Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win

[Vyavan Dukedom]

[A day Later]

Akamir stretched his body as he walked past the gate of the main castle.

The soldiers all saluted him as he walked towards the streets.

He just nodded towards the gatekeepers as he kept on walking.

Mika walked just a step behind him as she kept her gaze low.

"You know you could have helped me a lot." Akamir said, glancing back at her.

"I know, my Lord." She replied, with a straight face. "But the Greater One, Kros kept on avoiding me—."

"You let your master die." Akamir cut her off, his voice mockingly pitiful. "How could you?"

Mika's face twitched as she let out a sigh.

"Can you stop it, my lord." She replied, "You have been doing this since we began walking."

"Uh, yeah, I should stop." Akamir replied, "like you stopped yourself from helping me."

Mika just lowered her head as she accepted her fate.

Nayomi, who was floating close by his side, gave him a suspicious look.

"Why are you acting like this?" She asked.

Akamir shrugged. "I am just bored."

"Bored, huh?" Nayomi floated lazily beside him, arms crossed. "Well, it's boring to walk around all this way."

Akamir shrugged as he stretched his body.

To make his travel easy Akamir had placed six different mimickers in different towns.

He used them to open a portal to move from place to place.

Effectively making five days' worth of traveling into one.

'Well, it is good either way as the mimickers will be helpful.'

He thought as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Apart from that, Ragaen had decided to remain behind as he planned to help Sephrina with her curse.

'I should also look for ways to help her.'

Akamir thought as he let out a tired sigh.

'hmm?'

But just as Akamir was looking around the place, he found unrest among the masses.

'Weird, they shouldn't know about the World Tree burning yet.'

He thought as he couldn't help but frown.

What is making them panic even though everything should be good on the surface?

"Mika." Akamir said, glancing at the judge of apathy. "Go and find out what is happening."

Mika nodded as she slowly vanished in an alleyway.

Akamir kept on walking towards the castle as he wore his mask once again.

The air in the dukedom felt tense, the kind of unease that spread like sickness.

Eyes turned to him as he walked, but none dared approach.

The crowd parted, whispers rising and falling like waves.

Nayomi floated at his shoulder, arms folded. "They look more scared than usual. Whatever's happened, it spread fast."

Akamir didn't answer.

He simply observed—the hurried steps of merchants closing their stalls, and the uneasy way mothers moved.

This wasn't the ordinary fear of him.

It was something larger, something heavier pressing down on the city.

Minutes later, Mika reappeared, her hood low, expression flat as always.

She walked alongside him, speaking just loud enough for him to hear.

"My lord," she began, "The Aure kingdom has declared war on us."

Akamir let out a sigh as he rubbed his temples. "Of course, they did."

Even though Akamir knew they would do it sooner or later.

He never knew they would do it this fast.

'…Looks like they got their weapons from the other side of the World soon.'

Akamir rubbed the back of his neck as he began planning his next move.

'I need to start crushing them thoroughly so I can take over their port.'

Akamir also wanted to make an example of the Aure kingdom to make sure the others don't bother him.

'…I just came back, for fuck's sake.'

But it doesn't mean the news didn't make Akamir annoyed.

Akamir clicked his tongue as he kept walking.

Nayomi tilted her head, smirking at his expression. "You don't look surprised."

"I'm not," Akamir muttered. "The Aure kingdom has been sniffing around for months."

Mika spoke softly, her tone even.

"They must believe the Krivos Kingdom is stretched too thin, my lord. They expect you to defend on two fronts."

"Then they expect wrong." Akamir's voice was calm, but the edge beneath it was clear.

"The Aure kingdom doesn't want war. They want an easy victory, a fast gain. So…" He cracked his neck. "…I'll show them what it costs."

The three of them reached the castle steps.

The guards at the gate saluted again, but this time with visible unease.

They had already heard the news.

War was coming, and they knew their lord would be the one to lead them into it.

When Akamir walked in, two people immediately came out to greet him.

"Welcome back, master."

Raden and Veres immediately bowed as they said in unison.

Akamir nodded as he walked past them. "What is the situation with the Aure kingdom?" He asked. "And what did the royal family ask in the name of aid?"

Raden, who has been the in-name Duke, stepped in.

"Lady Inara has asked help in everything." He replied. "She is asking for both money and men."

"Provide it to her." Akamir replied as he reached his office. "I will decide the number, not her."

Raden and Veres exchanged a quick glance but didn't question his words.

They knew better than to press when Akamir's tone was that firm.

Once inside his office, Akamir sank into the chair, resting one elbow on the armrest as he tapped his fingers against the table.

"Tell me everything," Akamir said flatly.

Veres spoke first. "The Aure kingdom has already mobilized troops along the eastern border." He said while placing a map in between.

"Scouts report they're gathering ships as well. It seems they intend to strike quickly at the port cities before reinforcements can be sent."

"And the merchants?" Akamir asked.

"They're panicking," Raden admitted. "Some are pulling back their trade, others are already siding with Aure in hopes of profit."

Akamir leaned back, rubbing his temple. "Typical. When war comes, they are first to run."

Nayomi drifted closer, her smirk never fading. "So what's the plan? You going to crush Aure's fleet, or let them dock and burn their ports to ash?"

Akamir didn't reply as he stared at the map for a long second.

"Can you go out for a while, Veres." Akamir said, glancing at the old butler.

The man nodded as he didn't question.

Akamir looked at Raden as soon as Veres walked away.

"How are things within the dukedom?" He asked.

"They are good, my Lord." He replied, nodding his head. "Is there something that concerns you?"

Akamir rubbed his chin as he asked again. "Hm, what are the other dukes doing?"

"They are helping defend the kingdom, my Lord." He replied softly.

Akamir leaned back as he looked at him. "Krivos Kingdom is weaker than Aure in every sense." Akamir replied. "There should be quite a few nobles who know it and are going to run away."

Raden nodded his head as he asked. "Why do you say that?"

"Make a list of those nobles and buy their lands." Akamir said, looking at the map. "Make sure they are getting the minimum amount for it."

Raden blinked at the order but quickly bowed his head. "Understood, my Lord. I will begin immediately."

"Good," Akamir replied, still staring at the map. "By the time Aure marches, I want half the cowards stripped of their holdings. When the war ends, those lands will be ours. Let them run if they want—I'll profit from their fear."

Mika, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "That will cause resentment among the nobles who stay."

Akamir smirked faintly beneath his mask. "Let them resent me. Fear and resentment are easier to control than loyalty. Inara can have their loyalty, I would have their fear."

Nayomi chuckled softly, floating closer. "You really are cruel when you plan things out. No wonder they call you Devil."

Akamir tapped a finger against the map, ignoring her remark.

"What about the roads along the northern border? If Aure takes them, it will be a problem for the kingdom."

Raden hesitated. "They're undermanned, my Lord. Reinforcing them will take time, and most of our forces are still spread along the border."

Akamir leaned back on the chair as he looked at the sky.

He was having slightly different thoughts about the whole war.

Nayomi floated close to his face.

"What are you thinking?" She asked.

"I have been wondering." Akamir said, looking at her. "I am the strongest human, right?"

She blinked. "Yes, you are."

"Then why am I doing all this?" Akamir replied, standing back up. "I can just crush them today."

"You can't do that, my Lord." Raden said and immediately regretted it. "I mean…I don't…not trying to stop you."

Akamir looked dead into his eyes without replying.

"We will lose a lot if the war ends quickly." He said, his voice soft.

Akamir shook his head as he walked past him. "I understand."

Raden looked back at him. "Where are you going, my Lord?"

Akamir didn't look back. "To meet my wife."