A general born to rule

war arrives again

The Gathering of Generals

In the grand war room of the Golden Orcest Empire, Emperor Valdrak stood before a vast table, surrounded by his generals. The room was filled with a palpable tension, each general representing a hundred thousand men, their sheer numbers a testament to the empire’s military might. The generals, seasoned veterans of countless battles, eyed each other warily, each one aware of the stakes at hand.

Valdrak, towering over them in his jeweled robes and golden crown, surveyed the room with cold, calculating eyes. He had gathered his greatest military minds to discuss the situation—a situation that, in his view, required nothing less than total annihilation of Valorcrest.

“Our ally, King George, has fallen,” Valdrak began, his voice echoing through the chamber. “A small kingdom, one that should have been crushed underfoot, has dared to defy us. This insult cannot go unpunished.”

The generals remained silent, their faces grim. They knew what was expected of them: swift and decisive action. Valdrak continued, outlining his plan to systematically overwhelm Valorcrest with sheer numbers and brute force. The empire’s armies would march in waves, one after another, until the enemy was crushed under the weight of their power.

“We will strike from all sides,” Valdrak declared, his finger tracing the map of Valorcrest. “We will drown them in blood and fire, and we will not stop until every last one of them is dead or kneels before me.”

The generals nodded in agreement, their minds already working on the logistics of moving hundreds of thousands of men across the land. The plan was simple: overwhelm Valorcrest with a relentless assault, using the empire’s vast resources to sustain a prolonged campaign of attrition.

Valorcrest Prepares

Back in Valorcrest, Marcus and Sam were informed by a diplomatic envoy of Valdrak’s demands: release King George and his kingdom, or face total annihilation. Marcus, knowing the futility of such demands, dismissed the envoy with a simple, resolute message.

“If Emperor Valdrak wishes to discuss terms, he can do so in Valorcrest himself,” Marcus said firmly. “We will not surrender, and we will not give up what we have fought so hard to protect.”

As the envoy departed, Marcus and Sam turned their attention to the monumental task ahead. They knew that Valdrak’s empire was unlike any foe they had faced before—its power and resources seemingly limitless. But Marcus also knew that the key to victory lay not in sheer numbers, but in strategy, innovation, and the resolve of his people.

Drawing upon his knowledge of World War I tactics and technology, Marcus began to implement a series of unprecedented measures. He ordered the construction of trenches, outposts, and defensive fortifications across the kingdom. Factories were repurposed to produce military equipment at an accelerated pace, churning out weapons, ammunition, and even early biplanes and blimps to give Valorcrest an edge in the skies.

The entire kingdom was mobilized, with men, women, and even children contributing to the war effort. Refugees from King George’s former kingdom were welcomed with open arms, given training and equipment, and turned into soldiers ready to defend their new home. Propaganda was spread far and wide, rallying the people of Valorcrest to the cause. Posters and speeches emphasized the righteousness of their struggle, depicting Marcus as a hero and Valdrak as a tyrant who sought to enslave them all.

Marcus and Sam worked tirelessly, day and night, overseeing the construction of defenses, strategizing with their commanders, and ensuring that every aspect of the kingdom’s economy and military was geared towards the impending conflict. They knew that the coming war would be one of attrition, where every resource, every life, would matter.