Collecting himself, Zikk asked, "What motivates each of you to willingly shell out such exorbitant fees?""If my memory serves me right, each of you earns around 4 to 5 silvers per month, and you're already allocating one silver and fifty bronze coins for this. That's nearly half of your income."Jack quickly replied, "We're all enrolled in the elective classes, Instructor!""What?" Zikk was left bewildered."Why the need for an etiquette class? And are you willing to shell out fifty bronze coins for it? Do you all have money to spare?" Zikk asked, his surprise evident."We can't afford to let down our lords in public! That's why the etiquette class is necessary," Aldo clarified.Convinced at last, Zikk acknowledged the profound commitment demonstrated by the group. Though uncertain about Ethan's prospects of becoming an emperor, he recognized Ethan's potential as a formidable leader. Regarding Riel, Zikk believed that while his leadership skills might not rival Ethan's, his decisive
Following Zikk's completion of his technique, he directed the knights, saying, "Duplicate what I just demonstrated, paying attention to the breathing."Down below, the knights exchanged uncertain glances, sensing a degree of confusion.Zikk's movements were neither too swift nor too sluggish, but the complexity of his actions made replication challenging. Successfully mimicking them would require multiple viewings, unless someone possessed an exceptional memory.Demanding as it was, expecting the novice knights to replicate his actions after just one viewing proved challenging. Nevertheless, despite the difficulty, they were compelled to attempt it. Under Zikk's composed gaze, the knights could only give their best effort to emulate at least the initial steps.As anticipated, everyone moved awkwardly, and not a single one managed to replicate the entire sequence of actions.Jack and Aldo, and even Gaston, gave their best efforts, but they managed to replicate only a small portion of
Leading the team from the front, I opted for the exhilarating experience of riding a warhorse instead of confining myself to the carriage for this expedition.Yesterday marked Anastasia's departure from home, and consoling her proved to be a prolonged and unexpected task, steering my thoughts in unanticipated directions.With the departure of everyone else, a fresh wave of focus envelops me, allowing me to once again immerse myself in the intricacies of my plans.With time pressing, I urgently invoked the revitalization spell on both my warhorse and the horse accompanying us. We surged forward at our maximum speed, aiming for the river where the scattered beastmen sought refuge. It was imperative to cleanse the area of these creatures. The notion that the beastmen, having evaded our initial assaults, would regroup near a water source and forage for sustenance intensified our need for swift action.News of Solan's triumph over a beastmen shaman reassured me; it seemed unlikely that th
"Understood!" The knights behind Aldo began cleaning their weapons, and a palpable tension filled the air. Instead of fear, the knights felt excitement, eager to test their newfound abilities.The decision had been made among the knights: they would take the war to these beastmen!The tension in the air was palpable as the knights stood in formation, ready to defend their territory. The clinking of armour and the unsheathing of blades echoed across the field. The leader, their lord, surveyed the army with a stern gaze, preparing to give the order that would set the battle in motion.The reason for the impending conflict was clear – a determined stance against the encroaching Merlock race and their growing settlements. The knights were resolute in their determination not to allow these camps to flourish and threaten the Ice Demon city.As the lord raised his hand, signalling the commencement of the battle, the knights moved forward with a synchronized march. The clash of metal and wa
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
"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