The city of Latila, a major point, the key city of the Atlasia trade network, is experiencing its greatest change for over a millennium. The main road network, which was only partly repaired after the Siege of Latila due to the lack of finance, is now being renovated with concrete and sand-”For military purposes”-they said, but clearly the city dwellers are enjoying benefit from the work as well. Alongside is the reinstall of the coastal defense line, with most of the guns being towed from the land wall and placed directing the sea. Many guard towers grew like shrooms, hugging along the city border, armed with musketeers and “rocketeers”. About the “rocketeers”, they are a new unit which was introduced earlier, but they will enter service sooner or later, rumors said, they use “explosive rocket launchers”, a new invention of the Latilian Defense Institution as their primary weapons.
In addition, many ships from Milishila had come to the city for the last few days, carrying not grain, but processed metal, weapons like matchlocks and field cannons, and horses. Even an idiot could know that the price for those things is not something a foreign-dependent country like Latila can afford. The civilians of Latila are circulating about a mysterious nation in the north that has lent them a huge sum of money in order to manipulate this country both politically and economically:
“They weren’t fully wrong about the “lent a huge sum of money” part”
Arlin says, and his words were agreed upon by his twin brother:
“Exactly”
While Lily, Belisari and Aurora are having their time in the city of Vlenna, back in Latilia, the two Voyage brothers are testing new weapons:
“So this is the “enhanced repetitive crossbow” she gave us?”
“Yeah”
The Companion Husaria, the semi-ranged melee cavalry unit of Latila under the command of Arlin Alexander Voyage, was gifted with a modified crossbow designed for rapid fire, or in other word, a “Chu Ko Nu”. This weapon was designed to fire arrows one after another by fusing the firing mechanic with reloading, thus increasing the weapon’s firing rate. According to Aurora’s final words before she left, this weapon was said to improve the strength of the current Latilian melee cavalry.
“But why did she give us this?”-asked Klein inspecting the arm.
However, unlike the rocket launcher which was given to the Winged Husaria. This time, there is likely a mistake.
Repetitive crossbow is not something new to them. A Ganeoese merchant had first introduced this weapon when he returned from his expedition to the continent of Orietinus, and popularized it across the known world. Soon after that, the Milishilian monarch ordered him four hundred samples of that weapon to arm their land army. The idea of an army armed with rapid firing crossbows was born on that day, when the kingdom established a cohort using only crossbows as their main armament. There is one issue however:
“Call me wrong, but that thing fires very awfully.”
After the first shot, every shot after it fires extremely weakly, weaker than even bow. In the Nosfeturan-Milishilian conflict fifty years ago, the “modernized” crossbow cohort was deployed in an island landing mission. However, they were annihilated by a centurion of vampire garrison guards protecting the beachhead, because their arrows cannot penetrate the vampire’s shield in long range before the Nosfeturan legion arrived. In close combat, humans are no match to vampires, the crossbowmen were defeated easily, many of whom captured. That incident alone shattered every attempt of building an army using these crossbows as their main weapons. Arbalists, from Ganeo to Belkut, Voyage to Levantia then sought for refined conventional crossbows, Slower in reload, but fired much further and deadlier, able to fight in tense combat situations, and it has been the standard ever since.
But why did Aurora give them this thing now? Is there any intention? If they were armed with these weapons, not just the Elestovakians, but other units in their army would laugh at them as well, being so weak in long range while possessing a weapon built for that purpose.
“Give me that.”
Arlin takes back the weapon from his brother, and he loads a few arrows into the chamber.
“Let us see…”
Aiming to the target 25 meters from his standpoint, the cavalry commander turns off the safety switch-*Click!*-the weapon can now be fired. Arlin takes a long breath, then pulls the trigger:
Phew! Phew!*
Both bolts scored a hit on the targets, punching holes through the wooden shields that were supposed to protect it. Arlin is an excellent maskman, for sure. But that is not what caught Klein’s attention:
“Wait…the second shot did not become weaker…”
He says in surprise, then speechless, then his mouth opens wide, as more and more arrows are fired, with exactly the same speed, strength and direction. The bolts are no longer weakened by shooting rapidly like how it’s supposed to be. Aurora, with some magic fused into the chamber of the crossbow, has made this weapon much deadlier.
Meanwhile, Arlin are bursting out a large laughter, the cavalry commander knocks on a small box attached to the crossbow, saying:
“So this is the key. Borealis mentioned that their cocking mechanic needed to be fixed, and one can mitigate that issue with a"gearbox ". I guess she did manage to resolve that issue.”
**
*Having a nice rest there Belisarius?”
“Aren’t you too Liliya?”
Fifth day since the Latilian diplomatic corps arrived in Vlenna.
The prince and the archduchess are spending their time on the seawall of the city, partly to check its condition since the Vlennians are focusing their manpower on renovating the land walls complex, but mostly for taking a sunbath and relaxing.
The past few days had been a series of nonstop working, traveling around the city on the behalf of Leopol to negotiate with the Maritimers and Milishilians, helping the Vlennian army to reform their defensive lines, and consulting decisions to their monarch. Lily, for sure, but even Belisari did not rest well enough, having to stay up late if Leopol ever needed his advice. But today the weight of work was partly lifted, thanks to the fact that the Milishilian engineers and advisors had finally arrived. The two aristocrats finally have their free time after such an intense working period. Aurora is still working however, and knowing her too well, she would actually cry if she has to work when her friends do not. So, Belisari and Lily still have to go here, pretending that they are busy.
“Come here Liliya, take a seat.”
“You don’t even need to tell me to do so.”
Lily hops on the wall, legs hanging into the air, just like the prince next to her. Her left hand’s fingers carried an expensive Milishilian cigarette.
Haizzz*
The sky is clear, without sight of any cloud, seasonal southward wind blowing lightly into fresh breezes, flowing into the city over the walls and the watergate, into the wind vane making it point south, bringing a new life to Vlenna for a long promising day ahead. Peaceful it is, at least to this part of the city, the other side are working day and night, fortunately they did not get dragged into it.
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Around them, cannons are being placed and moving around, just as Aurora’s plan had drawn out earlier. She also mentioned something about throwing stones around the watergate, unsure of its purpose, but the girl ordered that as soon as she heard about the shallow depth of the seafloor.
“How many days left until the war?”-asked the prince to his companion.
Belisari was about to say something else, but he did not manage to think out a good sentence for it, so he had to resort this dialogue:
“You told me to sit here so you could ask about that?”-saying Voyage-”Why are you questioning that now?”
“Tell me.”
“Well…then…more than a month…no, less than that, that is a safe number. In the late summer, probably. The Elestovakian Imperial Army probably had assembled in Levantia, waiting for the logistic line to be set up. Then they will march here, then to Granisus, then Latila.”
“ They are coming, I see.”
Belisari draws out a conclusion. Lily meanwhile sighed:
“And we are wasting our time here like this.”
“Don’t say that, resting is important too, you can’t expect an army marching ten hours straight, you need to let them rest for them to actually fight. The same can be said for an individual, in this case it is you, Liliya.”
“I know. The value of an army does not rely on just numbers, individual’s skill and technology, but morale as well, that’s just basic things.”
“Hence, you cannot force yourself to overwork, resting is a necessity of mankind. You can’t expect your body to function properly with such little relaxation.”
“Yeah, and you have to make sure your subordinates rest well too. Never expect or make them exceed their working capability, am I right Belisarius?”
“You are right, but don’t say that, I am feeling guilty for Aurora.”
“She will be fine ... .I guess”-Lily laughs off-”She is still young and lively, unlike you or I.”
“Aren’t you still young?”
“I am already 26…I am getting old…Soon I will be 30…”
The archduchess moves herself closer to Belisari-”You are getting old too, in a blink of an eye you turned from that fourteen years old kid who cannot load an arrow, yet still charging into the enemies without any fear that yourself might be turned into deadman… into the Mercenary Prince.”
“Who called me by such name?”
“Me, Arlin, Payens...”
“Me as well, for obvious reasons.”
Suddenly from behind, there was a voice of a woman:
“Long time no see, Your Grace, Your Royal Highness.”
Belisari and Lily turn behind. The voice they heard was from the granddaughter of Gerald Payens, 19-years old Katherine, recognizable although it was distorted by the layers of her heavy helmet and armor. She, as her grandfather, father and mother, is a member of the Knights Cathedraller.
“No need to be so formal”-Belisari stands up greeting the knight-”You are our friend, and I don’t want to call you Your Majesty either.”
“The Knights Cathedraller” allowed marriage for its military members. The purpose was to quickly increase the number of the order, since many parents who were knights also encouraged their children to become knights as well, and also extend the inner circle of the order to noble families across the continent, thus expanding their influence and varying their source of financial support..
Of course, that along with some exceptions including non-believers, criminals, children under 18, etc. However, Leopol VI is none of that, the Vlennian King is a good person, a devotee, and clearly over 18. Marrying him also guarantees probably the second highest place in Vlenna, to be on the side of the king deciding the fate of a whole country and possibly mother of a future king. The seat is only for one person however, and the one who was lucky to be the Queen of Vlenna is Katherine de Payens, now Katherine Lorrine, daughter of a noble in Vlenna, granddaughter of the head of the Knights Cathedraller and former Countess of Marcial.
“Belisari and Lily then”-the woman named Katherine says-”Sorry I didn’t pay a visit, I was quite busy earlier. But I did see a Latilian ship arrive at the port with an imperial symbol, I guessed that you two are here, and I was right.”
The knight queen walks toward them, sits down. She takes off her helmet and puts it on a side, revealing a brown, short hair woman that was oversized by their combat attire. Seriously, that armor is double the size of her entire body, many plates were pure steel and joints made of hardened cowhides. It is questionable how any human could actually wear that amount of weight and still properly walk and fight with it.
“The last few days were so confusing…”-Katherine began complaining, trying to make herself stable while still holding the weight of her plates-”a 15-16 year old child, I thought she was a vampire but she isn't, popped up from somewhere, introducing that she came from the Latilian diplomatic corp and announcing that we will rebuild the walls….”
“Uhh…”
“...Then came the Milishilians and the Maritimers, they tore down the outside stone wall and replaced it with wood logs and earthworks, and the Knights Cathedraller joined in the effort as well. I’ve been carrying a solid ton of logs, and now my back is hurt.”*Haizz*” “I have no idea what is going on, but I am really tired.”
Hearing that, both the prince and the archduchess look at each other, almost burst out a laugh, but they managed to suppress it:
“We are the same, this is the first time Liliya and I have taken a break since we arrived in this city. Tell Leo to hire some real advisors, we are not always available here.”
“I will take note, but this time it is hard to find enough competent people. The previous parliament had gone along with my father-in-law. Vlenna is lacking competent governors, so we have to rely on Milishila and Latila to make strategic policies for us. I would appreciate it if you and Lily could accompany my husband here.”
Belisari rejects-“We cannot, we will leave as soon as our ship can go north. The preparation stage is in a hurry. I’ve ordered a few hundred wagons with horses from Milishila, can't let Aurelian pay for it on my behalf.”
“Why would you need so many wagons and horses?”
“It is a flexible component in an expeditionary army, you would not get it ... .that is not the main point, Vlenna has its own government. This country is not the County or Duchy of Vlenna, but the Kingdom of Vlenna, a country should make decisions on its own if it is and wants to be independent.”
The prince is right, Vlenna is an independent state, not a colony of Latila nor Milishila. They should not interfere with its inner politics and policies in the first place, keep doing this makes Vlenna less of a country than it already is. Belisari and the rest of Latila needs Vlenna to stand on her own as long as possible to buy time for them.
Katherine nods:
“I see your point and decision. I shall notify Leo later, but on the behalf of Vlenna, I appreciate your support for the last few days. Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Latila is willing to assist Vlenna by any way we can.”
“Thanks for that. Anyway, I gotta go”
“But you were just here for two minutes.”
“I have work to do, I’m just here to say hello, then I have to return to my palace. So bye…Woah!”
Katherine stands up, trying to stretch her body a bit, forgetting that she is wearing armor and almost tripping over. Luckily, Lily rushed there fast enough to prevent the queen from falling:
“Ah, thank you. I was a bit clumsy.”
“Be careful”-Lily says, releasing her arms from the girl to make her standstill-”You are no more a child nor my subordinate, you are now the queen of this country. Don’t be tripped at any cost.”
“A life lesson? But to me it is tripping and stand up by yourself, that is what my grandfather told me-”
“That was when you were a knight”-Belisari came to them, adding:
”Being a queen, you only had one attempt to impress other people. They will watch every step of yours, you must keep your image in front of them as an invulnerable commander, that way you will make them follow you anywhere. In contrast, seeing your leaders trip, whether because of the enemies or natural causes, results in demoralization. Henceforth, do not make yourself unstable. ”
“I….I got it.”
“Good, remember that, we are not going to be here for much longer, you and Leopol will have to take care of this country from then on. Only a month left before they come to you. Be wise.”
“Thank you again, and goodbye.”
The knight puts on her helmet, waving her hand to her Latilian friends, then she leaves. Waiting for the silhouette of that knight to fully disappear from his range, the prince then turns to his archduchess:
“Katherine hasn’t grown much, that is concernable”-he takes a long sigh-”Anyhow, do you want to go somewhere, Liliya?”
“If you want to, then of course.”