“Maaan, we got all worked up since Duke Nürnberg moved faster than expected. It feels as if we made it barely in time, doesn't it?” (Peter)

Peter, the highest authority of the defence battle, gazed at the approaching feudal army of the Duke Nürnberg household from atop the wall in the capital's south.

The group that surrendered to Duke Nürnberg thinking the Empire is already done for with the emperor's death, and the survivors who linked up with the liberation army after successfully managing to get away. Influenced by those two groups, there isn't much of a difference in military forces between both armies.

Since we are the defending side, I believe us to hold an advantage, but once I looked properly, the wall was more worn-out than I thought.

In reality, we should have repaired all the other areas besides the western side, but there's no time left for that anymore.

Duke Nürnberg's army owns exploding golems and metallic dragon golems and it seems that these can also be used as siege weapons. In Duke Nürnberg's eyes the existence of Peter might have been outside his calculations, but, even so, our side wasn't in a situation where we could take it easy.

“Those exploding golems, was it? The wall will get blown away easily with those. I guess even the breath attack of the dragon golems might be enough for that?” (Peter)

On top of it, the wall surrounding the huge capital from all sides is long.

For Duke Nürnberg it means that he can invade from wherever he likes.

“Given that the dragon golems are heavy, they will be left at the troop headquarters or such. I don't think that they are such convenient weapons…?” (Luise)

“Luise-dono, I'm sorry, but it looks like they can be moved with manpower.” (Peter)

Once I peeked through the binoculars following Peter, I could see metallic dragon golems, placed on huge wagons, being positioned at the frontline one after the other. They are smaller and their materials are inferior to the dragon golems we encountered in the underground ruins a while back. They feel like cheap, ma.s.s-production units to bolster the numbers. Even so, if it's the brittle wall of the capital, they will be able to break through it without any issues. After all, they already accomplished killing many soldiers of the punitive force.

“Even though it's ironic, the western wall that had been diligently fixed up has become the most secure one.”

All of it was Peter's loan, but Mister Baron, who received the support, properly repaired the wall.

He has gone as far as making it st.u.r.dier than the walls in the other directions which haven't received any maintenance.

“It's better than nothing, but the people are more important than the wall.”

“By sacrificing the wall, it will be possible to buy time as long as we kill as many enemies as possible. And if they break through, the imperial army, which has the locational advantage, will deploy defensive strategies using the houses near the wall as s.h.i.+elds.” (Popek)

That means it's dangerous to only rely on the wall. Popek came up with a two-staged defence plan.

“Also, I'd like to request your group to partic.i.p.ate actively as well, Earl Baumeister.” (Popek)

“You handle your workers roughly, Chief-of-Staff-dono.” (Wendelin)

“Please don't worry. In this battle you won't find anyone not being busy.” (Popek)

“I got it.” (Wendelin)

“I will later offer you some of the wine created in my territory, so please forgive me for now.” (Popek)

“I want some of it too!” (Armstrong)

Though it's probably not like Dous.h.i.+ and Burkhart-san are aiming for the wine produced in Popek's territory. At any rate, it's certain that they think they have to win by cornering Duke Nürnberg.

Since Talrand's death should have served its role as a jab, all that's left is to drive in a body blow.

I never did something like boxing, but I inadvertently ended up using such a metaphor.

“There's also Therese's movements to consider.”

“It appeared as if she would come leading her troops in high spirits with you in a pinch, Wend, but…”

“She has her position to consider as well. Not like she can send reinforcements just for my sake.” (Wendelin)

“I wonder, is she thinking that you won't die anyway?”

“Indono, either way, d.u.c.h.ess Philip is too dependent on Wendelin.” (Peter)

If she felt like it, she could have dispatched several thousand soldiers as reinforcements from the Great Sorbid Wastelands, but Therese didn't do that. Even if the reinforcements were in time and managed to win here, it would be seen as them having won while fighting under Peter.

She's already regarding Peter as a rival.

The northern lords, who won't profit in any way unless she becomes empress, will follow suit as well.

“Therese-sama has to wait for later. For now we have to somehow handle the battle against Duke Nürnberg.” (Katharina)

“That's true. It's exactly as Katharina says.” (Wendelin)

The looks of everyone face the army of Duke Nürnberg which is in the process of approaching the capital in orderly ranks.

◆◇◆◇◆

“I guess, at last, the elite feudal army of the Duke Nürnberg household has sortied at almost full strength.”

In addition, after absorbing the soldiers, who betrayed the punitive force, the numbers of the enemy army have grown into a considerable size.

Since we have also absorbed the imperial army that retreated, there's no real need to worry about a difference in numbers though.

“Wend, it looks like there are also many n.o.bles who betrayed us.” (Erwin)

“First they shook their tails at Duke Nürnberg, then they followed the emperor after the liberation of the capital and at last they have gone back to Duke Nürnberg again, huh? n.o.bles have it difficult as well, don't they?”

Humans who want to die without any relation to their social standing don't exist. It's not strange for them to continuously betray others in order to stay alive. Erw is fed up with that, but surprisingly Takeomi-san seems to have a clear opinion on this.

“But, they will be used as the advance guard again.” (Takeomi)

Haruka had an expression as if asking “Again?”

Moreover, the previously mentioned dragon golems have been deployed behind them. If they try to run away, they will be erased with breath attacks. It's a situation that could be well described as “Whether it's advancing or retreating, h.e.l.l awaits them.”

“It's gradually becoming tough for them. Well, if there are many casualties, it will cause much damage to the Empire, but… Why is Duke Nürnberg in such a hurry? Oh well, who cares. First comes winning.” (Peter)

Upon Peter's signal, the whole army raised flags showing that their preparations to fight back are completely in order.

The morale of our allies, who will lose their home if they lose here, is far higher than I expected.

Since Peter, Gilbert and Popek have chosen commanding officers based on their abilities, the soldiers seem to believe that it will come to an end without them dying in vain.

“Prepare to intercept! I will leave it to you from the get-go!” (Gilbert)

Immediately after Gilbert's order was handed down to the entire army, the enemy's advance guard charges towards the southern wall.

Once they closed the distance to some extent, both sides hurled large quant.i.ties of arrows and spells at each other.

If they were lucky, they were protected by s.h.i.+elds or magicians, but those who weren't are hit equally and collapse.

The victims on the attacking side were numerous.

“This late in the game he's still setting his elites aside? Well, it doesn't matter.” (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san, who's on standby next to Peter, the supreme commander, this time as well, blocked spells and arrows with a timely 『Magic Barrier』.

“Magic Gunner Squad! There's no lack of targets!”

One of the big reasons why our allies' morale was high was owed to the 20,000 elites – in addition to the troops from Mizuho that were stationed in Sakart – led by High Earl Mizuho himself barely arriving in time.

When the soldiers of the Mizuho army entered the capital, big cheers erupted among our allies.

“I guess I won't be looked upon well by Therese-dono, though.” (Mizuho)

High Earl Mizuho disregarded Therese's opinion and dispatched reinforcements.

To be accurate, Therese can't complain though since Mizuho isn't one of the northern lords but just a collaborator. After all High Earl Mizuho was dissatisfied with her not dragging down the emperor off his throne.

“Randolph, how is it going?”

“The wall they believed to be broken was repaired, apparently causing them to be surprised.” (Randolph)

A part of the enemy rushed the western wall as well, but they were skillfully blocked by the vigilante corps led by Mister Baron and Randolph.

“Randolph, eehh…? d.u.c.h.ess Philip did something regrettable there. To have exiled such an excellent retainer.” (Peter)

Peter praised Randolph's talent as soldier, saying that he'd like to have him for himself.

Certainly, no one would have likely expected for such excellent person to live in the slums.

“Your Highness, Randolph-dono feels obligated to Mister Baron. I think it's a wasted effort even if you were to invite him.” (Emera)

“Guess so… Oh well, I suppose it's fine as he's our ally.” (Peter)

Emera stated that Randolph definitely wouldn't leave Mister Baron and Peter agreed with that line of thought.

I also think that he has no intention to be anything else but the Junior Commander of Mister Baron.

“Wendelin, something creepy appeared.” (Peter)

“Looks like it…” (Wendelin)

“He still had some on stock left!” (Armstrong)

Once the enemy's advance guard began struggling, Duke Nürnberg immediately used his first trump card.

It's probably with the intention to destroy the wall. He's sending out suicide-bombing, metallic golems in the shapes of wolves, deer and bears in succession.

“Those were the reason for the punitive force's annihilation…”

“He still had some of them…?”

Commotions occurred among our allies when they saw the suicide-bombing golems closing in one after the other, but Peter wasn't disturbed at all. As a matter of fact, it was the same for us as well.

“I guess that's the rest of the excavated golems that were used against the punitive force?”

“Very likely. I don't think that he has that many on stock anymore.”

The approaching metallic golems with their various animal shapes headed our way with quite the speed.

“Why is he using them here?”

“Yeah, why.”

According to our information, people apparently won't die unless they explode quite close to them.

As a weapon with the main goal of increasing the number of injured soldiers and paralyzing an army's functionality, I think they would have a bigger effect if they were deployed into the capital after the wall was destroyed.

“There's something I want to try!” (Armstrong)

Suddenly saying so, Dous.h.i.+ took out big rocks from within his magic bag.

“Your Highness, have a look!” (Armstrong)

Dous.h.i.+ enhances his bodily functions with mana and throws the prepared big rocks at the approaching suicide-bombing golems.

The suicide-bombing golems, which were hit by the huge rocks, explode one after the other, easily triggering further explosions due to their splinters clas.h.i.+ng into the other suicide-bombing golems around them.

“Their response is too sensitive!” (Armstrong)

“I see. Since they will explode easily, the ways to use them are limited.”

Unless they are used in flat, huge areas, they are weapons with remarkably bad cost-effectiveness.

Unexpectedly the Ancient Magic Civilization might have stored them away since they were useless to them.

“In that case, it's easy to deal with them.” (Luise)

“Indeed.” (Ina)

“Many targets.” (Wilma)

In addition to arrows and spells, Luise throws stones, Ina throws old spears she considers as disposable, and Wilma snipes with her magic gun.

With explosions occurring all over, the enemy apparently gets wrapped up in it as well, but Duke Nürnberg doesn't seem to mind. Of course, since there are several thousands of suicide-bombing golems, it's impossible to stop all of them. One after the other crashed into the southern wall and exploded. The old wall crumbles at one part, causing casualties among the soldiers returning fire.

“Good grief, this keeps one very busy.”

“Please carry the injured to the rear.”

Peter swiftly sends the injured to the back and deploys new soldiers. The wall didn't collapse completely, but here and there you can find sections of the wall that can no longer be manned, causing the defensive strength to plummet accordingly.

“Nice one, Duke Nürnberg. But, is that wise?”

“What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“The southern wall was so brittle that anyone could see it. Going by human logic, it makes them want to focus their attacks on this place.”

Even if they actually manage to cross the wall, a defensive battle in the urban area is possible. Gilbert had the residents evacuate to get ready for that. Given that we haven't relied on the wall much to begin with, it's well within the range of our a.s.sumptions.

“A messenger from Randolph-sama who is defending the western wall! 『The world isn't that easy!』 That's all!”

“Tsk, so it comes down to this. But, it's a way of talking befitting him.” (Peter)

Hearing the words of the messenger who came from the western wall, Peter put up a disappointed expression.

As a matter of fact, Mister Baron sent a secret message, stating 『I will open the western gate and let the Duke Nürnberg's army win it over. In exchange, I will get peerage and territory』, to Duke Nürnberg, but since the wall had been repaired, Duke Nürnberg apparently realized that it was a trap.

“As expected, he won't fall for it, huh?”

“If it had gone well, I planned to have their army beaten up by the military forces I had secretly stationed in the slums, but…” (Popek)

Popek, who was standing next to Peter and Gilbert, who took command of the defensive encampment that used the urban area, showed his regret through his expression.

“Now then, this is the crucial moment, right?”

It's still around one hour since the battle began, but at last Duke Nürnberg's army made a big move.

They started to prepare to move the dragon golems that had been deployed at the front.

“They are going to destroy the southern wall that became brittle due to the attacks of the suicide-bombing golems and will have their troops invade from there. If it turns into a melee, it will become advantageous for Duke Nürnberg who possesses many elites, I guess.”

There's another very important point in defending the capital for our side.

We can't use our soldiers for just the southern wall. After all, there's no definite guarantee that there are no other detached forces of the enemy.

“If we were to call reinforcements from the other walls, the detached enemy forces would appear at those wall sections. It will be a nightmare.” (Katharina)

If it went as Katharina feared, it would be horrible to look at.

Because the capital is too wide, it's unsuitable for a real defence.

“Then, I suppose we will use our trump card? Wendelin, Dous.h.i.+, go and destroy the dragon golems.”

“You, that's a really casual way of asking this of us.” (Wendelin)

“I don't particularly mind, but…” (Armstrong)

Dous.h.i.+ looks in my direction, but if we don't destroy the dragon golems before the walls are destroyed by their breath attacks, it will inevitably turn into a harsh battle, so his real opinion is that we have no other choice but to accept it.

“It's the most simple way, isn't it?” (Wendelin)

If we destroy the dragon golems now, Duke Nürnberg will lose a trump card for capturing the capital.

Rather than pointlessly wasting time on a battle of offence and defence, it's the method with the least casualties for our allies.

“Dous.h.i.+ and I are fine with this. But, Peter, are you?” (Wendelin)

I ask Peter only that. No matter where Dous.h.i.+ and I go, there's not much difference in danger.

Elise, Ina and the others will likely try to ensure their safety after being given a sign by Burkhart-san if push comes to shove.

However, there was no way for Peter to escape from here since he's necessary to preserve morale.

I tried asking him whether he would be fine with me leaving his side.

“It's fine. If I die here, it means that my luck lasted only that far. This is likely a moment I have to overcome with confidence.” (Peter)

“If that's what you want, it's okay with me.” (Wendelin)

“It will be alright. After all, Emera is here as well. You know, with the power of love…” (Peter)

“There's no power of love, but I will take care of His Highness.” (Emera)

“Don't deny that part!” (Peter)

It was the usual back and forth between the two of them, but it's Peter's decision.

I resolved myself as well.

“Ah, yeah, I prepared nice horses. Even with Dous.h.i.+'s huge build, they will run quickly.” (Peter)

“I guess the preparations are in order then.” (Wendelin)

“Let's go!” (Armstrong)

Dous.h.i.+ and I mount the horses prepared by Peter and begin galloping towards the dragon golems.

However…

“Earl Baumeister, as usual your horse-riding sucks!” (Armstrong)

“I didn't have any time to practise it!” (Wendelin)

Because I concentrated on the special magic training to defeat master, I didn't have any time at all to practise horse-riding.

“Didn't you have time when we were in Sakart?” (Armstrong)

“…” (Wendelin)

Sorry, because I'm not getting any better at it, I skipped out on it as it's painful.

“That's no good, Wendelin.” (Peter)

“Shut up, Peter!” (Wendelin)

I can at least mount it normally!

This is all because of Duke Nürnberg sealing off all movement magic!

“If you insist, I will ride together with you.” (Peter)

At this point a helper appeared. Luise jumped off the wall like an acrobat and landed on the horse I'm riding. I don't know how she managed that, but even with Luise jumping down from such a high place, the horse apparently didn't feel her weight at all. It didn't buck or get surprised.

“Well then, let's go?” (Luise)

“Luise-jou, I leave taking babysitting Earl Baumeister to you!” (Armstrong)

“I'm on it.” (Luise)

I wanted to complain to Dous.h.i.+, but as expected of someone whose family is an authority in the military faction. He managed his horse skillfully.

“Put one hand around my waist. It's fine for you to grope my b.u.t.t under the cover of the turmoil, but keep it moderate… Huh?” (Luise)

Curled-up paper hit the head of Luise who said something stupid.

The one who threw that was Ina.

“Since time is of value right now, hurry and go!” (Ina)

“Inchan, you're scary!” (Luise)

“If it's a horse, I'm also skilled at riding it.”

“Uuh…if only the task of protecting His Highness Peter didn't exist…”

Noticing that Wilma and Katharina have become angry in the same way as Ina, Luise immediately spurred on the horse.

“In total there are ten dragon golems. Earl Baumeister, head or tail?” (Armstrong)

“Tail.” (Wendelin)

As we are galloping towards the golems at full throttle, Dous.h.i.+ suddenly came next to us and asked this.

At the same time as I answer "Tail," Dous.h.i.+ skillfully tosses a coin, in spite of being on the back of a horse, and lets it drop on his palm.

The copper coin showed tail.

“Right or left, choose any side you like!” (Armstrong)

“Right since that's where my dominant hand is.” (Wendelin)

“Then, I will go left!” (Armstrong)

“It's the enemy!”

“Time is precious, so excuse me!” (Armstrong)

The soldiers of the enemy's advance guard rushed over to us who were getting closer on horseback, but their attacks were repelled by the 『Magic Barrier』 that covered Dous.h.i.+ and his horse.