A sculpture lay at the feet of the two soldiers, it was tall and burly. it looked like one of those ancient gladiators. it was blue wearing white fabric with what seems to be a head piece that looks like golden horns on its head.
Its appearance was familiar to him yet he couldn't remember where it was from.
The sculpture legs and arms where destroyed with only a small part left yet it was thrashing around like it wanted to attack them even in this state.
Perhaps sensing Arthur's scrutiny, the sculpture on the floor suddenly began to struggle even more, slamming its head against the floor like it wanted to use it to reach him. It finally let out a hoarse sound that struck Arthur's ears like a sharp noise.
Thanks to his innate skill [Language of the Same Origin], Arthur had a natural sensitivity to language. He could tell that the sound the sculpture made wasn't just meaningless noise—it was trying to convey something.
Arthur's expression grew serious. He turned to Porucus and asked:
"What's going on?"
Porucus gave a slight bow. "Lord Arthur, this type of monster was discovered today deep in the forest outside the camp."
"At the time, the soldiers were resting when these monsters suddenly leapt out. There were about four of them, and then they attacked them."
"The soldiers weren't injured, right...?"
Arthur glanced at the camp's data panel. The number listed for camp population hadn't changed.
"No injuries. Even while resting, the soldiers remain alert."
"According to the eight man squad when they killed these monsters they turned to dust so they tried to incapacitate the last one and they brought it here"
Arthur nodded as he listened to Porucus's account.
The fact that four of them moved together suggested that this species was likely a group-oriented race.
They had a language system and could use tools…
Arthur stared into the monster's eyes. It seemed like it was in some kind of frenzy.
This creature possessed intelligence. Although its current level of intelligence seemed low, with instinct and wildness still dominant, intelligence was a threshold. Even a small amount was enough to surpass most natural animals.
Even if an individual wasn't strong, that didn't determine the strength of the species as a whole.
Its aggression—or rather, its untamable wildness—was evident. If it had its legs and arms it would have immediately attacked .
If it held no value for communication or negotiation, then it would only be a threat and obstacle to the expansion of human civilization—Arthur concluded as such.
While Arthur was deep in thought, Porucus stood silently by, awaiting orders.
Eventually, Arthur spoke: "Increase patrols near the forest logging site. Temporarily suspend regular exploration activities."
"I recall there are some skilled hunters among the settlers."
Previously, the army's role was to clear wild beasts from around the camp. But since the military was primarily for combat, tracking monsters was better suited to professional hunters for support.
"Yes," Porucus responded. "They are excellent trackers. If recruited into the army, they would make fine scouts."
Arthur nodded slightly. "I think so too…"
The camp's armed force currently numbered only eighty men, but by constructing a [Barracks], civilians could be recruited to expand the military.
In this otherworldly frontier, a proper military force was essential.
However, limited by camp infrastructure, the manpower needed for agricultural development, and the current food stockpile, Arthur couldn't afford to expand the army just yet.
'Two months left…' Arthur thought.
In two months, when the crops matured and were harvested, food would be plentiful. That would meet the requirements for upgrading the camp.
At that time, he would have far greater initiative.
With this in mind, Arthur said, "Let's leave it at that for now."
Porucus accepted the order with a bow but asked before leaving what should be done with the captured monster.
Looking at the sculpture , Arthur pondered for a moment. "Don't kill it for now. Keep it locked up under close watch. It might be useful later."
.................................................................................
The next day.
Following yesterday's discovery of the monster by the patrol, the sculptures appeared once again.
They attacked the logging site in the forest.
To be precise, they tried to attack it—but were discovered by the patrolling soldiers and got taken down.
Arthur had just finished lunch when he received the report.
Soon after, Porucus arrived at the lord's estate to give a full update.
"As per your orders, I increased the number of patrols near the logging site. Thanks to your foresight, those monsters were unable to cause any damage there."
Porucus's report was detailed, allowing Arthur to clearly understand the situation and make a judgment.
Although the lumberyard was unharmed and there were no casualties, Arthur still felt a headache coming on.
These monsters were more aggressive and invasive than expected.
The lumberyard wasn't far from the fields outside the camp. Two months from now would be the busiest time, requiring a large amount of manpower and resources. If those monsters attacked again during that period, it would be a serious problem.
The matter of food was crucial for future development—no accidents could be allowed.
"We must find and eliminate these monsters near the camp within the next two months,"
Arthur told Porucus.
The monsters within the ruins couldn't be dealt with for the time being, but these sculptures could be cleared out—as long as their numbers hadn't reached a hundred.
But that was unlikely. They seemed to attack in small numbers, even if there was a larger main group it shouldn't be that large.
"But before that, the priority is to locate the main group hiding in the forest."
These creatures had rudimentary intelligence and tended to move in groups. It was likely they had a fixed camp deep in the woods. Until their camp was found and the situation confirmed, it was unwise to launch a full-scale military sweep.
"Send out a hunter to track down their camp,"
Arthur said again, referring to the camp's professional hunters.
He had already thought about wiping out these monsters yesterday. He had originally planned to wait and observe cautiously—but now it seemed that wasn't necessary.
..............................…..................................................
Tiberius was a hunter.
"Tiberius" meant brave and decisive. True to his name, he was indeed a courageous hunter.
Born into a family of hunters—great-grandfather, grandfather, and father all hunters—he began learning the craft at the age of nine. By twenty, he was a well-known hunter in his village.
Before coming to this world, he had been hunting in the mountains. He spotted a plump deer and gave chase, but in the process, was crushed by a falling boulder, shattering both his legs.
In that moment, he could only wait to die deep in the mountains.
The scent of blood from his mangled legs soon attracted fierce beasts. Normally, he could handle such creatures easily—but now, the roles of hunter and prey were about to be reversed.
A hunter killed by prey would be mocked.
Just as he closed his eyes, ready to die, he heard a voice.
It was a voice—warm and gentle. His pain faded completely.
Thevoice asked if he was willing to go to another place and spread the light of civilization.
Tiberius accepted without hesitation.
Then he arrived in this world—his legs fully healed.
Amiracle, nodoubt.
Many others had arrived with similar experiences—some had faced danger or disaster, others lived in pain—but in this world, their suffering vanished.
Those who had answered thevoice's call were to follow the guidance of one man and spread humanity's light.
That man was LordArthur, whom Tiberius often saw.
Arthur inspected the camp every day. Tiberius had witnessed it all—from a world without shelter to a camp starting to take shape.
Just like the pioneers in epics of kingdoms and city-states, they were now part of a legend—rebuilding civilization in a foreign world... like Rome.
Romemeantpassion. Passionmeantexpansion.
Tiberius did not join the construction of the camp due to his background and skills.
But he wasn't discouraged. His job was equally important—to help the army track dangerous beasts and protect the camp.
From the ruins to the forest, the presence of dangerous beasts was declining. Tiberius breathed a sigh of relief—his efforts over the past few months had been worthwhile.
However, the land held more than just beasts. Patrol teams had encountered a new type of monster.
A blue sculpture like monster—Tiberius had seen them himself.
He hadn't joined the fight—that was the soldiers' job. But these creatures' fierce and persistent attacks left a deep impression on him.
That morning, the sculptures had attacked the lumberyard. By the afternoon, Tiberius had been summoned by LordArthur and CenturionPorucus.
He had previously worked under Porucus during the monster hunts at the ruins.
Porucus had always seemed stern and serious—commanding both respect and fear. As for Arthur, his presence reminded Tiberius of that voice—warm, dignified, and inspiring loyalty.
Porucus recommended Tiberius and assigned him the task of tracking the sculptures' lair.
Tiberius gladly accepted. Though the forest was unfamiliar, it was still his domain. Tracking creatures in the woods was his expertise.
However, these monsters differed from normal beasts. They didn't follow fixed instincts, and tracking them after a delay could be tricky.
But this problem was soon resolved.
..............................…
At the lumberyard, soldiers released the sculpture they had captured far away from the camp.
After a while, the monster started making weird noises.
Looking around, it seemed surprised—somehow, it had escaped that place.
Seeing no sign of the weird humans from before, it pulled its body with its head and what was left of its limps.
it pulled its body with Surprising speed away from the place they left it in
What it didn't know was that a hunter emerged from behind a tree a minute after it left.
The monster kept crawling, only slowing down after more than 30 minutes.
Looking around, it chose a direction and started moving again.
around that area seemed to be some golden stones and other stones like iron.
Such stones were rare, usually found along riverbanks, only in small sizes. Finding one this large was pure luck but there should be a vein somewhere close.
Before long, the trees gave way to a clearing backed by a hill. A hole had been dug into the hillside.
Near the entrance were several sculptures. Surrounded by ruins—of what seems to be a village
As the sculpture entered the clearing, others basking near the entrance noticed.
It screeched and babbled something loudly.
Another sculpture emerged to meet it, examining its broken limbs while speaking.
It seemed to be trying to get information from the other one why it was in its current state and then grabbed the broken one and took it inside
It walked into the cave, where more sculptures dwelled.
At the end of the cave sat a larger, stronger sculpture.
Unlike the others, this one wore heavy armor and carried around a broad blade that was larger than its kin
The sculpture brought its broken kin to the large one and began speaking to it.
All of this was observed from a distance by the hunter.
After recording the location and the events, Tiberius quietly left.
..............................…..................................................
"The monster camp has been found?"
By the afternoon of the second day after sending out the hunter, Arthur received the good news.
Porucus brought Tiberius to the lord's office to report.
Tiberius had been nervous when first summoned by Arthur—but now, with a second audience, he felt more at ease.
Though still a bit hesitant, he gave a detailed account of tracking the monsters and all he saw at their camp.
First, the location—it wasn't far from Arthur's camp. Less than two hours on foot, even closer than the ruins.
Next, the numbers.
Tiberius saw nearly 20 himself. There were surely more in the cave bringing the total to around 60.
"Their weapons include bows, magic, and one was carrying a book and some had no weapon."
"They seem intelligent and are able to communicate with each other, they act more like a professional army…"
Outside the cave the ruins of the village meant that the people in it did not survive the attack and from the skeletons scattered around there that almost turned to dust, it was a long time ago
Tiberius believed he could fight one, but more than that would overwhelm him. The idea of being torn apart by these things was chilling.
"Understood. Well done, Tiberius," Arthur said.
Tiberius was honored by the praise.
"Go to logistics later and receive a jar of wine,"Arthur added.
Resources were still scarce in the camp. The wine came from the initial supplies granted by the Human Order system when Arthur arrived—just twenty jars.
Besides food, there wasn't much else he could use as a reward.
The population was still too small. Once the camp developed and introduced an economy, reward systems would improve.
Tiberius left, beaming with joy. Only Arthur and Porucus remained.
Porucus had naturally learned the monster camp's details directly from Tiberius.
"You'll be in charge of the assault on the goblin camp,"Arthur said.
Porucus was the only one in the camp with command experience.
Arthur had been learning military strategy from him—but Porucus had far more battle-hardened experience.
For a lord, the key talent was recognizing and appointing capable people—and letting them manage their respective domains.
"No problem,"
Porucus said confidently.
Strategically, underestimate the enemy; tactically, take them seriously.
The sculptures were no match for the trained Roman soldiers in physique, weapons, or discipline. The Roman army would crush them.
The only challenge was magic—the floating sculptures using magic would be a problem even if they fought it before and its attacks weren't fast if they target your back it could lead to severe injuries may even kill the soldier who was hit by the attack
so a surprise attack while taking down the floating ones and the one with the book would be optimal while the archers were also strong they weren't as annoying and the arrows only damaged the armor and he would have his archers target them before they could cause casualties.
Porucus would prepare accordingly.
"I will deliver victory to you," he declared, saluting.
Arthur smiled.
"Then I wish you fortune in battle."