Published: January 13, 2026
In addition to the mobile ballista and catapults we brought back, we built another ten units. It was a struggle to match the number of arrows and ammunition, but since we had made quite a few already, we managed somehow.
All that remained was persuading Arte.
"…I figured. Even though it’s reinforcements, it’s still participating in the war. I think it’d be better if I went along… you know, I’m getting used to traveling by carriage now, so it’s really fine. Don’t worry about owing me or anything," I said repeatedly.
But Arte stubbornly refused every time. Each time, she politely and sincerely declined, apologizing from the bottom of her heart. I had never seen Arte so stubborn before.
"This is troublesome. Well, I’ll forcibly bring the mobile ballista and catapults along, but…"
I didn’t know what to do. As I fretted over that, Arte came up beside me when no one else was around and grabbed the hem of my clothes.
Wondering what was going on, I looked to the side and saw Arte with tears welling up in her eyes.
"W-What’s wrong? Are you worried and want to leave now? We’re scheduled to depart tomorrow…"
I said, but Arte just shook her shoulders, trembling and shaking her head from side to side.
This is bad. Was I really so clueless about a woman’s heart?
Not knowing what to do, pure-hearted Van felt only growing guilt.
I watched Arte sob quietly for a while, flustered, until she finally calmed down and spoke.
"…I’m sorry. Lord Van, you truly care about me from your heart… yet I…"
When she said that much, I finally realized the complicated feelings inside Arte.
Honestly, I’ll never get used to the mindset of the nobility.
"…I see. If I end up saving the House of Count Ferdinand from crisis, then the count’s family would…"
Muttering that, Arte looked up at me with swollen tear-streaked eyes and buried her face against my chest as if clinging to me.
"I'm sorry…!"
Her apology sounded like she was coughing up blood.
So it’s confirmed.
What’s troubling Arte is the noble mindset that puts the count’s family’s interests first. Ideally, it would be desirable for me, her fiancé, to succeed on the battlefield, but this time I’ve succeeded too much.
My territory was originally tiny. Moreover, it’s a frontier bordering the Yelinetta Kingdom, which is now at war.
From an outsider’s view, the dramatic turnaround from a near defeat was thanks to my ballista and catapults. His Majesty the King will reward me for my achievements.
If the reward is only monetary, it would be harsh to Van, who owns only a tiny frontier territory. Some nobles might even distrust the king’s decision.
For nobles with territories, the most stable income is tax revenue from residents. Nobles with large, fertile lands command respect.
So, if Van is to be granted more land, where would that land come from?
The only lands available as rewards are from the Fertio Marquisate and Count Ferdinand’s Domain.
In this situation, if I join forces to defend Count Ferdinand’s Domain, what will His Majesty do? The count, whose standing was already declining, would likely lose even more land.
Still, since the count himself is participating in the Scudetto reconquest, there’s no reason to punish him. So the reward would likely take the form of money or land taken from the Yelinetta Kingdom, granted in exchange.
How other nobles judge this is uncertain, but since they would want to expand Van’s territory—given he commands the strongest ballista and catapult units—this seems the most plausible scenario.
Arte realized this and wanted to save the count’s territory with her own power as a member of the House of Count Ferdinand.
Well, knowing His Majesty’s personality, even if Arte commands the troops, he’d likely credit me since the weapons are my creations.
Thinking this through, I crossed my arms and groaned.
"…In that case, it can’t be helped. Arte will take a temporary leave home, so I’ll assign ten knights and twenty adventurers as her escort. She can also take the doll she likes to represent me."