Wanting to immediately fill the positions of the 17th and 18th Corps commanders, Victor went straight into using the last two summons.
Red smoke shrouded the screen when the animation began. Through squinting, Victor could make out the hard angles of this mystery man's face. It was sharp, hawk-like profile framed by close-trimmed sideburns and a severe jaw made for command.
His eyes, cold and calculating, like the grey of steel before the forge: unblinking, assessing, always searching for the next flaw to cut away.
His hair, dark and neatly controlled, is bound in a tight queue that refuses a single stray strand, as if even his appearance obeys his iron will. A thin, austere moustache rests above lips set in a permanent line of precision; no softness, no indulgence.
The French marshal's uniform fits him like armour, immaculate and uncompromising. Gold embroidery traces the collar and cuffs with restrained elegance, but the real authority lies in the way he wears it; shoulders squared, boots polished to a mirror shine, every button aligned as if measured by rule.
When Victor could get a good unimpeded look at the man, he smiled, almost wickedly. When the animation had finished, the screen read, 'Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout' with five stars next to his name.
Victor had hit the jackpot. Marshal Davout was had a case to be known as the best commander of the time period.
Davout is widely regarded as Napoleon's most capable marshal, and the only one who never lost a major battle. While many marshals were brave, Davout combined discipline, strategy, and iron-clad integrity in a way that made him uniquely effective.
He had contributed to many French victories over his years of service under Napoleon. His most renowned achievement was at the Battle of Auerstädt, where he was outnumbered heavily and pushed back a Prussian army of over 60,000 under the Duke of Brunswick.
With the 'Iron Marshal' serving him, Victor was less interested in who the other five-star General was. Victor suspected it would be one of three people: Marshal Berthier, Field Marshal Kutusov or Field Marshal Blücher. Out of the three, Victor preferred to get Berthier, having his organisational skills would be a real asset, especially if paired with Scharnhorst's mind for military reform.
Knowing that he would get one of the three, he used the commander summon anyway.
Red smoke appears, and a slightly older man approaches. Age has etched deep lines across his broad, rounded face, each one a scar of campaigns long outlived. His skin bears the rough, worn texture of a soldier who has spent a lifetime beneath open skies, wind, and gunpowder smoke.
Most striking of all are his eyes, or rather, the absence of one. The right eye, clouded and half-closed beneath a drooping lid, gives his expression a permanent look of weary contemplation. The left, sharp and gleaming, watches everything with a predator's slow, patient intelligence. Together, they create a face that is both gentle and terrifyingly wise.
Victor could already tell who he got, and he smiled as he continued to watch the animation.
His hair, thinning and silvered, sweeps back from his forehead like frost-dusted grass in winter. A thick, neatly kept moustache frames his mouth, softening the otherwise powerful lines of his jaw. The cheeks sag slightly with age, but nothing about him seems frail, only seasoned.
His uniform hangs comfortably on his heavyset frame: a dark green coat adorned with faded gold braid and medals whose shine has dimmed but whose meaning has not. His stance is solid, grounded, the posture of a man who has marched across continents and learned the rhythm of war more deeply than he ever learned peace.
When the animation had concluded, the screen read 'Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov' with 5 stars next to his name.
Kutusov was best remembered as the man who defeated Napoleon not through direct confrontation, but through patience, strategy, and attrition. His leadership allowed Russia to survive and ultimately destroy the Grande Armée.
He was a veteran of many wars, with half a century's service in the Russian military. He fought in the Russo-Turkish Wars, the Polish campaigns, conflicts with Sweden and finally, the Napoleonic Wars.
Victor had gotten a man who could effectively lead an army if given the opportunity to. With him, Davout, Wellesley and Schwarzenberg, the Luxenberg Army could be fully mobilised and lead 4 separate offensives. This would be handy if a war with the Hakim Sultunate occurred.
The next day was incredibly busy for Victor.
In the morning, he met all five of his newly summoned commanders. "It is our honour to serve you," All five of them said in unison, bowing to Victor as he sat upon his throne.
Victor nodded and signalled for them to stop. "It is a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen. Field Marshal Kalckreuth, Marshal Serurier, you both will visit General Scharnhorst. When you see him, he will fill you in on the details of your roles."
The men bowed and were promptly escorted to General Scharnhorst's office. From there, they would be filled in on their roles as teachers for the military academy. Marshal Serurier was thrilled to receive such a position, while Kalckreuth was not as happy.
When it came to the other three commanders, Victor said, "General Tuchkov, you will take over 16th Corps. Your troops will be stationed in Vrague, in the north-western part of this continent. If you need assistance, Marshal Soult is stationed in Archenshien. He can help you if you need it."
Tuchkov saluted and swiftly exited the room, leaving Victor and the two five-star generals alone. With just the three of them remaining, Victor addressed the two commanders. "Gentlemen, as for your assignments, you will command 17th and 18th Corps. Both of you will remain in Hannover with me."
Marshal Davout stepped forward and asked, "What shall we be doing here, My Liege?"
Victor remained with a neutral expression, "Preparing for a holy war, Louis. It may not be for a couple of years, but a war between Islam and Christianity will happen, whether we want it to or not."