The birds were singing a beautiful melody as a new day dawned over the village. The early morning sun bathed the streets in a warm golden hue, casting long shadows that danced between the bustling villagers. Everyone was hard at work; there was always something to be done. The sight of buildings being constructed was a common one, with hammers ringing out a steady rhythm, and the smell of freshly cut wood filled the air. James, the village carpenter, was at the heart of these activities, overseeing the construction of new workshops that would soon open their doors to various trades.
Robert had woken up early, his mind already buzzing with the tasks of the day. He bypassed the usual morning routines and headed straight towards the summoning altar, a place that had quickly become his sanctuary. The altar was an ancient-looking structure, carved from stone and adorned with intricate runes that glowed faintly whenever it was used. It sat at the edge of the village, a solitary monument that pulsed with an otherworldly energy.
As Robert approached, the runes flared to life, responding to his presence. With a focused thought, he activated the altar, and a bright light enveloped the area. Moments later, twelve new soldiers materialized—a balanced mix of scouts and spearmen, each of them instantly falling into rank with disciplined precision. Their armor glinted in the morning light, and their expressions were stoic, ready for whatever orders their lord might give.
Robert allowed himself a brief smile. These new soldiers were a welcome addition to his growing forces, but they were only a temporary solution. He knew he couldn't rely solely on the summoning altar for troops. His thoughts turned to Thornton who had skipped the meeting yesterday although he was annoying at times his presence was missed . Thornton was a free spirit, unpredictable yet fiercely loyal. Robert respected his independence, even if it sometimes made him difficult to manage.
With the new soldiers dispatched to the barracks, Robert steeled himself for the unpleasant visit. The barracks were a hive of activity, with soldiers training and practicing their formations. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, leather, and metal, a scent that Robert had never grown fond of. As he entered, he could see the men going through their drills, their faces set in determination. The addition of the captured village guards, now integrated into his forces, was a sight that filled Robert with a sense of pride. It wasn't just about numbers; it was about unity and strength.
He approached Sabas, who was in the midst of assigning new battle formations. Sabas was a seasoned commander, his experience evident in the way he moved and spoke. He was deeply engrossed in his work, adjusting the placement of soldiers with a keen eye for detail. The mix of different types of soldiers—scouts, spearmen, archers—made it a challenge to form cohesive units, but Sabas was determined to get it right.
"Morning, Sabas," Robert greeted, his voice carrying a note of camaraderie. "Looks like you're pretty busy. I brought you some new meat shields," he added with a grin, though there was a hint of seriousness in his tone.
Sabas glanced up, a rare smile touching his lips. "Meat shields, huh? Well, we'll make warriors out of them yet," he replied. He gestured to the new soldiers, who were immediately ushered into line with the others. "It's been rough trying to get units set up. I've been pushing to speed up the process because, from what I can see, we'll be looking at a battle pretty soon."
Robert nodded, his smile fading into a more thoughtful expression. "You saw right through me, huh?" He picked up a stick from the ground with a simple wave of his hand, drawing a large circle in the dirt. "This is us," he said, pointing to the center of the circle. "A safe and remote village, but all around us is danger." He drew arrows radiating outward from the circle. "To our north, a kingdom that will most likely force us under its thumb; to our west, a forest filled with mysteries and threats we haven't even begun to understand."
Sabas studied the drawing, his brow furrowing. "Then our only path is south, toward the jungle," he observed.
"Exactly," Robert confirmed. "That's where I'd like us to start expanding. We should send some scouts to see what threats lie ahead, and what opportunities we might find as well."
Sabas nodded slowly, his mind already working through the logistics. But there was a shadow in his eyes. "Why do I feel like we will never have rest?" he muttered, more to himself than to Robert.
Robert paused, the weight of Sabas's words sinking in. He didn't have an answer, not one that would offer any comfort. The truth was, rest was a luxury they couldn't afford. "War is a constant, Sabas. It's our destiny, for better or worse," Robert finally said, his voice heavy with resignation. "But we can choose how we face it."
As Robert prepared to leave, he added, "Don't forget about the trial we'll be hosting. I want it to be an organized event. Setting some guards wouldn't hurt either."
Sabas nodded again, his mind already shifting back to the task at hand. He had been thrust into this world, into this role, but he would make the best of it, no matter the cost.
Leaving the barracks, Robert took a moment to check the lord system. It was a strange sensation, almost like accessing another layer of reality. The system's interface appeared before his eyes, displaying various statistics and options. He noticed that he had more than enough resources to upgrade the village. A prompt appeared: [Would you like to upgrade your village?]
Without hesitation, Robert pressed yes. The change was immediate and profound. The entire village began to glow with a soft, ethereal light. The walls that had once encircled the village were pushed back, expanding the clearing by four kilometers in every direction. The villagers stopped what they were doing, watching in awe as their surroundings transformed.
Robert was astonished at the sight. The village hall, which he had called home since the beginning, had expanded as well. A second floor had been added, towering above the surrounding buildings. Eager to explore, Robert made his way inside, marveling at how different everything looked. The once modest hall had become a grand structure, with wide corridors and high ceilings. The meeting room, which had been small and cramped, was now spacious and filled with fine furniture.
As he moved through the hall, Robert discovered a new kitchen, complete with a large wood stove and ample space for cooking. It was a welcome addition, as food had always been a challenge in the early days of the village. He continued his exploration, eventually finding a staircase leading to the upper level. The stairs were simple, but they had a certain charm, reminding him of the ones in his childhood home.
The upper floor was just as impressive as the rest of the hall. It was divided into three large rooms, each one elegantly furnished. The first room he entered had a king-sized bed with ornate dressers on either side, illuminated by crystal-like lamps that cast a soft, soothing light. Robert walked over to the window and looked out. Below, the village was abuzz with activity. The homes, once humble and tribal-like, had been transformed into more civilized, sturdy structures. The dirt paths had been replaced by stone roads that connected every corner of the village.
As he gazed out, something caught his eye. The villagers were pointing to the sky, their expressions a mix of wonder and fear. Following their gaze, Robert saw it—a large blue orb that surrounded the entire village. It pulsed with a gentle light, a protective barrier that was as beautiful as it was mysterious.
Leaving the room, Robert hurried back downstairs and out into the village. To his surprise, Sabas and the others were already waiting for him, their faces filled with questions.
Thornton was the first to speak, his voice tinged with excitement. "What kind of magic is this? I've never seen a spell that can change the whole scenery of a village like this."
Robert had anticipated their curiosity. Ever since the beginning, he knew they were all puzzled by the extent of his powers. "I can't answer all the questions you might have," he began, his tone measured. "Because without seeing it yourself, you wouldn't believe me. I was placed here by the God of Heroes and was given certain buildings and abilities, like the summoning altar."
The revelation left them stunned. The God of Heroes? None of them had ever heard of such a deity, and the idea of being granted powers and buildings by a god was beyond their comprehension. Robert was truly a unique individual, chosen for a purpose that was still unfolding.
"Well," Robert said, breaking the silence, "since we're all here, why not start the trial now? We can host it near the barracks since there's a large open area there."
They all agreed, most of them having finished their tasks from the day before. Sabas was the first to head toward the barracks, as he needed to assign men to regulate the event. Robert followed close behind, his mind racing with thoughts about what was to come.
As they walked, Robert decided to make some small talk, hoping to ease the tension that was building within him. "So, how exactly did the lords back in your kingdom handle crime?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Sabas answered without hesitation. "Well, depending on the crime, the punishment would be given. For example, simple theft would incur the punishment of fifty public lashings and the payment of the stolen item."
Robert's eyes widened slightly. The laws here were certainly harsher than what he was used to. "And for more serious crimes?" he pressed.
Sabas's expression darkened. "More serious crimes usually led to death, and depending on how the lord felt, the death might be extremely cruel. There were times when the condemned were fed to wild beasts or, in the worst cases, eaten alive by pigs."
The sheer brutality of it took Robert aback. He had known medieval punishments were severe, but hearing it spoken so casually made it all the more real. "That's… barbaric," he murmured, more to himself than to Sabas.
They arrived at the barracks, and Robert could see the soldiers preparing for the trial. His thoughts were heavy. He knew that in the coming hours, he would be called upon to pass judgment, a judgment that could end a life. It was a responsibility that weighed heavily on him, and one that he didn't take lightly.