Luka stood at the centre of the troops, walking up and down in front of the damaged wooden walls. He counted fewer than fifty men remaining from the sixty who joined, with the twenty or so from Iris's group watching him from a distance.
"First of all, I just want to say good work."
His gaze lingered on the tired knights who wore heavy plate, now down to their leather underarmour and gamebeson's while downing water from their small pouches.
Then he looked at the old man with silver hair. "You led the hunters and townsmen better than I could have expected, and thanks to your accuracy and abilities. We managed to avoid the brunt of their forces."
"M-My Lord, all is for Babylon!"
To hunters who merely brought food and pelts to the territory. It was rare enough to gain the acknowledgement from their townsmen, let alone their Lord.
Even Luka's father wouldn't have the time to thank them in such a fashion.
He remained still, while examining the greying hunter, his muscles and figure still able to match the young men around him.
'With the help of the Destiny System, this man could become a powerful general at my side... will he accept such a task?'
The first thing Luka did was scan the man's loyalty to him, curious after seeing how low Iris's was compared to Galatea, whose numbers reached close to the limit.
"Tell me your name, Hunter."
To scan someone deeply, he needed their name.
The old hunter cleared his throat and bizarrely knelt on a single knee. "I am Vaun, son of Brun, master of the bow." When he lowered, the tips of his ears revealed a cunning secret that tickled Luka's desire.
[Overwhelming Greed Detected: +10 Desire!]
[Desire: 95/100]
The moment he spoke his name, a secondary panel appeared on the left of Luka's vision. This one contained information about the man kneeling before him.
A broad grin grew on Luka's lips.
[Destiny Record]
Name: Vaun
Age: 62
Race: Half-Elf (Human, Elf)
Rating: Gold
Level: 0
Class: (Archer, Ranger, Scout, Trainer, Hunter, Guide)
Talent: Elven Accuracy, Natural guide, Increased Vigour
Skill: Bow Mastery (Level 8), Longbow Mastery (Level 9), Hunting (Level 8), Herbalism, Natural Charm (Level 4), Leadership (Level 5), Transformation (Level 3)
[Combat Attributes]
Strength: 10
Endurance: 15
Dexterity: 14
Agility: 16
Willpower: 11
[Extra Attributes]
Loyalty: 100
Affection: 92
Corruption: 10
Charm: 12 (True form: 23)
___
'Interesting!'
[Sin +1]
The first thing that Luka noticed was the revelation of Vaun's Talent rating.
Talent rating was something important given by the Destiny System after it analysed their ability to evolve, their so-called innate potential. This could increase with effort, and learning the truth about old man Vaun brought a huge smile to Luka's face.
Those ranks were as follows:
Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Master, Grandmaster.
'To find a gold talent so early into my second life, good. It makes me expectant to see what Iris and Galatea are.'
Vaun's Affection and Loyalty truly shocked Luka, who could only place a hand on the half-elf's shoulder before lowering himself.
He leaned close to his ear and whispered. "It's nice to meet such a skilled shapeshifter. Come see me later to discuss the future half-elf."
However, when he pulled back, Luka remained all smiles.
"I am grateful for your service, Vaun. I will never forget your bravery and assistance."
Everyone in the crowd cheered, while the elf himself turned pale, his eyes darted around, avoiding contact with Luka as he quickly stood and returned to the crowd.
"Now then..."
After the victory speech, Luka then changed the subject, he pointed to the damaged walls behind him, and the forests on the east and west with bountiful amounts of wood, food and monsters to hunt.
"I plan to erect an outpost here, one that will act as a bridge between Babylon and the village of Amol. This will be a key fixture to resist the constant onslaught of goblins and orcs that sneak into our lands and cause havoc."
A knight in the front row raised his hand.
"Speak." Luka nodded.
He looked a little nervous, his eyes shifty before he spoke. "My Lord, will we be forced to stay here?"
'Ah, I see...'
This wasn't the time of the great crusade; the fall of humanity hadn't happened, and man only concerned themselves with profit and gain.
He couldn't expect everyone to follow his will; some might bite their tongue, holding their complaints and insults. But those feelings would gradually gather and grow.
This kind of rule would come back to haunt him in the future.
"I do plan to recruit men to man the outposts in future."
Luka noticed the slight fall in atmosphere, the knights became taciturn, and the townsmen lowered their heads. Iris, on the other hand, looked overjoyed, and even Brea nodded with a smile at his words.
"However!"
This caught the attention of the knights and huntsmen.
"Instead of forced service, all who choose to man an outpost will have a fixed service. During this time, they and their families will receive increased wages and amounts of grain and other food rations."
He scanned the eyes slowly opening, people whispering to each other.
"If you choose to bring your families, and conduct a longer period or stay, then after five years. You will be given a small lot of land in the main territory of Babylon, and granted the chance to switch roles."
Land, food, sex, entertainment and money.
After watching humans, from loathing to hating them, these basic needs could keep them happy when provided in the right amount.
Galatea's jaw dropped while listening to Luka's idea.
He saw her caressing her hand as if eager to ask something.
Beside her, one of the hunters raised his hand. A young man, just a little older than Luka and newly married to a pretty young wife.
"Uhm, My Lord... forgive me for questioning your plan..."
"No, go on. It's fine."
The young adult shrank slightly when facing the younger Luka and then asked. "I-If I were to bring my wife, would an offer still be given to me... a mere trainee hunter?"
"Oh?" Brea nodded at the boy's question, her lips curling as she watched Luka curiously.
Iris nudged her older cousin and mentor. "He's pretty good, right?"
"Is that kid your type?" Brea raised her eyebrows with a smirk.
"...N-No way..."
Meanwhile, ignoring the chatter amongst his people. Luka stepped forward, particularly standing in front of the young, training hunters whom he wanted most.
At the moment, their main enemies were goblins and orcs, which needed people like this nervous hunter; arrows would take lives before losing them. He could train warriors and knights over time after the Destiny System activated fully.
"I speak to all of you, especially you young hunters who have yet to spread your wings and become fully fledged." He scanned for the ones with more positive reactions, bright eyes, or clenched fists. "Did you feel it today, the effect each one of you had, what good your bows can do, not just feeding the people, but protecting your loved ones... doing the same as a knight!"
"HEY!"
"What's he talking about!"
"Calm down, calm down, his Lordship has a plan... don't make noise." Zack calmed the knights who took offence to Luka's words.
Despite their rejection, the fire was lit with that hint.
To people who once admired and sought to become knights, the younger hunters and even some of the seasoned men's eyes burned with a changed look.
"I seek your power, that special ability to protect my people."
He reached out with both arms, spreading his palms while meeting as many gazes as possible. "Our people!" His voice trailed off as he glanced at the young man speaking with a warmer, passionate voice. "Your people."
The atmosphere bubbled, with the quiet voices of the hunters. Vaun watched Luka with a wry smirk and shook his head before raising his hand.
He stepped forward and knelt on a single knee again.
"I wish to join you, Lord Luka."
[Half-ElfVaun's Loyalty has reached Maximum Value!]
[The chance of betrayal has decreased by 100% and cannot fall any lower]
[Grant Vaun your authority to use the Destiny System?]
Luka glanced at the green screen, trying to keep his calm as the perfect troop just jumped into his lap.
What he didn't expect was the rest of the hunters to hurriedly follow, all of them kneeling before him, awkwardly calling his name like Vaun.
"My Lord!"
"Lord Luka!"
"Please take my vow, M'Lord!"
He could only accept up to five people right now, but who in their right mind would reject someone with maximum loyalty?!
"Vaun, everyone. I appreciate your enthusiasm, then please join me as we make this land of Amol a beautiful fortress that rejects all evil." Luka raised his hand into the air and shouted. "To protect our land and loved ones!"
And so, the hunters sang.
"To protect our land and loved ones!!!"
While Vaun quietly shouted, "To protect our Lord and loved ones."