Multiple spears pierced through their sturdy bodies, and they fell to the ground, overwhelmed with a sense of shame."How..."The Merlocks struggled to find an explanation. Just before the moment of contact, they witnessed the knights' lips moving, and suddenly their minds fell into disarray, rendering their bodies momentarily unresponsive.In that fleeting moment, the outcome of the battle had already been determined.Several Merlocks found themselves pinned to the ground by the spears, while others met an instant and fatal end as the weapons struck true. The mysterious influence of the knights' words had played a decisive role in the swift and overwhelming victory.Without hesitation, the knights relinquished their hold on their spears, drawing their swords as they swiftly turned around. Charging once more, they left no room for the surviving Merlocks to mount any defence.In a matter of minutes, the entire camp was eradicated, and fresh blood stained the ground. No one managed to
After a night's rest, we continued our journey through the forest in the darkness, taking advantage of the night. The stars emerged, and the cold began to affect the knights, whose armour, while strong in defence, offered little protection against the chilling air.The knights looked to me, expecting warmth, knowing of my ability to control fire. However, I deliberately ignored their glances and allowed them to endure the discomfort. The night remained cold, and I persisted in withholding the fire they sought, leaving the knights to bear the suffering in silence.A company of knights ought not to become dependent on a mage; they should stand as self-reliant warriors capable of confronting challenges independently.Our journey persisted for another half day, and due to the increasingly dense forest, we found it more practical to proceed on foot rather than on horseback. The trees had become so tightly packed that walking had become more efficient than riding.After another four hours
As the leader, I faced the challenging task of determining how to handle this unexpected turn of events and the captives now at our mercy."These beastmen see little distinction between death and surrender," I murmured.Had they attempted to flee, perhaps not all, but at least a few might have had a fighting chance at survival.Yet, once they submitted, the question of releasing them became fraught with uncertainty.Their destinies had been sealed."Retrieve them all," I commanded, acknowledging the wealth of the Brightwing nobles who never lacked gold to purchase war slaves. It ensured they wouldn't meet their end by our hands – perhaps that's what they secretly desired.Their future as slaves might prove even more grim; they might come to wish for death instead. Yet, mercy had no foothold in my dealings with enemies.Soon, the knights diligently bound the beastmen, ensuring they were securely restrained. With no room in the carriages for a hundred or so of them, they would have to
In the following days, I entrusted Solan and Rage to lead teams of one hundred knights each, a task they accomplished with ease, capturing an additional two hundred beastmen. Their expedition took them even deeper into the wilderness, where Solan reported catching sight of the imposing walls of the Beast Kingdom.Beyond those walls lay the heart of the Beast Kingdom, where the Beast race thrived and held dominion."Lord Ethan, we have finally reached three hundred captives," Solan informed me."I'm aware," I responded, my satisfaction evident."In total, we have three hundred and twenty-one captives," Solan continued. "I am prepared to pay for them at the same rate my father previously offered.""You can discuss the details with Wise," I replied, acknowledging Solan's proposal."Now, we can consider Count Levine's request fulfilled, correct?" I inquired, seeking confirmation."Yes, my lord," Wise affirmed.Roman then rose to his feet, placing a hand over his heart as he bowed with on
"G-Grade IV? Won't this thing obliterate even me?" I voiced my concern."[Negative]," the system replied. "[This is only a prototype, and will be lethal against enemies under the fifth circle only].""A-rank fifth circle? That's plenty enough," I remarked, acknowledging the tower's formidable capabilities."What's its firing rate?" I inquired, curiosity piqued.[Fifty rays per minute, and requires five mana stones per minute] The system responded."Then I can just set this up anywhere, and this building will pop out and materialize by itself, right? Right?" My expression darkened as I contemplated the system’s silence.[...]"And the system went silent," I muttered in frustration."Bastard!" I couldn't help but exclaim, feeling vexed by the system's sudden lack of response.With a resigned sigh, I refocused on the task at hand. "What are the materials required for construction?" I asked, knowing that such a powerful tower would demand a substantial amount of resources.The system resp
"Prepare for battle! Get the archers positioned on the walls at once," Wise ordered before swiftly departing."Notify General Roland that he will lead the cavalry knights. When the signal is given, I want him and the cavalry to strike at the enemy's rear lines," I instructed, before making my way towards the gate, ready to face the impending threat head-on.My excitement faltered as Aldo returned, his hurried steps betraying his unease."What's the matter? Why haven't you issued the orders?" I asked, my brow furrowing in concern."I-it appears they're not beastmen," Aldo stammered, scratching his head in embarrassment.My heart sank at his words. "Then who are they?" I inquired, my anticipation replaced by apprehension."They appear to be refugees, my lord," Aldo admitted reluctantly, casting a shadow over the previously anticipated confrontation.The knights, previously bustling with preparation for battle, came to an abrupt halt, their expressions now clouded with frustration."Damn
The fate of hundreds of lives hung in the balance, dependent on the mercy and goodwill of those within the city's walls.As the large gate swung open, the caravan made its way across the bridge and into the heart of Ice Demon City."Wow," escaped the lips of many as they were greeted by the sight of towering houses unlike any they had ever seen. Even the seasoned merchants, who had visited Ice Demon City before, couldn't help but marvel at the intricate craftsmanship displayed in every structure.Each house bore its unique design, adding to the city's charm and allure. It was as if every corner held a new surprise, making the experience of exploring the city feel like a journey into the unknown. In that moment, Ice Demon City truly felt like a place of endless possibility and discovery.Emmanuel's keen eye, honed by years of navigating the streets of poverty-stricken Ravaryn city, quickly picked up on the subtle signs of prosperity in Ice Demon city.The roads were remarkably well-mai
Lily had been cured of her illness, like many other refugees who had suffered injuries or ailments. The individual responsible for their healing was none other than Advisor Wise.Emmanuel couldn't help but recognize Advisor Wise's elevated status compared to Butler Jacob. His thoughts lingered on the enigmatic figure who seemed to hold the key to a better future.Emmanuel couldn't help but be captivated by Advisor Wise's striking appearance, unlike any he had encountered before. The man's handsome features seemed almost otherworldly to Emmanuel.Filled with determination, Emmanuel reassured Lily, "Don't worry, Lily. I'll become a knight and buy a house like this for our family!"Encouraging his younger brother Theo, Emmanuel added, "Theo, you can become a knight like me too!"With renewed hope and ambition, Emmanuel had already discovered that they could reside in such houses by renting them. And if they managed to amass enough wealth, they could even purchase one for themselves. The
"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
As the first light of dawn broke through the windows of the guest house, Miron found himself indulging in a breakfast that was nothing short of exquisite. The flavours were so delightful that he couldn't help but admit to himself that it had been a long time since he had enjoyed a meal as delicious as this one.Before long, Miron was summoned by the lord of the Ice Demon City. With a gracious wave of his hand, the lord invited Miron to take a seat on the soft and ornate sofa in the grand hall. Miron, still feeling a bit tense and on edge, quickly obliged and sat down.Despite the gravity of the situation and the impending battle that lay ahead, the lord of the Ice Demon City seemed completely at ease. He sat on his throne, casually eating his food and even humming a tune that was both strange and captivating. Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Miron finally mustered up the courage to ask, "My lord, how can you remain so calm and untroubled? Surely you must feel some fear or
"You won't find Baron Ethan in the mansion," Zikk stated, his hand resting lightly on Miron's shoulder. "He should be in the Endless Forest, training his soldiers."The gesture, though seemingly warm and reassuring, sent a chill down Miron's spine. He sensed a veiled warning in Zikk's words, a subtle reminder of the stakes involved. This was no ordinary mission; it was a delicate dance, a test of Miron's competence and discretion."I am busy," Zikk continued, his tone shifting to one of finality. "I'll get going."Miron, still reeling from the weight of Zikk's revelation, blurted out, "Sir, you're working in this city?" The thought that the Grand Knight, a legendary warrior, would be toiling away in the mundane tasks of everyday life seemed utterly incongruous.Zikk chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Of course, I need to feed myself, right?" He winked, a playful glint in his gaze. "See you around."With that, Zikk turned and strode away, disappearing into the labyrinthine all
The whispers and hearsay suggesting that Ethan Slayer was the individual responsible for instigating a full-scale conflict between the formidable Beast Kingdom and the vast Empire were, in the opinion of Miron, nothing more than baseless conjecture. He was firmly convinced that these rumors were merely the result of devious political machinations being orchestrated by a select group of nobles within the Empire, who were cunningly manipulating the situation to their own advantage.Such tales of intrigue and deception were likely to be believed only by the most gullible of commoners and the lowest-ranking of nobles, who were easily swayed by sensationalist stories and exaggerated claims.Furthermore, there was another outlandish rumor circulating, which held that Ethan Slayer had single-handedly defeated an entire legion of the Beast Kingdom's most formidable warriors, and had compelled a daunting elite force of ten thousand beastmen to retreat in disgrace, with their tails tucked meek
Miron approached the city with a sense of trepidation, expecting the usual lax security measures that were common in many of the smaller territories. However, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the checkpoint at the gate was both rigid and strict, a testament to the city's strong defenses.As he entered the city, he was immediately struck by the vibrant atmosphere that pervaded the streets. The residents of Ice Demon City went about their daily lives with genuine smiles on their faces, as though the war that was raging in the north was of little concern to them. Children played and laughed on the streets, while adults busied themselves with their work.Miron's eyes widened in astonishment as he realized that the roads within the city were all paved, a luxury that was rarely found in such remote territories. He shook his head in disbelief, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him."I must be seeing things," he muttered to himself, unable to comprehend the level of develop