TD Chapter 33: A Visitor Part 2

(T.N. Note: Soo first thing, this chapter has very little to do with c31, and I am not sure why it was titled this way. And second… yeah sorry for not posting a chapter for a long time.)　

We should make a second wall, in order to truly turn the village into a fortified city.

　With this idea in mind, I set up a meeting with Espada while I gathered materials for the construction of the second wall.

“Considering our future development, I think it would be good to build a fortress with the capacity to house ten thousand citizens.”

“Ten thousand?”

　I asked as if in disbelief at Espada’s words. The population of the village, including the Apcarles, is about two hundred people. It was only a percentage of the number which Espada had put forth.

”Building a city where ten thousand people can live? Isn’t that a little too large?”

　I asked that, but Espada shook his head.

”Given the rate at which the village is developing right now, even my proposed size will not be enough. If we intend to build a wall, we will need to be able to draw from a significant manpower pool in order to properly man it. I feel as though ten thousand residents would provide only the baseline level of manpower required, ideally we would build the settlement to be able to house more.”

　He talks in an incredibly even tone as if what he was saying was common sense, but my shock prevented me from properly processing what he was saying.

　If you want to talk about population, the royal capital is can house around 300,000 citizens, the capital of the Marquis of Fertio can house around 200,000 citizens, and the second-largest city in the fiefdom can house is one hundred thousand. Generally, towns and cities only house around 10 to 20 thousand residents.

　In other words, even though our village has developed nicely, it’s ridiculous to assume that so many people would flow into our village in the frontier.

　Even in the Chinese cities of the Three Kingdoms, cities could only house up to 500,000 people. I have never even heard of a city with such a large population in this world. (T.N. Note: The Three Kingdoms period is a semi-mythical period in Chinese history, if you’re interested I would recommend watching the 2010 Chinese drama.)

　How could a small village in a remote area with no more than two hundred people suddenly gain a population size of 10,00?

　Although rural life is lovely, it certainly doesn’t draw the young and skilled citizens that we need. Actually, before that, our barren frontier village doesn’t have the appeal to draw people in the first place!

　I suggested we try to be more realistic with our projected population size, but Espada simply brushed it off.

“No. If we don’t plan for 10,000 citizens, we will only be left with more work down the road when we are suffering from overpopulation. It would be prudent to solve that issue now rather than later.”

　Mmm. Espada was famous for his stubbornness. He was the chief steward and the kind of man who was righteous and steadfast for his master, but when it came to voicing his opinion, he didn’t back down, even when it came to my father.

“All right. How about we make the city stretch out 100 meters in all directions from the current wall?”

“Completely insufficient. If the space was simply to be used as a residential area, that would be enough, but considering the defense facilities, lodges, and bases for the various guilds, we would need the area 600 meters out from the wall.”

Six hundred meters on each side?

　It is unimaginably large for a village the size of this one. Moreover, what we’re building now is not a fence but a heavily fortified wall. That means the wall has to be at least ten meters tall.

　I don’t think I’ll be able to build it by myself.

　I’m not sure if he noticed that I was cringing at the thought of it, but Espada nodded with a straight face.

”Of course, in the future, when people gather to Van-sama and we secure enough manpower, it will be time to build the walls in earnest. For now, we should build temporary barriers which can be improved upon later.”

“ So we’re are still building a barrier…”

　He still showed no signs of retracting his statement.

　While letting out a sigh, I look at a simple map created by Irv and Lowe. It is handmade, and since it was made by knights who were not skilled in cartography, it was quite rough.

　However, it was enough to get a general idea of the surrounding environment.

　At the end of a road is the village. The artificial lake is behind it, with a forest and a mountain range further behind the lake. To the left and right sides of the road are open plains, but they eventually give way to forests and lakes after a certain distance.

　In other words, the barrier facing the front should be specialized in eliminating human targets, and the rest of the wall should be specialized in slaying magic beasts.

　For humans, the rate of fire, and versatility of weapons will be key. Against hexenbiests, power should be the focus.

“Perhaps a square barrier would not be the best idea.”

　As he told him this, Espada raised an eyebrow.

“Do you mean to create a circular citadel? Until about a hundred years ago, there were many such citadels, but with the rise of more powerful magicians, such designs have long been discarded in favor of the square fortresses you see today.”

　While I acknowledged his point, I disagreed with what he said.

“Square fortified cities will show great strength if the walls are assaulted in a frontal attack, but they are vulnerable to attacks from its corners. It is true, however, that they provide better defense than circular walls.”

“…So you are suggesting that we reduce the number of corners?”

　I shook my head.

“No, we add more.”

　I gave a strange answer, which caused Espada to freeze in contemplation. Then, I went ahead and told him my thoughts.

　I wrote directly on the map and drew a six-pointed star.

”Please imagine a star-shaped fortress…”

“This … but won’t these two corners pointing toward the road be extremely vulnerable?”

　To the baffled Espada, I added more detail to make it easier to understand.

　The fortress was shaped like a hexagon, with triangles attached to all of its sides. 

“These corners may be vulnerable, but if they are destroyed, invaders still won’t be given easy access to the city within. This is because the fortress consists of one independent main fortress and six axillary fortresses. The area on top of the axillary fortress walls will be connected to the top of the main fortress, but they will remain separable by use of drawbridges. So, the attackers will have to endure extreme amounts of attrition and bash down each axillary fortress before engaging the main body. And, if they ignore the axillary fortresses, they will be attacked intensively from three directions if they try to approach the walls.”

　I gave a thorough explanation, which brought Espada into a fit of silent contemplation.

　This type of fortress was conceived in a world where gunpowder weapons were highly prevalent, but I believe that it would also work outstandingly in a world of swords and magic as well. As long as there is no magic that acts as a long-range mortar, we will be fine. 

　Well, I certainly can’t ask for Espada’s advice on that, considering he doesn’t even know what a mortar is.

　While I was thinking about that, Espada suddenly opened his mouth.

”I see.”

Hmm?

　As I tilted my head, Espada pointed to the map.

”If an enemy intended on making a frontal assault, they would be forced to use a small number of people to attack. Since they cannot form a large line, as being caught in the fire of three different fortress segments would be disastrous, they would be forced to slowly grind at the more vulnerable corner sections… This is a very well thought out fortress. Even powerful magicians would be left vulnerable due to the lack of infantry cannon fodder to use as shields.”

　After saying this, Espada continued to look at the map, mumbling.

“Master Van, would you like another cup of tea?”

“Definenently. Thank you.”

　Till gave me a cup of tea when she thought the conversation was over. It was easy to drink and delicious. The fruity tea was very relaxing.

　As I was beginning to feel comfortable, I suddenly heard the sound of footsteps sound throughout the building.

　I first thought it was Kamsin.

　I then marveled at how terrible the soundproofing was. Who built this place? (T.L. Note: You.)

　As I was complaining in my head, the door to the lord’s office was vigorously opened from outside.

”Master Van!”

　Contrary to my expectations, it was Irv.

“What seems to be the issue?”

　When I asked, Irv’s eyes widened and he pointed outside.

“What’s wrong, you ask?! We have a messenger from Count Ferdinand!”

“What?”

”It wasn’t just Count Ferdinand’s emblem that I saw. There was also the unicorn and shield crest banner of Viscount Cayenne, the emerging nobleman of the Count family’s faction, as well. They possess three carriages and around one hundred troops.”

　At Lowe’s report, I couldn’t help but look at Till and Espada’s faces.

“I haven’t been indiscreet, have I?”

　When I ask him that, Espada replies with an ambiguous look.

“You’ve certainly done enough to warrant foreign interest, but the information shouldn’t have been circulated around the country yet. They have come too quickly considering that the information is so new.”

“Could it be?”

　I nodded at Espada’s words, then raised a question a moment later.

(T.L. Note: Going to be honest, it was hell trying to decipher the part about the fortress. Gave up for a while, actually. Well, it is finally here.)

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