Liam mulled within with his hand on his chin.
After absorbing the woman's insights, Liam turned his attention back to her, his gaze steady as he addressed her once more.
"Now"
He began, his tone firm but not unkind.
"I require your name."
The woman hesitated momentarily as if weighing her options before responding.
"I am called Elara, my Lord,"
She replied, her voice steady despite the lingering tension in the air.
Liam nodded in acknowledgment, committing her name to memory before turning to one of the nearby maids.
"See to it that Elara is settled in one of the guest chambers within the castle."
He instructed.
"Ensure she is provided with all that she requires, but keep her under guard at all times."
The maid nodded in understanding, her expression composed as she moved to carry out Liam's orders.
"As you wish, my Lord."
She replied respectfully before gesturing for Elara to follow her.
Meanwhile, Liam turned his attention to another maid standing nearby, his expression serious as he addressed her.
"You"
He said, his tone commanding.
"Summon Adhert immediately. Tell him it is of utmost importance, and I require his presence as soon as possible."
The maid nodded and hurriedly made her way out.
Seated upon his throne, Liam engaged the holographic map interface with interest.
With a subtle gesture, the map shimmered into existence before him, displaying the various areas of his domain.
"Rudolf seems to be handling the newcomers efficiently."
Liam remarked, his eyes scanning the territory landscape.
"Indeed, my Lord."
The maid by his side concurred, her voice soft but respectful.
"Sir Rudolf has always been diligent in his duties."
Nodding in agreement, Liam gave himself a moment of satisfaction before focusing on the task.
"Summoning the new batch of arrivals should be our next priority."
He decided, tapping a few commands into the interface as he shifted towards the summoning portal panel and immediately used the summoning chance for today.
As the portal materialized, Liam observed with anticipation as the newcomers stepped through, their forms wavering before solidifying in front of the shimmering blue portal. A total of 100 people, with the ratio of women to men of 6 to 4.
Opening their eyes, they were greeted by a group of people hand-picked by Rudolf to receive them. Warmly welcoming them into their new home from now on.
"It's always fascinating to see the reactions of those who arrive."
Liam mused, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.
The maid beside him nodded in agreement, her eyes alight with curiosity as she watched the newcomers with interest. She can naturally see the panel and the scene on the map feature.
"Indeed, my Lord. It's as if they've stepped into a whole new world."
With the summoning process underway, Liam turned his attention to the global chat interface, seemingly curious about the topic the Lords were discussing.
"I wonder what discussions are unfolding in the global chat."
He pondered aloud, his fingers deftly navigating the interface.
As Liam scrolled through the messages, he couldn't help but notice the wide array of topics being discussed, from trade negotiations to strategic alliances.
"It's a bustling marketplace of ideas."
Liam observed, his eyes alight with curiosity.
"Ah, alliances."
Liam mused, contemplating the strategic implications.
"A powerful tool that still hasn't played its true form for now."
"And once the true alliance function is unlocked, I wonder just how chaotic it will be by then. The strong will gather in one, and the weak will be left to join one of the other."
Not long after, Adhart finally arrived before the throne room entrance.
As Adhart entered the throne room, his demeanor was respectful yet attentive, and his gaze fixed upon Liam with unwavering loyalty.
With a graceful salute, he greeted his lord.
"My Lord"
Adhart began, his voice steady and composed.
"You summoned me. How may I be of service?"
Liam acknowledged Adhart's presence with a nod, his expression thoughtful as he considered his next words.
"Adhart"
Liam began, his tone measured as he posed a seemingly cryptic question.
"What is the main force behind our territory's strength?"
Adhart's brow furrowed slightly in confusion, but he responded without hesitation.
"Is it the Knights, my Lord? They are the first and the last pillar of the territory. Without them, there are none other."
Liam nodded in acknowledgment of Adhart's answer, his gaze thoughtful as he contemplated the true nature of their strength.
"In a sense, you are correct, Adhart"
Liam admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of contemplation.
"The Knights are indeed a formidable force, but they are not the true backbone of our territory's strength."
Adhart's eyes widened in surprise at Liam's words, his curiosity piqued by the cryptic statement.
"I don't understand, my Lord."
Adhart confessed, his tone respectful but curious.
"If not the Knights, then what is the true force behind our territory's strength?"
Liam regarded Adhart with a knowing gaze, his expression solemn as he prepared to unveil the truth.
"The true force of our territory lies not in the summoned troops of the lord but in the soldiers of the people."
Liam explained, his voice carrying a note of conviction.
"While the Knights may be skilled warriors and act as a powerful walking fortress, their numbers are limited. However, the soldiers of the people can be recruited indefinitely, given the proper resources and infrastructure level."
Adhart's eyes widened in realization as Liam's words sank in, the implications of his statement becoming clear.
"I see, my Lord."
Adhart murmured, his voice filled with understanding.
"The knights are indeed powerful, but we still require a separate force other than the knights alone."
Liam nodded in agreement, a sense of satisfaction washing over him as Adhart grasped the essence of his words.
"Indeed"
Liam affirmed, his tone resolute.
"And with this understanding, I must question you, Adhart."
Adhart listened attentively, and his gaze fixed upon Liam with unwavering focus.
"If we were faced with an enemy force of a hundred thousand strong."
Liam continued, his voice steady and unwavering.
"do you believe that our one hundred Knights could defeat them?"
Adhart's response caught in his throat, his expression faltering as he grappled with the weight of Liam's question.
"No matter how skilled our Knights may be."
Adhart finally admitted, his tone grave.
"in the face of such overwhelming numbers, they would be vulnerable."
Liam nodded in agreement, his expression somber as he considered the sobering reality of their situation.
"Indeed"
Liam replied, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation.
"No matter how valiantly our Knights may fight, they cannot stand against the tide of such overwhelming odds."
With a heavy heart, Liam and Adhart understood the harsh truth of their circumstances. Despite overwhelming numbers, even the mightiest warriors would be disadvantaged.
Especially after receiving the information regarding a certain beast horde from someone, Liam couldn't help but focus on this matter more seriously.
He is indeed confident in his slime knights, but it would be futile if the number is too staggeringly vast in comparison.
However, it doesn't mean each one of his knights is a child's toy that can be drowned easily. Even in the disparity of numbers, the enemy would have to pay a devastating price to defeat them.
Liam then began to explain something related to the knights, to the core point of it being a summoned troops of the Lords and with all of the level restrictions and so on.
As Adhart absorbed Liam's explanation, a thoughtful expression crossed his features, his mind grappling with the complexities of their strategy.
"We, as the summoned subjects of the Lord, are naturally aware of the Lord's summoned troop. "
"In our eyes, they are akin to that of the mercy of the world given by the Lord to protect us, though I had never expected for there to be an even more hidden restriction for their existence."
Adhart began, his voice measured as he sought clarification.
Liam nodded solemnly in response, his expression reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"Yes"
Liam confirmed his tone grave.
"Even If I were to reach a higher level comparable to that of a level 20 profession, the number of Knights I can summon will likely remain limited."
"It is a harsh reality that we must face. I and all of the other Lords will also face the same limitation."
Adhart's brow furrowed in contemplation as he considered the implications of Liam's words.
"In that case"
Adhart ventured, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"how do we ensure we have enough soldiers to defend our territory?"
Liam's gaze hardened with determination as he prepared to unveil their solution.
"That is where the barracks and stables come into play."
Liam explained, his voice steady.
"These infrastructures will allow us to recruit soldiers in the same manner as the summoning portal, though it is with a little twist. Instead of a direct summoning, we call it recruitment."
Adhart nodded in understanding, his expression thoughtful as he processed Liam's words.
"So, the barracks and stables function similarly to the summoning portal."
Adhart surmised, his tone tinged with curiosity.
"But with some slight differences?"
Liam nodded in agreement, and his gaze focused as he elaborated on the nuances of their strategy.
"Exactly"
Liam affirmed.
"The summoning portal allows us to summon people directly from the unknown of the myriad worlds. The barracks and stables operate the same. "
"However, like the summoning portal, the number of troops we can recruit is limited by the infrastructure level and the resources available."
Adhart's eyes widened in realization as he grasped the intricacies of their plan.
"I see"
Adhart murmured, his voice filled with understanding.