Tristan Ravenwood POV

Sheathing his sword with a practiced ease, Tristan braced himself for the impending expedition. Scouts had brought troubling news of a goblin settlement lurking near the northern gates of Locksley. Such a proximate menace could not be left unchecked; the safety of the city and its inhabitants was at stake. They had no choice but to eradicate this monstrous threat.

However, before stepping out of the room, Tristan decided to check his own status window.

Display Panel.

Class Swordsman Level 3/40 (exp: 231/850) Lifespan 60 years Stats Strength 37 Agility 35 Constitution 20 Mana 20 Free Points 0 Skills Sword Mastery I (Passive) Charge (Active) Power Strike (Active) Triple Slash (Active) Quick Slash (Active)

Gazing at his status panel, Tristan couldn't help but smile. Seeing this is truly rewarding, he mused. It showcases my growth so vividly. Content, he closed the window and turned towards the door, ready to face what lay ahead.

But as he stepped into the corridor, his attention was drawn to a commotion at its far end. There, the venerable Robert was engaged in a discussion with James and Little Roo. Intrigued, Tristan approached the group.

"What's going on here?" he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

Upon noticing Tristan, Robert let out a weary sigh. "These two have heard of the expedition and are insisting to join," he explained.

"Yeah, we're ready to fight!" Little Roo interjected, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Tristan's brow furrowed in concern. "You're both too young for this," he cautioned. "The place we're headed to is fraught with danger, not a playground for children."

"We're not children!" James protested. "How am I supposed to level up if I'm just sitting here all the time? I've gotten my class but haven't had the chance to use it!"

Tristan considered this for a moment, his gaze lowering in contemplation. True, leveling up is essential for him. The free points would bolster his constitution, strengthening his frail physique. But...

"No, it's still too risky," Tristan firmly stated, shaking his head. "You can join us in battle when the situation is more stable."

Turning to Robert, he added, "And you, we could really use your expertise on this expedition."

Robert's eyes flitted between James' pleading face and Tristan's determined expression. With a resigned sigh, he replied, "That puts me in a difficult position. My duty is to guard the young lord, and I can't be in two places at once."

"So, if the boys come along, you'll join us?" Tristan sighed, his gaze shifting to his younger brother.

"Please, brother, let us come with you. We'll obey every command," James implored, clasping his hands together in a pleading gesture.

Tristan closed his eyes briefly, gathering his thoughts. With a resigned sigh, he conceded, "Fine, since we're only dealing with goblins, you can join. But," he added, fixing James with a firm stare, "you must remain by Sir Robert's side at all times. Stray, and it'll be the last expedition you'll join."

James's face lit up with jubilation. "Yes! We promise to stick to Sir Robert like glue, right, Roo?"

"Absolutely," Little Roo nodded earnestly. "We'll stay close to grandpa."

"Alright, let's get moving," Tristan decided. "We still need to pick up Oswald, and we can't afford to be late for the expedition."

With that, the group hastened out of the mansion, weaving through Locksley's bustling streets until they approached the imposing gates of the Strongheart manor. As they neared, they spotted Oswald storming out, a scowl etched on his face.

Approaching his friend, Tristan's expression mirrored his confusion. "What's going on? You seem even more upset than usual."

Oswald turned, a hint of surprise in his eyes, before shaking his head dismissively. "Ah, Tristan, it's nothing significant. Just the usual quarrels with my father."

"He didn't approve of your joining us?" Tristan surmised, his smile tinged with irony.

"Exactly," Oswald shrugged, casting a backward glance tinged with perplexity. "This time, he was particularly vehement. He looked furious when I left his room."

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Tristan chuckled in response. "I can imagine. But in time, he'll see the value of your choices. After all, who wouldn't be proud to have a hero for a son?"

"You're an eternal optimist," Oswald sighed. "Anyway, let's not linger here. I can't stand being around for too long."

Acknowledging his friend's sentiment, Tristan led the group away from the inner city. Upon reaching the main plaza, James couldn't contain his awe. "No matter how many times I see it, this place always takes my breath away."

Tristan shared a light chuckle, inwardly agreeing. The city, once a pile of rubble, had undergone a miraculous transformation. Parks dotted the landscape, flourishing with magical herbs and vibrant flowers. Rows of immaculate buildings now housed the city's residents. The marketplace, lively and teeming around the plaza, buzzed with the exchange of Arcane Coins and various materials.

"It's back to being the Locksley we know," Tristan mused with a light laugh. "Actually, it's even better than before."

"There's so much about this fortress system we don't understand," Oswald remarked. "But its role in reviving and beautifying the city has been a blessing."

His gaze then shifted to Tristan, thoughtful. "Speaking of which, the elder at the Hall mentioned something about appointing a Lord by week's end. Have you discussed this with Lord William?"

"My father is already aware," Tristan replied nonchalantly. "With the ceremony still a few days away, there's not much else to be done."

"I suppose you're right," Oswald conceded, his expression turning serious. "For now, our focus must be on clearing the forest of those creatures."

As they conversed, the Northern Gate came into view. There, Lord William and General Henry stood, greeting them with broad, welcoming smiles.

William's hearty laughter filled the air as he scooped James up with evident joy. "Ah, so the young ones are joining us," he exclaimed. "Ready for your first taste of battle, eh?"

James nodded vigorously. "Yes! I'm going to incinerate those monsters with my fireball!"

"A grand magus among us," William chuckled, then turned his attention to Little Roo. "And what about you, young sir? What class have you chosen?"

With a beam of pride, Little Roo answered, "I'm a warrior, sir! I'll be slashing those monsters with my sword!"

William's eyebrow arched as he glanced at the wooden sword at Roo's waist. He then unclasped his secondary weapon, a short sword, and offered it to the boy. "Here, a real sword for the real battle ahead."

Little Roo's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Sir!"

Tristan, meanwhile, looked on in disbelief. "Father, what are you thinking? Giving a child a real sword?"

William laughed off his son's concern. "He's heading into battle, isn't he? Besides, I was handling real swords at his age."

Tristan sighed, knowing all too well his father's unyielding nature. Instead, he turned his attention to Little Roo. "Be extremely cautious with that sword. It's sharp, and misuse could lead to serious injury."

Little Roo's smile didn't waver. "Don't worry, I've practiced a lot. In fact, I secretly borrowed a real sword yesterday and trained in the garden."

“Ehh, Roo…” James hastily tried to interject, but Little Roo's confession had already sparked a reaction.

"You did what?!" Robert's voice thundered, a blend of anger and shock directed at his grandson.

Startled by his grandfather's furious tone, Little Roo stumbled backward, stammering, "I... I didn't do anything!"

Amidst the tension, William's laughter echoed, full of mirth. "Ah, the boldness of youth – fearless and untamed!" He glanced at General Henry, a smile still playing on his lips. "We were quite the rascals ourselves back in the day. I can relate."

General Henry shook his head, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Please, my lord, don't compare us. You were the instigator of most troubles. I merely followed suit."

"Ah, mere details," William brushed off the comment, turning his attention to the group. "Now that we're all assembled, there's no point in delaying further. Let's rid the forest of those accursed goblins."

With but a disapproving sigh from Robert, the makeshift battalion set off, leaving the city behind and venturing into the forest. In mere minutes, they arrived at the goblins' rudimentary settlement.

William, with a quiet determination, declared, "I'll take the lead. Priests, be ready to support."

"Of course, my lord," responded one of the priests, readying themselves.

Unsheathing his sword, William stood tall. "Then let's begin. Charge!"

Tristan and Oswald promptly followed their father and General Henry, charging towards the goblin encampment. As they advanced, Tristan noticed something unexpected: a third of the goblins, overcome by fear, fled with piercing shrieks, signaling their terror.

Wh… what?

As Tristan's gaze landed on the retreating goblins, a pang of empathy seized his heart, and he momentarily froze. The fleeing goblins eerily mirrored the humans who had run for their lives on the first day of the apocalypse. His mind teetered on the edge of breaking down.

William's commanding voice cut through the chaos, jolting Tristan back to reality. "Do not strike those who flee! Focus on the combatants. They are the threat!"

Regaining his composure, Tristan glanced to his left to see Oswald, concern etched on his face.

"Are you okay?" Oswald asked, his voice laced with worry.

"Yes," Tristan nodded, gripping his sword's hilt firmly. "Let's move."

Together, they plunged into the fray. Tristan's blade danced, slicing through one goblin after another, while Oswald's spear found its mark time and again. They moved through the battlefield like avatars of death, their weapons a whirlwind of lethal precision.

The battle was a maelstrom of activity – priests casting blessings, magi raining down long-range spells, assassins weaving through enemy lines with stealthy strikes. Every front was a scene of intense combat.

Engaged in combat with a hobgoblin, Tristan parried and countered each blow. But out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of blue – a hobgoblin charging towards the rear lines.

James!

Instinctively, Tristan's head whipped around, his worst fears materializing. The blue hobgoblin was barreling towards James and Little Roo's position. Robert was overwhelmed, locked in combat with several hobgoblins on all sides.

Tristan's focus was abruptly redirected by a sudden lunge from the hobgoblin he faced. Nimbly sidestepping, he engaged his Triple Strike ability, dispatching his foe in a seamless, lethal dance of swordplay.

As he spun to dash to his brother's aid, another blur of motion caught his eye. It was his father, William, whose imposing stature propelled him through the air in a single, powerful leap. He descended upon the blue hobgoblin, his great sword arcing down with formidable force, striking the creature's back. The swiftness of William's intervention left Tristan momentarily stunned.

Breathing out a deep sigh of relief, Tristan turned back to the battlefront, his mind at ease. With his father's formidable presence safeguarding them, he knew James and Little Roo were in safe hands. No enemy could dare harm them under William's vigilant watch.