Whether he was convinced or just gave up, Murcia ended up agreeing to have dinner with me and hear me out.
“You know, now that I think about it, this is actually the first time we’ve had a meal together, just the two of us.”
“Ah, y-yeah… that’s true. But still, this place… feels a little too extravagant, doesn’t it?”
Murcia said that with a complicated expression, eyes drifting out past the keep. The sunset had painted the ridges in sharp strokes of orange, the view below soaked red by the dying light. The castle walls glimmered at intervals with lanterns, dotting the scenery with soft, careful color.
To put it mildly, it was breathtaking.
“Pretty amazing, right?”
“…Y-yes. Without a doubt.”
And somehow, our exchange started to sound like a couple on a date. Which was exactly when Till arrived with the next dish, threatening to cement the awkwardness forever. Right—time to cut to the main topic before we start accidentally gazing into each other’s eyes.
We sat in a tatami room—wooden floors, cushions, a big round chabudai. Personally, it felt cozy. For Murcia, maybe not so much. But hey, you get used to things if you live in them long enough.
“Murcia-nii, if you’re really willing to lend me your strength… then I’d like you to become the lord of this castle.”
He sucked in a sharp breath, back snapping straight. For a long moment he just stared at me, then exhaled like he’d resigned himself to fate.
“…Of course. I’ve been ordered to assist you, after all. But… only within the limits of what I’m capable of, alright?”
His smile was lopsided—reluctant, uneasy, but still an agreement. I let out a relieved breath.
“Thank you, brother! Then here’s the plan: for the next year, I want you to protect this fortress city! After that, once our forces are ready, we’ll begin seizing Yerineta’s territories—pushing toward the sea, until we secure a port that connects to the central continent! By then, you’ll be the lord of at least three fortress cities, receive a title from His Majesty, and place deputies in each! So, I’ll need you to pick and train about six to ten promising people from the settlers here—future knight captains, future deputies. One year might be short, but I’ll send the best candidates I can find, so somehow—”
“W-wait, wait, Van! You’re shouting this outrageous plan loud enough for the kitchen staff to hear! Are you really alright blurting it out like that!?”
Murcia’s eyes were wide, practically spinning. Honestly, he looked like he wanted to dive under the table. I mean, fair reaction. But if we waver here, we’ll never secure the spices and foodstuffs we need. Central Continent or bust!
“Murcia-nii. Once we push into Yerineta’s lands, we’ll eventually get our hands on black orbs. With those, no enemy will be a threat. So there’s nothing to fear.”
I met his gaze squarely. His expression shifted to surprise—then softened into something almost… sorrowful.
“…Amazing. I think I finally understand how a child like you could achieve such great things, Van.”
He stood, slowly.
“…So this fortress city will be my home, then. To guard this place is to fulfill my mission. Very well, Van. My strength may fall short, but I shall give it my all.”
He stepped out to the outer corridor of the keep, surveying the surroundings before turning back with a faint smile.
“Then, from this day forth, I ask your guidance… Baron Van.”
His tone was elevated, almost ceremonious. I scrambled up and bowed in return.
“Thank you so much, Murcia-nii!”
That drew a laugh from him—warm, genuine, shoulders shaking.
“Strange, isn’t it? Feels like our roles have reversed, Van.”
“Ah—sorry about that.”
We both laughed, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like we were simply brothers again.
Of course, that’s exactly when the universe said “family bonding? Nah.”
“Enemies! The Yerineta army is attacking!”
The shout rang from the ramparts. I hurried to Murcia’s side at the corridor, looking down just in time to see fire arrows streaking toward the walls. Not that they could touch my carefully restored strongest-walls-ever. The added Japanese-style roofs and walls blocked them easily.
The real issue: how had the Yerineta forces gotten so close without our keen-eyed Seat Village knights noticing? Was there another approach path we didn’t know about?
I snapped out of it and called loudly:
“Can anyone see where they’re coming from?”
A few quick exchanges on the wall, then soldiers split—some rushing along the battlements, others manning the ballistae, more gathering at towers. Finally, one knight on the right shouted back:
“Lord Van! They’re advancing through the forest!”
“Eh? Even from this height it’s hard to tell?”
“Yes, unless we were constantly watching that direction, it’d be impossible!”
“I see! Then, please handle the defense!”
“Yes, my lord!”
I glanced back to the enemy lines. Sure enough, soldiers were pouring out from the right-side woods, forming ranks right in front of our fortress. Which was… pretty bold, actually.
“Why does it feel like they’re too calm? Normally, anyone charging a fortress with this many defenders would be panicking, not—” Murcia gave me a side-eye, bewildered.
“They’re just forcing themselves to act calm. But even so, it’s strange. Their defeat was recent, yet they’ve returned so quickly. Especially when they lost such a crucial stronghold. It doesn’t add up.”
“Eh? Wouldn’t it be natural? They didn’t know the walls would be repaired. Rushing back is just common sense, isn’t it?”
Murcia tilted his head, doubtful. I nodded slowly.
“Maybe. But think about it: this fortress fell in an instant. And the Scuderia Kingdom troops that appeared through the Wolfsburg Mountains turned around just as quickly. Why would Yerineta assume so few soldiers remained here?”
“…Don’t tell me…”
Murcia’s brows furrowed, his voice catching. He’d reached the same grim suspicion.
I gave a firm nod.
“Yes. It’s only my guess, but… I believe Scuderia has an informant.”
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