34 Growth

Three weeks, it took the Virtuoso's army three weeks to set up a large encampment. Establishing themselves as the safest area within the old city of Los Milagros.

A standing army of 500, now at a proud 934. They perform annual sweeps of the monsters right outside their barriers.

Though not everyone is a combatant, there are those with a different job. Namely those who have an abundance of mana, the main spellcasting divisions no longer need to be the main source of power for the barriers.

The role of [Barrier Maintenance] comes to those that have an abundance of mana but lack the drive to fight. For resources, there are also the ones who utilize water magic to supply the base with the resource. This method is far from the best but finding a source of naturally occurring freshwater is part of their priority list.

Matthew has informed Malik about the city's old source of water supply but tapping into it will have to wait since said supply of water is a river that's quite far from their current location.

Malik has been tasked with the creation of more stone/brick housing for their inhabitants. Matthew is thankful for his skills in management and general ability to aid in the progress.

Their units grew by the day, it's either serve the higher power or leave. There are far too many who benefit from his rule and the methods of the Virtuoso are not lacking in the least. A seasoned leader, along with veteran soldiers.

Trustworthy subordinates, only a fool would go against them. The loyalty of the soldiers who followed the man to another world is simply that, an amount of loyalty that others could only wish for.

Among the Centurias, groups consisting 100 soldiers each. Divisions have been formed, from the Defense Divisions to the Scouting and resource collection divisions. Matthew and Rokhan, the two strongest entities in the settlement have been leading these groups to ensure the safety of their people along with the effectiveness of their work rate.

Matthew has been active, while he plans and lets the people play their roles he is not one to slack. There are bigger threats within the city, like the occasional Mid-rank demon or the C - B rank monsters. His division of a hundred soldiers is not one to scoff at.

They act as his personal shield, with the purpose of protecting him while he scans the battlefield. Giving him enough time to go all out in the use of his puppets.

"My liege, there has been a sighting south of our territory." It was Rokhan, well one of his clones. The red shoulder plate indicated this, since the original wears a blue one.

"Continue."

"Undead. From what we could gather a black miasma is present, there is a Lesser-Lich within the vicinity. Urgent attention is needed sire."

"We march, inform the main base of my return. Fortify our defenses, a lich be it a lesser one or a full one is no laughing matter." The virtuoso spoke, his soldiers hearing him loud and clear.

A lich, be it a lesser lich or not. Is a powerful entity that rivals the Virtuoso at his current peak.

A clone of Rokhan has also informed Malik already. "Cease all activities and prepare for combat, stall for as long as possible. The possibility of winning against such a thing on our own...is low"

Malik then issued orders, replenishing the number of units at the barrier maintenance unit.

"A lich. It seems that you will have to come out earlier than I thought." Malik stated as he took out a blue orb from his inventory.

"Create a defensive line, their stronger units have the ability to pierce through the barrier! Prepare for combat!"

The defense division welcomed the undead in open arms.

"Have at thee you undead cretins!"

"For the King!" A soldier shouted out as he smashed the head of a nearby skeleton warrior. A mace is a powerful tool against the undead, blunt strikes are extremely effective against bone.

"Face my blade!" A swordsman stated.

In the front lines the original Rokhan can be seen facing the leaders of the Lich's army. From gigantic skeleton knights to Boneclaws.

"I didn't bring barrels this time, but my Halberd should be enough" the man smiled at the thought of finally taking one of these things down without the use of "cheap" methods.

Facing such a horde of monsters is something that they had already anticipated, their growth has become noticeable to the factions of monsters that formed in the area.

This was an inevitability.

"Poseidon, Neptune Alinkula. Heed the call of the magi - "

A long chant. Channeled through a powerful magical item.

Malik has always been a powerful spellcaster. The ground shook as the opposing army were swallowed by a raging flow of water. One that devastated the landscape outside of the barrier. Taking care of the opposing infantry in one fell swoop.

[Raging Tides] 

Malik and Rokhan have grown a lot. Malik has gained his 5th Circle while Rokhan has gained the ability to fully animate a weapon out of internal energy, they are monsters deserving of the B-rank themselves. 

The divisions of original soldiers and newly bound recruits behind them stood tall as the two elites cleared the lesser undead with ease. 

The heavy-hitters will soon arrive.