Continue The Safety Measurements
I closed the old tome I had been studying and placed it back on the dusty shelf. The soft sound of the book sliding into place seemed to echo in the stillness of the room, a stark contrast to the chaos that awaited me outside these walls. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. The knowledge I had gained was invaluable, but now it was time to put it into practice.
As I made my way out of the library, I found Ser Rodrick waiting for me just outside the doors. The captain of the knights was a seasoned warrior, his face etched with the scars of countless battles, and his eyes were filled with a mixture of relief and determination as he saw me approach.
"Your Highness," he said, bowing slightly. "The men are ready to continue the patrol. The barbarians may have retreated for now, but we cannot afford to let our guard down. They are ruthless and will undoubtedly strike again if given the chance."
I nodded, my mind already shifting to the next steps. "You're right, Ser Rodrick. We need to ensure that the kingdom is completely secured. We can't allow any more breaches. Let's gather the men and reinforce our defenses."
We walked together through the castle corridors, the sounds of our footsteps echoing off the stone walls. As we passed by the barracks, knights and guards were already arming themselves, strapping on their armor and sharpening their weapons. The air was thick with a sense of urgency, a shared understanding that the survival of the kingdom depended on the strength of our resolve.
When we reached the courtyard, the men were assembled and ready. The knights stood in formation, their armor gleaming in the morning light, while the foot soldiers formed ranks behind them. Despite the exhaustion that clung to their faces, there was a fierce determination in their eyes. These were men who had fought and bled for their kingdom, and they would do so again without hesitation.
I stepped forward, addressing them with a voice that carried the authority I had been given—not just as Eldric Valen, but as the one who now wielded the power of the King of Heroes.
"Men of Eldoria," I began, my voice steady and clear. "Today, we stand not just as defenders of our land, but as the shield that will protect our people from the horrors that seek to destroy us. The barbarians who have attacked our kingdom are ruthless, but we are stronger. We will not let them take what is ours."
A murmur of agreement swept through the ranks, the men straightening as they absorbed my words.
"We will patrol the borders," I continued. "We will reinforce our defenses and root out any remaining threats. But most importantly, we will stand united. As long as we fight together, we cannot be defeated."
Ser Rodrick stepped forward, his presence commanding respect as he addressed the men. "You heard the prince! We fight for Eldoria, for our families, and for our future! The enemy may be strong, but we are stronger. Now, let's show them what it means to face the might of Eldoria!"
A cheer erupted from the soldiers, their voices rising in unison, a battle cry that echoed off the castle walls and into the skies above. It was a sound that sent a shiver down my spine—a sound that reminded me of the responsibility I bore and the lives that depended on my leadership.
As the men dispersed to their assigned positions, I turned to Ser Rodrick. "We need to ensure that our borders are secure. We'll split the patrol into three groups. I'll lead the first group to the northern front, where the barbarians seem to have concentrated their forces. You take the second group to the eastern borders, and we'll send the third group to reinforce the western side."
Ser Rodrick nodded, already moving to organize the troops. "Understood, Your Highness. I'll make sure the men are ready to move out immediately."
As he went about his duties, I made my way to the armory. I had learned much in the library, but now it was time to equip myself for the battle ahead. The armory was a vast room filled with weapons and armor, each piece meticulously maintained and ready for use. I scanned the racks, hoping that there would be some weapons or armors that could have secret strength, but I guess it's not that easy.
I then use my armor that seem to be the bonus pack I got from 'The Path of Heroes' system.
Armor of the Last Vanguard
I donned the armor, feeling its weight settle over my shoulders, the power within it resonating with the aura I had cultivated. The moment the helmet clicked into place, I felt a surge of strength and clarity. The armor was more than just metal and magic; it was a symbol of the legacy I now carried, a legacy that I had to uphold.
With the Armor of the Last Vanguard and the Blade of the Fallen King at my side, I was ready.
I emerged from the armory to find my group of knights assembled and waiting. Their eyes widened as they took in the sight of me in the legendary armor, and I could see the mixture of awe and determination in their faces. They had seen me fight before, but now, they were witnessing something more—a prince who was not just a leader, but a warrior willing to stand and fight alongside them.
"Move out!" I commanded, my voice amplified by the helm. The knights responded immediately, falling into formation as we marched out of the castle and into the city streets.
As we made our way toward the northern front, the city was a stark contrast to the scene I had seen just hours before. The fires had been extinguished, and the bodies of the fallen had been respectfully covered and moved. But the damage was still visible—the scars of battle etched into the very walls of the kingdom.
We reached the northern gates, where the first signs of the barbarian horde had been seen. The gates were intact, but the walls bore the marks of fierce fighting—gouges in the stone, scorch marks from firebombs, and the occasional arrow still embedded in the wood.
"Keep your eyes sharp," I said, scanning the horizon for any sign of movement. "The enemy is still out there, and we can't afford to let them regroup."
The knights nodded, their weapons at the ready as we moved out beyond the gates and into the fields that stretched out before the kingdom. The land was eerily quiet, the only sound the rustling of the wind through the tall grass. But I knew better than to trust the silence. The barbarians were cunning, and they would strike when we least expected it.
We moved cautiously, the tension growing with each step. The fields were vast, the tall grass providing ample cover for any number of ambushes. I kept my senses alert, the power of the armor heightening my awareness of my surroundings. The aura around me pulsed with energy, ready to react at a moment's notice.
Then, just as we reached the edge of a small forest, I saw it—a flash of movement, the glint of steel hidden among the trees.
"Ambush!" I shouted, raising the Blade of the Fallen King just as a volley of arrows rained down on us from the treeline.
The knights reacted instantly, raising their shields to deflect the arrows as they formed a tight defensive circle around me. The arrows clattered against the shields, the sound of steel on steel ringing through the air. I saw the first wave of barbarians charging out from the trees, their faces twisted with rage and bloodlust.
"Hold the line!" I commanded, stepping forward to meet the charge. The Blade of the Fallen King hummed with power as I swung it, cutting down the first barbarian who dared to close the distance.
The battle erupted in a frenzy of steel and blood. The barbarians were relentless, their sheer numbers overwhelming, but the knights of Eldoria held firm. We fought as one, each man protecting the other, our movements coordinated and precise. I could feel the power of the aura flowing through me, guiding my strikes, lending strength to my blows.
The barbarians were strong, but they lacked discipline. They fought with brute force, relying on their numbers to overwhelm us. But we had something they did not—a purpose, a reason to fight beyond survival. We fought for our kingdom, for our people, and that gave us the edge.
I cut down one barbarian after another, the Blade of the Fallen King cleaving through armor and flesh with ease. The power of the armor amplified my strength, allowing me to move with a speed and precision that I had never experienced before. Every strike was deliberate, every movement calculated. There was no room for error, no margin for hesitation.
As the battle raged on, I saw Ser Rodrick leading the second group of knights toward us, reinforcing our position. His arrival bolstered the morale of the men, and we pressed the attack, pushing the barbarians back toward the trees.
The tide of battle began to turn in our favor. The barbarians, seeing their ranks thinning and their momentum faltering, began to retreat. But we did not give them the chance to regroup. We pursued them into the forest, cutting down any who tried to flee.