My Flash Romance With the Richest Mogul novel 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.

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 again. But will you still be the same, and will I have grown old by then?"