Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 364: The Meeting Dances
Afterwards, as decided in the conference room, messengers were sent to the royal capital.
They were instructed to recall the reinforcements that had been meant for the northern fortress, and to watch the eastern border carefully—keep an eye on the movements of the Geisel Empire.
If the Geisel Empire was indeed the one secretly manipulating the barbarians, then this should avert the worst-case scenario.
“But… that does not at all mean the country is saved. If we are defeated by the barbarians, the enemy will be inside our borders.”
“……”
Once again, inside the fortress conference room.
Hearing Valeya’s words, everyone present wore sullen faces.
Only nobles and senior officers had been told this information. To avoid a drop in morale, the ordinary soldiers were not to be informed.
“If we stay holed up expecting reinforcements that will never come, the fortress will inevitably fall… In other words, we must make a desperate, decisive move to change the course of the battle before that happens.”
“Do you mean… we should go on the offensive?”
Rest blurted the question out.
If purely defensive tactics won’t work, then they would have to take the initiative.
(But… is that even possible?)
The vast forest stretching to the north was the barbarians’ territory.
To invade enemy ground, to attack the barbarians’ bases where they had the advantage and where you didn’t even know their positions—this was reckless. Even Rest, who knew little of military affairs, understood that such a sortie would amount to a suicidal charge.
“That’s exactly right. I know it’s reckless. But… we must do it.”
Valeya stated coldly and sternly.
“The fortress took a heavy blow in the recent raid. Back then, the barbarians attacked while making their bodies invisible with magic—the power of sorcery, likely cast by that so-called ‘sorcerer’ who controls them.”
“They have mages on their side, then. That makes them formidable…”
“As Count Clover said, this fortress is weak against magic.”
This fortress had been built to defend against the barbarians.
The barbarians ordinarily did not use magic, so the fortress’s defenses against magical attack were weak.
They did not know how far the ‘sorcerer’s’ influence extended, how many of them there were, or what sort of magic they would use.
To continue a defensive siege while the enemy’s capabilities remained opaque would be extremely dangerous.
(Retreat is hell, advance is hell… this has turned into an impossible situation.)
In short, both holding out and striking out carried grave risks.
“Attack or defense… If either choice carries the same fate, then I recommend we go on the offensive. Any objections?”
“I’m with you. Let’s do it!”
The first to voice enthusiastic support was the third son of Marquis Catreya—Toya Catreya.
“I’ve never been one to hide in a shell! If we’re going to strike, then bring it on!”
“I’m opposed. It’s far too dangerous.”
But the second son, Carlius Catreya, objected.
“Invading enemy territory without sufficient intel is too risky. Instead, we should use earth magic to reinforce the walls—dig new moats and pits around the fortress to bolster our defenses.”
“Brother, that’s a drag! If the enemy has mages, half-hearted defenses won’t hold. Besides, aren’t there flying beast-men among the barbarians?”
“Still, it’s better than a reckless charge. Going into enemy land blind is like walking into a dark forest full of wild beasts.”
“Is the great Carlius afraid, then? Pathetic!”
Toya and Carlius began bickering loudly.
“Valeya-sama is right. Sitting here and waiting to die is out of the question!”
“No—what about recruiting soldiers from nearby villages and towns?”
“Half-trained recruits won’t be useful. What if we requisition weapons and food instead?”
“If we torture prisoners, we can find the location of the enemy’s base! Then we launch a sudden assault!”
One by one, the people in the conference room tossed out suggestions.
Each case for ‘attack’ and for ‘defense’ had its own rationale; it was impossible to declare decisively which was correct.
“I’m in favor. If war is unavoidable either way, I’d rather we strike out ourselves.”
In an even tone, the woman-hating sword saint—Wilhelm Lubase—gave his opinion.
He then turned his gaze toward Rest.
“Rest Clover. What do you think?”
“……”
Receiving Lubase’s question, Rest fell silent for a few seconds.
The question, asked during the heat of the argument, pulled the Catreya brothers and the other participants’ attention toward him.
All those eyes made Rest so nervous that sweat formed along his back.
“I…”
After a brief moment of thought, Rest quietly voiced his opinion.