"Very well. It's like this...."
As I became tense wondering what the trial could be, she finally saved me from my worries.
"...You've already passed"
Huh? What? Where? When? Who? Why? All these question words buzzed in my head at that moment.
"Hahaha, I see you're confused. It's very simple really. Do you remember how I said this was a trial of compassion? I have already searched your mind and found how compassionate you are. It is my domain after all."
She searched my mind. *Gulp* Hopefully she didn't the 'dark' side of my brain.
"Well now it is time for you to leave for the last trial, I pray for your success."
"Thank you Lady Hlin and farewell."
As I passed through the now appeared doorway, I tried to remember what she said would be the last trial.
Strength? Check.
Compassion? Check.
Wisdom? Nope.
Alright so how would they test for wisdom?
I guess I'll find out after asking the Preceding God/Thing/Monstrosity.
In the room there was once again a woman sitting at a table, though this one was paying scant attention to me and focusing on her book. While I waited for her to take notice of me, I decided to look more closely at her. She had curly ginger hair, brown clear eyes, although not a beauty she was soft on the eyes.
As If noticing my gaze she looked up from her book.
"Ah, I'm sorry about that, I just get so absorbed into reading I lose sense of my surroundings." I sighed in my head, that's a really bad trait to have.
"Well my name is Vör, known as the Goddess of Wisdom, and as I'm sure Hlin has told you this trial is to test precisely that. Wisdom."
"Now you may be wondering what exactly a trial of wisdom could entail. In essence I am gonna give you basic information and see how you apply it. For example I could give you a basic guide for cooking and ask you to cook a meal for me. I could also teach you basic military formations and strategies and place you in battlefield leading troops. Ah that doesn't sound too bad. But it is already decided what you will do."
"You will be put in various scenarios with difficult choices, I'm not gonna say something naive like the choices don't matter but I wouldn't recommend just picking the choice that will make you seem morally right, as the wisest choice isn't always the morally right one."
"Without further ado. Begin."
Suddenly a my vision was blinded by light, as the light faded in front of me was my eyes was a survivor camp(presumably the one in London).
As I thought that a screen appeared before me.
You have entered the Realm of the Third TrialIn this realm you will be presented choices, this test will test your application of knowledge.The 'best' choice in these will depend on you yourself, not a standard player.Choice One1)Slaughter the Camp2) Ally with Survivor Camp3) Alternate Choice
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Pretty straightforward isn't it, I don't want to disappoint so I quickly take out my staff and call out. "Berserk!"
It's pretty obvious what my choice was correct? I chose to slaughter the camp. Why? Because it said the best choice was in relation to me. I get stronger the more I kill so of course I would choose to slaughter the camp.
Loading Next Choice...
You are the commander of a battalion of troops. You have been ordered to defend a fortress with 1000 troops against 10,000 enemies with no reinforcements coming.Choice Two1)Obey Orders and defend2)Betray your orders3)Disobey Orders but still defend4)Alternate Choice
Are these choices meant be hard? Option 1 is a no go, it's just suicide, Option 2 is also a no go as that just isn't my style, so Option 3 ho! Option 4 isn't really a choice as I'm not really one to think outside the box, I'm an in the box kinda guy. So now time to lead these troops, I guess this'll be the first time Tyranny was actually used like it was meant to.
I walked up to my troops who were quaking in their boots while kneeling to pray to whatever God they worshipped.
"Maggots on your feet! Our nations enemies are about to attack and you are here kneeling on the ground shitting and pissing all over yourselves like a bunch of scared children! You do know the consequences should this fort fall right!? The enemy will pillage our lands, they will rape your wives and daughters, if they're feeling merciful they will make your sons into slaves, if they aren't you and your sons will be sharing a grave. I don't believe in Loyalty to the King, but I defend this nation because of my friends and family living in it's borders! Now men get ready we will begin our attack in 20 minutes!"
Because of an inspiring speech Tyranny has risen by 5
I can still get system rewards in this realm? Noted for future reference. Now while the men were preparing I began to lay out my plan in my head. For the first time since this whole Renewal began I began to regret not getting more skills. This situation shows I need a way to deal high AOE damage. I do have some AOE in Blood Magic, but it is more effective later in the fight than early on. Haa. No point crying over it now.
Summary of my troops:
150 Archers.
820 Foot Soldiers.
30 Mages.
Not the best lineup, in this situation I feel I would need more mages, but no crying over spilt milk. I walked over to the Mages.
"Oi, pansies get your asses in line! Now I am gonna give you the run down of what I need you to do. I will say it only once do you understand!?"
"""SIR, YES SIR"""
"Good, now here it is..."
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I looked over the horizon at the approaching horde of Monsters. It was your typical RPG lineup. Orcs, Goblins, Kobolds, Imps, Ogres, Trolls and more. Our only real saving grace was as they were monsters to there was no semblance of order. I glanced over at my troops, lined up in their formations and ready and willing to fight.
When the monsters were within 500 meters of the Fort. I began issuing orders to the archers and mages. The Archers maximum range with their Longbows was 350 meters, while the mages range on AOE magic was 250 meters.
"Draw! Hold! Hold! FIRE!"
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A/N This one is a little late, sorry stuff got in the way. Well how did you feel about the concept of the trials? Is it weird? Does it need reworking? Comment below. And remember if you have any suggestions comment them below and I'll answer as I see them.
Now off to watch Porco Rosso! Ciaossu!