Chapter 1: Illusions
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“Wake up young master,”
I hear a voice in a distance, sunlight beamed within my clouded eyes. I enjoyed being the dark a moment ago, I sighed underneath my blankets.
“I'm up Treya, can you give me a moment to properly dressed myself,”
“Certainly young master, I laid out your outerwear on the sofa for the day. I'll inform you when breakfast is ready. Would you like to have your breakfast in your room once again or would you eat with your family in the dining hall this time?”
“My room, I don't want to see Father.”
“I'll take my leave,”
Underneath my blanket I could hear Treya's footstep, and a second later a door gently closed. I sighed once again and sat up on the bed. My bedroom was huge compared to the rest of the rooms in this household. I preferred to stay cooked up inside this room, I had everything I need in here. There was a bathroom adjacent to this one, and my collection of books kept me busy.
I walked towards the red linen sofa that lined across the wall, and surveyed my clothes. I was mildly annoyed with all the buckles and buttons on these clothes. The first thing I placed over my self was a white shirt and buttoned up the middle, next I placed a blue sleeveless vest over the white shirt, and lastly the blue overcoat I was expect to wear with the symbol of our household insignia on the right forearm. I already worn my pants, and ankle high boots.
The last thing I put on was a leather gauntlet that fit over my right arm. My family insignia's mark on the wrist. A faint glow escaped from the gauntlets and I ignored it. I was used to this thing on my arm already.
After properly dressed I walked towards the table that sat in the middle of the room, and sat in the chair. A closed book entitled “History of the Holy Blue Empire” lay across it. This damn book, I sighed. This book heavily relied on myths and legends at the foundation of our empire and I was disappointed. I was expecting more facts about our previous Empire foundation; The predecessor empire, The United Empire. I'll summarize it's contents. A millennium ago, before the United Empire, there was dozens of city-states that constantly warred, and this was a time of danger and strife. One god-like man united all the city-states to form the United Empire. Suddenly during the United Empire's time, monsters appeared from the Desert of Despair, which led to the collapse of the Empire into three empires and kingdoms; The Red Kingdom, The Green Kingdom, and The Holy Blue Empire. I belonged to the Holy Blue Empire of course. Monsters first appeared 50 years ago, which led to this current world's situation.
Even now, we're led into decline as we currently don't have the strength to face these abominations. Especially our Empire, the Holy Blue Empire as our area was closest to the Desert of Despair, but strangely the monsters don't follow the boarder lines of the nations of the world, they attack randomly and anywhere. Which was why we survived til now.
I picked up the book and walked up to my bookshelf. Gently I placed the book back into its original place within my collection. I had great pride with my collection, It was huge, and probably the most everybody had within the town of Julian. I read a book about the great United Empire and once heard about a library of sorts that housed millions of books, ah I wish I could have seen it, but since the monster invading we couldn't develop our culture.
Only if I was born during the time of the United Empire.
A knock on the door interrupted my musing,
“Come in Treya,” I spoke.
The door opened and Treya the butler came inside. He walked with grace of our family's honour and prestige. We couldn't afford to look weak to the other lords.
“Good morning young master, ah your already reading?”
I skirted through the bookshelf for another book I couldn't wait to get my hands on, and behind me Treya placed my breakfast on the table and prepared its utensils. I grabbed the book entitled “Grimoire: Buthedih”, I wasn't sure what Buthedih meant but the language belonged to the time of the city-states era, or even before that time. Nothing was translated on the book, and I had to piece certain things together to make sense of its contents.
“No, but I'm preparing my current project.”
“You mean that untranslated book? How far have you progressed young master?”
“Not far I'm afraid. This damned book is harder to translate than the Lorian Language. Most of the script is unfamiliar, but I decoded some words here and there. From what I can understand the title Buthedih is fire, or flame. I have a suspicion this book may be a tome, instead of a book.”
“A tome...? Young master you should eat first before you get to business,”
I nodded and sat on the chair. Breakfast was simple, but it was more than what the commoners eat as this was a time of recession within our Empire.
While eating I could hear a siren sound from a distance. It was loud if I was any closer but within the confines of my room I was safe from it's ear deafening roar. The siren meant the town was under attacked from the horde of monsters.
I sighed, this was the second attack this week. It was getting harder and more brutal to beat the monsters that roamed the land.
“Treya, prepare my armour for battle, inform Father I'll see him at the headquarters within ten minutes.”
Treya nodded and left without a word. I quickly eat the rest of the breakfast and sighed. I wasn't allowed to stay confined in my room during a monster's invasion. I had to contribute my portion as I was the future Heir to the Julian House Lord. I was expected to lead, and set an example to my future subordinates. I exited my room, and walked down to the armoury, where Treya was getting my armour ready for battle.
“Young master, I informed Master Cecil about your intention,”
I nodded, I took off my overcoat, and viewed my amour on the pedestal. My chest plate was a mix of leather and metal. It was light, and the metal covered my internal organs. I immediately put it on me with the help of my trusty aid. I couldn't equip it by myself as some buckles needed to be tied around my back. The grieves were the same type as my chest plate, and I had easier time equipping it myself. Next was my boots, the soles were made of leather and metal, while the toes were made of metal to keep my toes and ankles safe.
I didn't bother wearing gauntlets as I already worn one earlier this morning. I leave my left hand without any protection. I didn't mind this, as I was confident with my sword arts. Treya tightened the belt around my waist where my sword was going to be holstered. Once I was dressed, I walked to another corner of the my armoury, and felt the shape edge of my blade, and traced its length with my finger down to the hilt.
“Hello, I may have to borrow your powers again,” I grabbed the sword with my right hand, and placed it within my belt.
Next order of business was opening my status to confirm I was at optimum peak performance. I concentrated on myself, and a blue box appeared in front of my vision.
Loto Julian Age 16
LVL 3 EXP 2370/10,000
HEALTH: 100/100
MANA: 70/70
STR: 15
END: 12
AGL: 14
DEX: 15
WIS: 21
INT: 18
LUCK: 9
No matter how many times I look at this, I wasn't used to this game-world like elements. The only downside to this world's systems were experience were hard to gain. The only real way to gain EXP was to kill monsters, or even humans. There wasn't any other way to gain EXP besides killing. Most average adults I know were level 3 or 4, while my father was level 5. And most of those adults were in the military. Most or all civilians were level 1, and the rarely seen level 2.
Luckily Stats were a different thing, as level and stats were a separate entity. Stats can be raised by training, for example; if you run all day everyday you'll gain the endurance stat (END) and raise it by how much you train. But of course leveling up can increase your stats exponentially. A single level can double a single attribute easily.
I nodded. I was at peak performance.
“Treya, I'm leaving now. When I return please make some tea,” I informed him. Treya nodded. I exited the armoury and headed towards the main entrance of our Household. Outside I could see the panic caused by the monster's invasion. People were locking their doors and bolting their windows. A few Guardsmen were direction the traffic caused by the panic, I ignored all of this and walked down the gravel street in the direction of the headquarters. As of this moment I could see the tension in the eyes of the army stationed within the town. The horde hasn't reached the town yet, and I wondered how long it will take to reach the town.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
I arrived at the headquarter 15 minutes late of my promised time. I entered the building and immediately walked pass all the guards, and men running around. The Julian Town-guard knew who I was, and it wasn't a problem. I entered another room, and immediately I see my father discussing plans with guardsmen captain.
“Cecil Julian of the House Lord Julian, Loto Julian reporting for duty,” I formally introduced myself to my father.
Cecil nodded, and mentioned for me to come view the table. The man next to my father nodded at me.
“Captain Rex, I hope the situation is in our favour,” I spoke to the man next to my father.
“Regrettably, I must give you bad news,” the captain replied.
“From our estimates, the monsters range from 12,000 to 13,000 strong. Which easily dwarf our 6000 guards-men within the city. We have sent messenger birds to the Holy Empire requesting for military aid. We estimate the army should arrive within two days. Until then we're alone.”
12,000 to 13,000. That was unusual, the average monsters that attack ranged from 3000-6000. What was happening?
“How long until the invasion force reaches our walls?” I asked
“Within 5 hours I'm afraid.”
“How can our scouts miss a horde of that size? We could have easily spot their movements days ago,” I was annoyed.
“That's the problem, there wasn't any horde days ago. Intelligence thinks there's a demonic summoning portal at the direction of the horde, but we can't be sure until we have reduced their numbers. I'm afraid this horde will continue to grow until that summoning portal is destroyed,”
I sighed, I think I knew where this was going.
“So we're going to send an elite force to take out that portal?” I asked the dreadful question lingering at the top of my head.
Cecil nodded, and replied next.
“Yes, we have already informed the Emperor of our plan, and he has agreed. The summoned hero Yugito Rensetsu and his party will be sent to the Hill of Peace, and meet with our Julian Scouts and lead them to the portal's location.”
I sighed. For a second there I thought I was going to be sent to the portal's location. I knew I was a high level for my age, but I was still level 3. Most monsters were level 1-6, and the higher tier monsters easily reached level 7-13, they were the gigantic monsters that could easily crush our town.
“What's my position within the guards-men House Lord? I asked.
Cecil's shape gaze bore into my soul, and I felt myself shrink a little bit, but I held my gaze.
“You, my son will lead the first battalions defenders on the wall. I expect great results from your battle.”
I nodded. The first battalion was expected to hold the wall first. Our estimate time to hold the walls were six hours until we switched with the second battalion. The first battalion was also expected to have the highest casualties.
“I'll take my leave Father,” I replied and left. I could see Cecil, and Captain Rex discussing battle-placements, and other tidbits about the upcoming battle.
I arrived on the exterior walls facing the south side. This side was expected to face the bulk of the horde, but I send a few of my men under my watch to guard the north, west and east side in case the monsters' flank our side. Over the horizon I could see the horde slowly gaining in mass. A pitch black blob that grew in size over the hours.
Immediately I ordered the men to make pitchforks in the ground to reduce the hit to our walls, I lined up the archer on the towers, and over the wall's highest position. Behind me around the gate was my swordsman and pike-men preparing a barricade once the outer gate was breached. Within four hours I had prepared everything I could do for now. All we could do now was wait for the horde to arrive.
My ears could reach the sounds of grinding, and roars of different types of beasts. I could see the monsters within distance now. By my estimates the horde will arrive within thirty minutes. I stood atop the wall with the archers, and looked at the men and women beside me. I could see their tension, and the fear in their eyes.
“Warriors of Julian!” I shouted.
“We are the proud residences of Julian! We have lived here for a century! Our town has survived the United Empire Era, and even into the Holy Blue Empire Era! We survived the first appearance of the monsters 50 years ago! We will survive this! This is just another step to gear our Town into greatness! Men and women of Julian! Let's fight!”
I activated my battle commander skill; Roar. Immediately a faint glow escaped from me towards the surroundings. Every one of my men under my command glowed in the same glow as me a moment later.
“Hoorrraah!” The archer, swordsmen and the rest of my battalion shouted.
My skill Roar raises my party's stats for 3 hours, but the cool-down time was 24 hours. This was a skill I could only use once per day. I enjoyed this skill as It belonged to the United Empire era, and I was one of the firsts to resurrect it's use. Of course I wasn't the only one to use this skill, but its popularity is slowly growing as of late. I regretted using the skill 20 minutes early but the morale of my men needed to rise.
I ordered some last minute items that needed to be checked, but overall everything I planned was ready. Quickly 20 minutes passed by, and I could see the horde charging in our direction. Our only luck was these monsters were stupid, and just attacked whatever direction the nearest human settlement was.
“Archers! Prepare!” I yelled.
After my words, the archers lined up their arrows into the sky, and cocked them into shooting position.
I held my arm high as I watched the monsters charge in without resting. When they were in position, I threw down my hand signalling to attack.
“Fire!”
Arrows after arrows were released into the skies. I watched the arrows hit the monsters, some monsters were injured and was crushed under the horde of monsters. The horde continued to march and roared even louder. Within moments they crashed into the walls, the pitchforks descending their overall speed to a great degree. The archers continued to fire below the walls, and the monsters slowly piled up on each other to make a makeshift ladder.
I watched as they slowly grew in size against the outer wall. This was a problem, but at least the gate was holding under the pressure. I gripped my sword with my right hand, and a faint glow from my leather gauntlet escaped.
“Messenger boy, Inform Lord Cecil the first wave has started.” I knew my father was busy planning at this moment. Once the city was breached that's when my father will be involved in the fight. That's just how he is, but I have heard great stories of my father's military prowess when he was younger. That's how he became level 6 today.
I sighed as this was troublesome, I would have been in my room at this moment translating that damn forsaken book. I hated the outside world, and it was too bad I was born into nobility. I had damn responsibilities I couldn't escape.
Maybe when I become the Lord I'll help convert the town into a democracy like how my old world was. Yeah that's right I was reincarnated into this world. Back in my old world I was born into the United States, and I was a regular Joe in the world, average grades, an average girlfriend, average life, until I was hit by a truck. Suddenly I was born into the Julian household. With a new life, and the endless possibilities to do anything.
In the end though, I just wanted to stay in my room. I sighed.