In the dimly lit military office, tension hung thick in the air as Prince Young-Sik confronted the dispatch officers. His brow furrowed, he leaned forward, his voice edged with disbelief. "What do you mean? The senior officers and most of the experienced soldiers are replaced by raw recruits?"
The officer, clearly nervous under the prince's intense scrutiny, stammered in response, "The King issued an order that the majority of the senior officers and senior soldiers remain in the capital to protect the palace in case some Aranesians bypass our defenses. But don't worry, a militia draft has already been done. That will bolster your forces by ten or twentyfold… Your Highness."
Captain Gi, standing to the side, shook his head, his skepticism evident. "Prince Young-Sik, these cubs will either piss their pants or get themselves killed," he voiced his concerns bluntly.
"I understand your dilemma, Captain," the prince said, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. "However, the King is correct. He needs to save the most experienced officers and soldiers to protect the capital in case some of the invaders slip through our barricades." He paused, his tone shifting slightly, "Every soldier undergoes a baptismal of fire... it just so happens that these cubs got theirs early." Captain Gi at the prince "No need to panic, Captain... I believe you'll whip them into shape and ensure they survive." Young-Sik beamed, already planning his next move. "And I'm assigning you your first mission for the looming war."
"Awesome… just what I wanted, a babysitting gig," Captain Gi replied, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Do I need to pack diapers for this, too?" he teased, earning a hearty laugh from the prince as he turned to leave, the atmosphere lightened momentarily.
Meanwhile, in the grand hall, the King and his Ministers reconvened to discuss the impending conflict. Minister Im rose to speak, his voice steady and authoritative. "Your Highness, Your Majesty, my fellow Ministers. We are on the precipice of war, a conflict that will dictate the future of our country. Will we be crushed under the heel of the Aranese monarch, or shall we push back and proclaim that this is our land? I believe that it is the latter, but for that to happen, the prince will need every resource at his disposal. Not just weapons and tools of war, but seasoned soldiers that will fight alongside our prince. So I beseech our generous King to please recant his decree to have the senior officers and soldiers stay behind. We will need all able hands to fight in this war."
"Spoken like a true patriot," Minister Lim interjected, his tone dripping with condescension. "I commend our colleague Minister Im for reminding us what is needed to win this war. However, let me remind this council that the Aranese need not defeat our army to secure victory… they only need to destroy one man, and that man is our King. That is why I urge our benevolent monarch not to rescind his decree. We must ensure the safety of our King, for he is the pillar that holds Chiongsun together."
The King, rising from his throne, clapped his hands in appreciation of Minister Lim's defense. "Forgive me, Minister Im, but I agree with Minister Lim, not out of fear for my safety, but because he is right. Should the enemy get to me, then the war has ended, and we, the people of Chiongsun, are now slaves to the Aranese throne." His gaze shifted to the back of the courtroom, landing squarely on Prince Young-Sik. "Don't you agree, Prince Young-Sik?"
The words hung in the air, a subtle reminder of the delicate balance between duty and self-preservation, echoing the true nature of power in a kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction.
In the grand courtroom, tension hung in the air as all heads turned to the back, where Prince Young-Sik stood silently, absorbing the weight of the ongoing debate. The murmurs of concern and strategy filled the room, but he remained resolute, his gaze fixed on the King. With determined steps, he approached the center of the courtroom and bowed deeply, his voice steady as he declared, "I will fight this war in whatever manner the King sees fit."
The words reverberated through the hall, shocking his three masters into silence. Minister Shin, a seasoned strategist, broke the stillness with an urgent plea, "But my prince, the war efforts dictate where our resources should go, and that includes soldiers." His tone was earnest, hoping to sway Young-Sik to reconsider his bold claim.
Undeterred, Young-Sik stepped closer to his masters, bowing in reverence once more. "Do not worry, my masters. I will impart upon them the same knowledge that you have trusted unto me. They will be my eyes and ears, my arms and sword on the battlefield—an extension of me." His voice rose, filled with conviction as he addressed the assembly, "While experience is a factor, I believe in one's character—their indomitable spirit, their courage, and strength to not let invaders take our country from us. I care not if I fight alongside master warriors or with cubs; what I care for is their determination to win through adversity, to plow through anyone who would threaten this land."
With a fierce gaze, he turned to the King, his brother. "His Highness is right; we must protect him. Otherwise, all is lost should he fall." King Man-Ju placed an approving hand on Young-Sik's shoulder, pride evident in his eyes. "Well said, brother, very well said. Again, I entrust our nation into your hands."
Outside the courtroom, Jin-Ri stood frozen, disbelief etched across her face. She turned to Captain Gi, her voice trembling with worry. "What… why would he even consider going into battle with half of his army made up of boys?"
"Don't forget the unreliable militia, farmers, and fishermen that got drafted into the army," Captain Gi replied, irritation creeping into his tone as he gestured toward the haphazard formation outside.
"How will we win with such a fighting force, when more than half are farmers, fishermen, and boys?" She pressed her concern for the prince evident in her quivering voice.
"The prince is more than capable, you know that. You saw him fight; I doubt any Aranese soldier would want to face him in battle," Captain Gi reassured her, though a seed of doubt lingered in his mind about their odds.
Jin-Ri turned to him, desperation in her eyes. "Captain, please promise me you will watch over and safeguard the prince... please promise me that."
"You don't even have to ask, Lady Jin-Ri. I will protect him with my life. That I swear," he vowed, his tone firm and resolute.
"Thank you… and be safe as well," she replied, a flicker of hope igniting within her heart. Captain Gi's promise brought her a measure of solace, making the thought of the prince going to war a little less daunting.
The sun was already setting on the horizon when the King dismissed the council. Prince Young-Sik approached Dowager Queen Eri, who called his attention and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, you summoned me?"
Eri, draped in her regal silks that seemed to shimmer with an icy sheen, fixed her gaze upon him. "I would just like to thank you for considering the King's safety. I truly believe I raised you well," she said, her voice smooth yet laced with a biting chill that sent shivers down Young-Sik's spine.
Taken aback by the insincerity dripping from her words, Young-Sik stifled a laugh. "Raised me? Yeah right," he thought bitterly, remembering the countless times he had felt her coldness more than her warmth. "You'd sooner throw me to the dungeons than show any affection," he chided silently, but he bowed once more, keeping his tone even. "The King is important and therefore must be protected at all times."
The Queen reached for his hand, her grip deceptively gentle. "You be careful and make sure you find your way home," she said, her eyes piercing through him as if she could see the doubt lurking in his heart. With a sudden release, she turned and glided out of the courtroom, leaving a tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud.
As Young-Sik turned, he saw his three masters waiting, their expressions a mixture of concern and disbelief. "Your Highness, why did you agree to lead such an immature force against the Aranese?" Minister Im asked, his brow furrowed with worry.
"The King is right; the capital must be protected," Young-Sik replied firmly, though the words felt heavy in his mouth.
"But your Highness," Minister Shin interjected, urgency creeping into his voice, "In times of war, our laws dictate that all resources must be directed to the military to ensure the best chances of securing victory."
"You have to see that you are going to war with essentially a crippled army," Minister Go added, his tone grave. "That on its own is a disadvantage."
"I am aware of that, Master," Young-Sik said, his resolve hardening. "But you can't deny that the King is right. I must go and prepare our soldiers. Our forces march tomorrow at first light." With that, he bade farewell to his masters and stepped out of the courtroom.
Just outside, Jin-Ri approached him with a fire in her eyes. "Why? Why did you agree to leave most of the experienced soldiers in the capital?"
Young-Sik raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his demeanor. "How? Did you eavesdrop on the court? You know you could get in trouble with that."
"I don't care if I get into trouble or not," she pressed, determination etched on her face. "Why are you going to war with an inexperienced army?"
Captain Gi, sensing the rising tension, bowed to the prince and excused himself. "Your Highness, I will see how the troop preparation is going."
Once they were alone, Young-Sik turned to Jin-Ri, his expression serious. "Because it is for the King's safety. We need to safeguard the King at all costs." The weight of his words hung heavily between them, a reminder of the perilous road ahead.
The dimly lit corridor of the palace echoed with the tension that hung heavily in the air. Jin-Ri's heart raced as she confronted Prince Young-Sik, her emotions swirling like a tempest within her.
"At all costs? Even if that cost is your life?" she shouted, her voice a sharp whisper, laced with frustration and fear. "Forgive me, but you are worth more than any of these so-called men who are too afraid to pick up a sword and fight!"