Ancient Empire Calendar, Year 1839
Three battles in three different lands, and three victories.
The Kislavein side had lost a total of thirteen million citizens, including military and civilian casualties, while the Sapharos had suffered a total of thirty million losses.
After the invasions were repelled, Ricardo ordered all armies to gather on the coastline in the eastern region of the Eastern Lands.
Upon receiving the order, the few surviving armies, after a long march lasting several months, assembled at the designated point.
On the eighth day of the first month of the new year, all armies and all commanders knelt before Ricardo Kislavein, the sole ruler of the Five Lands.
"Rise."
At Ricardo's command, everyone who was kneeling stood up.
Ricardo cleared his voice and, using mana to amplify his voice to a tone everyone could hear, made a long speech.
"Each of you has won brilliant victories. Although our losses are heavy, that does not change the outcome. We won. I am sure you have each celebrated your victories in your own way. However, your months-long journey must have tired and worn you out. For this reason, I command that a week-long celebration be held. Enjoy yourselves to your hearts' content."
This was unexpected. They had been praised for their victories and given orders to celebrate. Although it caused brief confusion, they immediately began preparations for the celebration.
Preparations lasted throughout the day. Various foods and drinks brought from dozens of different cities, and beautiful courtesans, allowed the soldiers to shed all the stress and fatigue of war.
The celebrations lasted about a week. Everyone was content.
When the celebrations ended, all the commanders gathered in a large tent to discuss what to do next.
The discussions were brief. Everyone agreed that a great campaign should be launched to end the Sapharos threat forever.
"Since everyone is in agreement, prepare for the campaign to the Sapharos Archipelago."
The commanders stood up and simultaneously said, "AS YOU COMMAND, DYNASTY LORD."
The campaign preparations did not take as long as expected.
During the invasions, all ships in the eastern regions of the Central, Northern, and Southern Lands had been destroyed by the Sapharos forces. However, there were still many ships throughout the Five Lands.
Within a few weeks, all these ships were gathered in the eastern region of the Eastern Lands for the largest overseas campaign in the history of the Five Lands.
Mathew Marclavein and Njassar Rappa Ashterah, admiring the size of the fleet, could not take their eyes off it.
"I still can't believe so many ships were gathered in such a short time, Rappa."
"Neither can I. What a magnificent sight."
As the two Overlords stood absentmindedly, they were startled by a voice behind them.
"Overlords, what are you waiting for?"
"Ah, it's you, Overlord Barmung," said Mathew.
"Were you expecting someone else?" said Barmung jokingly.
Rappa chuckled softly.
"Heh, that was funny. Anyway, why have you come, Overlord Barmung?"
Barmung replied in a half-joking manner.
"What are you waiting for? The last legions are boarding the ships. Or have you changed your minds about joining the campaign?"
Rappa tried to reply in the same joking manner.
"Yes, we've changed our minds. You go ahead and handle it. Who are we, after all, just Overlords?"
Mathew and Barmung looked at Rappa expressionlessly.
"Overlord Njassar, please do not make jokes again."
Rappa's mood was ruined.
"Fine. See to your own affairs. I'm leaving."
As the last people were about to board the ships, two cavalrymen, covered in sweat and out of breath, approached the Overlords and knelt.
Barmung asked in a serious and authoritative voice.
"Who are you?"
The two kneeling messengers replied with their heads bowed.
"We are messengers, Overlords. We have been trying to reach you for months, but due to various obstacles, we could only arrive now."
Mathew asked curiously.
"What news?"
The messengers took sealed letters from their bags. One letter was handed to Mathew, the other to Rappa.
Mathew and Rappa opened the letters and read them. From the very first line, they began to tremble—not from fear, but from excitement.
Seeing his friends' trembling hands, Barmung feared bad news.
"WHAT HAPPENED?" he asked anxiously.
Mathew and Rappa burst into laughter.
"WE'RE FATHERS! HAHAHAHA!"
Anxiety turned to joy. Barmung joined in his friends' joy.
"CONGRATULATIONS! So, when is this news from?"
When Mathew and Rappa checked the dates, they realized the news was from the previous year.
Mathew could hardly digest what he saw.
"A year... meaning my son has not only been born but has already turned one."
Rappa was in a similar state of emotional shock.
"Damn it. I missed my first child's birth. I couldn't even see his most precious moments."
Barmung quickly changed the subject to dispel the increasingly gloomy atmosphere.
"Alright, alright, don't be so gloomy. Besides, you are still young. You can have many more children. And by the way, what are your children's names?"
Mathew and Rappa answered in turn.
"My son's name is Armando. Armando Marclavein."
Then Rappa answered.
"My son's name is Yoriichi Ashterah."
Barmung liked the names.
"You've chosen good names. Now, go tell this news to the Dynasty Lord."
"What?" they said simultaneously.
"What do you mean, 'what'? Your sons are the Dynasty Lord's first grandchildren. You have to tell him."
"Ah," they said simultaneously.
"How were these two fools chosen as Overlords? Though, when my first child Kervin was born, I was in a similar state," Barmung thought.
With the joy and shock of becoming fathers, Mathew and Rappa quickly walked to Ricardo. They soon arrived before his room. They took a deep breath and signaled to the guards at the door.
One of the guards announced Mathew and Rappa's arrival to Ricardo.
"Dynasty Lord, the Overlord of the Western Lands and the Overlord of the Eastern Lands request permission to speak with you."
Ricardo replied.
"They may enter."
When the guards opened the door, Ricardo was sitting on his throne in all his majesty.
Mathew and Rappa entered, knelt, bowed their heads, and greeted Ricardo simultaneously.
"We greet the Kislavein Dynasty Lord."
Ricardo acknowledged their greetings and signaled for them to rise.
The two Overlords stood up. Their excitement was evident on every feature of their faces. Ricardo noticed this and asked.
"What is the reason for this excitement?"
Mathew suppressed his excitement and spoke first.
"Dynasty Lord, a messenger arrived. The letter he gave me said that I have become a father."
Rappa also took the opportunity to explain his situation.
"Mine said the same, Dynasty Lord."
Ricardo quickly grasped the situation. He had become a grandfather. He felt as if he was drowning in a flood of emotion.
"I have become a grandfather."
There was a hint of surprise and slight disbelief in his voice.
"Yes, Dynasty Lord. We congratulate you on the birth of your first grandchildren," said Rappa.
Ricardo began to laugh.
"HAHAHAHAHA! I'VE BECOME A GRANDFATHER, HUH? Hah... time has passed so quickly. Now that I have seen my grandchildren, I suppose the end of my story is near."
Mathew objected.
"No, Dynasty Lord. You are not considered old yet."
Rappa joined the objections.
"Overlord Mathew is right. You haven't even turned fifty yet. Your health is good. You could remain on the throne for decades more."
Mathew offered more logical reasons instead of dry objections.
"Yes, besides, the Five Lands have only just been united. The peoples cannot bear the early loss of a unifying figure. They would quickly disintegrate."
Seeing how much he was loved among his vassals, Ricardo smiled.
"Alright, alright. I don't intend to die anytime soon. Besides, I haven't even completed my twentieth year on the throne. I don't want to step down just yet."
Mathew and Rappa looked at Ricardo with smiles of relief.
"Very well. What are the names of my grandchildren?" asked Ricardo.
Mathew and Rappa answered quickly and excitedly.
"My son's name is Armando."
"My son's name is Yoriichi."
"You've chosen good names. Very well, I have work to do. You may leave."
When Mathew and Rappa left the room, Ricardo was alone with his inner voice.
"I remember the day my daughters were born like it was yesterday. And now I have grandchildren... wow."
The Kislavein fleet had set out on an overseas campaign to conquer the Sapharos Archipelago.