Zanoba did not change his expression even after hearing about only having 500 soldiers.
Rather he just happy nodded with a, [Oh, is that the case.]
His attitude was indifferent.
Suddenly I realized, this guy maybe doesn't consider the difference in strength between himself and his opponents.
"Listen to this Zanoba, [If the difference is 10 times then it's a siege. If it's 5 times it's an attack. Once it is doubled there is a difference. If there is an enemy, then fight well. If there is an attack, then escape. If there is a seige then avoid it.] When you get right down to it a fight with a large difference in numbers is disadvantageous."
The place is a fort, but if the strength difference is 10 times it will be difficult to endure.
After my roundabout explanation Zanoba just tilted his head and gave a blank stare.
"How do we know that in this case it is disadvantagous?"
"How can you take a difference of 10 fold lightly? It's 10 times more."
"Seriously Shisho, can you not think of a way in which we are not outnumbered 10 fold?"
Somehow not 10 times...
Is this guy serious?
Can he not even do basic arithmatic?
"We have 500, doesn't the opponent have 5000? Ten times 500 is 5000. Are you feeling okay?"
"Fumu... Shisho, I wonder if you are testing me?"
Zanabo sighed and let out a laughed.
It's the kind of laughter that a fool might make.
All the while he had a tense face. [4]
"Look at it this way, Shisho:"
Then he began to explain.
"In that calculation Roxy-dono and Shishou are not included.
It is said that a Saint ranked magician can be equal to 1000 soldiers in the right situation.
I view the forces we have here as at least worth 2500 soldiers.
Considering Roxy-dono is king rank and Shisho is Emperor, I imagine that it is closer to 3000 or more.
Convention says that it should take forces in excess of 3 times an occupying force to storm a castle.
Fort Karon is an ideal place to defend in this manner.
Therefore the enemy will require more troops.
Additionally Shisho has a surplus when it comes to aggregate magical power."
" ...... "
I was speechless.
The answer I got back exceeded my expectations.
This guy, I mean, it was really unexpected.
"T-that was surprisingly detailed Zanoba-kun."
"Ever since early childhood I was forced to study military tactics for when I would become a leader within the country."
He had been kept alive in order to protect the country.
Just for this time he had been allowed to remain on the payroll.
That's exactly the case.
And unless you just want him to mindlessly rampage across the battlefield then you better teach him well things that will increase his judgment.
"This is Shisho's first battle... but please don't worry. In the past, just for a little, I have entered the field. As long as there is Shisho and Roxy-dono, the enemy will not enter the fortress."