At night, long after Felix and his men left to seize the cave, Thaddeus, Hunter, Andrea, Captain Joseph and the village guards snuck out to attack the mercenaries and thugs left behind to construct the battering ram and trebuchets.
Carrying his large axe, Thaddeus moved stealthily through the forest undergrowth, his eyes trained on the enemy camp. His fellow villagers followed behind him, their hearts heavy with determination. It was a dark night, the moon only peeking through the forest canopy occasionally, providing scarce light. However, they all knew the area well and used their knowledge to their advantage.
The mercenaries and thugs were busy at work, the dim light from their torches casting long, dancing shadows around them. Most were too focused on their work to notice the small group of villagers creeping closer.
Hunter, a skilled archer, nocked an arrow and aimed, his eyes focusing on a thug standing guard at the periphery of the camp. At a nod from Thaddeus, he released the string, and the arrow flew straight and true, taking down the guard silently.
Before the guard's body hit the ground, the guards charged. With a growl, Thaddeus swung his large axe at the nearest mercenary, cutting him down before he could react. The taunt forced the mercenaries’ aggro on him, letting the guards and Captain Joseph attack. The sudden attack sent the camp into chaos, their focus diverted from construction to self-preservation.
Captain Jospeh, a skilled fighter and Thaddeus' Captain of the Guard, waded into the fray with his dual swords, a whirlwind of destruction. Captain Joseph and the village guards fought with equal ferocity, their faces set with grim resolve. They were fighting for their home, their families, their way of life, and they would not go down easily.
On the outskirts, Andrea, an expert assassin, hid in under the moonlight, mercilessly killing enemies trying to flee and forcing them back to slaughter.
The mercenaries and thugs, taken by surprise and outnumbered, began to panic. Their morale was already low due to Felix's earlier defeat, hunger, and this sudden attack further crushed their spirit. Soon, they started retreating, abandoning their half-finished siege engines in the process. Yet, none passed Andrea alive.
In the end, it was a victory for Thaddeus and his villagers. The enemy was driven off, their battering ram and trebuchets left unfinished and useless. As the villagers gathered to put out the fires and ensure no enemy was left hiding, Thaddeus couldn't help but smile, his heart swelling with pride.
"Victory," he said to his fellow villagers. "We defended our home."
Exhausted but victorious, they cheered, their spirits lifted. The threat of Felix and his men had been removed, at least for now, and the villagers could return to their homes, knowing they were safe. But Thaddeus knew that there was no telling what the future might bring. He had learned a valuable lesson that day. No matter what, they would stand together to defend their village, their home. They were stronger than any mercenary force, stronger than any arrogant thug. They were a community, and they would fight for each other, no matter what.
After the village celebration, Priestess Thera walked to the church, where she imprinted her magic, to add Thaddeus as an administrator, then she switched the Mantle Protection Array to allow entry.
System Message:
[Mantle Protection Array 97,321/100,000]
Allow Entry: ✔️ (Yes) or (No)].
When she finished with the protection array, she knelt at the altar and began praying to Demeter for thanks.
While Kira, Travis, Phillip, and Phoebe wondered about the green shine, Thaddeus received a message.
System Message:
You were added as a co-administrator to the Woodhaerst Mantle Protection Array. Priestess Thera switched the array to allow entry into the settlement.
In truth, Thaddeus didn’t know either Priestess Thera installed a protection array. ‘When did she put up a protection array?’ Thaddeus wondered as he yelled out new orders. “Everyone, check for embers put out any you find. Arthur, Mathew, check the fields and let the livestock out to graze!”
Villagers went off to canvas the settlement, and Thaddeus walked to the western wall to speak to Priestess Thera. However, he only made it halfway there before he saw her exiting the church.
“When did you construct the protection array?” Thaddeus asked her.
“When you started building the wall, I put the protection array. Something you should have done!” Priestess Thera lectured him like a schoolchild, as she led him into the church.
“Why did you keep it a secret?”
“Secret? If you went to the walls, you would clearly see runes drawn onto the walls. I thought you knew about the array, that’s why you didn’t say anything all this time.”
“I ignored them because I thought they were children’s graffiti. Well, next time we need to do a better job communicating. Now tell me—”
“You thought my magic runes were children’s markings?” an angry Priestess Thera asked rhetorically.
“Priestess Thera, I apologize. I misspoke,” Thaddeus said sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.
“I know you misspoke! I am an Array Grandmaster, Emperor Regulus himself once remarked my arrays were a sight to behold. But you confuse them for children’s paintings. Goddess Demeter why did you send me here with this incompetent oaf.”
“I apologize! But the most important thing now is the villagers. Will the array stop the fire and smoke from entering the village?”
“Yes, of course. Nothing can get through a protective array. As long as the array stays active it will remain a barrier.”
“Thank you, Priestess Thera. Thank you for protecting everyone. If there’s anything I can do in return, please let me know?” Thaddeus said humbly.
A strange look appeared in the priestess’ eyes, like someone whose desire was about to come to fruition.
“Anything? Months ago, we spoke about church authority. You were five authority points away from joining the church. Now you have 30 points of church authority. You earned 10 points for building a church in your settlement, 5 points for ranking third in the best wave, 5 points for building houses for the villagers, 5 points for recusing refugees, and 5 points for the harvest festival.”
“I want you to join the Church of Earth.”
“Anything but that. I wanted to homestead. I didn’t even plan on becoming a petty lord. And I’m sure I told you being a priest or templar knight does not sound appealing.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Well, there is another rare office of the Church of Earth. It’s the same class your mother holds.”
“My mother? Ah, I’ve been meaning to tell you this. I’m a traveler, I’m not of this world. It’s impossible for me to have a mother and father from this world. I made up that whole backstory, my real-life parents died when I was younger!” sighed Thaddeus.
“I know you’re not from our world. The people of the world are dumb. But that doesn’t mean your backstory isn’t real. How do you know your parents weren’t travelers? If your story is fiction, why do the Bearington Clan and Brown County exist? Before you arrived a woman from the bear clan and the heir to Brown County did fall in love and elope. A child was born to the match before it mysteriously disappeared. Did you know about that story before you arrived?”
“No.”
“Then who’s to say, you’re not the missing child? Consider this, if you can visit our world, what’s to stop someone from our world visiting yours?”
‘Argh,’ Thaddeus grumbled. He wanted to explain that she was not real. This is merely a game, a series of algorithms, but he knew the system would allow her to learn the truth.
“Uh, just tell me what you already.”
“I want you to join the Church of Earth and become a Druid.”
“A druid!” Thaddeus said in surprise.
“But the game doesn’t allow sub-classes?” he accidentally split.
“No, subclasses exist. But you can only obtain them church authority points,” Priestess Thera said proudly like she was revealing a secret.
“Fame grants you peerage and authority grants you a second-class change along with unique, rare, and even legendary equipment and spells.
“I thought druids were a type of magic caster.”
“Technically, anyone can be a druid. I know priests, knights, mages, and archers who all have the subclass druid. You’ll be fine,” Priestess Thera reassured.
“Fine. I’ll join the church.”
System Message:
Congratulations! You have met the requirement to join a church. Priestess Thera grants you the option of joining the Church of Earth. Do you accept? (Y/N)
Thaddeus accepted.
System Message:
Congratulations you were accepted into the Church of Earth. You may select a subclass.
Thaddeus briefly looked at the subclasses before making his choice.
Priest of Demeter
Templar Knight
Druidcraft
Thaddeus was surprised to see Druid was listed as a Druidcraft. Was Druid an advanced crafting class? He always saw druids as summoners.
System Message:
Please confirm your selection is Druidcraft.
Thaddeus quickly confirmed his choice, and he was greeted with two more messages.
System Message:
Congratulations, you are the tenth person to add a subclass. Plus 5 gold, +5 fame, +100 EXP
Thaddeus had to admit he was surprised he was the tenth person to receive a subclass. He went on the forums and searched for subclasses, but there was no mention that subclasses existed. He wondered why no one had said anything already. He’d have to ask his colleagues about when he went to work tomorrow.
System Message
Demeter is pleased you joined her Church as an office. Reward: +10 to Nature Affinity, +5 Authority in the Church of Earth. Church of Earth followers will be more attracted to settle in your territory.
“Now that you have your subclass, I can show you the skills and spells available. You may select two. Just like with earth spells, you can buy them from the church.”
Druid Grove
Polymorph
Speak to Plants
Speak to animals
Summon Beasts
Companion
Animal Messenger
Purification
Lesser Healing
Meld Wood
Divination
Nature’s Wrath
“Can you tell me about the spells?” asked Thaddeus.
“Druid Grove allows you to build a small forest. Most druids live in their groves. Polymorph or shapeshifting allows you to turn into a specific animal of your choice. Speaking to plants and animals is obvious. Summon allows you to summon beasts into a spatial pocket and call them out when ready. Companion allows you to raise a beast companion. Meld Wood allows you to mold wood into any shape or item. Divination allows you to see the future or ask Demeter a question once a season. And Nature’s Wrath calls upon nearby plants and animals to fight on your behalf.”
“I see some I like, but what do you recommend?”
“Druid Grove, Polymorph, and Druid Grove are the best given your low level,” Priest Thera advised.
Polymorph and Druid Grove were the skills and spells he first admired. While Druid Grove didn’t sound great, it did seem like a quintessential druid skill.
“Fine, I’ll take Polymorph and Druid Grove you recommended,” said Thaddeus opening his stat screen.
Name: Thaddeus Brown
SKILL NAME
SKILL LEVEL
Race: Human/Bear kin
Load Bearing (Racial)
Class: Artisan
Nature Affinity (Racial)
50 (+60%)
Sub Class: Druidcraft
Oversized Weapons (Racial)
Titles: Pioneer/ Petty Lord
Earth Magic
42
Level: 54 (19,158/22,500)
Two-Handed Axe
15
HP: 4,752/4,752
Lumberjack
81
MP: 608/608
Analyze
76
STR: 74
Surveyor
52
AGI: 68
Field Dress
14
VIT: 66
Woodworking
78
INT: 32
Cooking
16
WILL: 19
Leatherworking
69
CON: 72
Tailoring
56
Charm: 9
Forging
74
Free Attribute Points: 0
Smelting
66
Free Skill Points: 0
Toolsmith
70
Fame: 30
Architecture
15
Wagoner
6
One Handed Axe
55
Cleave
44
SPELLS:
Bash
43
Rock Wall
Fast Slash
35
Erosion
Growl
17
Arrowhead
Druid Grove
1
Rock Dome
Polymorph
1
With that done, Priestess Thera and Thaddeus walked outside the church only to find the village.
“Report,” Thaddeus said as Brand and Village Council walked up to him.
“The wildfire devastated the land. The farm and crops are gone. And, if not for the protection array, I’m afraid we would’ve gone too. Thank you, Lord Brown, if not for your foresight to build a protection array we all be dead,” Brand and the other villagers bowed.
“Thank you for those kind words, but it really was—”
“There is no need to be humble, we are your villagers, Lord Brown. Every villager has heard stories of lords willing to let their people die, because they were too cheap to purchase a protection array. Those despicable lords would rather sacrifice their people than their bank accounts. But you saw fit to protect us, we are unworthy of such a good lord,” Priestess Thera interrupted.
Thaddeus wondered why Thera gave him the credit, especially after just chiding him. But he said nothing and just nodded as his villagers praised him.