"General, look here," the engineering battalion commander said, pointing to a newly reinforced crenel. "We strengthened it with two layers of stone. Even if a trebuchet hits it directly, it might not bring it down."
Roland reached out and pushed at the stone, finding it exceptionally solid. He nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. How is the progress elsewhere?"
"Most of it is already finished. Only the eastern section of the wall still needs further reinforcement. Everything will definitely be done before nightfall."
"Good. You've worked hard. Have the men get what rest they can. In the next few days, I'm afraid there won't be many chances to sleep."
The engineering battalion commander grinned. "Don't worry, General. We're used to this already. War—that's just how it is."
Roland smiled as well, patted his shoulder, and continued onward. Reaching a spot with a wide field of view, he rested a hand on the crenel and gazed toward the distant horizon. Everything there was calm, with no sign of military movement whatsoever. But he knew this was only the stillness before the storm. Eisenberg's army was quietly closing in from somewhere beyond his knowledge.
On the evening of the third day, the Scout Captain rushed into the Council Chamber. Roland had been discussing defensive deployments with several officers. Seeing the Scout Captain drenched in sweat, he had already guessed most of it.
"General, we found them! Eisenberg's vanguard has reached Green Village, forty li away. There are around two thousand men, all lightly equipped infantry, and they're marching quickly. The main force is still behind them and is expected to reach the fortress by noon tomorrow."
Roland went to the map and found Green Village. It was a small village northwest of Clift Fortress, located directly on the Official road leading to the