"Thank you, Rodrick," I said, my voice heavy with fatigue. "You've done more than I could have asked for. You led the men with courage, and you fought like a true knight. Eldoria is lucky to have you."
Rodrick's stern expression softened for a moment, and he gave a slight bow. "The men would follow you into the abyss, Your Highness. You gave them hope when there was none left. But now, you need to take care of yourself. The kingdom will need you at full strength for the battles that lie ahead."
I knew he was right. As much as I wanted to continue overseeing the fortifications and planning for the next attack, my body was reaching its limits. The adrenaline that had sustained me during the battle was long gone, leaving only the bone-deep weariness that threatened to pull me under. My muscles ached, my head throbbed, and every breath felt like a struggle.
"I'll rest," I finally conceded, the words coming out in a tired sigh. "But only for a few hours. There's still too much to be done."
Rodrick nodded, satisfied that I was at least agreeing to rest. "I'll keep watch and ensure the men are ready should anything happen. You can trust me, Your Highness."
"I know I can," I replied, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Rodrick."
With that, I turned and made my way back into the castle, the cold stone walls now feeling more like a sanctuary than the battlefield they had been just hours before. The corridors were quiet, the wounded having been tended to, and most of the soldiers resting. The only sounds were the distant murmurs of the few who remained on watch and the occasional clank of armor as knights moved through the halls.
I reached my chambers, a room that felt oddly foreign despite it being my own. The events of the night had changed everything—changed me—and the room seemed to belong to someone else, a prince who had lived a life far different from the one I now faced.
I removed the Armor of the Last Vanguard, piece by piece, each segment feeling heavier as it clattered to the floor. The weight of the armor had been a burden I carried into battle, but now, without it, I felt exposed, vulnerable. The Blade of the Fallen King was the last to go, its once gleaming edge now dulled with dried blood. I placed it carefully on a stand beside the bed, its presence both reassuring and haunting.
Finally free of the armor, I collapsed onto the bed, the exhaustion crashing over me like a tidal wave. The bed was soft, too soft, and for a moment, I longed for the simplicity of the hard ground, the cold stone that had been my resting place during my journey in the game world. But the comfort of the bed soon won out, and I felt myself sinking into the mattress, the weariness dragging me into a deep, dreamless sleep.
___
I awoke to the sound of knocking on the door. The room was dim, the light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the floor. I had slept longer than I intended, the rest doing little to ease the tension that still coiled in my chest.
"Enter," I called out, my voice rough with sleep.
The door creaked open, and a young squire stepped inside, his eyes wide with nervousness. "Your Highness, Ser Rodrick has requested your presence in the council chamber. The lords and commanders have gathered to discuss the next steps."
I nodded, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. There was no time to waste; the kingdom's future depended on the decisions we made in the coming hours. I rose from the bed, my body still aching but my mind sharper after the rest.
"Tell Ser Rodrick I'll be there shortly," I said, dismissing the squire with a wave of my hand.
The squire bowed and quickly exited the room, leaving me alone once more. I took a moment to compose myself, splashing water on my face from the basin by the window. The cold shock of it helped clear the remnants of sleep from my mind, and I straightened up, feeling more like the prince I was expected to be.
I dressed in a simple tunic and trousers, leaving the armor and weapons behind for now. The council chamber wasn't a battlefield, and I needed to present myself as the ruler of Eldoria, not just its warrior. As I made my way through the castle's corridors, the weight of the responsibilities awaiting me pressed down heavily, but I pushed the feeling aside. There was no room for doubt now.
The council chamber was already filled with the lords and commanders of Eldoria when I arrived. They stood around a large table, a map of the kingdom spread out before them, their faces etched with worry and determination. Ser Rodrick was among them, his presence a steadying force in the midst of the tense atmosphere.
"Your Highness," Ser Rodrick greeted me as I entered, the others turning to bow in respect. "We've been waiting for you."
I nodded, taking my place at the head of the table. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to me, waiting for me to speak. The weight of their expectations was palpable, but I met their gazes with a calm resolve.
"Thank you all for being here," I began, my voice steady. "Last night, we faced a grave threat, and we prevailed. But this victory was only the first step. The barbarians will not give up so easily. They will regroup, and they will return. We must be prepared."
There were murmurs of agreement around the table, the lords and commanders exchanging worried glances. They knew as well as I did that this was just the beginning of a long and bloody conflict.
"What are your orders, Your Highness?" one of the lords asked, his voice laced with tension. "How do we fortify our defenses and prepare for the next attack?"
I took a deep breath, considering my options. The walls of the castle had held, but they were damaged, weakened by the assault. We would need to reinforce them, and quickly. But there was more to consider—supplies, morale, the possibility of further incursions across the kingdom.
"First, we must secure the castle and the surrounding area," I said, my mind racing as I laid out the plan. "Reinforce the walls, repair the gates, and ensure that our defenses are stronger than before. I want patrols sent out to scout the surrounding land. We need to know if the barbarians are planning another attack or if they have retreated to regroup."
Ser Rodrick nodded in agreement. "I'll lead the patrols myself, Your Highness. We'll cover as much ground as possible and report back with our findings."
"Good," I replied. "We also need to ensure that the people of Eldoria are safe. If the barbarians are still in the area, they may target the villages and towns. Send word to the local lords to increase their defenses and prepare for possible attacks."
The commanders around the table nodded, each of them already thinking about how to implement the orders. They were experienced men, seasoned by years of warfare, but even they looked uneasy. The threat we faced was unlike any they had encountered before.
"There's one more thing," I added, my voice dropping slightly. "We need to address the morale of our people. Last night's victory was hard-won, but the cost was high. Many of our soldiers fell, and the people are frightened. We need to reassure them, show them that we are strong, that we will protect them."
One of the older lords, a man with gray hair and a deep scowl, spoke up. "And how do you propose we do that, Your Highness? Words alone will not be enough."
He was right, of course. The people needed more than promises—they needed to see that we were capable of defending them. I considered his words carefully before responding.
"Actions speak louder than words," I said, my voice firm. "We will hold a memorial for the fallen, honoring their sacrifice. But more than that, we will show the people that we are prepared for whatever comes next. They will see our patrols, our fortifications, and they will know that we are not simply waiting for the next attack. We are actively defending them."
The room was silent for a moment as the lords and commanders absorbed my words. Then, one by one, they nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute.
"It will be done, Your Highness," Ser Rodrick said, his voice filled with conviction. "We'll make sure of it."
The meeting continued for another hour, with plans being made, orders given, and details ironed out. By the time it was over, the path forward was clear, and the lords and commanders dispersed to carry out their duties.
As they left the chamber, Ser Rodrick lingered behind, his expression thoughtful. I could tell he had something on his mind, something that had been troubling him since the battle.
"Rodrick," I said, addressing him directly. "What is it?"
He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's you, Your Highness. The way you fought last night, the power you wielded… I've never seen anything like it. The men are talking, wondering how you became so strong so quickly."
I met his gaze, understanding the unspoken question. He wasn't just asking out of curiosity—he was concerned, perhaps even a little afraid of the changes he had witnessed.
"Rodrick," I began slowly, choosing my words carefully. "There are things in this world that even I don't fully understand. But what I do know is that I have been given a second chance, a chance to protect this kingdom. The power you saw me wield—it's not just mine. It's something that has been granted to me, and it's a power I intend to use for the good of Eldoria."