Chapter 167: A New Canvas

Chapter 167: A New Canvas

A New Canvas

Korelia

The airship's first flight of the year became a spectacle in Korelia. The vessel, which had slipped through the night on its arrival last season, was now revealed in all its glory under the morning sun. Its majestic form, sleek and unburdened by ornaments, resembled the tip of a spear soaring across the blue sky. The ivory skin of the airship gleamed as it made its rounds, seemingly to delight the onlookers below.

Rumors spread that the Lord himself had piloted the flying vessel. The airship took to the skies several times over three days before the activities in the sky subsided. However, these events were just a prelude to the military display that would soon take place.

The citizens of Korelia had barely finished discussing the Lord’s daring exploits with his airship when, one crisp morning, the sound of marching abruptly filled the air. As the first light of dawn grazed the horizon, hundreds of men clad in full military gear streamed out from their billets, their breaths forming misty clouds in the cool air.

Hearing the commotion, Korelians opened their windows in amazement and watched the troops pass by. Cheers erupted from some who recognized family members or relatives among the marchers. Sir Justin, fully armored, rode his eager warhorse at the front. Following close behind were Sir Harold and Sir Michael, leading the rest of the mounted knights and the cavalry.

They moved like a procession, marching in good order toward the city's west gate. Lord Lansius and Lady Audrey were present too, riding in a new carriage flanked by squires and guardsmen.

The Korelians was emerging from winter's grip and relished the parade-like atmosphere. Among the figures they cheered for was Francisca. Her towering yet delicate presence had made her a favorite among the children.

Banners from Korimor, South Hill, White Lake, Three Hills, Nicopola, and the Nomadic tribesmen fluttered in the wind, a vibrant testament to the significant expansion of House Lansius over just one year.

Although the ice outside had not fully thawed, it was preferable to the impending muddy conditions that spring would bring. This lingering chill did little to deter the procession as it reached the open plains of west Korelia.

Upon arrival, Sir Justin, acting as the marshal, promptly commanded the army to assume formation. Following Lord Lansius' directive, he was to ensure the troops were ready and willing.

In the field, the soldiers lined up in precise formation, their backs straight, right hands holding either halberds or spears, shields on their left, and swords at their belts. As the sun rose higher, its golden rays caught the polished ringmail and helmets of the men, making them glisten under the morning sun.

Despite maintaining garrisons in Korimor, South Hill, Hill Fort, and the bulwark in Umberland, their numbers had swelled impressively. From the original four hundred, the force had almost doubled.

As the columns formed squares, the formidable scale of the army became apparent to everyone. Whereas a typical barony might muster a hundred or two hundred, House Korelia had assembled seven hundred professional soldiers. This impressive count did not even include the militia and their allies.

Lord Lansius, observing from outside his carriage, instructed calmly, "Line formation, five men deep."

Echoing his command, Sir Justin announced, "Line formation, five men deep!" Captains and lieutenants immediately relayed the order through their units.

The soldiers, no longer mere recruits, shifted into line formation with practiced ease. Most of them had seen combat and bled in battles. Their faces were confident, eager to march even with loaded rucksacks on their backs.

Lord Lansius then climbed into his carriage for a better view of the troops. He admired the straight lines of the formation before him. With a nod, he commanded, "Forward, maintain formation."

"Vanguard, march! Maintain formation," echoed the marshal. The order cascaded down the ranks.

The army advanced. Infantry formed the center with cavalry on both flanks. The cranequiniers, a special unit armed with crossbows, held the reserve position. Meanwhile, the Lord and his knights kept pace.

Riding next to the carriage, Sir Justin confirmed, "My Lord, My Lady, do you have any specific orders for today?"

"Let’s head to the village by the forest where Lord Jorge camped last summer," Lord Lansius replied from inside the carriage. "The scouts have confirmed the roads are passable for carriages and carts."

"By your order," Sir Justin acknowledged, then rode off to inform his command staff.

With that, House Lansius began their early spring training. It wasn’t the annual training session, but it had become a tradition as the men were restless after a long stay at the billets and eager to show what they had learned or how they maintained their edge despite the long winter.

...

Lansius

Despite the softer seat and the leaf spring suspension, the ride was still rocky and bumpy. Lansius knew this was to be expected as they were riding off-road, yet he couldn’t help feeling downhearted by the harsh ride.

I guess I expected too much.

He admitted this to himself while peering outside to observe the plains and the troops’ movements, using it as a distraction from the uncomfortable journey.

"It's a smooth ride," Audrey reassured, as if reading his mind.

"Really?" Lansius turned to her and couldn't help but notice the gentle swell beneath her pashmina wool coat.

"Definitely better than usual," she said warmly.

Lansius couldn't resist a smile. "It's still bumpy, though."

"Of course, it's running on a frozen, off-the-beaten path, not the Imperial road," she replied.

The mention of the Imperial road piqued his interest. "Imperial Road? I've never heard of that."

Audrey raised her brow. "But you read a lot?"

He chuckled softly. "I guess not many bothers to write about roads."

"Well, there's a road that connected Centuria, Tiberia, Elandia, and Nicopola," she explained. "For the most part, it's a good cobbled road, some even wide and smooth. Even in disrepair, it surpasses most dirt tracks."

Lansius nodded thoughtfully. "I hope I could get a map of that."

"I can probably find one for you," Audrey offered confidently.

"You can?" Lansius' tone was skeptical yet amused.

Audrey wore a proud smile. "You'd be surprised at how many letters I receive, asking for invitations. Cecile said that some come from wealthy families from as far as Galdia and Salceslia."

"Now, I'm getting jealous," Lansius quipped as he leaned closer. "And what exactly do these correspondents seek from my lovely wife?"

Audrey grinned as they bumped shoulders. "I already told you, invitations to our court. They probably want to see the face of the black-haired conqueror," her tone was playful.

"The famed Black Lord, eh?" Lansius chuckled. By now, he had embraced the moniker. "Soon, it'll be Gray Lord."

"I don't mind," she said with a sweet smirk. "I also love gray horses."

Sir Justin chuckled. "If that were to happen, I'd take cash."

His unexpected jest made the other council members chuckle.

The knight continued, "Arvena may have more fertile land and developed towns, but it seems that the fortune of my House lies elsewhere as fortune continues to evade us." He looked around the chamber and said, "I seriously think that my House's fortune lies in Lowlandia."

Lansius chuckled, finding the reason poignant despite its nonsensical nature. "What happened to the knight that fight for profit?"

Sir Justin laughed. "I haven’t changed. It’s just that I smell fortune and revenge in Arvena." He then gazed curiously at Lansius. "What about you, My Lord? You're as good as any Arvenians. I heard you were in Riverstead when the city fell and in Sabina Rustica as well. I’m sure you have blood debts to settle."

Lansius leaned back in his seat and admitted, "My blood boils if I think of their treachery. I wish to lead an army there if I could, but alas, I'm now responsible for so many souls."

Sir Justin smiled like a proud father and nodded. "Originally, I had hoped you could lend me some troops, but with the situation in Midlandia, I doubt they would let an armed party enter."

Lansius exhaled sharply. "I wish you would reconsider your plan; I don't want you to get tangled in their succession crisis."

"I'll manage. The one thing I'm expert at is smuggling myself," he quipped, eliciting chuckles from Cecile and Calub. "Besides, it's probably a good way to prevent them from trying to use me against you, My Lord."

Lansius sat up straight. "Gratitude for your concern, Sir Justin."

"Don't be," Sir Justin shook his head. "It's mostly my own affair. You see, I also badly need to see my son and my wife."

Lansius nodded and had nothing else to say. Cecile took the chance to ask, "What about Eleanor?"

"Yes, this is the hardest decision," he said with a sigh. "I sincerely hope you can take care of Eleanor for me. Right now, Korelia is probably the safest place in this part of the Imperium."

Cecile exchanged glances with Calub, who nodded and replied, "I'll be honored to be entrusted with your daughter. And indeed, as you said, politically and militarily, Korelia is the most stable."

"Militarily, yes," Lansius commented, "but politically, we're still to see whether the shogunate will take form smoothly."

"My Lord, it's still a better bet," Sir Justin replied. "With the Imperium in this state, Korelia is likely to escape the crisis—or, as Sir Harold said, strong enough to wrestle the conflict down."

Lansius chose not to argue. The other two council members, Calub and Cecile, glanced at him, waiting. "How many men will you bring to Midlandia and Arvena?" Lansius finally asked.

"Twenty from here. I'll pick up more when I arrive in Midlandia, thinking about forty or fifty."

"That's big enough for Midlandia to see it as a threat," Lansius leaned forward. "I can't give you more men, but I can give you something better."

***

Eastern Mansion

As Lansius returned to Eastern Mansion, Ingrid and Claire had been waiting. Audrey asked them to join us for lunch.

Sterling, who hadn't seen his newlywed wife for an entire winter, was certainly emotional, but he composed himself well, despite Claire clearly giving him some sweet smiles.

After lunch, Audrey invited them to their private hall. With Margo keeping watch at the door, they could speak more freely.

"How was your stay at Cecile's family estate?" Audrey asked.

"It's wonderful. I might even say that the stay has been incredibly pleasant," said Ingrid.

"My house is honored to host an esteemed educator like her at our humble place," Claire commented.

Originally, Lansius was a bit worried since Cecile and Calub had stayed in Korelia over the winter, leaving only Claire as the host. But as it turned out, it worked out well.

Afterward, Ingrid began her reports. "I'm sure My Lord and Lady are eager to hear about my findings. As Sir Morton has said, indeed, Claire has a talent."

Lansius, seated, and Sterling, who stood guard, both leaned forward; however, Ingrid merely smiled, prompting the two to look at Claire, who sheepishly smiled in return.

"She can," Audrey muttered without surprise to Lansius. "I could see her aura."

Lansius and Sterling breathed a sigh of relief. "Congratulations," Lansius said to Claire, who promptly curtsied.

"Lans, I believe the two need some time together," Audrey hinted, and Lansius chuckled. "Sterling, Claire, I order you two to go home. I'm sure you'll have some catching up to do."

The two newlyweds, separated since the start of winter and now slightly flustered, excused themselves.

"I feel bad separating them just after their wedding," Lansius commented as he watched them leave. "Especially since Sterling just furnished their new house."

"He ended up spending the winter in the Eastern Mansion with us," Audrey said, sharing a similar sense of guilt.

"I think My Lord and Lady shouldn't feel bad about it. We should feel fortunate instead. Claire's gift of magic was almost lost," Ingrid revealed.

"Then indeed it is a stroke of good fortune. Now our House has another mage," said Audrey spiritedly. She was the one who introduced Claire to Ingrid and brought this plan to Cecile and Lansius.

"It's going to take another year before she can be of any use," warned Ingrid. Then she asked, "My Lady, you previously mentioned something about an aura?"

"Oh, yes," Audrey muttered. "That's what my master used to say about the colored glowing thing around the body. I've begun to see it clearer and clearer."

Ingrid furrowed her brow, nodding but looking quite befuddled.

Lansius rose and decided to seek his expertise. "Ingrid, I think you should see what Lady Audrey is capable of."

This piqued Ingrid, who readily stood and asked, "Capable of what exactly, My Lord?"

"Oh, you're going to be surprised," Lansius remarked, his voice tinged with anticipation yet carrying an ominous undertone. Meanwhile, outside, the blanket of snow gave way to a tapestry of wildflowers, closing the chapter on winter. Now, the canvas of spring sets the stage for the ascent of the new Korelia Shogunate.

***