Chapter 60: Zaltarion Nobles

"By the Dragon God!" Rynar and Vanervi heard Reynard's exclamation from outside the tent.

"Your Majesty! You need to see this!" Reynard lifted the tent flap, making way for them to step out.

"What's going on? My God!" Vanervi peeked outside, his face instantly filled with shock. 

The once spacious street was now packed with soldiers—Rapid Infantry, clad in green chainmail, barrel helmets, wielding 5-meter-long pikes, and bearing tower shields strapped with spiked maces.

"Who are they? When did they arrive?" Vanervi turned to Reynard in confusion.

"They are Zaltarion's most esteemed infantry—the Rapid Infantry Corps! They've just arrived to support His Majesty!" Reynard said with pride, gesturing at the dragon emblem on the soldiers' chests.

"Your men? You didn't mention this before!" Vanervi was astonished as he gazed upon the vast army of Rapid Infantry—there must have been over a thousand!

"I thought we didn't have any reinforcements?" Vanervi asked Rynar, puzzled.

"We shouldn't, but exceptions happen, like... now." Rynar shrugged, equally unsure how to explain it to Vanervi.

"So... our chances of winning just went up?" Vanervi grinned in excitement.

"Be honest, are there any more reinforcements on the way?" Vanervi eyed Rynar suspiciously, his face lighting up with anticipation.

"I'm not sure. Our people are scattered across the continent, and I can't contact all of them. Besides, not everyone can make it in time." 

Rynar shook his head, knowing he didn't have the funds for more troop reinforcements.

"Your Majesty! Your loyal servant, Lance, seeks an audience!" A distinct voice rang out as one of the Rapid Infantry stepped forward.

Rynar blinked, sizing up the soldier. What made him different from the others? The rest were regular soldiers, but this one—a second-tier warrior! 

Although his armor was similar, it was crafted from rare metals, and his pike gleamed with magical energy, clearly an enchanted weapon. 

His tower shield, though painted green, radiated the aura of adamantine.

"Who are you, my warrior?" Rynar asked curiously.

"I am Lance, once the lord of Aetherguard Village in one of the regions of the Zaltarion Empire," Lance saluted Rynar with a noble's grace.

"A Zaltarion noble? Seriously? This system is full of surprises!" Rynar thought to himself.

"What brings you here?" Rynar asked, feeling tricked by the system for placing such a "big fish" among regular infantry.

"Upon learning of Your Majesty's presence, I came to protect you!" Lance responded respectfully.

"And this Rapid Infantry Corps?" Rynar inquired, curious about Lance's connection to the army.

"Your Majesty, I am the commander of this corps. We've wandered in the far north for a long time, and we've lost nearly half our men. 

Upon hearing that you've raised the banner of Zaltarion once more, we came to defend your honor and the Empire's glory!" Lance declared firmly.

To be fair, the system's implanted memories were reliable; no one doubted Lance's words. What bothered Rynar was how absurd the Zaltarion Empire seemed in the game. 

A lord of a village could muster a 3,000-strong Rapid Infantry Corps? He'd need a dozen more lords like that!

"You've governed lands before?" Rynar suddenly had an epiphany—Lance was a true talent! 

Rynar lacked anyone who could manage affairs, and as a result, Riverguard's infrastructure was incomplete, plagued with various issues. 

Having a Zaltarion noble around would solve so many problems.

"Yes, Your Majesty! But I've only managed small towns, never anything larger," Lance replied humbly, with the poise of a Zaltarion noble.

"No problem. Riverguard doesn't have many people right now. From this moment, you're the new governor of Riverguard!" Rynar declared, handing over the administrative mess to Lance.

"By your command!" Lance bowed.

Rynar quickly opened the page for Riverguard, eager to see how it looked now. To his delight, the once stagnant evaluation had finally changed.

Riverguard:

- Area: 1 square kilometer

- Structures:

 - 1 dilapidated lord's castle

 - 80 crumbling houses

 - 20 barely stable houses

 - Intermediate magic-inscribed city walls

 - Stone well

 - Blacksmith shop

 - Barracks

- Commanders: Caslow (Tier 3), Reynard (Tier 4), Radir (Tier 4)

- Special Personnel: Lady Aivy (Tier 3)

- City Guard Commander: Marcus (Tier 4)

- Governor: Lance (Tier 2)

- Military Strength: 2,110

- Population: 894 (183 trainable civilians)

- Evaluation: A lonely king leads his remaining people back to their homeland, establishing this walled city. Though sparsely populated, everything is moving in a positive direction. The city boasts a strong military capable of defending it, but it cannot yet face the growing darkness alone. The good news is that the city has finally gained both a city guard captain and a governor. Note: A tribe of plains elves is stationed here—use them wisely for unexpected benefits.

- Abilities:

 1. As the only remaining territory of the Zaltarion Kingdom in Middle-earth, it attracts Zaltarion refugees. The system will guide a group of wandering Zaltarion civilians to the city daily. The lord must arrange for their proper settlement.

 2. Civilians of this city can be recruited and trained as Rapid Infantry.

"Hah! Finally, a better evaluation than the useless one I had before..." Rynar felt a lump in his throat, ready to cry. Being a king was hard. Being the King of Zaltarion was harder. Being a good King of Zaltarion? Nearly impossible!

"Your Majesty, if I may, I'd like to rebuild the lord's castle." Lance whispered to Rynar.

"It's about time!" Rynar glared at Reynard, who quickly turned away, pretending not to notice.

"Everything is in your hands now! Do as you see fit!" Rynar said, wiping his hands clean of any further responsibilities.

"These houses also need repairs. If one collapses and injures someone, that would be terrible." 

Lance, already accustomed to his role, pulled out parchment and ink, making notes of everything.

"Whatever you need—repairs, improvements, just go to Reynard. He'll assist you. You can also hire townspeople to help with the work, and as for payment..." 

Rynar dragged out a chest filled with gold coins he'd stashed away for emergencies.

"I can't have my people working for free, can I?" Rynar chuckled.

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