Chapter 209 - Chapter 202: An Unexpected Reunion
The fort constructed at the location of the frontline base on the Lordberg Kingdom side of the Bezel Great Forest Road was nearly complete by the end of winter, as a result of the soldiers striving through construction work to keep their bodies moving and warm during the cold months.
Stone walls surrounded it on four sides, with two entrances on the west and east. Since it would ultimately be defended by the Arqvist territorial army alone, its size was not particularly large.
However, its robustness was tremendous.
First, there were a total of 20 ballistas looking out over the surroundings from atop the walls and through loopholes opened in the walls. A massive stockpile of explosive flame arrows was stored within the fort. This alone provided enough firepower to annihilate an army of several hundred.
These ballistas had been further improved by the head blacksmith, Damian, featuring mechanisms that allowed even an ordinary person to draw the string, and those atop the walls were equipped with pedestals that could rotate 90 degrees to the left and right. Since they did not need to be moved, their function as fixed artillery batteries was specialized.
Furthermore, a moat encircled the fort, and sturdy footings were installed on the inner side of the east and west entrances so that golems could leap out quickly from within the castle. Even if an enemy attempted to invade through the entrances and managed to evade the attacks of the golems, they would be showered by a simultaneous volley of crossbows, as countless loopholes were opened around the gates.
The interior of the fort was also fortified, featuring semi-underground stone warehouses to protect food and golems from fire arrows and other threats, as well as barracks where soldiers could properly shelter from the wind and rain.
It was a hedgehog-like fort, thoroughly specialized for intercepting enemy incursions. If the enemy were to invade, they would inevitably have to break through this fort; even if they managed to bypass the fort by pushing through the surrounding forest, they would then be attacked from the rear by swarms of golems.
From the perspective of the Lancel Kingdom army forced to face this, it would be an incredibly irritating stronghold. On the other hand, for the Arqvist territory, this place—which would serve as a reliable shield—was named Aspida Fortress, as "Aspida" simply means "shield" in the classical language.
Late March, shortly after noon one day. Within Aspida Fortress, which had already begun operating as the headquarters for the garrison force, a single cavalryman galloped at full speed from the direction of the western forest road. He was a garrison soldier who had been out on patrol.
A patrol soldier returning in such a great hurry meant that some abnormality had occurred. The vice-commander of the Ninth Legion, the commander of the garrison force, and Count Marcel rushed toward the soldier who had leaped into the fortress.
"What is it! Report!"
"T-the Lancel Kingdom army! A cavalry unit of the Lancel Kingdom army is approaching! There are approximately 30 of them!"
Upon hearing those words, the garrison soldiers gathered around began to stir.
However, the commanders, the vice-commander and Count Marcel, calmly locked eyes and nodded to one another.
"I shall have them take a combat stance for the time being."
"I leave it to you. I will move on the premise of welcoming the enemy."
They divided their roles and acted.
While the vice-commander shouted, "Prepare for enemy attack! All personnel to your stations!", Count Marcel questioned the patrol soldier.
"That cavalry unit consists of only 30 men, and there are no followers? How was their demeanor? Were they in a hurry?"
"...Only those 30. Their demeanor... they were not rushing, but approaching boldly, I believe."
"I see, good work."
The number was too small for a reconnaissance-in-force, and if they were attempting a raid, they should have approached rapidly, anticipating that they would be noticed by the sentries. Count Marcel reasoned that this was ten to one a messenger and their escort.
The fact that there were 30 riders in total, a large escort, was likely considering the possibility of encountering monsters within the Bezel Great Forest.
"The cavalry unit is likely a group of messengers. Continue combat preparations to show our defensive posture. Also, as for the person to welcome the messenger..."
"Your Excellency, could you please leave that duty to the Arqvist territorial army?"
As Count Marcel gave instructions to the surrounding officers, it was Radley who spoke up. The Count turned toward him.
Count Marcel did not like the man called Noein, but regarding the Arqvist territorial army, he acknowledged that it was a well-trained army despite being recently established. The attendants of officer class were all high-quality, and he particularly liked this man, Radley, who led the garrison unit, as an excellent warrior.
There had been an incident during winter where several starving Hobgoblins intruded into the frontline base, and at that time, Radley had taken on and killed about two of them single-handedly. When he saw that, he felt that if possible, he wanted him as his own subordinate.
"...Very well. I leave the welcoming of the messenger to you. Do not let your guard down for a moment."
"Yes, sir!"
This was the territory of Viscount Noein Arqvist. It was reasonable for his territorial army to be the first to welcome the enemy messenger. Thinking this, Count Marcel gave Radley permission.
.....
One hour after receiving a report via 'Far-Talk' from Honorary Attendant Konrad, Noein made his preparations and departed for Aspida Fortress.
With Chief Attendant Yuri as his strategist, Matilda as his adjutant and guard, and further as a guard unit, 10 elites of the Guard led by Pence and 5 people including Gustav from the Claymores, and bringing golems himself—he moved surrounded by a force that, from an outsider's perspective, might seem somewhat excessive.
This was the combat power intended to break through and flee back to the territorial capital, Noeina, by any means necessary in the event that the enemy had set a trap.
Furthermore, in the territorial capital Noeina, Attendant Dant was taking command and summoning the regular soldiers and Reserve Corps of the territorial army. They could enter a defensive battle immediately if the need arose.
While maintaining the maximum state of vigilance possible at this moment, Noein and his party arrived at Aspida Fortress without incident. They passed through the east gate of the fortress, which drifted with a solemn atmosphere due to the defensive posture, and were welcomed by Count Marcel.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
"...You've come with quite a large entourage."
Seeing Noein surrounded by more than 10 cavalry and several golems, Count Marcel showed a slightly puzzled expression.
"I thought it might become a battle if it were an enemy trap, so this is just as a precaution."
"...Well, I suppose so. There is nothing wrong with being vigilant."
This was the foremost front facing the enemy, and currently, far from the end of the war, not even a ceasefire had been concluded. What Noein said was reasonable, and Count Marcel did not mention anything further.
"So, where is the messenger from the Lancel Kingdom army?"
"I have them waiting in the headquarters' conference room, using it as a reception room. It is immediately upon your arrival, but we shall begin the talks... for it would be rude to keep the messenger waiting too long."
"...Indeed, we cannot afford to be discourteous."
To Count Marcel, who spoke with a sullen expression, Noein replied with a smirk. The target of their irony was, of course, the Lancel Kingdom army.
Since the declaration of war about ten years ago, the enemy nation had troubled the Lordberg Kingdom with behavior that would make barbarians blush. However, if the opponent followed diplomatic procedures politely, they could not help but respond politely in return. As nobles of a civilized nation with three times the history of the opponent, both Count Marcel and Noein had their pride.
.....
The stone building serving as the headquarters of Aspida Fortress. The conference room for military councils within it was currently being used to make the Lancel Kingdom army's messenger wait.
While walking through the fortress toward that room, the vice-commander of the Ninth Legion spoke to Noein.
"I confirmed upon the opponent's arrival, but the messenger is said to be a noble holding the rank of Baron in the Lancel Kingdom. Their purpose for coming is said to be to conclude a ceasefire agreement."
"A ceasefire... as I thought, it seems they are in no position to continue the war due to the chaos within their own country."
While inwardly surprised that the enemy had requested a ceasefire so straightforwardly without any particular trickery, Noein thought that this was also only natural. Now that the military factions were likely weakening their influence due to the loss of the figurehead called Cadne, the Lancel Kingdom could not possibly desire a war with national unity.
"Even so, I think it is shallow. Do they not consider that we might see this as a golden opportunity while the enemy is weakened, refuse the ceasefire, and invade?"
"...That's true. They might have been able to maintain the stalemate if they had remained silent."
Count Marcel spoke of dangerous things, but Noein realized it was indeed so.
The northwestern part of the Lordberg Kingdom currently had a fair amount of reserve strength, so they could launch a full-scale invasion using the Bezel Great Forest Road that the enemy had so politely provided. There was no obligation to specifically accept the request for a ceasefire.
If he were among the leadership of the Lancel Kingdom, he would continue the standoff without specifically requesting a ceasefire. By doing so, as long as the current state of the Lancel Kingdom was not clearly known, the Lordberg Kingdom side would not be able to attack easily.
He wondered why they had come specifically to make it clear that their country was weakening.
"The enemy's intentions regarding that will be the key point to probe in the upcoming meeting... the conference room is beyond that door. Excellency Arqvist, are you ready?"
"Yes, no problem. Let us go."
Asked by the vice-commander, Noein answered as calmly as he could.
The guard standing in front of the conference room door saluted Noein and the others and opened the door.
In order of rank, first Count Marcel, followed by Noein, and then the vice-commander entered. Noein brought Matilda and Yuri, and the Count and vice-commander were also accompanied by their respective adjutants.
Seeing the arrival of the Lordberg Kingdom side's commanders, the Lancel Kingdom army's messenger rose from his chair. Accompanied by two guard soldiers behind him, and one civil official and one military official on either side as advisors—for some reason, as soon as the messenger saw Noein's face, he muttered "Hoh" meaningfully and took a step closer.
The next moment,
"!"
"Excellency!"
"Eh?"
Matilda hid Noein behind her back as if to protect him, and further, Yuri stepped in front of Noein and Matilda as if to make himself a shield. Yuri had his hand on the sword at his waist, appearing as if he were about to draw it at any moment.
Noein himself, stunned by the sudden change in situation, only let out a vacant voice.
"What!?"
"Tch!"
Both the vice-commander and Count Marcel reflexively gripped the hilts of their swords. Several garrison soldiers on guard inside the room also readied their swords, though their expressions were bewildered.
In response, the Lancel Kingdom army's guard soldiers also placed their hands on their swords in surprise, and the military official stepped forward as if to protect the messenger.
A tense atmosphere drifted through the conference room containing a dozen or so people.
"...Matilda, Yuri, what's wrong?"
After a few moments of silence, the first to speak was Noein.
The Lancel Kingdom army's messenger, the officials, and the guards should not have taken any hostile actions. Rather, the guard soldiers and military official had responded after seeing Matilda and Yuri's sudden movements.
The fact that the messenger first took a step toward them was not an action suspicious enough to warrant this level of vigilance. Clearly, it was his side that had moved excessively first.
"...Lord Noein."
"Excellency, that man is..."
"My, my, this is interesting. What a coincidence; the world is truly small."
Interrupting Matilda and Yuri who were about to answer, the man who was the messenger began to chatter in a good mood.
Restraining the military official who had been protecting him with his hand, and spreading both hands to show he had no hostile intent, he approached Noein alone.
From the impression of his face, he looked to be in his 40s. He was a man with the aura of a warrior, but at the same time, he gave the feeling of possessing a nobility-like intelligence. His expression, like his voice, seemed to be in high spirits, and indeed, he did not look as if he harbored hostility.
Seeing this, both camps finally relaxed their tension slightly. Matilda moved away from Noein's back, and Yuri released his grip on the sword hilt, but it was clear that both remained tense so they could leap in front of Noein at any time.
From his tone, the messenger seemed to know Noein, but Noein wondered, as he should not have any acquaintances in the Lancel Kingdom to the extent of being on speaking terms.
"It has been a long time. In the great war three years ago, at the Battle of Barrel Fortress, we had a fine fight."
"...Ah!!"
Being told that, Noein remembered. At the same time, his face stiffened.
The Lancel Kingdom army's messenger, the man before his eyes, was
the noble whom Noein, during the Battle of Barrel Fortress, had dragged into the fortress and performed a rough interrogation by stabbing an arrow into his leg, before throwing him outside and returning him to the enemy.