A Faction of my Own

"Agatha Murasdj, Vice Leader of the Terntaki Guild." She was tall, her irises were green and her face would remind one of paintings in a museum. She was a beautiful specimen with her pale ivory-like skin. She wore a black robe with yellow trimmings.

"Arthur Khan, leader of the Khan Faction." I gave a slight bow as I introduced myself.

"Terntaki Guild? That is not a name that I'm familiar with." I said as I tried to remember the name, but upon looking at the list of guilds that Marcus sent me the name didn't show up. 

"We are originally from the western kingdom of Blaruz, but as you may already know... the kingdom has fallen." 

'They came by sea..' I thought to myself as I remembered the map of the world. "I see and what lead you to my territory?"

"The maps that I had led us to the nearby town, we searched for tracks and while looking for a source of water... we saw the watchtowers." She replied, her voice was a bit shaky. 

"I see, my faction is a recently established one and we have a few non-humans in the group." I said. "We will welcome you with food and water for now, but I can't promise a longer stay unless you have plans of joining." 

This was the only offer I could give, after all they could always head up into the kingdom themselves. At least this way I can guarantee some more soldiers for the coming invasion. 

Thankfully though, they are quite agreeable. 

[Fifteen adventurers from the Terntaki Guild wishes to join your faction.] 

I named my faction after my own ancestry, I was told that the Khans were some of the most powerful rulers of their time. This path that I'm on can only be one paved by my own blood. When the messenger hawk arrives soon, I will be calling my soldiers back. 

Even if it'll take a while to summon a hero then so be it. An invasion is coming and they're giving me this many soldiers? It's like dropping healing items before an oncoming boss fight, the system is warning me and I'd be a fool not to listen to it.

---

[Recruited Units] Limit: None 

Budaku Warrior-Captain 1x

Budaku Spearman 4x 

Human Third-Circle Mage 1x

Human First-Circle Mage 4x 

Human Axe-bearer 2x

Human Spearman 2x 

Human Swordsman 6x 

Current number: 20

Limit: None

Recruits were a good thing, but their chances of betraying me is likely. After all they are not units that I produced with my ability. I can at least say that the elites among them are comparable to my commanders while the rest of the new troops are a mix of internal energy users and the untrained. The Budaku are comparable to internal energy users due to their physical stature and powerful jaws, the forces I've lost have been replaced in only a matter of days. 

I should be happy but the loss of Klaye still lingered in my mind. "Hidalgo, how much longer until Lukas leaves the chambers?" 

"I'd say about one more day my lord, he is reaching a breakthrough in his martial arts." 

"I see, great news then. Get these people to their quarters, order the workers to create more towers." 

The barracks should be enough to house Agatha's guild members, the towers will be for the soldiers that I'm summoning soon once Marcus returns. "The invasion should come within the next few days, we must do our best to prepare."

It has been a week since I sent out the orders, Marcus and the his party should be arriving soon. A countdown has arrived from the system notifications and it's one of the main reason as to why Agatha was willing to join my group. It wouldn't be until nightfall when the message from Marcus would arrive. 

"A messenger hawk has arrived sir." One of my archers brought the bird to me. 

Greetings to the Master, If we have not arrived by now then it is likely due to the blockades created by the empire. They are fortifying everything that they can in anticipation of the invasion. Fear not for we shall arrive as soon as we can. I have about 230 magic crystals with me my liege, this should be enough to bolster our forces the moment I return. Yours Truly, Marcus. 

It was understandable, that's for sure but the countdown is making me worry. There's only 2 days left until the invasion, rushing the building of watch towers should bolster my unit limit by a lot.

[Basic Unit]

Worker: 6

Infantry: 10

Scout: 5

Currently 21. Limit: [21/36] 

Two watch towers, that's all I need. The barracks can wait, My current goal is to gather enough soldiers for defense as soon as possible. It takes too long to build that structure. 

---

Agatha, a third-circle spellcaster and an infamous mage knew of the dangers that the invasions presented. The threats are dependent on the factions present, but factions as a whole can differ and what the system sees as a faction is also quite different from how regular people see it. Kingdoms are factions, under them there can be guilds, nobles and smaller factions but as a whole they are considered as one faction. 

The small faction that Arthur Khan currently leads will be fighting off a lot of demons, that's for sure but none of them will be at the level of power that's even remotely close to what the kingdom has to deal with. "Focus on building magic barriers, I'll create some worker golems to ensure that walls are fortified."

In the eyes of Agatha, there were many benefits in staying with the Khans. An incentive was the impending timer along with the weaker foes, but what really caught her eye was the path that the leader had. These buildings seemed magical in nature and creating his own territory seemingly out of scratch was not lost on her. 'Even the nobles and transferees that I've encountered haven't had the ability to create their own factions, this is a right that is said to be reserved for the royals.'