Chapter 106: A Second Hill King—and an Unwanted Hero

Ever since the Eclipse Legionnaire announcement, people outside Riftward had been trying to get closer to Cassian. Even the King’s Frontier Legion had raised its offer through Mariel Thorn.

A stable, original troop sequence was valuable enough. If he could turn it into a Sigil or a Building Blueprint, the people who knew him would want first choice.

Cassian knew what had made that sequence possible. The Hall had drawn its foundation from Veyra’s Covenant. He could recruit the troops, but he could not simply work backward from one and produce a Blueprint.

So he had not spent much time thinking about those expectations.

Now the Hall had put the answer in front of him.

He read the branch’s remaining conditions. It recruited the regular Epic Legionnaire line, with none of the headquarters’ Praetorian advancement facilities. His nine Praetorians remained a separate elite force.

Then he opened the new resource description.

[Muster Fortune]

[Generated daily by Eclipse troops, including members of branch Chapterhouses.]

[Uses: Elite advancement training / Training Art improvement / Skill training]

[Available: 11,220 / 11,220]

Cassian let out a long breath.

The Hall kept finding ways to surprise him.

Two hundred points would open a Praetorian’s next advancement training stage. Five hundred would take Mistveil March training from Basic to Proficient.

That was strength he could buy directly for his army.

But over the longer term, sending out more Chapterhouses would give him more troops producing Muster Fortune every day. The branches could support their own Lords while feeding the growth of the whole Eclipse line.

He only wished the owner restriction were less narrow. Female Human Lords—that cut out a considerable number of possible buyers.

"Create one Eclipse Chapterhouse Blueprint."

[Select the training content to include.]

Cassian paused.

"I can choose that too?"

Aegis Fold and Mistveil March appeared among the available selections. Much of the line’s strength came from its training. If he controlled what each Blueprint carried, his allies could receive the full version while outside buyers received less.

"Include everything."

The first few Blueprints would go to his own side. Making Riftward stronger came first.

[Eclipse Chapterhouse Blueprint ×1 acquired.]

[Muster Fortune: 11,220 → 1,220]

The branch Blueprint offered no further Evolution Path. A pity, but he could hardly complain about what it already did.

"Who gets the first one?"

Elara was the obvious choice when he considered her contribution to Riftward and how well they knew each other. On the other hand, she already had access to the Dwarven Royal Hall.

Before he could settle the matter, a notice appeared.

[Elara Vayne has transferred Aether Crystal ×500,000 to you through the Exchange.]

Cassian stared at the notice.

"Already? I’ve only just made it."

He glanced up. Had someone put eyes in his Domain?

Elara’s video request arrived a moment later. The instant he accepted, she spoke.

"You said five hundred thousand for a Hill King. That offer still stands, right?"

So that was what the money was for.

"Of course. But wasn’t the recruitment interval thirty days? There should still be a few days left."

Elara stared at him.

"How long has it been since you checked the Royal Hall? It may be a Wild Building, but it produces Legendary troops. You could at least look at it."

With the Dawnwings under their Marshals’ command, another Hill King had slipped far down Cassian’s list. He had barely thought about the Hall’s stock.

Now he understood.

"Riftward’s Fortune accelerated the refresh?"

It could strengthen wild monsters. Apparently, Wild Buildings benefited too.

"Don’t worry," he said. "I keep my word. This Hill King is yours."

The five hundred thousand covered his agreed fee. Elara would pay the Royal Hall’s base recruitment cost herself, just as before.

He could have waived his fee, but she would probably have found that even stranger.

She let out a delighted cry.

"Thank you, Cassian! You’re the best!"

He confirmed her access. Elara paid the base cost, and the Royal Hall’s newly available Hill King became her troop.

Looking at her flushed, happy face, he made up his mind about the Blueprint.

"I’ve sent you a Blueprint," he said. "See whether you have the materials to build it."

The Royal Hall’s production was limited. Elara still needed more high-Quality troops, and House Vayne was already working with him.

More importantly, an Epic troop Building required resources that most Lords could not gather. Her family gave her a much better chance of putting this one to use.

Cassian ended the call.

A notification from the Tavern immediately caught his attention.

[The Rare Hero drawn by your Renown has arrived: Orlando.]

So the traveler announced after his troop publication had finally reached Forgotten Shrine.

Cassian permitted the visitor to leave the Tavern. A handsome Elf with a bard’s bearing came straight toward him, hope plain on his face.

"My Lord, your Domain has reached Rank VII. If you’ll accept me, I would gladly become your Hero. I would never betray you."

Before Cassian could answer, Orlando pressed a hand to his chest.

"I have Grade-B Windwalk, and Grade-C Command for both Archers and Hunters. I may even advance to Epic before long."

Cassian looked past him at the basic Level-0 Tavern. He had hardly built anything worth admiring there.

Was it the Fountain?

"Orlando, I already have a Hero Sigil."

The Elf’s expression fell.

"If you don’t mind, I could introduce you to a friend," Cassian continued. "Rowan would appreciate what you can do."

"It’s because I’m not a woman, isn’t it?"

For a moment, Cassian wanted to punch him.

He took a breath instead.

"My teachers just saved you."

Orlando should be grateful Cassian had paid attention in class. One of the first rules about the Realm’s natives was to avoid making enemies without a reason, especially among wandering Heroes. A seemingly ordinary traveler could be a kingdom’s heir or the favored disciple of some powerful order.

Orlando saw that he would not change his mind. He sighed.

"I suppose only a Hero above Epic would meet your standards. No—only a female Hero above Epic."

He gave an elegant bow.

"We’ll meet again, my Lord."

The Elf walked back into the Tavern.

[Neutral Hero Orlando has left your Domain.]

Wandering Heroes could view limited information about nearby Lords and choose a Tavern to visit. Without permission, they could go no farther than the Tavern itself.

Cassian narrowed his eyes at the departure notice.

"What a nuisance."

After those parting words, he was almost certain Orlando had sensed the Fountain of Life. The Elf had wanted to stay far too badly.

At least the pride that made Elves irritating also tended to make them hold to their principles. It would not turn into a war so easily.

Cassian put the matter aside and took out the Legendary Hero Sigil Katerina had dropped.

"Recruit."

——

In Elara’s Domain, Aveline had found another excuse to visit her daughter: helping with a trade. The food was a pleasant addition.

She already knew that the Hill King deal had gone through.

"Ambitious, capable, and a man of his word. Handsome, too." Aveline smiled. "The only little problem is all the beautiful women around him."

Normally, Elara would have protested by now. This time, she stood motionless, staring at the Blueprint in her hands.

Aveline looked up.

"What’s wrong?"

Elara turned toward her, still looking as though she could not quite believe it.

"Unless I’m seeing things... Cassian has actually produced a Building Blueprint for his Eclipse troops."