Timeskips 3 days later
Maximus sat in his office as the Chancellor reported on the city's progress. The air was calm, the rhythmic scratching of quills against parchment the only sound—until a sudden knock on the door.
The maid on the side stepped forward and opened the door. "Who is it?"
"It's Augustus, Your Imperial Majesty," she relayed. "He says the scout you sent has returned and is here to report."
"Let him in," Maximus ordered.
The maid stepped aside, allowing a man clad in plated armor to enter. His blue eyes carried discipline, and his posture was that of a seasoned soldier. He knelt before Maximus.
"Your Imperial Majesty, I am Claudius Augustus, and I bring the scout's findings."
"Rise. Report."
Claudius stood straight. "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. The scout you sent to survey the mountain discovered rich deposits of precious metals. However, the terrain is difficult, and we would need to clear a path for easier access."
Maximus nodded. The metals would be vital for establishing a strong economy. The immediate challenge was ensuring a workforce and protection for the miners.
"And the scouts I sent to assess potential threats?"
"The first scout identified a camp of small green-skinned creatures armed with clubs and rusty swords. They appear to be guarding a cave entrance. We estimate around forty outside, but the true numbers could be much higher within. The second scout located another camp further away, occupied by approximately fifty larger, pig-faced creatures."
Maximus pondered. Goblins and orcs—both nuisances, but manageable. If left alone, however, they could grow into a true threat. Taking out one camp first would be the best strategy.
"How far apart are the camps, and how close are they to us?"
"The goblin camp is a day's march from here. The orc camp is farther, a full day from the goblins."
Maximus had the information he needed. "We will deal with the goblins first. I want preparations for a march by dawn. Also, recruit workers to clear a path to the mountain, and send a thousand legionnaires to guard them. Use the felled trees for construction."
"Understood, Your Imperial Majesty." Claudius bowed before leaving the chamber.
The next morning, the army set out. Maximus rode at the front on horseback, leading 700 infantry, 150 cavalry, 100 archers, and 50 personnel managing supplies with mules and donkeys. By noon, they reached an open field and established camp.
As the sun set, the officers gathered for strategy.
"The archers will initiate the attack, weakening the goblins from a distance," Maximus explained. "The infantry will then advance, engaging directly, while the cavalry ensures none escape. Keep formations tight."
The plan was simple but effective.
At dawn, the army advanced through the forest along a clear path. Soon, the goblin camp came into sight.
"Archers, ready!" Maximus commanded.
The archers raised their bows.
"Fire at will!"
A volley of arrows darkened the sky before raining down on the unsuspecting goblins. Cries of pain filled the air as the goblins scrambled, some charging in desperation while others grabbed crude bows and returned fire.
"Legionnaires! Shields up! Tortoise formation!"
The soldiers interlocked their shields, forming an impenetrable barrier. Goblin arrows clattered harmlessly against them. Meanwhile, the archers continued their assault, whittling down the goblins' numbers.
"Javelins! Ready! Throw!"
The legionnaires hurled their pila. The goblin charge faltered as spears impaled them mid-stride. Despite the devastating losses, some goblins reached the shield wall, hacking at the defenses with clubs and rusted blades. The legionnaires pushed back, cutting them down with disciplined strikes.
"Legionnaires, charge!"
The infantry surged forward, storming into the camp. The battle turned into a massacre. As the last goblin fell, an earth-shaking roar erupted from the cave. A towering goblin, fatter and larger than the rest, emerged. A crude crown adorned his head.
"ROAR! YOU DARE SLAY MY MINIONS?! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!" The goblin king's voice thundered across the battlefield.
Maximus raised his sword. "Form ranks! Hold the line!"
The archers repositioned. "Loose!"
Arrows struck the goblin king, some piercing his thick skin. He snarled but pressed forward. Raising his massive club, he swung violently.
"Evasion!" Maximus shouted.
The trained legionnaires activated {EVASION}, swiftly dodging. One soldier, unable to react in time, was crushed by the impact, his body flung aside like a ragdoll.
"Now! Spears forward!"
The spearmen surged, activating {FOCUS BATTLE AURA}. Their weapons glowed, stabbing into the king's flanks. He roared in agony, retaliating with a wide swing.
"Fortress!" Maximus ordered.
The front line activated {FORTRESS}, their shields absorbing the brunt of the attack, though some were thrown back. Enraged, the goblin king roared and activated his own abilities.
"{ABILITY BOOST} {GREATER ABILITY BOOST} {BODY STRENGTHENING} {DULL PAIN} {GRAND POWER STRIKE}!" He swung his club in a devastating arc.
"Fortress, again!" Maximus barked.
The shields barely held. Some soldiers were sent flying, others injured. Maximus knew they needed to end this quickly.
Raising his hand, he chanted, "{MAXIMIZE MAGIC: LIGHTNING ARROW}!"
A glowing arrow of electricity formed, then shot forth, striking the goblin king squarely. His body convulsed, paralyzed by the attack.
"All units, attack! Use everything you have!" Maximus ordered.
The soldiers activated {CUTTING EDGE}, {FATAL EDGE}, and other martial arts, striking with precision. The goblin king howled, his movements growing sluggish.
Finally, with a guttural roar, he collapsed to his knees. His crown tumbled to the ground. Fury and desperation flickered in his eyes before his massive form slumped forward, lifeless.
Silence hung over the battlefield before the legion erupted in victory cheers.
A familiar ding sounded in Maximus' head. The system message appeared.
[Congratulations! You have defeated a Goblin King and his minions. Rewards: World Information, 100 expert dwarven blacksmiths skilled in runecraft, 4 legions, 100,000 citizens, 4 cities, and 4 years' worth of supplies. Would you like to access World Information now?]
'Later,' Maximus thought.
He surveyed the battlefield. "Tend to the wounded. Gather the dead. We rest here until morning."
The soldiers moved to carry out his orders. As night fell, Maximus entered the cave to assess their spoils. Within, he found a mountain of gold coins, their intricate designs catching the light. Weapons and armor were stacked in the corners some superior in craftsmanship.
'System can you identify what kind of gold is this' Maximus asked.
[Yes host, that gold coin is a Yggdrasil gold coin].
Yggdrasil isn't it a world tree from Norse mythology in my past life Maximus thought.
'system, use the world information' Maximus said.
[using world information...transferring the information in the brain of the hos... prepare host there will be a pain of transfers of information 1..2..3..].
'WHAAT!!'
"AAHHH!!" Maximus screamed.
'Damn, I knew it I was in the new world as the sign was {MARTIAL ARTS} even though I'm not sure of it but this' as he looked at the gold coin his holding 'but this confirmed it with the world information damn I need to get stronger now I know there stronger than us here' Maximus thought.
'System, identify what is the quality of these weapons and armor.'
[Results: Most are top-class. 3 legacy-class, 1 legendary armor, 1 divine weapon.]
As Maximus heard that he smiled as he got a high-class weapon that he could use while the other he could give to each and his royal guard for added protection, and he could order the dwarfs to craft weapons and armor that have rune enchantment that the legion could use. Maximus thought
'System how much gold there is?'
[there are 500million yggdrasil coins, would you like to put it all in the inventory host]
'Yes but leave a million gold coins here and put the weapons and armor in the inventory too'
As the system stored the gold coins, weapons, and armor he went back out, as he headed out there was already a camp set up, and tent one of the tents was caring for wounded soldiers while the other one was for the dead while the others is for sleeping tents for the soldier...
(To be continued)