Dynasties Online-Chapter 201: Ranier Lantier.

"Ranier Lantier, known as The King’s Sword, is a name that should be spoken about more."

"It is only unfortunate that his greatness was suppressed by one of the great military geniuses of the era, Railius Aurellion."

"But he is not a man to be underestimated nor overlooked, much like Napoleon’s various generals and marshals, who each were talented in their own right."

"He stood by his king loyally, helping to turn the tide at critical moments."

"He helped build the foundation of the army that would go down as a legendary existence in history for its strength and loyalty ."

"It would not be a stretch to say that the success of many of Nathia’s victories in its golden age, right before its fall, was due to this man and the legacy he would leave behind."

"As well as the bearer of that Legacy."

"Nathia’s God of War Railius Aurellion.

Levath Rammat, Historian in the Kingdom of Arthurus.

....

"So you are the young noble whose shadow has been plaguing the kingdom for the last 3 years."

Ranier Lantier said in a calm voice that did not boom as Railius had expected; instead, it was imbued with the quiet authority of an experienced leader.

The veteran great general didn’t need to shout or bark orders like a dog to get any of his men to do anything; a quiet command was all it took.

Ranier’s authority over the army no longer stemmed from his titles or influence in the royal court, but from respect.

The respect of his soldiers, who trust him with their lives.

Who trusts him not to waste any sacrifice they may have to make for victory.

Even if that sacrifice requires them to give up their very lives.

Railius looked around, a subtle signal to Ranier, asking him if they could speak freely here, as who knew what shadow or secret passageway a spy might be able to slip into to listen to their conversation.

A conversation that will cover certain very sensitive subjects they did not want their enemies, both internal and external, to know about.

Ranier merely nodded, indicating that it was safe, and was not surprised that someone who had been hunted down like an animal for half of his life by the Chavarian Empire would be wary and understand the importance of secrecy.

Something that not all nobles were, whether they were landed, landless or fallen, there were places where they felt safe.

Protected.

A place where they feel that their secrets would remain safe and hidden from the world.

Yet this was seldom the truth, for spies can be found and come from the most unexpected of places, as even the most loyal servants could be bought off for the right price.

Or blackmailed, which was the way the now Emperor Flavius managed to get to Archtorius to stab Lucius in the back, allowing him to succeed in murdering his brother, who he got word was about to become the crown prince.

Whenever Railius dropped his act and talked about business related to House Aurellion, the room and the surroundings were already scouted by the Pelican Guards, the world-class bodyguards and soldiers easily finding and then eliminating any spies in the vicinity with brutal efficiency that would transcend even the most vaunted of rat catchers.

Having a unique unit that has skills in insight and perception is very useful at times.

Even grandmaster assassins would find it hard to break through Aldorus’ guard or avoid his search.

They wouldn’t be killed. That would be extraordinarily difficult for someone who is not yet a grandmaster themselves, especially when facing a grandmaster assassin who focuses on stealth and evasion.

But finding them, detecting them, that was something almost guaranteed, and all because when it comes to insight and perception, Aldorus was at a higher level than the Grand Commander of the Pelican Guards and Grandmaster of Loyalty Leon Mantalon, even if in a straight fight, Aldorus would fall in seconds to his old friend.

For only the young lord of House Aurellion, Aldorus and perhaps Darius, now that he had been reunited with Leon for the first time in years, would be able to tell or know a most frightening truth.

Despite the Pelican Guard Grand Commander’s body ageing, his bones withering and starting to turn brittle from the unrelenting corruption of time.

They knew that over the last 10 years, since his escape from Chavaria with the last hope of a once powerful house, Leon had not only not weakened.

He had strengthened.

He was faster than before, he hit harder than before, his will was stronger than before, as if he had come out of the fires of war and tragedy reforged as a blade of mithril ready to cut down all who would threaten the last of his noble friend’s blood.

No one knew why. It was a secret that Leon kept even from Railius behind a mask of loyalty and duty.

Nay, not behind a mask of loyalty or duty, likely because of it.

Railius could not confirm the reason, but he suspected it.

A reason borne out of perceived failure, out of a need to protect and something far darker.

Vengeance.

Vengeance against those who had betrayed and killed his lord, his comrade in arms, his best friend.

If it were not for Railius’ survival and the need to protect and serve him, then it is likely Leon would already have gone on a mad revenge spree, killing anyone who had a hand in the death of their lord and even those who hadn’t or only had an indirect involvement.

After getting confirmation that there were no spies in the vicinity, Railius replied to the great general with his trademark infuriatingly casual slight smile.

"I wouldn’t call myself a plague more...."

Railius paused as he thought for a second, trying to find the right words to say.

"A scalpel cutting away its rot, it’s just that my blade hurts a bit more than most do and cuts deeper, removing more corruption from its ailing patient in the hope that it would allow them to recover and grow stronger."

"After all, we all serve his majesty and work to bring about his vision for the kingdom."

Railius said, maintaining his calm yet slightly insufferably arrogant and confident tone of voice, although usually his arrogance was a result of confidence, as arrogance was only not confidence if he failed to achieve results.

Rainer’s eyes narrowed in both intrigue and suspicion, though it was clear that he was an experienced, intelligent man whose words were carefully chosen.

After all, while both Ranier and Railius appeared to be in the royalist faction in Nathia and were at least partially aware of King Luther Kendaris’ plan, Railius was, for all intents and purposes, an outsider, a newcomer whose true intentions the royal family couldn’t be sure of to this day, which made him a variable.

And if what Ranier had heard from both the crown prince and king was correct, a very dangerous one at that.

A double-edged sword capable of both cutting your enemies as well as yourself.

"Why would he trust you?"

Ranier asked in a calm, composed voice, used to being listened to and obeyed.

"Because I am one of the best tools for him to buy on the market that can help him achieve his goal, because despite his best attempts to stay hidden in the shadows, there are clues if you know where to look."

"Clues I found."

"Clues that to this day I fear."

Railius said seriously, as the deep plot of the Nathian king, if the young lord of House Aurellion was correct, was far more far-reaching and terrifying than he could possibly imagine.

Otherwise, it would not be worthy of being a grandmaster-level plot, as only the Nathian king at the centre of this spider’s web would be aware of just how many strings and pawns that he had placed all over the kingdom.

However, what was important was that Railius had discovered these signs and then immediately joined the king’s side, unknowingly becoming part of the royalist faction as a result.

It was a necessary move, even if it essentially tied him to the royal family’s war chariot for the next two generations, as the alternative was death and the destruction of House Aurellion because despite his old and amiable demeanour this was a king who was willing to sacrifice his own son on the alter to ensure his kingdoms prosperity and strength in a time when external threats were only ever increasing.

Which was not something that Railius would countenance, so loyalty it would be, and the young lord expected that loyalty could gain his house much in a short space of time.

Although this also aligns with Reginald’s overall plan for House Aurellion, as he intended for Railius to be the epitome of a loyal minister, building a strong foundation for his noble house that can be leveraged by its successors to advance and retreat as needed.

"And the price for your help?"

Great General Ranier asked in a voice as composed and commanding as ever, but he seemed interested in how Railius referred to himself as a tool in the hands of the royal family, a weapon for them to wield as and when they see fit.

Yes, not a person or an ally, but a tool, a sword, a dog for them to send at any noble who dares to offend the royal family.

As in the current situation, that is what represented House Aurellions’ value the best.

It always made things easier when everyone knew where they stood.

"Merely a restoration to what I once was under the Chavarians, albeit likely with a lower title if his majesty believes my meagre contributions to be worthy of such an honour."

Railius replied humbly, wondering how he could act so similarly to Sima Yi in history, the man who laid the foundation for his son to usurp the throne from the Cao family, ultimately destroying Cao Wei and establishing the Jin Dynasty.

’Funny how history repeats itself.’

Railius mused inwardly, his expression not changing in the slightest as he continued to lock gazes with the old general.

"Is that so?"

Rainer said his eyes were moving up and down as if he were scanning Railius, looking for even the slightest signal of treachery before being seemingly satisfied.

"I imagine you came to the front lines to gain military merit then."

Rainier stated as if it were a fact and not a conjecture, though only a fool would not be able to figure out the reason for Railius joining the army when the kingdom was on the cusp of fighting the largest war and army that it had faced within a hundred years.

"Indeed, I just happened to be around at the right time."

"What a coincidence!"

Railius said in an amused tone, though only a fool would believe that it was a coincidence, before he registered the first half of the Nathian great general’s sentence.

"Is it already the front lines?"

Railius asked, raising an eyebrow, as he did not expect Chavaria to move so fast, as it had only been a few months since the new emperor came to power. Usually, it would take them longer to gain control of the court. However, Railius imagined that Flavius’ heavy involvement in politics helped immensely in this regard, as he was not a young, inexperienced ruler but an old hand with decades of experience in political intrigue behind him.

"Three days ago, we received this."

"Today we received this."

Rainer said, seriously, taking a scroll out of a drawer of his richly decorated, dark oaken desk and throwing it on the table before throwing out a second one and gesturing for Railius to come forward and read it.

Railius quickly approached the Nathian general’s desk to pick up the missives, his eyes widening in surprise as he read them. Once Railius was finished, he released a depressed sigh and closed his eyes, deep in thought, as his hands shook slightly.

The first missive was an official declaration of war against Nathia, and the second was information about the leader of the incoming Chavarian army.

It was the second missive that led to the depressed sigh as the information it relayed meant the coming war with Chavaria had just gotten a lot harder, and while Railius had his suspicions that this man would lead the war now that Crestier was dead, the young lord had prayed to all the gods not to make it so.

Obviously, the gods of Dynasties Online were either absent, ignoring him or mocking him because the Chavarians had finally decided to bring out their most hidden trump card, one forgotten by most of the world due to being stuck in the Chavarian court until now.

A terrifying old man, whom the entire world should fear, a god of war, unleashed once more.

Because the commander-in-chief of the Chavarian forces in this war against Nathia was none other than Amulius Lunaris, the hidden grandmaster of war, a title few were even aware of, who was arguably the best military strategist in the world today.

And what was worse.

His second-in-command was Archtorius Shadowspire, another grandmaster strategist and the current marshal, leader and top commander of the Imperial Army.

Two grandmaster strategists commanding a single army was unprecedented in recent Dynasties Online history, as it had been nearly 500 years since the last time such an event had occurred, showing Flavius’ determination to take Nathia down, or at least the Nartook fortress, in one fell swoop.

Railius’ chestnut brown eyes opened slowly, turning sharp in an instant.

"Is he not afraid?"

Railius asked pointedly, flexing his hand absentmindedly, taking the brooding Nathian general off guard momentarily.

"Afraid? Why would he be af-"

Rainer spluttered before he finally realised where Railius’ train of thought was going.

"There is a reason after all why it’s been 500 years since the last time two grandmasters have commanded a single army, and it is not just due to an issue of who gives commands."

"It is the same reason why, in the Chavarian Unification Wars, the old emperor of Chavaria only ever had one grandmaster strategist present in the army at a time and forced Amulius to stay in the court, as well as his need to have a reliable helper to keep the conservative faction of the Chavarian nobles in check."

Railius said as he moved to the world map hanging on the back wall of the great general’s quarters.

"Indeed, no nation would sit still knowing its neighbour has two grandmaster strategists that it can send out in the same army, especially when that nation is as powerful as Chavaria is."

"So an alliance it will have to be then."

Ranier replied as he joined the young fallen noble by the map, sighing, as without an alliance of nations, it would be extremely difficult to survive the Chavarian onslaught led by two grandmaster strategists, especially strategists with as much experience as those two had.

In fact, if Nathia did not have Nartook fortress defending the only mountain pass between Nathia and Chavaria, then both Ranier and Railius would have both thrown in the towel already, as it significantly lessened the impact a grandmaster strategist can have on the battlefield.

Numbers and strategy can only do so much in such a small confined space as a mountain pass after all.

"Yes, an alliance, it will have to be if we wish to survive the coming crisis."

"We are lucky that no nation around Chavaria is embroiled in war already, unlike most of the rest of the world, most likely out of fear of Chavaria attacking them while they are weakened or their main army is away fighting elsewhere, because no matter who it was that the fledgling empire finally decided to attack when it finally stirred from its long slumber it would take the entire nation to withstand it."

Railius said his voice as sharp as steel as he began to analyse which kingdoms would be more accepting of an alliance.

"Yet an alliance built upon fear of two men is less than stable."

Ranier commented that even though he was not the best political mind in the world, he was still competent enough to understand the fragility of alliances, as it is an important prerequisite for a competent general.

"Alliances have always been built on interests, and for this war, at least, we won’t have to worry about betrayal from any of our potential allies, as if they join, they will be too preoccupied with their own theatres of war."

"Well, except one."

Railius said as he used a large wooden stick to point to a specific location on the large world map hanging on a side wall of the great general’s office, where a nation existed in the mountains that was the biggest variable for them.

"The Iravian Confederacy?"

Ranier asked, locking his eyebrows in confusion as Railius smiled slightly at the general’s reaction, as even if he did not know the reason with his instincts trained over decades in the army, the old general could already point out who was most important to the outcome of the coming war.

"Yes, the Iravian Confederacy."

"Every nation surrounding Chavaria has an interest in at the very least holding Chavaria back, except potentially this one."

Railius said confidently, just because he was usually too lazy to deal with complicated political matters did not mean that he was incapable of doing so.

"Why?"

Rainer asked in confusion, as he assumed that no one would want the Chavarians to become more powerful, since it would only increase their threat to the surrounding nations.

"Because of their geography, the geography of their home and the way that the Iravians live make them the only nation that would not be intimidated by Chavaria."

"After all, the Chavarian Empire soldiers who are primarily human cannot fly for the most part, so the threat to their homes, towns and cities is reduced significantly, as no matter how strong the Chavarians become, the Iravian Confederacy will be able to survive even if they cannot thrive for that one reason alone."

Ranier Lantier frowned when he heard this, as the most critical chest piece, which had the greatest impact on the war, well, their theatre of it at least, was one over which they held little to no leverage.

"So we will have to win them over to our side."

Ranier said with a sigh as he was fully aware that if the Chavarians and the Iravians worked together, then even a stronghold as mighty as Nartook Fortress would be breached.

One attacking from the air and the other from land would be catastrophic for them, who were already outnumbered and outmatched, having to rely on the bastion of Nartook Fortress to have a chance of victory, as only a fool would fight a battle in the open with two grandmaster strategists.

However, if they could win them over, it would be the Chavarians who would be continuously outmanoeuvred, not them, as the Iravians could fly, disrupt their supply lines, and attack them from behind.

While it would not guarantee them success on the battlefield, it would decisively increase the odds of victory for the war ending in Nathia’s favour.

"When will the capital know?"

Railius asked, dropping the topic of diplomacy, because he knew that many of these countermeasures would have to be implemented by the royal court, not by frontline soldiers like Railius and Ranier, whose only duty was to hold the line and work with the hand they were dealt.

Which would hopefully be better than expected if the crown prince and king of Nathia could work together, as neither was a fool or stupid enough not to do their best to ensure their kingdom survives this invasion.

Especially that shadow king who knows what plots he will cook up to deal with Chavaria.

And for the first time, Railius felt relief instead of fear when he thought of the Nathian King behind them.

"Within a week, 2 days if the messenger pigeon makes it without being intercepted."

Ranier replied, being as cautious as ever to ensure that the king and the Nathian royal court would receive all the necessary information as quickly as possible.

Railius was not surprised that he was not the only one to use trained pigeons and other birds to deliver information, because if he could think of such a fast way to spread news, then the humanlike NPCs could too.

After all, they were not the unfeeling bits of code that are present in other games, as they learn as well as any human could.

"Do we have an estimate of their numbers?"

Railius asked, needing to know what they would face, even if such knowledge would only make him more depressed.

"600,000 men."

Ranier said calmly as if it were a matter of course and not a number that would plunge one into a pit of despair or a force capable of destroying an entire if properly led, which the Chavarian one was.

"600,000!"

Railius shouted in surprise, finally understanding the reason why the Chavarain empire had decided to stop food exports, as the cost to feed and pay such a vast army was no small feat, even if most of it would be composed of men sworn to various lords rather than the crown.

"Yes, while it has not been confirmed, we will be facing at least 600,000, with 200,000 of them, nearly 1/3 come from the imperial army, the rest include 20,000 imperial guards and troops sworn to various lords or the commander himself."

Ranier said darkly, well aware that the odds did not favour them.

Only the original 100,000 men stationed at Nartook Fortress and the 1500 Pelican Guards that Railius brought could be said to be elite; the other 20,000 were new recruits quickly assembled by the Nathian crown to boost their numbers in light of the coming war.

Facing them was half of the newly rebuilt Chavarian Imperial Army, a force in which each soldier was as good as the veterans Ranier led, or better, and this did not include the 20,000 Imperial Guard, who could take 3-4 regular veteran soldiers on their own.

Only the Nathian Royal Guard or House Aurellions Pelican Guard could match or surpass them if the valour of the Pelican Guards were maintained over the years. Though considering the low numbers Ranier saw, he imagined that was the case. As he had been away for nearly 2 years, he couldn’t be sure, but he trusted his subordinates not to slack off with their training.

Especially, Leon Railius could not imagine his Grand Commander slacking off, knowing that soon they would be going to the battlefield.

It was fortunate that large armies moved slowly, but within 2-3 months, Ranier expected them to be under siege by a force he had little hope of stopping for more than a few months unless help arrived quickly.

But what made Railius more fearful was that, despite only half of the Chavarian Imperial Army and 2/5ths of the Imperial Guard being sent out for this battle, the Chavarains could still raise such an elite force that could make the entire southern continent tremble.

"The rest of their men are guarding against the other nations around them."

Railius stated confidently. While the young lordling was sure that states such as Otruia and the Krithan Dynasties would come to their aid, and even the Beastmen United States was likely to make a move, having such a mobile central army to dispatch as and where it is needed will massively lessen the pressure that Chavaria would feel.

Ranier only nodded before his eyes seemed to harden as if he had just thought of something.

Something important.

A trump card that he knew existed but whose arrival he had not sensed, which was odd.

Very odd, and meant that the little lord before him had already sent him on an errand.

"Where is Leon Mantalon? I have not sensed his presence, and neither have any of the other grandmasters under my command."

Ranier asked in a commanding and cold voice.

"On a Hail Mary, general, a Hail Mary that may just save our asses in the long run."

Railius replied with a wry smile, picturing Leon’s face when he realised that his lord had sent him away on a mission while he fought in his first war, though Railius would not know just how right his words were.