Chapter 218: Super Colossal Catapult
After realizing that this lord posed no threat, Julian turned his gaze toward the right-hand side.
The fortress being constructed over there seemed to be farther away.
Bevan followed Julian’s line of sight and said, “That one is the fortress built by Viscount Youn’s men.”
Without waiting for Julian to ask, Bevan continued, “A knight and two hundred warriors are stationed there, with four hundred laborers conscripted. According to the information we obtained, after completing the fortress, these laborers settled nearby, reclaiming land to support the fortress.”
“After all, Viscount Youn’s territory was only recently conquered, and its internal power structure is still somewhat unstable.”
Julian’s birthplace in the northern lands had been ravaged by werewolves, leaving less than a tenth of its resources intact. By contrast, when York Territory absorbed that whole region, it met with little resistance.
Viscount Youn, however, could not act like the werewolves and slaughter most of the population. Thus, within his domain still existed various small and large factions. Those who submitted to him due to his power did not mind secretly currying favor with York Territory.
“Although Viscount Youn has firmly proclaimed hostility toward us, those under him do not mind interacting with us.” Bevan could not resist adding.
Julian asked, “To what extent is this interaction?”
Bevan smiled reservedly. “Our goods have already been sold inside Viscount Youn’s fortress. Meanwhile, he himself has taken his Sacred Relic, his priests, and the materials for charging the relic westward. He intends to subdue the few barons still resisting there as quickly as possible.”
Julian nodded and asked further, “What about his internal forces—anyone who might assist us?”
Bevan said, “That depends on the level of assistance you mean. For this expedition, Viscount Youn only took one knight and some conscripts. The rest of his knights and elites are spread throughout his territory, wary of internal unrest.”
Julian waved his hand, and his squire immediately unfolded a map before them.
It was a newly drawn map of this region.
Julian dismounted, pointed with his riding whip at Earl Raul’s territory on the map, and said, “Earl Raul is still resisting the fishmen’s assault. But the fishmen were able to seize the Principality of Corlay, so Raul won’t hold for long. Once Earl Raul’s castle is breached by them, we will face the fishmen’s advance directly.”
He circled the three fortresses on the map and continued, “By linking our three fortresses here, the enclosed area could at least support a permanent town of three thousand people. That way, even after Raul’s fall, we could anchor ourselves here against the fishmen.”
Bevan also dismounted and leaned closer, frowning. “If the fishmen come, our best choice should be retreat.”
Though a noble not known for martial skill, Bevan could clearly understand this situation.
He went on, “If we want to defend a fortress-town here, we would need at least fifteen hundred warriors. Unless we transfer every warrior from our lands, we cannot hold. And if we do transfer them, what of the defense of our territory? These fishmen, strange as they are, once one appeared, it proved that ten, a hundred, or even their main force could strike directly into York Territory.”
“Moreover, by that point, taking root here would be meaningless.”
Fishmen bred quickly. Once they broke through Earl Raul’s defense line, they could ignore the losses inflicted by a fortress-town here and spread into the hinterlands. That was why Bevan thought defense here pointless.
Julian said, “If it’s meaningless, then why did the Scholar-Teachers of the Monastery want us to open a port here?”
Bevan shrugged. “Who knows what they think? But after staying here long, I think Scholar Caleb wants to use York gold coins to control other lords’ monetary systems and set trade rules.”
Julian glanced at Bevan with some doubt and asked, “If you don’t know, why not ask?”
Bevan froze.
They truly had never considered asking further. They only knew what Scholar Caleb intended and deduced the reasoning, then assumed they knew enough.
Julian said, “Before coming, I visited the Scholar-Teachers. I asked if they had considered the fishmen when opening the inland lake trade route. They told me it was unnecessary to worry. According to records passed among the scholars, Lake Salvador is ruled by a powerful magical beast. Under its dominion, fishmen would never be allowed to cross the lake in large numbers. Of course, our merchant ships also cannot cross the center of the lake, or the beast would see that as provocation.”
“So, the fishmen crossing Lake Salvador is not worth worrying about. At most, a few scattered ones may reach York Territory.”
Why would scholars care if merchants died on a two-hour voyage? If some died, that was their bad luck.
Julian then pointed at the map again. “If the lake is impassable, our fortress blocks this region. On the other side lies Earl Gregor’s land, and I doubt he wants fishmen in his territory.”
“Of course, if we could persuade Earl Raul to contract his defense line, we might trap the fishmen entirely in this zone.”
“Also, aside from consulting the scholars, I saw the weapons made in the Monastery.”
“Giant catapults can be mounted on fortresses, with powerful crossbows installed along linked walls. But the real reason for building a fortress-town is that the Monastery has designed a Super Colossal Catapult, requiring a vast space to install.”
Bevan asked, “Super Colossal Catapult?”
Julian nodded. “Yes. Super colossal. What Sir Puniel tested was a medium catapult. Above that are large and giant models, which the Monastery has already prototyped.”
“But beyond those lies the Super Colossal Catapult. Too immense, too destructive—it exists only on blueprints for now.”
“To describe its power: Dean Oscar said that in normal mode, one launch could destroy a small village.”
Bevan’s eyelid twitched. One launch to wipe out a small village—Baron Morn had only three villages. And that was merely normal mode.
Julian continued, “As for extraordinary mode, one launch could destroy a town.”
That sounded outrageous. From what Bevan had heard, even Viscount Youn’s Sacred Relic could not reach that scale.
Julian still did not stop. “Dean Oscar said if the Super Colossal Catapult were linked to the Earth Veins, a single launch could theoretically flatten an entire lord’s territory. Of course, current materials cannot shoot that far. At predicted power, we would be destroyed along with the target.”
Bevan took a deep breath. “If it truly is as you describe, then constructing it might indeed be worth it.”
For such power was equal to a Sacred Relic—yet man-made, replicable, and renewable.
“It is known to all that Dean Oscar cannot lie,” Julian said, before asking, “Now, what of those two other fortresses?”
“I sent people to negotiate. With enough profit, they will cooperate in ways that help us. Of course, not too directly. So connecting the fortresses will still require our own men,” Bevan answered.
Julian nodded, signaled the squire to roll up the map, and said, “Besides this matter, I also met Priest Marl on my way. He said he would come here soon.”
Bevan was stunned. “Alone?”
Julian shook his head. “No, with the Church’s armed men and some priests.”
…
Clock Tower, first floor.
Agamemnon stood behind a small wooden platform.
Because it was built for an adult’s height, Agamemnon had to stand on a little wooden box to avoid being hidden.
He slowly closed the Sacred Scriptures upon the platform, then looked at the three people standing before him.
George had returned from the Church Nation with Landon, along with two monks recommended by the priest of York Territory’s small church to study in the Monastery.
On the pews behind them sat several others, all monks still learning under Agamemnon.
The healed Igor sat in the front row, his eyes filled with blessing as he gazed at Landon.
In the back row sat two people: Priest Marl in his clerical robes, and Alice, specially permitted to attend.
“Congratulations. You now have the right to wear these priestly robes and, as priests, spread the Lord’s teachings to the world.” Agamemnon smiled faintly.
“We shall forever remember the teacher’s guidance.” The three bowed.
Agamemnon beckoned them closer, then handed each a silver cross.
If a Monastery apprentice was not allowed to study the Church classics in their second year, then upon graduation, a scholar of their main discipline would give them a hat, blessing their journeys by shielding them from sun and rain.
But when monks were permitted to become priests, they instead received a silver cross.
“You are fortunate, the first batch to receive this graduation gift. You should feel grateful,” Agamemnon said. “Yet you are also unfortunate. Unlike others who, after becoming priests, are assigned to this blessed land to preach to devout believers, you must go to places that do not know the Lord exists, lands without faith, without Sacred Scriptures. There, you must spread the Lord’s glory and teachings.”
“This will be difficult. You will face trials—whether by sinners’ blades or poverty on barren soil. I will pray for you before the Lord’s Throne, but these trials are yours to endure, for they are the test of being the Lord’s servants.”
“But do not be afraid. When hardships come, the devout will help you.”
“This silver cross is the Church’s graduation gift, also the Lord’s Blessing. When hungry, you may exchange it for food; when cold, for clothing.”
“Do not cling to it in hunger and cold, thinking it sacred to keep. Faith in the Lord belongs in your heart, not in this cross.”
“The Lord is merciful and will not let His servants be trapped in poverty. More than keeping this silver cross, the Lord wishes you to live, to strive, and to move forward for your ideals.”
Agamemnon finished his farewell, his Blessing to the new priests.