Shirone Knight, Garrick Babiliti, Karon Fortress Defense Corps captain." [10]
"Yes, thank you for your work until now. I think a message was sent by the king but... "
"Yes Sir, I received it just the other day." [11]
"If possible lets speak quickly. I will take over command of this fortress starting tomorrow, alright."
"...Yes Sir."
I could sense a slight bit of dissatisfaction from Garrick.
Rather than being bothered by being removed from the top, is he troubled over whether to give command to this guy here?
I wonder if he has been proud to be in charge of this fort until now.
Once we join together with these guys, we don't want to leave any questions about discord under the surface.
"That said, It has been a long time since this one has stood on the battle field. Therefore, to that end, I will put myself into an aid-like position and rely on Garrick when it comes to real world problems. Will that suffice?"
"Yes Sir!"
And, before I said anything, Zanoba followed through.
Yeah, it's best to leave such matters to a veteran.
"Well then, without any delay, Garrick, I want to raise the troops' morale. Please gather all the troops in this fort."
"Yes, sir!"
On Zanoba's orders we prepared to greet the remaining soliders in the fort.
An hour later.
Before a podium which was set up outside the fort an army of armored figures totalling nearly 400 were lined up. [12]
On top of the fortress were 50 people, part of the watch.
The remaining 50 troops were occupied outside the fort with reconnaissance or as part of the transportation corps.
The soldiers in formation are all strong brazen looking guys with tough faces.
Everyone appears more fearless than I expected; it's spectacular.
I had thought that 500 was a small amount, but once I saw them all lined up that was no longer the case.
With this many if feels like we could do it.
No, with an opponent 10 times larger, I wonder if this even amounts to anything.
On the dais Zanoba was standing with his suspicious looking face.
Everyone's moral is low.
Standing before them is a member of the royal family so there is a lot of whispering and chatting between the men.
"I am Shirone kingdom's third prince, Zanoba Shirone."
"Your Highness Zanoba! Every man present is honored by the chance to fight with you!"
The commanding officer standing in the front sticks out his chest as he compliments Zanoba.
He does this even though I do not think he feels like welcoming Zanoba himself.
His face is asking Zanoba why he is even here.
"Yes."
Zanoba looks down on the soldiers while nodding in an exaggerated fashion.
Perhaps because of his full body armor or the club I had made for him, but Zanoba had become something else entirely.
"First, explain the situation!"
"Yes Sir! Currently skirmishes with the enemy side are continuing. It has become clear from questioning captives that we will soon be facing a large offensive."
"I see, then we don't have much time to prepare."
Zanoba nodded with an [Umu].
The commanding officer's face looked a little uneasy.
You can tell a lot from his face.
Zanoba, from deep in his chest, raises his voice.
"First of all, gentlemen, allow me to introduce your reinforcements."
Just hearing the word reinforcements caused the soldiers faces to lighten a bit.
It is easy to understand how quickly morale increased in that moment.
However, just where could those reinforcements be?
At least, there has been nothing from Pax.
Just when I'm thinking of this Zanoba looks our way.
Roxy and I go up on the stage when prompted.
"Hey there."
"Up front... another."
"But surely..."
The soldiers began to murmur.
I feel like some people are looking mainly toward Roxy.
There are few women on the battlefield and I wonder if she is rousing the beast in them.
Yes fellows I know that Roxy is awe-inspiring and beautiful and cute but...
There are female soldiers looking at Roxy too.
Hold on, men and women, you are all looking at a living person like an object.
It's all people in their 30s and 40s.
"Gentlemen!
There are many enemies but few allies.
We also are expecting a large offense from the other side.
Everyone surely is feeling anxiety.
However from the magic city Sharia now,
I have called up some very powerful reinforcements."
Zanoba gave a wink.
Certainly, we are those reinforcements.
That's right, Saint rank or higher is a match for a thousand.
Roxy and I together are 2000 men in power.
"Thanks."
Taking off her hat, Roxy greeted them.
The men's commotion increases.
"I thought so! That was the court magician..."
"The king ranked magician - "
"The one who developed some of the basics we use in drills..."
While making that dogai face, Zanoba starts to explain about Roxy. [13]
"This is Roxy Migurudia.
She is a person who was at one time the court magician to our Shirone kingdom.
Although I think many of you know this, she is also the person who developed the foundations of our modern paired magical training. [14]
And this is Rudeus Greyrat, her disciple. [15]
These two are both resourceful magicians of King class or higher."
The place came alive with oohs and ahhs.
I see.
At one time Roxy was the court magician for this country.
Among these soldiers there will be those who had been around in those days.
But that's not like you Zanoba.
Right now Roxy is Roxy Greyrat, not Migurudia.
Just how did you make such a blunder?
Well perhaps Migurdia is required to evoke her reputation.
"I'm sure you will have heard the story that Saint class magicians power is worth 1000 men.
In that case King class magic could be any kind of thing... !
Not many people know this, but in fact there is also a story from the Laplace campaign in the distant past where a single King class magician successfully repelled an army 100,000 strong!"
The entire place fell silent.
100,000 is probably too much of an exaggeration.
I have never heard such a story...
But there are some guys looking at me with yearning in their eyes. Apparently they believe it.
"In addition to these two people with King class or higher magic, myself, with the nickname Head Ripping Prince and a miko, will be leading from the front lines!"
After hearing that he is a miko and also the Head Ripping Prince the soldiers expectations soar.
In Shirone kingdom there is a miko called the Head Ripping Prince and even though he has a detestable nickname, when you put him on the battlefield he becomes reliable.
"Gentleman, I will promise victory to you."
As soon as Zanoba said this he raised his fist into the air.
The soldiers also raised their fists and yelled out loudly.
"Whooooooa!"
Their morale is excellent.
By no means was it a bad speech.
Surprisingly I wonder if Zanoba has the necessary talents for leadership.
I had never once thought such a thing, even just a bit, until now.
Talent isn't enough to become a king, but it might be enough to make someone a general.
So, in addition to this fort that seems hard to attack, we have two king class magicians.
To attack from here might not work, but defending it should be easy.
Zanoba is full of confidence and the soldier are cheering for him, it's that kind of story.
As I watched those soldiers saluting my anxiety faded.
I've trained myself properly.
I will do my best.