Fun Territory Defense Chapter 191 (Patreon)

[Another Viewpoint] I'll Take Care of the Defense

[Murcia]

Van's eyes narrowed, and he said, "There is a traitor in our midst". The expression on his face was not that of a child, and I felt a cold sweat running down my spine. Van is usually gentle and calm, but currently, I felt as if I was in front of a fierce general who has been through many battles.

Is it that he has inherited his father Jalpa's blood? Or was it Van's natural disposition? Either way, there is no doubt that he has a talent for fighting that I do not have.

"...But to have an inside job with the Jiernetta Kingdom... I don't understand why they would do such a thing."

When I managed to answer that much, Van chuckled and looked out.

"I can think of a few reasons, but they're all just guesses, you know. Well, at any rate, there are other reasons to speculate that there is an inside man. The fact that the Scuderia Kingdom has not been able to expand its territory recently, and the fact that the Scuderia Kingdom was unable to predict the first surprise attack at all, are also concerns."

Van expresses his thoughts while looking at the ground with concern for the movements of Jiernetta Kingdom's army. He pointed out as if it were nothing, but the content was terrifying, so much so that I felt like my thoughts had finally arrived at the same point after hearing Van's explanation.

"...You mean to say that the reason why our country has not been able to expand its territory so far is because there were people who passed information to the Jiernetta Kingdom? If the reason for the successful surprise attack is also the same, then the informant is definitely someone from the Jiernetta Kingdom, in other words, a nobleman from the eastern part of the kingdom..."

As he says this, I shudder at the horrifying thought myself. Even though the Scuderia Kingdom is one of the great powers, there is nothing that can be done if the nobles who are supposed to protect the borders communicate with the enemy. They would be attacked at a fatal moment and their territory would be taken. Depending on how the information is used, they could even be marched to the royal capital.

But Van chuckled vaguely.

"Yes, that's true. But I think it's dangerous to suspect only the nobles."

"Eh?"

Just as I was about to reply to these unexpected words, a violent, earth-shaking roar rang out from the direction of the castle walls. I had heard this shock and sound many times before, and it was the black ball.

"Whoa, are the ramparts safe?"

As I cowered, Van leaned forward with the same degree of surprise as if he had knocked over a cup on the table. He stared off into the distance, his eyes fixed on the table.

Then, as if on cue, a series of violent explosions from the black ball rang out.

The explosions were irregular and wide-ranging, as if they were attacking frantically.

"Oh, they're moving away."

Van uttered with squinted eyes amidst the deafening, violent sound.

Indeed, if you ask me, it looked as if Jiernetta Kingdom's troops were taking some distance from the city walls, as if they were trying to avoid being caught in the explosion.

After confirming this, Van turned his head to the small castle diagonally ahead and ordered.

"Are we ready with our super-strength projectile catapults?"

"Yes! It's ready!

"Alright! Let's try it out!"

When such a light order was given, something moved in the back of the small castle. I couldn't see it clearly from here, but it seemed to have something attached to its side.

As I watched, wondering what was going to happen, something shot out with a sound that cut the wind. A black object arced through the air.

As if it had eyes attached to it, the object fell toward the rear of the Jiernetta Kingdom army.

Soon after, the black object burst into flames with an explosive sound. Although the black ball of flame was not very visible, it was still powerful, and dozens of Jiernetta Kingdom's rear ranks were rolling on the ground, their ranks disorganized.

After that moment, Van's ballistas were being fired one after the other, which must have been very hard on the opponents.

It was probably a done deal. Just as I was thinking that, Van curiously remarked.

"...Huh? They are not retreating?"

At these words, I turned my gaze back to the battlefield. Certainly, they must have been hit pretty hard, but they showed no signs of retreating.

"Why...?

Why didn't they retreat? Just as I was about to say this, the castle was shaken by a roar and impact never heard before.

"W-W-W-What...?

"...Could it be that the castle walls have collapsed?"

While trying not to lose his position due to the shaking of the ground, Van quickly moved toward the balcony and leaned against the railing. He then squinted at the state of the castle walls.

"Wow, I doubt this will be good."

He said this in a voice devoid of any sense of urgency, and then turned his attention to the top of the ramparts.

"Everyone! Are you okay?"

Van's voice was answered by a voice from the top of the ramparts, where a cloud of smoke was rising.

"Yes!"

"The walls are safe, but the gates have been breached!"

"Van-sama, please evacuate!"

Such reports came from the top of the castle walls and from the turrets. Van laughs at that and shouts.

"Thanks! But we can't evacuate, so we'll intercept them! Those in the turrets and castle should aim at those who have entered the castle walls. The rest of you, aim outside the walls! Beyond the walls, there should be the weapon that destroyed the gates, so be the first to destroy it when you find it!"

"Ha!"

"We found a suspicious tube in front of the gate! Destroy it!

"Yes!"

Van's orders were  laid-back. However, Van's knights understood his intentions precisely and carried them out. This is of course due in part to Dee's training. But it would have been impossible without a sense of trust in Van.

Thinking about this, I realize that Dee is not here.

"...Van, it appears that my forces haven't made it this far yet, but I don't see Dee either, do you? I think Dee should be personality by Van's side first."

When I asked this question, Van, who seemed to be thinking about something, pointed towards the small fortress and laughed.

"Dee is already in charge over there."

"Huh?"

I turned around to see Dee standing on the top floor of the building, leaning out from the terrace.

"Don't shoot the back! The stone wall in the center is difficult to climb! If we defend this small fortress, we will inevitably win the battle! Rear units, don't forget to replenish arrows!"

Watching Dee giving precise instructions while checking the situation inside the fortress walls, I next see Van looking at the situation outside the walls with a serious expression on his face.

Dee, who had often clashed with the Knight Commander Stradale in judging tactics and the war situation, is now leaving the most important overall command to Van without saying a word. This means that Dee sincerely trusts Van's knowledge and sensitivity to battle.

"...I guess my hunch was right after all... Marquis Fertio, who banished Van, may be in for some hard times from now on."

I muttered to myself, looking at Van's back and smiling wryly.