The Death Mage that doesn't want a fourth time

46 Preparing defenses while desperate and out of my mind

「Now then, I want to set up Talosheim's defenses.」(Vandalieu)

Using the contents of the discussion that had taken place on the day Eleanora had been accepted among his companions, Vandalieu and the others set to work.

From Eleanora they had learned that the Vampires worshipping the evil god had subordinates in positions of power within the Mirg shield-nation including the (currently ex-)Marshal, and they even had subordinates in the Orbaume Kingdom.

It was uncertain how much strength the Pure-breed Vampires would invest into the task of killing Vandalieu, but in the worst-case scenario, the Vampires among the Mirg shield-nation's army could send troops to Talosheim.

The only thing sturdy about Talosheim right now was its appearance; it wouldn't hold out against an army of thousands, and with the Vampires among the army making hidden movements, escape might be impossible as well.

If Vandalieu was on his own, he would have the option of escaping while he could, but if the enemy's reach extended even as far as the Orbaume Kingdom, there was no place that he was completely safe on this continent.

Of course, because Vandalieu needed to ensure the safety of the Undead Titans and Ghouls who lived in Talosheim, the option of separating himself from them was nonexistent.

『There aren't any cowards here who would drive you out for their own safety!』(Borkus)

「That is correct, Holy Son. We will continue fighting, even if we quite literally have our flesh and entrails severed and our bones broken!」(Nuaza)

「I'm a bit late in having a say in this, but I agree. Vandalieu, we'd be in trouble without you.」(Vigaro)

「Indeed; if the Magic Items we are using now were to break, we would once again face problems with fertility. Even if we leave that matter aside, what is the use in driving out our own King in order to achieve temporary safety?」(Zadiris)

Borkus, Nuaza, Vigaro and Zadiris made it clear that this was not an option.

It wasn't as if Vandalieu didn't want to protect Talosheim, the place where he belonged. He planned to go to the Orbaume Kingdom eventually, but he planned to at least return for a visit once a year or once every few years.

Even if he moved away to chase his dreams, he wanted there to be a home for him to return to. That was how he felt.

「Thank you. Well then, we will set up a system that will hold just fine even if we're attacked by an army of ten thousand, including Vampires. We'll achieve this by spring or early summer, or mid-summer at latest.」(Vandalieu)

「『「「Are you insane?!」」』」(Everyone)

「No, I'm desperate and out of my mind.」(Vandalieu)

Birkyne and the other Vampires who had sent Eleanora's party here would be suspicious at the sudden lack of contact, realize that they had failed and take the next step.

Well, it was unlikely that they would suddenly manipulate the Mirg shield-nation into sending its troops here because of that, but they would at least try to gather more detailed information about Talosheim.

And once they learned about Talosheim's situation, it was highly likely that they would realize that dispatching a few Vampires would be ineffective and begin to make a greater effort to crush the city.

「Thith... This【Golem Transmutation】, nobody can use it except for Vandalieu-sama. Leaving aside the Mana problems, it's impossible for alchemists to create them in an instant and have them change their shape freely. The same goes for taming the Undead.」(Eleanora)