The General Named Aries
The palace's grand hall reflected shafts of golden light. Incense floated slowly in the air, softening the sharpness of the marble pillars and creating a thin haze around the Imperial throne.
Lucian Drake sat on it, one leg over the other, wearing a dark imperial robe that had violet embroidery. His black hair reached his shoulders, shining dimly under the light of the crystal chandeliers. Those amethyst eyes of his — keen, inquisitive, a trifle too wise — regarded the man kneeling before him.
A hulking figure bowed deep, armor still coated with the dust of travel. He resembled a mountain that had discovered how to walk — thick arms, broad chest, and face that wore loyalty and danger.
Lucian's brows flinched.
"Aries?" he said under his breath, a faint smile ghosting across his mouth.
The title itself caused a slight shiver to creep up his neck. It was too dramatic-sounding — the sort of title that proclaimed rebellion in history scrolls. He could almost hear the mournful bard's voice already: "The Great General Aries, who once ascended in glory. and descended in flames."
Lucian's fingers tapped a nervous rhythm on the throne arm.
He glared at the man. The build, the face — it was too perfect.
Could this be that sort of figure destined for betrayal?
Interest flowered.
"Is your name really Aries?" Lucian spoke slowly, voice soft but eyes flashing.
The man instantly put his hands together and bowed deeper.
"How dare I mislead Your Majesty? This lowly servant is actually called Aries. It was the name given by my parents."
He flinched, feeling something odd in the Emperor's gaze — too piercing, too playful.
"Would you mind, Your Majesty… is there something amiss with it?"
Lucian sat back, his purple eyes squinting as if examining a piece of a puzzle that refused to fit. Then, he laughed softly.
"No, no. Nothing at all. I simply have a fondness for this name."
The court fell silent. Some of the ministers exchanged suspicious glances, wondering whether the Emperor was praising the man or silently plotting his demise.
Lucian stood up from his throne, the imperial folds of his robe rustling against the marble floor. His voice became rich, vibrant — with a peculiar blend of warmth and wickedness.
"Out of all my military and civil men, I respect those who are not afraid to recommend themselves. It indicates both hunger and courage — qualities I value."
He waved a lazy hand at Aries.
"But do you have any military achievements? Or at least some degree of aptitude that makes your confidence anything more than. enthusiasm?"
The hall went quiet once more.
Aries stood tall with pride, his deep voice booming through the room.
Your Majesty, I've practiced martial arts since I was a child and have achieved the Gold Level, merely a half-step from the Origin Tier! Don't be deceived by my stature — this is muscle earned. Normal blades can't even scratch my flesh!"
Lucian raised an eyebrow, slightly impressed but concealing it with a smirk.
In addition," Aries went on, "I have learned the art of war from a young age and have eight years of army service. I am a Martial Virtue General with five thousand soldiers, defending the northwest of the Capital. I live for war and eagerly wish to forge glory for the Drake Kingdom! I only request Your Majesty to give me the opportunity to prove myself!
His voice boomed like a war drum, ringing through the room.
Lucian leaned forward — the slightest smile playing on his lips. He approved of this one. Too melodramatic, too truthful. Exquisitely workable.
He was interrupted before he could say anything. A deep, even voice spoke up.
Your Majesty," Eldric Bennett, bald and black-eyed Grand General, stepped forward bowing respectfully. "This man is a master of battle strategy and braver than ten thousand men in combat — an enemy to be reckoned with. He is truly a prodigy worthy of command."
Lucian smiled. Even Uncle Bennett's on board? That dispensed with having to pretend to deliberate.
He snapped his hands together in newly generated enthusiasm.
"Splendid! Even Uncle Bennett says such good things about you, Aries — how can I turn down such a recommendation?"
He stood up, his imperial robe billowing like a wave of shadow and violet silk.
"Very good! I, Lucian Drake, Emperor of the Drake Kingdom, hereby commission you General of the Northern Defense — a third-rank official! I entrust two hundred thousand soldiers to your command."
The courtiers gasped as one.
"You will march immediately," Lucian went on, "to attack the Ironforge Kingdom. Take me their land, their renown, their submission. Come back victorious, and your reward will be unlimited!"
Aries's face brightened like dawn.
He fell to his knees, his voice shaking with enthusiasm.
"Your Majesty's favor is limitless! I take an oath on my life, I will not fail you!"
He accepted the imperial token with both hands, saluted stiffly, and left thundering strides.
The palace gates swung open within hours. Two hundred thousand troops rallied under the red banners of the Drake Kingdom. The army marched out like a tidal wave — armor shining, horns blasting — towards the Ironforge border.
The spectacle was resplendent.
The wisdom that went into it? Doubtful.
________________________________________
News spread quickly.
It had spread through the streets, tea houses, and taverns by night like wildfire.
"What? The Emperor deployed troops to assault the Ironforge Kingdom? Now?"
"Is he out of his mind? The Ironforge troops have lost two hundred thousand soldiers last time, but they still have four hundred thousand troops remaining! That's a larger force than our entire army!"
"Precisely! The Ironforge Kingdom is grieving after that massive loss. Their citizens are angry, their morale seething. Attacking them now is like prodding a hornet's nest with a hot stick!"
"Even a commoner like me, who doesn't have an inkling about war, can tell this is a recipe for disaster!"
"Did I not hear he sacked General Eldric Bennett this week? Throwing away pillars of the state like crumpled shoes!"
"By the gods! On the throne for hardly a few days, and already dismissed his best generals and embarked on a suicidal conflict! This new king is… something else!"
"Something else? He's a legend! A legend of stupidity!"
Laughter and incredulity filled the air. Even the officials of the court were quietly going bald.
A nation breathed deeply.
Some cursed Lucian Drake as a fool.
Some sympathized with him, believing he'd succumbed to madness.
And a few — just a few — speculated about whether or not this "crazy ruler" had something more in his back pocket than foolery behind those mischievous violet eyes.