Refining the Heavens 5 (炼天五)

Chapter 68: The Princess' Test

In all fairness, Sidd is not a very talented general. He may be a great warrior, but his knowledge of leading armies is limited by the years of peace that Logres once enjoyed. Inexperienced, coupled with his straight-forward character makes him an honest, even reliable, person but he is an easily read commander.

Tommy, however, did not agree with the princess.

The fall of Logres cannot be one man's fault. And the reason why Astolat fell so quickly, wasn't it because they surrendered immediately?

Moreover, Logres held the high grounds, had better equipment, and tons of resources. Even a third-rate commander could hold the fort against the nomads' hastily pieced together army.

If his father is mediocre at leading armies, then couldn't they assign to him a brilliant strategist together with a capable tactician team to remedy his flaws?

After all, there are no perfect persons around.

Lastly, saying that the praises are stolen by his father is even more ridiculous.

Able to greet even the lowliest servant by their names is enough for Tommy to tell that his father truly deserves his status as the commander-in-chief of Logres.

Moreover, Sidd rushed back to aid them when his son went missing. Who can say that he is shamelessly amassing praises?

For a father, there is nothing more painful than to drop his family in its lurches but in the face of the fall of his own nation, he decided to return. Tommy never blamed his father for this decision, in the first place there is nothing to blame when his father left followers to continue looking for him and afterwards, he continued the search himself for years on end.

Such a general, even if he is lacking in tactical talent, his heart is in the right place.

In fact, Sidd's greatest flaw of having little tactical talent is rather common among all the Commander-in-Chief. The tactician teams and strategists are there for a reason.

Most importantly, as a martial officer Sidd had proven his combat prowess. Everything else can be substituted only combat strength is the one thing required for a general.

Tommy quickly blabbed everything he thought without mincing words.

His father looked at him with pride and worry in his eyes. This child, he might have caused a big oopsie. He sighed internally, at least he is a filial one. Later on, when the king burst into rage, he will cover his son's rashness.

The king however looked emotionlessly at Sidd and Tommy as if nothing happened.

The princess, on the other hand, opened her mouth then closed again, but no words came out.

What did he mean by Logres' years of peace made Sidd and all the generals inexperienced, that the fall of their kingdom cannot be one man's fault?

How could he say that Astolat fell quickly because they surrendered immediately?

Throwing his father's inexperience to the lack of a good tactician team and a good strategist... Excuses!

Unfortunately, despite loathing to agree, Luftie found nothing she can refute so she said, "Avalon belongs to my family. We, the Pendragon, provided a haven for our citizens. Your father, a mere subject, should be thankful to have a place here, but he unabashedly received the praises of our people. If that is not called shameless then what is it?!"

A dangerous green glint flashed across the king's eyes. What his daughter said, he wholly agrees, so why should he stop her?

"No wonder Logres fell so swiftly," Tommy answered, "Instead of seeking improvements, the princess' concerns are placed on who receives praises? If this is all Avalon can offer, I regret to say that the Snowdrifts do not require your aid."