Arthur did not know if the military system among the nobles was based on past achievements and titles; he wasn't sure how merit was evaluated in the current military context.
So, he decided to ask directly:
"Commander Lucas, how is military merit calculated in the defense of the fortress? Do you only rely on the number of enemies killed in battle, or are there other criteria that influence the assessment?"
Lucas answered calmly while continuing to study the map:
"Military merit is calculated in several ways, Arthur. Of course, eliminating enemy forces plays a major role, but there are also considerations related to the mission and strategic roles on the military front. A commander who achieves direct victories against enemy forces will receive higher recognition. However, there are always basic needs for the army and the war. Commanders who achieve results in strategic missions receive military recognition, even if the death toll is small or nonexistent."
Lucas raised his gaze from the map and answered wisely:
"Merit in the Iron Fortress is measured based on these criteria. We have a clear rule: the duration the fortress withstands attacks, and the number of enemy forces we are able to halt during this period."
"For example, if the fortress can repel a major attack for a week while inflicting significant losses on the enemy, this is considered a major military success. At the same time, any fortress that can stop hundreds of enemy troops is considered highly meritorious in combat."
Arthur reflected on Commander Lucas's words, taking an important lesson from them.
He knew the task here wouldn't be easy, but he could achieve merit if he managed to make the fortress withstand for a long period, stopping as many attacking forces as possible.
While he was thinking about this, Arthur lifted his gaze toward Lucas, who was busy explaining the details of the fortress's defenses and the challenges it faced.
Arthur couldn't help but feel an increasing curiosity about the actual situation of the ongoing battles.
The picture he had formed about the campaign after the meeting with his brother before joining it was entirely different from what was now beginning to unfold before him.
From the beginning, Arthur had imagined that this campaign would be a preemptive strike against the orcs in the far north, where the kingdom would aim to deliver a powerful blow to them, significantly weakening them and then reclaiming the lands they had seized over the past years.
He had believed that the military planning would focus on surprising the enemy and exploiting any weaknesses in their ranks to achieve decisive strategic gains.
However, based on the details he had gathered so far, he began to realize that the reality was completely different.
Instead of the kingdom having the upper hand, it seemed as though they had found themselves in the position of the defender, while the orcs were the ones taking the initiative to attack.
This was not just a simple change in strategy; it indicated a deeper flaw in the kingdom's preparedness for this war.
If the orcs were indeed the ones attacking, it meant that they had become more organized and powerful than expected.
Was this due to a weakness in the kingdom's military leadership? Or had the orcs received unknown support or gained unforeseen strength? Worse still, did this mean that the military situation in the north was more fragile than it appeared in the official reports?
All of these questions made Arthur increasingly alert. He did not mind fighting, but engaging in a battle under uncertain conditions was an entirely different matter.
If there was one thing he had learned during his training, it was that a battle fought without a clear plan could very well be your last.
He raised his gaze toward Lucas once more, then decided to be a little bolder and ask directly what was on his mind.
"Commander Lucas, according to the reports we received earlier, I thought the purpose of the campaign was to weaken the orcs beforehand, prevent them from uniting, and then attempt to reclaim the occupied lands. But clearly, the situation is more complex than that, isn't it?"
Lucas paused for a moment after hearing Arthur's question, then exhaled quietly before responding in a calm tone that carried an unmistakable hint of concern:
"At first, the goal was as you mentioned. We were preparing for a preemptive offensive campaign, but before we could even execute our plans, groups of orcs began launching consecutive attacks on our northern positions. Their movement was swift and more organized than ever before. Instead of attacking them, we found ourselves forced to secure our defenses and prevent them from pushing further into our lands."
Arthur furrowed his brow as he listened, not expecting the situation to be this dire.
If the kingdom had already shifted from attempting to launch a preemptive strike to defending, it meant one of two possibilities: either the orcs had prior knowledge of the kingdom's movements, or they had been planning this from the start.
Perhaps they had a stronger incentive to advance southward, not just for raiding supplies and resources for the winter as they had done in past years.
He quickly tried to gather his thoughts before asking:
"Do we have a clear estimate of their forces?"
Lucas nodded, then pointed to an area on the map, where red lines represented the extent of the orc attacks.
"Initial estimates indicate that their numbers are growing rapidly, but what's more dangerous is the change in their combat behavior. In the past, they relied on random attacks and guerrilla warfare, like what they do every year when they come down south to steal food. But now... they seem to have some form of organization and discipline, as if they're receiving orders from a unified leader."
Arthur narrowed his eyes as he stared at the map, trying to grasp the situation. If the orcs had transformed from mere chaotic groups into an organized army, it meant there was a unified command behind them.
That alone was enough to make them much more dangerous, especially since it reminded him of what had happened a few decades ago, when small disturbances turned into a widespread war due to similar changes.
Realizing the discussion was coming to a close, Commander Lucas spoke with a firm tone:
"I believe you have the information you need."
In fact, if the troops Arthur brought had not been a testament to the commitment of the Werner family, Lucas would not have extended this conversation or bothered to answer his questions.
However, Lucas did not have more time to waste on conversation. There were many tasks awaiting him, and he needed to quickly move on to the next phase of preparations.
Arthur sighed quietly, then spoke with confidence:
"I understand. I will place the honor of the Werner family on this mission, and I will ensure that the Iron Fortress becomes an impregnable stronghold."
Lucas nodded before adding:
"Good. Begin reorganizing the forces as soon as you arrive. We don't know when the orcs will attack, but from what we've seen so far, it won't be long before they test your defenses."
He then turned toward his assistant and spoke in a dry voice:
"Inform the garrison that Mr. Arthur Werner will be departing at dawn. Make sure all necessary supplies are prepared."
He turned back to Arthur and said seriously:
"We will send an additional military envoy to confirm your identity and oversee the replacement of the current forces with your men. Now, you may allow your soldiers to set up camp outside the base tonight, rest from their journey, and refresh their supplies. You will depart tomorrow."
Arthur stood up, realizing that the real tasks had already begun.
"I will ensure the Iron Fortress is ready for all eventualities."
Lucas did not add anything further, but gave Arthur a scrutinizing look before signaling to his assistant to end the meeting.
....
After the meeting concluded, Arthur exited the command hall with steady steps, while his new personal assistant, Gabriel, was waiting for him at the entrance.
Arthur had chosen Gabriel as his personal assistant after recently discovering, during the incident with the Viscount involving a play about a mercenary rebellion, that Gabriel had sharp intellect and talents that could be put to good use.
This event served as an opportunity for Arthur to assess Gabriel's potential, leading him to decide to appoint him as his permanent companion.
As for Victor, he retained his position as the commander of Arthur's first force, the one primarily responsible for military leadership.
On the other hand, Garin, whom the Werner family had assigned to him, stayed at the castle. Arthur had decided not to bring him along and had no intention of doing so in the near future.
In fact, Arthur had decided not to bring any soldiers or guards from the castle with him, which had caused a significant disagreement with the Viscount at first.
The Viscount believed that support from the castle was essential, and that it was unwise to leave Arthur's local forces behind, but Arthur insisted on his decision.
Arthur was convinced that the people who grew up under the Werner family would remain loyal to his father, Viscount Rosson Werner, or even to his older brother when he assumed the title in the future. As a result, they would not have genuine loyalty to him personally.
In fact, even if they showed outward loyalty, Arthur believed that this loyalty would still be conditional on their families and personal interests, and would not be steadfast or permanent.
Arthur was entirely convinced of the principle that he could not trust any of the inhabitants of this world.
They were ordinary humans, completely different from the characters he had summoned from the random summon card—those characters who had unwavering loyalty, a 100% loyalty that could not change.
This loyalty had been instilled in their beings when they became real characters, something he could not find among the inhabitants of this world.
Therefore, he planned to place those he had summoned in important positions or close to him, ensuring that power and authority would always be fully under his control, without any doubt or hesitation.
As soon as he approached Gabriel, he spoke with an authoritative tone: "Prepare the troops to set up camp tonight, and contact the garrison to complete the supplies and prepare for departure to our designated position."
Gabriel nodded quickly, then hurried off to carry out Arthur's instructions.
As Arthur walked toward his camp outside the base, he thought about the current situation that Commander Lucas had discussed.
"If the situation is this bad, why haven't additional reinforcements been sent to the northern borders? Why is the kingdom still in a defensive position instead of launching a full-scale attack to end the threat before it escalates?"
Then he remembered his own thoughts, wondering, "Maybe it's not as simple as I think. After all, sending large armies north means leaving other parts of the kingdom exposed. And there's also... politics."
"Thinking about it, my father mentioned in a letter to me a week ago that some of the nobles are still making excuses, saying that this is just another raid like every year, and that there's no need to waste resources on a battle that might not be necessary. Others are demanding action, but they want guarantees that they will receive certain privileges in exchange for their support. Amidst all this, the throne doesn't want to appear hasty or weak."
Arthur couldn't hide his frustration.
This was the reason he despised political complexities.
On the battlefield, things were clear: either you defeat your enemy, or they defeat you. But in the court of governance, even the greatest victories could be lost because of the game of interests.
But he was not here to change the kingdom's policies; he was here to protect the Iron Fortress. This meant he had to focus on what he could do now.
"Well, that doesn't change my plan. I'll reach the Iron Fortress and start fortifying it as quickly as possible. I'll try to earn enough military merit to trade it for land and become a noble, surrounded by a group of beautiful wives in the case of victory. But if the orcs are stronger and achieve victory, then it just means I have to flee, I mean relocate, and find other opportunities. Maybe I should try the kingdoms to the east or one of the coastal islands. It won't be hard to create a suitable place for me with the forces I have, but it will take longer with more detours."