Published: January 15, 2026
[Talga]
Since Fortress Centena is located within the Fertio Marquisate, the marquis of Fertio would occasionally visit, accompanied by his knight order. Because of this, there was some acquaintance between us. However, as there had been no major conflicts with the Shelvia Confederation for a long time, I had never witnessed the marquis’s conduct in battle.
Because of that, I might have underestimated the man known as Marquis Fertio without even realizing it.
Seeing him immediately give orders to the knight order before my eyes, organizing the fortress’s defenses while simultaneously preparing to launch a counterattack, I strongly felt his competence as a commander. He issued instructions in quick succession, and the commanders under the knight commander, Stradale, acted without hesitation. Upon receiving their reports, he promptly issued the next set of orders.
His actions were swift and precise. Also, the marquis family’s knight commander was impressive. If I recall correctly, his name was Stradale. In appearance, he had the aura of a noble-born knight, but there was no doubt he had been through many fierce battles.
In a typical siege defense, archers are stationed atop turrets, with archers and magicians positioned on the rooftops, guarded by heavily armored infantry. But before the battle began, the marquis’s single command led to a discussion about an unconventional strategy completely different from the usual methods.
Stradale executed this unique style of combat as if it were his everyday practice.
“Do not expose yourselves to cannon fire! Always take cover behind buildings! Magician squad! Immediately repair the walls if they are breached! Infantry, fill those gaps with sandbags! Archers, watch out for cannon attacks but do not allow the enemy to approach!”
What Stradale ordered was a thorough defensive strategy. To an unknowing listener, it might sound like cowardice. However, after learning about the cannon and Black Orbs, the perspective shifts.
“Centena Knight Order! Cavalry behind the city gates, and the magic cavalry, stay on standby! Be ready to move at any moment! Archers, work with the Fertio Knight Order to shoot down any approaching enemies! Heavy infantry, follow me!”
The marquis shouted back fiercely, climbing the stairs. The occasional vibrations and explosions echoed, and fine stone fragments and dust fell from the ceiling, but there was no time to be bothered by them.
“...Flame Bullet.”
Just after reaching the rooftop, magic was activated ahead. A black cloak fluttered, the golden emblem of a bull and straight sword embroidered on its back captivating my eyes. At the same time, the magician’s forearm was engulfed in flames, casting a red glow around.
It was an intense flame so hot it seemed to burn everything it touched. The fire raged wildly, stretching into a band toward the sky. Wyverns, flying in arcs to escape the flames, were relentlessly chased by the fiery stream.
The amount of mana required to sustain such a ferocious fire for so long was enormous, but what was even more astonishing was that the marquis was controlling it as if it were alive—an incredible display of mana manipulation skill.
If asked who could wield such powerful magic, everyone would think of the same person.
That magician, Marquis Fertio, justly called the guardian of Scuderia by neighboring countries, repelled the wyverns with an imposing demeanor. Though wyverns are a lesser dragon species, their scales are terrifyingly tough. Repelling them with swords or arrows requires a large number of troops, so it is standard for magicians to handle such threats.
Even so, it’s rare to see a magician handle it so masterfully.
“Your Excellency! Be careful! Although the wyverns have been driven off, the threat of cannon fire remains!”
“I understand! We’ll fall back for now!”
“Yes, sir!”
Saying this, Marquis Fertio, as if chanting unnoticed, unleashed a vast and fierce blaze covering the sky as he walked forward. The sky was instantly dyed red, and the marquis walking with this wall of fire behind him looked like a demon. It was fortunate that this magician was not an enemy.