Chapter 38: The Ranger's Arrival

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Roland lay weakly on the hammock, eyes half-closed as he murmured, "System check-in..."

"Sign in successfully! Congratulations to the host for getting El Nino Rangers *10."

Roland sighed, feeling a tinge of frustration. "Really? No iron ingots, no desks, nothing useful..." He muttered to himself. The system seemed to have a knack for providing items that were often more of a novelty than practical. The supplies he'd secured from the dwarves were dwindling fast, and the growing population of Rapid City made the situation even more precarious. At the current rate, they wouldn't make it through the spring.

The thought of James, who had inherited a well-established power, filled Roland with a pang of envy. Even though James had been forced to move south, he'd managed to preserve most of his supplies. Hundreds of trucks, brimming with goods, had followed him, and despite the challenges, his people's lives were far more comfortable than Roland's.

"We need to have the civilians cut more trees and build boats. The soldiers can't handle all the fishing on their own," Roland thought, his mind racing as he considered the options available to them.

Just as he was about to rise, Carlos approached, his face weathered from the daily reconnaissance missions he undertook on his dragon.

"Carlos, what are the Cardan tribe people up to across the river?" Roland asked, lifting the tent flap as he stepped outside.

"They're cutting down trees to build a city wall," Carlos replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "They have a few earth mages, but their skill level is low. They can only manage to raise some thorns and smash stones to build a basic foundation."

"With enough people and resources, they should be able to build it quickly," Roland mused, nodding.

"Yes, once they have a wall, they won't fear the orc attacks. They still have over 500 soldiers and at least 100 professionals. With nearly 4,000 people, they have significant potential in a prolonged conflict," Carlos added, his voice filled with cautious optimism.

Roland nodded again. The Cardan tribe had the numbers and the resources that Rapid City lacked. It was a stark contrast to his own struggles, where every day was a battle against hunger and the elements. He couldn't help but wonder about the future—if these northern humans had migrated south before, their fate would have likely been the same as those who were either absorbed by River Valley City or annihilated by the harsh realities of the wilderness.

A voice interrupted his thoughts. "King, a team of El Nino Rangers has come to pledge their service to you," Reynold reported, appearing at the entrance of the tent.

Roland's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Bring them to me," he ordered.

Soon, a group of ten rangers stood before him. "Your Highness, may the El Nino Forest protect you and us," they said in unison, bowing respectfully.

Roland studied them carefully. The El Nino Rangers were a legendary force, born in the El Nino Forest by the Inner Sea of Rune. Their reputation as dragon slayers was unparalleled. They were the only human army that had ever reached Dragon Island during the Human-Dragon War, slaying countless dragons and leaving a lasting impact on the world. The El Nino Rangers had nearly driven dragons to extinction, their numbers now reduced to a scarce few.

"If only they had come sooner," Roland thought, a bitter smile crossing his face. "Perhaps we could have saved East Road Town..."

The rangers were equipped with high-quality Mithril longbows, their bowstrings made from dragon tendons, and their close-fitting leather armor crafted from dragon skin. Their gear was designed for agility, not heavy defense, and they wore only minimal armor on their legs and arms, with dragon-scale head rings instead of helmets.

"Not everyone is like the Batania shooters," Roland mused. The Batania archers, known for their heavy armor and flexibility, were a rare breed. But the El Nino Rangers were true archers—swift, lethal, and lightly armored. Roland couldn't help but think about the Avalon Rangers, the elite warriors from the Avalon elf tribe in the northern Eastern Mountains. As martial arts masters, they were among the most formidable rangers on the continent. If he had the chance, Roland would gladly recruit them as well.

After a moment of contemplation, Roland made his decision. "You will serve as my personal guards," he announced. The El Nino Rangers were too few in number to form a separate army, but they would be invaluable in protecting him from aerial attacks.

Roland knew that the orcs had sky knights, and Sauron's forces boasted powerful abyssal creatures, akin to demonic dragons. The presence of these El Nino Rangers would be crucial in defending against any aerial assaults. As the inevitable confrontation with Sauron loomed on the horizon, Roland took comfort in the fact that these elite rangers would be at his side, ready to face the challenges ahead.