As grand as his return was, Youden couldn't have been more pleased with the latest reports of the ongoing conflicts. Allegedly, word had reached his ear through classified communication that Jamal Wrint had officially been captured within the city of Appleridge. These rebels were so stupid to let him do most of their work, that the long weeks carrying their backs weakened him to nothing but an obstacle.
Of course, it wasn't the biggest news for him at the current moment, as the capital city of Youdenia was bright with color and decoration among its streets. His coronation and newfound declaration to the world would be known for years to come, and he only had to wait one more day for it to occur. It only gave him a grin as big as the mind could wonder, even shocking the few guards protecting the state building.
Ah yes, the building that prior to his initial return to the capital was partially burnt down, was rebuilt swiftly with the use of powers and long hours, to which Youden had his thanks for. The newly polished steps greeted his dress shoes with grace, as the guards on top gave their leader a quick salute.
"At ease," Youden followed back, before moving into the building.
Making his way through the route he knew best, a little climb up some stairs and through some hallways, led him to his familiar office. An aide was already there to greet him and hold open the door for his entrance. It was weird to be back after not being in the room for several months now, but Youden could only sigh a breath of relief.
"Home, sweet home." he practically slid across his infamous rug, where a few people had made it their choice of death.
"Sir, is everything to your liking?" the aide approached him, just as Youden raised his head.
"It's all well, you may go for now." Youden shooed her away, as she closed the door behind.
For a few moments of silence, all was at peace, and almost made the man forget about all the chaos his nation was causing. The bloodshed, anguish, hatred, and greed towards his personal goals was a terrible event to most unless you were him or understood so. The world would reach that point, sooner or later, as long as things continued his way, which finally reminded him to read the latest reports since his trip back.
Grabbing the first paper awaiting to be read, it was a quick breakdown of how his coronation was going to occur tomorrow. The procession was going to be simple, his motorcade would pick him up from the state building in the morning and make their way to the former Saputan Palace. Once there, he would move towards the open courtyard behind the building, protected by hundreds of the nation's best soldiers not on the front. Included during the entire event would be an extensive military parade, showing off both captured and newly created equipment, much of which to be shipped overseas to contribute to the war. The whole ordeal, given no issues or problems, was to last around two hours and begin a new era of his regime.
The thoughts bubbled in his head, forming a smile for the world's future. How could no one be happy for him, after everything he had accomplished and fought for? Years, no, decades of fighting for his place in the world was paying off now and his style of making change was the most exciting part. Youden couldn't even be mad, as he stamped the paper with his approval before placing it in the approved pile of information and requests. Following that, however, was a rather peculiar piece of reporting of the current situation as of a couple of hours of the frontlines across the seas.
The spearhead to Nyverma, the coalition stronghold, and their organization's strategic meeting city, was now beginning to make its way toward it. It only took a few weeks for Youden's plan to finally bring about enough manpower for the operation, as it was called Operation Teardrop, to begin their assaults. Even with increased hostile activities, his armies had pushed fifty miles closer, and his aircraft pounding any visible reinforcements and towns in their way. As dehumanizing as it could get, the man simply believed it was necessary for all the suffering to end. Unleash his people's strength to remove the power from others, all of it was needed in his eyes.
The next few reports about the war were a little less enthusiastic, as the warming temperatures and enemy organization continued to improve as time progressed. What was becoming hundreds of miles of newly acquired land, was now struggling to break through a mere hundred for several of these days. His advisors did warn of his outcome, but Youden was as stubborn as ever before. Looks like his actions were starting to catch up to him, as his options were starting to run low with some thought. He was forced to pull a couple of thousand troops back home to deal with Jamal and them, and the enemy was adapting quicker than he anticipated. Not waiting for any logical ideas or conclusion, he wrote a small note which was a simple order. Start using the local population in the occupied land for physical and military labor, as well as prisoners of war to assist in demanding work to support their efforts, Youden wrote with a slyly hidden smile. It wasn't necessarily the best plan without proper planning, as they technically were already doing this, but he had to make it official and decisive.
After writing a few more pieces of expectations and steps needed to make it as efficient as possible, Youden reached the final paper of his stack. Taking a quick glance at the title, it was about the battle of Appleridge itself as of three hours ago, with those pesky rebels and Jamal's supporting cast. It appeared as if most of the enemy assaults were finally being slowed down, if not stopped in certain areas, as more of the Reserve Guard started entering the city from all over the nation. That wasn't even the best part of the news. The update also included one more piece of information, that shocked even him.
"They actually did it? What a dumbass!" Youden couldn't help but read out Jamal's capture, "This man was so cocky that he got caught by them? Jamal Wrint, you keep managing to surprise me by your power, and then disappoint me by doing this."
Who knew if he was still alive, Youden couldn't help but wonder, as the rest of the report's information was now irrelevant. Jamal was under control of the Defense General of the entire nation, and there was no way he was going to let him get away. His day couldn't have gotten any better than that. The world was finally rewarding him of what was rightfully his!
Youden's unusually positive thoughts were broken as a loud ring buzzed through the room. Turning towards the sound, Youden groaned seeing it was his caller machine. Knowing it was likely important or of a quick necessity, he grabbed the handle before pressing it to his ear.
"Youden speaking."
"Um, sir, we've gotten extremely bad news that the generals at home wanted to share." an aide murmured, "I-"
"Go on! I have to worry about my coronation and the war of the world right now." Youden fumed, not wanting his peace disturbed any longer.
"It's about Appleridge, the city, sir."
"And?"
"Well, we've received news that-"