Before summer arrived, Chris swiftly completed his deal with the Retalians. The newly rotated-in corps of the Bagnia Defense Force successfully took control of Dul and Chivilevka, two provinces of the Minicia Kingdom.
Before handing over the fortresses along Chivilevka Province's border with the Retalia Empire, the Retalian Army delivered the last batch of warhorses to Chris. All 2,400 breeding stallions were accounted for, not one more and not one fewer.
Every one healthy and intact.
Chris appreciated Sebas's punctuality and honesty. He had always responded better to courtesy than coercion. Since the other party had proved so trustworthy, Chris would not be stingy either. He would deliver everything promised in the deal, in full.
Chris now stood atop the walls of a border fortress in Chivilevka Province, looking down over the land where the Double-Headed Eagle Banner had just been raised.
The hot summer wind carried the scent of grass and trees, mingled with the faint, lingering smell of burning left by the war.
In the distance, the delegation sent by the Retalia Empire, led by the Alchemist Alfred, headed inland along a dusty road under the "escort" of a squad of hardened Bagnia infantry. Their destination was the vast and intimidating Saltpeter Fields deep within Bagnia.
The corners of Chris's mouth lifted slightly. This had been the right move.
Sebas's honesty had earned his "generosity," but behind that "generosity" lay a naked display of power.
Chris planned to have the Retalians travel to Anvil Fortress first, then take a steam train into the country.
When you had something good, you had to show it off. If you never let others see what you were capable of, they would look down on you.
Letting the Retalians see Bagnia's capacity for war, giving them more cause for caution and less