3 What kind of leader is he? (1/2)

Berg and his two lieutenants left Chris' quarters as he had a lot to think about.

But they too had a lot on their mind. Chris' appearance was just too sudden. Who was he? Where did he come from? Can he be trusted? Was this their chance to turns things around? They walked in silence on their way back, Titus was the first to break that silence.

”So what do you think, boss?” He asked.

”Well, he certainly seems like the real thing. You saw his fall from the sky right?” Said Berg.

Ferlin closed his eyes to remember the scene. ”We did. There is no way he could have survived that without using magic. And there is no way for a normal human to use magic without an artifact, and he clearly had none. I can only conclude that he was sent by the Goddess.”

”Huhu... The fall and everything that followed up was quite impressive.” Joked Titus. He had exquisite eyes and didn't miss Chris' desperate rolls before he stopped.

Berg nodded. ”That's right. And that white robe...”

”The royal garment...” Titus turned serious as he said this. ”I thought it was lost in the capital.”

”Actually, I heard it was grabbed by the previous prince as he fled the capital. How did Lord Chris get it? Did the Goddess give it to him?” Wondered Ferlin.

”Ha... Hahaha! If that's the case than the ex-prince must be pissed right now!” Laughed Titus, he nearly had tears in his eyes as he imagined the ex-prince's reaction. ”Serves him right!”

Ferlin joined him. ”Damn right! That father/son duo was really no good.”

Berg displayed a weak smile, unlike the younger generations, he felt sorry for their previous king. He was thinking back to 20 years ago, the King was full energy back then. The army was well funded, trained and the kingdom was doing pretty well too. But as the years went by, the King realized an ugly truth: The Human Kingdom was just too small compared to its neighbors. They lacked precious resources and had no way to expand their territory. After all, those neighbors were either too powerful, or their lands were not fit for humans.

The kingdom's weakness meant that the King had to lower his head in disgrace, time and time again, to accept unreasonable demands from foreign diplomats to avoid destruction. Berg, as a general, was close to the King and he sawhis spirit die a little every time this happened.

The King finally understood that there was nothing he could do to leave a glorious mark in the kingdom's history. His ambitions waned, his frustration grew, and he eventually gave up and stayed holed up in the comfort of the castle. And from there, a worthless son was raised by a frustrated father.

The army endured, but years of neglect took its toll and it was in no way ready for the Kunalls. Thus history was written.