The Kingmaker System

The five days of intense training were a huge task for every person in the Eldarf manor. Lyall and Enora would train with the six boys in the morning, and in the afternoon the training would turn into sparring with the Elves and the Dwarves, in the evening after dinner and before sleep, they would gather in my study for strategy lessons.

I was basically going for those five days without any sleep as I had to juggle a lot of work on my own including the training and studying for the kids to learn the new warfare tactics. I taught them a few of the tactics that I had learnt from my past life experiences and told them about various possibilities that they could encounter while on the battlefield.

"Don’t, at any cost, think of turning your back on your enemy or have any sort of mercy on them. Even if they are on their last breath make sure that they are dead before you move ahead and I’m telling you again, don’t have mercy on any enemy."

I didn’t teach them mercy as even if camaraderie was an important aspect for them needless mercy could turn into a fatal mistake. I would rather they turn ruthless than those fools who save their own enemies.

"But, if our enemy isn’t armed and we attack them then doesn’t it violate the rule of knights?" Ralph asked.

"On a battlefield, there’s no room for rules or chivalry, Ralph. You either survive or you die." I clarified, "Now, tell me, how you’d feel if you face an enemy on a battlefield who isn’t holding a sword and you let him go and then that same person kills your friend right after you had mercy on him?"

Ralph frowned slightly but he nodded, "I understand, Master."

"Good. Keep in mind you all, on a battlefield, what’s important is your and your comrades’ survival. If your foolish benevolence can cost any other person’s life then you’re not a comrade, you’re a traitor."

"And I haven’t given you the training of an assassin to stab your friends in the back, if I hear of it in future then don’t be surprised if I come for your blood myself."

The boys seemed a bit intimidated after my warning and I continued my lesson.

For the five days and nights, everyone had pushed themselves to their limits and on the sixth day, I faced all the six boys who were supposed to set out to their respective battlefields. Eric and Rune were placed on the frontlines while Luke, Ralph and Derrick were stationed in different places. Fortunately, Drac was the closest to Eric and Rune so, if any problem arose then he could rush on the spot to help them.