Chapter 253: Build the Strongest Fortress Centena

Incredibly, I was given a full extra day of leave to recuperate. I had moments where I was feverish and felt awful, but now I was completely recovered.

“Here, Lord Van. I’ve cut up some fruit for you.”

“Yay!”

Delighted to receive the sweet fruit, I happily stuffed my mouth. Till and Arte watched over me gently beside the bed. It was a kind world.

Law and Khamsin, meanwhile, were stepping in and out of the room, alternating guard duty, suggesting that the enemy’s activity had finally picked up.

“Things are starting to get busy, aren’t they?” I remarked while savoring the delicious fruit.

“Yes. We haven’t heard the sound of cannons yet, but…” Till murmured, sounding a little anxious.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m feeling energetic now, and I’m going to start strengthening Centena. Don’t worry.”

When I told them that, Till and Arte smiled in relief.

“We feel safe if Lord Van is going to take care of it.”

“Yes, I feel relieved.”

After watching the two of them smile at each other, I stretched both arms toward the ceiling.

“Mmm~… Alright, I think I’ll have some meat for lunch and then get to work. Ahahaha.”

As I was laughing and saying this, the door was thrown open without a knock.

“Boy! I heard you’ve recovered! Now, it’s time to start the reconstruction of Centena! Everyone is waiting!”

Panamera burst into the room with an urgency that practically had a BAM sound effect. As soon as she entered, she rapidly informed me of the work that needed doing. It looks like if I show her I’m energetic, she’ll work me ragged.

“Ah, wait, I’m feeling a little dizzy… I might not have the strength without lunch…” I complained, swaying dramatically, but Panamera narrowed her eyes and shot me a suspicious look.

“…I heard you just ate enough breakfast for two people? Khamsin was overjoyed and reported that Lord Van was back to full strength. Was that a mistake?”

What? Khamsin defected to Panamera’s side and leaked information? How terrifying. My plan for a lazy lunch break was instantly shattered.

“So, can you move, or can you not move? Be honest.”

“…I can move.”

“Good. That’s settled then.”

After that exchange, Panamera left the room. Reluctantly, I asked Till to prepare my change of clothes and got dressed. In the end, I was being pressed into fortifying the fortress first thing in the morning.

I left the room grumbling, only to see knights running back and forth in the corridor. One of the knights noticed me leaving the room and stopped.

“Ah, Baron Van! Marquis Fertio has awakened!”

“What? Really?”

What impeccable timing. Surprised, I followed the running knights down the corridor. When I arrived at the room reserved for My Daddy’s nursing, many knights were gathered outside the door. Looking closely, they were all members of the Fertio Marquis Knight Order.

“Ah, Lord Van…” one knight noticed me and called my name.

The gathered knights silently parted, clearing a path for me.

“Thank you,” I said, passing through the line of knights, and knocked on the door. After a short delay, the door was opened from inside. The person who showed his face was Stradale.

“…Lord Van,” Stradale called my name, then silently stepped aside, urging me to enter the room. As Stradale’s large figure moved out of my sight, I saw Jalpa lying on the bed in the back of the room. Stradale signaled with his eyes for Arte and Till to wait outside, so I entered alone.

“Excuse me.”

I said that and moved toward Jalpa before he could speak. Jalpa, lying in bed, turned his eyes toward me.

He was visibly thinner. Not only were his cheeks slightly hollowed, but he looked gaunt, likely because his eyes lacked strength. His exposed skin—face, neck, and hands—was covered in numerous small cuts.

“…Father, how do you feel?” I asked succinctly, but Jalpa said nothing, looking away from me and staring at the ceiling. He remained like that for several seconds. Eventually, Jalpa spoke.

“…Stradale reported to me. It seems you managed to repel the allied forces of Yelenetta and Shelvia.”

“No, not completely yet… but I plan to strengthen Centena starting now. Please rest assured.”

When I answered, Jalpa let out a muffled chuckle. It was an awkward sound, lacking volume, but it was a self-deprecating laugh. Pondering this strange reaction, Jalpa looked into the distance and exhaled deeply.

“…Rest assured, you tell me? You, a mere child, are saying that to me… to me, the head of the Fertio Marquis family, who was even called the Watchman of the Kingdom of Scuderia… Hmph, heh heh, hahahaha…”

Seeing Jalpa laugh weakly, I worried that I had answered incorrectly. However, Jalpa didn’t get angry. After laughing quietly, Jalpa glared at me with an intense gaze and spoke.

“…Prove those words. If you can successfully defend Centena, even I will be forced to acknowledge you. Turn this Centena into an impregnable fortress.”

At Jalpa’s words, I couldn’t help but smile. Jalpa looked back with an astonished expression.

“…What is so funny?” he asked in a displeased tone.

I smiled wryly and nodded.

“No, nothing is funny, Father. It’s just… I was relieved because you ordered me to do the one job I am best at.”

When I said that, Jalpa’s eyes widened and froze. Eventually, he snorted and looked away.

“…A considerable confidence. Then, prove it.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

After that final exchange, I left the room. Outside, Till and Arte were waiting with worried expressions.

“Lord Van, how was your father?” Arte asked.

I looked up, smiling.

“He seemed energetic. And he even asked me for a favor.”

“A favor?” Till tilted her head at my words.

I smiled and replied.

“He told me to turn this Centena into the strongest fortress.”

This is starting to be fun. Thinking that, I took my first step forward.