22.

With the help of our movements in the dark, we've been able to stall the war for 2 years. Information about the troubles that they cause in the Western Coalition reached my office and they prepared detailed reports and their future movements.

Due to the work of the Ghosts, almost ten thousand soldiers died from their schemes and many capable commanders died in their sleep, either by poisoning or outright slitting their throat. The way they did it was impeccable as well, they pinned their deeds as political acts and those who suffered sought revenge for the death of their subordinate, causing massive chaos in the western coalition.

Although the Ghosts completed their tasks, it only slowed down the Western coalition's preparation for war. Many Kingdoms conscripted and continued training them to be capable meat shields in the battlefield.

I am in my office staring at the report with a frown in my face.

"Wilhelm, it looks like its time to show the fruits of our preparation." I said to Wilhelm by my side. 2 years changed me by a lot, not only my appearance but also my mentality.

"Is their preparation complete and would start marching towards us?" Wilhelm asked and I nodded.

"Its a little bit early than we thought but this is the best we can do. Shall we start evacuating the civilians now?" Wilhelm said and I made the decision.

"Please. Send them to the town at the edge of my territory, the one near the capital." I said and Wilhelm followed my orders.

In the 2 years that have gone by, Wilhelm also changed, his demeanor is the same as the Wilhelm in the past run. He's also sharper and could also see the end of my line of thinking and predict what I was planning. He also picked up the sword once more and became my sparring partner.

The thing that baffles me the most is that Wilhelm doesn't seem to grow older, instead he looks younger. His wrinkles are still there but his skin looks more tight, and his body was brimming with energy.

Signing the last paperwork, I yawned and stretched my body. The bubbles inside my body popped one after another creating bone popping sounds and woke me up a little bit.

I stood up to have my lunch. I haven't been eating very well because I'm in a rush to prepare for the incoming war.

I arrived at the dining hall and saw Felicia eating her food.

"Big Bro, you've come." She said with a smile.

2 years changed Felicia the most. She became my adopted sister by paper and was approved by Uncle Gilltian, so she's basically a noble now, although in name only, and she had no right to inherit my title and territory if ever I die in any circumstances.

With Wilhelm and Lisa's teaching of noble etiquette, she became more reserved and elegant in her actions. She's still lively and a troublemaker if she's only with the people she is close to.

Wilhelm also started teaching her about swordsmanship and she shocked the two of us. She picked up Wilhelm's lessons easily and even changed it to fit her style. I was in deep thoughts after seeing that style for I am seeing the creation of Mother's Rosario, first hand.

"Looks like you've forgotten to eat your meals again." Felicia said while I just smiled at her.

"You know our circumstances. We need to defend this land at all costs. This is my home and I won't let anyone barge in our home and claim it theirs." I said but Lisa tapped me in my shoulder.

"My lord, you shouldn't speak of such heavy things in the dining table." She said and I just chuckled and apologized.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Lisa." I said and she smiled at me in return.

I ate the food with relish. Felicia was the first one to finish eating since she started ahead of me.

"Big bro, don't worry. I know you'll win." She giggled before leaving.

"I'll make sure that I'll win." I said and continued eating my food.

Having my fill, I went to my training room and changed into my training clothes. I wore the gravity artifacts and started training in 1.5 times gravity. The more the gravity increases, the more difficult it is to adapt, it took me 2 years to be able to move with increased gravity. The weight artifact I commissioned from the magic tower reached a bottleneck and I still don't have it with me.

Vasavi Shakti still doesn't respond to me but I seemed to have an idea on how to make it acknowledge me. The war will prove if I'm truly worthy of wielding Vasavi Shakti or not.

Although I can only use its base form, Vasavi Shakti is still a great weapon in itself. I am also used of its weight and could wield it freely like an extension of my arm. I holed up in the training room to meditate and organize my thoughts.

While I'm inside the training room, Wilhelm announced the evacuation of the residents of Blackwood Capital. Wilhelm promised to pay compensation for all the damages they suffered after the war. The residents were worried but they were obedient because they know that their ruler didn't want them to be casualties in the war.

Wilhelm also evacuated the servants of the Blackwood manor to the manor back in the capital, even Felicia was included in it. She didn't make a fuss because she knows that she will just be a burden if she stayed longer. All she can do now is pray for our safety and victory.

Wilhelm also sent messengers to inform our allies and Uncle Gilltian that the enemies will arrive at our doorstep with a minimum of a week or two weeks if they're slow.

The Emperor ordered to send reinforcements at the border. And as Wilhelm and I expected, the nobles took it as a chance to weaken us and only sent the minimum amount of soldiers and they are mostly conscripted peasants. As for our allies, they sent us 5,000 soldiers each, bolstering our numbers to 50,000 soldiers. 20,000 coming from our territory and the remaining 30,000 coming from reinforcements. The Emperor also sent 10,000 soldiers to help out. Our total numbers reached to 60,000 soldiers.

Although its a big number, it will still take time before the reinforcements come to our aid and the fastest would be the reinforcement from the Royal Capital.

It will be a hard fought battle because we are outnumbered. It will be a fight between 30,000 soldiers and 50,000 soldiers or more coming from the Western Coalition.

We are greatly outnumbered but we have lots of cards to play to surprise the enemies especially the magic cannons that are being installed in the walls of my Capital.

With everything in place, all we're waiting for is the arrival of the enemies.

{One week later}

The Battle of Blackwood, one of the most historical battle that happened in the history of Hebrion Empire, started.