Chapter 6:
I Finished the Fortress, So Can I Go Home Now?
“HOW CAN THIS BE?” HIS MAJESTY WHISPERED. HE WAS climbing to the top of the fortress, gazing at the tower in the building’s center and looking thoroughly astonished. “It’s incredible that you were able to build a fortress like this while fending off a concentrated magic attack. If the enemy did something like this, I would be horrified. After all, this structure is equipped with your ballistae—if this isn’t a terrifying threat, I don’t know what is.”
He turned around to look at Count Ferdinatto, who nodded. “Indeed, Your Majesty. I truly am grateful that Baron Van is on our side. With this fortress, we can save soldiers who otherwise would have perished in combat.”
Ventury and Panamera both nodded at Ferdinatto’s words, but Jalpa and a handful of the other nobles grimaced. I watched them out of the corner of my eye, then turned to face the king. “All right, Your Majesty, I think I’ll be going…”
The king raised a hand, stopping me in my tracks, and smiled. “Now, now. What’s the hurry, Baron Van? If you leave now, you will have to travel through the mountains at night. Why not rest here under the Chivalric Orders’ protection and set out tomorrow?”
“Um. Well, it seems like the war is about to break out this very second…?”
Getting involved in the battle was the last thing I wanted. I knew how rude it was to reject the king’s offer, but I just didn’t want to go to war. I figured I could smile, bow considerately, and decline his offer in a reserved fashion, but the king was having none of it.
“Fear not. No one is telling you to go to war. I would, however, greatly appreciate it if you made a few more buildings to the rear of the fortress.”
“Understood. I am deeply grateful for your consideration. I will get to work at once.” This wasn’t an order from His Majesty, but rather a request, so I wouldn’t feel right turning him down in front of the other nobles. I could only bow my head and do as he asked.
His Majesty, for his part, looked pleased as punch. “I knew I could count on you! You always put the kingdom first!”
Yeah. I really, really had no choice but to obey. Still, I could at least build the place the way I wanted. Architectural design and construction, what a great summer vacation!
I dragged Dee, Khamsin, the Seatoh Chivalric Order, and the adventurers with me down the steps of the fortress. As if we’d timed it that way, a loud explosion sounded then from the other side of the building, shaking the very ground. The fighting had started in earnest.
I’d installed ballistae, but given the size of their fortress, the battle would still be long and drawn out. They had mages, too. It was possible our ballistae could be destroyed in the fight. Granted, they would have to be very powerful mages to make that happen.
I checked out the rear of the fortress, silently patting myself on the back. Before me lay the freshly paved road and an abundance of trees that grew out of the uneven terrain. I couldn’t construct anything too big, but other than that, my skill was the only limit. What should I build?
It was then that Till and Arte descended from my carriage. With a relieved expression, Till exclaimed, “Thank goodness you’re okay, Lord Van!”
“Till was very worried about you,” Arte said. Till nodded tearfully.
I smiled at Arte. “So does that mean you weren’t all that worried?” I teased.
Arte blinked. Her cheeks turned bright red, and she looked down. “I-I was. But I know all about your magic, so I was sure you would be okay.”
I offered her a nod. “All thanks to Dee, Khamsin, and the Seatoh Chivalric Order. Ortho and his people also worked their butts off. We were successful because the construction process went so well.” I looked around. “Now then, I’m going to build out the rear of the fortress some more. Everyone—” I cut myself off, watching the knights and adventurers going up and down the stairs carrying wood blocks. “Actually, how about we take a rest first?”
Giving them even more work might be overkill right now. Only a predatory company would force this kind of work on their employees. If I were one of those employees, I’d be filing complaints and advocating for my rights.
But Khamsin, still holding a wood block, shook his head fiercely. “If you’re working, then there’s no way I can take a break.”
“Come on, everyone’s probably exhausted. Right, guys?”
Ortho and the others turned around, standing there with wood blocks slung over their shoulders. Ortho said, “Did you say something? And where should we put these?”
“I’ll do anything ya want!” Kusala chimed in. “I’m countin’ on you when it comes time to build my second hotel!”
They were both grinning. Sure, they had ulterior motives, but they were doing such good work this time around, I decided to forgive them. If they wanted rewards, I wouldn’t mind crafting some mithril weapons for them afterward.
While I thought it over, the captain of my super-powerful rapid-fire machine bow squad looked over at me. She was holding a wood block too. “Lord Van, the Chivalric Order will help as well! We’re up for anything!” Paula said excitedly.
“Whoa, you guys are really giving me corporate slave vibes. You’d do great at a predatory company,” I joked, trying to cover up how embarrassed and pleased I was. “In that case, everyone, I’m counting on you to help expand the fortress!”
“Incredible! Little Van transformed the cool fortress into something truly spectacular!”
“Hm? Did you say something, Lord Van?” Khamsin asked.
This earnest reply to my joke was the most embarrassing counterattack he could possibly have hit me with. I nodded vaguely and averted my gaze. “I was, uh, just saying that I’m glad we finished the fortress.”
Khamsin nodded, beaming. “Yes! The fortress is incredible! I knew you could do it, Lord Van!”
Because we had so many people who needed to be accommodated, I made all the rooms massive, and the fortress wound up a tad bigger than I’d initially anticipated. I didn’t regret it, though. This was the most fascinating building I’d made yet.
I gazed up at my creation, utterly satisfied.
The first problem I had to confront was the narrow road and the mountain slopes to either side of it. If I didn’t handle those properly, I’d never have been able to construct a structure large enough to provide lodgings to the royal army. I made the first floor the same width as the road, then built the second floor a little wider. Only the second floor was connected to the fortress I’d constructed earlier, making it easier to protect. This was key.