Fun Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord (Novel) - Chapter 92 - Joining Up
Chapter 92 – Joining Up
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Translated by Sylph
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Before I knew it, despite complaining the whole time, we had reached the town closest to Scudetto.
Since it had been after that defeat, I had judged that rebuilding the army, including reinforcements, would take some time.
When we reached the town, I immediately saw a great many knights, mercenaries, and the like. But there were fewer than I had expected. Had they already gone off to the battle to retake it, perhaps?
“Maybe I just couldn’t see it from my side, but the walls might have collapsed on a big scale? If that’s the case, then they’d want to move to retake it before the other side repairs the walls, right?”
When I muttered that, Dee folded his arms and groaned.
“Hmm… I understand the desire to do so to make up for a blunder, but whether they actually would…”
“The defenders got completely trounced in a siege, after all. I guess they’d challenge it after getting everything properly in order.”
“That is what I would do. I would receive reinforcements and make the preparations needed to capture the fortress city. It is normal to assume a long war.”
While we were having that sort of conversation in town, I heard footsteps coming toward us. I could also hear the distinctive clink of metal from those wearing armor.
When I turned around, there stood an astonishing person. No, perhaps I should say I had expected it, but had not been mentally prepared yet.
“It has been a while, Father.”
When I said that and bowed my head, my dear daddy, Jalpa Bull Ati Fertio, Marquis Fertio, whom I had not seen for a year, looked down at me.
He seemed a little thinner than before, but that severe gaze of his had not changed. Around him stood men in black armor ornamented with gold, his personal guards.
Because Father is an extreme meritocrat, the knights of House Fertio are all big, burly types.
Surrounded by those elite knights, Father looked down at me with an irritated expression and spoke.
“…So you have become a baron.”
“Ah, yes. I haven’t changed the family name, so I go by Baron Van…”
“…I heard you subjugated a dragon.”
“Ah, yes, a Forest Dragon.”
When I answered that lightly, deep wrinkles formed between Father’s brows.
“How? Even I could not defeat a dragon of that class alone. It is the kind of foe my knight order would challenge with its full strength.”
As he said that, Father looked at me with probing eyes.
“…Well, with a ballista.”
When I answered, Father laughed like he was snorting.
“Ha. A ballista, you say? Impossible. Did you fire a mithril spear, perhaps? Such a thing would be impossible, would it not?”
At those mocking words, I gave him a sigh. Even if I told him honestly, he probably would not believe me.
“…Marquis Jalpa. Please give me an unnecessary sword or shield.”
When I said that, Father blinked once, then at once his expression changed. He was clearly angry.
And yet, for some reason, he restrained that anger and looked at the knight standing beside him.
“Bring out a spare weapon.”
“Sir!”
The knight smoothly produced a straight sword about seventy centimeters long.
Taking it, I held the still-sheathed sword level with the ground on the spot.
“Kamushin, try cutting it.”
The instant I muttered only that, Kamushin silently drew his beloved blade and struck downward from overhead.
A sharp metallic sound rang out briefly, and Father and the other knights looked confused.
“W-what are you…”
The moment the knight who owned the sword started to say something, the sword in its sheath split cleanly in two straight through the middle, sheath and all, and the tip half dropped to the ground first.
The impossible sharpness, and the fact that the one who had achieved it was a child of around ten, left Father and the others staring in shock.
Mm. The next time I get Kamushin a new sword, I’ll name it Zantetsuken.
While I was thinking that, Father looked down at me as though seeing something unbelievable and spoke.
“That just now… that sword, what in the world…?”
Just as I opened my mouth to answer his question, a voice came from the opposite direction.
“Baron Van!”
Turning toward that familiar voice, I saw a beautiful woman with a magnificent, downright American-dream sort of figure coming toward us.
“Viscount Panamera. It has been a while.”
Panamera wore light armor in white and silver, in contrast to Father. Perhaps it was some large formal suit of battle armor. It was more beautiful and elegant than the one I had seen before.
“Hmm. Have you grown a little taller?”
“Yes. I’m planning to grow bigger than you someday, Viscount.”
“Ha ha ha, I look forward to it! Come, His Majesty is waiting. Follow me.”
“Ah, His Majesty has already arrived, then.”
“Indeed. His Majesty was looking forward to it as well. He wondered whether you had prepared another interesting toy.”
As we talked like that with smiles, Father, whom I had left standing there, lifted his face.
“…Van. Did you truly subjugate a Forest Dragon?”
That was all Father said, in a hoarse voice. I gave him an ambiguous smile, nodded, and answered.
“Yes, I did. Well, let’s greet His Majesty first, and then I’ll show you the ballista.”
When I said that, it was not Father but Panamera who spoke cheerfully.
“Indeed, that would be best. Seeing is quicker than hearing. If you will provide the arrows, shall I show them my ballista?”
“No, I have better ones now than the ones I gave you, Viscount.”
“What!? New ones already!? I want one too!”
“W-well, perhaps I’ll prepare one for you next time. The price is negotiable.”
Soothing Panamera as he got excited, I headed toward His Majesty. Father followed a little behind us, but in the end he did not speak to me again after that.
As we made our way through the town, the number of soldiers gradually increased, and before the two-story manor at the far end stood a line of knights in obviously splendid armor.
They were knights in magnificent red armor. Those were probably the king’s personal guard, the ones called the King’s Red Armor. Though, apparently, people in other countries also called them the Bloody Armor with fear.
“I am Panamera Carrera Cayenne, Viscount. I have brought Baron Van Nei Fertio.”
“Proceed.”
When Panamera gave his name, the men in red armor split left and right all at once and opened a path. Interesting.
The red-armored knights stood with their backs straight and in identical postures, as if stamped from the same mold. It truly felt like soldiers standing in formation.
“Oooh…”
When I let out a small admiring sound, Panamera laughed softly.
“Heh. So the king’s guard knights impress you.”
“Yes. They’re really imposing. Are they really strong too, I guess?”
When I asked, Panamera nodded with a laugh.
“Of course. Only five hundred may wear the red armor. Those judged excellent in the annual knight appointment exam must fight active guardsmen and take the place by force. In other words, only those with true ability can become one.”
As he said that, Panamera glanced at me.
“…Though with the right equipment, perhaps even a boy might stand a chance.”
He muttered that quietly.
At those words, the eyes of the red-armored knights slid in my direction, but Panamera paid them no mind and walked into the manor.
With some of the kingdom’s finest elites staring at me, I gave a wry smile and hurried after him.
Panamera. That was on purpose.
And so I followed behind him, stretching my grin slightly at the sight of his perfectly curved figure from behind.