Protection
Advocacy, Support, Defence
noun, verbal noun
Embrace your duty to defend your country and prepare for its protection and defense. You love your country, so you'll do what you have to in order to support its defense.
This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.
君はどうして彼を擁護するような発言をしたんだい。
Why did you speak up to protect him?