Using his 2 30-Man Cavalry Unit Summons. It was an easy choice who Victor would select, more Royal Scots Grey units were a welcome addition to the Dukedom's elite soldiers. Victor then proceeded to use the 25 100-Man Infantry Unit Summons.
Wanting to rebuild his standard infantry line, Victor summoned 1000 Hungarian Fusiliers, 400 Russian Jaegers, 400 Polish Line Infantrymen and 300 French Chasseurs. This variety would help replenish the men lost at the recent battle near the Luxenberg-Cruyff border.
The newly summoned soldiers would join the Luxenberg army on the road as they continued their 2-week march to Sardia. The land was similar to the Luxenberg territory. Forests and valleys were the only things to see during the march. The Cruyff territory was situated along cliffs that ran beside the coast. Like most of the realms in the Bulgar continent, the Cruyff Dukedom did not have a port.
Thankfully for the Luxenberg army, the skies were clear and the wind was cool. The march to Sardia was relatively easy. Most of the prisoners were released to go home or fight alongside the Luxenberg army. They had lost all loyalty and respect for Duke Cruyff and posed no real danger without any leadership. Only a handful of prisoners were kept in the military camps.
By the time Victor and his army reached Sardia, his army had grown back to 22,000 Infantrymen 4,000 cavalrymen and 100 pieces of artillery. Victor's personal guard had 120 Royal Scots Grey and 125 French Imperial Guard soldiers.
Outside of Sardia amassed Victor's army. The majority of the soldiers in the area were sent to battle alongside Duke Cruyff, only a few thousand soldiers remained as a garrison, most of which were militia.
On the walls of Sardia was a plump red-haired boy, no older than 13 years old. He had chubby cheeks and golden eyes. It was clear as day who his father was, bearing the iconic red hair and golden eyes of the Cruyff family, the little boy was Harold's son. His name was Hudson Cruyff, heir to the Cruyff Dukedom.
The poor boy was petrified, he could see an army that was superior in size and seemed well-trained. Hudson was immature and a bit slow, but even he could understand that there was no way to defeat that army with what little troops he had.
Seeing the young son of Harold Cruyff, Victor rode his horse dragging a tied-up Harold. Looking at Hudson, Victor offered a cold, sinister smile. Dismounting from his horse Victor grabbed the fat duke by his red hair and threw him to the ground.
"Hudson Cruyff I presume? I am Duke Victor Luxenberg, I defeated your father's army and have him here as my prisoner. If you would like to be reunited I have a simple request that must be granted. Open the city gates and surrender. I do not wish to damage this city or kill its people." Victor yelled in a domineering tone.
Hudson was frozen with fear and began to hide behind the walls, he could not speak nor move. The ministers that accompanied him began to panic, they knew well enough that this was the end of the Cruyff Dukedom. Sensing this weakness, Victor continued to address Hudson and his ministers.
"I require an answer young Hudson, do not hide! I do not wish to begin bombarding the city's walls. If you are insistent on remaining silent then I have to interpret that as you are not willing to comply with my request."
Without Hudson's approval, one of the ministers ordered for the gates to be opened. This displeased Hudson and he was vocal about how they dared to undermine him. Sadly for Hudson, none of the ministers cared. Everyone knew that the Cruyff family would fall soon.
Hudson tried to order the soldiers to close the gates, but while he was trying to do that a throbbing pain began to fester in his side. He screamed it was an inscrutable pain that he felt. Turning to see what was causing the pain, he could see a dagger sticking out of him. Looking up at his ministers they had brandished their daggers.
"We are sorry Young Master, but we can not allow you to resist. It is for the best if you die now. It will be a mercy. Please forgive us," Said one of the ministers. Bawling in tears Hudson begged for his life but to no avail. The ministers brutally slaughtered the young boy, slashing and stabbing his chubby body. It was a bone-chilling scene. 6 men maliciously murdered an innocent young boy.
Victor delighted at seeing the gates open began to march his infantry into the city. In a column formation, the Luxenberg infantry poured into the city. Some of the citizens cheered while many stayed silent and watched as Victor and his men marched towards the palace. Victor felt a sense of pride, walking into a city that he had conquered without bloodshed.
However, when Victor arrived at the Cruyff Palace, his feeling of triumph turned sour. At the entrance of the palace were the 6 ministers who stood with Hudson on the city walls. Alarmingly their waistcoats were covered in blood. Seeing this made Victor weary of them, regardless of his suspicions he still approached them.
As Victor approached, the ministers all fell to one knee and bowed to him. "We greet our new lord, Duke Victor Luxenberg." They all said in unison. Victor signalled them to rise but noticed a soaking red burlap sack. Intrigued by the ominous-looking sack Victor asked, "What is in the sack?"
Eager to show their new lord their trophy the minister opened and pulled out something diabolical. It was the mutilated and bloody head of the young Hudson Cruyff. "We took care of the young bastard my lord, we saw that the gates were opened for your army," said the minister holding the head.
Victor, his soldiers and Duke Cruyff were horrified. "Waaahhhhhhh! My son! You sons of whores I will kill you!" Wailed Duke Cruyff, trying to fight out of his restraints. Victor was speechless, the result of malicious barbarism was in front of him. He had never seen such brutality inflicted on someone so young.
In a soft and restrained voice, Victor spoke, "Put these monsters in a dungeon and see that the Hudson is granted a proper funeral." Happy to oblige with their lord's orders a dozen soldiers detained the ministers and began to take them away.
Violently they protested that their actions were done as a show of loyalty. They were convinced that they did what was necessary to prevent bloodshed in Sardia. Victor ignored their pathetic justifications.
Victor then turned to Harold Cruyff and whispered, "I am sorry about your son, what they did is beyond disgusting. Before I kill you I will let you butcher those monsters." Harold who was destroyed emotionally could only nod. His son was dead and his territory was conquered.
As Victor entered and explored the Cruyff Palace, he felt no satisfaction. The taste of victory burnt to ash in his mouth. What was meant to be a triumphant moment for Victor was tarnished due to the brutal murder of Hudson Cruyff. As Victor sat in the dining hall he sighed and grumbled to himself.
"This is not what triumph should feel like."