Chapter 330:
In order to discover a secure way for a substantial trade association to use, the quantity of potential paths was decreased to just a few dozen.
However, when it came to paths that could accommodate thousands, or even tens of thousands of soldiers without trouble, the options decreased to only a small number.
In truth, there were exactly three identified routes.
The “Trader’s Path” linking the commercial centers of Kyle and Luspelheim,
the “Tracker’s Route” curving south around the northern demonic forest to connect the northern hunting towns, and
the “Explorer’s Trail” skirting the northern mountains to join the southern cities.
“If we are to be precise, all paths can be viewed as trade routes since they are essentially roads created for profit,” Logan mentioned.
In response, Damian tilted his head in confusion.
“Are you implying that all three routes will function as invasion paths?”
“Indeed.”
“…Even the Main Street could accommodate an army of 100,000 soldiers all at once. Now you’re suggesting the same for the north-south trade routes…?”
“The Imperial army surpasses those numbers.”
In actuality, when the Empire first began its invasion in his previous life, the combined efforts of the Sword Saint and the Esperanza territory troops succeeded in holding back an Imperial army that exceeded 100,000 for over a week at the border.
Thanks to the time bought by the Kingdom’s most powerful aura user and the strongest knight order, the Grandia Royal Family swiftly mobilized their forces.
However, by the time they started clashing with the Imperial troops along Main Street, the masses pouring through the north-south trade routes had already begun causing chaos across the land.
“Well, even if they had foreseen it, the Kingdom troops wouldn’t have been able to halt the Empire anyway.”
Nevertheless, the circumstances were now different.
And even more so.
“We might not be able to block Main Street, but there are suitable locations for defenses along the north-south routes. If we obstruct just those two points, the war will become significantly more manageable.”
“Consider routes as primary roads, but strictly speaking, they’re bustling thoroughfares intersected by numerous crossroads. I wonder if it’s even feasible to block them with defenses…”
“It can be done.”
“…How can you be so sure?”
“Well, that is”
In his past life, you mentioned those words.
—If that had been the case, the Kingdom wouldn’t have fallen so easily.
Suppressing a bitter smile, Logan continued speaking.
“As you mentioned, the Tracker’s Route and Explorer’s Trail are complex trade routes with many branches. However, there are several crucial intersections where all paths meet. This is true in the Empire and in our territory.”
“Ah… How do you have such knowledge? You haven’t visited those places, have you?”
“I’ve been informed.”
“Excuse me?”
From you.
“So while I may not precisely recall their exact locations, I can recommend marking one point each along the north and south where defenses can be erected. Some troops from the 2nd and 3rd Battalions will be stationed continuously at those locations.”
Damian, unable to conceal his disbelief at such a confident statement, could only display a puzzled expression, prompting Logan to smile reassuringly.
“Of course, we’ll also establish the Grand Magic Circles.”
Logan declared this with utmost certainty, yet Damian remained perplexed. This gave the impression that decisions regarding strategies that might incur a significant cost were being made based on mere hearsay.
Nonetheless, with the King’s solemn demeanor, Damian felt a growing sense of pressure.
“Well, with the upcoming busy farming season in just a few months, we need to finalize locations and mobilize workers promptly. It might be best to complete basic construction within two or three months and continue further after the harvest season.”
“Completing it in two or three months will pose no issue.”
“Pardon?”
“We have the finest experts in the world.”
“Ah…”
With a wry smile at Logan’s confident expression, Damian silently hoped for the well-being of his comrades, who were sure to face challenging times ahead.
“It feels peculiar…”
As he tossed and turned on the bed, Hamal rose to his feet, stretching his short arms and yawning loudly.
Rubbing his seemingly protruding stomach, he noticed freshly baked bread and warm tea neatly arranged on the nearby table. A basin filled with washwater sat just outside the door.
“There’s definitely nothing wrong, but…”
Is everything truly fine? A decade ago, he had never envisioned living in such luxury, reduced to the status of a discarded dwarf slave due to the incompetence of that dwarf master.
Now, the proprietor of the Taren Magic Workshop, a significant figure responsible for national affairs and a close aide to the king, he had grown accustomed to having guards for protection.
Yet, something felt amiss.
“Why am I so bored?”
Could it be because the workshop was running too smoothly?
‘I can’t intentionally break something either.’
Lost in thought while nibbling on the bread, Hamal suddenly froze.
“Come to think of it, I feel like crafting something… Wait!”
Startled, he covered his mouth and glanced around, as if he had heard a faint voice speaking.
—Aren’t your people naturally talented in crafting?
The whisper of a long-absent demon crossed his mind, causing Hamal to shake his head vigorously.
“Ugh, no, no. I’m just overthinking this. Come on! Not creating anything and just having fun is much better!”
Shaking a fist in a self-encouraging manner, he tried to convince himself, yet an undeniable urge to create surged within him after not crafting anything for nearly half a year.
“What if I simply do a bit of sculpting?”
Thinking of his first love, he recalled the dwarves who had retreated deep into the mountains to avoid humans. Among them was a maiden who had brought him true joy with her captivating gaze.
“…Nuar.”
As memories flooded back, including mishaps of trying to replicate those mesmerizing eyes only to get into trouble, nostalgia washed over him.
“Ah, every time I reminisce about that…”
It seemed as though he had unconsciously pushed her out of his mind over the past few periods.
“I have failed to honor your memory, Nuar. I apologize.”
In that moment, a desire to grab his hammer and chisel rekindled within him. Though he would never admit it, it was indeed a pleasure rooted in his dwarven lineage, despite the absurd notion of crafting being an adventure.
“Alright. Sculpting is merely a pastime.”
As he rationalized, preparing to leave his room, he suddenly halted when…
“Hamar!?”
BANG!
“Oof!”
As if struck by a sudden collision to the nose, Hamal couldn’t avoid tumbling backward.
“Uh? Haha… Why were you there?”
Boldly walking through the door was a one-armed dwarf named Tamer, sporting an awkward smile.
“Ugh… What? Why were you there, you darn rascal? Is it a crime to be in my own room?”
With blood trickling from his nose, Hamal advanced menacingly, causing Tamer to retreat in fear.
“Wh-wh-why are you acting like this?!”
“Because I was planning on taking a day off soon!”
“N-no! Not at all! It’s not the time!”
“But that's what's actually happening!”
“There are orders from the King!”
At Tamer’s desperate announcement, Hamal froze in shock.
“What?”
His expression hardened; a deep sense of apprehension settled in.
“They… instructed for two fortresses to be built within three months!”
“And you’re telling me what now?! Two fortresses? In three months?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of madness is this? I’m pretty sure they were talking about castles!”
“I believe it is indeed castles!”
“Are they out of their minds? That castle wasn’t small!”
“But they say you can recall what was created back when we built the Aegis Fortress!”
“That was that fortress! And I was deep in a trench! Can’t they just not tell me to do it again?”
In utter disbelief, Hamal opened his mouth once more, yet Tamer’s unwavering tone indicated that the distressing news would not relent.
“They mentioned it must be constructed with stone and… two!”
With that revelation, unexpectedly, Hamal realized he was indeed at the mercy of fate.
THUNK.
“Ugh… Darn it… Why did I even mention I was bored?”
Among his futile attempts to scream in frustration, tears of realization streamed down Hamal’s cheeks.
“So to clarify, rather than embedding magic circles in existing castles, we’ll erect new fortresses for them and subsequently also position the circles there? And we have to do it in just three months?”
Clayton’s scarred visage contorted grotesquely at the details, causing Grick to instinctively take a step back.
Though a gentle master, his appearance could sometimes startle even those accustomed to him.
“I suppose the King thinks of us as superhuman.”
Undoubtedly, Clayton himself was indeed superhuman. Victoria was as well.
Grick swallowed down the truth that threatened to escape.
“It appears the King is under some delusion, basing the timings on the feats of Aegis.”
“This may lead to a grave misunderstanding.”
“Requesting two fortresses within three months is pushing it.”
With furrowed brows exchanged, a hint of unease swept through the group.
“We may need to propose delaying the endeavor.”
“…That doesn’t seem feasible.”
“Yeah.”
“Grick, I can't see a way out unless a miracle occurs.”
The scholars of the Mage Guild, previously engrossed in the construction of the Great Magic Circle, glanced at each other, deferential to their Master and his apprentice.
“Then how do we navigate this?”
“If we prepare for an impossible task like constructing fortresses, it could shatter our expectations.”
Despite Grick’s belief in the impossible, Clayton persisted.
“There isn’t a chance we can outright say, ‘we cannot do this’.”
“Is it just me, or do I sense we’re delving into discussions of survival?”
“I feel the same.”
Grick truly felt the tension, just as their determination solidified.
“However we may uncover that foggy path, it’s vital that they also grasp the risks.”
Clayton’s gaze settled on Grick.
“I believe that irrespective of expectations, our burden will not lighten. Let’s maintain direct communication with the King.”
“It seems this stance is inevitable.”
At Clayton’s suggestion, Grick relinquished his querying demeanor, now resolute in mind.
They understood all too well the dire implications looming overhead.
While they cared for Halmar and had anticipated confronting demanding tasks ahead, they never foresaw having to begin with him once more.
All but simultaneous exhalations resonated in the underground chambers, setting a new agreement in motion.