Ryan sat with his arm pressed against the armrest of the marbled throne.
The Clerk of War stood by the steps, a bronze plaque swaying near his red fabric as he read the battle report to the court.
"Report of Nighttime Engagement with Ferocious Beasts in Thorns Forest.
Attack Summary:
150 Ember Riders clashed with 300 Abnormal Grade Kobolds and 2 Rare Grade Ones.
Casualties: 12 Ember Riders killed. At least 300+ kobolds slain. 9 Ember Riders severely injured, 15 with light injuries.
150 Members of the Phoenix Cavalry engaged with 54 Abnormal Grade Grim Bears in an organized skirmish.
Casualties: 9 Dead, and all Grim Bears were slain. 3 are severely injured and 5 have light injuries.
150 Infantry & Archers of Combat Army 1 were hit with an ambush consisting of 50 Abnormal Grade Abyssal Apes & 2 Rare Grades.
Casualties: 25 Dead, Multiple injured, and 1 Dead Infantry Captain Lieutenant. Abyssal Apes were exterminated…"
As the Clerk continued reading from the scroll. Ryan was starting to feel a bit lightheaded from all the information.
Probably because he didn't sleep for 2 to 3 hours, as he kept thinking about the fight with that Spider Monkey.
'How did those things come into existence? What is their origin?'
After taking the time to review the entirety of that fight, he deduced that the abilities the beast displayed were contrary to the element it wielded. When it shot attacks using its original element, it could summon plants, cause tendrils to rise, etc.
On the other hand, when it wielded the dark arts, the plants wilted and contracted, and anything that was touched ended up dissolving.
"Quite the contrarian attributes," he thought.
'But then again, how do you dissolve fire?'
"Overall, more than 800 monsters were killed, and around 92 people drew their last breath during the engagements. 42 warriors will need to retire and return to living amongst the population, while 50 would need a few days of recovery."
'92 people? That's at least an 8 percent death rate!'
The Clerk of War rolled up the scroll and bowed to the King as he finished the report with a commentary, "Out of all the operations the city soldiers have engaged in, this is the highest number of deaths which we've had from a single mission during the last decade."
Ryan's curiosity was piqued, 'There was another which was much higher?'
To him, the loss of over a hundred soldiers was detrimental news to the population.
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud thud, and when he looked up, there was Liam kneeling against the floor tiles with Berny falling beside him.
"Your Majesty, please punish us!" Both Strategist and Colonel said in unison.
Although he was deeply flummoxed by their act, Ryan kept his countenance, remembering that it was the duo's decision on how many soldiers were to be dispatched and that Liam was the one who estimated the number of creatures.
"If the Head Strategist and Commander should be punished, then I too should be punished as well for not being pre-emptive with my forces," said Aria, who came to kneel behind the two.
"So should I," said Another Military Leader.
Before he could properly place what was going on, a portion of Captains and their Lieutenants were kneeling, asking for punishment.
"Marshal, it seems the Head Strategist has many supporters in court," One man in army uniform whispered near the ear of his direct superior.
"Of course he does, he's the Head Strategist, have you not noticed how infectious his Charisma is?" The Superior, being big and burly in appearance, Grutwick whispered back.
"This matter will be given after the Court is over," The King responded, "However, this matter still remains of utmost concern to the throne. And I believe you all will do your best to rectify your mistakes."
"Thank you, Sire!" The Officials said in unison as they rose from the floor.
For the Abyssal Apes. Originally, the plan was to stay and watch the trees; however, Ryan wasn't expecting the soldiers to just fumble because they were falling from the trees.
Of all the companies involved, the one he happened to be in gained the highest loss.
It was also a confirmation that the luck he possessed didn't extend towards others.
'It was also luck that kept me and those two from dying,'
[Quest Completed - Monster Hunt
Your nation has been awarded 113 wealth and 10 Nation Points for a job well done.]
[Due to the death count, 3 Wealth points will be deducted.]
Ryan felt a stab in his chest after hearing that.
"Sire," The Clerk of War called after the kneeling figures had dispersed.
He would return to those deductions later.
~~~
With the court now dispersed, Ryan focused his energy on Liam, Berny, and the others who remained.
"Do your soldiers fight these monsters on a regular basis?" He asked the group.
"Everywhere in Tum is clouded with all sorts of Monsters or monstrousity, my King," Liam replied.
Ryan took the moment to think before asking another question, "Tell me, are there still beings of such levels capable of lurking outside the city? Isn't that dangerous to its residents and the Kingdom at large?"
The whole group went silent, a few had their faces fixed towards the ground, and none seemed willing to respond.
"Good, your mission will be to capture those monsters and train your troops on how to fight them." He said.
The number of terrified soldiers from that battle was worrying. If there were other monstrousities hanging around, then would they all just freeze in place?
"And if it's possible, confirm if they can be trained. We are close to not only danger but also opportunities that we can use in crushing our enemies."
He had considered that such might have been tried before, but with the way Liam, Rictor, and Berny talked about it in the war room, the Abyssal apes, while he doubted they could be trained, seemed fairly new; hence, it was safe to assume that some new tameable creature was present out there.
"Yes." The group bowed their heads in unison.
With the hall having turned silent and the generals departing, barely anyone was left in the room.
~~~
Once the Court session was over, only Rictor, a few soldiers, including Ian and Pierre, along with the war clerk, were left.
"Rictor,"
"Yes,"
"How would the compensation system work for the families of those dead and severely injured soldiers?"
"By the Nation's law, it would cost four silver coins per family; the cost would be higher based on the soldier's contribution and rank."
"I see, give the families an extra silver."
"Yes"
"I would also like to have a word with the researcher from the National Academy, Leyla, if I'm correct."
"Will do, my King, will do."
Based on Ryan's calculations and observations, 1 Wealth point was equivalent to 10 gold coins, and although it wasn't a currency, it allowed him to understand how much money the nation had.
'Should have just given me a treasury.'
A Gold coin was equal to 10 silver coins, and finally, A Silver coin was equivalent to 10 copper coins.
Soldiers dying was not good for the nation or anyone in general. He might as well start progressing things with the academy to see a change in that.
The Night's battle was a very clear warning as to how hard it was for them to defeat any creature or monster if you weren't an affinity user or, in some cases, a mage.
"Nations Stats," He thought.
[Nation's Stats
Wealth - 1157
Resources - 1356
Divine Favour - 100
Nation Points (NP) - 100]
Before arriving, he'd received earnings for surviving the fourth day.
As an indication of prosperity, Wealth would allow him to know if the days following a policy or event brought a catastrophe to the economy or made it boom.
Right now at least 11,570 gold coins were in circulation. From Rictor's telling, the nation had around 30 percent.
Selling the body parts of those dead beasts, for example, the abyssal ape rare, if in an optimal state, would fetch them higher sales when sold to other kingdoms, allowing the wealth to grow. Although the system wouldn't tell him that directly.
Resources were what they were useful for buildings, construction, research, and others. In fact, he would say that, unlike wealth —— a marker stat for statistical purposes, resources were something he could use directly.
He guessed Divine Favour had to do with the things of the temple or their relationship with a deity, which he believed was not supposed to be stagnant in numbers.
Finally, Nation Points. Its purpose was to get useful figures, items, equipment, and even spells, powerful, nation-wide spells.
He could only use any of these things actively if he had access to the Nation Store.
"Ian," Ryan called.
"Yes, my King."
"Do you know where the assassin is held? I would like to meet her."