Chapter 3: The First Summoning
As Roman retreated to his private chambers, the tension from the council meeting weighed heavily on his shoulders. The ornate room, with its grand furniture and walls lined with royal portraits, felt suffocating. He closed the doors behind him and exhaled deeply.
Unbeknownst to him, elsewhere in the castle, Prime Minister Varic was already weaving his web.
In the grand dining hall, surrounded by key council members, Varic's voice was calm but insidious. "Gentlemen, our king is… inexperienced. His decisions are rash, his judgment clouded. The survival of the kingdom hangs by a thread, and we cannot afford mistakes."
Some council members nodded in agreement, their faces grim.
"What do you propose, Lord Varic?" one asked cautiously.
"For now, we observe," Varic replied, his tone measured but laced with ambition. "When the time comes, we act. This kingdom cannot afford to be led by a child in these perilous times."
---
Back in his chambers, Roman couldn't care less about the politics brewing around him. His focus was singular: the glowing blue screen hovering in front of him.
He stared at the words:
Day 1
Troops: 100 Soldiers
The words "Troops: 100" seemed to pulse faintly, as if beckoning him to interact. His heart pounded with anticipation. What did this mean?
To avoid suspicion, he decided to head to the royal gardens, a vast expanse shielded by high hedges and patrolled by loyal guards. He ordered the guards and servants not to disturb him for three hours.
---
Standing in the center of the garden, Roman took a deep breath. The cool evening air was refreshing, but his mind was abuzz.
"Alright," he muttered to himself. "Let's see what this thing can do."
He focused on the interface, mentally selecting the option where the word Troops was written.
The world around him blurred as a dazzling light erupted from the ground, forcing him to shield his eyes. When the brilliance subsided, Roman lowered his arm and gasped.
Before him stood 100 soldiers, all clad in basic leather armor with wooden shields and rusted swords. They looked bewildered and weak, as though they had been dragged straight from a farm or a street corner. Their expressions were a mix of fear and determination.
Roman frowned. "This is it?"
But before he could feel too disappointed, a rush of information flooded his mind. It was from the system. These soldiers, though weak, had one unique trait: they could grow stronger simply by killing enemies. Every kill would grant them experience, allowing them to level up and become more formidable over time.
It's like a game, Roman realized, his lips curling into a smile. In this world, growth was arduous—magicians spent years mastering spells, aura swordsmen trained their bodies relentlessly, and warriors relied on grueling practice to ascend the ranks. But his soldiers bypassed all of that. They were special.
The interface updated:
Troops: 0 Soldiers
Roman chuckled. "So, I can summon 100 soldiers every day. That's the real goldfinger."
His initial disappointment gave way to excitement. This was his path to survival. With time and strategy, he could amass an unstoppable army. These soldiers could grow stronger, and as their leader, so could he.
Looking at the ragtag group before him, Roman felt a surge of confidence. "Alright," he said, addressing them. "You may look weak now, but each of you has the potential to become the backbone of this kingdom. Together, we'll rise."
The soldiers exchanged uncertain glances but nodded.
Roman's mind raced with possibilities. With his army, he could defend the kingdom, silence his political enemies, and even challenge the empires if need be. But he needed time. He couldn't summon more soldiers until tomorrow, and he needed to train these ones first.
For now, though, he was content. He had found his golden finger. And for the first time since waking up in this strange world, Roman felt like he had a fighting chance.
"This is just the beginning," he murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the horizon.