On Starcrest 4, in the year 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), a few hours after the emergency meeting, every squad, platoon, company, battalion, brigade, and division gathered outside the 5th Frostgate Fortress, one of the Five Great Northern Fortresses. This division is known as the Northern Army of Frostguard, commanded by Knight-Commander Garett Ironwing. The two vice-commanders, Knight-Lieutenant Mary Shade and Knight-Lieutenant Kimber Tell, oversee half of the division's forces.
Beneath the vice-commanders are four officers of the brigade, who take command of 25% of the division when the vice-commanders and the commander are absent from the battlefield. Alistair's earlier confusion has been clarified; he was positioned as a Squad Leader because, in this hierarchy, a smaller number of knights and soldiers in a squad or platoon often indicates a higher rank.
Each squad and platoon consists of mid-level warriors and high-level champions from the aura materialization realm (level 5 to 10) and the aura transformation realm (early to late stage). The remaining members include low-level fighters from the aura manifestation realm and the aura materialization realm (level 1 to 4), who are randomly assigned to these ranks.
A Knight-Sergeant Major entered the 12th Snow Defender Squad to assign Alistair and his team their first mission. Alistair saluted first, followed by his squad members, and the officer returned their salutes before handing them the mission document.
"Your mission is to scout the areas within the City of Winter. Not only are snowy monsters appearing, but creatures from the Wintermere Territories are also emerging, causing damage to several villages in the area. Your task is straightforward: scout these areas and eliminate the threats with your group. You have a high chance of succeeding without any problems. Additionally, young soldier Alistair, the Strategic Northern Military Council has decided to promote you to the rank of Knight-Corporal. We expect a lot from you, but not too much, as you are still the youngest among us veterans. Hahaha. Good luck out there! You may leave at any time today."
After the Knight-Sergeant Major left the tent, Alistair reviewed the documents. "Let's gear up and move out before noon," he said. Everyone agreed, and they began their preparations. As the sun rose, the squad donned their Winter Combat Suits. The system notified Alistair that the suits were of Standard Rank, offering cold immunity and resistance to freezing. However, because these items were mass-produced, their quality was downgraded, leading to issues with durability; they were prone to wear and tear with prolonged use.
Alistair wore his Winter Combat Suit with military insignia and stripes, signifying his position in the Northern Army of Frostguard as a Knight-Corporal. His squad was being dispatched to the south of Wintermere to scout the area. On their way to some villages, they encountered monsters and wild beasts that were destroying vegetation, killing animals, and even harming people. This marked the beginning of Alistair's first mission.
Although Knight-Corporal Alistair preferred fighting over commanding, he allowed Knight-Staff Sergeant Sheba to handle all the commands, positioning, formations, and second-final decisions. Alistair had chosen to act as the Vanguard and Defender and to make first-final decisions during combat. Being in the Early-Stage of Aura Transformation Realm, he found it easy to deal with the wild monsters and beasts, showcasing abilities and strengths that left his squadmates in awe, despite his youth.
For the past several days, Alistair had been on nonstop missions, which made him forget about the system gifts he had accumulated. He had been busy every day this month, and as the days passed, the monsters and beasts in the Wintermere Territories and Whisperpine Expanse became increasingly aggressive. The entire 5th Division of the Northern Army was fully deployed, patrolling both inside and outside the territories, as the monsters began to ravage the areas.
On Starcrest 15, 1850 AC (Arbiter Calendar), Alistair finally had some time to take a break. To his surprise, the system notified him that he had over 300 unclaimed gifts. He hadn't even noticed them, as he had spent three months training in the Outer Zone of the Whisperpine Expanse, followed by another month and a half in the City of Winter, where he had become part of the army.
"System, I will address everything later," Alistair murmured, his voice barely rising above the rustle of the wind outside the tent. Though his body was strong, it craved rest after the relentless missions they had endured. He settled into the rough-hewn bed, muscles protesting as he sought solace from the day's demands. But a few hours later, the silence was shattered by a blaring alarm that pierced the stillness.
"Emergency warning! A massive swarm of snowy monsters, numbering around 1,000, is approaching the fortress! All soldiers and knights are to assemble in the field for immediate combat, I repeat!"
The urgency in the voice on the loudspeaker electrified the camp. Soldiers, once sprawled out in fitful sleep, sprang to their feet. Those who had been scouting outside quickly regrouped, while others who were engaged in missions within the fortress hurried to return. The air thickened with tension as the gravity of the situation set in. The command was simple yet powerful: defend the fortress at all costs.
Alistair hastily donned his armor, the familiar weight settling comfortably on his shoulders as he positioned himself at the eastern wall of the fortress, surveying the chaotic scene before him. His squad gathered around, eyes wide with determination mixed with underlying fear. "Listen up!" he called, voice steady despite the rising chaos. "We need to start our assault immediately. Engage the monsters with all you've got!"
As arrows began to fly from the battlements, Alistair directed his team to focus their attacks on the incoming horde while the rest of the soldiers and knights fortified the defenses. They reinforced the walls with hastily built barriers, using whatever materials they could find to keep the oncoming threats at bay. Healing potions and enhancement pills were distributed with urgency; every soldier's strength was critical in what lay ahead.
The mountainous landscape beyond the fortress was alive with the ominous movement of the snowy creatures, white as the wintry landscape but with a menacing glint in their eyes. Alistair's heart raced, adrenaline coursing through him. He could hear the thunderous roar of the advancing monsters, a sound that resonated deep within him, igniting a fierce resolve.
"Stay sharp, everyone! Focus on ranged attacks! The moment they breach the walls, we must be ready for close combat!" he shouted, knowing that every prepared soldier could mean the difference between victory and disaster. As the first line of snowy creatures surged forth, a chilling realization washed over him: this battle would test not just their skills but their courage and unity as well.