After thirty minutes of preparation, the army stood ready, their armor gleaming under the rising sun, weapons polished, and hearts steeled for the bloodshed ahead. At the head of this force stood two towering figures: George, the battle-hardened warrior, and Lily, the graceful yet powerful mage. Together, they were appointed as the temporary commanders of the army. By their side stood Richard, assigned as the acting vice commander.
This arrangement, however, was not permanent. Arthur had already bestowed upon Richard the official title of Commander of all Bronze Rank soldiers—both those currently serving and those to be recruited in the future.
But for now, Arthur's military might consisted solely of his Bronze Rank forces. Aside from them, he had a handful of others: ten Black Rank and twenty Silver Rank soldiers. Though powerful, their small number disqualified them from being called a proper army.
Arthur had already taken the Silver Rank elites with him, but not for battle. Their only duty was to form a living shield around him, ensuring his absolute protection. They would not take part in the frontlines.
Richard turned to George, eyes fixed on the direction of their march. "Is everyone ready, George?"
George gave a solemn nod, his expression as steady as ever. "Yes, my lord. The army awaits your command."
Arthur stepped forward, his voice firm and unwavering. "Then let's go show those monsters that a new ruler is rising in this land. I won't share my territory with anyone."
George's eyes glinted with purpose as he smiled at Arthur's bold declaration. "Yes, my lord. Let's show them the might of your will."
With that, George roared out to the army, his voice like a drumbeat echoing across the field. "Soldiers, move forward! We will show no mercy to these monsters. Fight! Kill for our lord!"
His shout resounded across the territory like a thunderclap. The soldiers, fueled by the raw power of his voice, erupted in a synchronized cry:
"LONG LIVE THE LORD!
LONG LIVE THE LORD!"
Their chant continued for five full minutes, a deafening declaration of loyalty and battle fervor. The nearby monsters, sensing the overwhelming momentum building in the human army, hesitated. Even the more ferocious among them felt a ripple of fear stir within.
Without delay, the army began its march, heading eastward toward a known mini monster gathering area. Arthur's plan was simple but strategic—sweep through all the mini and small gathering sites in the eastern territory, clear them out, and claim the mineral mines that dotted the landscape.
As they neared one of these minor strongholds, Arthur gave another command. "George, Lily—use Hero's Blessing and Blessing of Light on the army."
Though he knew their combined might could easily wipe out such a weak force, Arthur wanted to observe firsthand the effects of their buffing skills on a full unit.
"Yes, my lord!" both heroes responded in unison.
They began chanting, their voices intertwining in a harmonious rhythm of ancient words. Soon, a brilliant ray of light enveloped the entire army. Shades of red and yellow bathed the soldiers, filling their bodies with warmth and strength. Morale soared even higher, and their power visibly surged.
Soon, they arrived at the monster gathering site, concealed behind a dense thicket about a hundred meters from the enemy. The army crouched in silence, hidden beneath the bushes and shadows of trees. The goblins ahead remained unaware of the storm approaching them.
Arthur summoned his status panel and inspected the enemy from afar.
**Name:** Goblin
**Species:** Monster
**Cultivation:** Black Rank Tier-2
...
...
...
Arthur's eyes narrowed. *There's too many goblins in this region. It's not just a gathering point... there must be a goblin capital nearby. Perhaps even a city or kingdom.*
But such speculations didn't trouble him now.
"George, Lily—erase them all," he commanded without a flicker of hesitation.
The heroes sprang into action. Arthur didn't need to lift a finger. That was the beauty of having heroes under his banner. They led. They fought. They inspired.
*With heroes like these, I won't need to directly command the army until we face an opponent truly worthy,* Arthur thought with satisfaction, flanked on all sides by his elite Silver Rank protectors.
The goblins never stood a chance.
Their feeble weapons clashed hopelessly against overwhelming force. George's sword carved through enemy ranks like a tempest, while Lily's magic rained destruction from above. The army's morale, already heightened by divine blessings, transformed into unstoppable momentum. Each strike was swift. Each step forward—decisive.
It was a massacre.
The goblins screamed in terror, watching helplessly as their comrades were torn apart. Their numbers were crushed under the weight of power and discipline they could neither match nor understand.
Despair filled their eyes. They had no chance. No escape.
And still, the soldiers roared:
"LONG LIVE THE LORD!"
"FOR THE LORD!"
In that moment, the land itself seemed to acknowledge the rise of a new power.
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