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The Afterglow Fortress was holding up well.

Of course, that didn’t mean the situation was improving.

No, in fact, it was gradually getting worse.

The majority of the stored supplies were overflowing, enough to last for years in this defensive situation.

Thanks to the residents who began gathering in the city to survive the winter, there was no shortage of manpower in Present at least. The same could be said for the veteran-heavy expedition team returning from beyond the mountains.

Thus, the morale in Afterglow Fortress and Present was high.

There were indeed some people in Present who were anxious about the rocks, ice chunks, and lower undead striking the city.

However, those were truly just a few.

It was thanks to those who had experienced the relentless famine during the reign of the previous Duke.

“What’s the big deal about being surrounded on all sides?”

“A never-ending army of undead? The stampede from two years ago was much more threatening.”

“Shut up! Why are the young ones whining when there’s plenty of work to do and we aren’t even starving?”

The harsh cold brought frequent monster attacks.

But just because there weren’t any attacks, it didn’t mean things were peaceful.

The absence of attacks also meant they couldn’t gather monster byproducts.

Even if they managed to hoard food before winter returned, it was insufficient in the notoriously barren Highland region of Iceland, which was known for its harsh conditions and extreme cold.

If anything, it was fortunate that no one was dying from freezing or dehydration amidst the overflowing trees and heaps of snow. It could be said that they were merely dragging out their lifespan with no hope for the future.

Therefore, those who had lived through the days of famine could assert firmly:

“There’s damage, but at this rate, we can hold out for several years?”

“I’ll speak plainly: it’s impressive we’ve lasted this long.”

Richard didn’t think so.

Those summoned by the call of the Duke, leaving the battlefield behind. The commander of the elite guard, Baston, along with leaders of various units, officers, and warriors.

Lastly, their external collaborator, Gordon, was flustered by the unexpected news.

As they exchanged silent glances, unsure of what to make of it, Baston was the first to regain his composure.

“They say if a person changes suddenly, they die. I guess it’s finally my time!”

“Damn it! I’m trying to have a serious discussion and you come here with nonsense!”

“Then it’s time to die, what are you trying to say?”

Baston looked around as if seeking approval.

“The supplies and resources are piled high, and we have enough food to last for years. All sorts of support materials as well. What exactly is the problem?”

“Chief is right. Boss, how many days has it been since we started?”

“My lord, not a single person has died since the battle began.”

Those who began to speak all shared Baston’s opinion.

Gordon, who stood a step back, nodded in agreement.

“You ignorant muscleheads. The fortress can hold, but what about Present?”

The previously noisy crowd fell silent at his words.

Goodness, who here is calling whom muscle-headed?

“And the consumption of holy water is faster than expected.”

And immediately everyone went, “Oh snap!”

It wasn’t a word spoken recklessly out of pride.

Most of those present were commanders of the fortress.

Thus, they quickly fell silent.

“We can’t save holy water.”

That was the truth.

The undead army was piling corpses against the fortress.

The fortress was quite tall, but they couldn’t just sit back and watch.

In that regard, Present was better off than the fortress.

The number of undead (comparatively) was low, and higher undead were also scarce.

But all of this was thanks to the holy water.

“Can’t we ask the priests to give it a bit more effort?”

“…Hey, now that you mention it, isn’t it a bit unfair? Have they even gotten to rest since returning?”

“Ah, the priests responsible for creating the holy water are collapsing from exhaustion.”

It seemed reasonable to think so, and the atmosphere was rather optimistic that they had held on this long. Since returning, the priests had been busy making holy water without rest.

“We can’t save holy water until the priests recover… Ah, I already said we can’t.”

“Even if we substitute with fire barrels or oil drums, it wouldn’t be as immediate or effective as holy water.”

“Above all, the rear…”

The fortress could be put aside; Present could fall.

Baston stroked his beard, looking troubled.

“Then, we can’t save holy water.”

“Right. If we save it, damage will start occurring, but right now, the city is filled with weaklings of all ages doing their best.”

“…Damn it. I’d rather not suffer losses like in the old days.”

Everyone gathered in the command room, including Richard, agreed.

“Oh, I feel like I’m missing something important.”

Gordon, who had been one step back, raised his hand nervously.

“So, how much holy water do we have left?”

“If we keep using it at this rate, it’ll run out in three days.”

“No, but didn’t you say the other supplies could last for years? No, if we consider the rear, it would be reduced significantly. But holy water—”

“Who thought the undead would gather from behind at this season?”

With an aggrieved expression, Richard glanced around. Except for the one who raised the question, everyone nodded in agreement with Richard’s words.

Undead arise in spring and summer, and disappear in autumn and winter.

It was a ‘common sense’ that anyone living in Iceland would have.

One aspect of the Triune Goddess, the lady of winter.

It was the will and intent of Skadi, the winter god.

And currently, it was autumn.

The Highland region was the first to be touched by Skadi’s hand.

That meant winter would arrive earlier.

With waves of undead endlessly flooding in from the rear, led by giants commanding the horde, and even grand wizards like Catherine, it presented a scenario that even Afterglow Fortress, at the forefront of civilization engaged in yearly warfare, couldn’t anticipate.

“I would have preferred the full-scale invasion of the ancient dragon tribe last year or the stampede from the year before.”

“…Wait, did something horrifying just get said?”

“Ha, back then, I really thought we were done for.”

Richard shivered at the mere thought.

Everyone in the command room nodded in agreement.

“There were some ancient dragons that were as big as the fortress breathing death!”

“That’s why all the wizards sent in from the front line got wiped out, right?”

“Surviving that was more impressive than the sheer number of breath attacks coming our way.”

“Well, I guess. At least everyone got new armor, so it’s not all bad-”

“Phew, it’s a blessing that we collected every last bone back then.”

“If we hadn’t, those creatures would’ve been part of the undead horde right now.”

The mood, which had been dampened by bad news, flipped instantly.

Gordon couldn’t follow the conversation at all.

Wait, what? A full-scale invasion of ancient dragons? They were as massive as this fortress? How many breathers were there? Why was everyone so calm about this?

“Alright then. Putting it the other way, that means we have three days left.”

Baston clapped his hands to draw attention.

“Then, how about we wrap this up in three days?”

“You think we can finish this situation in three days? How do you intend to do that?”

“Ultimately, the problem is that the undead don’t follow orders.”

Surrounding Present, attacking Afterglow Fortress, the sudden surge of undead, the unexpected intruders toppling the fortress—all these events had one root cause.

So, the solution was simple.

“Let’s take them out cleanly with the special forces.”

A beheading operation.

A straightforward and decisive solution.

Those who had been silent began to agree with Baston’s suggestion.

Richard seemed quite tempted as he leaned forward.

“Then, we must include the Vanguard Guard, right?”

“There must be songs to inspire strength and courage!”

“Boss! You aren’t thinking of having just your guys enjoy all the fun, are you!?!?”

From the back, a barbarian warrior spoke up. A knight aiming for the honor of the special forces added his voice. An adventurer looking to rack up achievements chimed in as well. Thus, the operation room overseeing Afterglow Fortress became as noisy as a market.

Gordon, who had been watching silently, shook his head.

In any case, being a swordmaster, his chance of joining the special forces was fifty-fifty.

Someone needed to keep an eye on Catherine, who was having a nerve-wracking standoff with the enemy grand wizard—

“…It’s just so incomprehensible.”

“Um, excuse me.”

“Huh?”

A hesitant voice spoke from the side. When Gordon glanced over, a maid had entered the command room, looking flustered.

“What’s the urgent news? Given the situation right now, it might take a while.”

“Yes. It’s from Steward Hartman.”

“Lord Hartman?”

The maid nodded.

“The holy water issue has been resolved.”

“Hmm?”

*

*

*

Commanders stockpile supplies and create wells in preparation for situations where they can’t avoid sealing off the castle or being besieged by enemies.

The Afterglow Fortress was no exception.

However, there was one difference.

“This is the fortress’s well.”

The well was installed inside the fortress.

“…A well, you say?”

Karem blinked, looking around.

A hexagonal stone well was installed, with variously sized wooden barrels stacked all around and a pulley hanging above it.

Peeking inside made him shudder slightly.

Whooooosh.

The sound of the wind echoed in the well, and the bottom was completely invisible. The rope dangling from the pulley extended endlessly down to the abyss below.

“More accurately, it should be one of the wells.”

“…Did you install this like an elevator?”

“Not quite.”

Wallace, who was busy stacking salt sacks, shook his head.

“According to records, this well existed since the early days, when Tutatis himself set it up.”

“Just piling that up must have been a chore.”

“With nothing to eat, we can only be thankful that we at least have plenty of water.”

According to Karem, the usual methods for a well involved three approaches:

Drawing up groundwater, tapping into underground streams, or digging a pit to collect water.

The well before him was a modified version of the first method, installed to draw from a natural underground spring flowing from the Gohgmagog mountains.

In other words, aside from the top, it was like an enclosed space.

“But, is that really possible?”

Wallace had followed Karem’s suggestion to gather some salt sacks but asked with a look of skepticism.

Karem didn’t answer him.

-Creak.

He took out a fist-sized holy relic that he always carried with him.

“…Whoa!”

For nobles, perception could be as important as bloodline or honor.

In that regard, the look in Wallace’s eyes spoke volumes.

The radiant orb that the boy had produced from his possession was something that could hardly be evaluated, surely a remarkable object even to someone who wasn’t affiliated with the Triune Goddess.

“How… how on earth did you come to possess a relic that represents a entire sect…?”

“What’s important now isn’t that, it seems.”

“Oh, right.”

Having no confidence or words to properly explain, Karem redirected attention to the well.

Shocked by the stunning sight, Wallace urged those around him. The servants immediately rushed to the well with the salt sacks. They tore open the sacks and poured their contents in without hesitation.

Shwoosh—!

Swish—!

Plop—bang—plop—

Yeah, even if it doesn’t freeze, there’s no worry about whether the salt might dissolve in the cold water.

As far as Karem knew, the dissolving of salt wouldn’t affect the process of creating holy water. At least, all the ceremonies he’d seen had been like that.

And soon, even the last sack was emptied.

“But—”

He couldn’t help but wonder if it was okay to handle it this carelessly.

And Karem found himself thinking, “Now, what?”

Then again, if he were to face divine punishment for sacrilege, it would have happened by now anyway.

Karem brushed aside his unease over possible blasphemy.

With a flick, the holy relic he threw fell straight down without so much as a sound, plunging frightfully quietly into the abyss below.

And then.

Plop—

A clear sound echoed softly.

In the next instant—

Fwwaaaaa—!!!!!!!

A brilliant light burst forth from the well.

 

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