"Inform Reynard to recall the Dorwinian Swordsmen back to Riverguard—I need them!" Rynar ordered the guard beside him, quickly scribbling a deployment order and handing it over.
Yes, this unfortunate unit of heavily armored infantry had been stationed at Riverguard but was later sent to Luolong Fortress due to their lack of usefulness there. After all, compared to Riverguard, the solid defenses of Luolong Fortress were better suited for their deployment.
"As you command, Your Highness!"
"How many troops do you plan to send, my dear king?" Nyx clung to Rynar anxiously, her eyes filled with worry—not just for Rynar's safety on the battlefield but also for the weakening defenses of Riverguard.
"I'll probably take around 500 men with me." Rynar opened the system's domain interface and silently calculated.
Riverguard: Area: One kilometer radius Structures: One dilapidated lord's castle, 240 ordinary wooden houses, intermediate magical-patterned city walls, stone wells, a blacksmith shop, a barracks, an Archer's Sanctuary. Nobles: Apophis Breo (self-proclaimed Duke of the Conqueror's Lion) Commanders: Caslow (Tier 5), Reynard (Tier 4), Radir (Tier 4), Dylan (Tier 6), Omsk (Tier 6), Lavian (Tier 4) Special Personnel: Lady Aivy (Tier 3), Grand Duke Nyx (Tier 2), Nina Bone (Tier 1) City Defense Officer: Marcus (Tier 4) Administrative Officer: Lance (Tier 2) Military Strength: 3,495 troops
Military Units:
Holy Radiance Knights: 100 Zaltarion Knights (Tier 2) Zaltarion City Guards: 150 Warriors (Tier 2) Battanian Archers: 800 Archers (Tier 2) Dorwinian Swordsmen: 100 Swordsmen (Tier 2) El Nino Rangers: 100 Rangers (Tier 2) Zaltarion Royal Guards: 200 Elite Guards Rapid Infantry Corps: 1,200 Infantrymen Conscription Light Infantry: 200 Light Infantrymen Zaltarion Heavy Cavalry: 100 Heavy Cavalrymen Lordaeron Rangers: 50 Rangers (Tier 2) Clerics: 8 Clerics (Tier 2) Mage: 1 Fire Mage (Tier 2) Crusader Spear and Shield Infantry: 100 soldiers Crusader Archers: 300 archers Crusader Heavy Shield Infantry: 20 soldiers Knights of the Crossed Purple Jasmine: 20 knights Duchy Light Cavalry: 30 cavalrymen Conqueror's Knights: 16 knights
Population: 11,360 (Trainable Civilians: 4,196)
Evaluation: A lonely king leads his remaining people back to their homeland, establishing this city with towering walls. Residents are gradually settling in, making the city feel more alive. Everything is moving in the right direction. The city's military force is strong, and there is no shortage of potential recruits. Even in the face of a large-scale assault, the city can be well defended. Note: The only heir of the Conqueror's Lion family has arrived here. Though the family's former glory has faded, he remains worthy of trust. Their honor still flows in his veins.
Abilities:
As the only territory of the Zaltarion Kingdom in Middle-earth, it attracts Zaltarion's scattered survivors. The system will guide a group of Zaltarion refugees here daily—may the lord properly resettle them. Allows recruitment of civilians to be trained as Rapid Infantry. Northern Capital! Zaltarion soldiers stationed here gain morale and stamina boosts (Unlocked at a population of 10,000+).
"We must bring the Dorwinian Swordsmen, the Royal Guards, and the Lordaeron Rangers as well!" Rynar declared, listing his choices one by one while staring at the system's interface.
"Only infantry? What about the knights? Without them, how will you ensure your safety?" Nyx's beautiful eyes flashed with panic.
"Don't worry, and don't underestimate our Royal Guards! Their Guardian ability grants them a powerful invulnerability skill—even forbidden spells can be resisted to some extent. You don't need to worry about me. If anything, I'm more worried about your safety. Knights are useless in the tunnels of Moria, but here, they are our strongest force. Even if something unexpected happens… they can protect you." Rynar smiled as he calmly spoke of the worst-case scenario.
"No! We'll all return safely!" Nyx quickly reached out and covered Rynar's mouth, stopping him from saying more.
"Yes, we'll all be safe!" Rynar nodded, rubbing Nyx's head in reassurance.
"I... I want to go with you… I'm a mage too. I can help!" Nyx pouted, mumbling in a voice so soft it was barely audible.
"Dear, you know I can't agree to that," Rynar sighed helplessly. This girl? Help? She'd be lucky if she didn't distract him.
"Fine... but you must take Dylan and Omsk with you!" Nyx pouted, trying to bargain.
"I'll take Omsk, but as for Dylan… he stays. With him guarding Riverguard, I'll feel more at ease." Rynar reasoned. After all, Dylan was a powerful spellcaster—far better suited for defense than knights.
"But only having one Tier 6 warrior—won't that be risky?" Nyx worriedly asked.
"Not at all. Caslow will accompany me. And I'll bring the blue dragons—I don't think a single Balrog can stand against two true dragons… unless those dragons are complete idiots!" Rynar swore confidently.
"Alright… I hope you're right," Nyx murmured, resting her head against Rynar's chest.
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon. After this battle, we'll have a long period of peace. Then we can enjoy our time together." Rynar gently kissed Nyx's lips.
"Your Highness, are you really not taking me with you on this expedition?" Apophis Breo fidgeted anxiously.
"I've already streamlined our forces. Only a select few will accompany me. Besides, you have a more important task! Remember, replenishing our ranks with fresh blood is more crucial than just winning battles." Rynar patted Apophis Breo's shoulder reassuringly. The young man still seemed reluctant.
"Cave warfare? By the Dragon God! That's completely out of my expertise! Your request is beyond my knowledge…" Omsk wiped the sweat off his forehead, looking helpless. After all, knights were meant to fight on open plains, not underground tunnels.
"It's fine. Just treat it as regular infantry combat. A knight fighting on foot should still be better than a common warrior, right? Or are you admitting that without your horse, you're weaker than a foot soldier?" Rynar teased.
"Nonsense! Even if I had to fight on my knees, we knights would still crush those warriors!" Omsk thumped his chest proudly.
"…" A few black lines formed on Rynar's forehead. On your knees? Why not just lie down while you're at it?
"Alright, back to business. In the next few days, lead the Royal Guards and Dorwinian Swordsmen in drills and prepare contingency plans. As for the Lordaeron Rangers… fighting in tight spaces is second nature to them. You'd do well to learn from them." Rynar instructed.
"Yes! Those half-elves have terrifying close-combat skills. The forest is like their home!" Omsk agreed, nodding. Those slippery Lordaeron Rangers were indeed formidable opponents no one wanted to face.
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