Life Reset: Conquest (New Era Online Book 5)

by Kuznits, Shemer

  “No problem,” Yeshy said.

  A second later, the interface updated, showing the gold payment halved, while the return trip now carried 12 units of tin and 12 of copper.

  “What about the other route?” I asked.

  “I’d advise you to leave it as is. Zemitpozes has no shortage of materials, but they pay a premium for lumber. You can get almost everything they offer cheaper elsewhere; better to keep their gold.”

  “Gotcha.”

  “You’ll be pleased to note that we just increased the clan’s tax income by 6 gold. Some of it is taken from what you paid for the flour.”

  I chuckled. “It’s good to be chief.” I skimmed over the rest of the interface. “The threat level for the Novenguard route is mediocre,” I pointed out.

  “The badlands are a dangerous place. You should have a patrol or two clear the way for the caravans.”

  I needed all the soldiers I could get, but until we arrived at Everance, I figured I could spare a few. I sent out my thoughts. Kaedric.

 

  I need to set a group of soldiers to patrol the route between the valley and Novenguard.

 

  I guess it can’t be helped.

 

  My eyes lit up. You’re right! We had them all scour the sewers to level up, right?

 

  Not quite , I said, remembering some of the monsters we fought. Twenty-five level 3 hobs might be able to contend with some of the monsters out there but not consistently or without casualties. Call back two high-level Infernal Ogres and one goblin healer to watch over the newbies .

 

  I smiled at Yeshlimashu. “Looks like business is on. We’ll talk again after we’ve captured Whitebanner.”

  “Of course, Dire Totem,” the gremlin said.

  ***

  I spent the rest of the day in the Warlock Tower’s library, poring over the Runecraft skill book.

  I’d been studying the same schema for a while, and I was close to making a breakthrough. I could almost feel it; all I needed was a little more time.

  A few hours later, I yawned and put the book down. It was time to go home.

  Tika and Lirian had already returned, and we passed the rest of the evening sitting together, eating, and chatting. It was relaxing and familiar, and I felt the rest of my troubles fade away. I was with my family now, and everything was right with the world.

  ***

  The next day I continued studying the frustratingly complicated schema.

  The major point of the problem was that it seemed the runes fed off two different power sources. It had taken me a couple more hours to fully solve the problem.

  “Yes!” I jumped from my seat in triumph. I had finally figured out the enchantment. As if to confirm, a notification popped open.

  Area schema discovered: MagShikmaKoteshralim [Building’s Ward]

  You’ve gained knowledge of a new rune: Lim [water rune]

  Runecraft skill level increased to 72.

  Finally! The complex 10-rune area enchantment warded a building against magical or spatial intrusion. It also, to some extent, protected against the elements and made the structure more durable. On top of that, the schema included the Shi rune of flux, which, in the current configuration, acted as a stabilizer to the rest of the schema, restoring and maintaining it. As long as most of the building was still standing and the runes received the power they required, the enchantment would never fade.

  The issue I’d had was resolved when I realized the enchantment included two different methods of powering up. One was the standard containment rune, which could be fed external energy. The other was the ability to connect it to a static power source. And as it just so happened, the Essence Capacitor structure we’d recently built was a perfect source for that energy. With only a few minor tweaks, I was now able to protect any structure in the valley with an extremely powerful enchantment.

  The real problem was the scope of the project. My Runecraft Interface now held the new schema, but I would still need to manually fix critical runes into specific locations, and that would take a while. Warding every building in the valley wasn’t the best use of my time, and unfortunately, it wasn’t something I could delegate to my clan’s resident enchanter since he was not a Runecrafter.

  I decided on the most crucial one. The Breeder’s Den was the foundation of my clan’s success. It had already been targeted before. If it’d had this enchantment in place before, there was a good chance it wouldn’t have been destroyed. As a bonus, the Breeder’s Den was a relatively small building, so it wouldn’t take too long to apply the ward.

  ‘Too long’ translated to most of the day. I labored to extend the various runes over the building while struggling to maintain the enchantment’s cohesion. A single mistake and the entire effort would go to waste. Once I was sure I’d done everything right, I double-checked, going over the runic lines one final time before pouring in the required 9,000 mana points. Instead of using my mana, I chose the second option, connecting it to draw power from the Essence Capacitor directly. Then I stepped back and watched the enchantment finalize.

  The entire building lit with glowing runic lines. As I watched, the lines snaked and twirled, completing the enchantment and covering every square centimeter with thin magical lines. Whatever happened from now on, as long as my clan endured, we would always have the Breeder’s Den to help us.

  “Father?”

  I turned to see Lirian sitting on a piece of log, her sword on her lap. I hadn’t noticed her coming.

  “How long have you been watching me?” I asked.

  She frowned. “An hour maybe? The workday is over. Mother is expecting us.”

  “Shadow-crap.” I had gotten so caught up in my work I’d lost track of time. The entire day had blown away in an instant.

  I had a long couple of days ahead of me, and this was the last time for a while that I would get to relax. I offered my hand to my wily daughter. “Let’s go home.”

  ***

  When I woke up the next day, a message and a few notifications were waiting for me.

  You have acquired a new vassal settlement X 4

  It seemed the army’s four companies had accomplished their task and conquered the rest of the southern settlements in our area.

  I briefly opened the Vassal Interface but didn’t see anything particularly interesting about the new acquisitions. The four new vassals were villages – a bit bigger than hamlets, but nothing special. They had a population of several hundred civilians between them and offered some mediocre contributions to the capital, though not enough to drastically change our setup. On the other hand, they gave nice morale bonuses to my clan.

  I did a double-take when I checked the ‘Morale’ tab next. With Kaedric’s settlement-wide upgrade, the lodging deficiency that had plagued my clan for so long was gone. And with the new string of conquests, morale had reached an all-time high of 152. Its subsequent effect on overall efficiency was substantial, crossing the 50 percent mark. That meant all the workers did their job better and quicker.

  With a slight grin, I proceeded to open the message I had received.

  New Era Online [Internal messaging service]:

  From : Sullivan

  Subject : It’s time

  Oren, we’ve arrived at the midpoint, a day’s march from Whitebanner and Storg. Time for you to show up.

  The adepts have arranged for a mobile shrine, so you should be able to teleport to our position.

  Sullivan,
<
br />   Grand Army Strategist

  I snorted in amusement at the title Sullivan had signed off with.

  Yulli and Panda were already with the main force, so all that was left was for Lirian and me to join them.

  Right after breakfast.

  Sullivan's message didn’t sound too urgent, but I knew what was at stake. This entire campaign’s success was on my shoulders, and I was damned if I was going to face it on an empty stomach. The army could wait a little longer; I was the chief, after all.

  I gently kissed Tika’s forehead and got out of bed. We’d already said our goodbyes the night before.

  Lirian was waiting for me downstairs, pacing next to a full table. She brightened when she saw me. “I’m ready, Father.”

  I yawned, not fully awake yet. “Have you eaten?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t feel like it. Adventure is waiting for us.”

  “Take it from your old man,” I said and sat down in front of the food. “An adventure looks a whole lot better on a full stomach. Army rations get old after a while.”

  She sat down reluctantly and started chewing indifferently on a piece of bread.

  An abrupt, heavy knocking came from the front door. It almost sounded like someone was trying to pound their way through.

  I frowned. It couldn’t have been Kaedric; the mandibled hob would have contacted me telepathically if something truly urgent came up.

  One of the goblin servants opened the door, revealing the haggard and bloody form of an antlike creature.

  Ragnar.

  The drone stepped into my house uninvited and propped his two formidable vice-hands on his sides. “Heard yer gonna head out to Whitebanner and get yerself some body count.”

  I grimaced at the player’s appearance. Ragnar’s chitin carapace was covered with bloody chunks, and the odor coming from him reminded me of a clogged toilet. His appearance wasn’t what one usually wanted to see while eating.

  “Yeah?” I said tentatively.

  “Well, count me in. Got myself a score ‘ta settle with ‘em Whitebanner asshats.”

  “Err … I don’t …” I took another look at Ragnar’s bloody appearance. “What the hell happened to you?”

  “What’cha talking about, fugly?” The drone looked down at himself. “Oh, that be mostly bits of rat guts an’ some giant snakes’ I found down them sewers.”

  I blinked at him. The drone was level 12 already. “Have you been down there since we last talked?”

  He wiped off a bit of gooey flesh. “Yeah, wha’ about it?”

  “Two days straight?”

  “What’ch’ya’ point? Gotta get them levels back, only one way how.”

  “You’ve been down there fighting for two days straight, and you want to go into another fight already?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “And why’s tha’?”

  I watched Lirian from the corner of my eye inching to move behind the drone, reaching for the sword at her back. “Well, for one, you tried to kill my daughter and me. I don’t trust you anywhere near her.”

  He didn’t seem fazed by the accusation. “Didna’ know back then she’s your whelp; thought I’d try the same green honey you’ve been dippin’ in.”

  “And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”

  He chuckled, the noise full of clicking sounds. “Don’ get yer britches twisted, fugly. Tha’ was back then, we’re best buds now, you and me. I know you’ll take me with ya.”

  “And why’s that?” I crossed my arms.

  “Because you owe me.”

  “I don’t–”

  “You. Owe. Me,” he growled. “I didna’ have ta’ read that stupid tablet for ya’, but I did. Cuz ya made me see it’s us versus them. And now ya’ gonna carve ‘em up and think I ain’t coming? Think again, fugly. You owe me and I’m coming with ya.”

  “Shadow-crap,” I muttered.

  Ragnar had argued me into a corner by using my own it’s-us-versus-them logic. As much as I disliked and mistrusted him, I did owe him something. The player had proven to be stubborn in the past, and I knew there was no way I would’ve gotten his cooperation if he hadn’t agreed to it willingly.

  Ragnar’s facial pincers widened in an antlike grin. “Glad you see things my way, fugly”

  “Alright,” I sighed. “You can come – on one condition: stop calling me fugly.

  “No.” Ragnar crossed his own arms.

  I met his gaze, but there was no way I could win a staring competition against those bifurcated peepers. “Fine,” I grumbled, looking at Lirian. She was narrowing her eyes at the ex-dwarf. I looked back at the player. Without his previous levels and magic light equipment, he wasn’t a threat. “Go get your things.”

  Ragnar held up his bare arms. “Got all I need right here.”

  “Right.”

  I offered my hand to Lirian. “Ready?”

  She nodded and her fingers clutched mine.

  Somewhat reluctantly, I put my other hand on the drone’s shoulder and teleported us away.

  18 - Road Trip

  We appeared on a grassy plain in the middle of the army’s camp.

  Nihilator’s zone of influence was projected from a monument of black stone and white bones, allowing me to teleport to this far-off location. The small shrine was being carried on the shoulders of four Ogre Mages. It sort of reminded me of an evil Ark of the Covenant, except for the foul-breathed Ogres doing the lifting.

  “Welcome, Chief,” Savol said, banging his fist against his small armor.

  “General,” I greeted him. “What’s the situation?”

  “Savol gets new hobs and adepts, makes army stronger,” the goblin said proudly. “We wait one day out from two big towns. Make camp to wait for chief, then go and take Storg.”

  “Do we have new information on what we’re up against?”

  Savol shook his head. “Scouts say both gates closed. Enemy know we out here, so they hide.”

  Sullivan approached. “They’re waiting for us to make the first move. Hello, Oren.” He stopped when he saw Ragnar. “What is he doing here?”

  “Hey there, skinny boy,” the drone said. “Nothing to fear ’bout ol’ Ragnar here; I’m on your side now, honest.” He gave the other player an insectile grin that looked anything but honest.

  “Right …” Sullivan turned to me with a raised eyebrow.

  “He demanded to join the raid,” I explained. “I figured we could use him as bait or something.”

  “Har, har,” Ragnar said. “I’ll be stickin’ to your ass like a bad rash, fugly. No losing me by accident ’long the way.

  “I … see,” Sullivan said slowly. “Well, if you think that’s the best approach …”

  “I really don’t.”

  “… then it’s best to get ahead of things,” Sullivan said, ignoring my answer. “As Savol mentioned, our presence has undoubtedly been detected by now, so Storg and Whitebanner will be on guard. They don’t know yet which one of them we’re targeting. We’re at the midpoint right now and can launch a strike against either one of them.”

  I watched the hob soldiers around us. Most were training, battling each other with wooden sticks. They fought animatedly, excited for the looming battle.

  “Well, we’re gonna pay Whitebanner’s assholes a visit,” Ragnar said. “You and me, boy, got ourselves a score ta’ settle there.”

  Sullivan nodded. “That’s the plan. Storg has slightly lower walls anyway, so it’ll be a better target for the army.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Ragnar said. “You and me are going to Whitebanner.”

  “Hold on,” I objected, not liking how Ragnar took charge of the situation. “Nothing’s settled.”

  “Wha’? You gonna let your men attack higher walls cause I answered for ya’? Nut up, boy.”

  Vic chuckled.

  Oh yeah? Because it sounds to me like he’
s taking over your balls jokes routine with that ‘nut up’ remark.

  I could feel Vic’s metaphorical eyes widening.

  Carapace-suit, more like it, I replied with a smirk.

 

  Yeah, yeah. You’re going to get me back for it later.

 

  You’re not getting any older either, I pointed out. It’s not like you can age.

 

  Thanks for that, I said dryly. Was that it?

 

  You do that. I turned to face an approaching Panda and Yulli. I nodded at the scout boss. “Are you familiar with the way to Whitebanner?”

  “Yes, Chief,” she said. “I can get us there.”

  “Good. I guess there’s no point in delaying any longer. Is everyone ready?”

  “Just a moment,” Sullivan said. “We do expect Whitebanner to send most of its forces out against us when we attack Storg, making it easier for you to infiltrate, but it’s safe to assume a few high-level NPCs will be left behind. You should also take along one of our high-level fighters, just to be safe. Either Swarm, Aidanriel, Bonecruncher, or Broncar.”

  “You have a point,” I said. Swarm and Bonecruncher were too noticeable and unpredictable. Aidanriel was more compact and responsive, but his company tended to grate on my nerves. “I’ll take Broncar if you think you can handle things without him.” The blue-skinned hob was our strongest fighter, after all.

  Sullivan nodded. “We mostly need a counter for the few powerful mages the town has. The golems’ magic resistance more than makes up for the power gap.”