Fun Territory Defense of the Easy-Going Lord - Chapter 162
War Preparations
As soon as possible, I will ask Dee to investigate each of the knights. I also informed His Majesty and Panamera of the raid on their base. Of course, they were furious. However, we could not split up our forces when we were about to go to war, and we could not check out the knightly orders, which could be called the private armies of the nobles, one by one just based on suspicion alone.
Even if it were His Majesty, he would do his best to warn the nobles at the head of each Order so as not to affect morale. However, it would be a great deterrent for His Majesty to simply grimly announce, “There was an attack on Baron Van’s stronghold last night”.
It would be impossible for them to attack us again during the march.
And so two more days went by. I worked on paving the mountain road.
“Van-sama! We are now descending the mountains!”
I nodded my head in agreement to Camsin’s words. The mountains had been so high that it seemed as if they were carving out the landscape, but now we have reached an altitude where we can see the open sky. Besides, the sun was shining at the end of the mountain road, making it brighter and the path wider. We must be reaching our destination soon.
And, as expected, the aristocrats who seemed to be the masterminds behind all of this had stopped making any moves, and we could now march in peace. While we were relieved and happy, the adventurers who had been out scouting the surrounding area returned.
“… Van-sama, I’m sorry. I’ve put you in danger.”
Ortho apologized as soon as he returned. After learning that the base had been attacked, Ortho and the others had been awfully concerned about me. Well, there was a reason why the Knights and Ortho got into trouble in the first place. I told them not to worry about it so much, but they still apologized and apologized for the situation.
“No, no, it’s really okay. You’re worrying too much. It’s more that I’m so grateful that we were able to proceed smoothly through this mountain full of magical beasts thanks to the vigilance of all the adventurers.”
When I replied, Ortho bowed deeply.
“That’s very kind of you to say so. And now, I’ve just received word that we finally have our destination in sight…”
“What? Really? Please tell me about it!”
I shouted out loud at Ortho’s report. We wanted to make our way to our destination as soon as possible and return to Seat Village immediately. Perhaps my thoughts were conveyed, Ortho nodded broadly with a wry smile.
“Yes, sir. At this rate, we’ll be there in less than half a day.”
“Wow, that makes me happy. Let’s do our best to arrive soon! Maybe we can have a barbecue party when we get back to Seat Village.”
“That sounds great. I’m looking forward to it.”
We laugh at such exchanges. However, Ortho and the others will be asked to be on guard and escort everyone on the way home. They would not be able to attend the barbecue when on my return. I felt sorry for them, so I decided to throw them an extravagant barbecue when they arrived home.
I worked for about three hours with this thought in mind. Finally, the time had come.
The view widened, as if the mountain had split off to the left and right, replaced by a mountain road leading up to a small hill.
“Beyond that hill is already Jiernetta Kingdom. There was a fortress right in front of it, so it would be dangerous if we tried to go over the hill.”
“What? Is that so? What was His Majesty planning to do?”
As I asked, I saw a group of knights walking from the back of the carriage. And there was also a luxurious carriage with the royal coat of arms engraved on it.
Before the carriage comes toward us, everyone kneeled down on one knee on the ground in place and bowed their heads.
“All right. Raise your heads.”
Saying this, His Majesty got out of the carriage. However, everyone was reluctant to raise their heads, other than me.
“We are going to build a base here. It is lower than the fortress walls, but we can shoot our bows and arrows from a reasonable height, and it will be easier to treat the wounded if we go back over the hill. However, we will have to cross the river after descending the hill and capture the fortress. It would definitely take a considerable amount of time.”
His Majesty explained as such, pointing to the hill. I nodded at that and looked back in the same direction as His Majesty.
“I see. So from the opponent’s point of view, a hill that makes it difficult to use siege weapons can be used as a simple wall from our point of view. However, I guess it depends on the distance, but if the hill is lower than the ramparts, it would be dangerous to have archers use arrows in an arc…”
“Of course, a wall must be built to keep the arrows out by logs, but I don’t think it’s a good idea, because it would not reduce the risk of arrows being used in the same way. Well, if Baron Van had lent us a hand, we could make it a much stronger base than we had planned… but I haven’t forgotten my agreement with the Baron not to let you take part in the war.”
When I was about to ask him a question, His Majesty grinned. I smiled wryly as I could read through the implication in his smile.
“… Haha. Well, it can’t be helped, I will help you until the preparations are made before the war. It may be simple, but I will build a fort on top of the hill.”
His Majesty nodded in satisfaction as I replied.
“As expected of Baron Van. Without being told what the other party wants, you are able to prepare it for them.”
“… I am honored by your praise, Your Majesty.”
“Hahaha! You’re using such childish language again!”
His Majesty, who was in a good mood, laughed loudly without regard to my sarcasm, which was not even a hint of a tinge of sarcasm.