Reconnaissance

A notification rang out from the system as Fang created more and more golems. These were not to be in the military squadron that Gold commanded, but rather to oversee the farm and help ensure that nothing went wrong.

[Your time is up]

[You must leave the mountain or take action to bring those with systems to the mountain]

Fang frowned.

'Already?' he thought.

'Ugh...'

Fang stared at the base of the mountain, which was covered in a bluish mist and slowly floated down to the foot of the mountain. Dispelling the protections and illusions long enough for him to pass, he left the edge of the mountain and stepped out into the real world.

Breathing in deep, he frowned.

'Alright. I just need to get a few systems from here and there and then we can finish this up,' he thought to himself.

[Make sure that they are decent, high-leveled systems]

'You're already committing cannibalism, but now you want to choose what you eat?' Fang asked the system, aghast.

[...]

[...]

[...shut up]

Fang shook his head and walked out into the nearby town. Entering the marketplace, he sat down in the corner of a stall. Various pieces of gossip and other miscellaneous pieces of information floated about, here and there.

"Did you know that they've been reducing the price of rations nowadays?"

"Oh why is that?"

"10 gold coins for a freshly killed and roasted boar!"

"Hey, have you hear about that new kid in the academy?"

"Oh?"

"Yeah, apparently he's famous for singlehandedly defeating everyone in the senior class!"

"What? That's impossible!"

Fang's interest was piqued by this conversation and he stared at the two.

"Well, it's true. My uncle went to the fights and he saw it with his own eyes!"

"Really? Amazing!"

"To think we had such a prodigy, right?"

"Yeah! Hey, what's his name anyway?"

"Lu Xiongnan. He's amazing at all types of fighting, whether it's long distance, close range, everything!"

"Wow. Maybe he can help us with the new troubles on the horizon!"

"New troubles?"

"Oh haven't you heard?"

Fang, beginning to lose interest, glanced around once more for information on any more prodigies.

"Yeah well, they've begun to lower the prices slightly to make sure every citizen has enough food stockpiled,"

"Yeah so?"

"Why would they do this if it wasn't to prepare for a war?"

"10 silver coins for a bushel of fruit!"

"And then I told him that he had to choose between the statue and me! And he chose the statue!"

"Anyway, there are rumors of an army marching here but I'm sure it's just a bunch of bandits! The Empire will deal with them easily!"

Not finding any more information on any prodigies, Fang melted into the shadows and flew towards the academy. He had some hunting--- ahem---- persuasion to do.

{Far away, near the mountain}

"MARCH FORWARD!"

"STOP!"

Gold, dressed in a golden military uniform stepped to the front of the army. Glaring at the golems before him, his piercing gaze burned in their souls.

"GOLEMS! The day has finally come! We are now officially an army!" he shouted with a vigorous passion.

The golems cheered and roared, filling the air with sounds of exuberance.

Gold smiled secretly and then turned around to spy a large spire.

'There... that's our first target!' he thought.