One who had not experienced war at close quarters would never be able to understand the cruelty of war.
On the surface alone, modern warfare had the Geneva's Convention to make it seem remotely humane. However, in ancient times, regardless of whether in the East or the West, war was a brutal festivity for the victors. The soldiers could slaughter the people of the enemy kingdom arbitrarily. All manner of killing and robbing would happen; they could do whatever they wanted. If any general ever stepped in to prevent such activities, he would probably lose the morale of his army.
Of course, a professional soldier like Cahir was very clear about this. So, when the Nilfgaardian army successfully broke into the Cintra castle, he immediately led the elite squad into the sealed inner keep, where the Cintran King, Queen, and Princesses lived. Ordinary soldiers were prohibited from entering.
