After my talk with Liseti, we both picked up our pace a little in order to be prepared.
Every centimeter of height that could be added and every bit of stabilization the applicant could provide along the line was meaningful, as it would add up to our defense.
Unsurprisingly, it was only a question of time until the enemy was once again right at our doorstep.
The fact that we basically ruined all of their months-long war progress was apparently nothing they would just take.
I mean, in my opinion, they can be glad that we didn't push further.
The city of Neria is quite close and aside from the meager defensive garrison on the other side would've been quite exposed.
Especially, as walls don't do all that much to impede flying units.
Getting through the gates wouldn't have been all that impossible.
Yet actually invading the city proper would have caused issues.
Not knowing how the citizens, who see themselves as part of Koreso, would've reacted to our forces, fights within the narrow alleys would’ve to be expected.
It would've very likely ended in chaos.
Not to speak of that we chose this line for a reason.
It's the best defensive position we could hope for, as they'll have to overcome everything we prepared in order to get on the other side.
An effort I wouldn't recommend undertaking.
Anyways, there they are.
Putting up their camps on the other side of the river.
Though, what worries me are the war machines they're preparing.
Fierce-looking things that will apparently propel heavy bolts in our direction.
Okay, she really got into talking here.
If just each of her words wouldn't bear such severe implications.
My plan, huh?
Well, it was a bit of a group effort.
But it's by no means proved in praxis.
At this, Liseti gives me a look that is almost offensive.
You know, the kind that says "I can't believe you just said that, I took you for someone smarter".
Can she please get to the point?
Alright.
So this means our wall will stand.
That the applicant can't get shattered is rather new to me, but not unwelcome to hear about.
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We continue discussing our defense strategy, always making sure not to provide a target for those machines.
My own guards in particular are rather insistent that I shouldn't unnecessarily expose myself.
It might be their heightened intelligence that makes them interfere with my decisions, which could be part of the reason why I didn't see other princesses use such a kind of enhancement for their royal guard as much.
In any case, our solution for a possible assault is a rather simple one.
We'll just make thicker walls.
The main problem might be if whatever they throw at us could have enough force to destroy parts of the wall or our cover.
While the applicant should do its job, it's obvious that the structure needs also to be sturdy as a whole.
Fortunately, we have the numbers to make this happen.
Eventually, a human messenger comes running.
Sometimes I'd wish they would finally internalize our messenger system.
It's far more efficient if the one delivering the message can cross the distance flying in a fraction of the time a runner requires.
However, a hunter-based system would probably still be far quicker.
If they could memorize pheromone messages that is.
Nonetheless, we obviously still receive him.
Albeit the instant he fears for his life because of our accumulated escorts causes another unnecessary delay.
"Yes? What is it?" (E)
"L-Lord Stormheart wishes to see you at the platform of the main garrison. He says it's urgent." (messenger)
Well, she said it.
So we move in our usual manner along the wall.
This means that we once again disrupt any semblance of order by passing through the ranks with our far too-large escort.
Heck, that we mostly stick to in-built tunnels and the wall by now provides quite a lot of cover might be the only reasons why we aren't targeted by every single one of those siege weapons.
I use the time to instruct my guards not to fly when we arrive at the lookout platform or this might change very quickly.
There is the Marshall of Tarsona's army again.
"Lord Stormheart, you called us?" (E)
"Yes. I'd like to address the issue of our common enemy fortifying their position right outside our grasp." (St)
(L)
This princess really has no interest in giving others some slack.
"I... understand. But well, in our surface understanding, time is during a war a precious resource. So I thought it would be better to address this quickly in order to prepare a suitable reaction." (St)
"Reaction? Reaction to what?" (E)
"As I mentioned before, I have some experience dealing with the Koresoans. For this reason, I can say that once they're preparing in this manner, their attack won't be too far away. It could start any day now." (St)
So soon?
Okay, they made astonishing progress in a considerably short time, rivaling our workers on a project, but our position still stands tall.
"When do you think they are going to attack?" (E)
"Could be any day now. Tomorrow sounds a bit too early, but I would be surprised if they wouldn't be ready by the end of the week." (St)
"At first, a longer hail of artillery attacks. They'll particularly concentrate on weak targets and suppress any means of defense. Once they successfully made us draw distance units like our archers out of harm's way, their pioneers will make use of the created opening and build up forward positions, while maintaining the fire. Believe me, due to their constant battle with the Evergrove they have no lack of ammunition to keep up fire in our direction. Yet transport might cost a bit of time. What happens then is a little bit open. Either they'll attempt to create a safe passage for their troops if they see a chance, or they'll build further structures. A bad neighbor could be a huge issue." (St)
"Ehm, please, for those without military background?" (E)
Liseti looks just as bewildered as I am.
"Oh, pardon. It's basically a fortified piled-up hill. They'll build it up, right next to our walls, and once it's higher make use of the advantageous position to clear our side from defenders. Which leads us back to their safe crossing." (St)
"I'd say it's calculated. See all those ballistas? Those are highly mobile and adaptable to find their target. I reckon they brought them particularly with your flying units in mind. If you are forced to send your troops out of the protection of the walls this basically can already be considered their win, as they negated our advantage and forced us to head into their prepared positions." (St)
Huh, sounds like Koreso prefers an aggressive defensive approach, where they put as much effort as they can into making the actual fighting easier.
While I'm not entirely sure if their preparations account for underground attacks, I can see how this would at least be somewhat effective.
This isn't good.
"Well, of course, a decisive attack before they could fully establish their position would render most of their preparations ineffective." (St)
"In the first place, this goes against our strategy. We want to prove that they can't overcome our position. If we'd have to leave it to deal with a problem this would achieve the opposite." (E)
"I thought so. In this case, I would advise to advance our preparations to be ready for the eventual attack." (St)
Eventual attack.
So he believes there's no way to convince them otherwise.
"I saw your preparations. If I may add. I think it would be recommended to install our own weaponry at least on key positions on the wall." (St)
There's palpable irritation contained in Liseti's pheromones.
One would think we would be informed about this kind of essential thing regarding our defensive potential.
Seriously, he could've told us sooner!
"Of course we do. The best one can buy for money. They should be delivered any day now." (St)
"Why are you mentioning this just now?" (E)
"Because transporting them all the way here is no simple task, and I didn't intend to allow any information to slip to spies on this matter. Sir Gioras' purge was rather successful, yet one can never be too sure. Different from our side, Koreso has battle engineers. Coupled with the fact that Neria is known for its wood-centered industry, it's no surprise that they already have them prepared. I didn't want to give them a reason to accelerate their effort." (St)
Great.
More secrets.
Will they ever learn the lesson?
(L)
Brr.
That threat was, even for me who isn't its target, hard to endure.
Even the marshall got a bit paler.
"I... understand. This won't repeat. However, I'd like us to concentrate for now on the battle ahead." (St)
I guess he means this.
After all, he cares foremost about winning this war.
"Sigh. As you wish. They are headed here anyway." (St)
Not like she left him much of a choice.