Published: January 15, 2026
【Zetros】
“Next is the fortress city’s key defensive equipment.”
Because of Panamera’s remark, even though the fortress city had just been completed, Van found himself pacing back and forth atop the city walls every day. Among us, who were busy managing the city, voices of concern began to rise: "Isn't Lord Van being overworked?"
I, too, felt the burden on Van was too great.
“Even though he is an ally and of a lower noble rank, Lord Van is the head of a viscount-level noble family. Perhaps this is pushing him too hard.”
Unable to watch quietly, I advised as such, but Panamera shook his head in denial.
“Though I feel sorry for the boy, this place will be the frontline defense in times of emergency. The sooner the better. In return, when the boy is troubled, I will assist him with all my might. It’s clear enough, isn’t it?”
Panamera said with a smile. Van, overhearing this, raised one hand in protest.
“Work requires compensation! I also demand sweets!”
“Very well. I’ll prepare some special treats.”
“Yay!”
Panamera chuckled wryly as he accommodated Van’s request, and Van raised both hands childishly in delight. Seeing this, it seemed that such minor things would not change their relationship. Although there was an age gap, the two seemed like real siblings. That was the impression I had.
Afterward, in just one week, Van installed fifty large ballistae on the city walls, even building a warehouse nearby to store arrows. Appreciative of this, and praising the quality of the defense equipment, Panamera voiced an additional request.
“Can we negotiate the price for the ballistae?”
“No way! The cost for arrows stays the same too!”
Panamera placed one hand on the fiftieth ballista and said this with a smile.
This was pushing greed too far. Van crossed his arms and expressed a firm refusal with his whole body, and we city administrators felt the same. Any further cooperation would require paying hundreds of platinum coins more, but our budget simply didn’t allow that.
“Lord Panamera, you are asking far too much.”
“Let’s stop taking advantage of Lord Van’s kindness here.”
Thomas and Barat hastily admonished Panamera’s reckless demands. Panamera folded his arms and sighed in displeasure.
“Have you ever actually seen the power of this ballista?”
“N-no, we haven’t…”
Thomas answered for the group at Panamera’s prompt. Panamera snorted and laughed, then gestured to the knight commander.
“Makan, conduct a test shot.”
“Yes, sir.”
After a brief exchange, Makan moved in front of the ballista. Apparently already familiar with its operation, he quickly loaded an arrow and began preparations.
“The target is that tree over there. It’s a bit far, but try to hit it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Panamera gave the instructions casually, and Makan immediately complied. But the target was quite far away—well beyond the range of a normal bow. Even for a siege weapon like the ballista, hitting it would be difficult. Asking to hit such a distant target was daunting.
As I watched, Makan finished preparation swiftly and took aim.
“…Firing.”
“Alright.”
At Panamera’s signal, the ballista launched a steel arrow. The shock and thunderous sound shook us, and the arrow flew straight toward the target.
However, gradually, the arrow veered off course. Perhaps aiming slightly above to compensate for drop affected it. The heavy steel arrow overshot the distant target and struck another tree instead.
From afar, we saw the large tree topple where the arrow hit the base, an impressive impact.
“…Did you mistake the target?”
“No, I just missed the aim. My apologies.”
“Well, it’s understandable since this is new. From now on, add aiming and firing training for ballistae to the knight order’s curriculum. Always prepare iron rods made in-house for firing.”
“Understood.”
They calmly discussed the outcome and future measures for the ballista tests. But having seen the ballista’s power for the first time, we were anything but composed.