Walking towards the western wall, Feihren raised his hand, signaling to remove the magic barrier.

The battle was over as the enemies that had attempted to escape evaporated into thin air from the attack of the Demonic Carbine. A good chunk of the road and the deserted jungle on the western side of the kingdom went with them, clearing everything into nothing but a desolate plain.

Carrying a piece of cloth from a body that was closer to the wall, Feihren could be seen clenching his fist as tears flowed from his eyes. Entering the shattered gates, he commanded the clearing operation as he oversaw everything.

Samael and Jyuu helped with heavy works as the soldiers 'swept' together all the bodies, both enemies and allies. They burned the deceased Garudia riders and beasts as they carefully carried their fallen comrade's bodies to the graveyard to be given a proper burial.

Aside from the work of fixing everything in the western district, an eerie silence permeated the entirety of the Wolfenstein Kingdom as every one of the citizens was in a solemn mood.

It was already 7 in the morning when everything was finally 'settled'. The number of civilians that had lost their lives from this sudden attack numbered over a thousand. Although none of the citizens had blamed the king for this, Feihren could not help but feel that he was responsible for all this somehow. It could be easily said that he was not with his kingdom at the moment when the people needed him the most, and it grieved Feihren's heart to think of all this.

...

Feihren stationed additional troops, including a few mages, temporarily to the western gets until the matter of this sudden 'invasion' settles. Returning to the capital and into the castle, Feihren called for an emergency meeting within the throne hall. The Senate and all of the military officers gathered into a solemn discussion as the meeting started.

"This is the insignia of the Garudia Kingdom..."

Marvin silently spoke up as he inspected the bloodied piece of cloth that was placed on the round table. Feihren was sitting in one of the chairs quietly, as if he was pondering something. The meeting proceeded without him uttering a single word.

"There current king, if I am not mistaken, is still Ivan?"

"It seems that he has the guts to make a move now huh?"

"The news of the coronation of a new king is what he was holding out for perhaps?"

"Well, the return of the garrisoned troops may also be one."

The heated discussion had gone on for quite awhile. The motive of why the Garudia Kingdom attacked was already established a long time ago. Even before the former king, Louie the 3rd, held the throne.

Yet, what gave King Ivan the confidence to attack now was what this meeting was pondering. It seems that it had something to do with the news of having a new king that was a total outsider. The disappearance of the entire royal family made it look weak and ripe for the taking to the Garudia Kingdom.

The problem now was, would the Garudia Kingdom send another attack after their first one seemingly failed? The military officers started discussing the possibilities of another upcoming attack... when Feihren spoke up.

"It's not a matter of them attacking again... For now, they do not know what had happened here, but it would only take a few days before they would feel that something would be amiss and send their second wave. Let's use that opportunity to prepare..."

The entire table listened in silence as the solemn expression on Feihren's face while talking gave them chills, as if the person talking to them was a whole other entity. It seems that this sudden invasion was something that triggered Feihren to take 'ruling a kingdom' more seriously. All of them nodded in approval as Feihren continued his speech.

"Use the budget for civil service in assisting the people with deceased relatives during the attack. Temporarily reduce the tax for the merchants on the western district."

"Send a group of representative to Sechua City and ask for temporary aid if need be. Tell them that the King of Wolfenstein asks for a return of favor."...

"We will need to bolster not only the west but also the eastern walls. Use the returned garrisoned troops to make an outpost on the western side, and then send people on the eastern walls to do repairs on the abandoned stronghold. Fix it."...

"Marvin, send a messenger to Old man Mendi. I'd like to ask a favor regarding raw materials. We'll pay as much as we can, use the budget for the defense. Ask for the blueprints for these things." 

Feihren listed a few bulleted lines within an old parchment as he gave it to Marvin. Within the letter was a list of the elements Feihren would need to increase the defensive capability of the Wolfenstein Kingdom. As for the blueprints, it would be regarding those towers back then in the dwarven village. It seems that it could be put to good use here.

Feihren had assigned a few other tasks to the military officers as each and every one of them listened earnestly. It was the most thorough strategic meeting that they had ever taken part of with a King. This had never happened before, and it was their first time seeing a king actively participate in the affairs of his kingdom, even in the minor scale.

Although he might be a little cold for now, Feihren was thankful that these people are all loyal to him. It would be a shame to disappoint them by acting pathetic in times of trouble. It was best for him not to cry over spilled milk and instead move forward for the betterment of the kingdom.

Feihren had calculated that the report about the failure of the initial attack might quickly reach the ears of King Ivan, but it seems that he could take advantage of how fast the news flies. He pondered for a moment before he continued, looking straight towards the people of the Senate.

"As for the Senate, I'll need your approval in a certain announcement that I would make." Feihren added as the Senate inquired to what proposal he would ask for approval.

"I'll be waging war against the Garudia Kingdom, and every other kingdom within any continent that would try and interfere." Feihren coldly said as the Senate gasped cold air...

"Let's prove to these petty kings that the Wolfenstein Kingdom is not open for the taking, and is not something they can anger..."