Ignoring the frustrated mayor, the Ryntum's soldiers quickly gain a foothold in the city.
Bain didn't spare him a second glance, and there's no need to. Hearing a series of curse words is not part of his duty.
The mayor can only watch the city slipping away from his fingers.
Despite the initial panic, Bain was pleased to see that Velten did not descend into chaos.
In tis of uncertainty, there were always those who sought to take advantage.
Thieves, looters, opportunists, you nad it. They are always lurking in the shadows.
But under the watchful eyes of the soldiers, any such actions were extinguished.
Public order was restored before it could spiral out of control.
A few troublemakers did jump out but they were dealt with imdiately.
Satisfied with the progress, Bain's next move is to split the army into two.
One half will stay in Velten while the other half will march to Vaale.
He will leave this job to Hugo. Let's turn him as Ryntum's spokesperson.
When Bain expressed his intention, Hugo was dissatisfied. However, he swallowed his protest. He knew better than to argue.
After Bain told Hugo of his role, he pivoted from the square toward the command post established in one of Velten's administrative buildings.
Inside, a group of professionals waited there, standing in small clusters.
Apparently, these people had started doing their jobs without being told.
Bain doesn't understand much about this.
He only followed the arrangent made before their departure and brought this group of professionals consisting of engineers, surveyors, cartographers and many more to the north.
Seeing the table strewn with maps and docunts, they should have been brief about their task here.
A man stepped forward, likely the team leader. "General Bain, our teams are ready. We'll begin with Velten's surroundings and expand outward."
"You know where to put your priority on, right?"
While he's no expert, he understood enough to recognize their importance.
From this mont on, he only needs to arrange security teams to safeguard them.
"Of course! It should be that mountain range" the lead surveyor replied, pointing his finger to the massive natural wall on the east.
"Good!"
The mountain range wasn't just a pile of rocks, it was a boundary for Blande and Barlia.
Both nations had agreed to respect the range as a natural border.
For hundreds of years, that mountain played a key role in balancing the two nations. Its treacherous passes discouraged any thoughts of invasion or expansion.
But now, that equilibrium was on the brink of collapse.
A third power had appeared, one that didn't have to respect the old agreents because it was never part of them.
Bain realized the purpose of investigating that place. He also is aware of his king's intention.
After all, It's not like he's only been working for a year.
"Elevation, choke points, natural passes. Everything." Bain emphasize. "The governnt need detailed topographical reports. They want to know how many n it would take to hold those passes… and how few it would take to break through them."
"We know, general. Rest assured and leave it to us."
Bain watched as the surveyors gathered their equipnt such as paper, maps, compasses, and asuring tools before shuffling out.
Their footsteps gradually faded.
With the last of them gone, Bain let out a long exhale.
His posture becos relaxed. The rigid tension in his shoulders finally eased.
"Finally," he muttered to himself.
Bain loosened the collar of his uniform and unbuckled his sword, leaning it against the wooden table.
He no longer cared for the neatness.
He went to his tent and let himself fall onto the folding mattress.
Every soldier gets one of these. So, there's nothing luxurious about it.
It can barely be called a mattress considering the minimum effort they put to make them.
But, this coarse and thin mattress beneath him is strangely comforting.
The temperature here was just right for taking a nap.
The air carried the scent of earth, mingling with the distant smoky tang of campfires.
The breeze brushed over his face. It is cool enough to be refreshing but gentle enough not to disturb his growing sense of calm.
Bain closed his eyes and slowly drifted into his sleep.
....
It was not known exactly how long Bain had been asleep.
When an unwelco sensation of soone shaking his shoulder roused him from the depths of slumber, the sky was bathed in a soft orange glow.
Bain blinked, unsure whether he had slept through the night or only a few hours.
Putting the matter of ti aside, he was unhappy.
He glares at his subordinate. "You better have a good reason for waking up."
He was angry. Why wouldn't he?
His direct subordinates were officers trained to lead the army. Even if an ergency arises, they're capable of handling it by themselves.
The officer didn't flinch. He does have a good reason.
"An emissary from the Blande governnt is waiting to et you."
Bain rubbed the remnants of sleep from his eyes, "First of all, what ti is it?"
"Seven in the morning, sir! You slept the whole night."
"I see." Bain stood up. "Let's go and figure out the purpose of this emissary showing up this early in the morning."
The Blande emissary was waiting near the command post. Two guards flanked him, looking more ceremonial than practical.
"Are you the one in charge here?" the emissary stepped forward and asked.
No pleasantry whatsoever, which is rare for an envoy.
"I am."
"Good. I'm here, on behalf of Blande, to lodge an official protest regarding your unauthorized encroachnt into our sovereign territory. We demand you and your forces retreat imdiately from our nation."
Bain was taken aback. He becos slightly confused.
"I'm sorry, Mr envoy. I believe there's a... miscommunication. The Blande governnt has agreed to cede this territory. Both parties have officially signed the treaty confirming this."
The envoy becos angry. "We do not recognize the legitimacy of that treaty. It was made without permission from the governnt!"
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