Chapter 290: [Another Perspective] The Defenses of Fortress City Cayenne

[Zetros]

“Next are the defense facilities, the keystone of a fortress city.”

Due to that statement by Panamera, Van ended up going back and forth on the city walls every day, even though the fortress city had just been completed. Even among us, who were spending busy days as the city’s administrators, voices of concern saying “Surely we are working Lord Van too hard” were raised one after another.

I, myself, felt that the burden on Van was too great.

“No matter that he is an ally and lower in rank, Lord Van is the head of a Viscount family. Are we not imposing too much on him?”

Unable to overlook it, I offered that advice, but Panamera shook her head in denial.

“I feel bad for the Boy, but this land will likely become the front line of defense in an emergency. The sooner it is ready, the better. In exchange, when the Boy is in trouble, I will assist him with all my might. Easy to understand, right?”

When Panamera said that with a smile, Van, who was listening beside her, raised one hand in protest.

“Labor requires compensation! I also demand sweets!”

“It can’t be helped. I shall prepare some special sweets for you.”

“Yay!”

When Panamera agreed to Van’s demand with a wry smile, Van raised both hands and rejoiced like a child. Seeing that scene, their relationship probably wouldn’t change over something of this level. Though there is an age gap, they are like real siblings. That was the impression I got.

After that, in just one week, Van installed fifty large crossbows on the city walls and even built warehouses next to them to store arrows. After expressing gratitude for that and praising the quality of the defense facilities, Panamera voiced an additional demand.

“Can I haggle down the price of the ballistae?”

“No deal. The price of arrows remains the same too!”

Panamera placed one hand on the just-completed fiftieth ballista and said such a thing with a smile.

Surely that is being too greedy. Van crossed his arms to convey his refusal with his whole body, and we, the city administrators, felt the same. For any further requests for cooperation, we should pay several hundred platinum coins additionally, but we don’t have such a budget.

“Lord Panamera, you are being too unreasonable.”

“Let us stop relying on Lord Van’s kindness here.”

Thomas and Barratt hurriedly admonished Panamera for her reckless behavior. Panamera crossed her arms and sighed, looking dissatisfied.

“Have you actually seen the power of this ballista?”

“N-No, I haven’t, but…”

Thomas answered on behalf of everyone to Panamera’s words. Snorting and laughing at that, she jerked her chin toward the Knight Commander.

“Macan, test fire it.”

“Yes.”

After a concise exchange, Macan moved in front of the ballista. Perhaps already knowing how to operate it, he quickly loaded an arrow and began preparations.

“The target is that tree over there. It is a bit far, but try to hit it somehow.”

“Yes.”

Panamera gave the instruction as if it were nothing, and Macan responded immediately, but the target pointed out was quite far away. It was a distance no bow could reach. Even for a ballista made as a siege weapon, reaching it would be impressive. To say “hit it” was terrifying.

Watching with those thoughts, Macan finished preparations immediately and took aim.

“…Firing.”

“Good.”

Simultaneously with Panamera’s signal, the ballista fired a steel arrow. An impact and roar as if being struck by sound shook our bodies, and the ejected arrow flew straight toward the target.

However, the arrow’s trajectory gradually deviated from the target. Perhaps aiming slightly high considering the loss of momentum and drop also had an effect. Surprisingly, the heavy steel arrow passed the far-off target and hit a different tree.

Even from a distance, we could see the large tree toppling after being hit at the base, and we were shocked.

“…Did you mistake the target?”

“No, I just missed my aim. My apologies.”

“Well, you are not used to it, so it can’t be helped. From now on, add ballista aiming and firing training to the Chivalric Order’s training subjects. Ensure you prepare iron bars yourself as arrows for firing practice.”

“Understood.”

The two calmly discussed and decided on the results of the ballista test fire and future policy. However, we, who saw the power of the ballista for the first time, were in no state for that.

“…I see. That is a threat.”

“Cannons are one thing, but similarly, mages won’t be easily deployable on the battlefield anymore, will they?”

Bellbeer and Bilt, perhaps looking from the perspective of the Kingdom of Yelenetta, were discussing the threat of the ballista in hushed voices. Indeed, if hit head-on, one would undoubtedly be shattered. Since it would be a one-sided attack, it wouldn’t even be a contest.

Seeing our reactions, Panamera spread her arms.

“How about it? Don’t you want more of these ballistae?”

At Panamera’s question, Bellbeer agreed immediately.

“Yes, I want them.”

“Right?”

Having obtained her subordinate’s agreement, Panamera stared at Van with a smile.

“For additional ones, it’s five platinum coins per ballista!”

“Guh…! That’s expensive, Boy…!”

It seems she couldn’t get flexibility with just the agreement of one subordinate. Van flatly presented the additional cost. That said, considering one ballista rivals one mage, it would still be a bargain.

“Lord Panamera, please try not to make too many unreasonable demands.”

When I told her that, Panamera fell silent with a face like she had chewed a bitter bug. Seeing that face, Van spoke with a wry smile.

“…Geez, it can’t be helped. Then, I’ll make ten ballistae next time I come.”

When Van said that, Panamera looked at him with suspicion.

“Really? For free?”

“For free.”

“The ones on the carriage too?”

“The mobile type? Well, if it’s just one…”

“Alright!”

When Van agreed with a troubled face, Panamera clapped her hands together happily and nodded.

“Everyone heard that, right? It’s Viscount Van’s public pledge. Let us wait in anticipation.”

As Panamera laughed happily saying that, Van smiled wryly again. That expression was strangely mature, creating the illusion for just this moment that Van was the older brother and Panamera the younger sister.

Perhaps because of that sensation, when I looked again at the cityscape Van had remodeled, my perspective changed.

A castle that is both beautiful and functional, sophisticated. Not just the appearance, but the efficiency of distribution, the ease of defense in all four directions, and the cityscape designed to be easy for residents to live in… These must include consideration and care for others that cannot be acquired just by reading books.

The creativity to create new things is a given, but including those aspects, I cannot think of these as the thoughts of a mere ten-year-old child. It is something I cannot be convinced of simply by the word “genius”.

“…Does Lord Van perhaps have elven blood?”

I had unconsciously voiced such a question. At that, Van burst out laughing and answered.

“An elf? No, no, that’s too much praise, no matter what~. Fufufu.”

“Lord Van, it might not be about appearance!”

“Eh? Wasn’t I being praised?”

“I think you are being praised, but…”

Van, embarrassed, and his servants trying to correct the misunderstanding had such a conversation. Thomas and the others watched over it with smiles, but what if even this was a calculated action?

We must absolutely never become enemies. If we line up our bridles as allies, there is no one more reliable, but if we become enemies, there would likely be no existence more terrifying.

In less than a month, that was how I evaluated Van.