Fun Territory Defense of the Easy-Going Lord

【Talga】

Thanks to the power of Marquis Fertio, Centena had managed to prolong its life, if only slightly. The bombardment from the cliffs on the left and right had clearly diminished, and even the Wyverns had vanished from the skies above. There was no doubt that this was all due to the Marquis’s terrifying magical power.

“We cannot let this opportunity pass. I will send out scouts and prepare to move immediately.”

“Wait. That might be rash.”

“However, even if we fortify our defenses, we cannot expect reinforcements. We have no choice but to sally forth…”

Even while we argued, tremors shook the ground beneath our feet, and fine debris rained down from the ceiling. We had very little time left. Despite this situation, the council was unable to reach a conclusion.

I could tell that everyone was unsettled by a battlefield that was so different from what they were used to.

“…There is no path to survival if we stay like this. I believe we have no choice but to shift to the offensive. What say you?”

I said this, looking at the man seated across from me. Marquis Fertio, having the question thrown at him, spoke with a look of displeasure.

“…It is a tedious discussion, but thinking rationally, that would be the case.”

Muttering this with a sigh, Marquis Fertio glared at everyone before speaking again.

“To hold a siege in this situation and force the enemy to retreat… we would need to defend for about a week. The enemy cannot maintain supply lines for that many troops for many days. However, at this rate, Centena will undoubtedly fall by tomorrow.”

Marquis Fertio spat out these words. Triggered by his statement, a heavy silence filled the room.

Fortress Centena is the keystone of our national defense. If we surrender this land, tens of thousands of enemies will roam freely across the vast plains of the Fertio County. They could block the main roads and cut off supplies to Scudet and Seatoh Village.

If Centena is taken, His Majesty, fearing a fatal tactical disadvantage, would likely retreat before being pincer-attacked. If that happens, it will be difficult to stop the invasion of the Kingdom of Yelenetta and the Shelvia Confederation. It would truly be a crisis threatening the destruction of the Kingdom of Scuderia. The responsibility for that is far too great to be settled with just my head alone.

Everyone present must have imagined such a scenario.

“W-w-w-what shall we do…? T-this isn’t just a matter of our responsibility being questioned…”

“In the first place, if we cannot defend this, there is no place for us to return to.”

“Immediately, call upon neighboring lords and mercenary groups for reinforcements…!”

Perhaps Marquis Fertio’s deduction was too persuasive. Some of the commanders, sons of nobles, began to panic. It was a clear crisis involving not just their careers, but their very lives. I could understand their feelings to some extent.

However, above all else, the fact that we are knights is paramount. Seeing those who foolishly panicked out of self-preservation made me feel that reality even more clearly.

“…As expected, there is only one move left to turn this around, Your Excellency.”

I muttered, then turned to face Marquis Fertio. Watching the Marquis deepen the scowl on his stern face, I opened my mouth to convey my strategy.

“I apologize for the imposition, Your Excellency, but I would like to request your support from the rear. I want you to use your magic to counterattack against the cannon fire that will likely come from the surrounding area.”

When I said that, Marquis Fertio crossed his arms and groaned.

“…In other words, you intend to charge head-on to draw the enemy’s attention. And then what? Will you organize a second or third assault squad? Or do you intend to climb the cliffs and outflank the opponent while creating a diversion?”

Marquis Fertio said this with eyes that seemed to see right through me. I shook my head slightly to deny it.

“No. I will form a squad primarily of cavalry and break through the enemy formation in one go.”

“Is that not simply a suicide attack?”

Marquis Fertio spoke with an exasperated look at my words. But that was not my intention. I shook my head once more.

“It is dangerous, but I believe there is a possibility. From what I have seen so far, the cannons have poor accuracy and cannot be used at short intervals. Therefore, I surmise that they are weak against small numbers of opponents moving quickly.”

“…I see. In that case, you could indeed move before being attacked by the cannons. However, I must say it is shallow. The enemy is not foolish. Do you think there is nothing waiting at the end of that road?”

“Of course, I expect them to be waiting with a large army. But even so, we must do it.”

I strengthened my tone, looking back at Marquis Fertio. He let out a long breath, his expression unamused.

“…To wish for something that is not present in this place… I, too, have grown old.”

He muttered something small and seemingly irrelevant, causing me to furrow my brow in confusion. He clicked his tongue and opened his mouth.

“Don’t mind me, I was talking to myself… It can’t be helped. If you are going for a charge prepared for death, you might as well do it with everything you have. I will cooperate.”