After carefully sketching out a rough map of his immediate goals and laying the foundation of his plan, Arthur finally felt a sense of clarity.
The confusion clouding his mind had begun to disperse, replaced by a sharper vision and a more solid understanding of his situation.
With a steady breath, he opened his system panel, the familiar translucent interface appearing before his eyes in shimmering blue light.
[Total Points: 5,000,000]
Seeing the number, Arthur's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile.
"It's good," he murmured thoughtfully. "I'll have to buy more hero cards for the units that are still without commanders. And I also need to purchase those Bronze-rank special soldier recruitment buildings I selected earlier."
He had already spent considerable time analyzing the event market and wisely chosen several Bronze-rank special soldier buildings.
They were affordable for now, and most importantly, upgradeable in the future — a true win-win situation for the long-term development of his territory.
Without hesitation, Arthur navigated through the event market.
His fingers moved deftly across the options, quickly selecting what he needed.
He purchased a Gold-rank Cavalry Hero Card, a Gold-rank Assassin Hero Card, and a Silver Legion Hero Card, all for the steep price of 3,000,000 points.
As the points deducted from his total, Arthur felt no regret. These were necessary investments — tools to build the powerful army he envisioned.
He also took a moment to search for a Blood Knight Hero Card, hoping to bolster his fearsome Blood Knight units.
However, after a brief but fruitless search, he understood the reason for its absence.
"The Blood Knights... they're puppets, not truly living beings," Arthur realized, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. "No wonder there's no hero card for them."
Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought.
There were more important purchases to consider.
"I also need to buy the Elite Hero Altar, the Advanced Mage Tower, and the Legion Commander Citadel," he reminded himself, mentally tallying up the costs.
Each one of them priced at a staggering 5,000,000 points.
They were not cheap by any means, but the benefits they offered were unparalleled — structures that could redefine the strength of his forces.
His gaze lingered briefly on the detailed descriptions that flashed before him:
---
Name: Advanced Mage Tower
Type: Magical Structure
Function:
~ Facilitates high-tier elemental research (fire, ice, lightning, spatial magic)
~ Enables spell refinement and fusion experiments
~ Allows the creation of specialized mage classes (Battle Mage, Arcane Alchemist, Spellbreaker)
~ Enhances the effectiveness of all mage-type units: boosting spell range, reducing cooldowns, and improving mana efficiency
~ Unlocks exclusive large-scale battlefield spells
Bonus: Mages stationed here experience a 15% faster cultivation speed.
---
Name: Elite Hero Altar
Description: A divine structure that channels the heroic essence of past legends.
Function:
~ Allows the summoning of Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Rank Heroes
~ Enables the awakening or evolution of existing heroes to unlock their exclusive domains
~ Grants passive "Heroic Blessings" to all units under a hero's command
~ Activates "Hero Memory Resonance," synchronizing heroes with relics and legendary souls
---
Name: Legion Commander Citadel
Type: Military Command Structure (Legendary)
Function:
~ Oversees the creation of elite units and multi-unit formation assignments
~ Increases command range, unit cohesion, and battlefield coordination during massive wars
~ Unlocks War Plans — pre-set strategic battle formations granting combat buffs
~ Provides Hero-linked Leadership Buffs: empowering hero-led units across vast distances
~ Upgrade path: grants domain-wide passive military enhancements (morale, movement speed, formation strength)
Bonus: Enables issuing simultaneous battlefield orders across multiple war zones.
---
Arthur's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Structures like these weren't just purchases — they were investments into the foundation of an unstoppable military force.
Satisfied with his decisions, Arthur closed the event market for now.
He turned around, the soft crunch of grass beneath his boots grounding him to the present.
The summoning portal stood ahead — an ancient, swirling gateway of light and power, its surface rippling like liquid silver.
Without another word, he strode toward it, the wind fluttering his black cloak and sending ripples through his untamed black hair.
As Arthur approached the summoning portal, the swirling energy at its center pulsed faintly—like a heart waiting to be awakened. He paused before it, feeling the residual power humming through the air. The grass around the portal rustled from the pressure, as if bowing to what was about to come.
Reaching into his inventory, Arthur retrieved the three hero cards he had just acquired: a Gold-Rank Cavalry Hero Card, a Gold-Rank Assassin Hero Card, and a gold rank Silver Legion Hero Card. Each one shimmered with a distinct aura—golden light blazing from the cavalry and assassin cards, while a colder, silver sheen radiated from the legion card.
Without hesitation, he tossed them one by one into the center of the portal.
The moment the final card passed through the boundary of light, the portal flared violently, its energy surging in waves of silver and gold. The air grew heavier, charged with a powerful, commanding presence. The runes etched into the stone base of the portal glowed with blinding brilliance, rotating in complex formations.
Then, one after another, three figures stepped out from the cascading energy—each distinct, radiating an aura of strength and experience.
The first was a tall man clad in radiant silver-and-gold armor, his crimson cape fluttering behind him. A runic lance was strapped to his back, and his eyes burned with the sharp discipline of a battlefield commander. His warhorse—ethereal and silver-maned—appeared briefly beside him before fading into his soul space.
The second figure was a lithe woman dressed in form-fitting, midnight-black armor. Her twin daggers gleamed ominously, and her presence was almost intangible, like a shadow waiting to strike. A subtle shimmer surrounded her—an assassin who could kill without ever being seen.
The third was a stalwart man in full military gear, the sigil of a silver legion displayed proudly across his broad chest. His presence was calm but commanding, like a shield that would never fall. Every inch of him exuded discipline and loyalty.
As one, the three dropped to one knee before Arthur, their heads bowed in reverence and loyalty.
The cavalry hero was the first to speak. His voice was deep and resonant, like the echo of drums before a charge.
"I am Garrick Ironmane, cavalry general and war tactician. My lance and my steed are yours to command, my lord."
Next, the assassin raised her head, sharp eyes locking onto Arthur's with silent precision.
"Name's Kaelira Nightveil, silent blade of the shadows. Point me to the enemy, and they will vanish without a sound."
Finally, the legion hero spoke, his voice steady and unwavering.
"Darius Stonehelm, commander of the Silver Legion. I am your shield, and so shall my soldiers be."
Arthur gave a firm nod of approval, a sense of satisfaction stirring in his chest. These were not just soldiers — they were legends waiting to be written.
He took a breath, then spoke with calm authority, his words carrying the weight of both welcome and command.
"Nice to meet you all. I am Arthur, the lord of this territory — Starblade Territory."
He looked at each of them in turn.
"I welcome you to our home. I hope you will work alongside me and the rest of my people to build something greater—something powerful, prosperous, and unshakable."
A flicker of pride lit up in each hero's eyes. As if his words resonated with their very purpose.
They nodded as one, voices rising in unison.
"Yes, my lord! We will not disappoint you!"
Arthur felt a sense of pride swell in his chest at the loyalty and conviction shown by the newly summoned heroes. Their unwavering devotion and respectful discipline reassured him—his army was growing stronger with each step.
With a calm yet commanding tone, he addressed them.
"I am now going to announce something important, so listen carefully."
His voice echoed slightly through the silent clearing, the three heroes instantly attentive, eyes fixed on him.
"Garrick Ironmane," Arthur began, locking eyes with the cavalry warrior. "You are hereby appointed as the Commander of the Silver Storm Unit."
Without waiting for a response, he turned slightly.
"Kaelira Nightveil, you are now the Commander of the Shadow Unit."
Kaelira gave a subtle nod, already anticipating the weight of her new role.
"Darius Stonehelm," Arthur continued, "I have just established a new unit composed of Silver Legion soldiers. From this moment on, you will serve as its commander."
The three heroes bowed deeply, understanding the gravity of their appointments.
"Follow me," Arthur ordered without pausing, turning sharply on his heel and beginning to walk toward the outer edge of the territory—where soldiers and other heroes were laboring diligently, gathering the scattered Emberveil Stones.
They moved through the trees quickly, boots crunching softly over the grass, until they reached the outskirts of the domain. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were working in coordinated groups, the air buzzing with movement and faint magical energy. Some mages were even levitating stones from deep underground.
Arthur raised his hand, calling forth three familiar figures. Moments later, Knuckle, Diana, and Ronan emerged from different parts of the clearing, quickly approaching him with military precision.
As they arrived, Arthur gestured to the three new arrivals.
"These are the newly summoned heroes," he announced. "They'll be taking on roles that were temporarily held until now."
Then he turned to Ronan, the knight's silver-clad armor reflecting the early sunlight.
"Ronan, the Silver Storm Unit has been under your command because we had no official commander for them. But now that Garrick Ironmane has been appointed, I want you to hand over their command to him. You may now focus entirely on your own Silver Thunder Unit."
Ronan gave a solemn nod, placing his right fist across his chest in salute.
"Understood, my lord. The Silver Storm Unit served well under me, but with a true cavalry commander like Garrick, I believe they'll flourish. I'll ensure a smooth transition before returning to lead Silver Thunder with full focus."
Arthur then turned to Diana, the silver-eyed assassin standing tall and poised in her black battle armor.
"Diana, the same goes for you. You've been temporarily leading the Shadow Unit. Now that Kaelira Nightveil is here, you'll pass on the command to her and return to focusing solely on your Ghost Walker Unit."
Diana smiled faintly, the expression more like a predator's smirk than one of relief.
"Finally, someone who can handle the shadows. I'll bring Kaelira up to speed and then get back to leading my ghosts where they belong—in and out of the enemy's throat."
Finally, Arthur faced Knuckle, whose expression was, as always, somewhere between a grin and a grimace.
"Knuckle, it's the same for you. I've formed a separate unit for the Silver Legion soldiers. You can now focus completely on the Silver Blade Unit. The command of the new unit will fall under Darius Stonehelm."
Knuckle shrugged, his massive arms folding across his chest.
"Fine by me. I don't like splitting my attention anyway. The Blade Unit's got plenty of work to do—and Stonehelm looks like he can handle the rest."
Arthur turned back to the three newly appointed commanders, his gaze sharp.
"Stay here for now and help the others gather Emberveil Stones."
He took a few steps away, then looked back once more.
"And you three—be sure to explain the details of the event to them. Make sure they understand the stakes and rewards."
The new heroes nodded, already walking among the soldiers, offering silent commands and aiding where needed.
With the chain of command reinforced and the responsibilities delegated, Arthur turned and began his walk back toward the heart of the territory. The wind stirred his cloak and tousled his dark hair as he walked—eyes focused ahead, mind already planning his next move.
..
...
....
.....
.....