[Cosworth Yerinetta]
His younger brothers had all been defeated and taken prisoner. The report was so shocking that anger darkened everything before my eyes, as if the world itself had vanished.
“…How is it possible to lose with that much equipment? Not just the Black Orbs, but even the Wyverns, the two-legged dragons, and the Copper-Red Earth Dragons were deployed…”
Without thinking, I crushed the glass I was holding in my hand. The grating sound of shattering echoed harshly against the stone floor and walls, and the soldier who brought the report flinched, his shoulders trembling.
“W-Well… it seems that the Scuderia Kingdom has also developed new weapons… and, moreover, possesses fortress construction techniques that are astonishing…”
“Construction techniques…? You mean to say that the fortress cities in the territories of Scudette, Marquis Fertio, and Count Ferdinand were far more resilient than expected?”
I asked in a low, cutting tone. The soldier shook his head from side to side.
“N-No… it’s the ability to build fortifications in less than half a day on empty land. That’s how the southwest Werner Fortress fell… Prince Estana immediately tried to recapture it, but was defeated. Currently, forces have been forced to retreat all the way to the southern fortress city.”
“Estana? I can understand the fools like Unimog failing, but Estana was defeated? Then we must recalculate the Scuderia Kingdom’s strength. And yet, despite the fact that I personally took two smaller nations, my foolish brothers… it seems only natural that I am the rightful next king.”
I snorted, and the soldier bowed lower, nodding repeatedly in a fawning manner. A pitiful lack of backbone.
I sighed, stood, and smoothed my hair back.
“I am returning to the royal capital! I, Cosworth Yerinetta, First Prince, will personally take command! This will be a total war with the Scuderia Kingdom! I will crush them utterly, leaving nothing behind!”
[Estana Yerinetta]
“Pathetic. With our eldest brother, Cosworth, returning, anyone below me, the Second Prince, will find their claim to the throne rendered meaningless… Though, if things go poorly, we may need even more aid from the Solstice Empire, which would put the very survival of our historic Yerinetta Kingdom at risk. We cannot afford another defeat.”
Saying this, the Hellenic Mage Corps commander lowered his chin, his face serious.
“Yes… but to be honest, with that fortress city in place, it won’t be easy. If possible, I suggest a temporary retreat to the royal capital to regroup and prepare a different battlefield…”
Hellenic muttered this, bowing deeply. He likely didn’t expect the suggestion to be accepted—after all, he was proposing fleeing to the royal capital immediately after losing a key stronghold. If Cosworth heard this, decapitation might be a reasonable punishment.
Yet there was no doubt he had suggested it fully aware of the consequences. And his plan, in all likelihood, was correct.
“…I doubt our eldest brother will permit it, but depending on the details, it may be possible to make such a proposal. Hellenic, what do you think is the best way to turn the current situation around?”
I asked, and Hellenic furrowed his brow, contemplating before speaking slowly.
“The commander of the Steyr Knights, newly deployed with artillery to recapture Werner, has fallen in battle. They trusted the reports that only a small force remained, and attempted a surprise artillery assault to reclaim the fortress—but they failed utterly. According to the retreating knights, the Werner Fortress had become something entirely different. This can only be attributed to that terrifying construction technique.”
“…I understand that as well. That is why I am asking what you meant by a ‘different battlefield,’ Hellenic.”
Hellenic nodded gravely before replying.
“In short, we need to prepare a situation where the Scuderia Kingdom cannot establish fortifications. We must deliberately revert to strategies from over a hundred years ago…”
He spoke cautiously, deliberately vague. I furrowed my brow, exhaling deeply.
Long ago, no nation could adequately train soldiers; farmers and civilians were forcibly conscripted. Powerful mages were invaluable, dominating battles. This changed with the establishment of professional knight orders. Once skilled archers and cavalry appeared, even mages could no longer unleash their full potential.
As a result, defending high-walled fortresses became the primary battlefield for mages. In open-field battles, mounted units were supreme, and for a time, that was the dominant strategy.
Over time, as nations fought for territory, more efficient tactics emerged: combining cavalry with mages. Mobile units capable of decisive attacks, striking where mages were hidden, or using small fortresses to attack while on the move, complicating defenses. Only the great nations could field multiple elemental mages, and most fortresses likely fell within a month.
Methods to counter mounted mages were devised—ambushes on the march, traps at bridges, cliffs, and mountain passes. In essence, attack the enemy before they can establish fortifications.
When successful, invasions became exponentially faster and easier. That was the primary method until roughly a century ago.
Reflecting on these lessons of warfare, I lifted my gaze.
“…So, you mean we set traps in advance of the Scuderia Kingdom’s advance and launch ambushes?”
Hellenic nodded deeply.
“Yes. The target is the river. They cannot relocate their fortress cities. We strike before their formidable construction techniques can be applied. Using Black Orbs, we destroy bridges and, while they are in chaos, attack moving targets with magic. No matter how many artillery units they destroy, mages on horseback will remain untouchable.”
“…We lay traps, ambush them, and force the battle into open terrain.”
I murmured, summarizing Hellenic’s plan. Indeed, engaging a fortress impervious to artillery and Black Orbs is foolish. Preventing them from establishing fortifications is the correct strategy.
“…The question is whether Cosworth will approve of this operation.”
I exhaled quietly, anticipating the difficulties that lay ahead.
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