Badlands Saga: Reincarnation in a Different World with Extreme Charisma

Chapter 8 Emerald Sword 2

One morning, two scouts from a foreign tribe, carrying short bows, rode in on horseback.

Ten cavalrymen from Tanukan Castle rode out, firing arrows, and the scouts quickly retreated.

The next day, four scouts arrived.

Once again, our cavalry went out, exchanging several volleys of arrows, and the scouts withdrew.

The day after that, there were ten enemy horsemen; the following day, thirty…

Within a week, the enemy numbers had easily surpassed two hundred. They began bringing in stones by cart to build a base, openly stacking them as if to taunt us.

By this point, the vastly outnumbered Tanukan Knights could no longer approach carelessly…

And so, without any notice or formal declaration, Tanukan territory and the foreign tribe had suddenly plunged into a state of war.

“Judging by the decoration on their horse gear, that’s the Makiano tribe’s army.”

When my father said this in the conference hall set up in the castle’s great room, a wave of unease swept through those gathered.

In this meeting were not only the knights of the castle but also my elder brother, who managed the port, along with his subordinates, and even my own subordinates, Isara and Kintman.

“Why did the Makiano tribe suddenly appear?”

“The last time there was a major skirmish was during Grandfather’s time, right?”

Although we called them the “Makiano tribe,” given the scale of their force, it would be more accurate to call them the “Makiano nation.”

The reason this castle, on the edge of their territory, had been left alone for so long was quite simple: there was almost nothing of value to take.

Even if they managed to kill a few dozen knights, all they would gain would be a rundown port and a small castle—not worth the effort.

That’s why, for decades, there had been no large-scale invasion like this.

It was clear they were targeting our fields.

“Are they targeting our fields?” I asked directly.

My father shook his head.

“At first, I thought so, but there’s no reason to invade and even build a forward base just for a single field. If they were attacking on this scale, they’d aim for a more significant piece of land.”

That does make sense… To be frank, if we had used the fertilizer and medicine I prepared on proper land, we could have harvested at least ten times the current yield without exaggeration.

If they were serious, they would be better off seizing a farm from someone else, even at the risk of their lives, rather than creating a new one in the wilderness.

“Then what is their objective…?” I continued.

“I don’t know. They might be planning to invade Folk soon.”

“Lord Dentra, have we sent word to the royal capital…?”

“I’ve already sent a message to the capital through merchants, as well as to Liebens.”

Liebens is the eldest son of the Tanukan Margrave family, and he is currently serving as a key figure in the faction of the second prince at the royal capital.

Having an elder son who has direct influence with the royal family was certainly fortunate in times like these.

“Oh, if it’s the young lord, he will surely send reinforcements to this land.”

“So, our best course of action is to endure here, then…”

Well, the number of soldiers is vastly different, after all.

They have casually thrown in two hundred men, while even if we scrape together all available soldiers from the town, we might barely reach three hundred, if at all.

Most of our people are already living hand-to-mouth, and if we conscript too many, we might not have enough food in the castle to last until spring.

For now, we can rely on merchants to obtain supplies, but if the war drags on, the enemy could cut off our supply lines by blocking the sea routes.

“The knight’s order will hold the castle,” my father said calmly, and the knights nodded solemnly.

“Koutasma, guard the port, and if things go south, flee with everyone’s wives and children.”

My second brother brushed back his bothersome bangs with his fingers and replied, “Understood.”

“Fushanklan, your task is to make medicine and cut wood from the mountains to store in the castle,” my father ordered.

Well, that’s about all I can do.

When I replied, “Understood,” he gave me a small nod.

“Then, prepare for battle. Keep watch carefully, turn the harvested food into preserved provisions, and make more arrows. …Also, Fushanklan, stay behind.”

When my father said that, everyone else immediately started moving, leaving the large room empty except for my father, me, and my two subordinates.

He beckoned me over, and as I approached, he grabbed my shoulder with his large hand and pulled me into an embrace.

My father’s chest was broad, firm, and warm.

Still holding me, he began to speak in a gentle voice, like he was explaining something to a child.

“Listen, don’t worry about the fields. I approved that.”

“…Yes.”

“Difficulties come at you when you least expect them. How you respond to them determines your worth as a man.”

“Yes.”

“As the lord, and as a man, I will fight in this war. But it’s still a bit early for you. Do what you can for now. Don’t make your mother or Muuna cry.”

“Yes, father!”

My father patted me on the back and said, “Go.”

I nodded and left the room with Isara and Kintman by my side.

There was a mountain of tasks to be done, and there was no time left for excuses…

Nor was there anyone to make them to.

“Then, I will call upon the earth spirits to reinforce the castle walls,” suggested Ida, the mage, immediately after I gathered my subordinates working around the fields to explain the situation.

I hadn’t heard of the enemy having siege weapons like catapults, but this is a world with mages; it’s always better to have strong walls.

“Alright, Ida, can I count on you for that? Discuss the details with Old Gul.”

“Understood.”

As soon as I finished giving the instructions, a short, hairy hand shot up in the air.

“Fusha-sama, should I melt down the farming tools and forge them into arrowheads or spear tips?” asked Kodara, the dwarf blacksmith, waving his finger in a small motion.

“No, that’s the job for the castle’s blacksmiths. There’s something else I need you to do, Kodara.”

“I see.”

The next hand to rise was even shorter than Kodara’s. In fact, many of them were.

“Yes, yes, yes! Fusha-sama! What should we do?”

“We’ll hold swords and fight!”

“We’ll defeat them!”

“I’ll scratch them!”

Seeing the eager children, I pointed toward the castle.

“The children will help inside the castle. There’s plenty of work to be done.”

“What?!”

“We can protect the fields!”

“The fields can be replanted later. What’s most important now is for everyone to cooperate. Martha, I’m counting on you to look after the children.”

“Leave it to me!”

The children were the families of the knights, and to ensure the knights could fight without worry, they needed to be kept inside the castle.

After sending the children off, I asked Kintman and the others to handle the felling and transport of trees, then headed to the laboratory with Isara and Kodara.

“This is what I want to ask of you, Kodara.”

I took out a treasure chest from the corner of the lab, inserted the key that I always wore around my neck, and opened the lid in front of Kodara.

Inside were ten large gold coins that my father had entrusted to me for emergencies.

“Do you want me to buy something with these?”

“No, I want you to melt these down and divide them among all the children. Make sure they won’t lose them… maybe make them into rings they can wear around their necks.”

“Are you sure it’s okay to use such a large sum like that?”

“Even I… have my pride. I want to do what I can for them.”

Kodara, looking thoughtful, accepted the large gold coins from me with a respectful nod, and cautiously walked out of the room.

“Fusha-sama, those coins were meant for you, entrusted by Lord Dentra…”

“I have no intention of abandoning my homeland. That’s why my brother Liebens is out there. More importantly, Isara, if it comes down to it, please… help the children.”

Before I could finish, Isara’s cold hand covered my mouth.

“Please don’t say that. Lord Dentra has entrusted me with your well-being.”

“…Yeah, you’re right. Sorry.”

Indeed, Isara was my father’s knight. She had no obligation to obey my orders.

“Well then, can you help me make some potions?”

“If it’s just that, I’ll gladly help.”

If war was upon us, no amount of potions would ever be enough. That day, the lights in the laboratory stayed on late into the night.

◆◆◆

The battle that had been brewing since my grandfather’s time had finally begun.

This wasn’t the usual skirmishes with scouts; it was a real battle, like something out of a fairy tale, coming to my era.

My father often spoke of how strong my grandfather was in his youth. He was a formidable spear fighter who had a duel with the great general Chiyaba of the Makiano. They fought ten times without a decisive outcome and praised each other’s skill.

The battle that I had only heard about in stories, the one I thought might never come in my lifetime, was now right before me.

On the hill visible from the castle, enemy troops gathered like a dark cloud, and fortifications were being built day by day. Yet, among the knights, there wasn’t a single person who seemed fearful.

That’s because this battle was no ordinary fight.

We have Fusha-sama with us.

That person is destined to become a great figure in the future.

His life will surely be recorded as legend.

If that happens, this battle won’t just be a minor skirmish on the frontier.

If things go well, it could be a battle remembered in history.

Even the name of my strong grandfather has now faded to only me and my adopted child.

But perhaps, this time, my name, as the humble son of an insignificant knight, might be remembered by future generations.

As long as I fight bravely and without falling behind, my name will surely be remembered as a martyr who fought for Fusha-sama.

Certainly, my grandfather and father are watching me from above, clenching their teeth in anticipation.

I am part of the Genesis.

I lived past twenty-four, and I have an adopted child who will carry on the family.