Gaileo didn't know how to feel. He'd been fighting desperately to get the respect he felt like he deserved. However, to receive such respect from a man who was so much stronger than him almost felt like an insult. Like he was being mocked, even if it wasn't meant in such a way.
"Guan Shi's power far exceeded even my expectations." Shion said.
"Yeah that was insane. Great General Bian was incredibly powerful too, but he still handled him pretty easily." Gaileo responded.
"Speaking of him, do you think the Great General is going to be okay?" Benji asked.
"He himself said that a Great General who loses isn't a Great General." Shion replied. "I don't expect him to keep his head, let alone his position for long."
Great General Bian was having his wounds treated by the medical staff as Great General Cassander approached him.
"Don't you look pathetic. How does it feel to utterly tarnish the reputation of the Great Generals?" Cassander asked
"This is an unacceptable failure. I will accept my fate." Bian responded resolutely.
"You're wrong!" A voice said out of nowhere. The two Great Generals turned their heads to see who would dare to butt in to a conversation between these two powerful men. They saw Gaileo standing at the entrance to the command tent.
"What are you doing here you oaf? This is a discussion between adults you loser." Cassander said.
"I'm saying that you're both wrong. Great General Bian didn't lose, not really."
"How dare you speak to us that way. I could have you flogged for that." Great General Cassander spat at Gaileo.
"Just a minute Cassander. I'd like to know what he means." Bian said.
"You may have been overpowered by Guan Shi but you didn't lose. You survived a battle with a man that defeated my brother, and your efforts lead to his retreat! In other words, the result was a total victory!" Gaileo asserted.
"That's the explanation a loser would make." Cassander said.
"No! Only a loser would accept death just because of one loss. If you have time to prepare yourself for death, then use it to get stronger so that you won't lose next time!"
"That's ridiculous!" Cassander responded.
Great General Bian's mouth curved in a way that could almost be considered a smile. "No, he has a point. Until the Emperor himself orders my execution then I will just have to make sure to get stronger and stronger so I never lose again."
"Tch, whatever. The battle is over and I can't stand to be surrounded by losers." Cassander said as he left.
With the battle won, Imperial forces moved to secure their new territory and each of the Great General's were dismissed. Gaileo was also allowed to bring his army back to Shuangfeng. That was when he received unsettling news from the capital arrived at his doorstep.
When Gaileo read the letter that had arrived he immediately tore it apart and then kicked a table. Shattering it against the wall.
"What's wrong with the General?" Elara asked with a hint of concern in her voice.
"I don't know, but whatever was in that letter must have really set him off." Genbu added.
"I know what was in the letter." Shion said as he entered.
"You do?" Elara asked.
"It informed him of the death of one of the 7 Great Generals."
"What? One of the Great Generals died? Who?" Elara asked as she jumped up in shock. "Don't tell me Great General Bian was actually executed for losing."
"The General that died was… the man who once took me and Gaileo under his wing. Great General Tenjin." Shion explained.