Illegitimate Blood

The silence in the room was thick (almost suffocating), pressing down like a storm cloud. Erika stood across from Roy, her arms crossed tightly against her chest, eyes blazing with equal parts fury and curiosity. "So let me get this straight," Erika began, her voice sharp as a blade. "You manipulated my father and used his strategies against him? You *cheated* to rise through military ranks?" Roy's lips curved into a faint smirk; however, his eyes betrayed something deeper—a flicker of pride mixed with bitterness. "Is that how you see it? That I cheated my way up?" He paused, his voice steady. "No, Erika. What I did wasn't cheating. It was survival. Your father, Miral Krules, wasn't just any man. He was a master strategist (a titan of intellect), a man worthy of respect. But Miral made one fatal mistake."

"And what was that?" Erika shot back.

Roy's smirk widened ever so slightly (a subtle indication of his confidence). "He underestimated me." Erika flinched at the weight of those words, however, Roy didn't stop. "After my first encounter with your father, I learned quickly: wars aren't won by brute force. They're won by intelligence, by strategy, by knowing your enemy better than they know themselves (which is crucial). Yes, Miral and I exchanged information, strategies that benefited us both. It was a game—one of mutual interest. But I didn't stop there." He began pacing slowly, his shadow elongating with each step, as though the weight of his memories followed him. "During those two years, I fought in more than ten wars. *Two* of them were against Miral and yes, we lost. Although in the other battles, I proved myself. I outperformed every other commander on the field (a fact I take pride in). While others hesitated, I made decisions that turned defeats into victories. And so, at fifteen, I was promoted to *Sergeant.*"

Erika blinked. "Fifteen? That's absurd."

"Absurd?" Roy echoed with a soft chuckle (his amusement barely concealed). "For many, yes. For me, it was only the beginning. Two months later, I rose to *Master Warrant Officer*—a rank so high in the enlisted structure that others spent *decades* trying to achieve it. At sixteen, I was promoted to *Colonel* after leading a decisive victory; I became the youngest Second-grade officer in Narzan's history." His voice carried a dangerous pride, however, Erika's eyes remained skeptical. "And how many soldiers died for your ambitions?" she asked coldly. Roy turned sharply to face her (his gaze intense). "Do you think I climbed through those ranks because I was lucky? Because I was careless with lives? No, Erika. I rose because I *earned it*. The Narzan Empire doesn't reward failure. It rewards results."

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**The Ranking System of Narzan's Army**

Roy's voice dipped a little (as he started to explain), almost as if narrating a creed etched into his very essence. "In Narzan, there are **17 ranks** total, divided into 4 categories: Regular Soldiers, Third-Grade Officers, Second-Grade Officers and First-Grade Officers. Let me clarify this for you."

### **Regular Soldier**

- **Trainee**: the lowest rank—those who embark on their journey (in basic training). They carry no insignia; they follow orders to the letter. However, this phase is crucial (for their development), because it lays the foundation for what lies ahead. Although they may feel insignificant, each trainee plays a role in the greater scheme of things.

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### **Third-Grade Officers**

Lance Corporal (1): Soldiers promoted after *one* year or by merit (this is no small feat). They're entrusted with simple leadership roles and given small tasks.

Corporal (CPL) (2): The backbone of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) (however, this role is often underestimated). Corporals command small sections, ensuring discipline, training and efficiency.

Sergeant (SGT) (3): Sergeants lead units of 9–10 soldiers (but they bear a heavy responsibility). They oversee daily operations and training, setting the standard for those beneath them.

Warrant Officer (WO) (4): Veteran leaders who serve as platoon leaders, using their experience to make critical decisions (although not always popular).

Senior Warrant Officer (SWO) (5): Officers with over 15 years of experience, though exceptions are made for extraordinary soldiers (because talent can't be ignored). Master Warrant Officer (MWO) (6): The pinnacle of enlisted ranks; there's only *one* MWO in a battalion, serving as senior advisor to Commanding Officer (and that burden is great).

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### **Second-Grade Officers**

**Lieutenant** (1): Junior officers who assist company commanders and handle administrative tasks.

**Captain** (2): Trusted, as second-in-command at the company level, responsible for staff duties and logistical planning.

**Major** (3): Commanders of companies or battalion second-in-command; they handle complex operations and serve as staff officers.

*Lieutenant Colonel** (4): Leaders of entire battalions, overseeing hundreds of soldiers (and their strategic movements).

**Colonel** (5): Officiating brigade commanders—some serve as station commanders or advisors at formation level.

**Brigadier General** (6): High-ranking officers who command brigades, or serve as directors at Army Headquarters. However, the intricacies of military hierarchy can be perplexing, because each rank carries its own weight of responsibility. Although they may seem straightforward, the nuances often escape understanding, this adds layers of complexity to leadership roles.

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### **First-Grade Officers**

Major General (a rank held by division-level commanders) is responsible for thousands of troops; they serve as principal staff officers to the top generals.

Lieutenant General, however, represents a level of command that governs entire regions or divisions and serves directly under the army's leadership.

The General (or Commander) is the second-highest rank, answerable only to Prime Minister and Supreme commander.

Supreme General or Supreme Commander (the highest authority) in Narzan's military, holds power equal to the Prime Minister himself.

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Roy completed the list, his gaze unwavering on Erika. "I ascended through this hierarchy when others couldn't even dream of it. I rose because I had to—because I was famished for survival." Erika remained silent for a protracted moment, digesting the enormity of what he had conveyed to her. "And yet," she finally remarked, "you articulate it as though you *despise* it. The empire bestowed upon you this power, didn't it?" Roy's expression darkened, the subtle smirk on his lips evaporating. "The empire didn't grant me anything. It *exploited* me. I was forsaken as a child, Erika. Sold into slavery. The empire gave me a sword, not because it cared, but because I was advantageous. I fought for them because I had no alternative. However, don't misconstrue my ascent for loyalty." Erika gazed deeply into his eyes, perceiving the fire igniting within. "Then why struggle so fiercely for them?" "Because power is survival," Roy replied succinctly. "In a world that had decreed I was nothing, I opted to become *something*." For the first time, Erika's anger wavered. She had arrived seeking answers and she had discovered them—but they weren't what she anticipated. Roy wasn't merely a soldier or a commander.

He was (indeed) a man who had clawed his way to the top of a brutal empire. Yet, beneath the pride in his voice, Erika could hear it: a tremor of uncertainty. This was not simply a triumph; it was a struggle, a constant battle against the demons of his past. However, she sensed that he was haunted—by memories, perhaps, or the weight of his decisions. Although he projected strength, there lay an undercurrent of vulnerability. Because of this, Erika felt a strange connection to him, one that transcended the walls he had built.

The hatred that burned within him.