章 9: An Unruly Noble

(Authors note. When in the game, I will refer to people by the character they are playing in-game more when referencing their thoughts and actions. An example is that Reginald is now playing the game as Lucius Aurellion, so he will be referred to as Lucius when speaking and doing activities in the game.)

"I have dealt with many unruly nobles, and they are some of the most annoying and dangerous parasites to deal with, especially the unbridled egotistical and arrogant ones."

"This is because they infiltrate and have authority over a part of your army and may go against the overall strategy leading to disaster."

"But you can't be too strict and surgically remove it like you would a tapeworm or piece of rotting flesh, or it will lay eggs which will hatch into more shameless schemes and deadly political battles, turning your slight infection into a raging epidemic normally shortening your lifespan significantly."

"These parasites must be dealt with and may even have some unexpected uses once their poisonous tendencies have been suppressed, appeased or turned and used in a beneficial way."

"A most beneficial way indeed."

Reginald Coulan, creator and head of House Aurellion in Dynasties Online.

…..

"My lord, are you ok?"

A steel plate-clad vice general asked Lucius, his words laced with concern.

Lucius looked at the giant-like man half a head taller than most, with a crimson red tasselled steel spear clutched in his right hand while the other held onto the leathery rains of his red horse, smiling back at him. A crimson red surcoat with a golden pelican emblazoned in the centre on a shield showing his loyalty to his general overlaid his breastplate. A winged fine steel helmet hung from his saddle, glinting like a beacon in the sunlight.

Like Lucius, he had a steel sword strapped to one side of his belt while his saddle held a unique ornate ironwood bow with ancient runes carved into its upper and lower limbs on one side and a large quiver of goose feathered arrows on the other.

After taking in the man's crimson red silvery armour, which shone like a jewel in the dark as it reflected the sun's rays, Reginald then checked his character status and found that it lacked bits of information, like some of his specific skills and traits.

….

Name: Leon Mantelon

Dynasty: Mantelon

HP: 60

MP: 40

Age: 34

Race: Human

Faction: House Aurellion

Known character traits:

Cavalry Vanguard General:

Effect: Cavalry units under this man's command increase their damage and defence by 10%.

Will almost always be consulted on matters related to cavalry.

Known history and characteristics:

A large man who entered the military and developed a very close friendship and relationship with Lucius Aurellion using his outstanding physical abilities and skilled spearmanship to help compliment Lucius, who has more charismatic and intelligence-based skills and quickly became his most trusted friend and subordinate.

….

After quickly looking through it, Reginald began looking for information to help him in the battle and decided to start with Lucius' trusted friend.

"My health is fine, Leon. Do we know the strength of the enemy yet?"

"Scouts have been sent out, my lord. They should be back soon."

Leon replied, the grip on his spear tightening as his battle-attuned senses heard the thundering of horse hooves coming swiftly towards them.

"General!"

A soldier shouted toward them in leather armour emblazoned with the twin dragon-headed sigil of the royal family, representing a soldier in the Royal Army of Chavaria, as he breathlessly rode towards the commander of the army.

Leon's meticulous eyes looked over the soldier's armour, searching for any suspicious signs, his thoughts dwelling in the past at the times Lucius and himself had disguised themselves as scouts or messengers of an enemy army to kill their commander, collapsing the chain of command and morale of an enemy army.

Seeing that the man's armour showed no blood or signs of battle and that the man seemed only a bit rugged due to riding for hours, Leon let out a sigh of relief, loosening his grip on the runed stiff wooden spear shaft as he offhandedly said to his commander and friend.

"Appears that the information you wanted has arrived, milord."

"Impeccable timing. Let's hear what he has to say."

Lucius replied, Leon's commoner accent and mannerisms coming through as the scout reared his horse in front of Lucius, saluted and began his report.

"The enemy will reach here by tomorrow. Their number is 100,000. 30,000 from The Kingdom of Pluerus and 70,000 from the Kingdom of Otrua."

"Do you know their army composition?"

Lucius asked seriously.

"Yes, general! After compiling the information from all our scouts and spies, we have accurate knowledge of the army's composition."

The scout replied, his hands slightly shaking as he took out a crinkled piece of parchment scratched with quick notes and number-like figures from his pocket.

"Let's hear it then!"

Leon cut in, raising his voice slightly.

Taking a few seconds to harden his heart against a strange, unsettling feeling, the scout began to interpret the notes on the parchment into a report-like format for his general.

"Of the 30,000 soldiers in the army of Pluerus, 15,000 are melee cavalry which is made up of 10,000 light cavalry and 5,000 heavy cavalry. 5,000 are horse archers while they have 5,000 crossbowmen and 5,000 heavy infantry to help compliment the army from Otrua."

"Of the 70,000 orcs from The Kingdom of Otrua, 10,000 are wolf riders which act as the cavalry for the army. Then they have 30,000 heavy infantry, 20,000 light infantry and 10,000 archers to act as their main force."

While Lucius sat calmly, not moving even an inch, his mind was in turmoil.

'Damn dickass system, how the hell am I meant to win against numerical odds of 2/1 on a mostly flat plain with nicely balanced armies like these?'

Reginald thought, feeling his blood flame up with the fires of rage as system notifications appeared in front of him.

[Please do not curse the absolutely fair and compassionate Friend System as this is the first offence and meatbags like yourself have what was it….]

[That's right, emotions! As such, the offence will be forgiven. Please refrain from cursing the system in the future as it does not conform to polite society and a positive gaming atmosphere.]

[Also, you chose Lucius to be a great general. Surely a challenge like this is worthy of a skilled general, so you can only blame yourself. Anyway, have fun now!]

'At least I have 1 day to prepare.'

Lucius thought dismissing the complaints of the system, his scattered mind starting to reform as he closed his eyes, successfully dousing the flames of rage which threatened to blaze out of control, taking only a few moments for his mind to reform as his slightly shaking body began to relax as a still water like calm enveloped his body. His eyes regained their razor-sharp swordlike nature as they opened, and Lucius started a flurry of actions.

"The army is to set up camp on the hill near us and use what trees are around this place to help set up some fortifications."

"Leon, gather the other high-ranking officers for a meeting!"

Lucius shouted, his voice echoing around as if a god among men.

After the order was given, messengers began to run throughout the army, scattered across the plain like blood flowing through the human body as the army began to set up camp on the craggy hill nearby.

Tents began to spring up around the camp as soldiers moved around the landscape like worker bees, stripping the plain bare of trees and resources to be used in the building of various defensive works, walls and stout wooden gates that would help to form the fortified encampment.

An endless trail of carts laden with arrows, food and other supplies needed for war enter the camp, stretching out into the horizon as soldiers fill the centrally placed large marquee-like tents with bags and boxes of goods being passed from person to person in a manner alike to a conveyor belt. After emptying the carts, they are then taken to the outskirts of the camp to be turned over onto its side, forming a makeshift wall of carts to act as a barrier for any would-be attackers.

The first scents of cooked food began to waft throughout the camp from hundreds of large cast iron pots, sending large plumes of smoke into the heavens as salivating soldiers prepared to feed their hungry bellies after a hard day of toil.

Lindorus reluctantly but arrogantly entered the large command tent, finally heeding the summons of his commander; a large wooden table dominated its centre as 4 men argued over a large map laid upon it.

Standing 6ft tall, his golden hair glowing brightly in the light peaking through the doors and walls of the white tent, his extravagant blue tinted armour that reflected the light slightly screamed of the wealth of his noble family. A clean-shaven face revealed his unblemished young face, devoid of the sufferings of life and plastered with a condescending smile, while his slightly muscled frame show off the results of extensive physical and military training that he has had since he was young.

"General, are you sure…."

An older vice general began; however, after seeing the arrogant, disrespectful attitude of the newcomer, he started to quiet down until an eerie silence dominated the tent. Lucius' eyes seemed to stab out like two unsheathed swords as he looked onto the body of the late man, whose body slightly flinched and straightened up before returning to his arrogant demeanour and attitude and walking directly in front of Lucius.

A clash of wills began, each staring at the other, their eyes locked in battle; however, unlike the unmoving cold stonelike Lucius, this arrogant man began to feel increasingly uncomfortable, eventually lowering his eyes and granting victory to Lucius, who began his inquisition.

"What time do you call this Lindorus?"

"You were supposed to be here 2 hours ago!"

Lucius said coldly to the final man who came in late.

"I was ensuring the camp was being set up properly. Lowborn's always need proper instruction after all."

Lindorus said arrogantly, trying to regain his confidence, making Lucius frown.

"Are you implying that I need instruction too? That I am too simple-minded for the responsibility that I have been given!"

The temperature in the tent seemed to drop despite the blazing hot sun dispensing its rays onto the plain, causing men to sweat in rivers as Lucius' killing intent chilled the room, and ice seemed to drip from his every word.

"A-a-g-good general listens to his men's suggestions, especially those of other high-ranking military officers."

Lindorus said his speech slightly, stuttering as he replied to the apostle of death in front of him, shocked by Lucius's dark look, which seemed to be able to kill a man.

"Even to those undisciplined ones who turn up late to important meetings!"

"Those who delay the battle plans of the commander potentially leading to a loss!"

"Those who dare get in the way and delay His Majesty's great cause!"

"Are you looking to be another Duke of Qintaria, Lindorus?"

Lindorius was silent, unable to retort to the scolding of his commander, who talked calmly to him in a parent-like manner as he thought about his actions cold sweat patches formed on the clothes beneath his armour as his whole body shook. His eyes widening into large saucers at the mention of Qintaria.

"Now listen here, you little shit…."

Lucius' voice dropped to whisper as he spoke into Lindorius' ear for a good thirty seconds, fear being slowly etched as if by a knife onto the young man's face.

After finishing his words and taking a step back from the young man, Lucius' leg kicked out with all his strength connecting with the young man's abdomen shooting him a few meters back, groaning in pain as his body curled into a ball. Immediately upon seeing this, Leon drew his sword, laying the cold steel across the neck of the fallen Lindorus as an enraged Lucius roared.

"Guards!"

Upon his call, 2 strong muscled armoured guards ran into the room, twisting the arm and restraining the now coughing man on the floor as they awaited his orders.

"Drag this wretch out and beat him 20 times!"

"Yes, general!"

They both replied as, each holding one arm, they dragged the moaning, struggling Lindorus away as he complained and threatened Lucius.

"Lucius Aurellion, you lowborn scum! How dare you treat me like this? I am the heir to the Leomus duchy! My family has faithfully served the royal family since the kingdom's founding, and you dare beat me! My father will have your head!"

"Give him 10 extra!"

Lucius said casually, pouring a cup of wine for himself as he turned to Leon, calling him by his formal rank.

"Vice General Leon, please announce to the army that Vice General Lindorus Leomus is undisciplined, delaying the battle and potentially leading to our defeat. Shows disrespect for His Majesty's great cause to reunite the central Alendel Steppe and thus disrespecting the royal family."

"For these great crimes, he is to be beaten 30 times and is to make contributions in the future to make up for his failures as a warning to others who may try to imitate him."

"Yes, my lord."

Leon replied swiftly, marching out of the tent as he went to give the announcement.

Only a minute later, after stripping him of his extravagant armour, leaving it in a heap on the dirty steppe floor and after the announcement, that the beating began. The same 2 muscled men wielding large wooden rods began to rhythmically beat down on the back and butt of the noblemen as he shouted through mouthfuls of blood and the sound of wood beating down on his fair skin.

Looks of sympathy came from the surrounding soldiers while Lucius, with his heart hardened from the sights of war before, began to casually take a drink while others winced as they heard the screams of pain that emanated throughout the entire camp.

"Ahh!" Lindorius screamed in pain as he cursed Lucius.

"Lucius Aurellion, you tyrannical devil! Ahh! I will make you regret this! I will watch as your skin is flayed from your bones and crows eat your rotting flesh! You will not die a good or natural death."

Near the end of the beating, the endless cursing stopped as the body of the guilty nobleman, bloodied with large cuts and scars searing his flesh, finally fell limp as he fainted from his ordeal.

'Of course, Lucius won't die a natural death. The family rose and fell with him after all.'

Reginald thought to himself absentmindedly.

Hearing the last hit from outside the tent, he motioned his hand towards the tent.

"Let's go take a look outside. I feel our good friend out there will need some help."

Lucius said casually as he began to walk out of the tent. Leon, his helmet held to his side, revealing his scarred face, untrimmed beard, dark brown hair, and a slight smile spreading across his face, followed close behind him. The 2 other vice generals attending the meeting had shocked and worried expressions and, slightly shaking in fear, followed their demonic general out of the tent.

As they exited the tent, the smell of blood tainting the air as the other 2 vice generals looked with pity upon their now bloodied and scarred comrade who had experienced the wrath of their general.

"Dogs really do bark loudly these days. People really need to remember the Duke of Qintaria as compared to his punishment; this one can be considered light! I hope that strategy meetings will commence smoothly from now on, and you will all give your best, so such sights need not be seen again."

"Don't you agree!"

Lucius calmly and coldly remarked out loudly.

After hearing Lucius' remarks, all the generals taking part in the meeting bowed toward him and shouted together.

"We will follow the General teachings and give our all for this his majesties great cause!"

"Good! Take that annoying parasite back to his tent and get the best military doctor at hand to help heal him. He's destroying my view of the beautiful landscape!"

Lucius said in annoyance.

'Can't have him die dealing with his family is a hassle I can't be bothered to deal with.'

Lucius thought as soldiers quickly ran over to help take the nobleman back to his tent, he then looked over to the officers who were still reeling from the shock of what just happened.

"I believe we have a meeting to attend, gentlemen."

Lucius calmly said, heading back towards the command tent. The high-ranking officers quickly walking into the tent after him, ready to start the meeting.