Gaileo was practically beaming with confidence after receiving an offer for a promotion from Great General Mutembo. It was the first time someone had given him any recognition for his efforts. Eventually he was called to speak with Great General Tenjin to discuss his role in the upcoming campaign.
"The Mutembo Army is going to split off here to retake Shuangfeng, we will continue north to attack Hideg. But before that, we'll need to capture the surrounding castles. To that end, we're splitting the army up. Each commander will be given individual targets, yours is Viert Castle. Do you think you can handle that?" Great General Tenjin asked Gaileo.
"Tch, of course I can. Who do you think you're talking to?" Gaileo replied with a frustrated click of his teeth.
"Hohoho! Of course young lord, still you should be careful all the same." Tenjin said as Gaileo was about to ride off. "Wait one moment young lord, what exactly did Mutembo what do talk to you about?" He asked before he could ride away.
"Ha! Wouldn't you like to know? Well it's none of your business old man." Gaileo responded dismissively.
"If I was you I'd be careful when dealing with Great General Mutembo. I don't know him well, but I know enough about him to know that I'm not a fan of his." Tenjin said.
"Ha! Is that jealousy I hear old man?" Gaileo mocked. "You just wish you were as accomplished as Great General Mutembo is. He a REAL Great General." Gaileo emphasized as he rode away.
"Hohoho! Jealously? As usual, the young lord is quite entertaining." Tenjin mused.
Gaileo had his orders to attack Viert Castle and after a day's march he was prepared to lay siege to the enemy stronghold. Gaileo's army was 25,000 strong against the castle's garrison of 18,000 men.
"There's more here than there should be." Shion observed. They had gotten word that the enemy had recalled most of their forces in the area to defend Hideg. "Was the Galean army so massive that they could leave such large garrison? That's not what our intelligence division had said." He continued.
"No that's not it. Look at the men on the walls." Gaileo said as he pointed at the ramparts. "Most of those men are clearly new recruits. They must have conscripted the men of all the local villages in order to make up the numbers while they sent their professional troops to defend the city."
"It's a bit like Gangwon again, only this time there's significantly less. I don't suppose this battle will take long. Such a lopsided match up isn't very beautiful." Shion pointed out.
"True, but maybe we won't need to fight a battle at all." Gaileo replied as he rode towards the city gates with his hand up to indicate that was there to parley not fight. "I am Deputy General Gaileo Shukure! We have the castle surrounded and you have no chance of victory! If you surrender now your lives will be spared! If you choose to fight we will crush you! Now give me your answer!" He ordered the men on the wall.
The new recruits were clearly frightened by Gaileo's proclamation that he would crush them, but the castle commander boomed out a response. "No true man of the North would ever throw down his weapon when the enemy is in front of him! We will fight!" The commander shouted. The men in the castle all roared in agreement, though most of the recruits still seemed hesitant.
"I understand, and I respect your resolve. I only wished to avoid killing future citizens of my Empire. So be it." Gaileo moved his arm forward, signaling his men to begin the assault.
The men rushed ladders up to the walls and quickly crushed the enemy on the walls and opened the gates so the cavalry could charge in. Within the hour the castle was under Imperial control.
"That went even quicker than I expected." Shion said as the defenders finally surrendered.
"Ha! These mountain savages should have just surrendered from the start! It would have saved us some trouble!" A solider laughed loudly. The defeated Galean soldiers hung their heads in the shame of their defeat.
"Who said that? Bring him here now!" Gaileo ordered sternly. "Now tell me, are you new to this army?" He asked once the man had been brought in front of him.
"Um, yes sir I just joined in the capital." The soldier replied.
"Yes, I'd assumed as much. Unfortunately we didn't get much opportunity to train the new recruits before we were sent out again." Gaileo said. "Captain Aimaru, tell this man the four basic rules of our army." He said as he called on an officer standing nearby.
"Aye sir!" The broad shouldered Captain responded. "First rule: if the enemy is in front of you, you fight! Second rule: if the enemy runs away, you don't stab them the back. Third: if the enemy surrenders, you do not harm them. And finally: if the enemy is defeated, you do not continue to strike them while they're down. That includes belittling a defeated opponent."
"These men fought bravely to defend their homeland. You have the gall to try to bring them even more shame than they already feel!" Gaileo shouted as his anger seemed to be boiling over. "Apologize! Now!"
"I-I'm sorry sir." The soldier said in a panic.
"Not to me you fool! To them!" Gaileo said pointing to the defeated Galeans.
"I'm very sorry!" He said with a panicked bow.
"Tch, I've had enough of this. Shion! I'm retiring to my quarters. Make sure the men are ready to regroup with the rest of the army in the morning. And of course, make sure that the prisoners are well fed and treated with the utmost respect." Gaileo ordered before riding off.
"What was that all about? I didn't think the Deputy General would get so emotional."
Shion let out a soft chuckle. "What exactly do you know about the General?" He asked.
"Um, that he's the Emperor's son?" The soldier said, unsure of what Shion was asking.
"And do you know where he was from before the Emperor found him?" Shion asked.
"No?"
"Hmph, your ignorance is not beautiful at all."