For a full three months, I lay in bed. During that time, everything in Baha Balm progressed smoothly.

But it wasn’t just Baha Balm growing. All territories across the Zim Continent were expanding too.

No—should we even call them territories anymore?

Now, only Baha Balm remained small. Elsewhere, weaker lords had been swallowed by stronger ones.

The west held the Hohaton Kingdom. The south, the Leahdon Kingdom. The north, the Ilan Kingdom. And the remnants of the Uler Empire.

Pressure mounted on Baha Balm. Neighboring lands hadn’t struck yet only because of our twenty-thousand-strong army.

Plus, that terrifying victory—eight thousand crushing thirty thousand—kept others at bay. No one dared risk total defeat.

But!

That didn’t mean the major powers wouldn’t come.

Especially the Leahdon Kingdom. If we didn’t expand soon, our living space would shrink. Once the small territories around us were devoured piece by piece...

Even Baha Balm’s strength couldn’t overcome Leahdon’s vast resources.

Land was now life or death.

Was war truly unavoidable?

...

I hobbled toward the castle on crutches.

It’d been a while since I last used them. Almost nostalgic.

Before, it was a leg injury. Now? Far worse.

Without these crutches, my frail body would collapse halfway to the castle.

The distance wasn’t far—but it took me a full hour.

Guards let me pass on sight. They knew my face well enough by now.

*Why* did King Altos’s room have to be on the second floor?!

Huff. Exhausting.

“Altos. It’s Sas.”

I knocked.

“Mm. Come in, Sas.”

I pushed the door open with effort and shuffled inside.

“Why walk here in your condition? You could’ve summoned me.”

“Huff... You’re a lord. Shouldn’t trouble yourself with—”

“A carriage would’ve worked too.”

“Huff... Didn’t seem that far at first. I always walked before.”

“Sigh... You.”

Altos shook his head, words failing him.

This youth craved neither wealth nor power. His simple life earned Altos’s deep respect.

*Could I ever be like him?*

“What’s so urgent you walked all this way?”

“We must march, Altos.”

“March? Where?”

“Huff... Stanki. It’s closest on the map.”

“We’re thriving. Why attack others?”

*Too comfortable, Altos.*

“Our situation is dire,” I said calmly. Few in Baha Balm saw the bigger picture. Most thought we were safe.

But if we didn’t act now, annexation was inevitable.

I laid out every detail for him.

“I never thought that far ahead, Sas. No one sees as clearly as you.”

*Flattered... but I’m not that special.*

Huff. Plenty out there sharper than me.

“But Sas—when we march, Stanki’s people will suffer.”

“Trust me. Crush them swiftly. Their lives won’t change—only their ruler will. But if we hesitate? A drawn-out war drags *everyone* into hell.”

“...”

“Your mercy means nothing without strength. Without it, you’re just... empty mercy. Hypocrisy.”

Harsh—but if I didn’t shake Altos today, his hesitation would doom us all.

“Give the order, Altos. *Be* the king.”

Silence stretched.

Only now did he realize his kindness had been pointless...

*Is my compassion only valuable when I’m strong?*

“Strong enough to crush all enemies. Unify the continent swiftly—”

I cut him off before he could finish.

“Every prolonged war is a disaster for the people! Complacency is Baha Balm’s disaster too!”

“I...”

“What *is* your mercy? Don’t fear it. Speak your truth.”

“Use overwhelming strength... to crush resistance before it forms. Defeat enemies before the people even taste war.”

Altos recoiled at his own words—yet knew they were right.

“That... is the greatest mercy you can offer the world, King Altos.”

“March then, Sas.”

He drew a deep breath, voice firm.

“As you wish.”

The campaign begins...