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The war ended in fire and thunder.
Bodies lay scattered, banners torn, but the Blackwood Union stood victorious once again.
And as tradition demanded, the Supreme King himself called the post-war gathering. The War Hall was packed, filled with ministers, commanders, and soldiers who had survived the inferno. Every rank waited, trembling for the new order.
Chris Blackwood rose from his obsidian throne, eyes sharp as steel. His voice rolled like a hammer striking an anvil.
> "The Blackwood Empire has grown stronger. Some among you proved your worth. Some failed. And today, new ranks will be written in the book of power."
Scribes readied their quills. Trumpets sounded.
One by one, Chris called the names. Demotions, punishments, a few executions for betrayal. The hall was tense—no one breathed. Then, the turning point came.
Chris' gaze locked on Daniel.
> "Daniel Blackwood. Once a lieutenant. Once humiliated. But in this war, he carried not fifty men… but entire divisions on his back. His leadership, his bravery, his refusal to bow to weakness—these have been witnessed by all."
Silence. Soldiers glanced at each other, shocked.
> "From this day forward, Daniel is removed from his former team. He will no longer serve under fifty. He will command sixty thousand men as General of the Iron Legion!"
The War Hall erupted. Gasps. Cheers. Disbelief. The jump was impossible—yet it happened.
Chris raised his hand and the noise fell silent again.
> "Soren Vask remains my Shield and Commander of the B.A.M. But Daniel Blackwood will now stand as one of the Four Pillars of Command—the youngest general ever to be named in this Empire. His name will be carved into our history."
Drums thundered. Banners fell from the ceiling bearing Daniel's crest, newly forged. Soldiers pounded their fists against their chests in salute.
Daniel stepped forward, stunned, his heart racing. Once a boy begging his father to let him join the army—now the general of sixty thousand, with authority stretching beyond borders.
Chris' final words sealed the moment:
> "The world will know. From fifty men… to sixty thousand. This is the Blackwood way."
The War Hall trembled with chants:
"Blackwood! Blackwood! Blackwood!"
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