--
Alistair awoke with the first rays of sunlight filtering through the leather roof of his tent, as the wind whispered softly across the edges of the camp. He opened his eyes slowly, sensing something strange… as if the very energy of the world around him had shifted.
Suddenly, a transparent window appeared in front of him:
---
> [🔔 Congratulations! The system's special event "Day of Multiplication" has begun.]
[⏳ Remaining duration: 24 hours]
[All gains during this period—experience points, skill points, physical stats—will be multiplied by five.]
⚠️ Note: This event also applies to the host's soldiers.
---
Alistair furrowed his brows and whispered with a quiet gasp,
"Everything… will be multiplied? Even the soldiers' stats?"
Then a cold smile crept onto his face.
"This… is the perfect timing."
He stood up quickly and donned his distinctive armor, its edges etched with the emblem of the blazing sword. His rank C sword was strapped to his back, and his armor gleamed with the morning light, radiating power and dignity.
Stepping out of his tent with confident strides, he found Garth waiting for him.
"Good morning, my lord. The lords have arrived… They await you at the strategy tent."
"Very well. Let's see what they've got."
Inside the meeting tent, Lord Raylen stood beside Lord Cain and Baroness Elena, the maps sprawled open before them. As soon as Alistair entered, Raylen spoke in a mocking tone:
"Ah, here comes our young hero! Hope you had a good night's sleep."
Alistair replied calmly,
"Better than expected… Did I miss anything?"
Cain interjected, pointing at the map,
"We were just about to begin. Our scouts returned this morning… and the news isn't good."
Raylen nodded and continued in a low voice,
"Reinforcements have arrived at the mine. The goblin numbers are now around 600."
Elena placed her finger on the map,
"Most of them are rank F, some are rank E, five are rank D… and the most dangerous— their leader is rank C."
Alistair raised an eyebrow.
"Six hundred? That's quite a force."
"A lot, yes. But our numbers aren't small either," Cain replied dryly.
"My forces number 200, and my commander is rank C."
"So are mine," added Elena.
"And my commander is also rank C."
Raylen smirked arrogantly,
"Two hundred and fifty soldiers, and my commander too is rank C… But we'll need perfect coordination. What about you, Alistair?"
A short silence followed, before Alistair nodded toward the outside of the tent.
"A little over a hundred… all fully equipped with rank F weapons and armor."
The lords exchanged quick glances. Elena scoffed:
"Fully equipped? From where? A magic farm?"
Alistair replied with equal sarcasm,
"Doesn't matter where. What matters is— they're armed."
Then he added in a firmer tone,
"The five squad leaders are all rank E and fully equipped… As for me…"
He stepped forward, hand resting on his sword's hilt.
"I lead my army myself… and I'm rank D."
A heavy silence followed. Shock filled the faces of the three barons—this wasn't what they expected.
Cain muttered,
"We've never heard that Alistair's barony was this well-prepared…"
"Perfect…" said Raylen, his voice carrying relief—or perhaps deceit.
"With these numbers, we'll crush the goblins and claim all the gold."
Alistair approached the table and spoke firmly,
"Of course. But first… the agreement must be signed."
"What agreement?" Cain asked.
"The one ensuring equal profit distribution from the mine."
Raylen stared coldly at Alistair, his voice quiet but edged with threat,
"I don't think that's necessary… Don't you trust your uncle, dear nephew?"
"It's not about trust. I simply trust written words more than promises."
The lords realized things were slipping out of their hands. After a moment of silence, Raylen ordered his servant to bring the agreement, and all four signed it—equal shares for all.
"Very well… let's finalize the attack plan," said Raylen sternly.
"I'll strike from the right, Elena from the left, and you, Alistair, will launch a frontal assault to draw their attention. Then Elena and I will hit from the flanks, and Cain from the rear. Any objections?"
All nodded in agreement. But in their minds, the real plan was already clear:
"Let the fool lead the charge… He'll break under the goblins' pressure."
Alistair nodded with a cold smile.
"And I won't object either."
"Fool," Raylen muttered under his breath, as smug looks flickered between the lords.
---
(Later – After Alistair Returned to His Tent)
After the meeting, each lord returned to their camp. Raylen entered his tent with heavy steps, Elena checked on her troops, and Cain continued talking to his commander.
As for Alistair, he returned silently to his tent. He closed the curtain behind him and took a deep breath… when a new window suddenly appeared:
---
> [📜 System Mission: "Occupy the Mine"]
🎯 Objective: Full control over the mine
🎁 Rewards: +1000 Shop Points, +10,000 XP, +50 Stat Points
---
> [📜 Secondary Mission: "Stop the Barons' Plans"]
⚠️ Description: The three barons are plotting to kill the host and seize his lands
🎯 Objective: Foil their plans
🎁 Rewards: +1000 Shop Points, +10,000 XP, +50 Stat Points
---
Alistair stared at the windows coldly:
"So… you plan to kill me? Then I'll make the first move."
A new button appeared on the interface:
---
> [🧬 Open Personal Status Window – Host: Alistair]
---
He pressed it instantly, and for the first time, his full stats appeared:
---
🧍♂️ Name: Alistair Alvaren
🩸 Age: 21
🎖️ Title: Baron
Nicknames: The Baron Who Sparked the Rise – Bearer of the Elemental Title
Traits: Fire, Thunder, Wind, Ice, Earthquakes, Darkness, Earth, Space, Water, Gravity
Class: Knight
Rank: D
Level: 16 (2300 / 2500)
📊 Stats:
– Strength: 80
– Agility: 73
– Endurance: 90
– Intelligence: 45
– Charisma: 60
Available Stat Points: 61
(He gains +2 per level)
⚒️ Active Perks:
– [Baron's Prestige]: +10% troop loyalty
– [Born Leader]: +15% unit efficiency
– [Combat Motivation]: Troops gain morale boost at the start of battle
---
A faint smile curled his lips:
"Now the real game begins."
He distributed the points:
+20 Strength
+15 Agility
+15 Endurance
+6 Intelligence
+5 Charisma
Then he exited his tent to find his soldiers lined up, waiting for his command.
Arthur, his vice-commander, spoke respectfully,
"We are ready and awaiting your orders, my lord."
Alistair nodded and mounted his horse.
"Move forward."
Then he muttered to himself, a cold gleam in his eyes:
"I'll uncover your plans… and I'll crush every last one of you."