Cronini Weilburg's performance had also disappointed Franz deeply. Born into a military aristocratic family, he had been a brawler from childhood, getting into fights time and again and beating people so badly they were left gravely wounded and near death. Except when he was around Franz, he was usually an unruly sort, practically brimming with banditry.
Before 1848 arrived, Franz had placed Cronini in his Royal Dragoon Regiment. He had hoped the young man would get some experience in the army and learn to rein in his temper.
But Cronini's standing in the Royal Dragoon Regiment was poor. He failed to meet the standards for many professional skills.
Yet he was a troublemaker with a mind of his own, constantly writing letters demanding changes to the dragoons' training methods, frequently getting into fights, and even defying his superiors.
When Franz saw the assessment "undisciplined and lacking in organization," he had a sinking feeling that trouble was brewing. But then he thought of all the Hollywood military movies he had watched. Wasn't this the perfect template for a protagonist?
Perhaps Cronini Weilburg was a talent history had overlooked?
When war broke out, Franz saw his childhood companion again. By then, Cronini had gathered a little band of his own.
Thanks to the power of the Weilburg family and his relationship with Franz, the officers of the Royal Dragoon Regiment could do very little about him.
When Cronini proudly showed off what he had accomplished, Franz's face darkened.
After hearing Franz's plan for the advance, Cronini immediately objected. The plan was far too reckless: Venetia had hundreds of thousands of rebels, while the Royal Dragoon Regiment and the Tyrol Guard together numbered just over five thousand. It was practically suicide.
Franz had heard too many voices of opposition to take this one