As the day wore on, Maya eagerly looked forward to the evening, when she would have the chance to roam the estate with Alaric and show him its many wonders. Only to receive news that Alaric had already departed for his territory.
"I see," Maya said softly.
By the time the sun finally rose from its slumber, its first rays had already touched the land.
Alaric and Magnis, who had traveled to the outskirts of Fitzgerald, a region that bordered Ashworth, decided to rest beneath an old tree, as their carriage horses were exhausted from the long journey.
Alaric began his daily training routine of 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, and 100 squats, while Magnis kept practicing by striking a wooden plank tied to one of the tree's branches.
As Alaric, dressed in simple attire, wiped the sweat from his chin, he shouted, "Let's go home!" to Magnis.
In the study room, one of the few decent parts of the estate, unlike the rest marked by cracks and fading paint, Frederick Ashworth stood with a grim expression, who received the news of the armed soldiers, the cavalry of Baron Cassian stationed near the borderline of Metthound and inside Ashworth territory.
"Where are you, Alaric? Frederick muttered, staring out the window at the people gathered in front of his Household.
Frederick Ashworth rallied all the soldiers he could command, but the count still failed to reach more than a hundred and twenty strong young men. Beatrice and Daisy looked at the situation from the same study room.
Amid the growing panic that gripped the hearts of people of the territory, a distant sound broke through the rhythmic clatter of an ordinary carriage driven by the relentless pair of horses on an uneven dirt road through the street.
"The carriage, guided steadily by Magnis, came to a halt at a short distance.
With a low creak of friction, the door eased open, and a green-haired young man stepped down.
'Missed me?' Alaric called out to the crowd, a sharp grin flashing across his face."
"Young master is back!" a young soldier shouted as he hurried to report Alaric's arrival to Frederick.
Alaric, who walked through, noticed the panic in the crowd. He got on stage and started his unique speech.
"I can understand your panic." Crowd looks at Alaric," Is he going to give the same speech as before?" a man grumbled in between the crowd.
"I can understand your panic that our enemy had made all preparations with an army waiting to attack our territory".Alaric beckoned to Magnis to bring the white-coiled sheet."
"This is the official contract confirming that the Goldsworth Merchant Association will oversee the trade of our iron," Alaric declared, holding the document high. With a confident smile and arms spread wide, he added, "There's nothing left to fear."
The official contract with the Goldsworth family, which brings significant wealth to the Moorgas Kingdom, has led King Macrolo Victor Moorgas to greatly favor Baron Elias Goldsworth for his great leadership and tactical skills. Securing such an official contract means that Baron Elias is building close ties with the royal family. As a result, waging war against Ashworth-especially under the pretext of seizing the iron mine, is now impossible
Upon hearing Alaric's announcement, the panic vanished like a bubble bursting in the air. The crowd's face brightened by the new hope brought by the one whom they believed to be aloof.
|SystemNotad*** says the people have begun to see you as their new leader
[Respect Points +9]
[Respect Points +15]
[Respect Points +12]
[Respect Points +9]
|SystemNotad*** Notification:
Respect Points are nearing the maximum threshold.
Threshold exceeded. Your influence is growing rapidly.
[Respect Points Cap Increased]
Now, achieve something greater to earn even more respect.
Total Respect Points: 350
"What? The Respect points reached their threshold," Alaric grumbled at the system, his expression darkening, brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line, eyes glinting with irritation
"Why does he look like that? It's almost terrifying… is he about to snap or something?" a man in the crowd grumbled, by Alaric's grumpy face.
As the crowd erupted in sudden joy, Frederick, who stood quietly beside the young soldiers, allowed a proud smile to form on his face as he looked at his son.
Alaric glanced at his father and slowly walked toward him. "Looks like you've managed to gather some men, Father," he said with a faint smile. "Now, let's head to the battlefield."
Now, there were three horses, including the pair used to pull the carriage, and the third, which belonged to Patriarch Frederick.
Alaric and Magnis each mounted one of the carriage horses, while Frederick took the third for himself.
The three horses slowly kicked off the ground at a steady pace, accompanied by the rhythmic marching sound of one hundred and twenty strong young men towards the destined battleground.
At the borders of Metthound and Ashworth territory, A man in his mid-forties, clad in gleaming steel armor that barely contained his large belly, rings adorned with rubies of various hues on all ten fingers. Baron Cassian, along with armed soldiers, cavalry stationed across the vast, hard-packed plains.
"They're too afraid to even show their faces before my might. Has there been any word from that pitiful baron?" Cassian bellowed to his commander.
"No, my lord," the commander replied, "you're right, there hasn't been a response for hours."
"If it weren't for the rule that war must be declared in advance, I would have already coveted what I want, stripping Frederick of his noble title along with his family to the street," Cassian said loudly with a wicked expression.
"My dream is to capture the territories one by one and finally slice King Macrolo Victor Moorgas's neck, the one who favors the golden goose that brings wealth to this Moorgas kingdom. Then, I will rule this kingdom, reduce every other kingdom to dust, and rewrite the continent's history as its sole monarch." Cassian, his gaze drifting, ended his declaration with his arms outstretched.
"Acquiring the iron mine will allow me to control the criminal organization directly, bending them to my will. This will be the first step to my dream as a monarch."Baron exclaimed with a hideous laugh.
On the horizon, three riders appeared, trailed by a meager number of foot soldiers whose lack of armor and rusty swords spoke volumes of their territory's long-held peace, as they slowly approached directly in front of Cassian's well-armed army..
"Look at that puny army. Wait, can they even be called an army in the first place?" one foot soldier said, the whole army cracking up with laughter.
At this point, Alaric and Magnis got down from the horses, except Patriarch Frederick.
"Alright, alright, save your breath, Hey Fatso, Who here is Baron Cassian?"Alaric shouted while picking his nose.
-Silence made a lot of noise among the Metthound soldiers-
Baron Cassian felt a sudden rush of blood to his head, veins popping, and his face turning red. "How dare you? Did you just call me, Baron Cassian, a fatso?"
"Oh, sorry. I thought Baron Cassian would be a man with broad shoulders, a muscular body, and a commanding presence. But now I see you're dressed more lavishly for a ball than prepared for war. You should be that d***head who wants to covet our iron mine," Alaric said, eyes wide with disbelief.
Cassian gritted his teeth in rage "cut off the legs of that son of bitch, along with his father. I will personally slice his mother and his people in front of him" ordered Commander.
"How dare you insult my lord not once but twice?" Commander, while fiercely drawing out his sword "Don't resist, I will cut off your legs in an instant," stepped his right leg forward, He stepped forward with his right leg, aiming low with a horizontal slash meant to cripple.
Alaric, seeing the incoming attack, didn't flinch. "It's your time to shine."
"Yes," With a smooth, flowing motion, Magnis stepped in and blocked the strike, his sword intercepting the blow meant for Alaric.
The commander's eyes narrowed in shock. "Who is this guy? How did he block my sword so easily?" he thought, stunned.
"Chill, Baron Cassian, I have not come here to wage war, but I come here to show something special which will piss you off" Alaric said with a smirk, pulling out a rolled-up contract.
"This," Alaric declared, holding up the document," … is the official contract between Goldsworth and Ashworth. It clearly states that the iron mine belongs to Ashworth territory and no one else."
The bloated noble's face turned blue by the declaration of Alaric. "Let's go," he replied.
"But my lord, this is—" the commander began, but Cassian cut him off.
"Shut up. That's an order," he snapped, his face twisted with hatred.
"How dare that golden goose get in my way again?" Cassian muttered under his breath.
As the massive army began its retreat, the tension and fear that had weighed down the legs of a hundred soldiers began to lift,
Alaric, Magnis, and Federick, along with those hundred and twenty young man slowly drifted back to the way back to their territory.
"Alaric, who is this accomplice of yours? He displayed a unique, swift swordplay, blocking their formidable commander's sword." Federick asked with curiosity.
"Hello, sir, I am Magnis, from the Mandorian Tribe. I was set free from the clutches of the slave market by my lord Alaric, and I have sworn, by my tradition's oath, to become a shield for Alaric's purpose." Magnis formally greeted Federick.
"Mandorian, hmm, that explains your unique shade of skin," Frederick replied.
| SystemNotad***
Alaric:15,Male
Title: Ugly Mosshead, shut-off
Stats: Strength: 30
Dexterity: 29
Constitution: 29
Mana: 17
Bonus Points:30
Skills: Training skill, Boxing Skill(Expert)
Traits: Fighting Spirit
Total Respect Points: 350
"I need to become stronger from what's coming next," Alaric thought while enjoying the scenario of the plain lands of barley.
Inspect skill is used on Magnis.
Magnis: 20, Male
Race: Mandorian Tribe
Latent Potential: S
Skills: Swordmanship skill (Expert)
Trait: Not Acquired
"Magnis has also acquired a Swordmanship skill, though he has yet to reach his full potential."
A roaring crowd welcomed them, the air pulsing with energy as hundreds of voices rose in unison, chanting "Young Master Alaric! Young Master Alaric!" The sound echoed through the streets, a rhythmic thunder of admiration and hope. To catch a glimpse of their hero. The name "Alaric" rolled off their tongues like a battle cry and a blessing, carrying the weight of gratitude, pride, and rising belief.