"Honestly... I keep getting surprised by Baron Van, and it's frustrating."
His Majesty voiced this thought, though he didn't look frustrated at all. In high spirits, he continued to ask various questions about the cannons, so I explained the threat they posed and their future potential to the best of my ability.
Of course, I wasn't talking about the distant future, but about things like larger models, rapid-fire types, and miniaturization. What he latched onto most was the idea that miniaturization could allow individuals to wield weapons like the guns from my previous world.
Even a peasant could gain the power to instantly defeat an enemy. His Majesty's perspective wasn't wrong.
The real problem would be when such weapons became widespread, completely changing the nature of warfare.
Until now, even untrained peasants could achieve some results in battle by forming dense formations with long spears. Some armies use formations like the Crane Wing—spreading out like wings—as a countermeasure against mages, or variants of the Fish Scale formation, which divides troops into groups of a hundred to form a triangular shape with gaps, but these aren't common.
However, if guns and cannons become widespread, traditional warfare will become obsolete.
With even extremely small squads able to achieve significant results, tactics like thinning and widening the front lines become possible. They would also prove tremendously effective in guerrilla warfare, ambushes, and sieges.
Above all, if established as traps, they would become exceptionally troublesome weapons.
While contemplating this inevitable future, I turned back to His Majesty.
"For now, I don't believe the Yerinetta Kingdom possesses such weapons. However, there is a country behind them that supplied the black spheres. Since we've already captured the first key point of Yerinetta's defense, they will undoubtedly make a move. We should begin our advance before Yerinetta acquires new weapons."
When I said this, His Majesty muttered, "I understand," and lowered his gaze, pinching his chin thoughtfully. After pondering for over ten seconds, he raised his head with a furrowed brow.
"...Very well, we depart the day after tomorrow. I had originally considered a week of preparation, but as you say, Lord Van, we have only just seized a crucial enemy stronghold. We will not wait for all our forces to gather; we shall act swiftly, in the order they arrive at Ceat Village."
Having made his decision, His Majesty turned and addressed the assembled nobles and commanders.
"We move the schedule up! Since more knight orders have gathered than anticipated, we advance promptly to the new stronghold! We will solidify our foothold further, ensuring the wedge we've driven into Yerinetta's territory cannot be dislodged! Take all the supplies you can carry; additional provisions will be brought by the knight orders arriving later! We depart at dawn the day after tomorrow! Understood?!"
"Yes, Sir!"
The atmosphere shifted instantly upon His Majesty's command. Is this the difference an absolute monarch's order makes? Everyone took on the expression of seasoned soldiers and began moving quickly.
"Your Majesty, what of the formation? If it pleases you, my knight order shall take the vanguard—"
"We shall stand before His Majesty and protect him!"
"I intend to hire adventurers for警戒 (vigilance/reconnaissance) during the march. The formation will be decided and announced tomorrow. For now, make haste and prepare the necessary supplies."
This country is indeed seasoned in war; everyone's morale is high. Panamera is probably quite something too.
Thinking this, I looked around for her and found Panamera watching me, arms crossed.
"Aren't you going to prepare, Panamera-sama?"
When I asked, she responded with a fearless grin.
"I've already set the preparations in motion. We could probably leave tomorrow if needed."
That was a reliable answer. As expected of a warrior race. I once saw a movie about a people who fought a giant empire head-on with just three hundred men; if Panamera saw it, she'd definitely be moved.
As I was thinking that, His Majesty, having finished giving orders, walked over.
"Right, tomorrow will be busy. Ah, Baron Van, there's something I'd like to ask of you as well. It's about lending us the ballistae."
I nodded immediately at His Majesty's words.
"Of course. We will lend you all the mobile ballistae we have, and the armored carriages to carry them. Furthermore, we will handle hiring adventurers for transport, and my proud mechanized archer unit will accompany them."
"Oh, splendid! Then we needn't worry about supplies! I leave it to you, Lord Van!"
His Majesty said this cheerfully and then left, saying he was going to check on Apkalu and the dwarves. I'm glad he has only a small entourage; it shows he trusts the public order in Ceat Village.
After seeing off His Majesty's retreating, pleased figure, I turned my gaze to Panamera, who had remained. She was looking at me with a serious expression.
"...Shall we have a frank talk?"
"If we're frank, I might die," I joked.
"You fool."
After this relaxed exchange, I responded a bit more seriously.
"Is it about the new weapons? Or the movements of the Yerinetta Kingdom?"
When I asked, Panamera's eyes widened for a moment before she broke into a powerful smile.
"Impressive, boy. Did you predict what I wanted to say? To think about me that much... could it be affection?"
"I do like you, Miss Panamera."
I responded to her joking, mischievous expression with a beaming smile. Panamela groaned and took a step back.
"...You'll become a terrifying man in the future, boy. You'll probably leave your name in history. Just don't make Lady Arte cry."
Hearing that, I frowned and pouted.
"I would never make Arte cry. I intend to treasure her."
When I answered honestly, Panamera, thrown off balance, groaned with a furrowed brow.
"...I feel like your tongue is getting sharper by the day. Well, for a noble, that's also a talent, I suppose..."
Muttering something to herself, Panamera let out a deep sigh.
"...No use thinking about unnecessary things. So, what do you think, boy? If I were the enemy, I wouldn't just sit back after being hit this hard. I'd try to find some way to pull off a reversal."
Hearing Panamela say this while looking at me, I sighed and nodded.
"That seems likely. After all, whenever the Scuderia Kingdom has attacked the Yerinetta Kingdom before, they've always detoured around the Wolfsburg Mountains and invaded via the coastal highway. That's precisely why Yerinetta's defenses are concentrated on the coastal side, and the fortress we just captured is a vital point. We can head north from here, or advance east or west—either move would be unpleasant for Yerinetta. It's self-evident that dispersing the battlefield puts the defending side at a disadvantage. After all, they'd have to spread their forces across at least three fronts."
After briefly explaining my prediction, Panamera narrowed her eyes.
"Then, they will indeed come to attack us next time?"
Hearing Panamela say that, I nodded.
"Probably. Even if we attack first, if the fortress we worked so hard to capture is attacked, we'd have no choice but to return, no matter how advantageously we were advancing. Our supply lines would be cut, and worst of all, we'd inevitably be caught in a pincer attack later."
After I answered, Panamera crossed her arms and muttered "Hmm" thoughtfully. Watching her out of the corner of my eye, I looked at the smoke rising from the dwarven furnace.
"...I'm sure His Majesty has certainly considered such possibilities. That's why I believe he will solidify the stronghold before invading."
I stated my opinion. Panamela shrugged her shoulders and nodded.
"Of course, His Majesty would have considered every scenario. But I thought Baron Van, who knows the enemy's weapons well, might have a more accurate prediction of Yerinetta's next move... Right, let me change the question. If you were the supreme commander of Yerinetta, how would you fight?"
Asked this, I gave a wry smile and shook my head.
"My way of fighting is a bit special. I'd probably consider various methods. The best one would be to set traps. If they prepare traps using the black spheres, it wouldn't be easy for us to advance. If they then used the cannons I mentioned earlier when our movement is slowed, they could achieve significant results."
I answered because I was asked, but Panamera pulled her chin in with a more serious expression than I had imagined.
"...Traps, huh. I hadn't considered that much. I'd better advise His Majesty immediately."
Saying that, Panamela turned on her heel with her guards in tow.
"...Did I maybe say something unnecessary? This is the pattern where I get called to the front lines again, isn't it..."
I muttered this small, trembling with fear and trepidation.
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