Chapter 3: The Difficult Alliance
The sun cautiously peeked over the horizon, as if trying to dispel the nightmares of the past few nights. In Greenwood village, Ken stood on the balcony of his simple home, watching as the villagers tried to resume their normal lives after the violent battle with the invaders. Despite their victory, there was a heavy feeling in the air—this peace would not last long.
The sound of fast footsteps broke his thoughts. He turned to find his advisor, Arnold, entering the room in a hurry. The man was pale, his features reflecting deep worry.
"My Lord, we have news from Woodville," Arnold said, his voice mixed with panting.
Ken raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue.
"The invaders are approaching them as well. It seems they're facing the same threat we encountered, perhaps even worse."
"Woodville? How far are they from us?" Ken asked, leaning forward, sensing the gravity of the situation.
"About two days' walk," Arnold replied.
A transparent window appeared before Ken:
[New Mission: Form a Defensive Alliance with Woodville.]
[Time Remaining: 7 Days.]
Ken didn't need much time to think. "A defensive alliance?" he murmured softly. This idea might be the key to saving both villages—and perhaps more.
He spoke firmly, "We will go to Woodville. If we want to survive, we must unite."
Ken prepared for the journey. He selected a small number of spirit soldiers to accompany him, leaving clear instructions for the defense of the village in his absence. This decision wasn't easy, but he knew that hesitation would only bring doom.
"My Lord, do you think this is wise? Leaving the village now could expose it to danger," Arnold said, worried.
Ken smiled lightly, but his seriousness remained clear. "The real danger is staying isolated. If we want to protect Greenwood, we must build bridges with others."
After two days of walking through the dense forests, filled with the sounds of birds and wild animals, they reached Woodville. The village was larger than Greenwood, but it wasn't fortified enough. The vast fields and large homes indicated an abundance of resources, but they also made it an enticing target.
"Who are you?" asked a gatekeeper, looking sharply at Ken and his companions.
Ken answered confidently, "I am Ken, the ruler of Greenwood. I came to speak with your ruler."
The gatekeeper hesitated for a moment but eventually motioned for them to enter.
In the heart of the village, the gatekeeper led them to a large hall. The ruler, a man in his mid-fifties, sat on a decorated wooden chair. His stern features and thick mustache gave him an imposing presence.
"Who are you, and why have you come?" he asked in a dry voice, his eyes fixed on Ken.
"I am Ken, the ruler of Greenwood. I came to propose a defensive alliance between our villages," Ken replied steadily.
The ruler raised an eyebrow, a clear look of doubt in his eyes. "An alliance? Why would I need an alliance with a small village like yours?"
Ken remained unshaken. "Because we are facing the same enemy. The invaders who attacked us will come for you as well. We may be a small village, but we've proven our ability to withstand them."
The negotiations began, but the path was not easy. The ruler, who introduced himself as Robert, was a cautious man who did not trust easily.
"What makes you think an alliance with you will be beneficial?" Robert asked, leaning back in his chair.
Ken answered confidently, "We have resources that could be useful to you, and we also possess a unique ability that could turn the tide of any battle."
"A unique ability?" Robert said skeptically.
Ken raised his hand, feeling a surge of energy within him. In an instant, a transparent spirit soldier appeared beside him. The soldier carried a sword, and his imposing aura filled the room.
Robert jumped out of his chair, his eyes wide. "What is this magic?"
Ken smiled lightly. "This is our secret. With this power, we can strengthen your defenses and protect your village."
The talks continued for hours. Robert laid out several conditions, including the exchange of resources and information, as well as personal guarantees from Ken. Despite the difficulties, Ken agreed to most of the terms. He knew that forming an alliance required sacrifices, but he was confident it was the right decision.
"I agree to the alliance," Robert finally said. "But we must begin immediately. The invaders could be at our doorstep at any moment."
Ken returned to Greenwood with mixed feelings. The alliance was a major step forward, but he knew that implementing the agreement would face challenges. He sent some of his spirit soldiers to strengthen Woodville's defenses, while he began improving his village's defenses with the resources received as part of the agreement.
"My Lord, the alliance seems good, but I can't help but feel uneasy," Arnold said, watching the caravan carrying resources from Woodville.
"I feel it too," Ken replied frankly. "But now we are not alone. If the enemy attacks, we will stand together."
In the following days, improvements began to show in Greenwood. The walls grew stronger, and the storerooms filled with food and equipment. The villagers began to feel a sense of security, but Ken knew that the real battle had not yet come.
"My Lord, we have reports of new movements from the invaders," said one of the spirit soldiers.
Ken looked to the dark horizon, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and concern. The alliance was just the beginning. The next battle would determine the fate of everyone.
End of Chapter 3