A moment later the Dwarves are already preparing their armies for this fight.
In addition, the Awakened reinforcement that was brought here by Adhara was also preparing themselves for the big fight. Having a plan in mind, the next step would be executing it and achieving total victory.
Currently, the army is gathering on a vast snowy plaza.
Numerous kinds of units of the Dwarven Kingdom could be seen rallying for a big fight.
From a glance, the Dwarven army was divided into three unit sections.
Just like any other army, those unit sections are the infantry, artillery, and lastly, cavalry.
The infantry unit consisted of extremely built foot soldiers clad in heavy metal armor and armed with rune-powered blunt weapons, showcasing their exceptional physical prowess. Additionally, the artillery unit comprised gunners, lightly armored individuals wielding either flintlock musket-like firearms or large, heavy crossbows.
Lastly, on the flanks was the cavalry unit, Dwarves mounted on mutated bears of boars.
It was clear that the cavalry unit was the most exceptional.
Each of the Dwarves that mounted on the mutated animals was holding onto big battle axes with relative ease, and their fearsome demeanor shows that they were already honed in the furnace of battle for a long time.
While waiting for the army to gather, Rex and Adahra were standing on the side.
Damn it, It's too soon to fight. My head is still misty. But this can't wait, I need to focus.
Rex massaged his forehead lightly and complained.
The toll from the earlier incident continued to weigh heavily on him, he hadn't had even an hour to rest his mind. It was exceptionally tiring as he was trying to conceal this from Adhara. Having her finding out about this would not be a good thing right now.
Deciding to endure the throb in his head, he takes out the Silver Eye from the inventory.
Since I still don't have the Amuerus Katana, I'll have to make do with this.
Although the Silver Eye is not as high-rank as the Amuerus Katana, it's still a strong weapon capable of withstanding numerous powerful strikes. It's also made of silver, so this would have to make do against the Rastrikan Demons.
System, will I be able to engrave a rune on this?
<Yes, one rune can still be engraved on the Silver Eye. More than one will break it>
Only one, huh...? Alright, recommend me one that could make it lethal for demons.
<Scanning the shop...>
<Pure Holy Rune is recommended, does the user want to purchase it for 60,000 gold?>
It's expensive, but it doesn't matter. It's worth it. Buy it.
Rex knew that he would need to increase the potency of the Silver Eye if he wanted to win against the Demon Lords, he couldn't underestimate them. Coming from the ancient eras, he would be a foolish man if he underestimated them.
On top of that, transforming into his Werewolf form is a little bit uncomfortable.
But he already tried it before and found that it was nothing more than an inconvenience.
Upon purchasing the rune, he quickly engraved it.
Putting his hand above the rain guard of the Silver Eye, a subtle white glow emanated from his palm, eventually forming a radiant white rune that took the shape of a simple circle. It surged with power and infused the entire blade with its holy energy in the next second.
Following that, he also decided to buy another item from the System.
"Adhara, wear this at all times. It will protect you" Rex said, handing over the item he bought.
The item he purchased was a seventh-rank sheer scarf called White Radiance that has its surface glistening with a vibrant white hue that indicated its properties to the holy energy. A defensive item that has the ability to act as a protective shield, intercepting incoming attacks to safeguard the wearer.
Due to the First Breath, this should be enough to protect her against the Rastrikan Demons.
"I don't want you to get hurt, these demons are strong" He added.
Seeing that he was extremely worried despite his indifferent look, Adhara nodded her head and offered a reassuring smile to appease his worry. Knowing his fear, she would need to adjust lest she made him feel even worse. "Yes, I'll wear it and be extra careful. I won't get hurt, so you also try to not get hurt for me, okay?"
"That goes without saying, I also don't want you to worry" Rex nodded his head firmly.
Having an understanding, she then wore the sheer scarf on her waist instead of her neck.
Rex then shifted his gaze to the army again.
System, would the demons killed by the Dwarves be counted for the calculation?
<Yes, the demons killed by the Dwarves will be calculated>
<As the Dwarves are under the reign of the Silverstar Pack, their efforts will be counted>
Upon reading the notifications Rex couldn't help to smile, he wouldn't be the one lifting the heavy work thanks to this. It's a great situation for him, there wouldn't be any demon cores lost if his and Adhara's kills were the only ones counted.
While he was dwelling in his mind, Adhara nudged him with her elbow.
Gesturing to look to the front with her chin, Rex followed the direction of her eyes and found the Awakened that she was focusing on the Awakened that was also preparing themselves to fight the upcoming battle.
However, he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something is definitely off.
"It seems their morale is rather low, possibly due to hearing about the Rastrikan Demons' reputation. Moreover, they are still relatively new under our rule. Maybe if you can provide them with some motivation, something to look forward to, it may help uplift their spirits" Adhara suggested, their emotional auras bring her to that conclusion.
Rex gazes at them with a pondering look before he eventually nods his head.
Unlike the Dwarves who have a direct motivation to fight the Rastrikan Demons that were aiming for them for what their ancestors did, the Awakened don't have the same motivation, they are here because they were told to be here.
Essentially, they are fighting what their leader pointed at.
Out of everyone, Rex who has served in the military relates to them immensely.
Yeah, this is natural. It hasn't been that, but I already bring them to a fight. This is normal.
Deciding to go with Adhara's suggestion, Rex went over to them with steady steps. It didn't take long before one of the Awakened noticed him approaching and quickly signaled to the others of his presence and stood upright.
Stopping before the crowd of Awakened, Rex scans his eyes to them sternly.
A pause happened and it went on for an uncomfortable amount of time, making the Awakened's head wonder about what he was thinking. Did he come here for a pep talk? Did they do something wrong? Did something catch his eye? None of them knew the answers.
But then suddenly, Rex pointed at the man with brown short hair to his right.
Caught off guard, the man flared his eyes open in surprise when he realized that he was being pointed at by Lord Rex himself. In the next second, his expression turned pale as he didn't know why he was picked out of all the Awakened.
He was nothing more than a normal Awakend that didn't stick out whatsoever.
"You there, what's your name?"
"I- It's Cal- Callan, my Lord"
"Callan, huh... You are an early sixth-rank Zephyr Tempest Elementalist and have been stuck there for more or less seven years. Is that right?"
"E- Eh...? Y- Yes"
Shifting his eyes to another Awakened to the side, Rex then repeated the process.
"The guy with the scar on his left eye, what's your name?"
"Millam, my Lord!"
"You are a peak sixth-rank Zephyr Phantom Elementalist and have been there for more or less five years, is that right?"
"Y- Yes..."
Rex did it again to three more Awakened, asking their names and stating their exact elements and realm. It was something that none of these Awakened knew that he could do, almost as if his eyes could see through them like an open book.
However, this is very easy to do as he could scan them with the System.
Pausing once again, letting the Awakened wander even more, he then eventually nodded.
"All of you may be wondering why am I doing this, and the reason for that is very simple. I want you to perform your best, but I also know that saying it will not be enough. Now that you know I could read through all of you, I'm going to propose a condition for you all."
"Count the demons you killed later. For those who did exceptionally, a reward awaits..."
Upon hearing the promise of a reward, the Awakened's eyes lit up.
It was then that one of the Awakened raised his hand and was brave enough to deliver the questions he had in mind, "How do we count them? Surely, if we count it ourselves, someone would try to cheat his way"
Surely, the promise of a reward is tantalizing enough to make anyone reckless.
Desperate ones would definitely cheat.
Contrary to what these Awakened expected, Rex put a brief pause to his answer again before he smiled mysteriously, "Of course, there was no need for all of you to worry about that. I would trust that all of you would be truthful. Also, most of you are in the sixth-rank realm prior to the First Breath, but for those above the sixth-rank realm, don't be disheartened..."
Rex scours his eyes around the Awakened before he turns around and leaves.
Just like what Adhara said, it seems giving them the promise of a reward will do the trick.
Not even needing to turn around to inspect the morphing of the spirit of the Awakened, he already knew that his attempt was working as he could even hear their excited whisperers about the promised rewards.
A promised reward always does the trick for a crowd of people like this.
Deliberately showing them that his eyes could see through their elements and realms leads them to have power in their mind, and avoiding stating the exact rewards and only hyping up the effects it brings increases their morale greatly.
Of course, he was not lying. He would give them all the promised rewards.
However, only the most exceptional will be given special treatment.
Elemental affinities, elemental stones, and even evolving their elements. I could do them all.
Adhara gave him a thumbs up seeing that he successfully lifted the Awakened's spirits, they would be fighting even better now that they had a motivation in mind. In any case, the two of them wouldn't need to worry about the Awakened.
Just then, a loud howling sound of a horn could be heard, signing that the army was ready.
Glancing to the side, Rex could find the Dwarf King approaching.
<Huvuki Darkarm>
Race: Giant Dwarf
Power: Sixth Rank (Peak) - Terra Master
Mental: 8,500
Strength: 2,700 (+16,000)
Agility: 1,750 (+2,000)
Endurance: 2,300 (+11,000)
Intelligence: 1,250 (+1,000)
Hmmm... So he's an eighth-rank before the First Breath.
Examining the stat of the Dwarf King, Huvuki, he wasn't surprised as it's more or less on par with Queen Shanaela's. Those who had already reached the ninth-rank realm before the First Breath were the only ones to retain power levels exceeding the sixth-rank realm.
It was not surprising that Huvuki got reduced this weakly compared to Rex.
Additionally, the eighth-rank realm is also out of reach for everybody. Without enhancements or equipment that would bolster their physical prowess near the eighth-rank realm, it's practically impossible to reach.
"Lord Rex, the army is ready and we can now depart" Huvuki said respectfully.
Upon hearing this, Rex nodded his head as he also had finished lifting the Awakeend's morale and preparing himself. "May I know how will we approach the fight against the Rastrikan Demons?"
"Yes, we are going to annihilate the isolated legion first" Rex replied with a peculiar look.
Huvuki saw a fierce glint in Rex's eyes, but he quickly bowed in understanding. Having Rex with them is quite reassuring, the Dwarven Kingdom might survive this ancient bad blood, and not lose much in the process.
Bowing slightly, he nodded his head, "Then that would be the legion commanded by Ranath"
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺