[Murcia]
I headed for the main gate immediately, taking Dee, Arv, and about a dozen other knights. Even from a distance, I could see the large knight order marching down the mountain road with the Wolfsburg Mountains at their backs.
The soldiers atop the gate were looking my way, awaiting orders.
"Open the gate! Open it!"
I hurriedly had them open the gate and waited in front of it with Dee and the others.
The moment the gate opened, the first to appear were Count Ventury and his knight order. Ventury, a battle-hardened veteran with white hair and sharp eyes, looked our way and gave a slight nod of his chin.
"Oh, Lord Murcia, son of Marquis Fertio. So it was you entrusted with this crucial point. It's excellent to see you in good health."
"Y-yes. It's excellent to see you in good health as well, Ventury-sama."
After exchanging brief greetings, Ventury gave a large nod and looked behind me.
"And... the one standing there would be the famed dragonslayer, Dee-sama, I presume?... Did you poach him from Lord Van?"
As Ventury crossed his arms and said this, Dee laughed boisterously, shaking his shoulders before I could even answer.
"Wahahaha! No, no! It's true I'm currently acting commander of the Murcia Knight Order, but I intend to return to Lord Van's side before long! I won't let anyone else take the position of commander of the Ceat Knight Order!"
When Dee answered like that, Ventury blinked and turned his gaze back to me.
"...The Murcia Knight Order? Hmm. It is not the Marquis Fertio Knight Order?"
Ventury looked suspicious. But his expression held a slight dissonance. He probably already knows a knight order bearing my name exists and has some idea of the situation. In other words, he just wants confirmation that his assumption is correct.
I'm not sure if I can meet his expectations, but I'll explain the situation honestly.
"I received a royal decree from His Majesty. As Lord Van's power is necessary for the invasion of the Yerinetta Kingdom moving forward, I was ordered to assist him with all my strength. As a result, Van... no, Baron Van was appointed acting lord of this renovated fortress city. We are fully prepared to receive the Royal Army, so please, proceed to the central castle."
I had few opportunities to converse with the heads of major high-ranking noble houses, so I nervously tried to explain the situation and guide them inside. Then, Ventury furrowed his brow and looked deeper into the fortress.
"...It appears to have changed considerably. Fitting for something Baron Van created—it's quite distinctive. So, what is this fortress city's name?"
When Ventury asked that, I inadvertently stammered. He looked at me suspiciously, his brow furrowed.
"What is it?"
Asked again, I resigned myself.
"...I-It is... Fortress City Murcia."
When I answered, Ventury let out a soft, breathy laugh.
"I see... Did Baron Van name the fortress city?"
"...Yes, he did."
I nodded and answered. Ventury narrowed his eyes and laughed.
"Hahaha! How like Baron Van! Now then, please show my knight order where to stay."
"Y-yes... The interior of the fortress city is complex. I-I will have a knight from the Murcia Knight Order guide you."
Saying that, I turned and called out to the man standing next to Dee.
"Marcos, please guide Count Ventury's knight order to the inner bailey."
"Sir!"
Marcos straightened his back with a spirited reply and stepped forward. Marcos is one of the knights I've known the longest. He's short but a finely trained elite, and a capable magic user as well.
Marcos puffed out his chest and approached the commander of Count Ventury's knight order, a man a full head taller than himself.
"I am Sergeant Marcos of the Murcia Knight Order! This way, please!"
As Marcos said this and began to lead the way, the knight order bowed slightly towards us before proceeding. As expected of a knight order seasoned by Count Ventury's campaigns, their movements were perfectly synchronized, without a single thread out of place.
After seeing them off, Ventury pointed further inside the gate.
"I shall wait here as well until His Majesty arrives. Where should I wait?"
"Ah, yes... Well then, I will prepare a place over there. Please wait a moment."
Prompted by Ventury, I only just realized this necessity. Panicking internally, I called a nearby soldier and ordered him to set up a tent.
I confirmed the next knight order was passing through the gate, briefly greeted the noble and commander, and told them to proceed inside. While I was busy with this, we managed to prepare a space adequate for the various nobles to rest.
"Please, wait here."
"Hmm."
I guided Ventury and the other nobles to the newly set-up tent where chairs had been prepared. Immediately after, two more knight orders arrived. As they were both fairly small orders, I finished the greetings and guiding quickly.
While I was doing this, the group bearing the royal crest finally arrived. A carriage drawn by four horses passed through the gate, and Ventury and the others emerged from the tent.
"Oh! That half-ruined fortress has changed this much! I look forward to seeing the inside!"
His Majesty said this cheerfully, leaning his face out of the carriage. It would be terrible to show disrespect. I must speak carefully...
I unconsciously held my breath, a single trickle of sweat running down my forehead.
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