Expand, then conquer!  

The next day,

After the battle of Redwater harbour.

Aden's study

…

Levi stood at his favourite spot at the windowsill watching as squirrels busied themselves gathering food and clearing their nests after the long winter.

In the distance he could see peasants busying themselves in the fields, attending to the post-winter shoots and prepping the fields for sowing.

He stood there alone in the room, quietly appreciating the sounds of spring and the joyful feeling that was carried within.

Taking a deep breath, the smell of fresh leafy shoots filled his lungs calming him, bringing back faint memories of his childhood home on earth.

His limpid eyes, clear of impurities flickered like twinkling starlight, indescribable emotions flashed past in them.

The young transmigrator heard the door open behind him and the sound of incoming footsteps.

Turning around he looked into Aden's eyes with a faint smile.

"You did well," Aden said sitting down expressionlessly at his desk.

Although it wasn't obvious, Levi could faintly guess that the old man was in a really good mood.

"Sit, let's have a chat," Aden said gesturing to the chair across him.

Levi's brow arched up in surprise before he sat with a small shrug. This was the first time his nominal father actually took the initiative to ask him to sit down.

Levi leaned back into the seat, striking a very causal pose.

The duke's eyes flashed with mild exasperation but he didn't comment on Levi's behaviour. It appeared he had gotten used to the young master's newfound eccentrics.

"Your plan was a success." Aden started with a nod.

"With fifty newly trained soldiers, you ambushed a full knightage of over a hundred men, suffering a loss of only nine dead and fourteen injured, ten of which should probably be good as new in about a week."

Aden stared into Levi's eyes, nodding approvingly.

"Although, the brigs Maria and Tyline were extensively damaged and The First Maiden sunk, hence rendered irrecoverable you accurately predicted the outcome and made ample preparations to combat this. Repair work has begun and hiring notices have been sent via merchants to employ suitable workmen and specialists, the ships are expected to fully repair and usable in at least four months."

"Once valuables from the wreckage of The First Maiden have been recovered in a week's time, what do you suggest we do next?"

Aden stared deeply into Levi's eyes as he asked this question. Levi could faintly sense a test in the duke's words.

But regardless, his expression didn't change much.

Drumming his index finger on the table, his gaze flinched downwards towards its oaken surface and he spoke.

"A funeral," Levi said in his signature bored voice.

"A funeral?"

"Yes," Levi replied raising his eyes to meet the Duke's. "Despite the fact that we won, grievances might exist in the hearts of the men. Many of the soldiers in the garrison had a friend or two who died in that battle, and although they might not say it some men might be dissatisfied with the outcome."

"As unreasonable as this sounds, some might hold us responsible for the deaths of their comrades. And while it might not be noticeable now that their morale is high, It would be a hidden threat if left to fester."

Levi spoke, but Aden remained expressionless.

Then he smiled.

"Also we need to give them a sense of worth and belonging."

"A sense of worth?" Aden asked with a lightly crooked brow.

"Yes. Although they are just mere tools in the most honest sense of it all, mere statistical numbers in the pile of all things considered, the men don't necessarily have to be aware of that fact. Soldiers should have their own pride, that is what would give them the will to keep on fighting even if all odds are stacked against them."

Aden's expression finally changed from indifference to a hint of intrigue.

Levi continued.

"This funeral would serve as a medium for this pride to begin to exist. It would prove their worth as soldiers and might just give them something to fight for."

"You really think so?" Aden asked with an enlightened expression. Although knights were respected and revered on the battlefield with great emphasis made on each one lost, no one ever remembered the deaths of a random squire or infantryman.

Their bodies were usually burnt in a pile if they were lucky, if not they would be left to rot, food crows and maggots.

"Yes," Levi said.

"Also we need to send reparations to their families, a small token would suffice, something enough to keep them going until the family can fend for itself again. Many of our men are the breadwinners of their families, if we leave hope for their children even after their deaths they would be more willing to sacrifice for a greater cause." Levi added.

"I am guessing that although this would cost quite a sum, it would be an investment in retaining their loyalty." Aden reasoned with a frown of contemplation.

"Exactly."

"Ok, we will do as you say then. How much should the reparations be?" Aden asked quickly agreeing to Levi's proposal.

"Ten silvers each should suffice."

"Good, fill in your orders with Robert and get the preparations underway." The duke replied.

"Also, the meeting you sought with the church is scheduled to happen in three days."

"I understand."

Standing up, Aden walked to one of the shelves in the study. He opened a drawer and pulled out 'The messenger'.

Tossing the pistol on the desk in front of Levi he asked.

"So what did you intend on doing now? Since you decided to upgrade a weapon most of the world doesn't even know how to employ effectively yet, I am guessing you have a plan in mind."

"What else? Expand, then conquer." Levi said with a light chuckle.

"The town, the militia, our fleet, our power! We will keep on expanding till the day no one dares stand in our way again. Until we can move unhindered in this world!"

The duke looked stunned for a moment before letting out a small chuckle.

"Good!" He declared. "I like your ambition, just make not to disappoint. I am looking forward to working with you, son."

Levi looked into the eyes of this nominal father of his, recently finding him more pleasing to the eye.

"Of course." The transmigrator replied with a chuckle of his own.

"I am looking forward to working with you too,"

"Aden."