If she were to leave behind an incapable heir, the empire would undoubtedly collapse like a house of cards within a mere handful of years, crushed beneath the weight of these towering beings.As Ladia pondered the weighty matters at hand, her hunger pangs were finally appeased by the arrival of her long-awaited meal. With a regal wave, she instructed the maids to place the delectable spread on her table. Once they departed, she wasted no time in devouring the food with an uncharacteristic voracity, as if she were a ravenous beast rather than a princess of noble lineage.Her stomach, in protest of its prolonged neglect, emitted a symphony of growls that would have surely caused her cheeks to flush with embarrassment had there been anyone present to witness it.Amidst her indulgence, Ladia's eyes caught sight of the open drawer in her table, revealing the hidden blue stone used for receiving important reports. A realization struck her like a bolt of lightning - she had forgotten to at
"Richard," I called out, snapping him out of his daze."Yes?" he replied, his attention now fully on me."I've scoured Vermillion City and its neighbouring towns, but the biggest aura stone I've stumbled upon is about this big," I said, using my fingers to demonstrate its size.It was no larger than a tennis ball.Unlike mana stones, aura stones were a whole different breed. As the name suggests, they contained aura instead of mana. It was a peculiar world I found myself in.Aura stones were even more elusive than mana stones, despite mages being far less common than knights or warriors who relied on the aura.In other words, there was an abundance of mana stones due to the scarci
"The hour of battle has dawned, my friend. The mighty Ifrits clash with the intruders of the deep, while the noble ducal families unleash a relentless war upon the ferocious Beast Kingdom. Ah, can you feel the thrill in the air, Sir Baron?" Richard exclaimed with a gleeful tone, his eyes ablaze with excitement.Richard exclaimed with fervor, "Behold, the elixirs of rejuvenation! As the battles loom on the horizon, our potions shall be the saviors of the day! Mine, and ours!" His laughter reverberated through the air, causing his plump physique to jiggle in a merry dance."I have conducted extensive trials on the mass production of the Mid-Grade healing potions, and their sheer abundance alone will sway the nobles to our cause! But this potion, oh this legendary elixir of healing! Even the esteemed royal and ducal families will be left with no choice but to plead for our supply."I smirked, challenging his grandiose claims. "Can you even protect yourself from the formidable forces that
In the palm of my hand rested a stone of extraordinary proportions, radiating an ethereal glow.It was none other than an aura stone.[Intermediate Aura Stone]I stumbled upon an aura stone, far more potent than any I could ever hope to find in a mundane store. It appeared that acquiring such high-quality stones was a challenge for even the most seasoned mercenaries, perhaps due to the scarcity of monsters roaming the surface.This particular stone belonged to a fearsome creature known as the Sapilisk, a beast of Disaster rank. It was a rarity to find such a formidable foe in the vicinity, and the nearby cities lacked the means to actively hunt it down.To vanquish a beast of this magnitude, one would require the combined might of seve
"I require your aura stone!" I declared icily, a glint of murderous intent gleaming in my eyes as I turned to face the colossal obsidian serpent.I didn't come here to mess around, and I don't have the luxury of wasting time searching for aura stones. So now that this monstrous creature is right in front of me, you better believe I'm not leaving empty-handed.Even the Shadow Fang seemed to sense the danger emanating from the human, freezing in its tracks.It slithered through the trees, seamlessly blending into the dark overgrowth.From a hidden vantage point, Zikk observed the battle unfold from a distance.As the one responsible for keeping an eye on the candidates, there was no way he would let Ethan Slayer out of his sight for even a moment.When he first learned that there was a Sapilisk lurking in this forest, he was taken aback.His shock only intensified when he discovered that Ethan had brought his entire team along to hunt down the Sapilisk.A ragtag crew of B-rank and C-ran
It's been a mere day since we vanquished the formidable shadow fang. And now, to everyone's astonishment, the once fearsome creature was dutifully tilling the fields while the farmers stood in awe, their eyes wide with wonder.Though the sight was undeniably extraordinary, it seemed that the residents had grown accustomed to the peculiarities I had brought into their lives. They had adapted, embracing the unexpected and adjusting to the new normal. However, there were still a few who trembled with trepidation, hesitant to approach too closely.Naturally, whenever an outsider dared to venture near the field, the shadow fang effortlessly blended into its surroundings, concealing its true nature."I'm sure you have countless questions swirling in your minds, but all you need to know is that this little serpent is on our side," I assured them, my words acting as a balm to their troubled hearts. Strangely enough, the serpent had become a source of trust and reliability. In the eyes of the
Yet, despite the devastation, it was clear that such cunning tactics alone would not be enough to vanquish the million-strong horde that continued to darken the sky.The fiery arrows proved futile against the relentless swarm, barely making a dent in their overwhelming numbers.All hope seemed lost as the cursed critters threatened to ravage the precious crops, leaving everyone in despair.But lo and behold, to the astonishment of all, including the ever-skeptical Zikk, the swarm that had ominously hovered above vanished into thin air, leaving behind a sense of relief and wonder.The jubilant farmers erupted in cheers and adulation, their voices echoing through the fields as they bowed before me."The Baron's wisdom prevails!""The Baron's wisdom prevails!"I couldn't help but clear my throat, basking in the sweet melody of their praise, my ego swelling with each reverent word."What if those pesky intruders decide to make a grand return?" Zikk inquired, his curiosity piqued. Alas, th
My foresight was a tad askew.I anticipated the Swarm's arrival in Ice Demon City to take a few days, considering they had experienced the might of my white flames.It appears I may have overestimated my abilities.To my surprise, the very next day, the horde of hornets returned.The entire population of Ice Demon City held their breath as a portion of the sky transformed into darkness, courtesy of the buzzing insects.Perched atop the wall, just above the gate, I had a bird's-eye view of the frantic preparations that had been accomplished in less than twenty-four hours.Numerous groups of individuals were scattered across the farmlands, diligently safeguarding the crops. Thankful
"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