Leave the Villainous Second Male Lead Alone - Chapter 8.15

Inside the fortress, if they could fend off the enemy’s attacks, they could open the gates from within, solving everything at once. Though the number of enemy forces stationed inside the fortress was significant…

In fact, it was alarmingly large… it still seemed like a feasible plan. Callisto was feeling rather pleased with himself for devising it.

However, he fully anticipated that Etienne would vehemently oppose it, likely with froth at the mouth, if he were to hear of it. Hesitating, Callisto mumbled evasively.

Etienne, watching him quietly, sighed softly. His expression betrayed an understanding of just how reckless the plan was. Dangerous schemes, self-congratulation—this was classic Callisto. And yet, though Callisto was confident in his own survival skills, he couldn’t help but feel slightly wronged that Etienne didn’t share his faith.

“That’s not happening, Calli.”

Etienne interrupted before he could even explain. And before Callisto could think of a rebuttal, Etienne silenced him—with a kiss.

“Listen to me first.”

As soft breath brushed past their joined lips, Callisto found himself momentarily dazed. Still captivated, he obediently nodded, wordlessly conceding.

“The bronze cannons we brought here took Brine years of painstaking work to develop. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that the technology hasn’t leaked.”

“Uh-huh…”

“So, it’s highly unlikely Jeanne has managed to steal this technology. Even if she did, she wouldn’t have access to the copper necessary to produce them. The Winyates mines’ copper ore is strictly controlled, with no possibility of trade.”

Currently, the Winyates mines were the only operational copper mines in the Ferron Empire. In the past, they had relied on imports from the Eastern Continent, but trade had since ceased, leaving them as the sole supplier.

In other words, the Harrington forces possessing modern bronze cannons was highly improbable.

“That means they’re still using iron cannons. Even if Brine’s design enhancements had been stolen, unless they’ve stolen the cannons themselves, they won’t come close to matching ours. If they had, Roen would’ve used them during the naval battle.”

“Right. The First Prince’s forces were using entirely outdated cannons.”

Callisto recalled the naval battle where most of the First Prince’s cannon fire fell harmlessly into the sea, unable to reach his fleet. Compared to Brine’s enhanced designs, their range was pitiful.

Moreover…

“Their cannons couldn’t sustain prolonged fire. Several of them exploded during the battle… is that what you’re pointing out, brother?”

Etienne’s gentle smile widened, his eyes narrowing slightly in amusement. He nodded with a quiet grace that Callisto found momentarily enchanting. And then, something clicked.

“The cannons on the walls… they’re much larger than the naval ones Roen used. That means they’re even more prone to breaking.”

“Exactly.”

“If Jeanne sees her cannons exploding in front of her, she won’t be able to keep firing recklessly…”

During the naval battle, Roen had fired indiscriminately, paying no mind to the dangers of exploding cannons. Deaths caused by flying shrapnel, damaged ships—none of it mattered to him, as long as his own vessel remained intact.

Etienne placed a gentle hand on Callisto’s cheek, stroking it softly.

“Right. Jeanne can’t afford to let the walls collapse. That would mean her defeat.”

When her precious cannons started shattering, Jeanne would have no choice but to halt the bombardment. Protecting the fortress walls was her sole path to survival.

Piecing everything together in his mind, Callisto smiled faintly and murmured, “We should just approach the fortress right away. If they can’t fire for long, we only need to stay far enough to avoid their crossbows.”

“Exactly. And getting closer will also improve the accuracy of our fire. Once we’re in range, we can focus entirely on the gates. With patience, they’ll break in no time.”

Patience, huh…

If Etienne weren’t still so smitten, he might have realized how little “patience” suited Callisto.

But in Etienne’s eyes, Callisto was still his… baby, or something along those lines. And Callisto, who thoroughly enjoyed being doted upon, held his tongue and simply nodded obediently.

Once again, he decided to act first and seek forgiveness—with plenty of charm—afterward.

Which brings us to the present: the siege of the Ferron Imperial Fortress.

Pointing to the crumbled section of the fortress wall, now damaged by the explosion of its own cannons, Callisto smirked widely.

Whenever Callisto grinned like that on the battlefield, his adjutant felt a distinct chill. In his experience, such moments often preceded outrageous orders.

“Aim there. Forget the gates. Let’s bring the whole wall down.”

“Patience” was nowhere to be seen, but Callisto’s forces commenced their “focused bombardment” of the fortress wall without hesitation.

The adjutant sighed inwardly. He should’ve seen this coming the moment Callisto insisted on setting up not just completed cannons but even untested prototypes.

As cannon after cannon roared, the grand walls of the imperial fortress—symbols of the Ferron Empire’s might—began to crumble.

The ground trembled with the force of the bombardment. Watching in stunned disbelief, I could only gape at the unfolding scene. Beside me, Lawrence muttered, his voice tinged with awe.

“So this is what you meant when you said it’d be fine, Etienne.”

No…

I wanted to shout, Do you think I told him to attack like this? What if the entire wall collapses and Callisto gets caught in the rubble? But I couldn’t bring myself to lash out at Lawrence—he wasn’t to blame.

Swallowing my groan, I turned to Brine.

“Will this be okay? The walls collapsing won’t hurt him, will it?”

“As long as he doesn’t run into the debris, he should be fine.”

“…”

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