The Empires Rise

The first of the notifications has the same golden border as the one telling me about my Mana Heart. It is more regal in feel, though, in comparison.

- Congratulations, you have received three oaths of fidelity, one from each class for the first time. Reward: 1 X Iron Instant Level Up Token -

- Congratulations, you have received three oaths of fidelity from three different planets. Reward: 1 X Random Wooden Specific-Race Population Box -

- Note: All rewards have been put near your Lord's Chest. -

I am seeing the quick and easy rewards. I announce to the crowd. "Hopefully, this can alleviate some of our mistrust for each other."

Laxreal steps forward, saying, "Some, yes, but I think some of us are curious if you will make an oath of your own. Seeing how none of the people from your planet have made any oath yet."

Looking around, there are nods of agreement from what he has said. I call out, "That is fair. I wouldn't have you think that giving me your oaths would be all that needs to be done. So, I, Drake Taldrit, swear that I will uphold who I am. I will not be swayed by others who will cause the settlement to come to purposeful harm. And I will do my best to keep everyone's best interests in mind as we grow this settlement into a town and further."

A red and gold light shines out from my body, and I get a notification.

- You have made an oath to those who live in your settlement. Should you go back on this oath, there will be penalties. While this oath is in place, the people of the settlement will have a positive outlook and be likely to swear their oaths to you. -

Having finished my oath, I look at the groups before me. "We have a lot to discuss, and many things must be done. And not to pressure anyone, but we only have..." I look at the time until the first full attack on the settlement. "33 hours before there is an attack on the settlement."

Hearing this news for the first time, there are a lot of concerned faces. To prevent any more panic from setting in, I also mention. "We can delay the attack by going into the fog that you can see over in the distance. I want people to start working on a couple of tasks. For those who have the profession, I would appreciate it if you could help manage some of the construction projects. A small restaurant is already being built for those in the chef profession. Once that is done, you can go into my storage chest and pull out the food goods and see if there are any recipes that you can make for those who need materials to do their work like mason, blacksmith, and the like we don't have a sustainable supply of resources currently. I will set up a party so we can go out to get more rewards and clear some encampments in hopes that we can push the attack back at least a day so we are better prepared."

Taking the lead to get things organized feels weird. I haven't been one to tell people what to do, but I can see in their eyes they want someone to take charge and give them some direction.

Draemish comes to stand by my side, along with Shadow and Vranjaya. "Do you have any orders for us, Drake?" Draemish asks.

"At this moment, there are several people from my world that don't have any knowledge in the way of the sword. Please help find someone or teach them yourself. I don't want to hinder your progress, though. If you want to come with me and we can start leveling you up, that is also an option. I will be leaving the settlement in two hours. I have to learn some new spells and try and clear some more of my Mana Veins." I answer her.

Giving a nod to everyone, I turn to head into my hut. I know there will be a knock at my door soon. I am leaving early so I can also start to figure out if any new buildings need to be built and to see where the settlement resources are.

I reach my hut in less than a minute and enter. A hand stops the door from shutting entirely, and the rest of my family steps inside. "Drake," my father starts. "I think we need to talk about what is happening. I can see that you are in a hurry to finish something, but your mother and I are lost. What do you want us to do?" I look over to see how troubled he is by all the new things happening.

"Dad, there are lots of things going on. I know there are so many questions you both have. I don't have time today since I just got a mission to try and build up defenses. These things will take time to explain, which is the one thing I know we are lacking." I pause and check on two things I want to do.

- Building Menu:

New Habitations:

Small Earthen Mound Level 1 - Basic housing for earth elementals. It comes with a small personal chest once completed. 3 meters X 3 meters (Special Building, does not need building supplies. Earth Elemental must make it themselves)

Large Basic Hut Level 1 - Basic housing for large species. It can only be claimed by those of the Goliath race. It contains a small personal chest and a bed. 5 meters X 5 meters, 60 units of Tier 1 Wood.

Basic Sleeping Pond Level 1 - Basic housing for amphibious species. It comes with a place to sleep based on who claims the pond and a small personal chest. 3 meters X 3 meters, 40 units of Tier 1 Stone

Small Major's Manor Level 1 - One Per Village; Houses the leader and their family. Has two floors. The first floor has a small meeting, a dining room, and a kitchen. The second floor has three bedrooms. 10m X 10m, 100 units of Tier 1 Wood, 100 units of Tier 1 Stone, 50 units of Tier 1 Metal

New Profession Buildings:

Basic Constructors Hut Level 1 - A basic workshop for a foreman. Tools not included. 3 meters X 3 meters, 30 units of Tier 1 Wood, and 30 units of Tier 1 Stone.

Basic Tailoring Hut Level 1 - A basic workshop for a tailor. Tools not included. 3 meters X 3 meters, 30 units of Tier 1 Wood, and 30 units of Tier 1 Stone.

Basic Leatherworking Hut Level 1 - A basic workshop for a leatherworker. Tools not included. 3 meters X 3 meters, 30 units of Tier 1 Wood, and 30 units of Tier 1 Stone.

Basic Mason's Hut Level 1 - A basic workshop for a mason. Tools not included. 3 meters X 3 meters, 30 units of Tier 1 Wood, and 30 units of Tier 1 Stone.

Basic Carpentry Hut Level 1 - A basic workshop for a woodworker. Tools not included. 3 meters X 3 meters, 30 units of Tier 1 Wood, and 30 units of Tier 1 Stone.

Settlement Resources:

Tier 1

Wood - 24

Stone - 542 (+10 daily Tiny Mining Outpost)

Metal - 751 (+0 from Small Mine)

Food - 215

Tier 2

Wood - 0

Stone - 0

Metal - 0

Food - 0 (+1 Per 5 days Fishing Pier) -

With a heavy sigh, I turn to my family. "Not only do I have to make sure we can survive an attack, but I have also to find where I can get more wood resources. I am almost completely out of them. How am I supposed to build anything if I don't have the required materials?" Grabbing my hair in stress, I slump onto my bed.

A look passes between my family members. Then my mother comes and sits next to me. "I know it hasn't been easy on you, Drake. I can see the work you are doing here. It is far more than anything I could have done on my own. I saw your inhabitants, while they aren't exactly human, in the standard way. I can see Laxreal, Strauvana, Zul'Zara, and Uxa's care towards you and those around them. These are good people, and I hope we can get used to them quickly and not slow you down. Now, how can we help? Think for a moment and then answer, always remember we are here to help no matter what." She says, giving me a loving smile.

Following that, I take a deep breath—a minute passes when there is a knock at my door. My father looks over and then opens the door slightly. He gasps and steps back, still not used to the new people. I hear a voice ask quietly. "Can we come in, my lord?"

Still not used to the serpentine voice, I ask, "Who all is out there?"

There is a clacking of the jaw, and there is only one person that I can think of to make such a sound. "If you must know, it's your party. Also, there are Vranjaya, Draemish, and Shadow. We have some news for you, but take your time. Don't forget to learn your new spells while you are in there." He reminds me.

Sighing, I go to the chest at the foot of my bed, pull out the four books, and analyze them.

- Spell Tome of Minor Healing: You will learn the spell Minor Heal by using this tome.

Spell Tome of Shielding: You will learn the spell Holy Shield by using this tome.

Spell Tome of Nature's Grasp: You will learn the spell Nature's Grasp by using this tome.

Spell Tome of Barkskin: You will learn the spell Barkskin by using this tome. -

I use all four tomes right away after learning what they can provide. On doing so, I feel a splitting headache as the information on how to cast the spells rushes into my head. I lightly hear Laxreal call out. "Oh, and don't use them all right away. It will cause one nasty headache." Shortly after that, a mild chuckling can be heard. Screw him and his late warning, as my head feels exactly like he said.

My father chuckles, seeing the position I am in. "Laxreal, that was cruel but well worth it. Thank you on my behalf for teaching that valuable lesson to us. I don't think he will do that again for a long time. I am glad you have seen through some of his bad habits of rushing into things." He opens the door further so everyone outside can look in and see my hunched-over form as I am grasping my head.

A chorus of laughter rings out, and while it still hurts, I am glad to hear it. I know these people mean no harm in the laughter, and I am embarrassing myself. I pull myself together and stand up. The pain is still there, but it slowly decreases as people laugh.

"Ok," I say, wincing at the sound. "Let me check what these spells do, and then shall we review what I have learned and the next steps?"

- Skills:

Analyze Level 4 Upon focusing on an object for three seconds; you will see a basic description of the item.

Mana Circulation Level 1 Increases mana regeneration by 1 per hour

Leadership Level 1 5% chance to increase damage and healing by 1

Spells:

Arcane Shot Level 3 Deals 1 - 8 +2 Damage within 30 meters.

Minor Healing Level 1 Heals a target within 30 meters for 1 - 8 points of health.

Shield Level 1 Creates a shield of light surrounding a target that prevents four points of damage.

Nature's Grasp Level 1 Creates a layer of rough brambles in a 5-meter area, causing enemies to take 1 - 4 damage while walking through them.

Barkskin Level 1 Cast on a friendly target to make their skin as thin as bark. It gives two points of damage mitigation when receiving an attack. -

Smirking, they agree, and we talk about the settlement's overall situation.

"I think we ssshould get the earthen bulwark ssstarted. I have a ssstrong feeling the earth elemental will be able to help out consssiderably. I would alssso like to look at the two bodiesss of water and sssee if there are any waysss to get more resssourcesss out of them." Vranjaya offers. "I would alssso like to offer my assssissstance in helping you clear your Mana Veins. Asss one of our bloodline. You ssshould have that completed possst hassste."

Shadow walks forward next, "I would like to scout the rest of the main territory. I have heard from Zul'Zara that you have just expanded our space, and some resources could be out there. I will bring my sister along with me. We might get lucky and find things to improve ourselves." I nod at him, agreeing with his idea.

Draemish is next. "I would like to start training those with a sword on using them if they don't have any experience. I know two of your family members require aid, and there are more that could also be used. I think a night lesson every night would be for the best. Let those who need to use the daylight use it for other tasks. Until those lessons, I will be coming with you on excursions. We don't need our only noble to go and perish in the wilderness."

I acknowledge her offer and look at the rest of my family and group. "With that settled, shall we see what adventures await us this time in the fog?" A large smile is plastered on my face, thinking of all the loot.