Translated by CadmarL

2/2 chapters

all units in imperial terms are in footnotes

Chapter 265 - Three Bases

"I guess that's about it for now. Vargas, this is the last of your work on walling off the camp, right?"

"Yeah, that's correct, General. It's a bit of a rushed job, but it will be enough for now."

　When I arrived at the Memento soldier interception point, I decided to fortify our defense for the time being.

　We created some encampments a few miles south of Fort Einrad.

　Three of them, to be exact.

　Fort Einrad was originally a hill, and the height was used to build a strong position by the ancestors of the lands.

　That Fort Einrad was recently surrounded by [Atmos Walls] recently.

　I believe its defensive capabilities are considerable.

There are also 3 other bases, now.

　Although these ones did not have any hills, they are surrounded by the same [Atmos Walls].

　Having 50-meter tall walls should be decent enough.

　The reason why we built three of them is so that they can support each other.

　The problem is how to buy time when the Memento family's army, which outnumbers ours, comes rushing in.

　The archbishop of the Church was requested to mediate between everyone, and in fact, he went to the south to fulfill his task.

　But there is no telling if that will happen anytime soon.

　Maybe it will not happen and the Memento family will attack as it is.

　Or even if the Church calls on the three noble families, they may not be able to come to a resolution by the end of this year.

　Either way, there was no guarantee that the Memento family would quietly stop moving.

　Therefore, we had to be prepared for that.

　In other words, we would have to buy time until the meeting of the alliance could take place.

　And in doing so, it is important that we do not allow our forces to be attacked and defeated.

　Basically, if you are in a siege, you can hardly gain time without reinforcements from the outside.

　Therefore, we had to build several positions and be prepared to have reinforcements pop out from other bases if any of them were attacked.

"I'm a bit worried. I wonder if this is truly safe."

"What's the matter, General?"

"Well, I know we should be thankful that more defenses have been created, even if we were the ones to create them. However, I wonder if these bases will hold off the Memento attacks. Once I start thinking like that, I can't help but feel anxious."

"Why? You are really being skittish here..."

".... You weren't around when we fought Pessi, were you? We were holed up in a hastily built camp at the time, and I really thought we were going to die, you know? It was like we were being roasted in an oven by Uruk's [Black Flame], and we were told that Carlos-sama would not be coming to reinforce us for days."

"I know that I wasn't there, but that camp was created using [Wall Construction], no? This time, the walls have been created using [Atmos Wall]. It will be fine, the Mementos will not be able to break through them, haha."

"No, no, no... There is no way the Memento family, who is the leading family in the battle for supremacy, has a weak higher-level spell. I envy you who can be so calm, Vargas."

"There is no use in worrying deeply about an opponent that hasn't even arrived yet."

"I wish that they weren't even gonna come. I mean, it's already taking longer than we estimated. I thought they would come here quicker, didn't you?"

"Hmm? No? You are comparing their speed with ours. I'm telling you, General, we Barca troops move pretty fast, you know? Usually, other armies are much slower."

"There's really that much of a difference between us? I will admit, our speed may not be the same as theirs, but comparing how the other armies we've worked with have kept up their pace, the Mementos are still too slow."

"Maybe it could be because of how many easy-to-travel roads there are all of Fontana Territory. I guess I cannot really make a proper guess."

　We are checking the movements of the Memento family every step of the way.

　According to the information we have, they are gradually moving northward and are approaching this interception point from the other side.

　However, the speed at which they moved was slow.

　I had been concerned that they would arrive quickly and engage us in combat before the Archbishop had made his arrival.

　Yet, they did not.

　The Memento army was slower than I had expected.

　Vargas said it was only because we, the Barcan Army, were moving too fast.

　Was this really the case?

　Once again, I looked at the information I had obtained.

　Apparently, the Memento family's army sometimes travels a distance of about 15 km per day.¹About 9.3 miles

　Although it varies from day to day, the distance traveled is never more than double.

　Does this mean that 15 to 30 kilometers is the maximum distance the army can travel in one day?²About 9.3 to 18.6 miles

　In my opinion, that was a slow process. Vargas was probably right, though.

　I remembered that the first time I fought the Uruks, my opponents were slow.

"Then maybe I should go... and check up on them with my own eyes?"

"Hey, what are you talking about, general? You mean to tell me you're going to observe the Memento family's army?"

"Yeah, that's right, Vargas. I was wondering if I should actually just go and spy on their army if they will take too long to come."

"... You know, you're crazy, General. It's impossible. Their army is marching through different nobles' territories. If you wanted to scout them, then you, too, would have to go into those territories. Of course you'd be stopped at the gate."

"... Yes, it would certainly be difficult to go scouting safely through all of the customs checkpoints along the way. But it's alright, Vargas. I have an idea."

"Huh? What are you going to do this time?"

"The only customs are on the ground. So, as long as I don't go through the gates on the ground, I should be fine. I'll fly there."

　When I said this to Vargas, he put a hand on his head and shook his head.

　It wasn't wrong, though.

　It is possible to get around without having to go through all those troublesome customs.

　Thus, I fired up the vehicle I had brought with me from Barcania.

CadmarLegend

The last sentence could also mean "I set the vehicle I had brought with me from Barcania on fire."