Chapter 56: "The Return and the Cost of Victory"
**"Congratulations, host, on your epic victory! Your name has spread across the north, and everyone knows it! Reward: Fourth-Order Commander Marcus *1! The number of refugees attracted by Rapid City daily ×2, and ordinary Lagrand residents +500,"** echoed the system's voice, finally breaking the silence after the battle.
"Marcus? Wait... is it the same Marcus I know?" Roland froze at the mention of the name. Could this be the same Marcus, the city defense officer from Lagrand?
**"Please explore on your own, host!"** the system responded curtly, offering no further explanation.
"...Useless system," Roland muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.
He didn't know if this Marcus was indeed the one from his memory, but a fourth-order commander was nothing to scoff at. If such a leader had been present during the battle, things might not have been so dire. Roland had been forced to put the elves, skilled in guerrilla tactics, in charge of positional warfare—a role they weren't suited for. He could have used someone like Marcus.
The other rewards were equally valuable. Doubling the number of refugees and adding 500 residents to Rapid City would significantly boost the city's population. Roland planned to use this influx to raise a new infantry force. His current situation was dire—of the 200 light infantry who had fought, 300 were either killed or wounded, leaving his already thin ranks stretched to the breaking point.
"Wait, I forgot to sign in today!" Roland suddenly remembered amidst the ongoing work around him.
"System, sign in!" he commanded, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
**"Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the magic card - Magic Weave Fortification (Intermediate)!"**
"Magic Weave Fortification? What's that?" Roland examined the purple-gold card that appeared in his hand, its surface shimmering with a mysterious light. The card's back displayed a magical hexagram, while the front depicted a city enveloped in a glowing white halo.
As Roland delved into the system's description of the magic card, his heart raced. The card could be used to instantly create an intermediate-level magic-woven city wall around any territory—a structure 10 meters high and 5 meters wide.
"So much for Ladir's hard work…" Roland mused, calculating that only about one-fifth of Rapid City's walls had been laid so far. Yet, this single card could solve the problem instantly.
"Let's head back to Rapid City!" Roland shook his head, deciding to set aside his gripes with the system. At least now, the city's defenses were secured.
"Stop right there!" came the sudden shout of the Lagrand city guards, breaking Roland's thoughts.
He turned to see a heavily armored figure approaching—an imposing presence carrying a tower shield as tall as himself and a heavy spear with a conical head.
"A fourth-order commander?" Reynold, with his Paladin's sharp perception, recognized the warrior immediately.
"Let him come closer; he's one of ours!" Roland called out, recognizing the figure instantly. The distinctive infantry plate armor was unmistakable—thick adamantine shoulder plates adorned with sharp spikes, a dragon-shaped magic pattern glowing faintly across the armor, and a barrel helmet topped with a roaring dragon.
"I request an audience with Your Highness!" Marcus declared as he drew nearer.
"I am King Roland of Lagrand," Roland replied, stepping forward and dusting off his armor.
With a resounding clang, Marcus knelt down, his heavy armor making contact with the ground.
"Your Highness!" Marcus saluted.
"Rise. You will lead the infantry of Rapid City. I expect great things from you," Roland said, his tone firm and commanding.
"I will not disappoint! I will train an unstoppable infantry corps!" Marcus promised, his voice filled with determination as he beat his chest in a salute.
"Our population can't support large-scale conscription yet. For now, focus on these light infantry." Roland gestured towards the weary and battle-worn soldiers.
"Understood!" Marcus responded with a grin, his simple and honest nature shining through.
Roland had full confidence in Marcus' abilities. After all, you didn't become a city defense officer in a capital without serious skills. However, Roland's memories also recalled Marcus as the last defender of Lagrand City—sacrificed in a desperate final stand against the dark forces. He had risen to the rank of sixth-order tyrant, only to fall in the face of overwhelming odds.
But this time, Roland vowed, the tragedy of the Lagrand Empire would not be repeated.
As if mocking his resolve, the system chimed in with a snide remark: **"Please don't daydream, host. Rebuilding the Lagrand Empire won't be easy. With winter approaching, it's recommended that you build more shelters."**
"To hell with you!" Roland snapped back, cursing the system under his breath. In the stories of others, their systems were powerful allies, showering them with blessings. In his case, the system seemed intent on making his life difficult at every turn.
**"Don't insult this system. We are one, host! To scold me is to scold yourself,"** the system retorted, its tone dripping with self-righteousness.
Roland fell silent, unwilling to continue the futile argument with the annoying system.
"Let's go! I'm ready to head home!" Roland declared, spotting the urn carried by a group of light infantrymen. The sight brought a lump to his throat.
...
"King Roland has been gone for a few days now... I wonder how they're faring?" James mused, standing atop the walls of Los Saint Neil, looking eastward.
"I don't know, but our situation is definitely not good," Novia replied, pointing to the dark forest ahead. Over the past few days, half-orc wolf cavalry had begun appearing at the forest's edge.
"I just hope King Roland and the others are safe. Otherwise, we might find ourselves trapped between two fronts," James said, worry etched on his face as he watched the soldiers patrolling the walls. Their numbers were too few, and the defense of the city largely rested on the elves. He had even begun training ordinary men to fight—civilians who would be their last line of defense if it came to that.
"Report! King Roland and his forces have returned!" a soldier shouted as he rode in from the other side of the river, urging his horse towards the city gate.
"Open the gate and let him in," James ordered.
The gate creaked open, allowing just enough space for the rider to slip through before it slammed shut again.
"Quick! How are they?" James asked, his voice tight with concern.
"This is a letter from King Roland," the soldier replied, pulling a letter from his chest and handing it to James. Novia leaned in, curious to see what it said.
"Respected King of Akvia and King of Singhry, thank you for your concern and for taking care of Rapid City during my absence. The battle..." The letter detailed the battle on the Lagrand Plains and the heavy losses they had suffered. A third of their forces had been wiped out in the first encounter—a loss that would sting for a long time. For the elves, such a defeat would have led to immediate retreat.
"King Roland and his men won, but at a steep cost... Our strength is now diminished," James sighed as he finished reading.
"And don't forget, the main threat hasn't even shown itself yet..." Novia added, his tone laced with dread.
...
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