The next week, carried on just as the first few days had. The growing exploration of their local region had Rukku fairly happy. They had discovered their region did not have much in the way of harmful animals. Yes, they did come across one wolf pack. But those wolves seemed fine to stay within the woodland to the south.
Well for Rukku the region he had explored was small. The region on its southwestern border had a river running along with it, at points it was crossable but mainly, it would impassable on foot. Aside from the valley, the northern and eastern borders were all mountains. Then to the south, there was the woodland, which the initial reports suggested that beyond that was the ocean. Though within the woodland itself, not much exploration had been done.
As for the plains on the other side of the valley. They were just that, plains. Though there seemed to be more wild beasts out there, any form of further exploration would need some armed guard. To make sure that they were all kept safe from harm.
Rukku himself had not been doing much. Mainly he had carried on reading the books within the hall as well as practising is sabre skills more. Trying to improve on the foundation that he already had.
Though he had finished the village part from four of the books. He had learned not overly that much. Village growth for the most part seemed to be heavily linked with just being self-sustaining as well as allowing its own growth without support.
Due to this, one of the ten-man exploration teams were now just focused on establishing some farmland. Though it was small for now, the land was nearing its finishing points. It only needed some grain that could be used to actually plant the food.
Sitting at his desk, Rukku sighed. This last book was a bit better compared to the others. Outlining the three stages of a village on its path to being a town. Rukku's village was still absolutely in the first stage of being a village. He needed to firmly establish farmland and a steady supply of food as well as make sure people had their own homes to stay in. Outside of that, some basic defences would be needed as well, though for now. A fence to keep out wild beasts is the most important.
To do most of this, a solid supply of wood would be needed as would more people.
This was why he sighed. He did not have enough people to make a team to supply more wood. Though once the exploration team returned, he wanted to send them to get some more wood. Even try to cut down some trees too.
Knock! Knock!
"My Lord, Ber is requesting that you meet him downstairs." The quiet voice of Zifa echoed around the room. Rukku smiled a little at it though, it was a nice voice to listen to, that was for sure.
"Ok, I will be there in a minute."
After preparing himself, Rukku then headed downstairs to meet his second in command as it were now.
The two upon seeing each other smiled happily for a small moment, then Ber's face changed abruptly. "My Lord, we need you in the valley. A group of people were seen heading this way."
Rukku hearing this froze. People?
His mind was shocked, though also kind of happy. He could maybe try and recruit them into joining the village or at least see if he could trade with them.
Heading out quickly he soon reached the valley, where someone pointed out at the wondering group of five that was heading towards them. Though as they started to get closer, his eyes narrowed.
These people were not traders as he hoped. They all were wearing some kind of light leather armour as well as carrying some weapons. Mostly swords though, no ranged attackers at least. But still, looking behind him. Rukku knew he would be fighting alone if they had bad intentions.
"Ber." His voice was heavier than normal, causing the man to flinch a little.
Ber just responded weakly, "Yes Lord?"
Rukku, gripping his sabre a little tighter. "Get everyone out of the valley now and head towards the woods in the south. This could get dangerous."
Ber seemed shocked at Rukku's words… "Lord bu-"
Rukku cut him off sharply, "That was a command. Now go!"
Ber just looked at Rukku's back for a moment, seemingly in thought. Then silently he left to as Rukku hoped. Do as he was told.
All the while this small exchange had happened, the group of five slowly got closer and closer.
Now Rukku could just about make out their faces, each one seemed slightly different. Though all seemed to be happy and in high spirits. This just made Rukku a little more nervous. Just who were these people and most of all where had they come from?
The group, then stopped all of them going quiet.
They had definitely seen him now. Slowly they all drew their weapons and approached.
Rukku seeing this got even more worried. This would not be good for him even if they did attack.
"Why have you all got your weapons drawn? We could just talk you know?" Speaking out, Rukku hoped that he could defuse the situation before it got any worse.
The group just smiled though. "You are a Lord player right?"
Those words surprised Rukku greatly, the group just smiled more at the response of Rukku.
"Well, you see we are individual players. We come from a system city that is about a four days hike from here. Lord's are weak for now and well, we want to destroy your village core and get the rewards from the city. So step aside and we will not kill you! Death has a harsh punishment after all." Their words were straight to the point and cruel. Though they did give Rukku a little bit of information that worried him a lot.
"Well, I can not let you do that now…."
The group smiled happily, one of them even whispered. "We can take what we want as well… those ladies, no one cares about them after all."
Rukku heard this and shivered. He knew exactly what these sick men wanted already. This just calmed his heart instead. He would die here so he could save his people. That was his one mission now.
The idea that he could win, did not even cross his mind.
Then, holding his sabre with two hands. His body almost moved on instinct from practice into a basic fighting position.
Then the group of five, who no had spread out. All charged in at once.
With a deep breath, Rukku moved.
He darted straight forwards first, and with a slash down. The first man was cut into, shocking everyone.
"Dam it! This bastard has awakened his mana body already! Keep your attention up! One of the other attackers suddenly yelled out a few confusing terms to the others who just nodded their heads. Rukku had no idea what they meant though.
It was only now that he finally understood the power of his bloodline. Maybe he could win this?
Stepping back slightly, he narrowly avoided a stab. Then he suddenly almost began to dance, each step allowing him to avoid the various attacks. It seemed that the group was too relaxed before and now, they were attacking together. Over and over, not giving him the chance to counter.
That was until though, one of them suddenly tripped up on a loose rock. This completely ruined their typo. Rukku just smirked though and suddenly he attacked again. His sabre flashed through the air, instantly killing the man who had fallen. Then he carried on, his sabre dancing around himself.
The screams of the attackers were all that he could hear as their blood soon filled the floor that was around him. This carried on until there was just one of them left.
This man looked scared. His hands were shaking, though he did not say anything.
"Just give up, I do not want to fight anymore…" The man though hearing this just smiled.
"Finally! I knew you could not fight like that for long! Die!" The bandit spouting more idiotic words just charged forwards.
Rukku could only think that this attack had no form or anything. The old man had removed attacks like these from his mind a long time ago.
The air whistles as Rukku moved in return. Sliced the man's head clean off.
The head just flew in the air for a few moments, Rukku saw it looking a little confused.
Then plop! The head landed on the floor, with its body collapsing down next to it.
Rukku just sighed. "This is going to bring too much trouble."