Fun Territory Defense of the Easy-Going Lord

[Istana]

I had been thinking this ever since the decision was made to participate in this Centena campaign. I must have suggested it to Cosworth multiple times. Yet, he dismissed it, saying there was no other way.

I am a prince as well. There are times when I must accept fate. I understand that much, but when my own life is on the line, I can’t help but struggle to find a way out.

“Brother! Retreat! We cannot win this battle!“

This was my final counsel, I thought, and I stated my judgment directly to Cosworth. However, Cosworth’s cheeks were flushed with anger.

“Istana. This is the moment of truth. You may be anxious, remembering Fortress Werner, but this time, the Kingdom of Scuderia’s main force is absent, and we have received reports that the Watchman of Scuderia, whom we considered the greatest threat, has also fallen. We still have our proud artillery and flying dragons in reserve. From now on…”

I grew desperate at Cosworth’s words, as he was trying to explain calmly, and I spoke over him, denying his claim.

“You are wrong! This has nothing to do with the Kingdom of Scuderia’s Royal Knights or Marquis Fertio! That terrifying quick construction has become even more miraculous! In just these few months! And the rumored immortal knights are likely here too…!”

“Silence! I understand your concerns, but we haven’t even deployed our full strength yet! Even knights can die from a direct hit from artillery! Watch quietly for now!”

Cosworth shouted, ignoring my advice. At this point, he wouldn’t listen to my opinion anymore. As instructed, I stepped back silently, merely praying that things would go according to Cosworth’s plan. I wanted to flee, but I knew I would face more public scorn than my younger brothers if I did, and even if I fled, I had nowhere to go.

【Cosworth Yelenetta】

“Your Highness Cosworth! Centena’s wall has been repaired again!”

“…That technology is better than expected. To think it can’t be collapsed unless artillery hits it repeatedly.”

While it was not clearly visible due to the distance, it seemed the wall had indeed been severely damaged by direct artillery hits. If it were hit continuously, it should be utterly annihilated, but the repair situation meant it wouldn’t be easy.

“Shall we deploy the flying dragons?” the Knight Commander asked for confirmation. I mentally calculated the movements of the battlefield for a few seconds.

“…Yes. We wanted to disrupt the enemy’s crossbow aim, but first and foremost, we need to collapse that wall. Otherwise, the deployed knights will likely be wiped out before they can even get close. As planned, the flying dragons will fly toward Centena in a wide arc, flanking them from both sides, and rain down black metal. That should ensure two or three of them reach Centena. The concentrated fire from the artillery combined with the black metal from the sky. We will exploit the collapse in the wall during the ensuing confusion and launch an all-out assault. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness! Understood!”

When I ordered the transition to the second phase of the operation, the Knight Commander replied forcefully and began to move. As I confirmed his actions, a new report arrived.

“Your Highness Cosworth! A total of five artillery rounds have hit the wall! The wall collapses each time, but it is repaired, section by section, within a few dozen seconds! Furthermore, the repaired wall does not collapse from a single artillery hit!”

“What!?”

Hearing that the wall could not be destroyed by a single artillery shot, I involuntarily shouted back. Is this more than just mere construction technology? Or is there some kind of magic involved?

“In any case, it is clear that the more time we waste, the more disadvantaged we become,” I muttered, looking up. I made my resolution. If we cannot win here, my Kingdom of Yelenetta is likely finished.

“…Deploy the final Earth Dragon. I will also participate in the combat.”

When I announced that, the knights of the Kingdom of Yelenetta nodded with grim expressions, and the Shelvia Confederation personnel responded with anxiety.

I immediately organized the Mage Corps formation, lining up the artillery units on the outside, and marched out. The plan was to send the Earth Dragon ahead to draw attention, while we attacked Centena from long range with magic and artillery. The key was to disperse the enemy’s targets, ensuring the successful drop of black metal from the flying dragons, which offered the highest expected effectiveness.

As I stepped onto the battlefield, mentally reworking the battle plan, I felt a sense that the atmosphere had changed again.

“…Has something new happened at Centena?” I muttered, curious, and glared at Centena from atop my horse. Then, I thought I saw a strange sight.

“Y-Your Highness Cosworth!”

Simultaneously, Count Towncar, who was leading a unit at the front, rode back toward me. Count Towncar, his face pale with alarm, reported while remaining mounted.

“Your Highness Cosworth! Enemies have appeared from Centena! My Knight Order has already clashed with their vanguard! Their formation is collapsing as they tear through the center!”

“…Then, that sight was not a mistake?” I replied, my voice sounding detached, as if the words came from a distant world.

When I looked back, men were being tossed around behind the Earth Dragon like a bad joke, and screams and shouts reached even here. Count Towncar looked at me with a complex expression, unsure how to respond.

“Tell me the numbers and the situation of the enemy in more detail.”

“Y-yes…! The enemy consists of two tall knights, looking almost impossibly large! They are wielding straight swords as long as spears and carrying tower shields that cover half their bodies! It might be a misperception, but they appeared as if they dropped from the top of the wall and engaged our Knight Order at terrifying speed! They are said to be cutting down five or six knights with a single swing or two of their swords and continuing to run!”

Listening to the report, I felt an even greater sense of unreality. I even let out a laugh.

“You should have anticipated the worst-case scenario. Deal with it swiftly and effectively.”

When I said that, Count Towncar gritted his teeth, his face contorted in fury.

“Tch! In that case, many of my Knight Order will be sacrificed!”

“That is far better than the entire army collapsing. Execute the command quickly.”

“…It is my Shelvia Confederation Knight Order that will be sacrificed, Your Highness!” Towncar roared in outrage.

Ignoring his violent protest, I shifted my gaze, showing that the matter was non-negotiable.

“Deputy Commander, relay the command instead of Count Towncar! Use Earth Magic from the Mage Corps to restrict their movement! Then, destroy those two knights with concentrated artillery fire!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Ignoring Towncar, I gave the instruction to the Deputy Commander of the Kingdom of Yelenetta’s Knight Order, who immediately dashed off to relay my orders. Towncar watched him go with a stunned expression, then opened his mouth.

“…We will win, won’t we, Your Highness Cosworth?”

“We have no choice but to win. For both Yelenetta and Shelvia.” I replied, forced to answer his ridiculous question, voiced in a low tone that seemed to rise from the depths of the earth. I knew he wouldn’t be satisfied if I didn’t answer.