“Your Grace, Duke Baltia. The enemy has completed their conscription and has begun mobilizing.”
Hearing this report, a sense of unease tightened within my chest.
The information from the guild had already indicated that the enemy was close to completing their preparations. So, the time has finally come…
“Alright, then. Proceed as planned.”
“Yes, sir!”
Wolf swiftly left the room. It seemed he actually used the door this time. But I heard someone’s startled voice echo from the hallway.
I did tell him he could leave through the door, but that didn’t mean he should jump out of the window once he’s outside…
I took out a sheet of paper and prepared a report for my father. With the enemy advancing, it’s likely they’re also pushing toward him. Reinforcements are unlikely, but I must at least keep him informed.
I handed the letter to a servant with instructions to deliver it to my father.
Since most of our soldiers and knights have already reached the fortress, I must join them as well.
As I was making preparations to depart, Lady Leila came to see me.
“May fortune favor you… Please, come back alive, Lord Ein.”
Her concern lifted my spirits a little, easing the tension in my heart.
“Thank you, Leila, for your concern.”
Before I knew it, I was holding her close. After a brief embrace, we let go, both a bit shy.
“Well then, I’m off.”
“Yes. I’ll be here in the castle, waiting for your safe return.”
I nodded and quickly left the room. Leila had given me strength… My anxiety faded, and determination filled my heart once again. I renewed my resolve to protect the duchy, my retainers, and Leila.
When I arrived at the fortress with a few knights, the preparations appeared complete, and soldiers were waiting in position.
The fortress consisted only of a wall about three meters high, with barracks and stables inside. Despite being a rush job, multiple layers of stakes and moats surrounded the wall.
In the barracks, I joined up with Erich and the old man, who had been gathering information on-site.
“What’s the current situation?”
“Everything is proceeding as planned. In about two days, they will cross the border.”
“Good… Stick to the plan. Also, gather some soldiers for me.”
“I can, but… what for?”
“I just have a few words to share.”
With the soldiers lined up neatly, I climbed onto a small platform and looked out over them.
Though still young, their physiques had improved greatly with proper training and regular meals.
I was about to ask them to fight and possibly die… They looked tense, but there was a fire in their eyes as they focused on me.
“Everyone… the day of battle has finally arrived. Personally, I would have preferred to delay it a bit longer.”
This somewhat casual remark lightened the mood a little, breaking through the tension. I’d rather have spent our resources on internal improvements at a more leisurely pace.
“However, it seems that the tides of the times won’t allow it. In these chaotic times, kings, nobles, and commoners alike are swept along by the current. It feels as if nowhere in the kingdom remains safe.”
In truth, everyone had their reasons—restoring royal honor, avenging past humiliations, or chasing further glory. Each had taken up arms and was fighting.
“But I want to change this reality. I want to build a future where none of our people starve or live in fear of a tyrannical lord.”
The introduction of crop rotation and property protections—all of it was for that goal.
Even if it means going against the flow of the times, I will do things my own way… Just as my father told me to.
“To realize that ideal, we must utterly defeat the enemy. …Let us fight and win together!”
