Seeing Asher, seated on his horse in the middle of a battlefield with his giant wolf behind him, its blue eyes piercing through the dim, almost dark place, the Thunderstorm Rangers lost themselves in the stunning juxtaposition.
“The Thunderstorm Rangers greet the great rider!”
Their feminine voice fell into Asher’s head, causing his bright expression to fall.
Great rider again!
“After those things!”
Lambert roared and rode along with his 80 strong after the trails of the few green skins that fled. The rule of sparing a soldier that surrendered isn’t applicable for abyss creatures.
As Asher moved through the gate into his stronghold, he saw Alec and Eritrea at both ends of the other side staring at him with deep respect.
When Asher got in, he looked at the stronghold and was shocked to find green skins dead on the rooftops. Some buildings were even damaged.
He was so focused on the bigger picture that he forgot some goblins were bound to cross due to their number advantage.
“How many citizens did we lose?”
He questioned in a solemn tone.
“None, Your Lordship.”
Kelvin walked out from the side, his attire stained with blood of green skins and his sword still exposed, indicating he was still in a mindset that expected an attack.
“The war is over.”
Alec’s voice was so deep that Eritrea raised an eyebrow.
“You killed them all?”
Asher was clearly surprised that Kelvin and a few civilians who slowly gathered behind him were able to keep the people safe.
“We did.”
Kelvin looked at the people wielding pitchforks and shovels and nodded at Asher.
“Make sure their families are abundantly rewarded, and they shall be paid monthly by the Lord’s house for a year.”
Upon hearing that, tears coated the civilians eyes, and some of them even went on both knees, bowing and crying.
“It’s alright. You did a brave thing. As for you, Kelvin… You have a week off duty.”
Kelvin bowed deeply.
“Thank you, my Lord.”
Asher nodded.
“To the castle then.”
…….
Asher walked through the castle’s hallway, Kelvin coughed and leaned close to him.
“I can’t take a day off when your territory is still in its infancy. I shall take my rest at the grave, not while I can still work.”
Before Asher could come up with a response, he pushed open the doors of the sacred hall and gestured for Asher to go to his stone throne.
“There are matters that need your immediate attention, Your Lordship.”
With a soft exhale, Asher sat on his throne.
“We are all here because of the effect of the horde on our farmlands, right?”
He looked at Alec, Eritrea, and Kelvin. Before they could respond, more individuals walked into the hall.
It was Dan, Lois, and the old lady in charge of the farmers of Nineveh.
“Your Lordship, their blood has been spilt on our soil. Our lands are already dead.” The old lady shook her head.
“Really?” Asher cocked a brow.
“She’s not wrong, Your Lordship. The effects of the plaque clouds have begun. People are showing signs of illness, and if not treated, we might count huge losses.”
Lois said.
‘I thought she would always be in her shop. Hmm, she’s a patriotic citizen indeed.’ Asher said in his mind. His eyes veered to Dan next.
“Your Lordship. This war will slow down my progress because three of my apprentices went out to help Sir Kelvin, and now none of them wants to work again. I’ve trained those men for months!”
‘The selfish one. I’m not surprised.’
Asher lazily leaned against his right arm but caught Kelvin glaring at him, causing him to sit uprightly. He respected Kelvin so much that, although hidden, Asher saw him like a father figure.
It was a feeling that came from the old Asher and corrupted his own soul.
“Well, I have recruited a physician, and his shop has already been built. He’ll be able to attend to the injured because we’ve funded him well enough to start creating potions beforehand. He also has apprentices, so I’m sure we won’t count any deaths this year.”
After explaining that, he turned to the old woman.
“Those lands are mana-veined lands. Mana is the source of all forces, and the abyss force is not more powerful than it, so our planting season will only be delayed by a month or two. With the quick growth of our seeds, we shouldn’t have a problem with this. Before I forget, inform my butler to hand over the 12 bags of wheat he purchased. We need to start making our own bread from our own wheat.”
The old woman’s eyes shone.
“You can all leave.”
Alec escorted them to the door and shut it with a hand. This was something two gold-ranked vanguards had to do, though not with all their might.
“Your Lordship…”
Eritrea’s soft voice rang as she went on one knee. “… We lost a total of 90 soldiers.”
Those that lost limbs and were badly wounded were healed by the system, but those that were dead couldn’t be brought back to life. However, if the wounded were included, the losses would have been enough to bleed Nineveh’s security.
Asher leaned back. His expression was unreadable, but his commanders knew Asher felt the loss severely.
“Compensate their families.”
His solemn voice echoed in the hall.
“We shall do as you say, Your Lordship,” Alec and Eritrea said in unison.
Shortly after, they left.
Asher looked at the sacred hall’s lofty ceiling, and a notification appeared.
[Ding! Your stronghold is available for an upgrade. Would the host like to upgrade Nineveh from tier one to tier two? Yes or No?]
‘Yes.’
Swoosh!
A white light swept through the stronghold, expanding its borders, fixing destroyed buildings, and creating more. The great hall, which was known as the sacred hall, expanded even more. Nineveh now spanned 20 kilometers square and had accommodation for more people.
[Stronghold’s Name: Nineveh
Stronghold’s Tier: Tier two
Population: 8,060/ 15,000
Security: 69/100
Loyalty: 100/100]
The white radiance washed away the blood that the people were about to clean and restored brilliance to the stronghold as the dark clouds also faded away. The corpses upon the farmlands were swept off by the radiance, and the land was purified of their dearth.
The sound of the rejoicing civilians and soldiers reached the skies of Nineveh.
[Ding! Would the host like to upgrade his butler, Kelvin, from the silver rank to become a gold-ranked sword knight? Yes or No?]
Asher lowered his head to face the white-haired man.
“You’re not dying anytime soon.”
……
In a building inside of Nineveh, a woman wept as she looked at the state of her 10-year-old son. He lay on the bed with a deathly pale skin and hollow eyes.
Suddenly, she lifted her son and dashed out of the house straight toward a soldier walking by.
“Save my son; the Lord promised to make him a knight!”