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Apparently, It was all Part of the Plan.
The enemy knights were three hundred men borrowed from a frontier count of the Kingdom of Jiernetta, and a group of escort knights led by Prince Unimog Jiernetta of the Royal Family of Jiernetta, who did not expect them.
I had heard that the wyvern was controlled by a puppet magician, so I was eager to hear his story, but unfortunately, he was slammed against the castle wall and killed in battle.
Apparently, it was part of an invasion operation that had been planned for several years and put into action three months ago.
The king was unusually frustrated. Apparently, the information had been concealed quite skillfully.
The King, Aperta, Panamera, and I are sitting around a table in a room of the lord’s mansion, having a meeting.
“There was no order for armaments or movement of the knights in the report. On the contrary, the capital is supposedly in the middle of a major flood control project. I don’t believe they would spend that kind of money to dazzle us
they seem to be serious this time.”
I nod and open my mouth to the king, who mutters in a very grumpy manner.
“I see. But even though he was an unfortunate prince, how did you manage to extract information from the Unimog?”
The details of the invasion operations of the war are complete state secrets. How could a member of the royal family divulge such information?
I thought so and asked, but the king cowered his shoulders in amusement, and Aperta explained instead.
“You were an amazing softy. When I asked him if he wanted his nails removed or his eyes gouged out, he immediately told me everything.”
“Normally, I would welcome an enemy soldier who speaks frankly, but that softness was frustrating.”
Panamera agrees with Aperta, who looks half-amused, and says so.
“Ha ha
well, I guess they don’t like pain. So, what’s the full story on the invasion?”
I asked, and the king opened his mouth with a deep crease between his eyebrows.
“The main operation is the invasion of the Marquis of Fertio, who has just expanded his territory.”
“What?”
I was surprised, and the king’s eyes narrowed and a complicated expression appeared on his face.
“I am uncertain if I should tell you about the marquises, but now that you are a baron, I think it would be best for you to be strong and listen to me.”
With care, the king tells of the Jiernetta kingdom’s campaign to invade Father’s territory.
“As you know, the Marquises of Fertio have greatly expanded their territory by 50% in ten years. However, they were not ready to train and appoint human resources, so they were unable to deal with the expanded area they were defending until later. The capital has deployed a border guard force, but they lack the numbers and the local knowledge.”
The king sighed as he said this, and I interrupted him.
“Then we are being attacked right now, aren’t we?”
The king nodded.
“Yes. The first city to be attacked, both from the standpoint of its location and the nature of the operation, is the fortified city of Scudetto. Furthermore, to ensure the fall of Scudetto, we will attack the second city of the Marquisate. And three towns and villages, including this Seat Village, should be attacked at the same time.”
Having said all that, the king looks up and opens his mouth again.
“But do not be hasty. We have already made the first move. It is a race against time, but our running around now will not change the situation. What we need to do is to sort out the situation and take countermeasures.”
The king said, and Aperta took over with a single cough.
“Then let me confirm our response. First, His Majesty and I, we will return to the capital with a minimal escort and organize Knights from the capital to go to Scudetto. Next is Viscount Panamera. The Viscount will report to Count Ferdinand, who will immediately organize a supply detachment and a knighthood, also to Scudetto.”
After uttering this, Aperta looked at me.
“Normally, we would only request food and other supplies from one lord of a village. However, we have decided that Baron Van is capable of doing so, and we request his participation in this defense battle.”
Aperta said this with a serious face. And I can’t help but make a genuine comment.
“Eh
”
I muttered, and one of Aperta’s eyebrows rose.
“
Can I refuse?”
The air becomes tense, and the eyes of the king and Panamera turn to me. Normally, I wouldn’t be able to say no, but I don’t back down. I want to stay indoors, so I don’t want to leave the village as much as possible.
I thought so, but chose my words carefully so as not to be rude.
“I am honored to receive your request, but I have a duty to protect this village. If I leave this village, which is still in the process of development, it would be like abandoning it. As a lord, I want to protect the village.”
I voiced this opinion in a serious tone of voice, but Aperta’s eyes narrowed in a stinky manner.
“
We have weapons that can tear a wyvern full of holes with a single blow and defense equipment that can even defeat armored lizards and dragons, and yet we are still in the process of development?”
Aperta looks at me with suspicion, and I immediately nod.
“It is definitely under development. To be clear, in my mind, it’s not even a tenth of the way finished. If it’s true, I have a lot more I want to make.”
When I assured him that I was not finished, even the quintessential Aperta blinked. The king did the same, but only Panamera laughed happily.
“The boy is funny, after all. I’ll be curious to see what more outrageous things you can create, but you’d better accept this request. In a national crisis, all nobles must cooperate without regard to their own self-interests. It is a kind of pact that is made when one becomes a noble
hmm?  Well, I was the one who ordained the boy. Did you not know about the duties of nobility?”
Panamera chuckled as she recalled. No, I learned it from Espada. Well, can’t you just pretend you don’t know and get out of it this time?
Impossible? It would be impossible.
I had no choice but to nod my head with a sigh.
“
I understand. If that is the duty of a nobleman, then I will participate. However, I also have responsibilities as a lord. I would like to decide how many people to take from the village.”
“Mm, that’s fine. But I would like you to take that dreaded barista with you.”
“Of course. We will use Prototype No. 28. It is mobile and most robust. But it takes a lot of time and resources to make, so we have only made three machines.”
The king laughed in disgust when I replied.
“You seem to be doing more research than our royal family has. How can you come up with so many different ideas?”
“It’s all just a little modification of what we have now. Well, I’m sure I could make something interesting if I could get what I’m looking for.”
“
Huh?”
At my line, the king raised one corner of his mouth in interest.
If there are no problems, we’ll put it into action.
Aperta interrupted me, and the king leaned back against the backrest.
“Well
I have no objection. Then let us move. It will take me and the Viscount at least three weeks to a month. We will send messengers from the towns along the way to each of the neighboring nobles by separate routes, but it will be a similar time when they appear with their armies.”
With that, the king stood up and looked down at me.
“Scudetto will not fall easily. But tens of thousands are of troops packed around it, for sure. Do not take it easy. Wait for our arrival and attack at the same time.”
“Yes, sir.”
I followed his advice to the letter. In fact, I even reply that I don’t want to be told to go.
“Then, each of you act quickly.”
So said the king, and as he said, he quickly finished his preparations and left the village.