Despite the relentless tide of monsters, Henry remained untouched, a pillar of calm amidst the chaos. The power of the wood element was overwhelming, a force that these creatures simply could not contend with. It was clear why he had earned the titles of Jade Fortress and Protector of Light; his prowess in battle was nothing short of extraordinary.In just a few short months, Henry had transformed from a teenager into a formidable warrior capable of standing toe-to-toe with the top prodigies from powerful families. His reputation had grown, and now he was a beacon of hope for those around him.“The reinforcements are here!”A wave of cheers erupted from those who had been hiding, their voices rising in a chorus of hope. The soldiers who arrived were from the Marquis, and although he did not come, his troops were renowned for their skill and discipline.With General Henry at the helm, there was no need for the Marquis to dirty his hands in this conflict. The monsters had been relentles
News traveled at a snail’s pace in this empire, and I had yet to hear about the Beast Kingdom's declaration of war. If I had known that the mana shells, which were supposed to instill fear, had instead caused chaos, I might have not been so relaxed at the moment. Our carriage came to a halt in a forest that was just a day away from Vermillion City. “Master! I have done it!” Lily shrieked with uncharacteristic enthusiasm, raising her fist triumphantly in the air. I turned to look at the magic circle she had meticulously drawn on the ground. It was flawless—every line and symbol perfectly executed. She danced around the campfire, celebrating her achievement with uncontainable joy. Emmanuel and Theo watched their sister with a mix of admiration and envy, their expressions downcast as they clenched their fists in frustration. It had been several days of trying, yet they still struggled to complete their own magic circles, and the disappointment weighed heavily on them. “I will
As my words tumbled forth, my gaze lingered on Roland. Something was different about him. His usual lean physique seemed to have blossomed, his muscles rippling beneath his tunic like sculpted marble. A wave of curiosity washed over me."Roland," I began, my voice laced with intrigue, "have you been... augmenting your physique?"He met my gaze with a steady nod, a hint of a smile on his lips."Indeed, my lord," he confirmed, his voice a low rumble. "I've been incorporating some... additional training into my regimen.""You caught a turkey and those rabbits wearing those?" I exclaimed, gesturing towards his impressive frame. "Remarkable! I wouldn't have thought it possible."Roland chuckled, a deep, resonant sound. "I had to remove the weights from my feet for the hunt, my lord," he admitted, his honesty as unwavering as ever.Knowing Roland as I did, a man whose dedication to discipline was as unwavering as the north star, I knew he hadn't relied on any shortcuts or mystical enhance
Those eyes were unsettling, a swirling vortex of malice that sent shivers down my spine. If not for the flicker of excitement I saw in Roland's desperate plea, I would have crushed that monstrosity beneath my heel without a second thought. But Roland needed my help, and I wouldn't abandon him. "Alright, children," I began, my voice firm despite the lingering unease. "The first spell I'll teach you is a defensive one. Watch closely, I'll cast it slowly so you can see every detail."Instead of simply conjuring the magic, I decided to go the extra mile. I meticulously drew the intricate magic circle in the air, each line a precise power stroke. Then, I uttered the ancient chant, my voice resonating with the raw energy of the spell."This basic magic circle," I explained, my gaze sweeping over their eager faces, "is the bedrock of all magic. It's the foundation upon which every spell is built. By modifying it and adding your unique touch, you can shape it to cast any magic you de
"That blithering fool, the count! It's all his fault!" Richard's voice echoed with a fury that belied his normally placid demeanour. He slammed his fist on the polished mahogany desk, rattling the stacks of ledgers and contracts. "If that incompetent buffoon hadn't scoffed at the warnings about those monstrous creatures, they wouldn't have laid a finger on him, let alone left him in such a sorry state!"His face contorted with a mixture of anger and frustration. "Such a waste! I poured my resources into that fortress, envisioning a thriving branch of my business within its walls. A golden opportunity, snatched away by his arrogance!"He let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow and devoid of joy. "And now, it's all gone. Reduced to rubble, just like his reputation."Richard's gaze drifted towards the window, his eyes clouded with a sad weariness. Agnus, the city lord of Vermillion, had once been a pillar of strength and wisdom. But time, it seemed, had eroded his sharpness, leaving him
"The towers," Richard began, his voice heavy with the weight of responsibility, "they'll require a vast quantity of gemstones to function. As you're well aware, our empire's gemstone reserves are currently depleted, leaving us vulnerable."A sly grin spread across my face. "Perhaps I can help with that," I purred, leaning back in my chair. "My Ice Demon City possesses a plentiful supply of the finest gemstones. We'd be more than willing to sell them to you, at a fair price, of course."Richard sighed a weary sound that spoke volumes of his predicament. He knew he had no leverage in this negotiation. The threat of the monstrous horde loomed large, a constant reminder of the dire consequences of inaction."Young people these days," he muttered, shaking his head. "So shrewd."The weight of Vermillion City's defence rested heavily on his shoulders. Lord Agnus, their esteemed leader, was indisposed, leaving Richard, the second in command, to navigate this perilous situation. He couldn't af
“This is a worthwhile investment,” I murmured, the weight of 200,000 essences settling comfortably in my mind.I had purchased the skill from the shop, a hefty price tag for a single ability, but the description promised unparalleled power. If it lived up to its claims, the next beastmen invasion wouldn't even be a blip on my radar.A dark chuckle escaped my lips.The thought of those monstrous invaders, their bodies riddled with the power of the battlefield, swarming Vermillion City once more, filled me with excitement. Their high-level corpses would be a treasure trove, a veritable army of undead soldiers at my command.\ Such a concentration of powerful beings wouldn't be found within the confines of any dungeon. The prospect of wielding their might, of turning their ferocity against them, sent a thrill coursing through me. I couldn't wait for the carnage to begin.…The Merchants Association, their coffers overflowing with newfound prosperity, threw their full weight behind my vis
“Put them on,” the Young Lord commanded, his voice echoing with an authority that left no room for argument.Emmanuel and Theo, their hearts pounding in their chests, obeyed. The moment the heavy shirt, a garment seemingly woven from lead, was pulled over their simple robes, a crushing weight descended upon them. They stumbled, their knees buckling beneath the unexpected burden, and collapsed onto the cold stone floor.A shiver ran down their spines as they remembered the Young Lord's chilling instructions: to run, clad in this cumbersome weight, throughout the sprawling city."Is this even possible?" Emmanuel whispered, his voice barely audible."Roland," the Young Lord called, his gaze fixed on the two trembling figures."Yes, young lord," Roland, their uncle, responded, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very air."Watch over them," the Young Lord continued, his tone brooking no dissent. "Ensure they complete five laps around the city today. And if they falt
"Hey! Why should we listen to a brat like you?" The interjection came from the back of the crowd, a young soldier, his face flushed with anger, his eyes blazing with defiance. The rest of the soldiers turned to stare, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.A genuine smile spread across my face. Finally, someone had the audacity to speak up. A flicker of satisfaction ignited within me. This was exactly what I had been hoping for, wasn't it? Didn't this feel like the natural order of things?I had anticipated this moment from the very beginning. There was no way these esteemed scions of nobility and battle-hardened knights would meekly submit to the commands of a mere child. The moment I was elected commander of one of the three mighty armies, I knew this tension would inevitably arise. After all, who among these talented warriors would willingly follow a teenager with little to boast of in terms of accomplishments? And let's not forget the shadow of my less-than-st
Ladia couldn't help but castigate herself for her lapse in judgment. How had she not seen it before? If the involvement of the magic towers would significantly aid the Empire, then the impact of the very person who had defeated the magicians of the tower participating would be monumental.The princess's heart thrummed with the realization, chiding herself for taking so long to come to this epiphany. Was Ethan's proposal the correct course of action or not? She no longer dwelled on the question.With a steely gaze, Ladia announced, "I have reached a verdict."The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the princess. The final decision lay in her hands, and she was ready to reveal it. The anticipation hung heavy in the air, and Ladia took a deep breath before continuing. "I have decided to accept Ethan's proposal."A murmur of surprise rippled through the room, but Ladia held up her hand for silence. "I believe that Ethan's plan, with a few modifications, is the best course of action for
My suggestion ignited a firestorm of debate among the upper echelons of the capital. The princess convened her officials in the grand throne room, where the air was thick with tension and uncertainty as they deliberated their next course of action. Ultimately, the march toward the City of Aran was postponed by a full day, a delay that weighed heavily on everyone present. The officials found themselves divided, caught between two stark choices: should they attempt to reclaim the nearby City of Aran from the Beast Kingdom, or should they focus their efforts on retaking the more strategically significant City of Northfall?"But, Your Majesty," one of the officials interjected, his voice rising above the murmurs of the assembly, "as we stand now, we cannot afford to risk an attack on the Northfall Fortress! I have heard reports that the beastmen have fortified their walls and laid even more traps to ensnare us! If we allow this farce to continue, we will be nothing more than lambs led to
A chill snaked down Ryle's spine. Ethan's suggestion hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, like a shroud woven from despair. To attack City of Aran, a fortress city now bristling with tens of thousands of Beast Kingdom soldiers, felt like a declaration of utter annihilation. Even Lance, their most valiant commander, had fallen captive within its walls.Ryle's brow creased into a deep furrow. He, too, was a commander of the Initiation Army, a man who had tasted the bitterness of defeat and the sting of loss. He couldn't fathom how Ethan, this newly appointed leader, could so blithely propose a course of action that reeked of self-destruction."I cannot, in good conscience, agree with your plan," Ryle stated, his voice laced with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "As we stand now, attacking Northfall City is a fool's errand, a suicide mission. We are scattered, depleted, and outmatched. We must first rally our remaining forces, regroup along the borders, and then, and only then,
"Ryle Green, step forward!" the Royal advisor said, seeing Ryle was in a daze.Ryle coughed and stepped forward, his heart pounding with excitement as he knelt before the Princess."Ryle Green, you are hereby granted authority over fifty thousand soldiers," the Princess said, her voice like a melody that soothed the soul. "You shall be the commander of the Vanguard Army!"With a snap of her fingers, the Princess bestowed an insignia upon Ryle's shoulder, its glow of light like a beacon of hope in the face of the looming threat of the Beast Kingdom."I will crush those beastmen for you, Your Highness!" Ryle said, his voice filled with determination and resolve.The Princess smiled, her eyes filled with pride and hope. "We have faith in you, Ryle," she said. "Together, we will defeat the Beast Kingdom and restore peace to our lands."Princess Ladia nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I expect a lot from the younger generation, Ryle," she said, her voice laced with both encou
The Dwarven Kingdom, a land renowned for its glittering wealth, held its breath. The Brightwing Empire’s meager offer, a desperate plea for aid, was all they had to entice the notoriously hard-drinking mercenaries. Even if their weapons were outdated, their reputation for unmatched effectiveness in battle preceded them. Surely, that would be enough.“Your Majesty,” a guard murmured, his voice barely a tremor in the air. “They have arrived.”Princess Ladia, lost in a labyrinth of thought, startled slightly. She had wrestled with the decision for what felt like an eternity, but finally, a solution had emerged. All that remained was to face them, to meet their gaze and offer her hand in this desperate alliance.Viscount Lamiel, a man whose arrogance was only surpassed by his thirst for gold, strode into the royal garden, flanked by a legion of equally boisterous mercenaries. Princess Ladia recognized most of them – the nobles summoned by the crown, their faces etched with a mixture of g
The scene unfolded with brutal efficiency. Several soldiers, their faces grim and resolute, descended upon Drew and the other soldier, their movements swift and decisive. There was no struggle, no desperate pleas for mercy. They walked away with heads bowed, accepting their fate with a stoic silence that spoke volumes of their resignation.Ryle, his expression a mixture of weariness and amusement, ran a hand through his hair, a sigh escaping his lips. "What a waste of a perfectly good sleep," he muttered, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. "Young men like myself need our rest, yet everyone seems determined to disrupt my slumber over such trivial matters."His gaze shifted to me, and a playful smile curved his lips. "Allow me to introduce myself," he said, extending a hand towards me. "Ryle Green, third son of Count Green, and as you might be able to tell, the future commander of this very army." He spoke with an air of unwavering confidence, his words carrying the weight of
Two soldiers from a rival camp, their boots crunching on the gravel path, happened upon the conversation. One soldier, his face contorting with barely suppressed mirth, clamped a hand over his mouth, desperately trying to stifle a chuckle. His companion, sensing the impending eruption, jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow, a silent plea for decorum. But the laughter, like a trapped spring, was too powerful to contain. Tears welled in the soldier's eyes, threatening to spill over as his shoulders shook with silent mirth. Finally, with a strangled cry, he burst into a full-blown guffaw. "Hahahaha! If it's the Young Master leading us! Hahaha! We'll be able to… Pft! Hahaha!"The sound of his uncontrolled laughter echoed through the camp, drawing curious glances from nearby soldiers. Gaston, his face a mask of confusion and irritation, turned to the source of the amusement. "Excuse me, but what's so funny?" he demanded, his voice laced with displeasure.The soldier, still gasping for br
The unyielding army of the Ice Demon City had been journeying for a considerable number of weeks, traversing a multitude of cities and towns along the way. During our sojourns, we would occasionally restock our supplies, find respite in taverns, and often in the great outdoors, before resuming our arduous trek.Given the unfortunate circumstances, we were informed that the Ice Demon City was the most distant of all cities from the capital. This reality meant that we were among the last to receive the urgent message, compelling us to join the ranks of the other nobles and their armies in the capital.It was in the fourth week of our relentless march that we finally arrived in the grand and magnificent Capital city. The journey had been long and arduous, but our determination never wavered, as we knew our presence was required in these critical times. I had already surmised that the majority of the other nobles and their forces would have already amassed in the capital, readying themse