[... Move our troops to the Cerdeauxian border. Make it clear that this is a show of force. I want them to feel our presence and realize we are prepared to take necessary action...]
"Hmm...I see, I see."
Wilmot who read the letter from the capital nodded understandably.
After years of inaction, there is finally sothing else to do besides periodic monitoring.
Had it not for the responsibility of overseeing multiple provinces, Wilmot was sure the boredom might have been the cause of his death.
A faint smile on his lips, "I'm glad that I didn't apply to be transferred to another place."
He folded the letter carefully and placed it on the table.
The general then looks at the man in front of him.
He is a ssenger from the capital who is tasked to deliver the very letter he's reading.
The poor man was breathing heavily and sweat glistening on his forehead. The ssenger must have pushed himself to the limit to get this letter here.
"Good work, sir. It must be hard for you to get here."
The ssenger sighed, "Yes. It's an arduous journey. Why the hell is our eastern military HQ in Balkes, anyway?"
Wilmot shrugged, "How do I know? Maybe because Balkes is close to Cerdeauxia."
If talk about frustration, he had a lot more than a ssenger.
"Vofors should also fit the purpose. And it's closer too."
"Maybe the central want to increase their control here. You know, it had been under Ryntum's control for a relatively short ti."
Balkes was a region they conquered in the previous war. There's a need for an army to be here while the region and its people integrate into the kingdom."
Wilmot understands the ssenger's complaints.
In terms of developnt, Balkes was still a few steps behind the older cities in the kingdom.
But the progress made was undeniable. The city was gradually transforming, though perhaps not as quickly as so might hope.
"I wish the Bideford-Vofors train line can be completed faster. It'd make it much easier to travel east," said the ssenger.
"Is that so? I had no chance to ride it yet. I heard it can take you from the capital to Baroks in just a few hours."
The ssenger looks at Wilmot with sympathetic eyes, "You should try once, general."
The remark stung and Wilmot began to feel annoyed. Seems like he's too isolated to enjoy one of the kingdom's most significant advancents.
"Okay, okay. why don't you go and take a rest," Wilmot said, dismissively waving a hand.
The ssenger sensed a change in Wilmot's tone and quickly left the room.
Wilmot wasted no ti. He swiftly ordered half of the available troops to assemble.
Standing in front of 4,000 soldiers in their military base, Wilmot's eyes swept over them.
He took his ti to slowly walk before them. His eyes scrutinized the soldiers.
He looked for signs of flaws in their stance or discipline but unfortunately found none.
"Good! Your discipline does not deteriorate. I was thinking of disciplining you guys, but I guess I do not have to. That's too bad."
The soldiers were unsure how they should react upon hearing their general's remark.
They exchanged glances among themselves, though no one dared to break their stance.
"All of you must be wondering why I gathered you here, right?"
The soldiers nod in unison.
"I'm pleased to tell you we've received an order. After so long rotting in this place, we finally had sothing to do. The location is at the border of Cerdeauxia."
Right after the na "Cerdeauxia" left his lips, the soldiers couldn't contain themselves.
Whispers of conversations erupted and broke the silence that had hung over them just monts before.
Did the war break out?
Are we attacking them?
Wilmot's eyes twitched as he saw himself losing control over this assembly.
"Shut up! I'm not finished talking yet. Why are you jumping to conclusions?"
The soldiers snapped back and imdiately fell silent.
He continued, "Our job is to harass them, not launch a full-blown war. Prepare yourselves. This mission is crucial. I expect nothing less than your best. We'll move out shortly."
"Yes, sir!"
....
The army marched out of their base.
The sight of thousands of soldiers moving in unison created a spectacle that was impossible to ignore.
The people of Balkes instinctively hide themselves. The day their city was conquered was still fresh in their minds.
The sight of Ryntum's soldiers once again parading through their streets reminded them of that day.
Wilmot pays no attention to them and leads the army southward.
He boldly used the main road, frequently used by rchants and travellers. He sees no reason to hide.
On the contrary, the general wanted as many people as possible to witness them.
And as Wiltmot expected, news of Ryntum's army marching toward Cerdeauxia spread quickly.
By the ti they arrived at the border separating the two countries, the atmosphere had grown incredibly tense.
Cerdeuxian had mustered a sizeable troop and waiting for them.
It's still smaller than the Ryntum's nonetheless.
'They must scramble in panic to respond to the reports by the rchants.' Wilmot thought.
"Halt! Beyond this point is Cerdeauxian territory. You are not allowed to enter. Turn back now, or we will be forced to take action."
Wilmot smirked.
Ignoring the words from the Cerdeauxian officer, he signalled his troop to get closer.
rchants and travellers who were unlucky enough to be present quickly scurried to the sides. They don't want to get caught in the cross fire.
The Cerdeauxian officer knew he had to act. The prestige of his nation was at stake. He can't allow this blatant provocation to go unanswered.
"Release a warning shot!"
A single arrow flew and landed in the dirt several ters in front of Wilmot.
Wilmot didn't flinch. If anything, he was amused.
In response, he orders one soldier to fire a single shot.
Certainly, the sound made is more impactful and intimidating than the whoosh of the arrow.
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