The Attack on Fortress City, Vander

“Still……..they really are not even trying to fight against us huh………”

“It can’t be helped. We have 5000 on our army, the Svaliers only have 1000. If they attacked us with half measures, they would simply get decimated. It would be a waste of soldiers if anything.”

As we marched on through the Svalier territory and headed to their main base, Vander, I answered the question Liz raised.

“Then, do you really think that Duke Svalier would simply obediently surrender against us?”

“it’s not entirely implausible but……… they probably will either resist till the end, if he hasn’t run away already.”

But, I have a feeling, they will definitely fight back.

Even if they have Rujia Empire’s backing, I don’t see why they would accept Duke Svalier into their ranks after he has lost all value.

Then, he’ll have to stand and fight and prove that he does have value to them, and wait for the Rujia army to come to their aid. That’s the only path to surviving that they have.

Not to mention……..Vander should also have that, as well.

“In any case, we cannot let Duke Svalier…….and Wilhelm, escape no matter what. We will end it all right here.”

“Yes. For the sake of our future, Lord Rudy.”

Me and Liz looked at each other, and nodded.

It was Wilhelm that deceived Liz, which resulted in being assassinated in the [War Records of Wilhelm].

Whether the history books I read in my past life were true or not, I had no way of knowing.

But………if Liz had ever found out that the me she killed was in fact the me from  that day, I know that she would definitely grieve and agonize, and then lose her life.

And a year and half from now, we had in fact been cornered to the point where that very future seemed very close to becoming a reality again.

……….no, even in the future, as long as Wilhelm exists, such dangers will continue to loom over us.

That’s why, I will……..

—–Kill Wilhelm Von Svalier, right here with my own hands.

.

.

 We continued our march and were finally approaching Vander……..but.

“Is that, Duke Svalier’s stronghold, Vander……..?”

Witnessing the sight of the giant walls rising up high that surrounded Vander, Liz spoke in amazement.

Indeed, it was known as an impregnable fortress for a reason.

“……..this was built as the last stand against a potential Rujia invasion. Which was why Vander was given into the hands of a fellow Imperial, the Svalier family.”

Even Marquis Fahlcrantz showed a rare sour expression as he spoke.

It was true, that even if they only had a 1000 man army, this fortress would give them the ability to fight back against even a 5000 man army.

And if by chance, while we were down on morale from failing to capture the fortress, if the Rujia army were to attack us from behind, we would really lose all routes for escaping.

“Lord Fahlcrantz, your orders, sir?”

“I had a feeling this would happen from the start. What we must do is capture Vander before the Rujia army arrives.”

From the way he spoke, he didn’t seem like he was panicking at all.

Was it because he had a plan to capture this fortress? Or was it simply his decades of experience allowing him to feign calmness? I had no way of knowing but, seeing him like that did make me feel very reassured.

That said.

“……….actually, I know a certain weakness of Vander.”

“!?!”

The words I spoke made even the Marquis gulp.

“by complete coincidence I happened to find a book in the palace, that had a rough sketch of the fortress in it. That’s why………”

“hmmm………in that case, we should rethink our strategy.”

By the way, other than the fact that I do know the weakness of Vander, everything else that I said was a complete lie.

Then, why do I know this weakness? Well obviously because it had been written about in the [War Records of Wilhelm].

After I was assassinated by Liz, and Baldyk Empire had fallen, seeing the empire in chaos…….no seeing the Svalier kingdom in chaos, the Rujia Empire launched an attack and captured Vander.

And when the Wilhelm army headed out to reclaim it, they used a certain clever scheme to instantly get Vander back.

What they did, was utilize the secret underground escape tunnel that stretched out from the west of Vander.

In the first place, this fortress was designed to be sued against the Rujia Empire. It should be obvious that the underground tunnel was spread in the direction of the capital itself.

And Wilhelm had used this very tunnel to ambush them from the inside.

“……….and so, the exit to the tunnel should be in that hill……..meaning, it should lead us directly inside Vander.”

“Berthold! Investigate it instantly!”

“yessir!”

Upong the Marquis’ orders, Sir Johansson led a few soldiers with him to go and investigate, and after a couple dozen minutes…

“It was indeed as his highness, Prince Rudolf had said! We have found what looks like an underground tunnel! We should be able to infiltrate inside instantly with that!”

“I see! Then Daniela, take 300 soldiers to infiltrate the fortress and open the Vander castle gates for us!”

“Yes Sir!”

Dame Carneus quickly picked 300 soldiers in a flash and gathered in front of the underground tunnel.

While over there.

“Lord Fahlcrantz, can you please allow me to join the vanguard unit as well?”

“Prince Rudolf, and you two as well……?”

Faced with the sharp glare from the Marquis, I stood strong and gave a strong nod.

“I am the one that knows the inside of the fortress the best. Then, I can help the unit get to the gate in the shortest distance.”

“hrmm………”

Marquis Fahlcrantz looked at me and seemed to growl.

It would seem, he was worried for our safety.

“Your Excellency please! Allow me!”

I bowed deeply as I once again petitioned him.

And then.

“………..very well. However, you mustn’t be reckless, no matter what.”

“! th,thank you very much!!”

Seeing the marquis shake his head, I once again gave a bow…….wait.

“Liz!?”

“If you are going Lord Rudy, of course I will come too. Then, it’s only natural that I make a request to father alongside you, no?”

I didn’t even notice but at some point Liz had come beside me and was bowing her head as well, who then turned and shot a smile at me.

Seriously, what an incredible woman………..

“I suppose so………after all, you and I, we are destined to be together, now and forevermore.”

“yes, it’s exactly as you say.”

Then.

“Let’s go, Liz. To defeat Duke Svalier…….to defeat, Wilhelm.”

“Yes!”

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