[Time before goblins attack: 7 days and 19 hours]
The scouts had reported that goblins were gathering to attack the village. They were now in there ready and armed. With them forming an army nearby. All they could do were to pray against the 300 plus strong enemies. The beating of drums were heared and they were all now armed to the teeth.
[You must build a barricade while training the villagers.]
Rolan was shocked by what he saw, knowing that his village had no protection from invaders. It would be a hassle to do both of them since 2 of this missions needs time. He could not half ass this mission as failure means it could be their demise. They also were untrained yet and not ready.
And so Rolan prepared. It could be a problem if he would not solve this. He needed to act fast!
They were still in a premature stage, where they had neither defenses nor an army to speak of. It was a tad harder to recruit than normal, especially without the persuasion skill. It was a disadvantage but his choice of skill was for optimal use for the moment. He could not select all skills too and he would need to gain it in due time. Making him smirk with their predicament.
He woke up at dawn and dipped his morning tea. Then he went to announce their conscription and commanded his men to gather at the training ground. He immediately conscripted able-bodied men for the army and they all were looking forward to their task.
The militiamen he had gathered numbered a hundred. Standing in front of them, Rolan and his three aides began the training session. They stood on the dry dirt of the training grounds, under the morning sun, ready to be forged into something more.
[Troops to be trained]
Melee
[Infantry] (one-handed skill) available
[Heavy troops] (two-handed skill) locked
[Spearmen] (polearms) locked
Ranged
[Bowmen] (bow skill) available
[Crossbowmen] (crossbow skill) locked
[Skirmishers] (throwing skill) locked
With these options, Rolan could only train Infantry and Bowmen. So, he started immediately.
[One-handed training activated]
[Bow training activated]
[Hands coordination activated]
Time was their enemy. Only seven days remained until the goblins attacked. Every second counted.
[Training available results:]
[One-handed training] → Infantry with shield and sword
[Bow training] → Bowmen equipped with bows and short swords
[Hand coordination] → Faster attack speed for the army
[Scouting and Tracking] → Enhanced enemy detection and tracking abilities
Rolan took the training personally. He taught them the fundamentals—stances, footwork, and timing.
[One-handed training activated]
+1 mastery of one-handed weapons
+1 handling
+1 tougher defense when using shields
[Hand coordination training activated]
+50% attack speed
+20% faster blocks and parries
[Bow training activated]
+1 mastery with bows
20% faster draw speed
20% more accurate shots
[Scout training activated]
+1 detection
+1 avoidance of death
+1 tracking and hunting capability
Frederick, Roderick, and Eldrick became the pillars of the defense. If enemies came, these three would lead the lines.
[Mission: Train 60 troops]
[Reward: Tactician skill]
The training intensified.
+1 Infantry
+1 Bowmen
+1 Infantry
+1 Bowmen
+1 Scout
+1 Scout
...
Day after day, sweat and calluses built up. The sound of clashing wood and drawn bows filled the air.
[Training finished]
25 Infantry finished training
25 Bowmen finished training
10 Scouts finished training
[Tactician skill activated]
[Research is available]
[Research Formations?]
[Yes] [No]
"Yes."
[Basic Phalanx formation] available
[Turtle shield formation] locked
[Basic Circle formation] locked
[Spear and shield formation] locked
[Archer volley formation] locked
[Cavalry wedge charge formation] locked
"Research Basic Phalanx formation!"
[Affirmative]
[Research finished]
[Applying the formation...]
[Training complete]
Aizen, one of Rolan's aides, accessed the building queue and constructed the barracks.
[Barracks 60/50 capacity]
[Upgrade the building?]
[Yes] [No]
"Yes."
[Upgrading...]
[Upgrade complete]
[Barracks 60/100 capacity]
[Upgrade troops?]
"Yes."
[Weaponry] [Armory]
"Both."
[Spend 20 units of Steel?]
"Yes."
[Weapons upgraded to Steel]
[Armors upgraded to Steel]
[Upgrade finished]
+1 to security
[Command your troops] 60 unassigned
[Patrol] 25 soldiers, 10 scouts (Consumes torches and rations)
[Guard] 25 soldiers (Consumes torches)
[Attack] 0 soldiers
"Done assigning."
[The army is now executing your command...]
The patrol returned with grim news.
They discovered that the goblins were indeed heading this way. Worse, they were gathering more forces by recruiting from other goblin tribes along the northwest and eastern paths. Their numbers, originally estimated at 300, had risen to over 500.
Upon this discovery, Rolan knew he had no time to waste. He ordered the remaining villagers to be conscripted, temporarily forming a militia. Time was running thin.
[Time before the goblins attack: 2 days and 4 hours]
Day 2 of training the militia was chaotic. Many couldn't even follow simple commands, let alone maintain formation. They had to be taught discipline—how to march, how to stand, and how to trust each other.
Day 3 brought improvement. They knew the basics now, and that was enough. Rolan made the risky but necessary decision: all villagers, except the children, were to join the training.
Conscripted Army List:
25 Infantry
25 Bowmen
10 Scouts
40 Militia
With over 100 defenders, Rolan still didn't feel safe. Brawn wasn't enough—they needed strategy. So, he devised a plan.
They barricaded the village perimeter with sharpened wooden spikes. A single entry point was created at the front gates. A canal was dug behind the spikes and filled with water from the nearby river. Tar was boiled and readied above the gates in case the enemies broke through. It would buy them precious minutes.
Archers would be stationed above the gates, and a newly built drawbridge added another layer of protection.
Once preparations were complete, the villagers took their positions behind the walls.
[Time before goblins attack: 2 hours and 20 minutes]
Everything was quiet.
The wind blew gently over the ramparts. Fires crackled in the hearths as nervous guards whispered prayers to the gods. It was amusing—but Rolan clung to hope too. In truth, he prayed silently as well, though no words left his lips.
Tonight, they would fight for their lives.
And Rolan would either rise as a true Lord—or fall defending his people.