Kairuku IX’s Resolve

"Curses! We wasted a lot of time on this empty fort?!" General Shingen raged as he kicked a dummy down in fury.

The bastards decided to run after making them suffer for a few days? Infuriating!

"Well, Well, General Shingen, calm down. This probably means that our trustworthy allies have broken through on the western borders. I know their grand marshal well and there's no other reason for him to retreat other than the mercenary group's defeat." Geraint said, a slight smile plastered on his face.

Shingen wasn't stupid and he also knew this, however, they sacrificed a lot of men to take this fort down.

If they knew that the Rougenfortians would break through the western borders so easily, then they would've simply camped in front of the fort to keep the losses minimal.

Regrettably, no one could predict the future and they had to accept that they lost men for nothing this time.

Still, this was good news for them.

Once the Kairuku Kingdom falls, then their Rougenfort-Terravalle alliance would be able to monopolize the resources of their region, allowing them to grow unimpeded for the next two years.

***

Meanwhile, inside a luxurious large hall adorned with a single huge desk and a golden throne, a man wearing kingly robes and a crown paced back and forth in anxiety.

King Kairuku IX, being stationed in his kingdom's capital, was destined to be the last to learn of the battlefield events. 

This marked the first instance in years that his kingdom faced near annihilation, leaving him deeply distressed.

He wanted to see what was happening, however, he also didn't want to put himself in danger, hence, he could only wait.

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long as knocks sounded from the huge wooden door of his throne room.

Eager to hear any kind of report, King Kairuku IX swiftly returned to his throne, looking dignified and calm as though he could handle everything even if the sky fell today.

"You may enter," He said, anxiety welling deep inside his heart.

Obtaining his king's permission, a bespectacled middle-aged man entered, trying so hard to hide the panic in his heart.

The king didn't like people who panicked easily, hence, he had to pretend.

He had done so over the past decade and that's how the man was promoted to his "close aide" position.

Kneeling in front of the king, the subordinate spoke:

"Sire, I have something urgent to report."

"Speak," replied King Kairuku IX.

"The…mercenaries were wiped out in the western borders, however, Grand Marshal Solaz is already on the way back to defend the capital. Although we will temporarily lose a lot of territory, the capital wouldn't fall so easily." The subordinate said, feigning calmness while inwardly panicking about the grim news from the western borders.

If even the strongest mercenary group failed to delay the Rougenfortians for even three days, then the dastardly dogs must truly be strong.

He didn't want to think so, however, it was clear as day that their kingdom was…falling.

Nervously waiting for his king's words with a fake calm countenance, the subordinate continued kneeling.

Kairuku IX was only human, his last card was the mercenary group and since they were wiped out, they had no choice but to hole up in the capital.

There was no way for him to bring miracles out of thin air.

Honestly, the man wanted to give up and simply submit to the Rougenfortians, however, he couldn't.

His father, along with the other seven past kings would never rest in peace should he submit to the loathsome Terravalleans.

Realizing that there was no other way out of this thorny situation than to fight with what he has, Kairuku IX resolved himself to defend his capital city until his last breath.

"I see, you may rest. Immediately summon Solaz once he arrives." King Kairuku IX said, faking calmness just like his subordinate.

Naturally, although he had no more ways to ask for additional manpower, his remaining army of around 75,000 men was enough to at least defend his kingdom's capital.

Recalling various other trump cards his kingdom has amassed over the years, King Kairuku looked into the distance with a resolute gaze.

'You want to bring my kingdom down? Unfortunately for you, it wouldn't be that easy.'