the war camp

in case anyone is interested, I decided to write a story to distract me from the research I do for some chapters of this fanfic, it's called Industrial Baron in Caesar's Legion, it's more violent because there is no need to keep up appearances.

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Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.

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-Pov of Wilhelm von hohenzollern ninth moon 288 AC

I was in my room, waiting for time to pass, staring at the clock that had been given to me at my wedding. The hands moved slowly. Each tick echoed in the silence, marking not only the passage of time but also the approach of the moment I had been waiting for.

Even the knights waiting with me made not the slightest sound; they stood still like statues.

The message that was due to arrive would destroy any chance of internal insurrection in my territories. I had worked meticulously to ensure that every piece was in place, that every ally knew their role, and that every enemy was neutralized before they could even conceive of treason.

The evening light filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows on the walls. I stood up and approached the window, gazing at the gardens that stretched out beyond. Everything seemed calm, but I knew that beneath that tranquil surface, forces were moving that would determine the future of our house.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"My king, a message from Wilhelmshaven from Inquisitor Michael. It's done," said the knight, handing me a letter.

I took the letter and broke the seal, quickly reading its contents. A barely perceptible smile formed on my lips as I absorbed the confirmation I had been eagerly awaiting.

"The roots of a possible rebellion are dead," I murmured almost whispering, more to myself than to the knight.

The Inquisition had done its job. Hundreds of people were prosecuted for being false converts, and thanks to my extensive network of informants in Wilhelmshaven, the jewel of my territories, they knew exactly whom to burn to send a clear message. But the syncretics, those who saw the Faith of the Seven as a manifestation of our god divided into seven distinct personalities, remained untouched. That was a heresy I still found convenient to leave intact, for now.

The assassins, efficient and silent, wiped out a great number of houses from The Reach that had once ruled. House Cuy, House Vyrwell, House Beesbury, House Costayne, House Ashford, both branches of House Fossoway, House Merryweather, House Caswell, and many minor houses were purged without mercy.

Some of these lords had plans to join future local rebellions; others simply failed to respond clearly when asked if they would align with the cause. Too great a risk. I could not afford the slightest doubt, not in these times. They all had to die, down to the last branch of their family trees.

'There will be no second chances for them,'

Satisfied that the message had been sent, clear and direct, dissent would not be tolerated, and the strength of the Prussian state's will was absolute, crushing anyone who dared to raise their head against me.

The Reach had only one master, and that would be me, and no one else.

The old lineages, the houses that once believed they had the right to rule, had been reduced to ashes or silenced entirely. My control was absolute, and those left standing knew that their survival depended on their unconditional loyalty.

'The future of The Reach is secured,'

With each decision, with each execution, I took one step closer to my true destiny: to be the undisputed lord of these fertile and rich lands. No one would dare challenge the state that ruled supreme.

"The brave soldiers and knights of the Prussian armed forces protect our well-being, but they cannot do it alone. Buy war bonds and support the expulsion of the rapist pirates from the Iron Islands," I said, fine-tuning the words as I practiced my speeches.

"The radicals and dissenters seek to dismantle years of peace and prosperity the moment the first sword is drawn. They do not have the guts to lead our people in a world full of dangers. Trust your leaders, for only loyalty, unbreakable as steel, can keep us safe."

I took a deep breath, adjusting the tone of my voice to add more firmness.

"Our laws are our essence, and today they are tested like never before. I will restore the order of our kingdom without yielding to the predators of the pirates!" I concluded, satisfied with the power my words conveyed.

I leaned over the desk, quickly writing the propaganda that would be distributed to every corner of my territories. War was not only fought with swords but also with ideas. And those ideas had to be repeated in the ears of all my subjects to ensure their loyalty and fill them with nationalist fervor.

For a few days, I dedicated myself exclusively to giving speeches in the local amphitheaters of every city, taking advantage of the perfect acoustics that allowed thousands to hear me loud and clear. I knew that my voice had to reach every corner of the Seven Kingdoms to consolidate support and keep any spark of dissent at bay.

With words carefully chosen, a balance between inspiration and warning, I spoke of the greatness of our people, the importance of unity in turbulent times, and the dangers lurking beyond our borders. But I also made it clear what the consequences would be for those who dared to challenge the order of the Prussian state.

The people listened attentively, their faces reflecting a mix of hope and fear. I could feel how each speech inspired the inhabitants of the cities and strengthened control over my territories. Rumors of rebellion faded like smoke in the wind, and discordant voices were silenced.

It all ended when I received confirmation that the army was ready, marching south to Lannister lands, waiting for our naval forces to defeat the pirates so we could land and then lay siege to their castles until they were reduced to ashes.

During my journey south, accompanied by an escort of knights, I made sure that in every city and town we passed through, the streets were filled with propaganda against the Ironborn. When facing them, our men were not to show the slightest empathy.

Pamphlets were distributed, and posters were put up warning of their raids and the atrocities they actively committed. Trained speakers gave speeches in the squares, igniting the spirit of the people and fostering unity in the face of the common threat.

After my journey, I met with the Prussian high command, presided over by von Roon, as they mapped out the plans for the invasion of the Iron Islands, combining the information gathered by spies from all regions. Maps were spread across the table, showing every bay, every cliff, and every fortress the pirates could use to their advantage.

"My king, it is an honor to have you in our assembly. We have been organizing and planning which would be the best places to land our forces once our fleet crushes the Ironborn. It's only a matter of time," said von Roon, rising from his chair, followed by the others present.

"Thank you, von Roon. Recommendation? What do we do with the cantonists? Do we let them return home or use them in this war?" I asked, sitting down in the chair they offered me.

"This war with the Ironborn will be a walk in the park, my king. They are incredibly outnumbered and outmatched. I recommend keeping all the cantonists mobilized and taking advantage of these ideal conditions for our army, large and well-equipped as it is, to gain real combat experience," von Roon said with a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Certainly," I nodded as I looked at the map that showed the Ironborn beaches, which allowed for a large landing.

"This is quite an ideal opportunity to train our men with real experience. In the skirmishes against the knights of the Seven Kingdoms, only our most experienced forces fought to reduce our casualties, as it seemed it would be a long war. As long as our defenses hold firm, we can send everyone else to the Iron Islands," I said, studying the maps.

The atmosphere in the room filled with calculated optimism. Von Roon nodded, and the generals and commanders present exchanged looks of agreement.

"Then let the cantonists enter the fray. This will serve to sharpen the will of our men and harden their resolve," von Roon said as he pointed to several strategic areas on the map.

"Good, how many men do we have in total, considering we will leave a couple of tens of thousands guarding our defenses in case the Seven Kingdoms wish to rekindle the conflict?" I asked, looking at von Roon.

"One hundred eighty thousand foot soldiers, trained in the Prussian manner, and fifty thousand cavalry. All perfectly armed and ready for battle. Morale is high due to our victory against the Seven Kingdoms," von Roon assured with palpable confidence.

"Perfect," I nodded, reflecting on the situation. "The lords of the Seven Kingdoms will likely return their armies to the field to try and salvage what they can before the new harvest begins. They won't have as many numbers mobilized. We will instill respect in them so they will never again think they can subdue us with their antiquated ways. We've faced stronger enemies and always emerged victorious."

A smile formed on my face, and everyone in the room nodded, acknowledging the power we had accumulated and our strategic advantage.

"Well," I continued, standing up from the chair. "Continue doing what you were before I arrived. I will go rest to prepare for the coming days of the march," I said as I left the tent.

The next day, the entire army began its march toward Casterly Rock, the strategic point from which we would embark our forces once the Ironborn fleet was completely destroyed by our mighty navy, gathering in Wilhelmshaven. The banners fluttered in the wind as thousands of soldiers advanced in formation, a sea of steel and Prussian discipline.

Reports from the naval high command indicated that preparations for the battle at sea were nearly complete. Our fleet, the largest and best-equipped we had ever assembled, awaited the signal to crush the Ironborn, who had relied too long on the terror they sowed with their raids.

"My king, Lannister guards are blocking our way... they say we are not authorized to cross into their territory," was the first news I received when we crossed the gates to leave The Reach.

"So? What are they going to do, give us dirty looks? Either they move, or we will move them to their graves," I replied, dismissing the issue with a sharp tone that made it clear I had no time for games. Without waiting for a response, I ordered the march to continue.

The soldiers resumed their pace, and our ranks advanced with determination. The Lannister guards looked tense, but made no immediate move to stop us. They knew that facing a well-trained and superior Prussian army would be suicide.

The road remained clear, and the uncomfortable silence between the Lannister guards and my men set the tone of the situation. Von Roon rode by my side, remaining alert to any changes.

"If they try anything, my king, we are ready to crush them," von Roon said with a slight smile of satisfaction.

"I know," I replied. "But I'd rather not dirty our hands over this misunderstanding. If the Lannisters know what's good for them, they'll stay in their place and let us pass. The Lannisters alone cannot stop us, and we have enough siege equipment to destroy the lion's fortress within a few months of siege," I said seriously.

The march continued, and the Lannister guards, upon seeing the magnitude of our army, simply let us pass without attempting to stop us. It was evident that a few dozen men could not hope to stop thousands of Prussian soldiers, all well-armed and trained. Prudence dictated that the confrontation wasn't worth it.

As we advanced, a smile formed on my lips. I knew that Tywin Lannister, as cunning and ruthless as he was, was not someone I needed to fear. His power lay in his name and the riches of Casterly Rock, but my army was a force that would require all the kingdoms to unite to contain it.

Our march continued without incident until we reached Lannisport, where we decided to set up camp. It soon became the largest war camp Westeros had seen in generations.

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Give me your power stones

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Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.

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I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.

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