CHAPTER 17

THEY ARE HERE

I had difficulty falling asleep, I almost spent the whole night in the private library of the academy, but I can't stop being 100%. I can't afford lack of sleep.

The first step is to put in place everything necessary for the confrontation ... I would like to leave that part to Ryuuji, but it isn't possible at the moment. Fortunately, I confirmed that Johan finished his homework while I slept.

The director must be moving the last artifacts right now.

The following is the armor. The exhausted blacksmith received me smiling, apparently he was working all night, but managed to finish on time.

Everything is going well... Too well.

One would think the infiltrators would react to the fact that they could no longer get weapons. But apparently, seeing how busy everyone was in the forges and smithies convinced them that they had no time, no materials for them. The intellectual level of these people leaves much to be desired, but it is an advantage.

Apparently infiltrators are small minded. I begin to think that without counting academics and old Gara'kat, they are all a bunch of fools. No doubt the mayor is, by letting the "refugees" pass as if nothing. Their number is so large that some of them camp in the forest outside town, the city cannot accommodate them all. Although it isn't as if there were many places to stay. The city has hardly any visits, it's normal that there is only the occasional establishment that can receive them.

It's certainly part of their plan. Surely when the city is occupied defending itself, they'll start a fire in the forest, which will undoubtedly extend to the few farms. Trimming an important source of resources.

It's possible that they simulate that it was an accident while camping, so they won't be discovered and they can continue reducing the resources of the city, there are many extra mouths to feed. The person who planned this is undoubtedly smart enough to think about it. They will not openly reveal themselves as enemies until the precise moment.

The reality is that even if we expose them now, we don't have the ability to prevent them from causing damage to Galia. It isn't as if the invasion was going to back down just because their men were discovered, if they managed to inflict enough damage or not, it's a bet that I think they are willing to do.

...

There are two great types of Attacks that can be made when besieging a city.

One of them is the frontal assault. Simply run over the defenses until they are broken. This is very effective if you have overwhelmingly superior strength.

If we consider the number and quality of the troops, that is probably the case. But Galia has the advantage of the land. An impressive advantage.

The city is located in a colossal relief of a mountain. To reach that relief, there is a narrow path that goes up in zigzag. Even in the widest sections of the road, you can hardly fit a cart.

As you climb the road, there are several guard towers guarded by archers. Here the zigzag arrangement of the road is strategically formidable, since it allows the towers to receive support from the upper towers easily, causing a rain of arrows capable of covering the entire road. They can also throw boiling oil, causing not only damage, but making it difficult to move along the narrow path.

Even if the archers make indiscriminate use of their arrows, they receive ammunition from above. When initiating an attack on Galia, the production of arrows becomes a priority for the city, so as to have a constant supply for the towers.

Even if the forces advance to reach a tower, the guards without hesitation will leave it, but not before knocking it down covered with flames to block the road, buying valuable time, during which the upper towers will not cease in their attack. It's a serious trouble to put out the fire, so much that normally they must wait for the flames to burnout themselves.

The possibility of using water magicians is also minuscule, since they usually cannot bear the weight of the armor, and without armor and shields, they would be the first to fall before the arrows.

On the rare occasions in the history of Galia when it received a frontal attack. The possibility of the arrows running out was greater than the chances that the invading force could climb the road on its own merit. That is, the enemy's progress is that slow and its casualties are that serious.

There is a fear that an enemy will try to climb the mountain, instead of taking the road. But this mountain is extremely steep and the shape of its rocks is uneven and sharp. Enough to penetrate the metal boots of a man who would support all his weight on his foot. It is estimated that for every 100 who tried to climb the mountain carrying armor, 80 would die on the road and 15 simply wouldn't complete it.

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It's not a path as simple as the one we take to see the Half. Even if you get up that way, the person who did it would be exhausted and would be defeated without delay once up.

During my time at TLO, Maki told me about various styles of defensive forts, but this is too much.

The other form of attack is a Siege. Consistent of a blockade of the city, preventing the entry of supplies.

But in the case of a self-sufficient city like Galia, the cost of holding the siege long enough for Galia not to resist it would be much greater than the benefit of conquering it.

After all, it's expensive to maintain an army, especially a large one. So the attempts to besiege Galia in the past must have stopped long before obtaining results.

The most obvious objectives of the infiltrators are the food sources, such as the forest - which also provides wood for the arrows - and the farms, as well as the reserves in the barns and warehouses.

If they succeed, they may also cause fires in the city to maximize damage. If I wait for the attack from inside to start, it will be too late. That is why I must take the initiative.

"It's time to go down".

"How do you say?"

The captain watches me confused.

"In a few hours the army will arrive at the foot of the mountain, we must leave now to intercept them".

"What are you talking about? Do you plan to put yourself at their mercy just because you didn't get the help of the Half? We can still fight, we must ..."

"I am not thinking of putting myself at their mercy. As far as I know, they are people whose life revolves around war and glory. They will not attack us unexpectedly without first speaking".

"Are you sure about that? They attacked Galatea without warning".

"I have my reasons to think like that. They'll talk to me, I know that".

And if not, I already made sure that a Half is waiting to pick me up at my signal.

"Understood. My duty is to follow orders".

"A-A-Are you sure, Mr. Argent? It's very dangerous!"

"Calm... By the way, I have a very important job for you".

...

After leaving the formalities behind. We went down the road. Just my guard and me.

The tension rose with every step we took. When we approach the first watchtower. I put on my armor. A shining golden armor, designed to give an imposing status to its wearer.

"No matter what happens, keep quiet, let the talk to me".

We did not take another step, until I could make sure that my orders penetrated their skulls. I just can't let them interfere, other than for my safety, I brought them by appearances, I don't need them to talk.

"Are you leaving Galia? I need to verify your identities".

Naturally, at the foot of the tower, there was a guard. I have no doubt that the first and last tower fulfill the function of border guard. I don't know if the others will do the same, considering how relaxed the mayor is with the control of foreigners, I doubt it.

"My name is Argent Makoto, these men are my personal guard".

"A-A noble !? I had heard that some men from Galatea had brought a nobleman to Galia, but ... AN ARISTOI !?"

"Calm down, I have important issues to address, verify my identity at once".

"Y-Yes! Immediately my lord!"

When I verify my name with his glove, the guard's eyes widened a little more than they did when I introduced myself. Seeing is believing.

After the guard bowed again and again and apologized for his delay, we continued on our way.

Similar situations occurred in the other surveillance posts. Although I still doubt the security imposed by the mayor. Most likely, they decided to verify my identity because of my appearance. A glorious figure was reflected in the eyes of the guards whenever they saw me.

This is important and necessary. If I don't make sure they see me and prove I'm a noble now, there will be problems when I have to give them an extraordinary order later.

While we were going down, when we had passed through half of the stops, the captain approached to speak to me in a low voice.

"Sir, they've been following us, I think it's one of the Half of the other day".

"Surely we arouse their interest and now they watch us to see what happens. Do not pay attention".

"As you say".

The captain has sharper senses than I thought. But he is also an obedient dog. He won't do anything unnecessary.

When we approached the last watchtower, the guard came running towards us, altered. While the tension of the archers raised in the tower, it was visible while they pointed at us.

"Who are you !? Why are you going down now!?"

Judging by his condition and his question, something is happening and I think I know exactly what.

"My name is Argent Makoto. These men are my personal guard".

"A-A noble!?"

I don't have time for this.

"We know of the invading force. I imagine that is the reason why you are so disturbed".

"Y-Yes, we just saw a great army approaching the mountain ... how do you know that?"

"Now I don't have time to explain. What matters is that you let us pass and prepare yourselves to follow my orders".

"Your orders?"

"Are you going to question a noble, an ARISTOI?"

"O-Of course not!"

"All you have to do is wait and follow my orders when I indicate it".

"As you say".

After taking care of the guard, we continue our way. While we were going down, we could see how the horizon was covered with men in armor, we heard the sound of their footsteps echoing on the mountain. Immediately, everyone's tension increased unprecedented.

This will be the most dangerous moment I have had since I arrived in this world. No, there has hardly been such a difficult time in my life while I was on earth. I am walking straight to death, if something goes wrong, I could die. But nobody has reached the top without taking risks.

When we finally reached the end of the road and stepped on land instead of rock, we could see how a small group broke away from the army and approached us. After all I was right, they will let me talk.

I can do this, I can carry out my plan, I can succeed.

Gradually, the appearance of the emissaries became clearer. They wore reddish metal armor and wore horned helmets. Among them one had distinctive marks on his armor that made him look more impressive.

Little by little they approached us. Finally, they stopped a few meters from us, enough to hear their voices.

They are here.