Ancient Empire Calendar, Year 1833
Ricardo had worked for weeks to consolidate his legitimacy in the Northern Lands and had finally succeeded.
Just as he had done in the Central Lands, he ended hostilities by arranging marriages between the local dynasties that had surrendered to save their lives and lands, and the Western dynasties.
Before his campaign on the Southern Lands, Ricardo visited the Turvig Tablets to obtain the power and knowledge of the Northern Sarcophagus.
The Turvig Tablets were large stone tablets containing the ancestral words, testaments, and advice left as a legacy to their descendants by the ancestors of the Turvig Dynasty.
As was tradition, every new Turvig Dynasty Lord who ascended the throne would visit the Turvig Tablets, touch the central Tablet, and pray.
In reality, this was a tactic to avoid the attention of the people and enemies while acquiring the Sarcophagus's powers and knowledge.
"I wouldn't have expected it to be in such an open place. Ah, well."
When Ricardo touched the Sarcophagus, he experienced a tremendous increase in power, and a vast amount of invaluable knowledge flowed into his mind.
"They give me so many secrets, powers, and knowledge. With each new one I touch, I feel like I'm completing a puzzle. What will it be like when I touch all five Sarcophagi and obtain their powers and knowledge?"
Ricardo examined the power and knowledge he had gained, then, taking with him the questions in his mind that would still take many years to answer, he returned to his palace.
The next day, Ricardo took command of his army and set out on a campaign towards the Southern Lands.
"Here we go again, embarking on another campaign that will last months, perhaps even years."
"Let us hope this is our last campaign, Dynasty Lord."
"I hope so too, Benjen."
"Dynasty Lord, do you think we can conquer the Southern Lands with the few soldiers we have left?" asked Heinricht.
Ricardo answered the question with another question.
"What would you do, Heinricht?"
Heinricht replied.
"I would make peace with the Arfas Dynasty. I would consolidate my authority in the Northern and Central Lands, establish order, gather new armies, and then attack the Southern Lands."
Ricardo found Heinricht's suggestion logical and intelligent.
"That would be the most correct path. However, that strategy is only valid if one does not have a Commander-in-Chief capable of annihilating hundreds of thousands, even millions, of soldiers like myself."
"But that doesn't answer the problem of our low troop numbers, Dynasty Lord. If we also subtract the forces we left behind to protect the lands we've conquered, we have almost no soldiers left."
"You don't think I've considered what you're thinking, do you, Heinricht?"
Heinricht replied in a panic.
"I would never think such a thing, Dynasty Lord!"
Ricardo handed Heinricht a letter.
When Heinricht opened and read the proffered letter, he was shocked.
"Is what's written here true, Dynasty Lord?"
"Yes, word for word, it's true, Heinricht. Your much-concerned issue of our low troop numbers is solved."
As Ricardo advanced south with his small army, the armies under Marco Ashterah's command were also approaching the southern borders. However, things were not at all well for the armies located in the Southern Lands.