Some days later, while his influence was slowly spreading throughout the city without facing resistance, Asher sat in his study, looking through the window.
His fingers entwined. Watching over the massive city from this high vantage point was something he might never get used to.
Tiberias was like a city built on a gold mine. His eyes flickered. It was like he could see the earth elemental crystals buried underneath this city. This was the reason that even with the great bombardment of brimstones, only a section of the wall was completely destroyed!
Tiberias had a total of 150,000 civilians, who were probably talking about him in every inn, every tavern, every shop, and every home.
The name “House Ashbourne’ was on the lips of tens of thousands, and at this moment, he expected that the smaller territories of other domains were talking of the same thing.
The bright orange rays of the sun flooded the room, dyeing it with a yellowish hue.
“By now, Count William should know that I have taken his city.” Asher muttered under his breath.
His eyes locked on a squadron of men marching on the streets with the Ashbourne flag on their spears.
On a closer look, one could see that their armor had damages. Other than that, Asher felt his military was too loose.
There was no strict hierarchy, which made it hard to give orders that would pass down without obstruction.
He noticed this unseen flaw during the war. Although Slade was a dangerous knight and his men knew about this, none of the commanders could restrain him.
They were busy controlling their troops. That flaw cost him the lives of thousands.
Before, he wanted Adam to slowly weave his way to the top, but that was too slow, and the cost was too much to bear.
There had to be a commander general that received orders from him and handed them down to the military, and for that to happen, a reformation was needed.
This change would no doubt have a big effect. Because of that he has to choose wisely.
In his opinion, Adam and Alec were the two main candidates for the position of Grand Commander.
No one knew who was stronger amongst the two, but Adam had the advantage of a supreme talent.
It meant he could ascend to a level Alec would not be able to reach.
Exhaling heavily, Asher slowly began to tap his fingers on the table. From the index to the pinky.
[I can sense your intentions, host.]
Asher’s eyes gleamed. He sat straight, expecting the next text, but it never came.
‘Are you seriously going to hang there?’
[Ding! Would you like to upgrade your troops into two legions, the Frontline Legion and the Grand Aegis Legion? Yes or No?]
[Ding! All troops that participated in battle have fulfilled the criteria for an upgrade to the next rank!]
‘So they were ready for an upgrade, and you didn’t send a notification!’
[…]
Asher sighed. ‘So… you’re going to reform the army. Go ahead.’
For the first time since he appeared in Boundless and gained access to the system, Asher felt nothing happen.
It felt strange, but when he saw beams of white light transporting soldiers to the barrack, his eyes lit up.
….
A short while later, a carriage protected by 10 King Swordsmen on their imposing mounts arrived before the barrack.
Asher opened the door and walked into the barrack without wasting a breath to even look around.
His pace was fast. Discover exclusive tales on empire
Just after the gates, Asher froze in his tracks. His eyes slowly widening as the image of armored men reflected in his eyes.
On the right stood 4,500 Grand Aegis Heavy Infantry clad in ornate silver and blue armor with golden linings on the breastplates, pauldrons, vambraces, shin guards, couter, boots, and helmet.
A fan-shaped crest could be found on top of their helmets, and from there long blue horsehair fell to their backs.
Their visors were down, masking their faces. Asher couldn’t even see their clothes through the gaps of the plate armor because it was covered by bright, shining chainmail!
Their gauntlets were well designed with golden colors at the joints of the fingers. Finally, a sharp tip, making it a second weapon.
Their cloaks could cover their entire bodies, but because they held their tall white spears and tower shields, their armor was revealed.
All 4,500 were diamond-ranked knights! Because the average Desolate Wolves fought more battles than the elites, they were able to upgrade twice!
Behind this frightening heavy infantry were Goshen Longbow Archers clad in light silver plate armor. Their wolf caps remained the same, but their cloaks and armor matched that of the Aegis.
On the left stood the Frontline Legion. Clad in dark navy blue armor that had large spiked pauldrons on both sides of the chest plate.
The chest plate had a curve at the section that covered the chest, sloped down, and came out again at the waist area.
The armor had golden patterns, from the helmet, which only had an opening for the eyes, to the shin guards.
The helmet also had blue plumes, although a darker shade, flowing down their backs. With a longsword strapped to their waist belts and a kite shield in their left hands.
Draped over them were white cloaks with the sigil of House Ashbourne.
Although both legions had white cloaks and blue plumes, the Frontline Legion had a different unit.
The Frontline Light Infantry, the Bladebreakers, and the Stormbringers. Both units sat atop their mounts, their aura calm yet threatening.
A look at the Bladebreakers’ muscular Centraks’ skin and the glistening Ovoks’ fur was enough for one to know these were elite units.
All of them were diamond-ranked!
Knowing this, Asher couldn’t contain himself. Such an elite team would no doubt make him the strongest count of the north!
Two strong men stood in front of both legions: Adam and Alec.
Asher’s eyes flickered.
‘Even the system refused to choose a commander general?’