The horses stop their neighing and the infantry stopped their march. They look in front of them and many of them have relief expression written all over their face.Finally they arrived at the Fort after many difficulties on the forest, exhausted and full of scars.
Aero took a moment before he himself feeling relived. He has made his calculations and he is sure of it.
He can win this.
Aero brought a lot of weapon supplies and food to the Fort. Quickly Raina added this to the Fort supply to the joy of the soldiers stationed there..
Aero estimated that in one day time Vetten troops will reach here, or maybe two days considering what he did to them.
Delaying…..is also a tactic. After all if there is one thing that is most important in warfare it is time
Even though the night raid and fire tactic may not make that much of a difference in terms of their military power but at least it is a good reap for Aero.
He is now level 87 because of the effort he did. He checked his status window.
CHARACTER NAME Aero
ALIGNMENT Neutral
LEVEL 87
PROFESSION Grand Strategist
t.i.tLE None
CONTRIBUTION Peasant ( Vanheim)
CONTRIBUTION POINTS 5000
REPUTATION 800
FAME 550
ELEGANCE 0
HEALTH 8700+600
MANA 870+200
WILLPOWER 350
STRENGTH 125
AGILITY 575+200
HONOUR 50
STAMINA 154+40
WISDOM 405+80
INTELLECT 509
ENDURANCE 320
LUCK 99
CHARISMA 190+10
LANGUAGE 0
GRACE 100
LEADERs.h.i.+P 50
ATTACK 556
DEFENSE 242
MAGIC RESISTANCE
DARK 5%
LIGHT 0%
FIRE 15%
WATER 10%
EARTH 0%
WIND 0%
+ All stats are added 20 points in battle
+ Intellect is added extra 100 points
+ Enables equipping items for the secret cla.s.s
+ Decrease mana consumption for Divine sword technique
+ 80 points added to Wisdom.
+ 30% increase to Stats on the Battlefield.
+ Easier to raise proficiency in any area.
+ Decrease in Mana Consumption for the Divine Sword Techniques based on level of INT
+ Gained ability to learn secret skills based on your level in Language.
+ Fame increase upon solving any quest involving the n.o.bility.
+ Affinity with scholars increased.
+ Affinity with wise men increased
+ Easier to influence statesmen and scholars.
+ 10 points added to CHM
+ Can talk to spirit and understand divine meaning
The amount of mana he has enabled him to use once again his favorite"s technique, Divine Sword Technique and Sacred Sword Finger.
He was always frustrated with this skill. Usually when proficiencies increase mana consumption decreases.
But this technique on the other hand increases the mana consumption. They must be a way to rectify this.
Maybe after he identifies the book he will understand.
There is the book of Lizhu Gerard that he got after solving the Sage request. For some reason he believes the answer is in that book.
His intellect point is now 509.
Yet he still can"t read that book. Aero believes there are some requirements before he can read the book.
His decision to brought only one hundred men has also helped him to gain level faster because of the EXP pool that has to be distributed is lower
This decision of his also strengthen the other 80 players.
Because of that they got a lot of EXP and raised their level and their attack has become harder to deal with.
This will surely help in the coming battle and Aero could raise them an elite unit in protecting him or as a shock troop.
Though he could not do anything for the other twenty troops that died during his raid, he promised their family rewards when they got back.
After all he must demonstrate that military merit be rewarded and military law must be upheld.
If Vanheim win this war, the loot will be more than enough to satisfy the players and the people.
War to make profit…not to burden the treasury. If he could do this, then would the anti-war faction in the court have anything to say?
Meanwhile as Raina is training her archer squad, Aero is in the war tent.
Aero was in his tent thinking of how to defeat the impending threat that is coming towards him in the form of a ma.s.sive army.
As he was concentrating in the tent he heard the troops outside. They were speaking loudly and celebrating as the sound of cheers could be heard even in here.
Then the announcement sounded informing the whole fort of who has arrived.
Aero smiles a bit. He got up from his chair. He straightened his robe. The guard behind him followed him.
He walks outside the tent to welcome his companion. His steps were calm but there is a valiant air around him.
Amy and Dan have arrived in Fort vars.
Amy and Dan presence are undeniable among the troops. They are well liked and respected by the troops.
Dan is liked because of his friendliness and Amy is for her beauty.
Not that, Aero would ever acknowledge her beauty.
Coming from him, she will take it as an insult. Aero decided to go out to greet them. As he walks through the open crowd any players or NPCs soldiers that saw him gave him way.
For the NPCs they felt fear and they would obey this adventurer because he has the ears of the Kings. For the players it was a sign of respect.
"Dan, welcome back. How"s the journey?" Aero said as he shakes hand shoulders. Dan shakes his head.
"We"ll talk in the tent then" Aero said. Dan nodded. Escorted by the guards Dan and Amy entered into the tent.
Aero noticed that Dan armors were slathered with mud.
Patting the dust on his armor and wiping the mud away, Dan replies
"Uneventful"
He replies to Aero earlier question. Aero nodded, though there is a smile on his face.
"Though, we were stuck in a swamp for a while because of the bandits that tried to terrorize one of the villages."
That explains the mud. Aero thought to himself. Then Aero take a seat. He took out his feather fan and leisurely fanning his face.
"So did you do what I asked?" Aero asked as gestures Dan to do the same. Dan rolls his eyes and takes a seat
Amy has already seated herself on one of the wooden chairs without waiting for any permission and already ordered some people to bring refreshment.
"We did exactly what you said. After we had made sure everyone believed we were heading to Elken, we turned back." Dan replied
"Alright. Good." Aero smiles as his plan is slowly coming into fruition. Looking at Dan terrible appearance he raised his eyebrows and said
"Then rest first. We have a lot to discuss after this." Dan nodded as he got out of Aero tent and escorted by foot soldiers to his prepared tent.
Amy didn"t leave. She sit there drinking the refreshment
Aero looked at Amy but he didn"t greet her. There is this heavy silence and awkward silences that seems to fill the tent.
Amy sometimes glances towards him but most of the times she finished the grapes that was offered as refreshment here
Aero is still fanning his face, looking as elegant as a scholar in ancient times.
Aero don"t want to think ridiculous thoughts in his head, so it"s better if his relations.h.i.+ps with her is like this.
He tries to distance himself from her in terms of emotional entanglements. Then, he heard her.
"What"s up?" she ask, with a slight bashful cheeks
This is the first time she greeted Aero first. Usually it would be either a yell or a roar. This is a rare moment.
And just like that all that talk about wanting to distance himself from entanglement with this woman went out of the window.
"f.u.c.k me" Aero thought to himself
Wanting to tease her, Aero chuckles before he looked up into the sky. The tent is an open air tent. Seeing the birds flying in the clouds Aero replies to her question
"I don"t know," said Aero, "I"ve never been there.""
"What? What do you mean?" Then looking at the direction where Aero is looking Amy cheeks flushed red
Then she finally realized Aero was teasing her. Her face became red.
"Why do you have to be such a jerk?" she started raising her voice.
Her face red with embarra.s.sment.....and by G.o.d that seems cute. Cuter than he thought it would be
Whoa. Stop thinking like that, Aero. f.u.c.k!
Expletive words and warning words all is ringing in his mind right now. This woman is dangerous. Really dangerous
"I don"t know, really. It just seems more fun being one" said Aero while trying to hold his laughter.
Aero answer and his gesture just make her madder.
Then like always Aero and Amy continue their verbal fight again. Dan returned back to the war tent when he heard the commotion.
Clearly sensing that they"re heading into a fistfight, Dan who has returned back into the tent calmed her down, patting her back while Aero was chuckling relaxing on his chair.
Amy then humphed at him and then stomped away. Dan sighed and shakes his head looking accusingly at Aero
"I"m curious, Aero. Why do you always have to fight with her?" asked Dan. Aero put up his hand up in a surrendering gesture and said with a smirk
"Well, she always starts the fight. So, I just want to see why starting a fight is so fun." Aero replied calmly like nothing happened
"And was it fun?" Dan ask weakly like he is giving up trying to make them both being in a room without making a mess
"Incredibly" Aero replies as he was smiling.
"Glad to know you still have your sense of humor, Aero, considering our situation" Aero waves his hand gesturing that there is nothing to worry about.
Dan sometime feel exasperated with Aero lack of caution.
Dan was thinking if they lose this war, obviously Vanheim will be destroyed and with it, all of his effort and the efforts of his friend.
They could choose to stay and convert to become other kingdom citizens, but Dan doubts the enemy commander would let them leave alive.
Not when Dan and his band of men are so enthusiastic in repelling them. Letting them stay will only invite more trouble.
Losing this war means that Dan and his friend would have to find another state to settle. Then they would need to start again establis.h.i.+ng familiarity with the townspeople.
To be honest, Dan liked where he is now.
Considered as friend by King George, he always s.n.a.t.c.hed great quests that offers great rewards and experience.
He also didn"t have to worry about supplies anymore after being the friend of the King.
The n.o.bles help him in his supplies, the merchants reduce the price for him and soldiers of the Kingdom respect him.
They even sometimes help him in his quest.
What"s not to like in his current situation? This kingdom is like his safe haven, providing for him to grow.
And he also grew attached to some of the NPCs and players he got to know in this Kingdom.
But Aero still seems aloof like he is outside of this situation. Didn"t he know what is at stake here?
"I never lost it." Aero said referring to Dan question about his humor while grinning at Dan.
Once again, Dan could not help but shakes his head as he could not understand this person thoughts.
"Hah….I shouldn"t talk at all."
" Now, let"s talk about war" Aero said
Then Aero keep him up to speed and reported some matters to him. Dan nodded and promised he will relay this to the other members of his team.
Dan started heading back to his tent again after finis.h.i.+ng his conversation with Aero. He and Amy logged out for a while to rest.
Then a few hours later he returned back to the fortress with Amy.
After a few hours of reorganization of the squads under them and Amy calming down from Aero antics, the Vanheim Army began their war council to discuss the threats that they are facing.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was heavy.
Aero sit on one of the chairs sipping wine while fanning his face with a white feather fan, looking unconcerned.
Dan thought that if this is an act, Aero deserves an Oscar.
"Our troops will be besieged by four hundred and twenty thousand troops. Iron men and iron horses" That was his first words.
And he said it in a tone like he was discussing the weather outside. Carefree and unconcerned
The people inside the tent became silent and the atmosphere becomes heavier. Dan then asked the most important question.
"Can we defend the Fort?" The officer then all looked at Aero. Aero smiles but he did not answer.
With all people staring at him Aero should have ben uncomfortable but he was not even fl.u.s.tered. HE took another sip of wine and then putting down his wine cup he said calmly
"I guess we have to see. For now we could erect fortifications, plants some trap near the forest heading to this Fort and defend as well as we can" and he waved his fan, fanning his face again
The other military officials nodded and did not press Aero for any more questions. After all it is too early to give up
Then one of the officers name Ferlin said
"Under Strategist Aero orders, we have weakened a bit of their military power by raiding their camp a few days ago. Sir Aero also partic.i.p.ate in the raid"
Then Ferlin proceeded to recount how brave Aero in the battle, swinging his sword reaping enemy head like he was razing gra.s.s with a scythe and how he charged in with ten men to take on forty men in a desperate charge.
Aero did not encourage this officer but neither did he discourage him. After all it would be beneficial for morale but Aero mind right now is not limited in this Fort.
He is thinking further and he keeps his card near his heart.
Strategist Aero, it seems the soldiers began calling Aero like that after the success of his Fire and Poisons Stratagem.
Raiding in flames, taking advantage after the poison has been administered, these two tactics have brought considerable damage to the Vetten army.
Hearing it from the others that followed him during the raid just makes him look more fearsome.
How daring is it to try doing that.
If he died during that raid, he, as one of the Commander of Vanheim army would stand to lose so many things.
Or is he just reckless? Some players suggested. Dying is nothing for adventurers. Dying in war quest…now that is different
Reckless? No, that"s not Aero. He is a calculating person. The only reason he did that is because he believes he would survive.
That"s the Aero Dan and his friends know. An opportunistic and cunning b.a.s.t.a.r.d
After that matter being spoken, Aero started outlining their plans to defend the fort. Many tactics were considered.
In the end, there were some steps outlined.
For now the troops will place the training of the new soldiers and players to accept orders as the top priority.
Scouts are also sent to scout the surrounding areas to determine any hidden threat or a place that could be used to stage an ambush or sneak attack.
The weapon is also sharpened and created by the blacksmith players and experienced NPCs who have already great proficiency and mastery in making weapons to arm the soldiers.
Vanheim might not be as mighty as it once was, but it is still one of the superpower nation here in the Eastern Continent
The supplies are covered by a talented player who is proficient in dividing supplies and arranging inventory of the military supplies.
Aero had thought to recruit him after the war but the guy wanted to remain anonymous as he only help because he lives in Vanheim.
The healer division is also at the ready for injuries and any diseases that might crop up.
Thanks to Aero raids and bringing back supplies from the Vetten troops, the NPCs troops have been equipped with metal armor and steel swords that is of higher quality.
Iron men and iron horses. That is what Aero said about Vetten soldiers. They have large iron mine and their output in producing iron is higher than Vanheim.
It is why they could outfit their soldiers with high quality armaments. But even though Aero called them iron men and iron horses, in the end they are still men and horses are still horses.
One way or another they could still die.
If even iron could be melted what is a mere flesh and blood? In the past people build walls to stop barbarians
The Romans built the Hadrian Walla and the Chinese built the Great Wall of China. People all said they could not be breached. Such long and high walls.
But as long as they are made by men, guarded by men, there will always be flaws. There is no walls that couldn"t be breached in this world.
But Aero must admire the tenacity of the Vettenian.
It is truly amazing that the Vetten Kingdom who was being suppressed by Vanheim can still create such high quality weapons and armor.
It is thanks to their abundance of iron mines and deposits of rare ores in many of their regions.
Aero also explained to the officers that he believes the Vetten Kingdom has bet everything in this war.
With that ma.s.sive army it"s all or nothing. But it is also all or nothing for Vanheim. And this is a turning point in Vanheim history.
If they lose they would lose everything. But if they won...a new history could be written
If they win, Aero theorize, barring any unexpected circ.u.mstances, Vanheim will unite the Eastern Continent.
And from there...Aero smiles just thinking about it
This is a war for supremacy.
And Dan looking at Aero relaxing in his chair knows what Aero is aiming for. Aero wanted to make himself the main character of this new era of warfare.
To bring about a new dynasty that rules over the Vilajeri Continent, to unite the disparate kingdoms and nation under one banner once again and to become famous and rich with his exploits in the games.
Aero wanted to lead the era….and Dan also did not want to be left behind in this new era. The curtain of this play has been lifted.
Shakespeare once said "All the world"s a stage. And all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts"
Now, the actors and actress has begun introducing themselves and slowly taking the center stages.
The dawn of that era will be decided in this war.
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First chapter for today. the second chapter will come shortly. If you like the story please vote for it. Thank you and hope you enjoy the story