Easygoing Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord

Note: Since this chapter overlaps with the previous one, the story does not progress much this time.

However, the pace will pick up in the next chapter, so please look forward to it.

Watching from atop the city walls, most people were exasperated.

First of all, they hadn’t even confirmed what was happening inside the town, yet the enemy appeared by circumventing and showing up in front of the village.

Didn’t they think that if soldiers were hiding inside the town, they could be caught in a pincer attack?

“Th-they’re here! Prepare the ballistas!”

The villagers panicked, thinking the knight order was advancing, but the experienced veterans of war—the king, the Prime Minister, the viscount, and Dee—were all too exasperated to even comment.

“Hey, look at them, just strolling along one after another.”

The king muttered this, and Panamera sighed.

“Well, we might as well cook or roast them. Shall we burn them, but not kill them?”

Panamera shrugged and said such an outrageous thing, but no one around him objected.

Still, they weren’t sure if such a response was appropriate. Crossing the border without permission was undoubtedly an act of hostility, but maybe they were just incredibly stupid and were actually messengers from the Yelinetta Kingdom.

“For now, let’s at least hear what they have to say. I’m curious why they crossed the border with such a half-hearted force,” I said.

Hearing this, everyone else fell silent. It seemed they respected my opinion as the lord of this territory.

“All right, Til, Kamushin. Prepare the anti-air weapons!”

“Lord Van, is the ballista type okay?”

“Yes. After all, the catapult type isn’t stable yet. Let’s prepare all the ballista types for now. Get them ready to fire.”

“Yes!”

As I gave the orders, the two quickly went to prepare.

It seemed the wyverns had no intention of attacking just yet. However, the knight order drew their weapons, raised their shields, and advanced.

“This is a tough call. Viscount Panamera, is this within range for four element magic?”

Panamera groaned at the question.

“It can reach, but chanting and casting take a good amount of time before the spell lands. Against humans, that much time allows for countermeasures. The number of uses is limited at long range. Realistically, it’s more effective within about a hundred meters.”

“Hmm. In battle, we must assume the enemy also has four element magicians. To avoid wasting mana, the timing of using magic is critical.”

Hearing Panamera’s words, the king added some comments.

Interesting. So that foolish advance isn’t necessarily reckless.

Just then, Aperta sighed deeply.

“Well, it is stupid.”

“Indeed.”

“Makes you want to kill the commander.”

At Aperta’s remark, the other two gave equally blunt replies.

Well, that figures.

“Anyway, they’ve gotten quite close by now.”

I said, taking a deep breath.

“This is Baron Van’s territory, Seato Village! Please state your affiliation!”

I tried saying this just to test. Panamera beside me burst out laughing.

“As usual, no tension at all... Look, even those guys are laughing.”

He said with laughter, and I looked down at the laughing enemy knight order. Yes, they are definitely the enemy. Such rude people. They deserve execution.

Just then, the opposing side responded.

“We’ve come to investigate this village! This village shouldn’t have such walls. Why has it become a fortress city like this!?”

Hmm, they’re dodging the question. We asked their affiliation.

“Well, it’s probably a noble knight order from somewhere in the Yelinetta Kingdom. Crossing the border with wyverns is suspicious, but considering their stupidity, maybe they’re just clueless.”

The king speculated on our behalf.

Based on that, I answered vaguely, trying to bait them, and they readily admitted to being from the Yelinetta Kingdom.

A fairly easy opponent to deal with, which made me happy.

I got a bit cocky, and they got angry. But their arguments were just childish.

“Stupid! There are idiots here! Hahaha! If the enemy were all like this, war would be easy!”