[Murcia]
The voices of the knight order echoed from outside early in the morning. Using the familiar sound as my cue, I rose and got out of bed. Approaching the window to look outside, I saw the knight order running together in a group. Dee was more energetic than anyone, running while seemingly chasing after the armored members.
The terrifying part is that Dee is in heavier gear than anyone else. As usual, he runs clad in full plate armor, carrying a large shield and a great sword as tall as he is.
In that state, he laughs while chasing the members running ahead of him.
Incidentally, the initial concerns about food and personnel shortages have been manageable thanks to the supplies Van regularly sends and the adventurers who transport them.
However, the fact that the adventurers hunt many magical beasts while patrolling the perimeter is a problem. After all, this fortress has no funds to purchase materials. It seems they load some onto the supply wagons to take back, but the rest is just left behind.
Though, it appears the adventurers have requests from Van; they separate the materials that can be sold for cash, and dry the meat that would otherwise rot. Furthermore, they gather resources like lumber and ore from the surroundings and store them in a materials depot located in the small town on the Yerinetta Kingdom side.
Perhaps even this place will eventually see merchant caravans dispatched by the Mary Trading Company.
Even now, the Bell-Rango Trading Company sends merchant wagons back and forth from Ceat Village, but it's not nearly enough for buying materials or selling weapons, armor, and daily necessities. Considering the future population growth, a little effort here and there won't be sufficient to keep up.
A large trading company's caravan could make that possible.
While thinking about that, I also believe maintaining a road through those Wolfsburg Mountains for caravans to travel freely would be difficult.
After all, the magical beasts living there are all large types. It would be commonplace for a wagon to be destroyed just by letting their guard down a little at night. And when passing near cliffs, just a fight breaking out nearby could cause a landslide.
Weighing the risk against the profit, if it were me, I'd decide against sending caravans.
"...Is this way of thinking not good?"
I muttered that to myself after changing clothes.
It's my inherent nature, but I tend to consider worst-case scenarios, which slows my judgment. It's a shortcoming my father pointed out many times.
In contrast, my father and Van don't seem to have that. Yard and Sest are also the type to believe in their own judgment and charge ahead, but that's just them being shallow thinkers.
In my father's case, he anticipates the worst and builds his strategy around it.
Van is similar. When I was put in charge of this fortress, I asked him how I should defend it. In response, Van looked down over the fortress city from the top floor and said this:
"In my case, I think about what I would do if I were the enemy. One option is a forceful strategy, being wary of the ballistae but ignoring some casualties—spreading out thinly left and right to break the walls with sheer numbers. Another is pioneering an invasion route where they can approach undetected until the last moment—crossing the dangerous mountains to attack from either the left or right. That would be possible if they have wyverns. The last is a siege. They already have a record of attacking deep into Count Ferdinatt's territory. They could move to invade from there and cut off our supply lines."
Van said this like some battle-hardened general. As I stood there dumbfounded, Van gave a wry smile and spoke again.
"Of course, they might use various stratagems like digging tunnels, setting something up from the river, or launching night attacks. So, either way, we must respond flexibly. I think you're well-suited for defensive battles and small-scale field engagements, Murcia-nii, because you're cautious. You have Dee too, so please proceed as you see fit."
After saying that, Van nonchalantly returned to Ceat Village.
He acts so carefree and seems to be enjoying himself, but the more I talk to him, the more I'm amazed by his deep thinking and consideration for others.
I mean, he's only nine. I'd heard Espada and Dee gave him intensive elite education, but it's still hard to believe.
It would be easier to believe if someone told me Van was an adopted elf child and actually fifty years old.
While I was thinking about that, I heard a voice calling me from afar. Wondering what it was, I went outside and found Arv, who had climbed up a watchtower, shouting towards me. Normally, he'd come inside the fortress, so it must have been urgent.
Don't tell me the enemy is attacking? Thinking that, I immediately called back from where I was.
"Has something happened?!"
When I asked back, Arv pointed behind him and spoke.
"The Royal Banner! It appears the Royal Army has arrived!"
Hearing that report, two emotions instantly dominated my chest.
One was relief that the arrival of many allies meant my duty of defending the fortress city was complete. The other was tension regarding the arrival of His Majesty and the high-ranking nobles.
"...! Quickly, prepare a reception!"
I flusteredly gave the order, and Arv nodded deeply.
"Yes, Sir!"
Hearing Arv's reply, I turned on my heel and rushed down the stairs inside the fortress. The image of my father's face surfaced in the corner of my mind, and I felt a pang in my stomach.
No comments:
Post a Comment