Fun Territory Defense Chapter 210 (Patreon)

[Another Viewpoint] Sibling Reunion 3

[Sesto]

The loud voice, without an ounce of tension, had taken the venom out of even Gallardo. They both looked up together and looked behind the maid.

They saw about ten figures coming toward them from across the street.

The child in the middle is Van. He seemed to have grown a little taller, but nothing else had changed. I couldn't make out who the figure behind him was. I thought Espada and Dee were with him, but I was unable to see them.

"...Van, make sure you train your maids well."

When Gallardo said this, the maid's shoulders jumped. Van steps forward with his hand on the maid's back, who instantly looks worried.

"I'm sorry, Tyll has been watching me since I was a little, so I guess her emotions got the better of her. She is usually a very wonderful maid. She's a bit of a goofball though."

Van replied with a laugh, and the maid called Tyll turned her head down as if embarrassed. Not liking that, Gallardo opens his mouth with an uninterested expression.

"...It's been a while, Van. lt's been a while since I and Sesto were shown your territory, but it's developed quite nicely, hasn't it? Well, it's still smaller than our town, but it looks lively and safe. Although, I would have developed it much bigger."

Gallardo cowered his shoulders as he said this. Besides, the men and women lined up behind Van looked dumbfounded.

No, wait a minute. What's with that gorgeous outfit...expensive fabrics and detailed decorations that one would not expect to see on the battlefield. It's as luxurious as my father's. Are they the heads of high nobility?

Van is still a baron, even though he has been knighted. Or is it because Van is a child that he is allowed to be rude?

Either way, it would be better to greet him as he is likely to be in a higher position than me.

With that in mind, I looked out from next to Gallardo and spoke to Van in a whisper.

"...Van, introduce the people behind you."

When I told him so, for the first time Gallardo also noticed the discomfort in the faces and costumes of the men and women lined up behind Van.

"Mm. Indeed..."

Gallardo utters a small voice of agreement. Perhaps hearing this, Van moved one step to the side with a small wry smile, composing himself so that we were face to face with the figures behind us.

"First, the nice middle man in the center is our King Dino En Zola Berlinetta. Next, the beautiful and powerful lady next to him is Viscount Panamera Carerra Cayenne. Next..."

Van introduces them one by one with their titles. But although I could hear his voice, I couldn't get much of it into my head.

After all, the first person he introduces briefly is His Majesty the King. Many of the later people also had knighthoods, but even if they were introduced after His Majesty, their presence was hazy.

"...Finally, this is Tyll, a very talented maid who is an excellent cook and kind, and Camsin, who may now be one of the best in the Order."

After everyone had been introduced, Van smiled and waited for our reaction.

"Ah, ah... I apologize for the lateness of my introduction! My name is Gallardo Gai Fertio of the Marquis Fertio. This is my brother Sesto Ele Fertio. We are here on behalf of Marquis Fertio."

Gallardo introduces himself in a slurred manner, and since he also introduced himself by the way, I bow with him in the flow.

His Majesty looked as if he had eaten something bitter, then looked at each of our faces in turn and tilted his head slightly.

"...Hm...it is unusual for the Marquis to send his son instead of himself, even though it is an invasion into Jiernetta Kingdom territory. That would be the best opportunity for Sir Fertio to demonstrate his abilities. Don't tell me that you are already more capable than your father?"

When His Majesty raises the edge of his mouth and asks this, Gallardo shakes his head from side to side with a troubled smile.

"No, I'm not there yet...but I hope to surpass my father in the future and make the Marquis even more prosperous."

Gallardo replied with a face full of confidence. I have no idea how His Majesty took it, but for now, I have to answer first to avoid being misunderstood as a Marquis.

I had no choice but to open my mouth as a proxy next to Gallardo.

"Oh, um...my father, the Marquis Fertio, will be here for a while, I think. I have decided that we need to further increase our forces..."

I tried my best to explain the situation, but His Majesty's expression did not change. He looked at us a little discontentedly and then let out a sigh.

"Well, good. So, you mentioned something that bothered me a little earlier. Yes, Gallardo, was it? I believe you said that you could develop this town further."

When His Majesty mentioned this, Gallardo nodded broadly.

"Of course. You have provided quite a few workers and materials for this place, but I would not have given the town such an eccentric shape. It certainly has a moderately powerful appearance, but if you want to run a town efficiently, the fortified city that is the mainstream today is superior. Also, there are not many slaves to be found. Efficient use of slaves would be of great benefit."

Gallardo says this with an air of confidence. I looked at His Majesty, inwardly impatient with that. I really wish he would stop speaking without thinking. If they are spending this much money and people to develop the town, there is a possibility that it was done under the leadership of His Majesty. In other words, the shape of this town may have been His Majesty's idea.

However, it appears that we did not end up in a dangerous situation that would make fun of His Majesty's idea. His Majesty nodded his head in understanding without expression.

"Hm, you mean to say that the general shape and governance of our towns is the best in our country? If this were a year ago, I would have thought so too. But alas, this Baron Van's domain is far more solid than the common fortified cities of my kingdom. What is even more frightening is that Baron Van developed this territory so much without any help from anyone. After you understand this fact, you should take another look around Baron Van's domain. It will surely be a good learning experience for you."

His Majesty said this to me, and I involuntarily looked at Van's face together with Gallardo, who was standing there with his chest out, looking happy.

A fortified city this big, Van?

Impossible. Impossible. Van had not much money and only a year and a few months to build it. How could he build such a city? It is easy to imagine the enormous number of people, money, and materials that would be required.

Gallardo must have felt the same way, but he could not go against His Majesty's words, so he simply said quietly, "Yes, sir".