Published: January 15, 2026
【Cosworth】
At the main camp set up for the Siege of Centena, I reviewed the maps. Although there were many annotations on the maps, all of them seemed to be written to prove that our side was at a disadvantage.
We had superior numbers of knights and magicians. We also had artillery and Black Orbs, which the Kingdom of Scuderia lacked, enabling us to even launch attacks from the sky—something the enemy should not be able to counter.
Yet, now we didn’t even know how to properly assault the Centena fortress. The meeting was in chaos. Even without me speaking, people were fiercely arguing and hurling insults at one another.
Someone slammed the table with the map and shouted louder than anyone else.
“Then tell me! How are we supposed to break those walls that are immune even to artillery!? Even approaching is impossible with the giant crossbows that pack more power than artillery! And then there’s that mysterious knight! I’ve heard even Wyverns have been beheaded with a single strike! We’ve never agreed to fight such a monster!”
In response, one of our Yelinetta Kingdom commanders retorted firmly.
“There is no choice but to press the attack! If we can get close enough to the base of the walls, those crossbows won’t be able to fire! The walls surely don’t extend underground, so if we dig beneath them and place Black Orbs there, they should definitely collapse!”
“But even if they collapse, won’t they be repaired immediately!? Didn’t you see that idiotic siege? No matter how severe the damage, it’s fixed instantly! The Wyverns couldn’t even get close due to flame magic, and three were taken down by those crossbows and that knight! Don’t even mention earth dragons! They’ll just get killed without getting near!”
Even when knights from our Yelinetta Kingdom proposed ways to win, the knights from the Shelvia Confederation sharply opposed them. The voices of these two commanders perfectly reflected the current state of relations between our nations. Before attacking Centena, everyone would have followed the Yelinetta commanders’ lead. But after suffering a harsh counterattack, the Shelvia Confederation began to speak to Yelinetta as equals.
This issue wasn’t limited to lower-ranking commanders.
“...Lord Cosworth, I deeply apologize, but the Shelvia Confederation will withdraw temporarily here. We will retreat to the fortress city of Opel. From there, we can mount a defensive battle under conditions more favorable to us.”
Towncar announced the retreat, but I answered that we could not afford to fall back.
Showing visible frustration, Towncar spoke again.
“Lord Cosworth, you must watch your words. We need to recognize this situation for what it is.”
Towncar said in a low voice, glaring intensely. This was no subtle hint—it was blatant. I deliberately laughed mockingly in response.
“Hahaha...! So in other words, depending on how things go, you’re saying the Shelvia Confederation might even betray the Yelinetta Kingdom’s knights to make peace with the Kingdom of Scuderia? Our main forces are still locked in battle with Scuderia’s main forces. Is it truly wise to make such a hasty decision now? If Shelvia sides with Scuderia, Yelinetta will destroy Shelvia before Scuderia and take part of your country for ourselves.”
I threatened Towncar to shake his resolve. He grimaced in frustration. The Shelvia Confederation was economically weaker than both Yelinetta and Scuderia. Severing ties with us was not a decision to be made lightly.
I tried to dissuade him, but Towncar did not relent. With a stern expression, he cautiously asked.
“...Then are you saying that even under these circumstances, you have a plan to capture Centena? I would like to hear it. We came here as allied forces, after all. Even if the alliance is mostly in name, we are not completely under Yelinetta’s command. If we find your plan reckless, we must have the option to refuse.”
“If you choose that, would you accept being wiped out by Yelinetta before Scuderia?”