Fun Territory Defense Chapter 231 (Patreon)

[Another Viewpoint] Jalpa's Struggle

[Jalpa]

"Welcome, Your Excellency. We are pleased to welcome you."

In front of the gates of Fortress Centenna. Targa Brescia, the leader of the Border Knights who protect Centenna, is a large man, over two meters tall. With his wall of muscles, one would have thought he belonged to a race of giants.

The knights who protect Centenna are made up of soldiers from the Marquis de Fertio, Counts Ferdinand and Venturi, and other high-ranking nobles in the area, as well as from the royal family and the dukes of the city. Because of its nature, the Knight Commander is always a knight selected from the royal or ducal family. Two deputy commanders are selected from among the knights dispatched by the senior nobility.

Until now, the knights selected from the higher nobility had a certain amount of influence, but since Targa's arrival, they seem to have been completely suppressed. This is probably because Targa's military strength and military abilities are so high.

Targa continued in a low voice that suited his appearance.

"...The fact that His Excellency has come with the Knights means that he is already aware of the situation."

"Of course. From this fortress, this is the territory of the Marquis of Fertio, and I have several means of obtaining information about the United Republic of Shelbia."

Targa nodded shallowly as he replied. Deciding that there was no further need for conversation, Targa quickly turned on her heel and went under the castle gate.

"This way."

The sub-commander mouthed instead and walked ahead to lead the way, turning to Stradale, who nodded without saying a word and turned back to the Knights.

"Half of the Knights are entering Centenna! The rest of you, prepare to encamp!"

Stradale said as much and quickly followed.

We proceeded through Centenna, looking at the bare stone walls and floors with nothing but a classy interior, perhaps evidence of the low threat level of the United Republic of Shelbia, Centenna is a fortress of 5,000 people. It is of medium size for a fortress or fortified city defending a border.

Because of its design, the corridors are only wide enough for several people to walk side by side and touch each other shoulder to shoulder.

In front of the wall facing the United Republic of Shelbia, there is a courtyard for gathering soldiers and a storehouse for materials, but the rest of the building was designed to make effective use of the small site by eliminating waste.

As we proceeded down the corridor, feeling oppressed by the narrowness of the space, we were led into a large room. In the center of the room was a large table with a map spread out on it. At first glance, Targa understood that it was a map of the United Republic of Shelbia.

Targa goes to the far end of the table and motions with his palm to a chair near the table, inviting me to sit down. He sat there silently and stared at the map on the table.

"...So, what state are we in now?"

I ask, and Targa points to a point on the map. It was the fortified city of the United Republic of Shelbia, not far from Centenna. In other words, it is the keystone of the United Republic of Shelbia's defense.

"It seems there has been a lot of confusion, but finally, there has been movement. We are now reorganizing the knights who gathered here, and we have a general idea of the flow of supplies. And also the existence of a certain special weapon."

"...Black balls and cannons? As I thought, the Jiernetta Kingdom is moving."

"That is correct. In addition, there is also a carriage with the military flag and coat of arms of the Jiernetta Kingdom army. It seems that not only the eastern part of the United Republic of Shelbia, but also the western part has fully cooperated with the Jiernetta Kingdom."

Hearing Targa's words, I let out a deep, heavy breath.

"...Jiernetta thinks up stupid things too."

As he muttered this, everyone's eyes turned to us.

"Is that against forming an alliance with Shelbia and attacking them?"

One of the deputy commanders asked me such a question, and I couldn't help but click my tongue.

"Fool! Anyone can see that such a thing would be exposed immediately! Why did you prepare your country's military flag like this? Don't you think about that!"

I shouted at him, and the deputy commander who had asked the stupid question mercifully shook his shoulders and surrendered. Where is this knight, this guy? Just looking at him is irritating.

As I was thinking this, Targa raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth.

"...In other words, you are trying to divide the forces of the Royal Army of Scuderia, aren't you? Since we are massing our troops in a way that is close to an all-out war, Jiernetta wants to spread out Scuderia's forces."

"Yes, that's right. If the idiots heard what I just said, they would immediately concentrate a lot of their forces here in Centenna. But that is precisely what Jiernetta wants. Those who don't realize it are third-rate. Those who realize it are second-rate."

"...I'll keep that in mind."

Targa replies, and the other idiots pull their jaws back and lower their gazes as if they are drooping. Targa looked us straight in the eye and opened his mouth again.

"So, Your Excellency knew of Jiernetta's ruse and came to this Centenna? Do you think we can't even buy you a few months?"

His words made my mouth drop open. After all, this big man is interesting. I had no idea that he would speak to us in such a condemnatory manner in the course of our conversation. It must be proof that he has the confidence in the struggle to do so.

He has solid ability and confidence backed by that ability. Without confidence in one's own abilities, one cannot act. Those who operate a knighthood must have confidence.

"Mister Targa. I am sorry, but you lack knowledge. You haven't actually seen the black balls and cannons, have you? There is nothing more dangerous than to guess at the enemy's strength without sufficient information."

When I told him this, Targa nodded without changing his expression.

"...That's right. We, too, are making guesses based on the information we have received from the royal capital, but that is not all the knowledge we have gained from actually seeing it. So, could Your Excellency, who has actually experienced it, tell us how powerful is the United Republic of Shelbia with the weapons of the Jiernetta Kingdom in its hands?"

Targa immediately agrees with the point made and tries to get our opinion. He is indeed a good commander. In the first place, if the commander of the Border Knights is elected from a royal or ducal family, he should be a powerful four-elemental magician.

It would be quite interesting if we let this man experience various battlefields.

"Well...first, you must realize that black balls and cannons are entirely different from the four elemental magic. At any rate, there is no chanting. In addition, they can be used by anyone. Depending on how it is used, you may not even notice it until it is about to be used right in front of you. Do you see how much of a threat this is? If there is an assassin from the Jiernetta Kingdom in the room, he can kill everyone in the room instantly."

Everyone's expressions changed as I simply provided them the information about the weapon.

"...I see. Indeed, there is a part of me that thought it was simply equivalent to fire magic. When I think of it that way, we need to be careful not only when defending, but also when attacking."

"That's right. That's why we came to your aid. And to defeat Jiernetta Kingdom's intentions, it is necessary to avoid dispersing the Royal Army of Scuderia's forces. If we do so, on the contrary, Jiernetta Kingdom will be in a difficult situation because some of its forces are lending valuable weapons to Shelbia."

"Oh, oh...!"

The sub-commanders exclaimed in admiration as he replied. Now, we must hurry and instill the knowledge of black balls and cannons in our soldiers. Time is of the essence.

[Cosworth Jiernetta]

To be honest, the odds were stacked against us. Having lost all three battles that had been considered inevitable victories, the loss in personnel and supplies alone was horrendous. Furthermore, the loss of Fort Welner, a key strategic point, forced the Scuderia Kingdom to divide its forces, which had been concentrated in a single point, into multiple units.

On the other hand, the Scuderia Kingdom side can march from Fort Welner toward the royal capital. While the opponent could invade with all its strength, the Scuderia Kingdom could only defend itself if it dispersed its forces.

In other words, if we only look at the war situation, it seems as if the game is already won.

However, that is only if they fight properly.

Even if they cut off our arms and legs, if we cut off their heads, we win. Although they would suffer serious damage, the war situation would change drastically if they were able to penetrate a part of the Marquis Fertio's territory.

On the other hand, we could target the royal capital first, or we could try to recapture Werner from the Scuderia Kingdom side. It is too late for us to realize our situation and launch a counterattack. It would be too late to return to the situation that had been overturned.

The only thing that remained was how to distribute their forces.

"We will hit the Scuderia with such a spectacular result that the Scuderia will hesitate to invade. Once the enemy learns of our onslaught, they will stop their invasion."

To bring Fortress Centenna to an early fall, the largest conceivable force has been assembled. Of course, the necessary defensive forces in each region and the forces that would allow Werner to stall the enemy were left in place, but all other surplus forces were gathered.

And I will be in command myself. There is no chance of losing.

"We will crush Scuderia...march on!"

He pulled his sword out of its scabbard and raised it high as if to show it off. Immediately, an angry roar rang out, shaking the earth.