtedly moving and using cannons, and furthermore, they are using Wyverns to drop black metal from the sky. We can no longer even estimate how long the siege can last. Depending on the enemy’s strength, we could be routed in a matter of hours.”

I sighed and offered my agreement to his extremely displeased words.

“Yes. What we must do is crush the cannons and Wyverns before they can attack, but the territory on the Shelvia Confederation’s side is certainly riddled with traps.”

We are cornered. As the man responsible for defending this critical location, I couldn’t say those words, but Lord Jalpa understood them perfectly. He turned back to me, concealing his irritation poorly and clicking his tongue.

“You fool! Normally, whether it’s a fort or a fortress city, the surrounding area should be prepared to work to the advantage of the defending army! What in the world is this mess!? If things continue like this, it will be the sequel to the City of Scudet’s fall—!”

I bowed my head and apologized to Lord Jalpa, who was shouting with a strained, almost blood-curdling voice. Outside, the continuous ground tremors and explosions persisted, and I could hear the soldiers’ noisy shouts.

If asked who was responsible for this confusion, it was undeniably my own fault.

“…I apologize, Your Excellency. I will certainly take responsibility later. However, defeating the allied forces of Yelenetta and Shelvia must come first.”

“How dare you…! Tsk, you’re an insolent fellow, but what you say is correct. I will quickly think of a counterattack plan!”

“Yes, sir!”

I followed Lord Jalpa, who descended the stairs with his shoulders squared in anger, racking my brain for a solution. If this territory were taken, the Kingdom of Scuderia would certainly be placed in a disadvantageous position.

We must defend this place at all costs.