Chapter 39 – UDS day 37 – the day after the battle (This last chapter is over 4200 words. May want to consider splitting it in two.
The morning sun cast a weary light upon Wesley and me as we sat outside the Tavern, indulging in a rare treat of bacon and eggs. It was a small luxury in the aftermath of battle, offering a taste of normalcy we sorely craved. With each savory bite, I relished the respite from the monotonous oatmeal that had become our staple.
Wesley, his gaze fixed upon the people from Lake Village and Fort Point who were now returning home, spoke with a heavy sigh. "Look at ‘em, Cade. Returning to their lives, their villages. But just outside, there are more waiting, hoping for shelter."
I nodded, my eyes scanning the scene beyond Columbia's village walls. The survivors of several dozen families lingered, their faces fixed with weariness and desperation. They were survivors from Henderson Manor, their lives upended by the Armadon’s destructive energy. "We can't turn our backs on them, Wesley. We have the ability to help."
Wesley's brow furrowed, his mind burdened with the weight of conflicting loyalties. "I understand, Cade. But what about Henderson Manor? Its survival depends on the return of its villagers. They need their own to maintain the status of Manor."
I paused, contemplating his words. "I get it, Wesley. But what if we could do more? What if we could offer these refugees a new home, a chance to rebuild their lives? We need to grow too. Now that everyone from Fort Point and Lake Village is returning home, all these houses we built for them are empty. Those folks out there will get a better life if we let them in. Plus, it will let us upgrade to a level four village.
Wesley's eyes met mine, searching for answers. "It's not an easy decision, Cade. We’d be putting Columbia above Henderson Manor. Self-serving, some might say."
A flicker of frustration sparked within me. "But isn't it our duty to put our own village first? We can create a village or town far stronger than Henderson Manor ever could. We have the resources, the spirit, and the will to make it happen."
Wesley's shoulders sagged, his internal struggle evident. "You're right, Cade. It's just... I can't shake the feeling of guilt. Placing Columbia above Henderson Manor feels like a betrayal to who I’m supposed to be."
I hadn’t considered how the decisions we made as village council might have set on Wesley’s consciousness as a former youth pastor. The rest of us were more…practical. But even in my relative youth, I had to admit, I’d rather serve under Wesley than anyone else. I reached out and placed a hand on his arm, offering reassurance. "Wesley, we're not abandoning Henderson Manor. We're simply building something better here.”
He regarded me with a mix of resignation and hope. "You’re not the kid you used to be, Cade. You’ve come so far in such a short time. You have a way of cutting to the facts. Your dad would be so proud of you. Maybe I should trust your judgment and do what's best for our village."
A sense of relief washed over me as we reached an agreement. It was good for Columbia and doubly so for those poor retches waiting outside. Rising from the table, I watched Wesley head toward the village council chambers atop the gatehouse, shoulders slumped with the weight of responsibility. A flicker of doubt crept niggled at the back of my head. Were we doing the right thing? With a sigh of exasperation, I pushed the thought aside. There were things that needed doing before we could invite in the refugees from Henderson Manor.
It was later that evening, and we convened our village council in our chambers of the gatehouse's third floor. The soft glow from a mana globe chased the shadows from the room as we gathered around the table, the air thick with anticipation.
Wesley leaned forward, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and worry. "Alright, everyone. Let's get down to business. Sarah, have all the new residents been settled into their housing?"
Sarah nodded. "Yeah. We've accommodated all the refugees from the manor. The final tally of new villagers is ninety-one. They've been assigned to the available houses and are starting to make themselves at home. I’ve got a list of their professions. We’ve added more than twenty fighters to our village’s defenses. And over forty civilians with classes that range from farmers to a silversmith.”
Jayden couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "That means we've crossed the threshold, Wes! We've hit the population milestone required to level up our village to level 4.” He paused, his eyes going spacy. “Check it, here’s the quest to level the village.”
Once we all accepted the quest, a smile tugged at Wesley's lips as he glanced around the room. "Indeed, Jay. But let’s not lose sight that our gain is only possible because of Henderson Manor’s misfortune. But any way you slice it, we have a lot more work ahead of us.”
I’d already spoken my mind to Wesley about this, so I accepted the quest that was flashing in the corner of my vision, to expand the village. “Let’s get this done. This is just the first step, guys.”
Hanna nodded in agreement. "You're right, Cade. The sooner we expand the sooner we can integrate them into our village.”
Wesley's gaze swept across the room, meeting the hopeful eyes of each council member. "I'm proud of what we've achieved, but let’s stay focused. Jayden?"
Jayden interjected eagerly. "I've got the boundary stakes in my inventory.”
Wesley stood up, his voice filled with resolve. "Alright, let's gather the stakes and the mana-rope. It's time to mark the new boundaries of our village."
As we made our way down from the council chambers, the sounds of adventurers spending their hard-earned gold in the store filled the air. The bustling atmosphere served as a backdrop to our determination and the excitement that coursed through our veins.
As we laid out the new boundary, the side that faced the old Farm to Market Road stretched alongside the road about four hundred paces. Beyond our back wall, we pushed the boundaries about fifty paces into the woodlands that still hid a tribe of kobolds. The east and west boundaries were nearly as long as the northern and southern boundaries. Once the mana ropes were laid out, it encompassed thirty-six acres.
Once the ropes were placed, we hurried back to the village council chamber and finalized the new boundary.
Congratulations! You have expanded [Columbia] to a level [4] village
By meeting the requirement: Village contains [200] or more people
Reward: 100XP rewarded to all members of upgraded village. Universal Development System creatures will not spawn inside System incorporated villages, towns, or cities.
There was another quest now open to us. As I opened the quest, my eyes scanned the words that materialized before me, their official tone resonating with a sense of grandeur.
Quest—Establish a Manor
You have raised your village to the highest level. Your domain requires a steady hand and more land.
XP Reward: 5000 XP shared between council members.
Do you wish to accept the quest Yes/No
While the other members of the council read the text, I noticed a tab with more information, intrigued, I clicked on it, delving into the intricacies how to appoint a Squire. There were two options. The first was to elect a hereditary Squire, where the noble rank would pass down to the first-born child upon the retirement or death of the current Squire. The second option provided for an elective Squire, where the council would have the power to choose a new Squire through a democratic process.
As we sat around the table, everyone’s expressions were a mix of curiosity and contemplation. We engaged in a lively discussion, weighing the pros and cons of each option. The room buzzed with casual dialogue, everyone voicing their concerns and sharing their perspectives.
"I just don't trust a hereditary system," Sarah remarked, her voice firm with conviction. "We need someone who can earn the position, someone who will have the village's best interests at heart."
Hanna nodded in agreement. "I second that. We should give everyone a fair chance and let the council make the decision."
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I couldn't help but chime in, my enthusiasm bubbling to the surface. "I'm with you both. An elective Squire seems like the way to go. It's about giving everyone an equal opportunity."
Jayden, ever the optimist, added his thoughts. "And think about it, with an election, we can consider the skills, leadership qualities, and dedication of potential candidates. It's all about making the best choice for our village's future."
Wesley, listened thoughtfully to the rest of our passionate discussion. He took a moment to let our words sink in before speaking. "I hear you all, and I agree. A hereditary system may not serve our village well in the long run. We value fairness, and an election gives more legitimacy to the Squire, I think.”
Looking around at each of us, Wesley's eyes held a mixture of gratitude and concern. "So, who among us wants the responsibility of being the Squire?"
Hanna, with unwavering confidence, took the lead. "I move to nominate Wesley Parsons as the Squire for our new Manor," she declared, her voice resonating with conviction.
Sarah quickly chimed in, her support unwavering. "I second the nomination," she added firmly.
I couldn't contain my amusement as I laughed, my words filled with jest. "Nominations closed," I playfully interjected, a mischievous glint in my eyes.
Jayden, always ready to join in the fun, raised his hand in a mock vote. "All in favor of Wesley Parsons as our Squire, raise your hand."
Without hesitation, the four of us raised our hands, a visual representation of our unwavering support for Wesley. Hanna's words echoed in the air, a unanimous declaration of our trust and confidence in him.
Wesley's expression turned slightly worried as he reminded Hanna, "But I didn't vote for myself."
I couldn't resist adding a touch of humor to the moment. "Well, you didn't vote at all, Squire Wesley. Or is that Lord Wesley now?" I quipped, a mischievous smile playing on my lips.
A mixture of laughter and applause filled the council chambers, our excitement and pride evident in every smile and gesture. In that moment, Wesley became more than just the informal leader of our village council—he became our undisputed leader.
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The System map floating in my vision was a mess. As Wesley hunched over the table rubbing at the stubble on his chin, I couldn’t help but think the boundary lines of our newly established Columbia Manor looked like a game of Snake gone haywire.
“I see what the old Squire meant by being restricted from expanding the manor into villages that are not part of our manor,” Wesley grumbled. “This map looks like a gerrymandered map that only a politician would be proud of.”
The room was filled with members of the village council, including Hanna, with her waterfall of brown hair cascading down her shoulders, and Sarah, who was turning into a hell of an administrator.
Wesley had shared the map’s image with us. Columbia Manor, with all its strangeness, snaked along the FM roads and highways.
“You heading to Lake Village and Fort Point to see if they’ll join our manor?” I asked, pointing eastward on the map.
Wesley bobbed his head affirmatively. His aura was calm and reassuring despite the gravity of the situation. “Yeah. Later today. I want to get ahead of this before they think we’re trying to pull a fast one.”
Jayden, sporting a downy mustache, snickered. “That’s exactly what we did, Wes. Good luck with that.”
Wesley's gentle eyes twinkled. “That’s one way to look at it, Jay. But I genuinely believe our village has the best setup among our three villages.”
Hanna piped up, “What about Henderson Village? They’re in the heart of the old downtown. They’ve been through hell; they might be open to joining us.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” I interjected. “I can take an adventuring group over to Henderson. We could help them stabilize and maybe incorporate them into Columbia Manor.”
“One step at a time,” Wesley raised his hand. “Let me speak to Zach and Emory in Lake Village and Fort Point first.”
I shrugged, partly disappointed but also relieved. I was secretly hoping to have lunch with Emily at the tavern.
Just as the discussion seemed to be winding down, a loud clattering in the stairwell interrupted the council. Sergeant at Arms Steve Lowe burst into the room, his face red as if he had run a marathon.
“A runner just arrived from Henderson Village,” he panted. “Refugees. They say there’s trouble…”
Wesley’s face grew serious, the pastor in him shining through with concern for others. “What kind of trouble?”
Sarah leaned forward, her piercing gaze fixed on Steve. “Spit it out, man.”
Steve collected himself, “A group of refugees showed up this morning. Something about a new threat to the East.”
The room was silent. I looked around and saw a mix of concern, determination, and uncertainty in the council members’ faces.
Wesley, showing why we’d all voted for him, made the first move. “Cade, it looks like you’re going to assemble that adventuring party after all. We need to know what’s happening at Henderson.”
I felt a surge of adrenaline. It was both terrifying and invigorating. However it came together. Emily was at the top of my list to invite to the group.
Hanna chimed in, “We need to move fast. This might be our only chance to secure Henderson and bolster our defenses.”
Wesley nodded. “I need to head out for the diplomatic discussions with Lake Village and Fort Point. It’s crucial that we gain allies.”
“And Henderson?” Sarah asked, her voice as sharp as a blade.
“Cade’s team will handle that,” Wesley replied. “Sarah, I trust you to be in charge here while I’m out doing the politicking.”
The southern sun was a relentless force as we made our way down the road. It was summer, and even in the morning, the heat was smothering. The smell of pine and earth mixed with the dust that our boots kicked up. Emily fell into step beside me, her hazel eyes twinkling despite the heat.
Hanna was up front, her auburn hair pulled back in a tight braid. Her light footsteps and attentive gaze were perfect for a scout. Steve Jr., clad in heavy armor, was like a human tank, a few paces ahead. His metal gear clanked with each step. Brian, our combat medic, and Jayden trailed just a few yards ahead of Emily and me.
Emily’s voice was like a cool breeze, “Think there’s more to this refugee thing?”
I shifted my rifle and leaned in. “I dunno. With the System, shit gets real crazy, real fast.”
“God, it's like life turned into a nightmare online game.” Her laughter was infectious.
“You're the epic quest reward,” I smiled.
Up ahead, Jayden turned and shouted back at us, “Are you two nerds done with your geeky flirting?”
Hanna shot him a look, “Dude, let them be. We need all the light moments we can get.”
I laughed and looked at Emily. “I never thought I’d be grateful for Jayden’s sarcasm, but here we are.”
Brian spoke up, his deep voice rumbling. “Alright, you’re worse than my kids. Let’s stay sharp.”
Jayden chimed in, “Yeah, and these damn bugs don't make it any easier!”
Brian looked at him before rolling his eyes, “You’re a warrior, Jayden. Adapt.”
Jayden grumbled something under his breath.
Emily's hand brushed mine, sending tingles up my arm. “Seriously though, whatever we face, we'll face it together, right?”
“Hell yeah,” I whispered, and our fingers laced together for a brief moment.
The shade under an overpass loomed ahead. The cicadas sang like they were putting on a concert for the trees, but as we passed into the shade, their song dimmed.
Steve Jr. spoke up from under his heavy armor, “Just another couple of miles to Henderson.”
Brian, ever the medic, advised, “Make sure to drink some water. We have to stay hydrated.”
As we trekked through the shadows, I thought about how much had changed. We were kids and now, we had to step up in ways we couldn’t have imagined. The world was broken and remade by the System, and we were finding our place in it.
Emily's quiet voice broke through my thoughts. “Cade, whatever happens, just know that you've made this bearable for me.”
My voice choked up. “You too, Em. You too.”
We emerged from the overpass into the sunlight, and though the heat was intense, I’d never felt more resolve.
When we reached Henderson, the sun-battered guards at the gate grinned widely, recognizing us from the earth-shattering battle with Armadon. “Hey, it's the Columbia squad!” one of them exclaimed before waving us through.
Once inside the village's sturdy stone walls, the ex-Squire's grumpy deputy greeted us. He looked like he swallowed a cactus whole, but something seemed different. His eyes were less stormy, and he actually looked like he had showered.
“Refugees are over yonder,” he grumbled, thumb jerking toward some wooden houses.
Henderson was in the middle of a facelift. Streets were buzzing, buildings were being patched up or rebuilt. We passed the little stone church with its old-world vibe and I caught sight of fresh graves flanking it. A lump settled in my throat; Armadon didn’t just rip through buildings.
That castle that morphed from the county courthouse was up ahead. The streets beyond it looked like a battlefield. But, holy crap, the wall Armadon tore through looked brand new.
I couldn’t help but blurt out, “Man, how’d you get all this fixed up so quick?”
The deputy’s scowl softened. “You know the System. Used the Mayor screen to repaire the worst of it. Though it’d have been easier if we didn't lose half our damn workforce to that monster and you folks.”
The refugee camp was a cluster of humble wooden homes. Kids were running around, and you could hear the soft murmur of voices.
The deputy eyed me like a hawk sizing up a mouse. “You folks complete the Manor quest yet?”
I scratched the back of my neck. “Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. Look, maybe after we chat with the refugees, I can talk to your mayor. We gotta help each other out, right?”
He squinted at me like he was trying to figure out if I was bullshitting him or not.
“Seriously, dude, we’re all in this together. We can’t let the System screw us around. We gotta hit it back, you know?” I said.
I wasn't Wesley. I didn’t have that leader aura and his Jesus-level calm. And Sarah, she was like a battle-hardened warrior compared to me. But maybe my scrappy fourteen-year-old self had something.
He snorted and the corner of his mouth twitched. “You ain’t half bad, kid. I'll let the mayor know you wanna chat.”
That tiny assent felt like a win. But damn, did it also feel weird to be taken seriously. I mean, who the hell was I to be making alliances? I was just a teenager trying to figure out the world.
But as I looked around at the refugee camp and my friends who had fought beside me, I knew I couldn’t back down. The deputy wasn’t the only one sizing me up; I was doing the same to myself.
And you know what? Maybe I was worth taking seriously. Even if I was just some kid. After all, I was only a month away from my fifteenth birthday.
As the deputy led us toward the huts, my senses were hit with a mixture of smells – the earthy scent of the nearby woods and the stench of sweat and unwashed bodies. The sun blazed down, and I could feel the heat through my clothes, but the people outside the huts looked like they had a week’s worth of dirt on them and a gauntness that made me wonder just how many meals they’d missed.
The first guy to stand was a battle-worn warrior with a sword that looked like it had tasted its fair share of blood. The leather armor he wore clung to him, stained with dirt and dried blood. I watched the others stand too – about a dozen of them – including a lady with a badass bow. A lanky man with long robes billowed behind him, and I figured him for some kinda mage.
The warrior gave us the once-over. His eyes settled on Jayden, then Steve Jr., then me. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. His voice was rough, like sandpaper on wood, “The mayor,” he jerked his head at the deputy, “says you folks are the ones running things ‘round here.”
I looked around at our crew. Jayden stood tall like a redwood; Steve Jr. was clad in armor that made him look like he could bulldoze a building; Hanna’s daggers glinted, and Brian's salt-and-pepper beard gave him this weathered, experienced vibe. Then Emily, her rapier’s hilt gleaming above its scabbard, looking like she could stab your heart and you’d thank her for it. And me? All limbs, scruffy hair, and a rifle that I knew like an old friend.
The warrior's gaze stopped on me. “So, what’s the deal with Junior Commander? You pass a test or something?”
I shoved my hands in my pockets, trying to look cool. “Nah, man. You gotta kick some world boss ass. I’m Caden, by the way. Heard you all came from the east?”
“Yeah,” he nodded, “Three goddamn days of walking. Last thirty miles felt like we were walking through ghost towns – must've been that Armadon you tackled.” His words were tinged with respect.
The air was heavy, like right before a storm. I wiped my forehead. "What made you leave your town? I mean, we're decent, but not exactly a tourist hotspot."
He half-smiled. “We were scraping by, y'know? Like everyone else, losing folks to goblins and shit, but we got ourselves together, upgraded our town to a Manor. Hell, we even ranked up to a Barony a week ago.”
I frowned, still not getting it. “So what went south?”
Just then, a breeze swept through, carrying the scent of pine. Behind the warrior, the archer woman stepped forward. Her hair was like a raven’s wing, and she had this fiery spirit despite everything. She gave the warrior a nudge that seemed to say, “Spit it out already.”
“Yeah, Carl, don’t keep the man waiting,” she quipped. The air seemed to crackle around her like she was seconds away from firing an arrow.
Carl, the warrior, shot the lady archer a glare that could melt steel. It fizzled against her, and he turned back to me. His voice was gravelly, like tires crunching on a gravel road. “Alright, kid, listen up. After we made it to Barony, these adventurers showed up. Decked out in gear, looking all badass. There were tons of ‘em. And I don’t have to tell you, you need a sizable group of adventurers to keep the goblins and other whatnot away from your villagers. The Baronet thought they were the answer to our prayers. But turns out, they were more like a fuckin’ nightmare.”
I could see the pain in Carl’s eyes as he recounted the story. His hands clenched like he wanted to wrap them around someone’s neck. He continued, “These assholes, they went full Game of Thrones on us. In the dead of night, they offed the Baronet. Then they went all 'Mad King' on the Barony – crazy taxes, high and mighty attitudes, living high on the hog, the works.”
The wind blew through the area, carrying the scent of fresh earth and pine. It was in stark contrast to the harsh story that Carl was sharing. I glanced at the children and families, and my heart clenched in my chest. This wasn’t a damn game. These were people’s lives.
Carl continued, “They call themselves the Black Legion. Their leader, some nutjob in dark armor, crowned himself the Black Baron. I swear he looked like he walked out of an evil villain store.”
I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Black Baron, huh? He really went all-in on the evil branding.”
Carl’s face was like stone. “It’s not a joke, kid. He’s brutal. He’s got this twisted charisma – people either follow him or… well, they don’t get a second option. And he’s building an army. He’s already shaking down Tyler, recruiting any adventurers with a pulse.”
It sounded horrible. But we were still trying to consolidate our own Manor. Maybe the best thing was to make sure these new refugees were okay. As a salve to our relationship with Henderson Village, do what we could to make them feel comfortable about staying. I cleared my voice. “It’s a good thing you folks escaped. The folks in Henderson here will help you, I think.” I cast a glance at the deputy, excuse me, that’s Mayor now, and he dipped his head in agreement.
The warrior shook his head, “Maybe for a spell. Give our kids a chance to rest. But the black baron won’t rest for long in Tyler. You can tell yourself he won’t come your way. Or maybe that someone else will stop him. But either way, you’d just be lying to yourself. He’s coming and when he does, I don’t want to be anywhere nearby.”
My stomach did a somersault. This was serious. Around me, I could see my comrades tense up. Hanna's knuckles turned white around her daggers, and Steve Jr.'s armor seemed to grow larger as he puffed up his chest.
Hanna came over to me and pulled me out of earshot of the Mayor and the warrior. Her voice was cold and insistent, “Listen, Cade. This is huge. We’ve gotta let Wesley know.”
I swallowed a bit of bile as my insides wanted to rebel on me. Hanna was right, of course. We needed to make sure Wesley knew. I suddenly felt the world zoom in on this moment. The wind seemed to be in my corner, and the pine scent was like home wrapping me up. This would be the worst time possible for my adolescent voice to crack.
"Carl, you're a life-saver, man, for bringing this news," I told him sincerely. My voice kinda reminding me of my dad’s.
Then, facing my group, I spoke with conviction. “Guys, Columbia Manor is more than just a place; it’s our family. These people are part of it now. We’ve got a war knocking, and if it’s a war the Black Baron wants, it’s a war we’ll give him!”