After the playful conversation with Arora, Arthur stretched his arms lazily and turned his attention back to what truly mattered right now — the event resources.
He opened the system panel and checked the current total:
[Total Event Points: 50,000,000]
Arthur's eyes widened with excitement, and a bright grin spread across his face.
Without wasting a second, he tapped open the Event Market, scrolling down until he found the reward he had been aiming for all this time.
There it was, shimmering with a golden glow
Flameblade Knight Recruitment Building (Diamond Rank)
Cost: 50,000,000 EP
Quantity Available: 10
A prompt popped up immediately.
[Do you want to exchange 50,000,000 points for Flameblade Knight Recruitment Building?]
Arthur didn't even blink.
"Yes!" he declared out loud, his voice filled with excitement.
[Congratulations, Lord. You have exchanged 50,000,000 Event Points for 1 Flameblade Knight Recruitment Building!]
The moment the transaction was complete, a new item appeared in his inventory — the blueprint of the building, glowing faintly as if it was burning with invisible flames.
Unable to contain his excitement, Arthur quickly made his way toward the military base, where all his other recruitment buildings stood — sturdy barracks, stone archery ranges, mage towers, and more, each buzzing with activity.
He reached a spacious, empty patch of land he had reserved exactly for this moment. With a flourish, he pulled out the Flameblade Knight blueprint and activated it.
The ground trembled slightly as a radiant magic circle formed, pulsing with crimson and gold light.
A low hum filled the air as flames flickered above the ground, weaving together like masterful craftsmen.
Slowly, the new building materialized before his eyes.
It was majestic —
Towering walls made of obsidian black stone veined with lines of molten lava.
Crimson flame runes carved into the very stone glowed softly, almost as if breathing.
Two giant statues of armored knights wielding flaming swords stood guard at the entrance, each looking so lifelike they seemed ready to move at any moment.
The double doors at the front were forged from black steel, with red fire patterns dancing across their surface, reacting to the sunlight.
From the highest point of the building, a massive burning banner waved proudly — a sword engulfed in roaring flames stitched into it, representing the might of the Flameblade Knights.
The entire structure radiated an intense, heroic aura, as if it were a beacon for warriors destined to burn away their enemies.
Arthur took a step back, admiring the sight, his heart pounding with anticipation.
"This... this is truly worthy of the Diamond Rank," he murmured, feeling a surge of pride well up inside him.
Already, he could sense the powerful energy gathering within the building, as if hundreds of unseen warriors were waiting just beyond the veil, ready to answer his call.
Without wasting a moment, Arthur immediately accessed the building interface and selected the recruitment option. His fingers moved without hesitation as he confirmed the summon.
[Do you want to summon 1,000 Flameblade Knights for 1,000,000 gold coins?]
A simple confirmation button appeared. Arthur pressed **[Yes]** without a second thought.
The moment the command was given, the ground beneath the towering **Flameblade Knight Recruitment Building** trembled slightly, as if the very earth acknowledged the birth of something powerful.
Brilliant crimson light burst forth from the building's massive arched entrance, followed by a low, resonating hum that echoed throughout the military district. The large double doors swung open slowly, releasing thick waves of heat that distorted the air like a desert mirage.
And then they came.
One after another, **armored knights astride flaming steeds** emerged from the glowing gateway.
Their armor gleamed under the sunlight, forged from a brilliant mix of obsidian black and deep crimson metals, etched with flowing runes that pulsed with ember-like light.
Their swords, long and broad, burned with a steady crimson flame that flickered as if hungry for battle.
The knights themselves wore visored helms that left only their eyes visible — burning like coals, unwavering and proud.
Each movement they made was synchronized, almost mechanical, but filled with a deadly grace.
Their warhorses snorted steam and fire, hooves leaving small scorch marks on the cobbled ground with every step.
The thousand knights assembled in neat, terrifyingly disciplined rows outside the recruitment building, their presence alone making the air feel heavier, hotter.
Arthur stood at a distance, arms crossed, admiring the sight with a rare, genuine look of awe on his face.
"This... This is true power," he thought to himself, the corners of his mouth lifting into a satisfied smirk.
Still, there was no time to waste. With a thought, he activated his communication skill and connected to Ronan, his trusted Knight Hero.
Arthur: "Ronan, gather your men and come to the Flameblade Knights recruitment building. I need you to temporarily command a new unit — the Flameblade Knights. Treat them as part of your division for now."
The response was immediate.
Ronan: "Understood, my lord. I'm on my way."
Soon after, Ronan arrived, leading several of his elite cavalry officers. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the formation of the thousand flaming knights, but he quickly composed himself — after all, as a Gold-ranked Knight Hero, he knew the importance of maintaining dignity before new soldiers.
With a crisp salute to Arthur, Ronan took charge, ordering the newly summoned Flameblade Knights to march toward the temporary barracks adjacent to his unit.
Their departure was a sight to behold —
a river of flame and steel flowing through the military base, turning every soldier and officer's head as they passed.
Once they were gone, the area finally quieted down, though the warmth left behind lingered in the air.
Arthur exhaled lightly and, without wasting another second, reopened his event market panel.
His gaze fell upon a particularly eye-catching listing:
Flameblade Knight Hero Recruitment Card
Rank: Diamond
Points- 10,000,000
Specialty:
A hero born from fire and war, the embodiment of the Flameblade Knights' spirit. Commands fire like an extension of their body, and leads the flaming cavalry with unmatched ferocity and tactical brilliance.
"With the rate my people are collecting stones, I'll be able to purchase this card in two to three hours," Arthur thought, a small smile resting on his lips as he lay lazily under the familiar old tree, the soft shade soothing his mind.
The breeze carried a scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers, the morning sun bathing the world in a golden light.
It was peaceful.
Yet, before long, Arthur sensed movement approaching from a distance.
His Mana Sense skill, sharpened like a keen blade, alerted him well before they came into view.
He opened his eyes slowly, watching as a group of people made their way toward him.
They were the refugees — the people George had rescued from Kaldor's brutal town just days before.
Compared to when Arthur had first seen them, they now looked far healthier, their faces no longer hollow with starvation or shadowed by fear.
Clothed in clean garments, their bodies a little fuller with food and healing, and their gazes steadier — yet still carrying traces of reverence and gratitude.
When they finally reached him, the group moved in perfect unison, kneeling respectfully on the grassy earth before him.
Arthur remained quiet, giving them a moment.
He had no need to shout or demand authority.
His presence alone, calm yet firm, spoke volumes.
After a few seconds, he spoke softly, his voice like a ripple in the still air.
"What happened?" he asked, his tone warm and welcoming.
An older man, likely in his mid-fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair and steady brown eyes, raised his head slightly.
His face was weathered with hardship but dignified.
"My lord," the man said, his voice carrying the careful weight of someone who had chosen his words thoughtfully, "we wish to help. We cannot just sit idly while you and your soldiers work for our future. Please... allow us to aid in collecting the Emberveil Stones."
The others nodded firmly behind him, their hands clenched in determination.
Arthur looked at them quietly for a moment.
In their eyes, he could see it clearly — the genuine desire to repay kindness with action, to earn their place, to shed the label of helpless victims.
A faint smile touched Arthur's lips.
"Very well," he said, his tone carrying a soft approval. "You may help. Go to the inside sectors and gather stones. The soldiers will assist you if needed. Do not overstrain yourselves. Work in pairs, and stay safe."
Their faces lit up with happiness, as if a heavy weight had been lifted off their shoulders.
"Thank you, my lord!" the middle-aged man said, and the others echoed his gratitude in hushed but emotional voices.
They rose, some bowing deeply again before they rushed off enthusiastically toward the fields.
The once-broken townsfolk now moved with a new vigor, eager to be useful, eager to build a future alongside Arthur's people.
The energy around the territory grew even more lively.
Arthur closed his eyes again, basking in the peace for just a moment longer.
But just as he began to relax, he noticed — not all had left.
Opening his eyes, he saw a woman still kneeling in front of him, her posture low and hesitant.
Her hands trembled slightly against her lap.
She was... different.
Unlike the others, she possessed an ethereal beauty that immediately stood out — not the kind crafted by fine clothes or jewels, but something innate, something that could not be hidden even under the simplest of garments.
She looked to be in her early twenties, with long, flowing chestnut hair tied neatly behind her back, cascading like silk down her shoulders.
Her skin was flawless and almost seemed to shimmer faintly under the sunlight, and her delicate features — high cheekbones, slender nose, full lips — carried an elegance that felt almost otherworldly.
She didn't look like an ordinary human at all.
Her presence alone exuded a quiet, natural grace, as if she belonged to a realm untouched by the hardships of mortal life.
Yet, despite her beauty and elegance, her expression was a swirl of conflict — fear, hope, and uncertainty warring within her heart.
Arthur's gaze softened slightly.
"My lord," she said at last, her voice barely more than a whisper, carried only by the breeze between them.
"I... I have something to say to you."
She paused, biting her lower lip as if unsure whether she should continue.
Arthur sat up slightly, leaning his arms on his knees, and watched her patiently.
"There's no need to be afraid," he said, his tone calm and reassuring. "Speak freely."
The woman hesitated, her fingers curling tightly into the fabric of her dress.
For a long moment, she remained frozen in place, gathering her courage as her heart visibly battled itself.
Arthur waited without pushing her, giving her the space to make the choice herself.
At last, she raised her head slightly, her eyes locking onto his — eyes filled with a desperate seriousness.
"My lord..." she said again, her voice trembling. "There is something important... something I think you should know."
Her words hung in the air, heavy and foreboding, as if she were about to lift a veil over something hidden, something that could not be ignored.
The morning sun continued to shine softly over the land, but around them, the atmosphere grew tense, as if the world itself leaned in to listen.
Arthur's expression remained composed, but internally, his curiosity was piqued.
He could sense it —
whatever she was about to say was not trivial.
He simply nodded once, encouraging her to continue.
The woman's hands tightened even more, and after another long breath, she finally opened her mouth, ready to reveal whatever burden had been weighing on her heart.
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