A Faction of my Own

A letter to the master.

This is your humble servant, Marcus the swordsman. We have managed to successfully integrate ourselves into the capital. Though magic crystals are scarce, my estimates for how much we can gather before the 6 month period ends should meet your requirements. 

On the other-hand I have managed to register our faction as an official guild within the kingdom. We have also gained horses and a carriage enough for us to only need a week of travel to get back into the headquarters at a decent pace. 

Regarding the ruling powers of the capital, we are still in the middle of investigation and reports will be sent out again soon. Regards, Marcus Commander of the third party. 

--- 

[Due to the expansion of your territory the locals have taken notice. Visitors, hostile or friendly are now interested.] 

I looked blankly at the new notice as I watched the slaughter that ensued on Klaye's side of things. It seems that a short clip of the death of my units will be played whenever they died. I can forgo seeing it, but it's the least I can do.

I knew that things couldn't be as easy as I thought they would be, but for a party to encounter such a potent threat. My heart sank as for the first time since unlocking my path, I lost soldiers... not just that... I lost 6 tier two units and one of my original commanders. "I am truly unlucky."

"Unit List" 

[Hero Unit]

Currently 0. [0/1]

[Commander Unit]

Currently 2. Limit: [2/3] 

[Basic Unit]

Worker: 6

Infantry: 10

Scout: 5

Currently 21. Limit: [21/36] 

"Hidalgo, we lost your brother today." I said... my voice was low and he immediately knew what I meant. "Pick the strongest among your squad-mates... another has to fill the hole that he left."

A regular unit requires three to five days to upgrade to tier 2, to go in and become a commander a whole week is required. 

"Warrior, What's your name?" I asked.

"Lukas, my lord." 

"You will take up the mantle as my new spear, We will be waiting for your return Lukas." With one of Hidalgo's squad members now stuck at the training camp, we only had four infantry units left in the base. 

Part of me wanted to send Marcus and his squad back... but I also knew that this was a risk that we had to take. 

[A visitor has arrived.] 

 "Who goes there?" Hidalgo shouted with a booming voice. 

My archers at the watchtowers had their bows pointed at the direction of the rustling leaves while the infantry moved towards their direction. Hidalgo stayed to my right ready to bring out his shield while pointing his mace at the creature. 

"We are the Budaku of the swamps." 

Scaled skin, with a dark-greenish hue to it. Their heads were shaped like that of a crocodile, they were taller than most humans with Hidalgo being the only one comparable to them in size. 

"State your purpose." I said while holding my hand up to make sure that the archers are ready. 

"We are evacuees from the demonic invasion, we are seeking refuge." 

There were only about five of them, all of them seem to be adult men carrying spears. The only one not carrying a spear is the one with a battle-axe and a shield.

"What can you offer in exchange?"

"We offer our service to your faction should you choose to let us. "

[A small group of Budaku Tribesmen are offering their services in exchange for housing in your territory, would you like to accept?] 

"While I have no reason to refuse, I wish to test your capabilities first." 

I motioned for Hidalgo to step up. "Your best warrior against my own." 

The largest one stepped up, he seemed powerful that's for sure. 

"Giramun warrior of the Budaku, I greet thee warrior." His put up his shield while spinning his axe. 

"Hidalgo mace-bearer of Khan, come... fight!" The large bald-man clanged his shield and mace together as they charged at one another. 

The clang of metal against metal was the only thing we could hear as the two powerhouses clashed. He was every bit as powerful as Hidalgo... one of my most advanced units. His natural strength and speed were enough to push my elite unit to use his internal energy. 

Hidalgo's mace was glowing and his internal energy began to form in the shape of lightning, it was obvious that he was beginning to take the Budaku seriously. It was his turn to go on the offensive as a single blocked smash from the mace sent the croc back. 

They traded blow for blow until I gave them the chance to stop. 

"HAHAHAH Perfect! Welcome to the group Giramun!" 

I had no doubt in my mind that had it been a battle to the death, then Hidalgo would come out on top. But the simple fact that the Budaku could push him back was enough for me to deem them worthy. 

As I clicked on the accept button a new option appeared in my unit list. [Recruited Units] 

Budaku Warrior-Captain 1x

Budaku Spearman 4x 

"If the allies that they're sending are this strong, I can only hope that we can handle the hostile visitors." I thought out loud. 

The workers prepared a feast that evening, with the pig-pens now housing boar and some captured deer we had a lot of meat to go around. We also had grilled fish from the daily catch. Our new troops were welcomed with open arms, Marcus would be gone for at least five more months an Elite like Giramun is a nice addition. 

[The second phase of the demonic invasion has arrived, as a newly established faction difficulty will be scaled down.] 

[Visitors have shown interest in the camp.] 

[A visitor has arrived.] 

--- 

The capital was once again in a state of chaos. The king has announced another call to arms as the notification message of the second phase was broadcasted to everyone living in the kingdom. 

Noah and his party cares not for the politics involved among the ruling powers of the kingdom. They are simply those who are looking for more glory and renown. Which is why Noah couldn't contain his excitement as the empire supplied him with more soldiers. 

"Isn't it fun Niko? More battlefields to sift through." 

Niko nodded and gave the sign to go, behind them were around 200 soldiers. Those who willingly joined his group to gain glory first-hand as one of Noah's Sentinels. 

Groups that have lived through war often gain an epithet or an alias once they have reached a certain number of victories. Noah and his party were already famous on their own, but as the main party began to command more squadrons of military personnel the common folk have decided to call them by a certain name. 

With a Holy Swordsman as their leader it was only fit to call them the Sentinels of the Holy Sword.