The Fortress of Rezard is the second fort counting from the north, located at the frontlines of the stronghold zone.
Although it is some distance from the fourth fort, Barrell, this wind mage has been tirelessly running between forts, delivering messages without rest.
“But why did the Rezard Fortress fall so quickly? It’s larger than this Barrell Fortress, and it should have nearly twice the number of soldiers. It’s not the kind of place to fall so easily.”
When Frederick asked, the wind mage hesitated briefly before awkwardly replying:
“Well… Baron Momelt, who was commanding Rezard Fortress, led the main forces in a daring charge and fought bravely, getting close to the enemy general’s throat. However, overwhelmed by the vastly superior enemy numbers, he met a heroic death in battle.”
Frederick, his adjutant, Yuri, and Pence all sighed in exasperation upon hearing this.
Noein, tilting his head in confusion, glanced at Yuri, who whispered in his ear:
“In short, he deliberately went out of the fortress to earn glory, got surrounded by the enemy, and died.”
Hearing this, Noein adopted the same look of disbelief as the others.
“Baron Momelt was a nobleman from the northwest, wasn’t he? Perhaps he was dissatisfied with being assigned to the fortress and recklessly tried to make a name for himself. Foolish.”
No matter how much the wind mage tried to gloss over his commander’s failure with abstract explanations, the outcome wouldn’t change. Aware of the futility, he continued his report with an awkward expression.
“The remaining soldiers fought valiantly, but without their commander and main forces, defending the fortress became impossible. Shortly after, the fort fell. Acting under the orders of the officer who took over as field commander, I slipped out of the fortress to deliver this report… and here I am now.”
“I see. Well done. Get some water and food, and take a short rest before heading to the next fort.”
“Understood. Thank you… One more thing.”
“What is it?”
“Judging from the battle at Rezard Fortress and reports from the other forts I visited, the enemy attacking the stronghold zone seems to number more than anticipated. Their total force is likely 5,000 or more.”
“I see. Got it. We’ll keep that in mind.”
After sending the wind mage off, Frederick scanned the command room. Both he and those around him—Noein and the other officers—wore grim expressions.
“This is bad. At this rate, the entire defense plan for the stronghold zone will collapse.”
The functionality of the stronghold zone relied on each fort remaining intact. With one fort breached, the enemy forces attacking it could merge with the units assaulting other forts, putting the defenders of the Lordberg Kingdom at an even greater numerical disadvantage.
“The increase in enemy numbers is concerning too. Weren’t we estimating 3,000 enemies in the stronghold zone when we allocated the forces?”
Yuri asked, and Frederick grimaced bitterly. The responsibility for gathering intelligence on the enemy rested with the kingdom’s army and its royal intelligence agency, likely weighing on his mind.
“Yes, that’s how we planned it. With the current forces at each fort, it will be tough… and now, with one fort fallen, the battles ahead will only grow harsher.”
“But if the enemy’s numbers suddenly increased, they must have forcibly conscripted local farmers or hired mercenaries. Their quality should be questionable.”
Frederick’s adjutant offered a slightly optimistic perspective to counter Frederick’s harsher view of the situation.
“That may be true, but we can’t afford to be complacent. In times like these, you can never be too cautious.”
“Can’t we call for reinforcements from the rear?”
“The rear forts can’t spare troops. If reinforcements are to come, they’d have to come from the main army’s reserves. But by the time we send a messenger to the rear forts, who then contact the main army and dispatch reinforcements, it’ll be too late for the next enemy attack.”
Noein asked, and Frederick replied with a grim expression. Yuri then interjected:
“Even so, it’s better than doing nothing.”
“True. I’ll send one of my men as a messenger to the rear immediately. The battles ahead will only grow tougher. Everyone, steel yourselves further.”
Frederick’s words were met with resolute nods from all present.
“The enemy messengers are busy today as well.”
“Since they’ve captured Rezard Fortress, they’re probably strategizing their next move.”
The day after the wind mage’s report, Frederick remarked while observing the enemy from the castle walls. Pence, standing beside him, nodded in agreement.
Noein, standing nearby, also observed the enemy. However, having spent much of his childhood engrossed in books, his poor eyesight made it difficult to discern the movements of the enemy messengers.
“Reinforcements from our side will arrive in two days at the earliest, right? Do you think the enemy will attack before then?”
“Most likely. They won’t give us the luxury of time to rest… and they probably expect us to call for reinforcements, so they’ll want to strike before that.”
According to the returning messenger sent to the rear forts, the main army would likely respond to their call for reinforcements. However, it was unlikely they’d arrive in time for the next battle.
Just then, the watchtower rang out with a report.
“Rider approaching from the south, appears to be an ally! Likely a messenger!”
Hearing this, Frederick’s expression hardened. Both Noein and Pence instinctively felt unease, their faces darkening.
“Another messenger… I have a bad feeling about this.”
Frederick instructed the sentries to admit the rider through the eastern gate and went to meet them.
The rider dismounted hurriedly and, kneeling before Frederick and his men, spoke with urgency:
“Report! The southernmost Halzea Fortress has fallen!”
“Damn… What was the cause?”
“As a soldier from the second-southernmost Tueze Fortress, I don’t know the full details, but I’ve heard they engaged the enemy in a field battle, were overwhelmed, and their main forces fled, leaving the remaining defense to collapse.”
Though Frederick briefly showed frustration, he restrained himself from taking it out on the messenger, maintaining his composure.
“The enemy has broken through Halzea Fortress’s defenses and entered the stronghold zone. It’s advised to consider the retreat route already cut off!”
Hearing this, Frederick and his men stiffened. The news wasn’t unexpected, given the breach, but it was nonetheless dire.
After thanking the messenger for their report and sending them to rest, Frederick turned to his officers.
“Once again, due to a comrade’s impatience, we’re at a greater disadvantage.”
“If the retreat route is cut off, reinforcements may find it hard to reach us as well.”
“And with fewer forts, each remaining one will have to deal with even more enemies.”
Yuri and Pence’s words were grimly accurate. With reinforcements unlikely and the enemy’s numbers swelling, the situation seemed increasingly dire.
“This is, by all accounts, a near-worst-case scenario.”
Frederick, his adjutant, Yuri, and Pence—all seasoned warriors—fully grasped the grimness of their situation, leaving them feeling disheartened.
“…Well, we still have plenty of cards to play,” Noein broke the gloomy silence, determined to lift their spirits.
“The enemy doesn’t know we have dozens of explosive arrows. They also don’t know how powerful my golems are. We have several strategies we can employ.”
“…Noein-dono is right. We still have options. If we, the officers, lose our resolve, we’ll lose battles we could have won,” Frederick agreed, restoring some morale to the room.
“More than anything, I have no intention of dying here. I’ve been married for less than a year—I’m not about to leave my wife a widow.”
“That’s true. If we don’t ensure Noein-dono gets back alive, my sister would never forgive me,” Frederick remarked with a small smile.
“And I can’t afford to let my men die, either,” Noein added. “Yuri here has young children, and as for Pence, he’s supposed to marry my maid when we return.”
“Hey! Why bring that up now, boss?!” Pence stammered, his flustered reaction drawing laughter from everyone.
“He’s right. If we don’t make it back, it would be a real disaster. We all have people waiting for us. There’s no way we can give up now.”
“Exactly. Let’s make it back alive,” Noein declared with determination, lifting the spirits of the entire group.
