Skagos Island lies on the northern coast of Westeros, belonging to the North. It is a large island at the outlet of the Bay of Seals, adjacent to the Shivering Sea.
Because it is close to the Land of Always Winter, the climate here is abnormally frigid, the biting cold wind as if capable of freezing all things in the world!
Mako stood on the top floor of his castle, gazing into the distant mountains. His thoughts were countless, and before he realized it, he had already been in this world for more than a week.
Every day facing this unchanging environment, Mako felt as if he were about to go mad. Fortunately, this castle of his still gave him some hope.
Because this castle turned out to be the Human Main Castle from Heroes of Might and Magic V, though at present there was only this one main stronghold.
However, Mako believed that in the near future he would surely complete all the constructions and summon a host of powerful soldiers.
When he shifted his consciousness to the space between his brows, a panel appeared before his eyes, one that only he could see.
City Owned: (Unnamed)
Owner: Markor Beleris (This is a great surname, with a long history and noble bloodline.)
Hero Level: 1
Hero Skills: Basic Offense, Intermediate Leadership, Diplomacy.
Special Abilities:
Royal Bearing (Hero contributes 250 gold per month. For every level the hero gains, training costs decrease by 2%.)
Tongue of All Things (Hero can understand all languages and writings of this world, ability derived from Diplomacy.)
Buildings Owned: Village Hall (provides 1000 gold per month), Militia Hut, Blacksmith, Keep.
Soldiers Owned: 100 Thugs, 10 Archers, 3 Infantry.
Resources Owned: Gold 1000, Wood 10, Ore 10, Crystal 0, Mercury 0, Gem 0, Sulfur 0.
Quest Log:
Explore this island and learn the basic situation of the world you are in! (Not completed) Reward: 1000 Gold.
The appearance of the castle has been regarded by a local tribe as a divine miracle. They long for it. Subdue them and make them your subjects! (Not completed) Reward: 1000 Gold, 10 Wood, 10 Ore.
After reading his quest list, Mako looked somewhat strangely outside the castle. These past days he had been studying the structure of his castle, completely ignoring the outside.
In Mako's view, the outside should have been nothing more than a desolate island, practically uninhabited. He hadn't expected that today the quest list would refresh with such a task.
This castle was about thirty meters high, surrounded by the blacksmith and the militia hut, with only a small number of fields and residential buildings.
The castle covered roughly 9,000 square meters, encircled by a ten-meter-high stone wall. A drawbridge together with two massive gates defended it.
Beyond the moat, however, the weather completely changed—north winds howled, and the chill pierced to the bone.
Bloodhand-Blackstone was a tribal chieftain on Skagos Island. Seven days ago, while hunting seals with over a hundred of his warriors,
he saw this castle descend from the heavens. From then on, he led his tribe of more than five hundred people to settle nearby.
The moat's water was clean and warm. Many tribesmen, after drinking from it, swore they never wished to leave again.
Some tribesmen thought to climb into the castle, but the tribal elders forbade it.
To many in the tribe, this was a divine miracle, for the castle appeared near the "Sacred Tree."
The tribe's elder with the "Wolf Spirit" said that powerful strength resided in this castle—his "companion" could not enter it at all.
As the tribesmen marveled at this miracle, in a valley three hundred meters from the castle,
a great tree stood silently in the cold wind, its blood-red leaves and the bleeding faces upon its trunk appearing terrifying.
If Mako had been there, he would have instantly guessed that this was the special kind of tree from the television series he had seen in his previous life.
At that moment beneath the tree, an old man leaned against the trunk, crimson leaves falling across his body.
"Huff…"
The old man opened his eyes with difficulty, gasping, and looked toward the castle with a sigh: "Still can't see it… Truly marvelous. Only the gods could create such a great construction."
After speaking, he slowly rose, tugged at his mud-stained fur coat, and staggered toward the castle.
Unbeknownst to him, a white raven perched upon the branch silently watched. After the old man left, it turned its gaze toward the castle.
Meanwhile, Mako had summoned all his subordinates to gather in the castle's hall. This as-yet-unnamed castle had three floors.
The first floor held the armory, training yard, kitchen, and dungeon. The second floor was for the meeting chamber and quarters—Mako's own room was there.
The third floor was a grand palace with all kinds of rooms. For convenience in commanding soldiers, Mako chose to live on the second floor.
At the top level lay the foundations for future high-tier military structures: the Griffin Tower and the Holy Altar would one day rise there.
Though over a hundred people crowded the meeting hall, it still seemed vast and empty.
Normally, only Mako and the thirteen soldiers resided within. Since no attendants were supplied, he ate together with his soldiers.
Mako had tested it—these soldiers granted by the system were flesh and blood, with consciousness. In their minds, they were the soldiers of his house, the citizens of the castle.
The one hundred thugs usually lived at the farms behind the walls. It was autumn now—wheat and pumpkins had brought a great harvest, and the storerooms were filled with food.
During his week of exploration, Mako discovered that the castle seemed to be protected by some strange power—the climate was always warm.
Around the castle ran a moat. On the balcony of the first floor stood a giant fountain, steadily pouring water outward like a waterfall into the moat.
This moat was also the water source for all nearby—used both for daily life and the farms.
The castle's sole exit was a ten-meter-long bridge, only wide enough for two to walk abreast. Beyond that, there was no other way in—unless one flew.
Even the lowest point of the castle stood eight meters above the water. Aside from that bridge, entry was impossible!
When all had sat, Mako rose from the throne. The infantryman at his side bellowed:
"Silence!"
His loud voice rang through the hall, and the noise instantly ceased.
Mako looked with satisfaction at this soldier. His name was Sas Tien, the strongest of the three infantrymen, so Mako had appointed him the castle's overseer.
"I believe you are all wondering why I summoned you here. It is because I have discovered signs of human presence in this land!"
"Boom!"
The hall erupted. Everyone chattered in excitement. At first, they too thought this was nothing but a desolate place.
Thus no one considered exploring beyond, especially with the harvest to gather, so no one had noticed this matter.
"Quiet! Do not interrupt the Lord!"
This time it was the captain of the archers, Lauren Hawkeye, who spoke.
A burly man with extraordinary skill in archery—his words calmed the hall again.
"Today, I intend to make contact with these natives outside. Whoever they are, whatever their power, we must show our might. Therefore, I have decided to name this castle Griffin Castle, and take the 'Holy Sun' as our banner!"
"Yes, Lord!"
Ding!
Suddenly, an interface popped up before Mako's eyes:
Hidden Quest: Naming the Castle, Choosing the Banner!(You are integrating better into this world. Keep going!)Completed. Reward: 1 Griffin, 1000 Gold, 10 Wood.
Seeing this, Mako nearly leapt up in excitement, though a tinge of regret crept in. He thought to himself: If I had named it Angel Castle, would the system have given me an Angel instead?
But such thoughts were only idle fantasy. Just as he prepared to speak again, an eagle's cry rang outside the castle.
At once, the balcony doors burst open. A massive beast with the head of an eagle and body of a lion folded its wings and rushed to Mako's throne.
It cried excitedly, rubbing its great eagle head against him with deep affection.
Mako's heart filled with delight at the sight of this beautiful creature. The griffin stood over two meters tall, with wings that spanned at least eight meters.
Its keen eagle head brimmed with spirit, its strong leonine body full of explosive power, seeming to overflow with boundless vigor.
It was no wonder griffins were the highest-priority attackers in the game, with their trait of unlimited retaliation.
Gently stroking its head, Mako gestured for it to stand behind him. At once the griffin wagged its lion's tail like a puppy and stood faithfully at his back.
"Ahem! Everyone! Now I will assign tasks. Bobby Lee (leader of the thugs)! You will send eighty men to accompany me outside. Sas Tien, you three will stay to guard the castle. The rest will join Lauren Hawkeye on the walls. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord!"
"Screeech!"
The griffin cried in protest, as if complaining Mako had not given it orders.
"Uh… You! From now on, your name will be Swan! You will patrol above the castle gate. If you see me draw my sword, attack at once!"
"Screeech!"
The griffin Swan cried out, nuzzled Mako, then dashed to the balcony and soared into the sky!