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Birds of incredible majesty fluttered within our newly attained, freshly upgraded cage. Dangling one well armored leg, I sat atop a high branch with his back to a tree. Glass turned to silver bars arranged in 'X' patterns, with openings not even a babies finger could fit between along the metal fencing that comprise the sports stadium sized dome.
Black feathered falcons with yellow irises grouped around me, standing straight backed and still on many adjacent branches, as if waiting for commands. 'Well, it's not really as if' I thought to myself. Infernal falcons cost a pretty price, but the service they provided was invaluable. This settlement would be the most important for our campaign, as well as getting Tom and new recruits beast tamer levels.
Out capital will remain the 'Savant's Elysium', with the express purpose of being home to the greatest of every field of study. Combat, philosophy, agriculture, robotics, alchemy, anything and everything.
This settlement however will become one of the 'guild' Pylons exclusive to beast tamers and various other professions that have to do with contracts, messages, or just exploring the ruins around the desert. Only the best and contractually bound could come to the capital, but that didn't mean I wouldn't also set foundations for others to hone similar skills. I've always enjoyed the black marble aesthetic, and I've proudly allowed architectural choices to reflect that. Especially here with some extra TP to play with while dividing the settlement into four districts that circled around the main bird-caged castle in rounded triangles. Like a pizza with four slices, centralized around the castle and its massive birdcage.
Given how valuable the professions already proven itself, beast tamers will stay in the castle along with the messenger birds. The northern slice will be the Adventure Guilds section, peppered with marble lodges and merchants who specialize in lightweight traveling supplies. Adventurers would pay a small fee to stay at these large four story buildings while in town, though all amenities are sold to paying Adventurers at a cut rate. Each lodge building was much wider than tall, maintaining 15 rooms per floor.
I also installed 10 other lodges lining the Pylon outer walls. The 2 closest to the gate were in my personal colors, black marble trimmed with bronze, just like my family crest. It served as barracks for contracted guards or Tom's and Cassi's more elite forces. These barracks would be filled to the teeth with whatever they could possibly want on my own orders, as an exchange for forfeiting power hunting to defend the settlement for a contractually settled duration. Or for the rest of the tutorial, at least. Guard rotations were admittedly difficult to iron out given the volume of power hungry soldiers riding the high of our recent victories, but when they were off duty they could do whatever their mind or my TP could imagine.
4 other lodges I renovated in the middle of the Adventurers District were meant for mercenaries as well as our soldiers who hungered for power and conquest, meaning their stay was intended to be quite brief. These structures were bland as could be, red bricked with orange glowing mortar comprising the entire structure, each provided basic amenities and not much else since they would be used exclusively for sleep, not leisure.
Finally, the remaining 4 lodges served as housing for visitors and lodging for adventurers who wanted to explore the ruins that littered the desert region. Those were painted vibrant green because, well, that's what I think of when I picture exploring, and frankly I'm too pressed on time for something as stupid as color palleting. 'Sue me', he thought to myself, imagining the possible complaints I may receive from the more 'privileged' citizens whose professions earned them an easy living in the Tutorial. Similar to the barracks though, these lodges had a good amount of recreational amenities, as well as shops positioned nearby to buy or trade alongside other adventurers.
All 10 lodges had walkways that led to the Guild Hall. Positioned closer to the castle, this building stood six stories high with admittedly above-average sized floors, as expansion wasn't necessary yet given our population. Each floor was decorated differently based on the level of difficulty and quest types that could be issued. The top floor was reserved for… and this wasn't my idea, but I SOMEHOW got outvoted last meeting… adventuring parties that could handle a 'Tom level threat'.
To the west was the Cartographer District. This slice served as a 'training grounds' for any cartographer. Frankly, I desperately need maps if I want to make any type of coordinated long term pathing, which also meant special treatment to anyone willing and able to expeditiously accomplish that. Thirty columns of black marble extended a few hundred feet in the air. In the middle of these columns was a lift reminiscent of a pre-system elevator, one I selected for the sake of familiarity amongst our citizens. Except it used wind affinity magic to push a section of the floor hundreds of feet to enter the 'New Birdcage'. Yet another naming decision that was left up to cartographers, and not myself.
The New Birdcage building had black marble floors as well as stained glass walls separating its three levels. The first floor was where the map makers could live for free in rooms that made five star hotels look like living in a fast food bathroom. Above that, the second floor was where the classes, discussions about techniques, and profession training happened. Learning was the goal on this level, not productivity.
Finally, the top floor was reserved for active map making, filled with hundreds of workstations, and overflowing with supplies to mass produce maps of my pylons and their surrounding regions for anyone under contract. This floor had incredibly strict clearances, meaning only I and the selected cartographers would be permitted in, and only I to ever leave. The wider world will remain mine and my map makers' knowledge alone, for now.
The Eastern slice of the settlement was the Infernal Stables District. Nothing too special of note as of yet, a few large pens housing Komodo beasts used to guard caravans or protect the city. Oh, and my Hell Knights main sect building, aka my own elite force of Cavalry I've had mentally in the works for a nearly a week now. No big deal or anything.
Prominently displaying the familiar bronze flaming sword over a blackened shield that is my family crest, was my own personal home within the city that doubled as the barracks for my Komodo riding force of 'Hell Knights'. Beloris is well known around the multiverse for the powerful classes he can bestow upon others with a contract of absolute loyalty. I'm only the third of his chosen to inherit this ability, Horas being the only other living chosen who could also fully utilize infernal contracts, that cheeky bastard.
The large stables in the Hell Knights District all had an adjacent house that reminded me of a stereotypical drug dealer's home in movies. They had large balconies with orange tinted windows, much like the ones he had installed in his office back at Savants Elysium. Each of the 50 homes had massive streams connecting to the streams flowing outside the settlement, getting filtered along the way. This also made it so the chapter was first-contact if the path was ever discovered. The Hell Knights controlled the water supply, and Tom's beasts could eventually migrate here completely discreetly. If everything went to plan…
Lastly, the southern section was the residential area equipped with 100 two-story homes. Red bricks with black mortar comprised the walls of these homes, topped with a perfectly cut triangle roof of blackened stone. This section was mainly allocated for families of adventurers or people who just preferred the security and environment of the busy city, and were willing to do their part of course.
Many people would set up shops out of their homes. With the other major trading settlement located so close however, most traders would be doing it as a way to pass time and gain TP. Any who had children would be provided for extensively, without question. I even debated bringing Anna here, if I wasn't almost certain of her being explicitly targeted in the future. Because of how I've positioned myself and our little budding faction, Anna's was probably the safest childhood someone could have within the tutorial, so long as she remained in the Elysium. Probably best I kept it that way.
Four main walkways connected the sections converging on the castle where all the paths intersected. Succulents of every color bordered the walkways and all main buildings. Each species of which served their own purpose other than aesthetics, being used in potions, for trade, or for other professions that require their ingredients. They were mainly meant for supplying paper for messages or map making however, as we'd inherently blow through our supply rapidly.
After running through the layout of the Pylon in my head once more, a bittersweet realization came to mind. This was bound to be the last exciting battle I'd get to take part in for quite some time. Lonni and I would return to Savant's Elysium in the morning after Cassi officially took control of this front of the conquest.
Fuck, and Tom..
I shuddered at the idea of Tom being someone else's homicidal tornado, but Cassi had proven herself repeatedly to be a just and fair leader.
Secondly, her mind was… absolutely fascinating. Cassi's affinity for tactics and predictive strategies was borderline a divine gift. Hungry to learn and to improve herself, she would be given every opportunity to flourish. She came to me shortly after we defeated Nathaniel and his forces, absolutely scraping my mind for a full recall on my plans and weighing out their execution. She even volunteered a few weaknesses with the express intent of turning them into her strengths, as she saw it befit her role as a Commander. It's only a matter of time before I won't be able to keep up in a game of war against her cunning anymore. I am by NO means a genius, but I certainly accrued a talent for knowing what it looked like, and Cassi was the real deal.
Thinking about geniuses made me long to see my wife. It was hard to be away from my better half this long, even though I knew she supported me the same way I supported her. Unflinchingly. Which just made me feel all the more guilty about dumping the responsibility of running a capital and taking care of Anna. It wasn't fair and it didn't matter how much the world needed me to play hero, my family needed their dad. Not a hero.
Plus, I dearly miss my little cuddle-boy, Randy.
Chuckling to myself, I kicked off the tree branch I'd perched atop to watch the birds and started heading back to the castle for my report of Bird Cages section leaders. There's unfortunately no time left m to rest on my laurels and play with 'birbs' like Anna always calls them.
Sitting upon King Nathaniel's mighty 'throne' within the castle, I completely gutted the pylon building of its various torture chambers, 'leisure' rooms, and bunkers. Instead, the castle was fully dedicated to the messages and communication for my soon-to-be numerous small armies. Maps and communication have won more wars than any army, ruler, weapon, or nation. Without question, any battle would be nearly impossible to lose if your side knew more information about their surroundings and were able to more efficiently plan with messages.
While not the most expensive, this pylon was the most valuable by FAR. He couldn't leave until every possible detail was addressed, and any questions answered. Around the table sat Lonni my jolly metal giant, David the Lordkeeper of this Hell Knights chapter, Gerard the Lore Master of the Cartographers, and Arthur the Adventure Guild Leader.
Dressed in the most opulent suit the pylon could currently afford, Gerard the Cartographer wore khaki slacks and a tucked in button up Hawaiian shirt. Around his neck dangled his glasses on a string that reminded me of Tom's lightning chopsticks. He had red curly hair with a heavily freckled face, sharing the same green eyes I had, just without the inner yellow. Closer to his early 40's than late 30's was my initial assumption, scanning the man who stared a little too fearfully at me. Perhaps the man thought not all of the propaganda was a lie?
David the Lordkeeper shared my sense of fashion, wearing a medium armor set of Cassi's Hell Knight armor. Gold silk robes flowed out from below, a black plate that covered his chest, shoulders, forearms, and black plate boots. On his back a silver spear with a black handle pointed proudly towards the sky.
Cassi would be allowed a mind without my direct influence, but David had always been a soldier. My own army contract had expired only a year before the tutorial began, while David had been on a deployment when this all went down. Military may not always focus on troops, but soldiers, especially NCO's should always take care of their own.
Arthur was a popular kid for sure before the system, and he kept that air about him. Wearing boring chainmail beneath leather armor, he looked like a cleric straight out of a table top game. For offensive combat he had the classic steel sword and wooden shield combo. Since he refused to contract with me, he would receive zero handouts. Both of them knew they needed one another however, I needed adventurers to give the cartographers what they needed to make maps for new areas the guild would explore. Making Arthur a necessary evil, and to Arthur, working with me was probably a necessary evil in itself.
Having just upgraded his armor, Lonni was given the highest grade of metal he could smelt to make his current gear. He refused vehemently when I offered to just buy him a ridiculously expensive set as a reward for his outstanding service during the pylon invasion. Instead, he begged for new crafting materials so he could 'know exactly how his armor worked'. Head to toe he was draped in tanned leather underneath shining silver plate mail, his familiar flail and shield both receiving upgrades as well.
I'd always loved to blacksmith before it could give levels, so I've had grown pretty familiar with the loveable oaf. Lonni was the most honest person I think I've ever met, and kind to a fault. That trait is what cemented in my mind Lonni needed to work on his profession back at the capital, as his mindset would help me keep the average citizen in mind when making big decisions. Lonni remained stalwart to virtues and values that escaped most people. A natural empath and a rare breed of good person.
Gerard was the first to speak, "King Korbin we have answered your summons," finishing it off with a bow. Before I could correct him, Arthur and David bowed along with him.
Lonni and I shared a long look, then turned to the other three before I just shrugged at Gerard and returned the bow.
"Let's not do the whole 'king' thing. I know this must be a bit overwhelming but I assure you, while the takeover was hostile. Our governance will be peaceful, efficient, and benevolent." I clarified.
"And Arthur, just know there will be no repercussions to refusing to be under contract. However, any uncontracted citizens will be forced to pay an additional tax to do business and hold credentials. Along with that, after giving your report I request you leave the room. The other members present will assist you in any and all matters, that I assure you. However, you will not be assisting them due to being a possible information weak point. I hope you understand my reasoning." I recognized the eyes of cruelty Arthur harbored beneath the surface. He can't be trusted, but he wasn't foolish enough to lash out here either.
Arthur's face was almost too joyful, all smiles and high fives until Korbin caught him alone. In a group my eyes could be fooled, but if he looked directly into someone else's eyes? They would show their souls laid bare, and Arthur was a sick fuck just below the surface.
Adjusting his ill fitting shoulder strap, Arthur looked directly at me not wanting to make eye contact with the others.
"The Guild Hall is fully stocked and operational. I thank you for the opportunity and hope you also understand why I might be apprehensive about signing a contract". Arthur placed his finger on the city map in the middle of them.
"This is where we will be housing if you would allow us to do so, and I will not be a bother and leave upon confirmation". He explained.
"You have my blessing, good luck and good hunting." I replied, giving the adventurers creed to the guild master who promptly bowed to us and exited the room.
"Sergeant" David quickly snapped into parade rest with his hands interlocked behind his back.
"Reporting on the Knights chapter headquarters, all beasts and properties are accounted for and allocated for, all that's missing is personnel". David the 'Second Hell Knight' was one of the druids Tom had encountered many days ago in his travels across the ocean, and I grew to enjoy David's company and the logistical help with planning he offered. Korbin granted him his class and the responsibility to recruit for Korbin's own 'royal guard' stealing the idea from the crossbow coward king.
"Fantastic, how are the cartographers 'New Bird Cage' treating you?" Korbin asked Gerard, the self proclaimed grill master and mutually renowned General/Map Maker.
"Honestly, I don't think those kids will ever touch a blade of grass again… You've thought of… everything. To the point of insanity." Gerard's pasty face had the look, one I never knew if it was admiration of his gifts or services, surprise from the realization of how true the man's own statement was, or fear of the depth he was able to concoct plans with. Frankly, I couldn't afford to lose those cartographers.
"So we can expect the areas mapped out within the next three days?" I questioned the man. Gerard put his hands behind his head as he blew out an exaggerated whistle.
"Most of them for sure, all of them… Maybe?" Gerard said. Not surprised by this answer, I quickly countered.
"I'd rather the maps be made slow and expertly, then rushed and unreliable. Do what you can to assist me and it will be repaid tenfold. David, Gerard, you have your responsibilities, get to it. Lonni, stay back for a moment."
Filtering out of the underground throne room, Cassi passed by the two men leaving, waving to David on her way in.
"You are almost an hour and a half early." I said loudly as she approached us.
"Well if you are going to be leaving all of this responsibility on me, I need to learn." Cassi shot back as she started stretching on the floor, in preparation for our training. Cassi had suddenly been making strides with her Flow in this mornings training, some kind of mental barrier or inhibitions that must've been dealt with. Progress of that speed only comes from great students, great teachers, or turbulence.
"I'll get to you in a moment, and that's going to cost you." I shifted focus back to Lonni and continued.
"When we get back to Savants Elysium I won't have time to help accommodate you, so you will be joining me in the 'Third Spire'. Obviously you will have free range of the place and be able to come and go as you wish, but I have some ideas that I could use an actual blacksmith to advise me with. Have the convoy ready to depart with any non-use professions, Savants Elysium will be the safest place on the planet. Tell them my own child lives there if you have to, but New Bird Cage will become a dangerous place for any residents since it will essentially be a vital military strategic point."
"Sure thing boss, I'm just excited to get some rest. I've gotta get a hold of Tom when he's back from his hunt and let him know I'm heading back." With a smile, the giant man exited the room leaving the still stretching Cassi and I alone.
"So what am I learning today? Martial combat? Fluidity in cohesion tactics? Battlefield manipulation?" She asked.
Entirely too eager.
I thought it was best to shut her down now and get straight to the point, seeing as though she's starting to think this is supposed to be fun.
"Today you will learn something that will give you an edge on most humanoid opponents, especially Tom." With a crooked smile, I marched towards my headstrong champion, my genius, my favored and very first Hell Knight.
"Fire isn't always aggression, however water is always a form of pacifism." I began the lesson as the spar commenced, easily keeping her at bay.
"What is your defense?" I asked, blocking her first strike.
"Counter-attacking, like a crashing wave." Cassi answered, following her punch with a body kick.
"Good, what is counter-attacking?" I rebutted, dodging and throwing a punch of my own.
"Aggressive defense, using offensive moves with the intent to not get hit, or hit them hard enough to end the fight." She retorted quickly as she deflected my wrist away with her lead hand, countering with punch of her own.
"Wouldn't that mean you lack reliable defense?" I questioned through a grin, snatching her attacking hands wrist.
"No. Because my defense is counter-attacking." she sharply retorted, ripping her hand through the opposite of my grip, or attacking the 'C'", as I call it. Her lead knee rose quickly, blasting into my ribs. I chuckled, feeling the wind slip from my lungs for just a moment.
"Good, again."
The following 30 minutes included intense sparring, as I made sure to temper myself at Cassi's maximum speed to hone her skills. It was better to meet and slightly surpass one's student, rather than completely demolish them before they know what happened. Especially during training days like this, where grappling is the main focus. Judo throws appeared natural to Cassi, whereas a few jiu jitsu holds took a couple minutes each to hammer home. Even still, I forced myself stay at her pace regardless of Cassi's superb knowledge retention.
She was catching up to me pretty quickly in speed throughout today's training sessions too, leaving us both were left drenched in sweat by the end of our sparring. Her ability to pick up concepts on the fly was uncanny, though not unfamiliar. I quickly found himself tapping into my only system recognized Flow skill, though it was admittedly quite strong at that.
Flow Proficiency (epic) - your requisite knowledge over Flow prior to your planet's integration has given birth to powerful records related to your aptitude. Your ability to see, use, and defend against Flow related concepts is innate in the eyes of the multiverse, and clearly yourself as well.
+25% resistance to Flow related damage
+20% movement speed
Defense against Flow attacks provides +4 perception
The skill kicked in right after the tournament ended, something I dearly wished I had against Brigid. Much like that total monster of a woman, some people were just naturals. They had a strong sense about them when it came to combat, and Cassi seemed cut from the same cloth.
"That's good enough for now. Ready for war games?" I asked, finally concluding our personal sparring session.
We both respectively washed up, and rendezvoused back in the training area. David and 30 soldiers stood by awaiting our return. 14 of them being new contract recruits, aka folks who didn't have any useful professions yet. It may seem harsh, but it's a time of absolute necessity, at least until we have some semblance of comfortable control.
"Today's more of the same only with real bodies and wooden weapons. Cassi, you get 10 hand picked soldiers of your choosing. David will use the remainder. 10 minutes to devise your strategies. Go." I ordered abruptly, Cassi smiling as she strolled toward the familiar 15 that had sieged the grounds we trained on.
Normally, this sort of training was relinquished to projected simulations. The Pylon market had offered a form of strategic planning, and I saw it as an opportunity to teach Cassi a few necessary strategies for any leader. Now, with enough bodies on hand, she could get a feel for it in action.
Cassi selected 10 soldiers, all of the Water Druids that Tom helped so many days back. They'd proven to harbor fearsome warriors, many equipped with two swords like Tom, minus the chain and pulsing lightning. Cassi took 6 of our top soldiers using such weapons, along with 4 of our most talented shielded warriors. David and his remaining 20 troops retreated into the training yard about 60 yards away at a makeshift 'Pylon'.
Cassi's goal was to capture the enemy Pylon, as it'd always been during the simulations. After a brief consultation, she lined 6 of her soldiers diagonally in front of her. At the center were two dual blades men, who slowly drifted apart as they finally marched forward.
David looked confused at the simplicity given the many times he'd lost to Cassi via intricate schemes and advantageous matchup designs during the simulations. She'd even gone so far as to select only brutes and archers, yet figured a way to defeat David's artillery and greater numbers. Now, she merely marched her troops forward in a line, and a split one at that.
"It's a trick. It's gotta be, she wants us to avoid that gap." David said aloud to himself. I smiled proudly watching from both sides using my Sentry Vision skill. It only worked to view through any defenses placed at a Pylon, however this was a sparring arena. There were plenty of excuses to put up some precautionary measures, 'just in case'.
David's troops began advancing into the battlefield, with 8 shielded warriors and 12 dual bladed. The Druidic folks tended to lean towards two-sword styles, leaving most of the shield bearing soldiers being their latest untrained recruits.
Hoping to catch Cassi off guard, David sent his squad funneling toward the gap to pick off the non-shielded soldiers in the middle. Wooden sticks in shapes of swords bashed off one another as the David's soldiers made their way into Cassi center troops. The two dual wielders in the center were incredibly fast, dancing down the line and stabbing their wooden swords into unsuspecting foes.
Cassi and her shock troopers blasted through the gap soon after, just as the two lines began bending in around David's larger forces. Each trooper took down at least one of David's before turning and committing to either side.
Eventually, Cassi and her crew had split David's forces in two groups down the middle. Attacks flying in from every direction are impossible to handle, making for Cassi's resounding wipe of David's troops end in only one hypothetical casualty. Soldiers from either side laughed at the results of their large-scale spar, while David met with Cassi and I after his defeat.
"You are simply unfair." David said, looking at Cassi.
"Thank you, you did well to assume a trick. You just made not falling for it too obvious, the adjustment on the fly was easy." Cassi relented with a smirk.
Good, she's ready.