After hearing the news that the monster invasion had been repelled, Zair visited the First Outer Wall in person.

Not a single monster had crossed the outer wall, nor had any part of the ramparts been breached.

Even with the appearance of a golem and a yeti, who could have imagined they would defend the wall so perfectly?

'I assumed the First Outer Wall would be destroyed.......'

That was why he hadn't intended to send out Alter and Brillie.

He recognized how difficult it would be to defend and had to ensure the safety of the soldiers and residents.

But Alter declared their intention to hold the enemy at the First Outer Wall, leaving Zair with no choice but to reluctantly grant permission.

'Are they really that strong?'

Zair harbored doubts, but quickly came to accept it.

Alter had been chosen as the Great Mage's apprentice, and Brillie was being called the 'Sword Flower'.

With such titles proving their superior strength, it was inevitable that the results would follow.

'I'll need to hear their explanation, though.......'

"Radiant! Radiant! Radiant!"

"Illenat! Illenat! Illenat!"

"......"

Zair came to a slow stop amid the thunderous cheers.

The soldiers were united in chanting the names of the two houses.

Alter and Brillie, surrounded by the soldiers, could only show their confusion.

"The northern grand duke has arrived!"

"Ooooh......"

"Grand duke! Grand duke! Grand duke!"

Once the northern grand duke appeared, the soldiers immediately shifted their admiration.

The Great Mage's apprentice was the youngest son of the grand duke's family, and the Sword Flower was his fiancé.

All of these things stemmed from the northern grand duke, so his authority could only grow greater.

"Hmm......"

Zair raised his hand to calm the soldiers.

It was understandable they were elated, having driven the enemy back so easily thanks to these two.

However, a single victory was not enough to bring an end to this war.

"It's too early to celebrate. The enemy will continue to attack. We must remain vigilant, but do not forget this victory. Hold out until reinforcements arrive!"

The soldiers, though tense, did not lose hope.

As long as those two intervened, golems and yetis would quickly be annihilated.

The undead and werewolves alone could not breach the walls; surely, they could continue to hold out.

"You two have worked hard. Are you hurt anywhere?"

"We're fine."

"We can still keep fighting."

Looking back and forth at them, Zair finally became certain they were uninjured.

They must have defended the First Outer Wall by taking on the golem and yeti themselves.

Given their giant frames, it would have been easy for those monsters to break the wall, so even more reason to watch them closely.

"Father, I have something to discuss... would you clear the area?"

"All right."

Sensing the mood, Zair gestured subtly to the escorting knights.

The knights, aware of Zair's intention, quickly withdrew.

Alter waited until it grew a little quieter, then spoke again.

"The golem and yeti attacked as soon as they saw me. I think I'm their target—wouldn't it be better for me to move to another fortress, even now?"

Alter had no intention of hiding this secret.

The monsters would think of him as the most threatening target.

It was possible that other creatures might converge on this place just to kill him.

If they wanted to minimize collateral damage, perhaps it would be better to station minimal forces at a small, confined fortress.

"... No. If you're correct, we must defend this place. The other fortresses wouldn't be able to withstand the attack as well, so it's better for us to take the risk."

Rather, hearing this, Zair felt a bit relieved.

The other fortresses also had to hold back the monsters with limited troops.

Moreover, golems and yetis were difficult to defeat, resulting in significant losses.

In that case, it made sense to deal with them from the city of the Golanmote.

"If it's just the large monsters, I'll manage somehow, but if all the others gather too, won't the situation worsen?"

"If that happens, the other fortresses will be less pressured and can send reinforcements if requested. If things become urgent, we could send out forces from the inner castle and the Second Outer Wall."

"Then, why don't we watch for a day or two and make the decision after that?"

"That sounds good. Reinforcements might arrive in the meantime as well."

Alter had no intention of opposing Zair's orders.

Zair had defended the front lines as the northern grand duke and was a knight who had seen numerous battles.

Just in terms of years alone, he could not dare to compare, so he had to respect the commander's judgment.

"... Will you keep fighting here?"

"Yes. That way we can respond quickly, can't we?"

"You won't have a comfortable place to sleep. You might have to stay up all night. Can you endure it?"

"It's better than letting casualties increase. There are other knights, so it shouldn't be that difficult."

Until the reinforcements arrived, they had to stabilize the front line as much as possible.

Once a frontline collapses, it's hard to recover and puts their forces at a disadvantage.

This was, in fact, the critical moment; the longer they held out, the greater their advantage grew.

"Even if you retreat early, I won't blame you. It's your first real battle—it will be hard to endure."

"No. As long as the retreat order isn't given, I'll hold my ground. And honestly... with my fiancé helping, it doesn't feel that difficult."

"......"

Zair, troubled, looked at Brillie.

She destroyed the golem's core in a single blow and even severed the yeti's neck.

If such an overwhelming force was supporting Alter, he could be at least somewhat reassured.

"... Brillie."

"Yes."

"Take care of Alter. I worry for you too, but I suppose I can trust you."

"Don't worry. I'll protect him no matter what."

Brillie answered resolutely, repeating the words to herself.

The fact that he was worried meant he was mindful of her relationship with the House of Duke Illenat.

At the same time, since he said he trusted her, she could consider herself recognized as Alter's marital partner.

"As you've been told, we can't retreat just because the wall is breached. You only retreat when it's truly impossible to stop the monsters."

"Just because the wall is breached doesn't mean we can't hold out."

"That's exactly right. Even if the wall falls, we just have to prevent them from coming over. But if you're late to retreat, more damage may occur, so don't dig in too deep."

Zair hoped that both Alter and Brillie would return safely.

Even if just one of them were injured, it would hinder the political marriage.

Of course, if they returned unscathed after performing great deeds, they would naturally be regarded more highly.

'With talent like that... I could even pass on the grand dukedom.'

Though quite satisfied, Zair did not decide immediately.

Certainly, Alter's skills were impressive, but compared to the eldest son or second daughter, his foundation was not as solid.

Also, he didn't have the support of the closest knights or advisors, so some time was needed.

'It's too soon to make a decision now... hmm.......'

* * *

Rozandion frowned as he listened to the soldiers' cheers.

What hundreds, thousands of troops could not do, two people had accomplished.

That was why they were so admired and the morale was boosted so much.

"... You don't look too happy."

"Weren't you in charge of the Second Outer Wall?"

"I can come out for a bit—the First and Second Outer Walls are close."

Märchen approached Rozandion with a relaxed step.

He could roughly guess what Rozandion was thinking.

But was it worth taking so seriously when it was only a single moment of attention?

"You heard the news too, right?"

"How could I not? They killed the golem and the yeti, didn't they?"

"They really killed them easily. Is that what happens if you study magic in the capital?"

"Hmm... not necessarily. We already knew about the youngest's talent, didn't we?"

"I never expected it would be to that extent. The fiancé's the same. I didn't expect such power......"

Because Rozandion had been tasked with the defense of the First Outer Wall, he had been able to observe the two.

Alter's magic was extraordinarily mysterious, and Brillie's sword strikes were fierce and powerful.

That was why even the golem and the yeti were swept away in an instant.

"So, do you think the grand dukedom will be taken from you?"

"... He won't take it. It was just a brief moment in the spotlight, nothing more."

"You know that well, don't you? A brief moment isn't enough."

Märchen replied airily, but couldn't completely dismiss Alter's presence.

Though it was only a fleeting achievement, it had shaken the hearts of many.

The stationed soldiers at the First Outer Wall, nearby residents, the closest knights and advisors, and the current northern grand duke.

A tiny crack would broaden and ultimately bring about new changes.

"You came all the way here because you were concerned too, didn't you?"

"I just came out for a bit since the battle was over."

"Trying to hide your true feelings now? Strategy doesn't end with making plans. You have to execute them for results."

"......"

Though displeased, Märchen couldn't bring herself to disagree.

No matter how brilliant a strategy you plot, if you don't implement it, it remains a mere illusion.

Ultimately, hiding her thoughts at every turn wouldn't change anything.

'My true feelings? I just want to quietly inherit the grand dukedom from father... but if things don't go my way.......'

Consumed by desire, Märchen gazed at the shining future she envisioned.

She didn't want to lose it to a brute-force eldest son or a troublesome youngest son.

If she wanted to get what she desired, perhaps she'd have to resort to reckless methods.

'I can't let them take it like this. The grand dukedom must be mine.'

* * *

Alter did not come down from the ramparts until dawn.

Just as expected, golems and yetis had swarmed in, focusing their attacks solely on him.

But with a peerless swordswoman protecting his side, they failed to leave even a scratch on him.

"Serial... number FG-412...

―X02. As of this... time, requesting... support...."

"Uoooh......"

When the last golem and yeti fell, Brillie finally sheathed her sword.

It had been a fierce and exhausting battle. Now, at last, she could take a break.

And since they had defended the First Outer Wall, it was fair to say they had exerted their utmost.

"Alter, how are you feeling?"

"No problems at all. Hmm, I am a little tired though."

Alter calmly surveyed the surroundings again as he answered.

The battle had lasted a considerable time, but they had managed to repel the monsters' assault without issue.

Although the ramparts were slightly damaged here and there, such minor destruction could be repaired easily.

"Now that I think about it... I never imagined I'd be fighting a war before our wedding."

"It's my fault, so I can't make any excuses."

"No, that's not what I'm saying. It'll take time to return home after this is over, right? In that case, how about holding the wedding here?"

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】