Not hesitating Gordon obeyed the monk. Four instances of [Lightning] poured down from the completely clear sky, the thick power of each strike created an after image in everyone's mind. Even in the throne room the sand table mimicked the [Lightning] strikes and the strobe effect that it produced caused many of the aids to stop what they were doing to look over.
Once they had they quickly understood what had happened and when back to work.
Oddly enough between lightning flashes he realized that he didn't know this aid's name and wanted to ask.
[You have killed a Void Serpent. (Orange Platinum) +9,457 soul]
[You have killed a Gold Cockatrice. (Orange Platinum) +10,599 soul]
[You have killed a Blue Drake (Immature). (Orange Platinum) + 7,874 soul]
[You have killed a Widow Maker Ghost. (Orange Platinum) + 12,905 soul]
[You have killed a rat. (White Animal) + .3 soul]
[You have killed a red hawk. (Black Iron) + 1.7 soul]
...
"Lord, please cast [Royal Buff], on the soldiers at the main gate."
The monk, unabated, continued to ask Gordon to use throne skills. There was no time to ask for his name. The time for polite conversation was long gone. In the future he would have to do his best to remember these things when lives were not on the line.
Quietly he did as asked, checking the [Royal Buff]'s effects as he went.
[Royal Buff
Description: Increases power by 20%.
Range: 3 kilometers.
Duration: Three minutes.
Cool Down: 30 seconds.
]
In school Gordon had learned that power was a composite attribute. It was the combination of traits like strength, constitution, and even will. But for each attack there would be a different power calculation. So that for a magic skill soul and intelligence would have a greater affect on the magnitude of power. Therefore percent increases in power were highly sought after magic. Basically anything that increase power was a universal buff. It didn't matter if it was a soldier, a mage, or a gryphon. All would universally increase in power by 20%.
'Good stuff.'
As the monk helpfully prompted him with targets and the appropriate timing Gordon reflected on the three [Avatars]. Slowly he was getting used the his fractured attention.
The [Avatar] at the main gate had jumped down directly onto the kill zone beneath the gate and entered into melee combat relieving the pressure on the guards above. With his [Heavenly Sword] and [Immortal Body] skills he was equipped with a sword and armor. Just using [Divine Purification] sword art he was able to blow through even the orange platinum rank beasts that dared to approach. The bow men above spread out, bolstering positions along the entire length of the outer wall.
At a certain point along the wall the second [Avatar] had at first joined a squad of marines who were tasked with various assassination and demolition missions. However, the [Avatar] was too high profile. Instead of benefiting the action the [Avatar] found himself getting in the way and attracting too much attention. Instead the marine captain tasked him with rescue and retrieval tasks. With the [Empyrean Blink], [Transcendent Heal], and [Angelic Resurrection] spells it was really very easy to [Empyrean Blink] to injured soldier and cast a quick [Transcendent Heal]. When casualties came in the [Avatar] would cast [Angelic Resurrection] and many of the soldiers could go directly back to the front lines.
Gordon noticed that the last [Avatar] was directly allowed to use a red gold treasure called a riding bridle that allowed him to temporarily contract a gryphon. This was the [Avatar] that directly began using [God Storm], [Uncanny Chain Lightning], and [Seraphic Lightning]. Flying above the fray below the [Avatar] cast [Seraphic Lightning] three times. Above the beast tide below three seraphim appeared within three columns of light two to three hundred meters out and above the plain. Each seraphim stood singing a Gregorian chant with eyes closed while holding a broadsword point down. At the critical moment their eyes opened and then they squatted driving the sword firecely into the ground far below. The swords planted it firmly connected heaven and earth which then directly became lightning rods.
Of course if a beast had been sliced through or pinned to the ground by the sword, at that point they became little more than charred carcasses. But even within a ten meter radius many beasts in the vicinity were also taken out.
[Uncanny Chain Lightning] was cast again and again from above. And the [Avatar] saw that the [Uncanny Chain Lightning] had the potential to bounce between twelve targets dealing less and less damage every time, but the real benefit was the stunning effect. Casting three or four of [Uncanny Chain Lightning] could decimate the beasts. Unfortunately only the first beast could be directly targeted.
While the last spell [God Storm] was completely unpredictable. All that could be done was to cast it and forget about it. One nice point about [God Storm] was that every single bolt of lightning from the [God Storm] found a target if there was a target within range. Which meant that when the [Avatar] cast it on a lone beast trying to avoid the main crush of the tide, every single lightning bolt struck true and hit that beast until it was wiped from the face of the plain.
'This [Avatar] skill is insane.'
He said to himself after putting himself in the [Avatar]'s perspective for a few moments. The AI's were doing fine, he didn't have to babysit them at all.
Refocusing he made a suggestion to the monk.
"All the orange platinum kills really helped out. I can probably create a lot more avatars. Where would they be helpful?"
Raising an eyebrow in an all too human emotion the monk asked.
"Just how many avatars can you afford?"
Realizing that he should have already done the math Gordon focused and decided to be transparent.
"I have almost four hundred thousand energy points to spend where the [Royal Buff] cost 100 energy, [Lightning] cost 30 energy, and [Avatar] costs 300. Black iron kills are worth 1 energy, green bronze 10, and blue silver 100. It scales up like that going all the way up. But these are only averages. "
This time not only did the aid freeze, but several of the surrounding assistants also paused. The mechanical clock which had decrease down to 29 minutes suddenly froze and an assistant wheeled it to the side so it wouldn't be in the way.
"Lord, I believe that we have gained equilibrium. As long as we use your powers wisely we will succeed."
"Nice."
Gordon said and then he went on.
"I don't mind if we waist a bit of energy, but ... , well is there a way to save as much energy as possible?"
It was good to be able to use the throne's skills freely, but he didn't want this to degenerate into mindlessly overkilling the beast. He had to think of the future and what else could be done with these soul energy points.
But the monk just gave Gordon a big smile.
"Of course. Summon 80 avatars outside the city gate, 15 to the tent hospital, and 5 to the eyrie. Please keep the royal buff renewed, there is no reason to to gain that extra buff, and I will guide you to use [Lightning Attack] at the right times. Go!"
Nodding Gordon proceeded to summon 100 additional avatars. Again his mind froze for a few seconds, but this time he didn't even try to control them, and just let these new avatars run wild.
Soon it wasn't the avatars that were giving him headaches, but the number of kill announcements from the upgrade system.
'System, can I supress announcements?'
[Yes, it is done.]
And with that suddenly Gordon's mind was clear. Or at least much clearer then it had been even moments before. The monk continued instructing him on how to judiciously use the [Lightning Attack] here and there.
Finally there was actually some time to take a break and a little late he used the pills that he had set aside for himself from the [Cultivation Merchant]. No sooner had he started swallowed the twenty [Sun Pills] then he started to become weak. His complexion went a little green. Suddenly scared he didn't know what was happening.
"Lord, it looks like you are sun chi deficient. You must consume a large amount of [Sun Pills] in order to balance your chi. Do you have the means to acquire [Sun Pills]?"
Once again the royal guard monk came to his rescue and with that little piece of information Gordon went back in the [Cultivation Merchant] and bought a huge amount of [Sun Pills].
Figuring that it was because he had so many avatars he bought 20 [Sun Pills] for each avatar, which were in total 103 right at this moment. He needed 2060 pills and it cost him 10,300 soul energy.
Thankfully this was pennies to him right at this moment.
Once he had the pile of pills in front of him and as he was about to start popping them one by one.
The monk put out his hand to stop Gordon from popping pills. Once again he came to Gordon's aid, signaling another one of the royal guard mages to come forward.
"Lord, my sub profession is a pill master. May I be of assistance?"
Then without waiting for an answer the pill master proceeded to crush and extract the [Sun Pills]. It took about seven minutes, which were seven minutes of torture for Gordon as his body started to shut down. But when it was done all Gordon had to do was drink down a condensed essence of the sun.
Moments later he was doing much better.
"The marines are currently mopping up the last of the beast tide, Lord."
Even as he was speaking many of the assistants and pages were already celebrating the victory.
"Is that all?"
Gordon asked.
Pausing the Monk didn't say anything for an appropriate amount of time.
"I believe that once you integrate your avatars memories, you will remember slaying three diamond rank beasts."
"Ha!"
Gordon couldn't believe that he had missed out on the battle because of a stupid decision. He should have at least been a little more careful when taking the [Sun Pills] especially with the clear label in the shop.
Sighing he just shrugged.
"Thanks for all your help!"
Just then a thrum sounded in the castle as if the very castle itself was breaking down.
Looking the question at the aid Gordon scrunched his brow.
"Lord, it seems that a Verdant Mercury beast is attacking Renier's temple. If this continues this defensive training ground will be exited when the temple is destroyed."
For the third time the aid had to take a moment, freezing, its animation going still as its AI brain processed something.
"Sh_t, sh_t, sh_t!"
Then without waiting to see what the aid suggested Gordon immediately exited the training ground and finding himself just outside the low wall around the arena he looked around. His life in his hands he had to find a way to trick whatever beast was out here attacking the temple to go into the training ground.