And so, after a week of relentless work, we decided to at least complete the fortress-city in its current form. The expansion toward the Wolfsburg Mountains wasn’t finished yet, but for now, the project could be considered complete.
At the center, the castle itself stood proudly. The old outer walls had been restored and then modified with a distinctly Japanese style at their upper levels. Inside the walls, we added ten yagura towers and four small castles, all connected by covered corridors so that defenders could move swiftly across the grounds. Should intruders breach the perimeter, each small castle could be sealed off, delaying enemy advance, while the central keep stood like a last bastion.
And if enemies forced their way through the front gate? They would find themselves in a murder corridor, rained upon by mechanical crossbows from above. The angled design meant that any assault had to pass by those smaller castles—each one ready to shower arrows down like divine retribution.
In short: an ironclad defense.
After one last inspection of the completed walls, I stood before the great gate. Before me rose the rows of outworks, the scattered yagura, and above them all the towering tenshukaku set upon its massive stone base. I couldn’t help it—I was moved. Yes, I admit it. I impressed myself.
I would’ve liked to stand there admiring my creation all day, but alas, leadership duties awaited.
Gathered at the gate were Dee and the Ceat knights, the nobles who had helped with construction, and the commanders of the knightly orders who had supported us. A full audience.
I looked across their faces and spoke.
“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we’ve completed this fortress far earlier than expected! When His Majesty next visits, he will gaze upon this proud castle and surely recognize the value of your hard work. Naturally, I’ll report every detail of your accomplishments. Truly—thank you!”
I bowed deeply. And when I looked up—there they were. The same arrogant nobles from before… bowing their heads to me in silence.
…What is this? Mass stomach cramps?
For a moment I half expected to see them clutching their bellies. But no, when they raised their heads again, their faces were serious.
“…An invaluable experience,” one said.
“We must be the ones to give thanks,” said another.
“This land shall surely become one of the kingdom’s greatest strongholds,” declared a third.
One by one, they offered words of gratitude. Finally, Pinin waddled forward, double chin trembling, and spoke with uncharacteristic solemnity.
“…Until now, we’ve achieved little in war. But this—this fortress will stand as an achievement remembered by posterity. To have been part of such a work is our greatest honor. For that, we thank you.”
…Pinin. What did you eat? Did you pick something up off the ground?
My disbelief must have shown, because Pinin suddenly burst into laughter, planted a hand on his hip, and puffed out his chest.
“Hah! You think it doesn’t suit me, eh? Truth be told, being ordered about by a mere boy—a baron, no less—felt humiliating at first. But seeing your magic, and this castle… my feelings changed entirely. If possible, I would like us, too, to enter into alliance, just as Baron Panamera has done.”
He smiled wide, teeth bared. Recognition as an equal—and a proposal of alliance.
For a backwater baron like me, this was a deal far too good to pass up.
“Thank you! Of course, I can’t decide alliances on my own without confirming with Viscount Panamera…”
Pinin laughed heartily.
“Wahaha! Sensible as ever, despite your youth! Indeed, one cannot ignore a current ally in such matters. We cannot neglect our own domains forever either, so we shall send envoys in due course.”
“I understand. Thank you for your consideration.”
And so we exchanged handshakes, pledging mutual respect. Soon after, Pinin and the other nobles departed for their lands.
Naturally, the road home required passing through the perilous Wolfsburg Mountains, so I assigned escorts: adventurers who had chosen to remain, and a contingent from the Ceat knights. Arv led a detachment of mechanical crossbowmen, with two armored carriages in tow. With that, even a small escort was more than enough.
“Arv, when you reach Ceat, please commission Ortho and his people. We’ll need volunteers willing to stay here for about two months. Let Espada know to prepare as well.”
“Yes, leave it to me!”
“Oh! And seasonings! Don’t forget the seasonings and flour!”
“Ah, yes! Absolutely—I’ll be sure they’re not forgotten!”
Thus, with that precise and highly professional level of communication (cough), Arv departed with Pinin’s group.
And then… silence.
Despite the vast fortress-city, only about five hundred people remained. With the ballistae, defense was possible, but long-term? Impossible. A city this size would need at least three thousand permanent residents to run smoothly.
Even just staffing the walls and towers with guards required a hundred men per watch, three shifts a day. That’s already a thousand. And in case of sudden attack, only two to three hundred would be available as immediate combatants. If Yerinetta returned with wyverns or black orbs again… I wasn’t confident we could hold.
“…Hiring mercenaries long-term isn’t feasible. What do we do?”
My mutter earned a thoughtful response from Dee, who stood with arms folded, gazing at the castle.
“Indeed. Reinforcements from Ceat alone won’t suffice. If we account for the need to maintain Ceat's defenses, we require at least another thousand troops here. The village has over three thousand residents, but only about eight hundred knights. We always supplement them with adventurers or mercenaries. No, this will require recruiting settlers from across the land.”
I blinked. Wait. Eight hundred knights between Ceat and Espa Adventures Town? Since when? (…Better not say that aloud. Nodding wisely is the safer option.)
Dee stroked his chin, continuing.
“Personnel aside, there is no deputy lord here. Someone must manage not only defense but the supply of food and resources. That requires knowledge and talent in governance.”
“…Espada, maybe?” I ventured.
Dee shook his head at once. “Unwise. Lord Espada is fit, but he must remain in Ceat while you are absent.”
That eliminated him. And Dee himself had to accompany me in war. Arv and Row were still too green.
“…Hm. Perhaps Lady Panamera?”
“A fine idea, but it would take half a year at least,” Dee replied.
“Half a year… So mercenaries until then?”
“Yes… perhaps with a hundred knights left from Ceat, and Espada as interim governor. But even then, half a year is far too long.”
As we wrestled with the problem, a soldier came running from the Wolfsburg side. A Ceat knight, breathless with urgency.
“Lord Van! Lord Murcia has arrived—bringing five hundred of his private troops!”
“…Eh? My brother?”
At that shocking news, I blinked, lifting my head in disbelief.
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