Richest Mogul

Chapter 1982
The soldier's words quickly spread from the city gates to the city, eventually reaching Kemp.
Kemp relayed the message to Manfred, who was intensely studying a battle map.
Manfred hadn't slept for days. His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was etched with exhaustion.
He stared at the battle map before him, watching the flags of various forces flutter. When he heard the news from Kemp, his
expression didn't relax. Instead, it became even more serious.
"Mr. Atkinson, we won. Aren't you happy?" Kemp asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Besides those stationed on the frontlines, no one knew the hardship they had endured over the past decade.
For the last ten years, the barbarians had allied with the northern tribes, launching multiple assaults. Combined with the king's
incompetence and weak officials, things had only gotten worse since Glen's death. Vlario had descended into chaos.
If it weren't for Manfred leading his troops and holding the line, the country would have long since fallen and been destroyed.
Manfred opened his mouth, but the skin on his lips cracked, crusted with blood. "This attack was only their first attempt. They will
attack again and with even greater forces."
Kemp's face turned pale at his words. "What?"

Their forces had been dwindling for the last decade, and now they were on the brink. Vlario had not sent reinforcements,
claiming they needed to focus on defending the city.
But the truth was, they were just trying to keep Manfred from seizing the throne. Public opinion in Vlario had shifted, with many
wanting him to become king.
The current ruler had become utterly irresponsible. In recent years, as he grew older, he had become more focused on draining
the people's wealth for his indulgence, living a life of excess.
His harem had grown so large that it was nearly impossible to accommodate all the women.
In the end, the kingdom had fallen to such a state, and the ruler's actions were unforgivable.

Yet, all of this responsibility fell on Manfred.
If he were to fall now, the entire kingdom would be doomed. The barbarians' cavalry would sweep through, and the common
people would fall into even greater suffering.
Ten years had passed, but there were few marks of it on Manfred's face. However, his eyes had grown even more determined
and sharp.
No matter where he stood, Manfred commanded respect and devotion.
His eyes held a resolve that was both sharp and unyielding. "Let all the soldiers take a moment to rest There will be another
battle tonight, though I will face this one with you all. Tell the citizens to leave the city immediately."
Kemp's expression shifted, but he straightened his back. "Yes, Mr. Atkinson."

The truth was, there were few citizens left in the city. The men and women had all enlisted, and the elderly and children had long
since fled.
Everyone had been giving everything they had to hold off the enemy. However, even without Manfred's command, Kemp knew
tonight would be their final battle, the one that would determine their lives or deaths. Yet, Manfred had suffered enough over
these ten years.
Moreover, Vivian never returned after she left ten years ago. For the past ten years, Manfred had been alone at the border, and it
was truly heart-wrenching to witness.
After Kemp left, Manfred sat down. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and placed his hand on a book beside him. The book was
titled "36 Strategies."
He had read it countless times, and the ink had long since faded, showing the passage of years. After a while, it seemed as
though he had drifted off to sleep.
Half awake, he suddenly felt a warmth in his chest. His eyes fluttered open, and he glanced down. Then he remembered the
copper mirror he always carried.
Without hesitation, he pulled the copper mirror from his clothes.

It was the copper mirror that had grown warm in his hand. Looking into it, he almost felt as if he could see her-the woman he had
missed every day, the one who had left ten years ago.
His eyes softened with deep affection.
Manfred said with a smile, "If I
survive tonight, I will move to
Graystone. It's where you left off.
Maybe when I'm old, I might see you I again. But will you still be the same, and will I have grown old by then?"