“Settle down, and light out your cigarette, Big Sis.”
In the war room of the Voyage Palace, Arlin is taking preparation to brief about the incoming war frontiers.
Around him are a few of the most elite military personnel in Latila. Gerald de Payens, commander of the Knights Cathedraller Order in Latila, unofficially Legion KC. Klein Caesar Voyage, commander of the Legion I Legionary Corp, the most crowded branch of the Latilian Royal Army which consisted of seven thousand personnel. And himself, Arlin Alexander Voyage, is the leader of the Companion Husaria, Legion II Melee Cavalry Unit of the Royal Army.
Lily Sobieski Voyage, patriarch of the House of Voyage, the (somewhat) Minister of Defense of Latila. The infamous Legion III the Winged Husaria is under her command.
Finally, Belisari Flarius Latila, the Crown Prince of Latila, will as well join in the expedition. His army is the Latilian Marine Corp, Legion M, the same unit that Aurora saw guarding around the Latila Palace with crossbows earlier when she first visited that place.
“Let us begin.”
Arlin rolls out the map on the table.
“We’ve collaborated with the Latilian Aerial Reconnaissance Unit, the Milishilian Institution of Geography and the Maritime Federation Hall of Cartographers to create this map. There are still errors, but at worst it would be around a kilometer and considerably acceptable, better than anything we’ve had before.”
The map displayed almost everything that is necessary for a standard modern map, from settlements to forest, lakes, rivers, mountain passes. Roads included several signs for travelers to follow without fear of being lost, paddy fields with details about yield and population of nearby villages. Obtaining a map with such high quality can be considered having unlocked the entire battlefield, which in turn significantly helped the Latilians to draw out a war plan for their expedition, which is what they are doing right now.
“Our force will be divided into three separated armies.”
Arlin takes out three mini flags he made to represent the armies:
“First, we take a look at the northern army, consisting of thirty thousand men, which would be under the command of my father Zenos and His Highness Aurelian. This army will exit the city via the Remenus Gate in the north, and move in to liberate the Duchy of O’well, then continuing…”
Gerald and Klein listen carefully to everything Arlin says, while Lily and Belisari couldn’t care less about it. After all, the movement of the northern army will not affect their front as that army shall move in ways that differ and are unrelated to the others.
“Want to try?”-Lily hands a cigarette to Belisari, which he declines.
“Stop dragging me into your hobby. I don’t need smoke to cope with stress.”
“Pay attention you two over there.”
Arlin’s voice reaches out for them-”Damn it was because of you”-whispered Belisari to the archduchess.
“Come on you two”-Klein speaks with an expression on his face, which can be translated to annoyed-”At least listen to what Arlin says, as this is real serious intel that can't be overlooked.”
“We know, sorry and please continue, Alex.”
Arlin nods and again looks down the table, focusing entirely on it:
“Now we come to the second front, the southern army, consisting of again thirty thousand people. Klein and I are going to be the commander of that front.”
“Which means the Companion Husaria and the Legionary Corp…”
“Will be in the south, yes”-the man finishes what his sister says and continues-”And many more legions, as well as 80% of the Knights Cathedraller, who are familiar with that region. This army is planned to exit via the Bosphor Gate, and will be tasked with the mission of conquering our former territory of the County of Flemton. After that, we will build a defensive line along the river of Granisus.”
“Because after hearing of our attack, the Elestovakians will redistribute their force to the north. By making defense behind the Granisus, they will not be able to cross that river to enter Flemton.”-the prince added.
“By far they are considered the largest and most well supplied force, considering the fact that we will be stationed in one place. In the meantime waiting for the third army to show up, we would establish a logistic line from there to Latila as well…”
Arlin then places the last flag onto the map:
“Finally, the third army, under the command of my sister Lily and His Highness Belisari…”
Unlike the two previous armies, this force only consisted of ten thousand troops, and will be the force with the longest journey. Their job will be the least comparing to the other two at least:
“You two will exit via the Konstantine gate, marching to Voyage, the Aeropostale Republic, then Carthagia, creates a rebellion there and seizes control over that region. The army will then move to Nosfetura to negotiate with the vampires.”
The task of this army is not fighting, at least it is not their main mission. They hold the responsibility of seeking allies in foreign territory, triggering revolutions on their paths and destabilizing the empire internally. In addition, their plan included a visit to the vampire community in the Alpsles Mountains Range, in which they might be able to invite them into the war. Knowing well that their seventy thousand men alone cannot defeat the empire, Arlin, Lily, Belisari and Justinius had discussed and considered this as an official strategy in their expedition east:
(I wonder if my friend is still there?)
“Alright, so that is basically the plan of our armies. Now, I think there is one question we should answer right away…”
Arlin becomes silence for a moment, he inhales, exhales, before continues:
“Which army should Aurora follow?”
This question is crucial for many reasons: Aurora is a great planner no doubt, excellent at managing technology and I besides, their arms were made by her, she knows how to use them the best. Her presence will significantly boost the strength of an army, increase the frequency of new weapons being used, which is important considering how outnumbered they are.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Obviously not the Northern Army since she has no relation with any of the legions in it, so either she would follow my brother and I, or His Highness and my sister.”
With Arlin saying so, they’ve narrowed it into two answers. Still, it is worth being discussed between all important members of the two armies.
“I opine her going with us”-Klein raises his hand, trying to gain the girl to his army-”Our legions are large and require plenty of supply. Aurora is needed for us to quickly set up the routes, establishing bases and fortifying our positions. Additionally, I heard from her that she can help make “rapid float bridges”, which I guess by its name will be vital for us when we cross the Granisus.”
“I agree with your vision”-complementing Arlin to his brother-”Also, my cavalry had just received repetitive crossbows from her. They were amazing. If she stays with us a little longer, she might figure out how to improve their quality even further.”
The strategic points of Aurora staying in the Southern Army are quite clear, and overall having Aurora in this front shall increase their national army strength. If they want to build a strong coalition though, the Eastern Army is perhaps preferable:
“Disagree”-Lily opens her counterargument-”Our army is significantly inferior in numbers, so quality is a must, having Aurora on our team shall ensure that. Not to mention that our job is to create internal problems for the Elestovakians, Aurora can further strengthen the Carthagians and Aeropostians rebels by arming them with her weapons.”
To Lily, Aurora would be better arming a huge number of militias. By doing so, the difference between the total sum of coalition’s fighters and Elestovakian troops would dramatically decrease.
“So you say that we have to choose between a professional thirty thousand men army and potentially half a million to a million armed citizens.”
“You get my point Klein. A powerful standing army is valuable, but infecting a nation with funded rebellions can weaken them even faster.”
While the Voyagers are discussing their ideas, Belisari and Gerald are still silent-”Let the professionals execute it their way”-said the knight to the prince, because he is fully aware that when it comes to warfare, no one can say they are better than a Voyage:
“No, I think I should start joining war conferences like this from now on.”
Belisari says, then moves toward the table:
“We need Aurora to negotiate with the vampires.”
Upon hearing what the prince spoke, the three Voyagers suddenly stop. Aurora and vampires, what relate in that?
“The vampire community became extremely closed after the Elestovakian War. Latila, Vlenna and Nosfetura did have a good relationship before their country was destroyed, but have we received any contact from them since? No.”
Belisari elaborates, but that make Klein and Arlin even more confused:
“So why Aurora?”-Lily asks, she should be on his side since they are going to be deployed into the same army, but now even she can’t understand what the prince wants to achieve by doing such.
“Well, I can see by their behavior that they are now forbidding humans to make contact with them. Humans, like you, your brothers, Sir Gerald here, me and of course, Aurora. However, when y’all first meet her, how many thought that she was a vampire?”
In fact, all of them thought she was a vampire at first glance, and it usually takes more time before they recognize her brown eyes. If Aurora’s appearance can trick humans into thinking she is a vampire, to real vampires, it should work the same:
“So, we can use her appearance to at least be welcomed into their colonies, after that there will be talking. Otherwise we would have no choice but just stand there in front of their gate begging them to open the doors, and I doubt that it could work.”
“Can’t you just dismiss the idea of inviting them into war?”
“Are you telling me not to recruit the remainder of what used to be considered the strongest army in the continent?”
Indeed, the Nosfeturan Empire once had the strongest standing army in the world, which helped them to seize control of half of Atlasia under the banner of theirs. It wasn’t until the Elestovakian War that they were defeated for good, but that is all the point needed for Klein to throw a counterargument:
“We are about to wage war against the very same army that had decimated them before. They will not make that much of a difference.”
“I do not think so, their force might be dwindled and defeated, but they are still stronger than most of our legions. And under our command they will have a chance to repeal their old enemies, they have determination to do so, and that would ensure their loyalty. Another fine legion into our army, a gamble worth playing.”
Both Belisari and Klein have the right in their ideas. On the one hand, Belisari and Lily need Aurora to help arming a huge number of militias and being the catalyst for the talk with the vampires. On the other hand, Klein wants her to focus entirely on building logistics and increasing the strength of the national armed forces.
“What is your opinion, Sir Gerald?”
Asked Arlin to the knight, and he replied:
“Me? I will definitely go with His Highness and Her Grace. They will meet up with the vampires, right? The Cathedrallers need an ambassador to represent the vampire, I will be the one to do that job.”
“I see…”
“No worry, as I said, most of the Order stay with you two.”
“I know…but if that is the case, then Aurora should go with Belisari.”
“Wait! What?-Gerald says in surprise-”I thought you were going to say that the third army has me so Aurora should stay in the second army?”
“No, I don’t even have that idea in mind. No matter how we see it, this is war, it has every type of risk you can think of that might kill you if you are being careless. Aurora meanwhile is a valuable person, we cannot let her risk her life. Hence, it is better to have her by the side of you, His Highness and my sister, you three can supervise her to prevent any harm toward Aurora…”
“So you are leaving us the responsibility of siting Aurora?”-said Belisari
“If you want her, Your Highness, then that is the case.”
“Now to think of it.”-Klein added-”You are the closest person to her, you must know how to protect that child from harm. But for such simple work, I can too, hence I am not giving up on the idea of inviting her into my army though. My Legionaries need her more than your Marines do.”
“How about doing things like back in two thousand years ago? De-mo-cra-cy?”
Klein stunned for a second upon hearing that word, then he smashes his fist down the table:
“Agh! Fine!”
Democracy, like how the Republic of Remes, the former state of the Kingdom of Latila did to resolve every conflict in their life. Without hierarchy, the votes would be counted fairly and systematically, and always in favor of the majority of the people. It was a stable system and was used for three hundred years until the Republic dissolved and changed to monarchy. The idea of it still lives on among the people of Latila however, and is still being used when people want to de-escalate a conflict, not with weapons and ranks, but with their voices and ballots:
“Damn it! You betrayed me brother.”
“Sorry, I am not going to choose a side.”
The topic for the conflict today is “Should Aurora follow the Third Army?”. And in this case democracy was brought up again, and Belisari won by a landslide. Klein is the only person who opposes him, Arlin goes with a blank vote, the rest are on his side. Three to one, Klein cannot oppose it.
“Okay, Aurora is ours, then.”
The prince declares, though he cannot be so happy about it seeing his friend be disappointed in the background. Nevertheless, the archduchess by his side claps her hands together, continues:
“So we settle, Aurora will go with His Highness, Sir Gerald and I. Arlin, deliver this message to Aurora for me. Be ready everyone, the war will begin in not much longer.”