Quickly another week passed. This week, Julia was busy researching the black heart. Watson and Alex were doing the management work under Aditya’s orders. While 700 recruits who have been training for 2 weeks were now ready to select their division. Aditya left the selection part to his 7 generals. Since they knew the recruits better than he did.

The reconstruction of the capital was going smoothly. By now the Seeker of Impurity guild also had opened its first branch in the capital. The plan to build the port city was in its final stages and the construction work should begin anytime in the next week. While on the other side, the expansion of Silver Meadow Grove was going too smoothly.

By the end of the second week, the prices of the food and supplies also dropped, making it more affordable for the common people. After taking Prime Minister Joseph as a prisoner, Aditya knowing that a war is going to start, bought a huge supply of food using Duke Sarlus’s connections with some merchants from the Nepoca Kingdom. Also by expanding borders towards the Silver Meadow Grove, the soldiers were able to hunt a large number of magical beasts. The Magical beasts were transported back to the capital.

In this world, there were two types of wild animals. There was a type of animal that couldn’t cultivate while there is another kind of animal known as Magical beasts that can cultivate. Magical Beasts are born with certain cultivation techniques that they use to cultivate. However, unlike humans, Magical beasts can also cultivate by killing other magical beasts and by eating their flesh. Magical animals only lived in forests that have a high concentration of mana. The Silver Meadow Grove is one of those places where magical beasts live.

While this passing week has been the most exciting week for Aditya. Even though he couldn’t level up this entire week, he wasn’t the least bit sad about it. He spent the majority of his time in his study room. Other than Alex and Watson, even Julia was forbidden from coming to his study room. No one knew what Aditya was doing in his study room.

Knock! Knock!

“Enter!”

Standing in front of the master, Watson looked very serious. “Young Master, the Zulux Dynasty has officially declared war against the Istarin Kingdom.”

There was no change in Aditya’s expression. “The War already had started when I captured their Prime Minister. It was just a matter of time before the Zulux Dynasty acted.” Rather than fighting both Kingdoms at the same time, it was better to fight once at a time.

“So, how many troops does the enemy force has?”

“60,000 troops lead by a 3rd-order general.”_.

“Well, the number is higher than I expected. When will their army arrive?”

“In less than 72 hours. Their target is Zraka city.”

“I understand. Then what are we even waiting for? Prepare for the war. It’s time to shed some blood.”

“Your Highness, who will remain in the Castle if everyone leaves?”

“What do you mean by everyone? Julia will be staying at the castle.” Since Julia was an alchemist class cultivator, there was no reason to bring her to the battlefield. Julia’s skills were mostly supportive type. While it’s true that her supportive skills would be useful in a battle, Aditya is not sure whether he can protect her.

The battlefield will be too chaotic. Even though this was Aditya’s first time fighting a war, he knew that the entire battlefield will be dyed in blood. Anything can happen in battle. He doesn’t want to risk her life.

“What about the recruits? After two weeks of training combined with regular pills from Lady Julia, I think they are ready to participate in the war. They’re already strong as newly trained soldiers.” Watson felt they could use this chance to let the recruits gain experience which would be helpful for their growth.

“No, all of them will die if they are taken to the battlefield. Julia’s pills have certainly made their bodies stronger. But they are still unrefined iron ores. Even if their bodies have gotten stronger, they don’t have the skills to use that power. For this battle, we’re mainly going to rely on the army of Duke Zayne.”

–

–

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Julia bit her lips in frustration. As much as she hated war and killing, she wanted to come with Aditya and use her skills to support him in a battle.

“No princess. You can stay at the castle and keep making various pills for us. You have no idea how much you’re contributing to our military by making pills. Your pills will give the soldiers an extra life.” The previous plan of selling healing pills at a lower price was canceled. Those healing pills would now be used to heal the injured soldiers.

“Then take this with you.” Julia handed a purple pill that was stored in a jade bottle.

“What is this pill?” Even a person with no alchemy knowledge can tell that this pill was a 3-star pill. “This is a 3-star pill that I managed to create after many trials and errors. The pill is made from your blood. Crimson Berserk Pill can temporarily push your strength one order. But do remember the increase in your cultivation will only last for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you will experience the side-effect of the pill.”

“I guess I will have to pay a price for the sudden boost in my strength.”

“Yes. Once this pill is used, 5 percent of your soul will be damaged. This will cause your cultivation strength to drop for a while. As for how long it will take for your soul to recover, even I am not sure since I don’t have much knowledge of the soul.”

“So this pill is my last resort.” Aditya stared at the purple color pill.

“I really don’t want you to use this pill. But it’s better than dying. Remember, use this pill only as your last resort.” Julia, in fact, didn’t even want to create this pill. Compared to death, this was a small price to pay.

“Thank you, Julia.” Aditya replied in a sincere tone.

“How far have you progressed with your research?”

“It won’t take too long. At maximum, I will need one week. When I am done, I will let you know.”

“Alright. Watson, I will leave everything in your hand.”

“You can rest assured. Your Majesty, this humble servant will not fail your expectations.” Watson politely lowered his head and offered a bow to Aditya.

“Let’s head out.” All the food supplies, healing pills, and other items were in Aditya’s storage ring. With the 7 generals followed by 400 soldiers, the king head out for the war.

Aditya only took 400 soldiers and the rest were ordered to guard the capital. Leaving the capital defenseless when war was going on was not a good idea. Another reason why Watson was left behind was that he had the ability to lead an army in case some third party used this situation to attack.

With the walls being renovated, Aditya was confident that even his army can hold the enemies long enough for him to rush back to the capital.

After exiting the capital with everyone, Aditya ordered them to stop. “Scott, you take the charge and lead the Army to Zraka city. I have some other work to do.”

“I will obey your command.”

“Good.” After saying that, two red pairs of wings appeared behind Aditya. Each red wing was 2 meters long. In front of everyone, the king flew off to the Sky in the direction of Silver Meadow Grove.

“It looks like a huge storm is going to come.” Yesterday night, the whole sky was covered in black storm clouds. The local told Watson that a huge storm could come by today or tomorrow. “Hopefully with the storm, the army of the Zulux dynasty will stop their march and wait until the storm ends.”

Aditya took out a crescent-shaped black earring and put it on his right ear.

[Duke Sarlus greets his Majesty.]

[Commander Zayne, greets his Majesty.]

[Enough with the formalities. In this period, we don’t have time for such things.]

[Sir Sarlus, what was the Nepoca Kingdom’s response to our proposal for an alliance?] Aditya had asked Duke Sarlus to send a letter to the King of the Nepoca Kingdom.

[I still haven’t received any words from them.]

[I guess they are testing us.] Aditya broke the silence with his words.

[Your Majesty, how they are testing us?] Commander Zayne asked. Zayne was a commander. He had no experience and knowledge of how polities worked.

[Both Kingdoms think that we have a 3rd-order cultivator.] Aditya even sent spies to spread the rumors in both Kingdoms.

[Now the Nepoca Kingdom wants to see if the rumor is really true. Meaning, that they’re thinking that we will use our 3rd-order cultivator to fight against the invaders.]

[I don’t understand how having a 3rd-order can affect all these matters?]

[Let me explain. The Nepoca kingdom wants to see if we really have a 3rd-order. Whether we have a 3rd-order or not, the Nepoca Kingdom will have to help us. Once the Zulux Dynasty captures our territory, then the Nepoca Kingdom will be their next big target. To prevent that, the Nepoca Kingdom will assist us in this war. This is why I wrote a letter and made Duke Sarlus send it to the King.]

[Another reason why they are purposely delaying their response is to make the Istarin military weaker. They don’t the Istarins to use their assistance to grow in military power. Imagine what would happen if with the Nepoca Kingdom’s help we managed to push back the Zulux Dynasty, in return well will gain many benefits that will grow our military powers to 3rd-tier. But if that were to happen, we would become a threat to their Kingdom.]

[This War is a fight of interests. The Nepoca Kingdom won’t let either the Zulux or the Istarin Kingdom gain any military power from this war. Their aim is to use the Zulux army to weaken the Istarin military to the point where our military power would degrade to 1st-tier. While doing that, they also wish to wait till our so-called 3rd-order cultivator dies in this invasion.]

[Your Majesty, even I failed to see the big picture. I must your political understanding is even higher than mine. I guess you’re really this Kingdom’s guiding star. Hahahaha!] Duke Sarlus laughed out loud.

[Your Majesty, what about the Zulux Dynasty? Surely they also must have expected us to ask for an alliance.] Zayne asked.

[I don’t know. While I did purposely capture their prime minister and also ignored their warnings and started expanding our territory towards the Silver Meadow Grove and also started building the port city, I guess these all factors must have really infuriated the King. Sometimes having too much ego is not good. The king must have felt humiliated seeing a weak kingdom ignore their warnings and even went as far as to capture their prime and minister and even ask for ransom. Right now, they only have one thought in their mind and that is to destroy our Kingdom.]

[For some Kings, their reputation is everything. The Zulux Dynasty King happens to be a person who really cares about his reputation. Because of his ego, he failed to see that he was falling for my trap.]

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