Answering The Challenge (2)

- - Author Note - -

Bonus Chapter (We havent reached the milestone for Powerstones, but here's a Mother's Day Bonus Release ;)

Anyone interested if i said i was considering doing a self publicized print of the first volume?

If you are drop be a comment here or hit me up on my Patreon account https://www.patreon.com/Orngebeard

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- - Miri's POV - -

Miri was reading a book.

She had learned to read thanks to Lord Julius, and she read as many books as she could on various subjects.

Miri said she would do anything, even sew, to repay his favor but Julius made her learn to read and write.

She had thought that only nobles could learn to read, but since he was the benefactor who saved them, she decided to follow his advice.

Surprisingly, she began to find letters interesting.

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[Miri]

[Age: 21]

[Power Level: 5]

[Intelligence: 59]

[Command: 10]

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When she first came to Aquitania, her ability values were like this.

But that changed after she learned to read, and strove to read through his entire library's contents.

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[Miri]

[Age: 21]

[Power Level: 5]

[Intelligence: 70]

[Command: 20]

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She had basic wisdom, but she didn't know how to use it. By learning to write, her intelligence increased by 11, in addition, it increased her command by ten as she continued to read the war books, and tactics she found within.

Her ability values were like that of a child.

Because only children's attributes could grow so quickly, while adults would need to try very hard to increase theirs and reach their cap.

"Miri" <Zeff >

"Oh, my God. When did you get here?" <Miri >

She was reading a book and stood up in surprise to greet Zeff.

"I just got here." <Zeff >

Which was a lie.

His rosy cheeks exposing his as he'd be standing in the doorway watching her happily reading for a couple minutes before she noticed him.

"I was reading this. I don't know if this will be of any use to you, and my lord..." <Miri >

Miri smiled unsurely as she said this.

Zeff was just happy whenever he saw her like that.

She had been living as a fugitive in Visigoth, but now she was able to live happily doing something she liked.

There was a moment of crisis during the Roserun war.

Zeff was willing to lay down his life for Julius but ended up heavily wounded as a result.

That was the second time he had let himself go back to Miri in such a state.

And today she finally had a chance at revenge for his lack of self preservation.

"Zeff, what have you done this time?" <Miri >

Sensing something strange in Zeff's expression, Miri put her hands on her hips and yelled out loud.

"I didn't do anything! But I have to go to the capital for a mission. That's why I came by. Someone is trying to off the lord." <Zeff >

Zeff didn't tell her about the slavers.

There was no need to remind her about her past wounds.

"Yeah. Then you'll need food. I'll be right with you!" <Miri >

Miri left her book behind and ran into the kitchen, oblivious to Zeff's clenching of his fist.

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- - Julius POV - -

"Alright, is everyone here?" <Julius >

I decided to go into battle and gathered my vassals.

This was because I wasn't only going to fight, but also had other things to do.

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[Haddin Merja: 60 Power Level, 57 Intelligence, 70 Command]

[Bente: 49 Power Level, 38 Intelligence, 82 Command].

[Zeff: 94(+2) Power Level, Intelligence 41, Command 52]

[Yusen: 82 Power Level, 69 Intelligence, 90(+2) Command]

[Givens: 70 Power Level, 34 Intelligence, 76 Command]

[Yuri Roserun: Power Level 89(+3), Intelligence 57, Command 95(+2)]

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Looking at the attributes of the vassals brought tears to my eyes. That being the case, I first called Haddin, the only one of my retainers who was from a noble family.

"Haddin!" <Julius >

"Yes, my lord!" <Haddin >

"I take it the border barrier has been repaired?" <Julius >

"Yes, my lord!" <Haddin >

"How's the wall extension towards the interior coming along?" <Julius >

"It's going to take a little longer." <Haddin >

I was building walls not only on the border with the Visigoth Kingdom, but also at key points on the way to the royal capital of Lunan.

Considering the chaos that was about to ensue, it would be meaningless to defend only the Visigoth side.

"Keep up with the expansion, make sure you don't let public sentiment drop. Continue to take in refugees, give them jobs, and provide as much food as you can." <Julius >

"Yes, sir!" <Haddin >

I didn't have to worry that Haddin would exploit the people.

That was why he was the right man for the job.

"Yusen!" <Julius >

Yusen is truly a man of many talents.

He was the best of all my retainers.

"You and Givens will go to Berthaquin. I've told Count Fihatri, who is stationed in the old royal city of Bridget, to send some soldiers. Your job is to make sure the iron ore and transportation routes are secured." <Julius >

I didn't have enough time to go out there myself.

So I decided to leave it to Yusen, who was very careful about everything and could be trusted completely.

"Yes, sir. We'll leave immediately!" <Yusen >

"Zeff and Bente will go into battle with me!" <Julius >

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[Do you wish to go into battle?]

[Aquitanian Territorial Army: 20,000]

[Training level: 89]

[Morale: 80]

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I don't need that many troops.

But thanks for being there for me system.

[Cavalry: 100 men]

I couldn't train Heavy Cavalry until iron was supplied from Berthaquin, but I had no problem handling about 100 light cavalrymen.

"I'm coming with you." <Yuri >

At that moment, Yuri appeared.

She's not a subordinate yet so I'm letting her do what she wants but I nodded, because I was sure she would be useful, and since I had no right to order her she'd just follow us regardless.

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[The morale of soldiers going into battle has temporarily increased by +10.]

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Suddenly, the morale of the soldiers who had decided to go into battle rose, was this the power of 97 Command?

Just her mere presence would make us that much hardier.