The day after Crystal's encounter with the soldiers, Zaphyr held a meeting with his high-ranking generals to discuss military matters. General Grant, Zaphyr's most trusted general, Grant did all the talking during his speech about the upcoming war, while Zaphyr sat in a grand chair, his posture rigid and commanding. His gaze was intense as he listened to Sokolov and the other generals.
General Grant addressed the other generals with authority. "Ensure that all soldiers are trained and prepared by Saturday. No excuses for unpreparedness," he ordered.
One of the generals nodded in agreement. "Will there be additional training sessions?" General Carter inquired.
"Yes," Grant replied. "Extra weapons training will be conducted the night before the battle."
Zaphyr sighed impatiently, his frustration evident. Before anyone could add further comments, he spoke with a steely tone. "I better not catch any of you slacking. If you're not prepared for the battle, there will be consequences."
The generals exchanged uneasy glances but responded in unison, "Yes, King Zaphyr."
The training day arrived swiftly. Zaphyr observed the soldiers from the sidelines, arms folded behind his back. His stern expression reflected his dissatisfaction with the training. He scrutinized every movement, ensuring that the soldiers adhered to the rigorous standards he demanded. He was particularly focused on his senior soldiers, knowing their performance was critical.
Noticing one of his high-ranking soldiers lagging, Zaphyr approached with a deliberate stride. The soldier quickly straightened up as Zaphyr's presence became known.
"What do you think you're doing?" Zaphyr's voice was sharp. "Slacking off?"
The soldier, visibly shaken, stammered, "F-forgive me, Sire. I must have dozed off."
Zaphyr continued to oversee the training with an unwavering gaze, spotting another group of soldiers who were not meeting his expectations. He approached them, his stern demeanor making his displeasure clear.
"What do you think you're doing?" Zaphyr demanded, his voice cutting through the air.
The soldiers, apprehensive and sweating, looked up at him nervously. "We're just taking a short break, Sire," one soldier said.
"We're tired," another added.
At that moment, Crystal wandered onto the military grounds, intrigued by the commotion. She approached Zaphyr, concerned by the soldiers' exhausted appearances.
"Shouldn't they be given a break? They look utterly spent," she suggested, her voice reflecting her concern.
Zaphyr turned to her with a frustrated expression. "They are soldiers; they must be able to endure rigorous training without frequent breaks. They need to learn resilience."
"Exhaustion can weaken them further," Crystal countered. "Without rest, they may perform poorly in battle."
Zaphyr sighed, visibly irritated by Crystal's interference. "They must push through. If they falter in battle, they risk the entire campaign."
General Grant interjected, "She has a point, Sire. Exhaustion could impact their performance."
Zaphyr glared at Grant. "We will win. I trust my soldiers."
Turning back to the weary soldiers, Zaphyr's voice hardened. "Get back to training. No more slacking."
Crystal, seeing the soldiers' plight, persisted. "Give them some food or water. They need to recover."
Frustrated, Zaphyr shot her a cold glance. "No, they don't need such comforts. They need discipline."
"Fine. If they lose, it's on you," Crystal retorted with a challenging grin.
