Fun Territory Defense Chapter 132 (Patreon)

To the battlefield?

Although I had been focusing on the development of his territory, I finally received a letter from the king.

The Royal Family confirmed the success of the defense of Count Ferdinand's territory; Jiernetta Kingdom had significantly fallen back in the front line. Now is the opportune time for the invading army to return to Jiernetta Kingdom's territory after the defeat. The nobles in the north gathered all their forces and marched into Jiernetta Kingdom's territory in a short, decisive battle. However, only Baron Van Nay Fertio, who has some knights, will not participate in the counterattack.

After reading that much, I let out a sigh of relief. Good, good, that's a relief. It seems that the king remembered my request not to go to war.

With that in mind, I continue reading, but the contents gradually begin to contain disturbing words.

"...In executing a counterattack against the Jiernetta Kingdom, we will gather the various knightly orders at a designated location to increase our strength? If we take out the Knights, our defenses will be stretched thin, but will that be okay? After that... the designated base shall be Baron Van Nay Fertio's territory...?"

Hmm? What does that last sentence mean?

I wasn't certain, so I read the letter again.

"Oh, if you look carefully, the date is also written. Well, exactly one week from now, Baron Van Nay Fertio, gather at Seat Village..."

Hmm? I'm getting more and more confused, aren't I?

What would such a large army do to a tiny territory with so few Knights, the nobles with territories near the Jiernetta Kingdom alone number in the tens of thousands of Knights. Even if more than half of them were left to protect their respective fiefdoms, 20,000 or 30,000 would surely be gathered. In addition, the kingdom's army will be added to that.

"...At least 50,000? Eh, it's no problem if they can stay in the field in the meadow by the road...oh, no, we have to think about food and supplies."

Confused, I rack my brain about what to do if what I'm seeing is true.

I mean, this is a chance to expand our territory for the first time in a long time. No doubt the king and other heavyweights will accompany him. If that's the case, we will have to entertain the King and his entourage. What a hassle.

"I've been had... It's true, I won't be leaving my territory, and I won't be the first to be on the front line, but I feel like I'm in the most troublesome position..."

I put the letter on the desk and looked up to the heavens involuntarily. You're going to make me do this, your Majesty the King.

As I was thinking this, Till, who made me a cup of tea, tilted her head in front of the desk.

"Van-sama, you have a wrinkle between your eyebrows...what happened?"

She asked me, and I let out a sigh as I shook the letter fluttering in one hand.

"Dino-san has been making unreasonable requests again...for now, let's start preparing various things tomorrow."

"Dino-san...isn't that His Majesty the King! You can't say his name so casually!"

At first, Till looked at me after hearing my words with a blank expression on her face, but soon her voice turned confused and she became flustered. Laughing at her appearance, I told her the contents of the letter.

"It looks like they are going to counterattack Jiernetta Kingdom, but for some reason they will attack from my territory instead of Scudetto. Well, thank goodness I don't have to go to the battlefield, but instead, over 50,000 soldiers are coming to this small territory. And with the king and other nobles...oh no, even Daddy is coming...! Oh, what a hassle!"

As I was struggling with my head, remembering various unnecessary things, Till also started to panic as if caught in the middle of it.

"The Marquis is coming too? Oh my heavens! We have to hurry up and clean up even more than usual and prepare the finest ingredients!"

"Huh, that's what you were worried about?"

Till's words made me unintentionally say something questionable. Then Till's eyes lifted as she looked at me.

"It's important! It has been more than a year since Van-sama left the Marquis' house! Now is the time to show off how much Van-sama has developed the territory! Let's all show how great Seat Village has become!"

And Till is on fire like never before. With that in mind, I called out to Camsin, who was standing behind me as my escort.

"Till is getting motivated!"

I said in a small voice, and Camsin laughed as he let out a sigh and nodded.

"I know the feeling. I also want to show Jalpa-sama that Van-sama is much better than he expected."

"Oh, yeah...? Well, that's fine."

Camsin's words made me feel an indescribable itch, and I thought about what I would do starting tomorrow.

"...Well, for starters, we should place bulk orders with the Bellrango Chamber of Commerce and the Commerce Guild for food, seasonings, clothing, and armaments. At the same time, I'll send a request to the Adventurers' Guild to procure wood and select some tasty magical beasts to take down. After that, we can't build walls or anything, but we'll need at least lodging facilities along the roads. Oh, and a treatment center in case anyone gets injured?"

Mentioning each of the necessary items in turn, they list them on the paper in their hands. But the more I look at it, the more difficult it appears. A week is too short a time to prepare.

They should be based in a place with ample supplies and facilities, like a large city around the capital of Marquis Fertio. No, since Scudetto is already available, it should have been the obvious place to use.

"...Haah, we're in trouble."

I muttered to myself as I looked at my notes.