Fun Territory Defense Chapter 238 (Patreon)

A Grave Situation

It was dark outside at the time of night, as it should be. It should have been so dark that one could not even see the road.

But now, it was enveloped in red light and black smoke. Many black balls must have burned the trees. From the side of the road to the slope of the cliff, fires were everywhere, and the black smoke was obscuring visibility. As the red light of the fire illuminated the cliffs and the street, many dead knights could be seen lying here and there on the ground.

Most probably, they were knights of the Order of Centenna. Perhaps the Marquis Fertio of Jalpa's Knights of the Marquis of Fertio might be in the mix as well. There were some dead wyverns, but the dead knights were so conspicuous that from the Scuderia kingdom side, the atmosphere seemed hopeless.

"...It looks like a reckless assault."

Muttering this, Panamera snorted and pointed at the ceiling.

"If they got this much beat up. Even I'd be tempted to go in there and knock him out, too."

"No, no, please, this isn't some punk's turf war."

I couldn't help but lash out in a sympathetic manner typical of the martial-arts-oriented Panamera. Panamera gave me a look of uncertainty, but then quickly turned serious and looked back out the window.

"All joking aside, I can only imagine what Lord Targa and the Marquis Fertio are going through. As the one who has been entrusted with this land, there is no way we can stand if they break through so easily. Unlike Scudetto, where there was still time to retreat and return with a counterattack, Centenna would be finished if they broke through. If it were breached, it would be the end of his own territory, and considering the current situation, the end of the Kingdom of Scuderia as well. If there is nothing left to do but to stay in this fortress, going on the offensive is the only way to go... even if it is difficult to accomplish, and even if it means dying to do try it."

Panamera, arms folded, a bitter look on her face, might be in a position to do just that. I agreed with her thinking that way. If I were in the same situation, I might not be able to choose any other option.

"Ha! Both Lord Targa and the Marquis went into battle prepared to die! The main cavalry is divided into two groups, and the infantry is also divided into four groups. The cavalry rushed through before being targeted by the artillery as planned. And the infantry, by spreading out in a wide formation, lost half of their men, but the rest were able to move to the rear. Thanks to this, the number of attacks on the Centenna was greatly reduced. Only the wyverns are still here..."

Immediately after one of the knights said this, there was an explosion and the earth shook somewhere in the fortress. Cowering from this, I turned my head out of the window to look at the sky.

Indeed, there were three wyverns in the sky, flying in a circling arc.

"I'd like to go join the Marquis Fertio, but we'll have to deal with those wyverns to respond. What do you say, boy?"

Panamera asked, observing the wyvern's flight.

"...Why are they going back toward that cliff? I thought wyverns couldn't fly for long periods of time?"

When I asked, the knight shook his head left and right and pointed toward the top of the cliff.

"Normally, wyverns can fly for long periods of time. Perhaps there is a place to replenish the black balls at the top of that cliff. But it's extremely difficult to get there. We also tried to somehow sabotage the replenishment, but there was no way..."

The frustrated knight uncle explained. I nodded in understanding and turned around.

"Then Arte might be the right person for the job."

As I mentioned this, Arte clenched a small fist in front of her chest and pulled her chin back.

"Yes, leave it to me...!"

Arte spoke with enthusiasm, but hearing this, the knights of Centenna tilted their heads with a question mark on their heads.

"...Excuse me. Who are you, anyway? I understand from your conversation with Viscount Panamera that you are a nobleman..."

"What? Oh, I didn't tell you my name...! I am sorry, my name is Van Nay Fertio. I am a baron..."

Remembering that I had forgotten to say my name, I hurriedly introduced myself. Then, the knight uncle looked at me with a puzzled look on his face.

"Va, The Baron Van, you say? Does that mean that Baron Van has come to Centenna to reinforce us!?"

What Baron Van were you imagining?

The uncle's overly dramatic reaction made me unintentionally think that there was another Baron Van who was not me. But it seems I was the right person, and he approached me with a radiant smile.

"Oh, oh! Indeed! Why didn't I notice it? That silver hair! The look of a ten-year-old! No, it is indeed the Baron Van of rumors! What a miracle! Now there is finally a ray of light...!"

With tears in his eyes, the knight's uncle spoke enthusiastically. As if in response, even sobbing voices could be heard from the surroundings.

"...and anyway, I don't know what's going on, but I'm going to go defeat the wyverns. It's not safe if I leave it alone."

"Oh! You immediately took it in such a carefree tone...! That's Baron Van for you! If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know...!"

"No, no, you don't have to do anything."

"Understood!"

After that exchange, we quickly left the room. As we walked out, Panamera seemed to have reached the end of her patience and started laughing as if she were about to erupt.

"Hahaha! When did you become famous, boy?"

"Hah, probably because it's most likely because of the people who know me as a member of Marquis Fertio. I am technically a Fertio as well."

"Don't be modest! I envy you."

Panamera would tease me at every opportunity. It was a sadistic side of her that sometimes showed up. Or should I say, he was more like a tormentor.

"I think the more conspicuous you are, the more trouble you'll get into."

I muttered with a sigh and walked down the hallway with large steps. I soon found the stairs to the rooftop.

"Okay, let's hurry up and take out the wyverns and go cover for those who have gone ahead of us."