It's hard to say whether the initial appearance of the Southern Army at Kingsfort was a success or failure.

On one hand, the United Provinces Army, marching out from the port amid the welcoming by the "model citizens," seemed rather small in scale.

In any case, no matter how Kingsfort people counted, they couldn't count up to a thousand.

On the other hand, the spirit and vigor of the United Provinces Army was a fresh sight for the Kingsfort people.

Every United Provinces soldier was a young, robust lad, marching with agile steps, full of energy.

Their weapons and equipment were exquisite—although their helmets and breastplates were not polished, they were thoroughly cleaned, with no rust;

Their spears and firearms were evidently well-maintained, with clean firing grooves and spearheads gleaming brightly.

The neat military appearance, complete equipment, combined with their vibrant spirits, were truly pleasing to the eye.

Moreover, although the marching formation of the United Provinces didn't include the elegantly untamed Piaoqi Troops, or the helmeted and prideful Heavy Cavalry.

Following the United Province Infantry were more than a dozen cannons, equally imposing and awe-inspiring.

It is said there are more cannons on the docks, which the United Provinces didn't bring out yet.

Even more surprising to the Kingsfort people was Brigadier General Jansen Cornelius leading this force.

Many Kingsfort representatives, upon first seeing this "elegant" and impeccably mannered middle-aged officer, thought he was just an advance party staffer.

Learning that this was the "Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Army of the Allied Forces," the jaws of those attending the welcome banquet dropped.

What further astonished the representatives was that Jansen Cornelius, though a high-ranking general and army commander, was incredibly approachable.

Towards the Paratu gentry present, the Brigadier General showed full respect and courtesy, far better than those old Blue Rose masters who looked down on people, making the Kingsfort representatives feel refreshed and gain favor.

But fondness is just fondness. Fondness does not produce soldiers, nor money, nor can it make the New Reclaimed Land Rebels that could be at Kingsfort's doorstep tomorrow disappear overnight.

So, invited by Graf Magnus to the welcome banquet, the Kingsfort gentry looked at Jansen Cornelius, who boldly ventured into danger alone, with sympathy and pity, but no one committed support.

Only a few daring widows secretly left their handkerchiefs to the elegant United Provinces General.

Soon, at the banquet, Grof Magnus announced: the thousand officers and soldiers, along with twenty cannons arriving today were not even the advance unit of the Southern Army, but the advance party for the advance unit;

The true main force of the Southern Army—"Four corps! A full twenty thousand troops! More than the Rainbow Creek Rebels and New Reclaimed Land Rebels combined!"—is being trained in the United Province homeland and will depart for Paratu soon;

"When the allied reinforcements arrive! The New Reclaimed Land Rebel Army will be crushed immediately!"

The celebrities present responded to Speaker Magnus's passionate speech with indifferent yet enthusiastic applause.

Grof Magnus seized the opportunity, revealing another important piece of news to the Kingsfort gentry present:

"At this very moment, as our honorable allies have arrived at Kingsfort, four corps of the Western Army of the Allied Forces—also a full twenty-thousand troops—have crossed the border at the Grand Council's invitation, launching a full-scale attack on the rebels entrenched in Rainbow Creek!"

"The reborn Allied Army will, with overwhelming force, sweep away the remnants of the decadent Mazhar Nobility! Uproot the malignant sore on the horse's back! Completely eradicate the Blue Rose rebels who have harmed the Republic for decades!"

This time, the applause the people present offered to Grof Magnus carried a slightly more genuine feeling.

The welcome banquet lasted till noon, and Grof Magnus tirelessly introduced "His Excellency the Commander" to every representative;

Jansen Cornelius, fully cooperative, maintained a humble and courteous demeanor throughout, exuding charm and elegance without fail.

Only when he had nearly met all the Kingsfort celebrities present did Jansen Cornelius find an excuse to withdraw.

Before leaving, he designated a few socially adept subordinates to stay at the venue to wrap up.

Of course, Nise's Fritz was not among these, so he was the first to follow the Minister out of the venue.

The two exited the banquet hall through a side door, entering a dim corridor leading to the back room. Before Fritz could speak, Grof Magnus swiftly caught up.

"Your Excellency Cornelius!" Grof Magnus said, full of smiles, "You've truly given me a lesson today! How did you do it, that whoever meets you, gentlemen and ladies, all praise you unanimously. I believe you're immediately—no, you already are the most sought-after guest in the Kingsfort social arena!"

Grof Magnus enthusiastically asked, "Tonight, at my humble abode, I have prepared some modest wine to welcome you, may I ask if you would be willing…"

As he spoke, Magnus sensed something amiss—the person before him had changed, he was no longer the gentle, humble, courteous gentleman general.

Jansen Cornelius became distant, sharp, exuding an aura that kept people at a thousand miles away.

Grof Magnus, still determined, completed his invitation, "... honor us with your presence?"

"No time." Cornelius coldly replied.

"But," Grof Magnus, unwilling to give up, lowered his voice, pleading humbly, "there are still some important people you need to meet..."

"Speaker Magnus," Cornelius interrupted the other's performance without politeness, "I know you just grabbed onto a lifeline, eager to show it to everyone—but being too proactive will backfire!"

Grof Magnus, after getting the cold shoulder twice, didn't lose his smile. He adeptly switched to another argument, "Alright, I understand, please rest well, we'll discuss state affairs another day."

With that, Grof Magnus nodded and left cleanly.

Fritz watched Grof Magnus's figure disappear down the corridor, and after the footsteps faded away, he frowned and asked in a deep voice, "The Speaker does not seem like a magnanimous person. Was it somewhat inappropriate to slight him like that?"

"If this buffoon was worth anything," Jansen Cornelius dismissively said, "we wouldn't be here now."

Hearing this, Fritz sneaked a glance at the Minister, feeling a bit unfamiliar, for he had never seen the Minister denigrate someone so openly.

But this was actually due to Fritz's short tenure with Jansen Cornelius and because he was recruited personally by the latter and treated with special regard.

Minister Cornelius, who had led the highest military academy of the Alliance for twelve years, never concealed his disdain when he wished to belittle someone, even if the person stood right before him.

Fritz, however, still had a bit of concern, "But he is, after all, the Speaker of the Paratu Grand Council."

"Got to let him understand who's in charge now!" Cornelius had no intention of wasting more time on the topic, dismissively waving his hand to end the discussion, "lest he wags the dog, messing up our plans!"

"Understood." Fritz nodded reluctantly.

Cornelius issued orders without delay: "Arrange personnel, move the gunpowder and ammunition back to the station as soon as possible. Especially the gunpowder, as quickly as possible."

"Yes."

"Have Montekucoli prioritize clearing the cargo from 'Marco Good Fortune' and let the captain of 'Marco Good Fortune' continue upstream as planned—I want to see how far an Inland Sea warship can navigate the Ashen Stream River."

"Yes."

"Has Major William Ludwick not arrived yet?"

"No," Fritz shook his head, explaining, "I specifically instructed that if Colonel Ludwick returns to Kingsfort, I should be notified immediately no matter what I'm doing—and I have yet to hear any news of him."

-----------------

William Ludwick, the true commander of the "advance unit."

After the news of the River Valley Village battle reached Guidao City, William Ludwick urgently led two infantry battalions to Paratu, stabilizing the chaotic Kingsfort situation and maintaining it till today.

It is no exaggeration to say that he is the man who saved the lives of Grof Magnus and the Red Rose government.

-----------------

Cornelius frowned: "Go find him, now!"

"Yes!"