Published: January 12, 2026
A typhoon is approaching...
It looks like we’re about to enter the storm zone...
Everyone, let’s prioritize preserving our lives in this operation.
There was no pursuit, but the faces of the citizens showed deep fatigue.
The neighboring town isn’t that far away—about a week’s journey by carriage—but it ended up taking us two weeks.
With that much time, the fortress city should have fully become a base for the Yelinetta Kingdom.
Although the roads aren’t well-maintained, the Yelinetta Kingdom’s base lies behind us, so the frequency and quality of supplies and reinforcements must have drastically improved.
On the other hand, we are now in a desperate situation. We must rely on the Capital City Knight Order, the Border Knight Order, and the local high nobility to mount a counterattack and reclaim the fortress city.
However, even if we gather a considerable number of troops, it will likely take years to capture the fortress city.
“I will reorganize the knight order. The commander of the Border Knight Order has fallen in battle. Have the deputy commander report the number of casualties and our future troop strength. After that, arrange supplies immediately.”
After issuing the orders, my subordinates rushed off. Upon reaching the town, I immediately began preparations.
The losses of soldiers and armor and weapons were minor, but morale had dropped drastically.
That unknown weapon was the problem. Soldiers who lost comrades without understanding why must have been gripped by fear.
But there was someone who could counter that mysterious weapon.
“At that time, the one who helped cover our retreat was... could it be...”
Just as I murmured this, a large group of knights appeared at the town’s entrance, blocking the way. At the front stood Murcia, clad in white armor.
“Father!”
By my orders, Murcia had gathered troops from elsewhere and finally arrived at this town.
“You’re late. What have you been doing?”
I spoke with anger in my voice. Murcia’s face stiffened and he straightened his back.
“Y-yes! I apologize! I sent messengers everywhere to gather as many troops as possible! We divided into the First and Second Armies to avoid further delay, but...”
That excuse only fueled my growing frustration.
“Fool... You are always slow! Ordinary people learn one thing and understand one. Those with good memory learn one and understand two or three and accumulate knowledge. But you learn ten and only understand one.”
“I-I'm sorry! I’m aware my memory is poor, but...”
“If you know you’re slow, then think faster and act quicker than others, idiot!”
I shouted, and Murcia shrank up, intimidated. I appreciate his usual efforts, but his cowardice and poor memory are unforgivable.
As I glared at Murcia with frustration, I saw new troops arriving at the town’s entrance—a group mostly composed of cavalry.
“Marquis Jharpa Blu Ati Fertio. A person of your stature should not speak that way. The young man is shrinking away.”
At that voice, I turned around and immediately knelt on one knee.
“Your Majesty, I apologize for this disgrace...”
There was no mistaking that voice—the voice of my one and only sovereign. Feeling all my previous anger and irritation vanish in an instant, I bowed deeply.
I heard the sound of small stones crunching nearby, and a voice descended from above.
“Marquis, rise. Explain the situation. What is the state of the battle?”
At those words, I felt my face twitch involuntarily.
But I must answer.
“...The fortress city, Scudetto, has fallen. However, we will definitely reclaim it. We are currently preparing for that...”
“...I understand the situation. Tell me the details. Was it already lost when you arrived?”
The slight irritation in His Majesty’s voice made cold sweat break out on me.
“When I arrived, Scudetto was on the verge of falling due to a mysterious attack using wyverns. The city was completely surrounded and under siege. We attacked from the west side, where the road was, breaking one side of the encirclement. However, when the enemy threw strange spherical weapons, many of our knights were blown away.”