Published: January 13, 2026
[Dino En Zola Berlinate (His Majesty)]
Thanks to Van, we were able to rest in an environment so comfortable it hardly felt like we were marching through the mountains. The previous temporary bases were decent, but the massive base that was built this time was an even quieter and more relaxing facility. After all, private rooms had been prepared. Normally, there would only be tents, so this was an incredible luxury.
Moreover, there seemed to be narrow openings on the sides, allowing fresh air to flow in. Inside the private rooms, chairs and small tables were installed as part of the room’s furnishings. That boy really put a lot of thought into every detail.
Fully satisfied, I stepped out of the room and called to the royal guard standing watch at the entrance.
“I’m thinking it’s about time to leave the base. Where is Baron Van resting?”
“Sir! It seems the Baron is resting outside!”
“What?”
I involuntarily repeated, surprised by the guard’s words. Sensing my displeasure, the guard straightened up and corrected his posture. I wasn’t angry, but I had assumed Van would be resting somewhere inside the same base, so I was taken aback.
“Could it be that he’s resting outside out of consideration for his noble title?”
I murmured, stroking my chin in thought. It’s true that Baron is one of the lowest ranks of nobility aside from the knight marquis, but since he was the one who built the base, I thought he shouldn’t have to worry about that.
With a sigh, I descended the stairs with my retinue and stepped outside the base. Since I had gone to bed quite early, the atmosphere suggested that dawn had just broken.
“Y-Your Majesty!”
As I stepped out, the knights who had been camping overnight saw me and immediately snapped to attention. Raising a hand in greeting, I noticed something strange about the surroundings.
“…This isn’t just a temporary base, is it?”
I muttered as my eyes were drawn to the scenery.
Surrounding us were countless two-story bases lined up. While most soldiers were still camping outside, there must have been enough bases to accommodate a thousand or two thousand men. It looked almost like a post town. Noticing this, I questioned one of the nearby knights.
“…Did all of this get built just this morning?”
I asked incredulously, but the knight shook his head. I thought I understood Van’s personality quite well. There was no way he would start building bases at the crack of dawn just for everyone else.
In that case, it meant he still had a significant amount of mana left.
“T-This was built by Baron Van before dinner, saying he wanted to make a bit more… The knight order takes turns resting, split into three groups after discussions.”
“Good. I have no objection to resting here.”
I shrugged off the knight’s excuse and looked around once more. Having several bases along the mountain path would not only facilitate marching but also enable storage of supplies. This would greatly extend the duration of expeditions. The safety of logistics, which must always be carefully maintained, would dramatically improve.
I wondered how many would truly realize the value of this.
“This is why Viscount Panamera forms an alliance of equals. He really is wise.”
I murmured, my mind racing with various thoughts. Van’s magic’s range and duration. His mana power. What could be accomplished, and how long magic could be continuously used. Yesterday, he carved a road through the mountains for nearly half a day and then built so many bases. At this rate, it might even be possible to build a castle overnight right in enemy territory. I was also considering the potential of Van’s magic. To maximize magic’s utility, one must reconsider it from multiple perspectives.
If this had been the Dwarfs’ country, Van’s magic would have been applied only to blacksmithing. That would be a tremendous loss, shutting down countless other possibilities.
“…Perhaps we should send several military researchers to Seato village. Even ten might be enough to brainstorm and create something beneficial for the kingdom. It’s a shame the Baron is such a recluse. There is plenty of work—new roads, flood control, fortifications, weapon development…”