The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Starblade Territory. A cool breeze swept through the windows of the lord's residence, rustling the curtains like whispers of the coming night.
Arthur sat alone in his study, a quiet seriousness settled on his face as he stared at the glowing screen of his system panel.
Territory Status —
Name: Starblade
Lord: Arthur
Lord's Title: Lord of the Starblade
Territory Level: 05
Area Covered: 5 x 5 kilometers
Special Trait: Fate's Favour (Mythical)
Total Population: 1,435,500 / 10,000,000
Total Soldiers: 837,710 / 5,000,000
Units: 30
Arthur leaned back in his chair, fingers gently tapping the armrest. A satisfied smile briefly curved his lips.
"I'm progressing faster than expected," he murmured to himself, eyes flicking toward the golden key resting in his palm. Its intricate engravings shimmered under the candlelight, a symbol of opportunity—and danger.
"Should I make preparations to head toward the treasure vault Seraphina mentioned?" The thought pressed into his mind like a weight.
But he knew better than to act recklessly.
"If I'm going to move," he said aloud, brows furrowed, "I need to be extremely careful. The Dark City and the Kobold City… if either of them catches wind that I possess the key to the royal treasure vault that they have been fighting for, they'll both hunt me down together."
His gaze darkened as he clenched the key slightly tighter. "If they join forces, I won't stand a chance. I can't even take on one of them head-on right now, let alone both."
He stood, crossing the room to the large glass window that overlooked the central courtyard. The territory buzzed quietly with nighttime activity, lanterns glowing like fireflies among the tents and buildings.
"I'll need to move in silence. Stealth, not strength, is the answer here." His voice was firm now, decisive. "The Assassin units will accompany me. This kind of operation is their specialty. And nighttime will give us the cover we need."
The decision settled in his chest like a lock clicking into place.
"I'll also take Seraphina with me," he added after a thoughtful pause. "That vault belonged to her fallen kingdom. She may know things I don't."
His eyes drifted toward the upper floor of the manor—to a particular room bathed in dim light.
Seraphina had been staying there ever since he offered her shelter in the lord's house. Being a princess of a fallen kingdom, she deserved that much. She'd spent most of her time resting, rarely leaving her room.
Arthur had been tempted—many times—to check in on her. Worried, of course. She'd gone through so much.
But every time he neared her door, he stopped himself.
"It's not proper to disturb a girl while she's sleeping… right?" he told himself.
Though in truth, he wasn't just concerned about her well-being. Part of him—perhaps the part that still remembered what it felt like to be just a boy—simply wanted a reason to see her again.
But he wouldn't admit that. Not even to himself.
He sighed, stuffing the golden key into his pocket as he turned toward the door. The night was beginning, and plans were already in motion.
Arthur stood outside the door, staring at the polished wood for a moment longer than necessary. The faintest light seeped through the gap beneath it, flickering gently—she was awake.
He raised his hand and knocked twice.
"Are you still sleeping?" he asked, his tone laced with both worry and hesitance.
There was a brief pause, the sound of soft footsteps on wooden flooring, and then the door creaked open. Seraphina stood there, already dressed in a elegant cloths, given by the tailors, a subtle glow of magic flickering around her pale fingertips as if she had just finished meditating.
She immediately lowered herself to one knee in a gesture of formal respect.
"No, my lord," she said, her voice calm and composed despite the quiet fatigue beneath her eyes.
Arthur blinked in mild surprise. "You don't have to kneel every time I speak to you, you know," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck.
She stood gracefully, giving a faint smile.
"I was planning to head toward the treasure vault," Arthur continued, his voice returning to its usual commanding tone. "The one you mentioned."
His gaze searched hers.
"Do you want to come with me?"
Their eyes met. Her violet irises shimmered faintly in the hallway light as she gave a nod, her expression softening.
"You said it was hidden in the roots of the Thousand-Year Willow—an ancient tree at the base of the southern hills. Roughly seven hundred kilometers from here… correct?"
"Yes, my lord," Seraphina confirmed. "That's the one. And… I do wish to accompany you."
Arthur nodded slowly. Her presence would be a significant asset because the vault was part of her kingdom's legacy.
He studied her expression, noticing a flicker of something deeper—anger, and a sadness long buried.
"Do you know what's inside that vault?" he asked cautiously.
Seraphina looked away briefly, her hands folding in front of her. Her voice was quieter when she replied, yet heavy with emotion.
"I… I'm not certain, my lord. Only the king—my father—knew what was within that place. It was said to be a only know to the king, passed down only to the crowned ruler of our line." She paused, swallowing hard. "Before I could ascend to the throne… the kingdom was destroyed by them."
Her voice trembled slightly on the last word, her jaw tightening as anger flashed in her eyes like lightning behind clouds.
Arthur didn't interrupt. He simply let the silence speak for both of them for a moment. Her pain was not just hers—it was part of the war-torn world they now shared.
"I won't let your kingdom's legacy be lost," he said at last, his tone steady.
Seraphina looked up, something warm flickering in her gaze—a quiet, grateful strength.
"I trust you, my lord." she whispered.
He turned, motioning for her to follow. "Get ready. We leave at nightfall."
Arthur finalizing his conversation with Seraphina, Arthur returned to the hall of his lord's house. The sun had dipped lower on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and gold, while the winds carried the faint scent of fragnesence from the Emberveil flowers beyond the walls.
Arthur stood alone at the center of the circular chamber. He extended his hand and summoned the territory interface, the translucent golden panel shimmering into existence before his eyes.
[Total Points: 30,000,000]
His lips curled slightly. The efforts of his army throughout the day had borne generous fruit.
"Not bad," he murmured, eyes scanning the accumulated total. "Time to make some serious investments."
Without wasting another second, Arthur opened the Event Market tab.
A sprawling menu unfurled before him—packed with rare buildings, soldiers, equipment, and opportunities. The list shimmered with arcane icons and glowing prices, but he scrolled past most of them, already having a few targets in mind.
He took a deep breath and began to make his selections. "I need Assasinsore than any other soldiers type." He said while selecting the platinum rank shadow Ranger.
—He spent 10 million points on the Shadow Rangers Recruitment Building Blueprint.
—Then 5 million each for:
• Advanced Mage Tower
• Elite Hero Altar
• Legion Commander Citadel
As the last transaction processed, golden energy surged around the interface. A rumble echoed faintly from the distant construction zones of the territory, indicating that the blueprints had been transferred and queued for manifestation.
But Arthur's eyes were locked on the updated details now made visible—descriptions and functions of each building far more detailed than what he'd seen during the initial purchase phase.
---
[Shadow Rangers Recruitment Building]
Unit Type: Archer-Assassin Hybrid
Rank: Platinum
Quantity per Recruitment Cycle: 100
Arthur read through the details, his brows rising in surprise.
These weren't ordinary archers or assassins—Shadow Rangers were creatures of precision, silence, and sudden death. The perfect answer to stealth operations or high-value target elimination.
Specialty: Masters of silent ambush, they strike from afar then vanish—reappearing where enemies least expect.
Traits:
1. Stealth Shot– Their first arrow, launched from the shadows, always lands as a guaranteed critical hit. Perfect for opening blows in coordinated strikes.
2. Shadowmeld – Mid-combat, they can vanish into shadows and reposition, allowing them to avoid retaliation or shift to more lethal vantage points.
3. Poison-Tipped Arrows– Laced with potent toxins, each arrow applies stacking damage-over-time (DoT) effects, while also reducing enemy healing efficiency—turning even minor wounds into fatal ones over time.
Arthur nodded approvingly. "Deadly. And perfect for my next campaign."
---
[Advanced Mage Tower]
Type: Magical Structure
Functionality Overview:
The blueprint unfolded further in his interface, detailing one of the most intricate magical infrastructures he had ever seen. Not only did it serve as a training ground—it was a bastion of magical evolution.
- Enabled high-tier elemental research: including fire, ice, lightning, and spatial magic.
- Allowed spell refinement and fusion, giving rise to custom spell combinations and battlefield enchantments.
- Hosted specialized mage classes: Battle Mages, Arcane Alchemists, and Spellbreakers.
- Significantly increased effectiveness of all mage-type units: greater spell range, reduced cooldowns, and **higher mana efficiency.
- Unlocked exclusive territory-based battlefield spells—high-level enchantments cast only by those within Starblade's borders.
Bonus Effect:
Any mages stationed here would experience a 15% increase in cultivation speed—a long-term benefit that could exponentially strengthen his magical corps.
Arthur's jaw clenched slightly. "With this… even our weakest mages could rival enemy elites in months."
---
[Elite Hero Altar]
Description: A divine structure that channels the heroic essence of past legends.*
The interface glowed with divine gold and violet hues. As he read on, Arthur felt a strange pressure—almost as if the altar resonated with the will of past heroes across the ages.
Functions:
- Enabled summoning of Gold, Platinum, and even Diamond Rank Heroes, if fate allowed.
- Allowed for the awakening and evolution of current heroes—unlocking deeper Domains or enhancing their existing powers.
- Could bestow Heroic Blessings, which granted powerful passive buffs to all units under a hero's command.
- Supported Hero Memory Resonance: synchronization between heroes and legendary relics or souls, granting unique traits and memories from past lives.
---
[Legion Commander Citadel]
Type: Military Command Structure (Legendary)
A massive icon unfurled, resembling a fortress seated atop a burning battlefield, banners flapping in spectral winds.
Functions:
- Allowed for the creation of elite units and the assignment of multi-unit formations—a logistical boon for large-scale warfare.
- Expanded command range and unit cohesion, ensuring soldiers stayed disciplined even amidst chaos.
- Enabled War Plans: pre-written tactical formations that gave massive buffs when triggered during battle.
- Hero-linked Leadership Buffs: Any hero stationed here could empower troops across vast distances, acting as a battle standard in spirit even if not physically present.
- Could be upgraded further to offer domain-wide passive military enhancements such as morale boosts, movement speed increases, and superior formation durability.
Bonus Feature: It enabled to issue simultaneous orders across multiple active battlefields—crucial for a warlord managing vast territories.
Arthur's lips curled into a rare grin.
"With this… my army won't just follow orders—they'll follow a strategy that breaks kingdoms."
---
Just as the final building blueprint was being confirmed for construction, Arthur heard the heavy footsteps of approaching heroes echoing through the main hall. One by one, they entered the chamber, their expressions ranging from curiosity to readiness.
Arthur didn't utter a single word as his heroes gathered around the circular table in the war hall. Instead, he simply lifted his hand and made a quiet gesture—palm down, fingers curling inward—directing them to sit.
They obeyed without hesitation.
The air in the room was calm but tense, the kind of quiet that preceded a storm. The golden torchlight flickered across polished stone walls, casting long shadows of the gathered heroes: warriors, mages, assassins, and archers—all bearing marks of battle and experience. Yet despite their presence, Arthur said nothing. Not yet.
Instead, he turned his attention back to the shimmering event interface that still floated beside him. His eyes flicked across the remaining listings in the Event Market as he scrolled with purpose. After only a few seconds, his gaze settled on a particular entry that caught his interest.
[Gold Rank Hero Card – Shadow Ranger (Available: 1)]
Arthur didn't hesitate. With a flick of his finger, he spent 1,000,000 points, and the card instantly materialized before him in a flash of dark blue and violet light—its edges etched in silver flames, the silhouette of a hooded archer barely visible behind the arcane pattern.
He caught the card mid-air, eyes narrowing with approval.
"A perfect addition to the vanguard," he murmured.
Now, his total remaining points had dropped to 4,000,000. He had acquired nearly everything he needed for the next phase of his expansion. Only a few minor items remained—logistical and auxiliary upgrades that could wait.
With the card stored safely in his inventory, Arthur finally looked up and turned his attention to the others in the chamber.
His eyes first landed on a new face standing silently at the far end of the hall—
Seraphina. Beside her stood Diana, veiled in black leathers and shadowy grace, and Kaelira Nightveil, wrapped in an aura of silent predation, her amber eyes glinting beneath the edge of her hood.
Arthur spoke at last.
"This is Seraphina," he said, his voice calm and steady but commanding. "She is a princess of a fallen kingdom."
The heroes turned their attention to her with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Bt george immediately remembered her, she is the gurf he saved from Kaldor's town yesterday. Seraphina bowed her head respectfully, though her expression remained composed.
Arthur continued, "She has informed me of a treasure vault—a relic of her kingdom—hidden roughly seven hundred kilometers south of here, at the base of the Thousand-Year Willow."
He paused, then looked around the table as he spoke his next words.
"The reason Kobolds and Dark City forces have been warring for decades… is that vault. They found traces of it—but not the key. They've been fighting each other for years while searching for it."
A ripple of realization spread across the table. Eyes sharpened. Even Blaze, ever still as a mountain, seemed to draw a deeper breath.
Arthur reached into his inventory and pulled out a golden object. With a soft clink, he placed it onto the table.
It was a golden key, roughly the size of a palm, engraved with a seven-pointed star and vine-like etchings that pulsed faintly with magic.
"This," he said quietly, "is the key they're searching for."
A beat of silence passed as the heroes processed the implication.
"They will never get what they want," Arthur continued. "Not while we still breathe."
He turned now to the two shadows of his army—Diana, commander of the Ghost Walker Unit, and Kaelira Nightveil, his Shadow unit.
"I want both of you to begin preparations immediately," Arthur said, his tone sharp and resolute. "Mobilize the Ghost Walker and Shadow Units. No banners. No sound. No trails. We'll move under the cover of night and strike without being seen."
He let his words settle before adding, "I don't want to attract attention. We aren't yet strong enough to fight both the Kobold Kingdom and the Dark City simultaneously. Not yet."
Both Diana and Kaelira nodded, their expressions unreadable but determined.
"As for the rest of you…" Arthur turned his gaze toward the remaining heroes seated around the table—George, Ronan, Lily, Olivia, Knuckle, Zara, Alisha, and the others. "You will remain here and guard the territory. Stay extra careful."
He paused, his tone softening slightly.
"Today, no more Emberveil stone collection. I want our people to rest."
Some of the heroes blinked in surprise at the sudden shift.
"I know our subjects will want to continue. They're hardworking, proud, and eager to build. But this day belongs to them. Make sure they rest—by command, if needed."
There was a quiet murmur of agreement. His heroes understood the significance of such an order—it wasn't just for recovery. It was a sign of leadership, of foresight. Arthur wasn't just preparing for war; he was preparing for longevity.
He looked once more at Seraphina, her expression unreadable but her posture straight.
And then he spoke his final command for the night:
"We leave at night."
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