𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟐: 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 (𝟏)

Somehow, the conversation is going in a different direction than I had thought.

I had assumed that Piran Castle had collapsed long ago, and that the magical items there had gone out of control, leading to an increase and strengthening of monsters.

However, when I opened the lid, Piran Castle was still intact, and there were people living there.

Since the time of the human-demon war five hundred years ago.

It’s surprising enough, but I also got information that the Lich we encountered in the post town had attacked up to Piran Castle.

“It’s surprising, isn’t it?”

Miliaria said, sitting in a chair and moving her body back and forth meaninglessly.

Don’t break it, okay?

It’s someone else’s furniture.

If I’m told to compensate for something like this in a castle, I’ll cry. Mainly me.

“Let’s simplify it. Piran Castle and its inhabitants have nothing to do with the change in monsters.”

I rub my own chin and verbalize my thoughts.

“But, the request is to go to Piran. I don’t think it’s assumed that we’ll encounter a Lich on the way.”

“That’s right. I think we can consider that a coincidental situation.”

Miliaria’s good at chiming in, which makes it easier to organize my thoughts.

That means, the person who contacted Zachalant.

I think that’s the problem.

He seemed to be hinting at an invasion of the Lintrite Kingdom.

And he seemed to have attacked Piran Castle using a Lich.

Controlling a Lich is not as easy as controlling a goblin or kobold.

I don’t know how, but if he can do that, we should assume that he can control most monsters.

“But, I don’t understand why a Lich would be used for a castle siege.”

It’s a bad match.

The Lich, who leads zombies and wields powerful magic, is not a force suited for a siege.

If the castle gates are closed tightly, the zombies can’t do anything, and that Lich was out of magic power from summoning zombies.

A one-eyed giant or a winged dragon would be much more suited for a castle siege.

Why didn’t he use such a monster?

“Or it could be an experiment.”

“Experiment?”

I parrot Miliaria’s words.

It was that out of place a word.

“Testing which monsters can be controlled. Starting with goblins, and gradually moving on to chimeras and liches.”

“So, the chimera that appeared in Lacris’s labyrinth.”

“Yes. It could be a monster that was used as part of an experiment and was banished after it was no longer needed.”

That’s just speculation.

It’s a story without any evidence.

But, it makes sense.

The sage’s analysis, the strategist’s inductive thinking nodded.

“Then.”

And, when I was about to open my mouth.

With a roar, as if hit by a direct earthquake, Piran Castle rumbles.

A moment later, the alarm signaling an enemy attack blares.

Cyclops approaching with a rumble from the forest.

Four of them.

They each hold a boulder in their hands and throw it at us.

It’s only a matter of time before the castle walls are broken.

“It seems we have a very high learning ability.”

I, who had climbed up to the lookout tower to check the situation, spat out with irony.

He learned from the battle that a Lich is not suitable for a castle siege.

“It seems you’ve gotten yourselves involved in our situation. I’m sorry.”

Zachalant, who had come close without me noticing, apologizes.

If you think about it, we’ve been caught up in a dispute between the demon race, which is certainly not a fun story, but one side is hinting at an invasion of human territory.

In fact, there are problems such as an increase in the number of monsters.

It’s not a situation where we can decide to be unrelated.

I waved my hand with a smile and told Zachalant that an apology was unnecessary.

Rather, I asked him to let us fight together.

Well, in reality, there’s no choice but to fight because we can’t hide or run away.

“I appreciate the offer, but I think there’s little you can do against those guys. Lionel-kun.”

“That’s not necessarily the case. The Cyclops’ goal is to capture and occupy Piran Castle.”

There are plenty of opportunities to strike.

If they had intended to destroy it from the start, the only option would be to quickly pack up and flee.

“How do you know that?”

Zachalant seems very interested.

“Because they’re only using catapults. And they’re targeting the castle walls and gates.”

It’s clear that they’re trying to create a hole to send their troops through.

If they didn’t care about destroying it, they would aim for the interior of the castle with a more arched throw.

The reason they don’t do that is because they want to use this castle.

Of course, as a bridgehead for invading the Lintrite Kingdom.

“In other words, they’re just using it as a giant siege weapon, so the response is simple.”

I whisper the plan to Zachalant.

Soon, several large crossbows appear on the castle walls.

One after another, giant arrows like spears are fired.

It’s a long-range battle between catapults and crossbows.

In terms of power, the catapults are superior, but our attacks continue even while they’re bending down to pick up rocks.

In no time at all, the Cyclops are doing their best just to protect themselves.

And then they just stand there.

They probably don’t know what to do.

I guess the person controlling them didn’t give clear instructions on whether to retreat or advance in this situation.

“Fire, fire! Finish them off!”

Zachalant shouts.

Even he, who would help a lost traveler, is not so kind as to not attack an enemy who has stopped moving in the midst of a fierce battle.

The Cyclops, who have become like hedgehogs, fall with a rumble.

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