Published: January 13, 2026
【Jarpa】
Both sides realized that magic alone lacked the decisive power. After all, even if we used magic to collapse part of the castle wall, the enemy would quickly fill the gap with sandbags and launch counterattacks with magic directed at us.
The hill, which was lower than the castle walls, was levelled to an equal position thanks to the fort. The terrain conditions were even, and due to the difference in building durability, we seemed to have a slight advantage.
However, there was one more important point.
We had only one fort built on a narrow mountain path, whereas the enemy had constructed a large fortress on flat land. Their walls were wide and designed to concentrate attacks against us.
In other words, our army could only attack in small numbers, but the enemy could deploy a large number of troops for the assault.
"…Your Majesty has probably noticed, but without deploying infantry or cavalry, siege warfare is difficult."
Since running out of mana, we had been rotating members of the knight order to continue the attack, but there were few magicians capable of attacking the castle walls. Annoyingly, the ballista that Van made was an effective weapon, but the number of arrows was limited. His Majesty highly valued those arrows but soberly judged they were not suitable for breaking down castle walls.
In other words, they decided to use those arrows to shoot down the magicians who posed a threat in the Yelinetta Kingdom.
This was a difficult decision. Normally, battles fought on enemy territory require speed above all else. Resupply and reinforcements always favor the defenders. Keeping this in mind, this fortress should be captured as quickly as possible.
After all, from Yelinetta’s perspective, a full-scale invasion had failed, and now an unexpected base was being attacked in retaliation. If things went badly, they might even consider seeking assistance from other nations.
Does His Majesty have an intelligence network within Yelinetta? Or is he confident that the neighboring countries will not intervene?
Either way, it was clear he had some plan.
"Stradale! I leave the rest to you!"
"Yes, sir!"
My mind was foggy from overusing mana. For now, I would leave the front line to Stradale and step back.
"Marquis, will you also take a break for now?"
As I tried to fall back, His Majesty was just coming down from the rooftop. He was returning with over a dozen royal guards. Honestly, it was more efficient if His Majesty stepped back since more knights could then rotate.
"They might bring lesser dragons again. We will divide our forces into four groups and keep attacking in rotation. This fort is probably only large enough for two knight orders, but if we camp just outside and take moderate breaks, it should be fine. Also, Baron Van might have expanded the fort a bit more."
With those words, His Majesty smiled faintly at me, a smile that felt almost like a threat. Had he heard from Van? Or was this His Majesty’s own speculation?
Either way, I could not afford any reckless moves. It was my protégés, Baron Nouveau and Viscount Tron, who had made the move. I must sternly order them to stay put now. If they were found to be the culprits, inevitably I would be implicated as well.
"…Are you listening, Marquis Fertio?"
"Y-Yes! I apologize!"
I had been too absorbed in thinking. When His Majesty looked back at me with furrowed brows, I quickly apologized.
Then, His Majesty sighed lightly and descended the stairs. I followed him and found him standing in front of an open door. The royal guards around us stood frozen as well.
Pushing aside the guards to get diagonally behind His Majesty, I stopped in my tracks.
Because before me stretched a long corridor that wasn’t there when we passed earlier.
"…Did he combine the fort and barracks here? As expected of Baron Van. He’s made an unexpected design."
His Majesty chuckled wryly and proceeded down the corridor. Finding that the rooms were all the same, he lost interest and moved on to another floor.
"There was a staircase in the middle. Given past trends, the upper floors are probably private rooms. Could the lower floors be the large bathhouse we heard about? How intriguing."