Karl stood upon the review platform, Carnford's Fir Flag fluttering behind him. Facing the more than four thousand officers and soldiers below, he slowly swept his gaze across them, began the pre-battle mobilization, and issued a proclamation calling for the suppression of rebels.
A Public Declaration to the Military and civilians of the Northern Territory Provinces and the Sauron Tribes.
In the name of God and royal authority, Earl Karl von Schmidt, Lord of Carnford and Commander-in-Chief of the allied forces:
Heaven and earth have their constants; all things have their order. A king receives his mandate from Heaven, and his sacred duty lies in marking the borders, defending the order of civilization, and sheltering the common people from the suffering of tyranny.
Looking back upon the past, the Former Kings of the Broomflower Dynasty bestowed grace far and wide, incorporating the Sauron tribes into the northern frontier.
We granted them fertile pastures and noble titles, intending for them to serve as a shield against foreign foes and become loyal servants guarding the frontier. Yet Harald, leader of the Saurons, was vicious by nature, a jackal in human form, and defied all moral order.
He usurped the title of king and stole the northern lands; he forgot the grace of his lord and bit the hand that sheltered him; he betrayed the royal family's abundant favor and repeatedly trampled upon peace along the border.
His crimes stood glaring beneath the sun, stirring Heaven's wrath and the outrage of all men:
First, he betrayed faith and righteousness, carved out land to crown himself, turning a century of oaths of submission into dust;
Second, he ravaged living souls. His iron cavalry rode south, burning our towns and slaughtering innocent women and children. Land once meant for spring plowing was reduced to bloody