A few days later... Ryuken stood atop a hill overlooking his gathered forces, their banners rippling in the cold wind. Soldiers in disciplined lines stretched as far as the eye could see, a testament to the unified nation he had fought so hard to create. Yet, beneath the veneer of order and strength, fear lingered in the hearts of his people. The masses across the country were terrified. The memories of the recent war still haunted them, and now they faced the specter of yet another conflict. Villages trembled at the sight of marching soldiers, their presence a grim reminder of the flames of war that had barely been extinguished. Families whispered in dread as the shadow of a foreign threat loomed large once more. The news had traveled swiftly; the foreigners, who had orchestrated the downfall of their country through manipulation and betrayal, had returned. Their reappearance was a calculated move, coming at a time when the nation’s defenses were still recovering. The four daimyos who once wielded divine spirits to protect the land were gone, and with them, a significant portion of the country’s military strength. Ryuken’s power was immense, but it was not without limits. The enormity of the task ahead weighed heavily on him, and he could feel the collective uncertainty of the land pressing down like a storm. As the soldiers marched through towns and villages, they encountered the wary eyes of the populace. Some cheered weakly, clinging to the hope that Ryuken’s leadership would once again deliver them from despair. Others turned away, their faith shaken by the prospect of bloodshed they could already imagine. The situation weighed heavily on Ryuken. Though his declaration of war reverberated across the nation, he was acutely aware of his perilous position. His strength as a wielder of five divine spirits and two demonic entities was unparalleled, yet even he was bound by human limitations. No matter how powerful, one man could not be everywhere at once. His enemies, the technologically advanced foreigners, had chosen their moment with precision. The mourning period for Kanae, a solemn tradition that dictated 14 days of respect for the deceased, was not just a cultural cornerstone but also a tactical vulnerability. They exploited it, knowing that Ryuken’s attention would be divided between grief and strategy, his forces scattered and morale strained. The geography of the land, once an asset, now worked against them. Surrounded by seas on all four sides, the country was vulnerable to a coordinated naval assault. Ryuken’s father had maintained a delicate balance of power with the four daimyos wielding their divine spirits, each defending their territory with unmatched prowess. That balance shattered after the betrayal of the daimyos and Ryuken’s subsequent crusade for vengeance. The unified nation, though strong under his leadership, had lost the strategic advantage of its divine guardians. The foreigners, though lacking divine spirits, had their own formidable edge; magical engineers. These specialists produced tools and machinery that combined technology and magic in devastating ways. Warships armed with enchanted cannons, firearms capable of piercing armor with ease, and siege engines capable of obliterating fortifications from afar gave the invaders a clear upper hand. Their strategy was methodical...encircle the nation, apply pressure on all fronts, and exploit its weakened state. For Ryuken, the challenge was not just to hold the capital but to prevent the three other fronts from collapsing. If even one region fell, the invaders could establish a foothold, strangle supply lines, and demoralize the people. Victory on one front would mean little if the rest of the nation was consumed by war. ****************** As Kanae’s funeral pyres burned and the mourning period began, Ryuken stood before his closest allies and generals. Maps of the country’s coastline and enemy movements lay spread across the table, illuminated by the flickering light of lanterns. He listened to reports of enemy fleets advancing, their strategies clear yet seemingly unstoppable. "We cannot fight this war as we have fought before," Ryuken said, his voice carrying the weight of his grief and determination. "The balance we once relied on is gone. But this land is not defenseless. It has me, it has you, and it has the will of the people. We must adapt." He outlined a plan that embraced unconventional warfare. While the main forces prepared to defend critical regions, Ryuken called for the organization of guerrilla units...small, highly skilled groups capable of sabotaging enemy supply lines, targeting their magical machinery, and creating chaos within their ranks. Ryuken knew he would have to make impossible choices in the days ahead...deciding where to deploy his forces, when to strike, and when to retreat. His enemies sought to overwhelm him with their numbers and technology, but he would counter them with strategy... by using the mountainous terrain of these coasts. The mourning period for Kanae also became a time of quiet preparation. Soldiers drilled tirelessly, smiths forged weapons day and night, and messengers traveled the countryside to rally support. The nation’s wounds were still fresh, its strength fragile, but under Ryuken’s leadership, it would stand defiant. As the 14th day approached, Ryuken stood alone at Kanae’s gravesite. His heart was heavy, but his resolve was unshaken. "This land will not fall," he whispered, his voice steady. "Not while I live to defend it." ****************** The Next Day... The invasion began with a ferocity and precision that sent shockwaves through the land. Massive fleets of foreign warships darkened the horizon, their cannons poised to unleash destruction on the coastal settlements. Yet, as the first wave of invaders approached the left coast, they were met with something they hadn’t anticipated... Ryuken himself. "So he chose the West Coast to defend. Means other fronts are just there for the taking." spoke the commander of the fleet from their ships as he saw Ryuken from a binocular. Ryuken stood at the edge of the battlefield, a figure cloaked in an aura of unbridled power and rage. His soldiers, though nervous, awaited his command. They noticed the change in him...the steely detachment in his gaze, the coldness in his voice. Gone was the leader who had once inspired them with his compassion and unyielding hope. Experience more on empire This Ryuken exuded only one thing... Merciless fury.