After departing in the morning, the count's army managed to sight the enemy army near midday.
"Hahaha, poor boy, now you will not be able to get away with it. Thanks to the lord count for allowing me to join this battle. Now that the rabbit has come out of the burrow, it is time to finish him off." Alonso, who had been charged with the task of protecting the supply line, obtained the count's consent to participate in the battle, since his task was considered superfluous.
The Count of Blair rode a black horse, surrounded by a group of noble vassals of the County of Blair. He smiled upon looking at his nearly 30,000 soldiers, and his smile became even more significant when he looked at the opponent's soldiers.
Then he directed his great horse toward the center of his armed army, thus attracting everyone's attention.
---
"Soldiers! Look in front of you; there stands a vile tyrant who, through his excessive ambition, invaded the lands of his brother territory. As a respectable count, I cannot close my eyes nor look the other way in the face of this situation. Today we will do justice in the name of heaven against this vile villain." With a strong and clear voice that could be heard by almost all the soldiers present.
"Haaaa! Haaaa! Haaaa! Haaaa!"
A great roar was heard in the place before the roar of all the soldiers present. The count raised his hand so that they would calm themselves and thus be able to continue with his speech.
"I know that your thirst for justice is very great, but in the same way I know that everyone has family and fights to protect them. Knowing all that, I make you a promise here and now: to the twenty soldiers who perform best in this battle I will grant a knight's fief and a small portion of lands in the conquered territory."
The count's words elevated the atmosphere to the extreme.
"Haaaa! Haaaa! Haaaa! Long live the count!" The roar was deafening and praises for him were not lacking.
"Now let us finish off that despicable villain and do justice for the Viscounty of Clun. ATTACK!" With the count's order, the entire army moved at great speed toward the enemy, who was located about 500 meters in front.
---
While his army ran toward the front, the count smiled. Then he looked toward the enemy army and was surprised that they could be so calm upon seeing an army four times larger attacking them.
It had to be said that the boy had something: at least his soldiers were well disciplined. Suddenly, the count felt a bad premonition. His trained soldiers only reached 10,000; the rest were militiamen recruited temporarily for this war. The difference in combat was abysmal.
But then he shook his head and became calm again. He felt that he was thinking too much once more.
---
"My lord, the enemy is moving toward us." André was in the rear of the army, on a small platform created temporarily for his observation. At his side were General Raúl and General Armond. At that instant, a soldier approached to report the situation of the front.
"Very well, tell General Tom to proceed according to his criteria. I will limit myself to observing from this distance." André spoke with a bored face.
"How long do you think it will take them to realize the reality?" General Raúl asked André with an amused face.
"I am afraid it will be a difficult battle. The enemy greatly outnumbers us. It will not be impossible to avoid hand-to-hand combat. It is fortunate that we managed to equip each soldier with a semi-automatic revolver. By flanking them with the artillerymen on the sides, we will do them great damage in their ranks. Considering all these factors, the battle could prolong several hours; it is estimated until before nightfall." André gave his analysis with a very serious face.
---
"I still do not understand why you only decided to deploy a single division of the army. For this reason, in this battle it will be impossible to avoid casualties." Raúl spoke to André with a complaining tone.
"It could not be avoided. My plans go much further than a simple county. I need the entire northeastern region of the kingdom to unite to invade us. Being so, I should not show so much military power." André's words left the two generals surprised.
"Why do you need them to attack you? And why would they unite to do it?" This time it was General Armond who asked.
"Because once they attack me I will have a legitimate reason to take possession of their territories. Once I am owner of the entire northeastern region of the kingdom, I will be able to pressure the royal family to return the duchy of the Solomon family to me."
André smiled a little while explaining and then continued:
"As for why they would attack me, once I have taken possession of the County of Blair the others will be afraid. Knowing that they cannot defeat me, their only opportunity will be uniting."
Listening to André's words, the two generals could not help but be surprised by how sharp their lord's mind was. They felt relief that he was not their enemy.
---
"Now I understand your approach, my lord. But I believe the army budget will have to be increased. Pensions must be added for the relatives of the fallen. It seems I will have to be very busy in the near future. But, my lord, with so many future wars the army's morale could fall." General Raúl raised his concerns.
"Do not worry; I have already thought of that. Not long ago I ordered the construction of a building made almost completely of super-tempered glass in the central area of Solomon City. This building will be named **The Palace of Heroes**. There the ashes of all the soldiers fallen in battle will be kept, attaching to them a photograph of them in life." André had already planned how to keep the army's morale high.
"Now I understand why you organized those photographs for each soldier of the army." Raúl was surprised by André's foresight.
"That is right. For any soldier of any rank it will be the maximum honor that their remains can rest in the **Palace of Heroes**." With these words, the two generals immediately realized the importance of this palace named by André.
---
**BOOOOOOM!! BOOOOOOM!! BOOOOOOM!!**
**BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!**
"The battle has already begun." The general wanted to continue speaking, but was interrupted by the strong roars. Then everyone turned their gaze toward the battlefield.
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