The cold morning mist hung low over the village, shrouding the crude wooden barricades in a veil of uncertainty. The air was thick with tension as soldiers stood ready, their weapons gripped tightly in their hands.
Leon stood at the highest vantage point, his sharp eyes scanning the treeline. The Ironfang Company had yet to make their move, but he knew they wouldn't wait forever.
He exhaled slowly, steadying himself. This was it—the first true test of his rule.
He wasn't just fighting for survival. He was fighting to establish his name.
---
Final Preparations
Elara approached, her expression a mix of concern and determination.
"The villagers are as ready as they can be," she reported. "Some can fight, but most will focus on reinforcing the defenses and tending to the wounded."
Leon nodded. He couldn't afford to send untrained villagers into battle, but they would serve a purpose.
"Keep them out of direct combat. Focus on patching up injuries and resupplying the frontline."
Elara hesitated, then nodded. "And what about you?"
Leon's gaze was steady. "I'll be in the thick of it."
She didn't argue. She simply tightened her grip on the dagger at her waist and walked away.
Next, his lead soldier, a grizzled veteran named Darius, approached.
"Scouts spotted movement—Ironfang is advancing. They'll be here within the hour."
Leon clenched his fists.
"Positions. No one breaks formation."
Darius saluted and barked out commands, the soldiers quickly taking their places behind the wooden fortifications.
---
The Ironfang Advance
Not long after, the first signs of the enemy appeared. Shadows moved through the mist, figures clad in dark armor marching in formation. Their weapons glinted as they emerged from the treeline.
Twenty… no, thirty men.
They carried a large black banner with a silver wolf's head—the mark of the Ironfang Company.
A single man rode forward on horseback, his armor heavy and battle-worn. His face bore a long scar, and his gaze was cold and calculating.
He stopped just outside the range of arrows and raised his voice.
"Who leads this village?"
Leon stepped forward onto the barricade, his sword resting on his shoulder.
"I do."
The Ironfang commander studied him, then let out a low chuckle.
"I expected some feeble village elder, not a pup pretending to be a warlord." He gestured behind him. "You have one chance. Surrender, and I'll spare the women and children. Resist, and I'll burn this place to the ground."
Leon smirked.
"That's funny—I was about to offer you the same deal."
The commander's expression darkened.
"So be it." He raised his hand and let it fall.
"Kill them all."
---
The First Clash
The enemy charged, their armored boots thundering against the ground.
"Archers!" Leon shouted.
From behind the barricades, archers loosed their arrows. The air filled with the whistle of projectiles, and several Ironfang soldiers fell before they could even reach the walls.
But they kept coming.
A group reached the barricades, hacking at the wooden defenses with axes. Others attempted to climb, using ropes and shields as cover.
"Hold the line!" Darius roared, his sword cutting down the first attacker who made it over.
Leon leaped down into the fray, his blade flashing as he met the enemy head-on.
His sword struck true, cutting through an Ironfang soldier's neck in a spray of crimson. Another enemy lunged at him with a spear—Leon sidestepped and drove his blade into the man's gut.
The battle was chaos. Steel clashed against steel, men screamed in pain, and blood soaked the dirt beneath them.
But Leon did not falter.
The system's interface flickered before him.
---
[Battle Mode Activated]
Kill Count: 3… 5… 8…
[Skill Acquired: Tactical Awareness] – Grants increased perception in battle, allowing better reaction to enemy movements.
---
Leon's movements became sharper. He could see the battle unfolding, anticipate attacks before they came.
An Ironfang soldier swung at him—Leon ducked and slashed across his opponent's legs, dropping him instantly.
His soldiers fought fiercely, their morale bolstered by his presence. But the Ironfang Company was relentless.
The barricades were starting to break.
If they pushed any further, the village would be overrun.
Leon needed to end this now.
---
A Decisive Move
His gaze locked onto the Ironfang commander still on horseback, barking orders from a safe distance.
Leon's lips curled.
"Darius!" he called. "Cover me!"
Without hesitation, Leon broke from the frontline, sprinting toward the side of the battlefield.
He grabbed a spear from a fallen enemy and hurled it with all his strength.
The weapon soared through the air—straight toward the mounted commander.
The man barely had time to react before the spear slammed into his chest, knocking him from his horse.
A stunned silence followed.
Leon didn't hesitate. He sprinted forward, cutting down an enemy in his path before reaching the downed commander.
The man gasped, blood pooling around him.
"Y-you… who are you…?" he choked.
Leon stood over him, expression cold.
"I am the one who just ended your war."
With a swift motion, he drove his sword through the commander's throat.
---
Victory and Aftermath
The remaining Ironfang soldiers hesitated, seeing their leader slain. Some fought on in desperation, but others began to retreat.
The village defenders pressed forward, cutting down those who remained.
Within minutes, it was over.
Ironfang had been defeated.
The village still stood.
Leon pulled his bloodied sword from the ground, breathing heavily. Around him, his soldiers and villagers cheered.
They had won.
But this was only the beginning.
Leon knew others would come. Stronger enemies. Greater threats.
And he would be ready for them.
He turned to his people, raising his sword high.
"This village is ours. This land is ours. And this victory is only the first of many."
The road to empire had begun.
---
The Spoils of War
The battlefield was littered with corpses, the Ironfang soldiers lying motionless in the blood-soaked dirt. The acrid scent of metal and death clung to the air.
But the village still stood.
Leon sheathed his sword and surveyed the aftermath. His soldiers were weary but victorious, and the villagers, though shaken, had survived their first true battle.
This was only the beginning.
---
Loot and Resources
Darius approached, wiping blood from his blade.
"We've secured the battlefield. The surviving Ironfang troops have fled, and we captured a few stragglers."
"Good. Have them bound. We'll decide their fate later."
Darius nodded before glancing at the fallen enemies. "What do we do with the bodies?"
Leon considered it. They could be burned, buried, or put on display as a warning.
Before he could respond, a system notification appeared.
---
[Battle Concluded]
Victory Achieved!
Rewards:
Tactical Command Interface Upgrade (Allows better real-time control of troops)
Elite Soldier Recruitment Unlocked (Specialized units available for recruitment)
Reputation Increase: Warlord Tier I
Bonus Loot Available:
Ironfang Company's War Chest (Gold, supplies, and weapons)
Ironfang Mercenary Contracts (Names of employers and allies)
Hardened Mercenary Armor Set (Equippable)
---
Leon's eyes flickered with interest.
"Gather the loot. Prioritize weapons, armor, and supplies. The gold will be used to strengthen our forces."
Darius grinned. "Aye. This village is starting to look like a proper stronghold."
Leon smirked. That was the goal.
---
Dealing with Prisoners
The captured Ironfang soldiers were dragged before him, their hands bound.
Elara stood nearby, arms crossed.
"What do we do with them?" she asked.
The prisoners were tense, knowing their fate rested in Leon's hands.
He had three choices:
1. Execute them – Send a clear message to enemies.
2. Enslave them – Use them to build his growing domain.
3. Recruit them – Offer a place in his army under strict conditions.
Leon studied the men. Some were hardened killers, but others looked young—mercenaries who fought for coin rather than loyalty.
"I'll give you one chance," Leon said, his voice firm. "Swear loyalty to me, and you live. Refuse, and you die."
The prisoners exchanged glances. Some hesitated, but others quickly kneeled.
"We'll serve!" one said. "Ironfang was just a job. We'll fight for you if it means survival."
Not all agreed. A few spat on the ground.
Leon nodded to Darius.
"Kill those who refuse. The rest, put under watch."
Without hesitation, Darius executed the defiant ones. The others, now sworn to Leon, were stripped of their old armor and integrated into the village forces.
Elara shuddered slightly but said nothing.
Leon turned to her. "War isn't kind. We can't afford mercy for those who won't submit."
She sighed. "I know. But watching it happen still feels…" She didn't finish.
Leon understood. But he had no room for softness.
---
New Goals
With the battle won, Leon's next objectives were clear:
1. Fortify the Village – The wooden walls weren't enough. Stone defenses and a watchtower were needed.
2. Expand the Army – More fighters, better training, and proper discipline.
3. Scout the Surrounding Region – Ironfang wasn't the only enemy. He needed intelligence.
The system provided a new quest:
---
[Quest: Establish a Military Base]
Objective: Reinforce the village, train an elite squad, and develop military infrastructure.
Rewards:
Stronghold Upgrade Blueprint
Officer Training System
Advanced Unit Tactics Unlocked
---
Leon smirked.
His empire was just beginning.
And nothing would stop him from rising to the top.