Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World - Chapter 6

Torch Tree’s seeds (Part 1)
In the last two days, after presenting his plan to the Generals, Henry had spent his days and nights overseeing the work of the miners while constantly interacting with the citizens and soldiers. He wanted to measure the sentiments the citizens held towards their monarch.

Understanding this information was of utmost importance, as it determined the fate of countless leaders, not only in a monarchy system but also in any kind of organization or government system. A monarch without the support of their people could lose their head at any moment.

Unfortunately, the results of his research revealed that the people in the capital held no positive sentiment towards him. From children to the elderly, they blamed Henry for the deaths of the soldiers and the dire situation they now faced. The young king could feel their unfriendly and furious gazes on the back of his head whenever he passed. Some even grasped their weapons tighter, afraid to throw it at him.

While the citizens didn’t dare to openly curse him out loud, as he was still their king and supposedly controlled the soldiers, the current situation was a bomb waiting to explode. Henry needed to find a way to improve his image with the people. Consequently, he began visiting the injured and the families of the deceased, offering apologies and some form of compensation, which slightly alleviated the building tension. At least, there was no imminent risk of a riot. The people were furious, but not at an explosion point.

Henry’s changed behavior was quite a shock to Luther, who had watched over the king since he was a young child. In the past, Henry wouldn’t even get near commoners, blinded by his pure lineage and afraid of getting dirty. However, since the battle, the young king’s talent and heart seemed to have blossomed. He had devised a strategy to defend against the Barbarians and strike a heavy blow, while also slightly softening the hearts of the citizens. It all seemed too good to be true.

“Perhaps the last battle was an unexpected gift from the ancestors.” – Luther couldn’t help but silently thank the barbarians – “If we can turn this around, young Henry may finally grow into a suitable monarch and lead the Kingdom to great heights. Then, I can finally die in peace.”

Luther had no children of his own, and because of that, he projected his fatherly love onto Henry, having practically raised the boy and spent more time with him than his own father, the king. Unfortunately, after the old king’s death, Henry had been corrupted by power and the sweet words of those who betrayed the throne, fleeing with a significant portion of the royal treasury and a part of the army. Finally, he was acting as a sane and smart king.

-x-

Early in the morning, Henry and his three Generals stood atop the wall, closely monitoring the movements within the Barbarian camps. They could see the Barbarians organizing themselves into an horizontal formation, without a clear strategy, but some were carrying glowing ladders in their hands and were ready to dash to the walls.

The war was about to commence.

“Is everything ready?” – Henry inquired, turning to look at Luther, not caring about Iosif and Olaro for the moment. Although he devised such a plan, he was aware that these two Generals still didn’t fully respect him, so it was better to address Luther for now.

“Yes, my liege. The miners have completed their work and are awaiting the signal”- Luther responded – “The soldiers are also prepared.”

The soldiers were organized in a phalanx formation, standing shoulder to shoulder in multiple rows, creating a wall of shields and spears. Two days ago, noticing that the army had little to no experience in formations, Henry taught it to Luther who managed to barely pass it down to the soldiers.

At Luther’s words, Henry turned to face the soldiers, standing in a position where all could see and hear him, not only soldiers, but also normal citizens. Herny’s eyes rested on each one of his subjects, their faces reflected fear and uncertainty. It was his duty to raise their spirits and inspire courage in such difficult times.

“My comrades, my brothers and sisters!” – Henry began, his voice resonating with strength and determination – “I stand before you today, not as your king, but as a fellow warrior, bound by the same duty and honor that courses through our veins.”

He paused, letting his words sink in, and then continued.

“We have faced adversity, and we have seen the cost of our choices. The battles we have fought have been brutal, and the sacrifices have been great. But let us not dwell on the past, for it is the future that awaits us now.” – This time, Henry’s gaze swept across the faces of his soldiers, their eyes fixed on him, eager for guidance.

“We may be outnumbered, and our enemy may seem formidable, but remember this: it is not the size of the army that determines the outcome of a battle, but the strength of the hearts that beat within it.” – He raised his sword high, the blade catching the morning sun, like a beacon of hope.

“We are the defenders of Stahl, the guardians of our homeland, and the legacy of our ancestors. We carry their honor, their blood, and their valor within us. We stand on this wall not out of obligation, but out of love for our people and our way of life.”

At those words, the soldiers and the citizens began to straighten their backs, their fear giving way to a growing sense of patriotism. They wanted to defend their lands, their blood. They didn’t want to sully their ancestors’ honor.

“Today, we face those barbarians, but let us not forget that we are warriors, bred in the cold North, child of the snow and fire.” – Henry’s voice grew stronger, echoing through the hearts of his soldiers – “Look around you, my comrades! Look at the faces of those who stand beside you. We are not alone in this fight. We are a family, bound by a common cause and a shared destiny.”

“As we step into the battlefield today, remember that you are not fighting for the Generals, or for the crown. You are fighting for each other, for your families, and for the future of Stahl. You carry the hopes and dreams of our people on your shoulders.” – Henry lowered his sword, his voice now filled with unwavering resolve, a fiery aura began to envelop his sword and body. In the soldiers’ eyes, right now, Henry seemed to be burning brighter than the sun.

He raised his sword once more, the soldiers joining him in a resounding battle cry – “FOR STAHL!”

TU TU TU

The soldiers screamed, striking their shields, and those without shields pounded their feet on the ground. Soon, the entire capital resounded with screams, and a frenzied euphoria swept over them. The soldiers wanted to be heard and to protect. They wanted to be feared.

There was a war to be fought and they were ready.