The next morning, Alistair awoke to a strange sound in his head. It wasn't an alarm, but rather a faint chime... like the echo of coins pouring into a treasure chest.
A translucent window appeared before him:
[Congratulations! You have earned the title: "The Baron Who Ignited the Rise"]
[Reward: +1000 Shop Points]
He had barely smiled before another window popped up:
[Current Shop Points: 1400]
Cow Pen Construction: +100
Chicken Farm Construction: +100
Barracks Construction: +100
Main Quest Phase One Completion: +160
Title Achievement: +1000
He stared at the screen.
"The system doesn't only reward me for battle... but for rebuilding and growth?"
He opened the shop interface:
🏪 System Shop – Level One
📘 Skill Section:
Aura Breathing Technique – Rank D: 100 Points Aura Breathing Technique – Rank C: 300 Points Aura Breathing Technique – Rank B: 1000 Points ✅ Aura Breathing Technique – Rank A: 3000 Points
🐔 Agricultural Wealth Section:
10 Productive Chickens: 200 Points ✅ 50 Productive Chickens: 1000 Points 1 Dairy Cow: 40 Points 10 Cows: 350 Points
Alistair smiled and said:
"Let's use these points wisely."
He clicked the first option:
[Purchase: Aura Breathing Technique – Rank B – 1000 Points – Confirm?]
✅ Yes
[Purchase Complete! Skill installed in Command Center]
[Skill Effect: Increases aura absorption rate by 35%, improves quality of used aura]
Suddenly, another window appeared:
[Leadership Skill Activated: "Skill Transfer – Level 1"]
[Skill 'Aura Breathing – Rank B' is now active for all your soldiers]
His eyebrows rose in surprise.
"If I learn something… my men learn it too?"
He opened the wealth section and purchased:
[Purchase: 10 Productive Chickens – 200 Points – ✅]
[Chickens delivered to Brixton Farm]
[Daily Egg Production: +20]
Remaining Shop Points: 200
Two hours later, Garth entered, looking stunned:
"Milord… dozens of men from the village have gathered in the training yard. They want to join the army. They say… they feel this land is worth fighting for."
Alistair walked out immediately, standing in the center of the square.
Around 100 men, of varied ages, stood in neat lines, wielding crude weapons made locally.
Alistair raised his voice:
"I didn't ask this of you. But seeing you here… it's an honor."
One of the villagers stepped forward:
"As long as you lead us, we won't let tyranny return."
A notification appeared:
[Special Event: Volunteer Recruitment – High Leadership Effect]
[100 Soldiers Added to the Brixton Army]
[Total Army Size: 105]
['Aura Breathing – Rank B' applied to all automatically]
[Special Unit Created: Brixton Guard]
📛 Brixton Guard:
High loyalty Panic resistance Double training efficiency No wages required until Phase Three of development
At sunset, Alistair entered the new Command Center within the barracks. A new panel appeared:
🛡️ Brixton Military Status:
Total Soldiers: 105Acquired Skills: Aura Breathing – Rank B Basic Melee Combat – Rank C Daily Training: ActiveUnit Types: Recruits: 75 Brixton Guard: 30 Combat Readiness: 42%Morale: High
After reviewing the reports, Alistair stood at the balcony of the command hall, staring at the horizon.
A system alert appeared:
[Warning: Strange group detected 4 kilometers east of the city]
He pointed to one of the new commanders:
"Send five men — those with the best night vision. I want a full report in two hours. Don't engage. Just observe."
[Side Quest Activated: "Eastern Recon"]
An hour and a half later, the five soldiers returned, led by a young man named Leos, visibly tense.
"Milord, we didn't find a camp or hostile movement… but a lone man in strange attire — a messenger bearing the seal of a southern baron. He showed no hostility and asked to meet you personally."
Alistair raised a finger:
"Bring him in."
The messenger entered — a man in his forties wearing a light blue linen cloak, with a wax-sealed emblem bearing a baron's crest.
He knelt before Alistair and said respectfully:
"I come on behalf of Baron Raylen, ruler of Firelock Valley. I bring an urgent message for you alone, Baron of Brixton."
Alistair took the letter and opened it slowly. Inside, in a clear script, it read:
To Baron Alistair,
Recently, during excavation in the northern mountains near Firelock's border, we discovered an ancient raw gold mine.
However... the discovery was not blessed. The area is infested with unknown, ferocious creatures preventing access.
Thus, I have allied with Baron Kane of Rockfall and Baroness Elena of Mira Hills to secure the site.
We invite you to join us — the mine's profits will be shared equally among the four barons.
If you agree, the assault begins 3 days from the time this message reaches you. Coordinates are included.
Awaiting your reply,
– Baron Raylen
Alistair closed the letter and looked at the messenger:
"And where are they now?"
"They've set up a temporary camp near the southern edge of the mine, awaiting your answer, milord."
Alistair remained silent for a moment.
A new notification appeared:
[New Main Quest: "Mine Alliance"]
Type: Cooperative
Time Remaining: 72 hours
Objectives: Join the alliance, defeat the monsters around the mine, and secure the site
Potential Rewards:
Steady gold income Increased regional influence Unlock "Precious Metals" section in the shop
✅ Do you accept the alliance?
Alistair didn't hesitate and pressed:
[✔️ Accept]
He told the messenger:
"Tell them… Alistair of Brixton will stand with them. The mine will belong to us all."
The messenger bowed gratefully and rushed off to deliver the response.
Alistair turned toward a new map that had appeared on the wall — the mine location was marked in gold, with a small label below:
[Gold Mine – Control Status: Unstable – Estimated Monster Count: 80–100 – Class: Unknown]
That night, Alistair sat by the fire, eyes fixed on the map.
"Unknown beasts… a gold mine… a rare baron alliance? This isn't just a treasure... this is a test."
He murmured with a faint smile:
"Well then… let's see who deserves the gold, and who stays buried beneath it."