When the negotiators arrived, I didn't get up from my chair and spoke without giving them a chance to threaten or say something stupid. I didn't want to start my relationship with the Empire by destroying their pride and the entire garrison of this section of the wall.
— Are you the highest ranking man in the fortress? If not, then you will regret it.
— You think threatening the Margrave is just going to get you...
I didn't listen to him any further, and just sent through the system a "business card" as the players in the "Game" called the status window. And after seeing the details I showed him, this aristocrat instantly became silent, and then did something slightly unexpected.
— Sarah, come down, it's rude to talk to such guests on horseback.
Despite her obvious surprise, the commander I already knew instantly obeyed, descending from her lizard and standing on the left hand of her superior.
— Please forgive my outburst of aggression Lady Irbis, the situation has been quite tense for the last month and it must have affected the sobriety of my thoughts, - he said bowing - Would you like to talk here or in the fortress?
Hmm, it seems that I got at least a sensible, and maybe even quite adequate aristocrat. Though given his rank, it's not that surprising. It's unlikely that the empire would put any inadequate and arrogant bloodline to protect its borders, such people mostly live near the capital or in deep backwoods where even the seventh son of a baron will be considered "the most important big shot".
— I think it would be better to go to the fortress, the weather has started to deteriorate lately. - I looked up at the sky, and as if to confirm it, a lightning bolt rumbled somewhere in the sky, heralding the imminent onset of rain.
— You're right, the weather is not conducive to outdoor conversations. Looks like the long rainy season is finally upon us. Well, please follow me Lady Irbis, and if you wish you will be provided with quarters where you can wash off the road dust or stay for a few days. Due to the martial law on the entire border of the Monster Forest, I can't offer you a longer stay, I hope you understand.
Nodding to him and putting my things back in my inventory, I thought for a while and decided to stay at the fortress for a few days.
— In that case, I'll take you up on your offer and get cleaned up after the road, then we can talk. I'd be interested to know how a structure like your Great Wall was built. You never introduced yourself, by the way.
— Indeed, I was so impressed with you that I forgot to introduce myself. Allow me to correct my mistake, before you is the current head of the Gralwyn bloodline, as well as the acting commander of the seventh kyrd of the Great Wall, Margrave Edmund Gralwyn. Our bloodline has been given the honor of defending the Empire, as well as keeping our section of the wall safe from any threats coming from both outside and inside the Empire.
— Gralwyn? Isn't your bloodline named after the spiky monster?
— You're right, it is in honor of that monster, His Imperial Majesty Pipka the Third...
We continued talking about distracted topics and looking at his "business card", and then we got to the gate and entered the Fortress. Only like that, with a capital letter. Let me describe it a little.
From the outside, the Fortress looks almost the same as the rest of the Wall, a monolithic surface of dark stone with embrasures, small bartizans (small towers protruding forward to clear enemies right under the wall), and other fortifications useful in battle. What distinguishes the Fortress itself from the rest of the Wall is the fifteen meter high and five meter thick gates and the slightly higher height of the walls. Instead of the standard 40 meters, the fortress was about 55 meters high, and it was also about 10 meters forward.
Inside, however, all of those 10 meters was what could be called the "Road of Death". Even ignoring all the magic traps, barriers and enchantments, the entire ceiling was in a multitude of holes through which you can cast a spell, shot from a bow, well or throw some alchemical brew that if not kill then cripple many. The walls were not spared the same fate, and I can see right now how in the holes soldiers are aiming at us from some magical analog of gunpowder guns. They're aiming at us from all three floors.
Besides the first grid of enchanted magsteel, which is located right after the gate, there are four more of them in this tunnel, one at the end of the tunnel and the remaining three at a distance of two meters from each other. In general, for any attacker trying to break through the gate will be at least unpleasant, and at most deadly. And if you take into count the enchantments on the walls, ceiling and floor, then it would be easier to turn the walls around the fortress into dust than to try to break through.
I think even I'd have to work my ass off to take the fortress, and I'm currently at least twice as strong as anyone in the human race will ever be. I can physically lift several hundred tons with one hand (yes, I checked). Anyway, if I was attacked instead of talking, it would be better to climb the walls, and destroy their cannons then give them another chance to survive.
Enchantments are quite interesting here, and I haven't seen runic circles anywhere except for some failed experiments by gnomes. So I had to memorize them in quick order to try to repeat and study them later. Even now, judging by the many false elements I can say that these enchantments may be something like a national secret of the entire empire. It will be necessary to visit their academies, if there are any, and what facets of magic they have discovered and started to study....
When we reached the gate, Edmund sent a signal to the watching warriors and mages, and then the gates slowly opened in front of us, just like outside, and we could see the real interior of the Fortress. Just outside the gate was a spacious hallway ten meters high, twenty meters wide and thirty meters long. There were many doors of different sizes and at different distances from each other, as well as many boxes, wagons, and a variety of lizards with horses.
— I thought the inside would be... Somehow different.....
The contrast between the corridor of death, and the peaceful room was so significant that I couldn't even find the right words.
— Haha, you're right, the difference between the loading zone of the Path of Death is so great that many people stand still for several minutes with an almost dead stare. In the past, this area was supposed to be the last area that the enemies could break through, and according to the plan of my ancestors, after an exhausting battle with the gradually retreating into the corridors of the Fortress, and the complete blockage of the passages, this hall should have been filled to the top with liquid stone filled with fire mana. However, due to the fact that none of the enemy could not get that far, and because the corridors hidden behind the door are connected to all the internal warehouses and barracks, this hall became a small logistics center where soldiers, food, supplies, as well as wounded and trophies are taken away.
Silent for a moment, and looking around for someone to look at, he soon shouted.
— Fagot!
And at the same moment a massive figure, two and a half meters high and two meters wide, separated from one of the wagons. This humanoid creature resembled a gnome in its build, only greatly enlarged and slightly elongated. I used [Appraisal] to find out its race.
[ Appraisal ]
Name: Fagoth Durindar (reveal full name of 13 more words?)
Race: Dwarf (73%)
Level: 183
Class: Wind Dancer
Profession: Chief Butler of the Gralwyn bloodline.
*Reveal full status?*
[ Appraisal ]
- Hmm, this is the first time I've met such a race as Dwarves. Ah, right. Please forgive me for [Appraisal] your servant, but I think as a warrior you'll understand, it's not every day you see such large humanoids.
After looking me in the eyes for about 10 seconds, Edmund nodded accepting the apology and deciding not to escalate the conflict out of thin air.
— Yes, as a warrior I understand, and as the head of the bloodline I have no beef with you. However, I would like to warn you that not many nobles of our empire would turn a blind eye to this act, and would consider it a direct insult, if not a declaration of war, both to themselves and to their bloodline, which may lead to some difficulties in your path. I am sure you can handle them, but such incidents will certainly spoil your impression of traveling through our empire, as well as turn many aristocrats against you. I would hate to see this turn into a confrontation between our empire and your bloodline.
— I understand, and I can assure you that such incidents will not be heard of in the future.
— That's good. Fagot, are the guest quarters ready?
In response, I heard a powerful bass voice that sounded more like some sort of wind instrument than a living creature.
— As ordered, all guest rooms are ready to welcome even the Emperor at any time of the day or night.
— Very well, in that case take Lady Irbis to the best rooms available, and assign her some... I beg your pardon Lady Irbis, do you prefer male or female servants?
— Female, Sir Edmund, female and futanari if there are any.
— Hmm? We have one futanari servant, but I'm not sure she's in the fortress at the moment. Fagot?
— Yes, Mr. Edmund, Momi arrived at the fortress yesterday with the monthly rotation of servants.
— Very well, then, Momi and three other maids are to be temporarily subordinate to Lady Irbis. Do you mind, Lady?
Do I mind? If she stays the night... Heh, a lusty smile coming to my face.
- I'm fine with it, but it's getting late, so how about we talk tomorrow? Sometime in the afternoon, so you can get your morning chores done and we'll have no distractions.
- I agree, Lady Irbis, that would be best indeed. I take it you won't be dining?
- That's right, I had dinner on the road and a dessert before the fortress, so I'll go to the apartments assigned to me.
- Until tomorrow, then, Lady, I look forward to our conversation.
- Until tomorrow, Sir Edmund, I look forward to talking to you too.
After saying goodbye, we turned in different directions and I followed Fagot, watching him send some messages through the communication artifact. Looks like I'll be meeting the maids a little sooner than I thought. Hopefully it'll be fun...
Wouldn't it be cool if she get 2 loyal retainer and she asked them to set up an organisation for her only to come back to a freaking mafia after like a year of inattention.
I don’t think that this is possible; rather, she herself will give the task to the servants to create some kind of organization. Maybe something like "The Continental" and the movie John Wick
As always, thanks for reading, and delicious cookies 🍪🍪🍪
You forgot to put the 'h' on Fagoth's name except in his status, was that on purpose?
Thanks for the chapter!
Probably an auto-correct with Fagoth being his actual name.
Ooh, I missed that. His name is Fagoth, but the translator translates it differently each time. I thought everything was fine, but it seems my eyes are too tired to notice such a small thing.
Thank you for reading! ʘ‿ʘ
@reaperofskil You're right.