"Did you hear? They're returning today, we've won!"

Similar murmurs spread through the kingdom as fast as a flame through a drought-stricken forest. Finally, the war on Sobet had ended and Brulan reigned victorious. Celebrations were being held for the men and women returning from the battlefield, campions in their own right, to their families; memorials for those who'd lost their lives for their nation were erected by the respective families; warriors, men and women alike, returned carrying their fallen and injured brethren; clinics were boomed with business as they tended to the heroes who won the war for their country; the economy rushed to life as a new era of peace rolled in.

Only one prisoner was taken in the war; the enemy general, General Dazai.

The brunet was thrown onto the floor in the throne room, quickly shifting onto his knees only for the guard behind him to use the other end of their halberd to pin his hands to the floor by the chain tying them behind his back—he had to starkly arch his back to avoid dislocating his shoulders, which exposed his neck fully. Without his armor, his figure was less imposing—hell, he could even be called slender—and he certainly didn't look like much of an enemy like this; pinned to the ground by his hands, forced to stay on his knees to make him seem more humble before the royal family of Brulan.

"Your majesties, your highness," a guard—one at the side of Dazai, not the one pinning his hands—addressed Prince Chuuya and his parents, "we captured General Dazai of Sobet on the battlefield."

Chuuya stared at the general, bored but curious, while his father spoke, "General Dazai," the king said, his voice proud and deep, "you've killed thousands of my people, destroyed our borders, caused irreplaceable damage to trade routes, committed economic terrorism, among other various crimes. What do you've to say for the damage you've caused? For the people you've killed?"

It was as if Brulan hadn't started the conflict. Bullshit.