“Our scrying suggests that there's no massive army awaiting us within. To breach the gates, we’d have to overcome the wards. However, the only formidable resistance we should encounter is the old man himself,” Explained David, the young mage Leonard had spared on a whim. David had since dedicated himself to assisting the army’s divination mages in developing an intelligence apparatus separate from the rangers, Amelia’s, or Lia’s.
Leonard nodded, scratching his chin. The situation at Fort Genus was quite different from what he had encountered before. First, they weren’t facing an entire town, which needed to compromise between the width of its walls and the expense of keeping wards up. The Fort sitting above the river possessed protections strong enough that he couldn’t guarantee he’d be able to smash through them in one hit - before the countermeasures could engage. And if he went all out, he would surely destroy the entire construction, which would put them back at the starting point: without a way of crossing the water.
Some of the command staff Sergeants had gamed out a possible attempt to build a new bridge while keeping the local elementals busy elsewhere, but they couldn’t find a way to prevent them from holding a grudge afterward, which would mean having a significant new enemy behind their front lines.
Leonard was acutely aware of the potential consequences of a full-scale war with the progeny of an Elemental King - a Demigod-tier being. The thought of having to fight his way across the entire Great Slitherer was daunting. It was a war he didn’t need or want. This meant their focus was on finding a way to take Fort Genus without escalating the conflict.
There was also the fact that the building itself was positively ancient. The current occupants, House Genus, were a relatively new arrival, having been granted the lordship because their founder, Vikar Genus, was a paladin of significant renown who had served in the Whiteguard for eight decades before retiring.
That he had been given a place so far from proper civilization just went to show how contemptuously the Diet and Royal Court treated those who served them.
The old man was still alive too, and if Leonard wasn’t mistaken, was currently standing at the top of the rampart with a binocular, observing their movements.
“Thank you, David.” Leonard dismissed the boy. Now that he had a clearer picture of things, it was time to decide. And for all that he appreciated the hard work the young mage had put into learning as much as possible, he didn’t trust him enough to involve him in such high-level planning.
David immediately complied, saluting and exiting the command tent, which left Leonard with his staff, Gerard and Oliver, who were still pouring over the map.
“There isn’t much else to learn, unfortunately. We can either go up north and try to find a crossing there, which I doubt will be successful, or handle the cards we were given.”
His squire grunted in agreement. He had seemed perturbed since returning from his clean-up mission but was slowly going back to himself. Leonard would do his best to help him along the way, but he expected it wouldn’t be the last time Oliver would be exposed to upsetting situations. For all that he cared for him, shielding him from the horrors of wars would do him no favor.
“We might need to call him out.” Sergeant Jonathan, one of Gerard’s most trusted men, interjected. Seeing that he had their attention, he continued, “When it comes to entire towns, there are too many competing interests. No one can be seen negotiating with us unless they are in a truly desperate situation, and so far, we haven’t allowed them to realize how deep they were in.”
That made sense to Leonard, so he gestured for the man to continue.
“Fort Genus is a different situation altogether. We outnumber them so much that fighting must look foolish to the people inside, but we cannot allow them to sit within their wards and waste our time. The more time we allow General Locke to work, the better prepared he’ll be for us.” Again, that was something everyone understood.
“Get to the point,” Gerard cut in, earning a sheepish smile from his subordinate.
“Yes, sir. If our intel on Vikar Genus is correct, we should be able to bait him out of the fort. We can ask that he come to parlay with us, but breaking our word to attack him then would put us in a difficult position, diplomatically speaking.”
Ah, I get it now. Yes, that could work. Paladins of his generation are certainly old-fashioned enough to go for it. Interesting idea. It might actually work.
“This means that we need a way for him to come out willingly, which leads to his defeat and doesn’t go through treachery. The only way to conquer Fort Genus in a reasonable timeframe is to demand a duel.” Jonathan concluded, and while some of his colleagues scoffed at the notion anyone would abandon a strategically sound position to fight a duel, Leonard could see that Gerard had followed his same train of thought.
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“What do we know about him? Not what the public knows. I want servant gossip, habits, and everything we can get our hands on. If that means what time he shits, include that too! Scour the nearby towns and villages for any bit of information!” The General barked, startling the staff, who hurried to obey his orders.
Leonard chuckled in amusement, getting up to leave. It’d be some time before a comprehensive report was compiled.
----------------------------------------
Leonard and Oliver stepped out of the command tent. Around them, the revolutionary forces were a hive of activity. Gerard’s handprints were all over, as efficiency was the name of the game.
Earth mages manipulated the ground with fluid motions, creating latrines and reinforcing defensive walls. Healers worked tirelessly in makeshift infirmaries, their hands glowing with restorative magic as they tended to the injured.
Healthcare is such an overlooked benefit in a world where a priest can solve cuts and illnesses instantly, yet it remains the realm of the rich most of the time. Especially the ex-slaves never had anyone to go to for the bruises and scrapes accumulated working in the fields. Here, they are encouraged to get themselves looked at whenever they return from a mission. Some might say it’s a waste, but it’s good training for the healers and increases the soldiers' loyalty.
A single fire mage, evidenced by the red patch on his arm, walked around the cooking area, tending to the coals and ensuring nothing spread to the rest of the camp. Water mages refilled canteens since the soldiers had been ordered not to approach the river yet. All in all, it was a clean, smooth operation.
“This is impressive,” Oliver remarked, gazing across the well-organized camp. “Things seem much better organized now than at the beginning.”
Leonard nodded, his expression thoughtful. “That’s always the case in war. Armies take a while to hit their stride, especially ones such as ours made up of an assortment of ex-slaves, adventurers, and actual soldiers. It took us a while to establish proper procedure, but it will only get better from here.”
As they walked, soldiers stopped to greet Leonard. He returned their salutes with a nod, acknowledging their respect without engaging in idle conversation. Once in a while, he made a point of greeting several people personally and asking about specific issues. One soldier, a grizzled veteran, saluted with a crisp snap.
“How’s your daughter, Sergeant?” Leonard asked, pausing to give the man his full attention.
The sergeant beamed with pride. “She’s doing well, sir. Just took her vows as an acolyte at the Temple in Thelma.”
“That’s excellent news,” Leonard replied, clapping the man on the shoulder. “You must be very proud.”
“Thank you, sir. I am.”
Once they had gotten far enough, Leonard turned to Oliver, “It might not seem that important, but establishing a fast mail service between the army and our towns is fundamental for morale. I know that man sent his letter less than a week ago. Things are running at full efficiency for the response to have already arrived.”
His squire hummed in surprise before turning to the side, hiding a guilty expression. Leonard didn’t need to ask to know that he hadn’t written to his mother. Luckily, Oliver was smart enough to realize this had been his way of gently reminding him and wouldn’t need a more direct scolding.
Finally, they reached the edge of the camp. From this vantage point, they could see Fort Genus, the sturdy castle of grey stone built atop a wide river. The fort’s walls rose high, formidable and imposing. Without magic, it would have been impossible to take with the current technology, but then again, it couldn’t have been built in the first place.
Leonard’s gaze was steady as he studied the stronghold.
“It looks like a regular castle,” Oliver observed, shading his eyes with his hand. “But I’m guessing it’s not as simple as it appears.”
“You’re right,” Leonard confirmed. “Fort Genus has formidable defenses. The wards are strong, and its strategic position over the river makes a direct assault costly, even should I lead the way. That’s why we’ll have to go with the duel plan to get through it.”
Oliver turned to his mentor, curiosity, and concern mingling in his eyes. “Do you think Vikar Genus will accept? He has everything to lose.”
Leonard’s eyes glinted as he stared at the top of the rampart, where he could see his target look back, “He doesn’t have a choice.”
———
Predictably, walking alone with a flag of truce away from his army had been enough to send the guards on duty into a frenzy. From where Leonard had stopped, he could hear some suggest they take this chance to eliminate him with the cannon, which admittedly was a better plan than opening the gates only to close them behind him that another put forward.
Luckily for them, the commanding officer wasn’t stupid enough to do either and sent someone to the castle proper to ask what they should do.
Leonard was left to wait under the early summer sun for a good half hour, but finally, the gates opened, and out came the man he was waiting for. Just as the reports had promised, he came alone, though he was astride a black warhorse and in full plate.
It would have been an intimidating sight if Leonard hadn’t trained with the paladins of the Whiteguard for years.
Vikar Genus was undoubtedly an old man with a long white beard and sagging skin, but there was strength in his frame still. In this world where the invisible System allowed people to retain their power well past their peak, it wouldn’t do to underestimate him.
Cold grey eyes stared him down, and Leonard could see his opponent take the measure of him.
“Thank you for coming out to speak,” he said, smiling slightly.
“You didn’t give me much chance, Hero. You almost made my men piss their pants.” Was the reply, setting the negotiation off to a good start. It almost made Leonard regret what would happen eventually.
“I won’t waste your time, then. I need to go through your fort to reach Treon, but I can’t leave you behind as a dagger pointed at my back. Either surrender or join us.”
The old paladin snorted harshly, showing his teeth, “And if I refuse both options?”
Leonard allowed a hint of his might to manifest. Just enough for the man to feel its pressure for a second without being threatening, “Then I’ll have to use force. I will demolish your castle brick by brick if I have to and kill everyone standing in my way while I do so.”
“I have never once in my career forsaken my duty. I stopped the barbarians at Death Pass more times than I can count. I killed necromancers, demon worshippers, and voidlings. I lost everything and rebuilt. I won’t abandon my post this time, either. I suppose that leaves us only a siege to look forward to.”
Just as the profile said he would. Leonard kept a smile from emerging and merely inclined his head in acknowledgment and prepared to make his offer. This might be his enemy, but he didn’t hold a grudge against him like he did for most nobles. He’d grant the old man a clean, honorable death if it came to that. “There is another option.”