Chapter 47: 47. Comply or Die

The central continent is the largest and most populated continent in the world. Many different races have fought over its resource-rich lands for generations.

A vast peninsula cut off by a monstrous mountain range at the continent's southernmost point has been long forgotten. Ever since the second most powerful species, the vampires, took control over the border, the people that called this peninsula home have been forsaken.

A Kingdom formed upon this peninsula long ago. But unfortunately, the humans felt inferior and looked down upon by the other races for their lack of specialization. Eventually, a brutal civil war tore the Kingdom in two. After that, the vast majority of the humans left to form an Empire of their own and proudly named it Oshal.

Being entrapped within a smallish piece of land, Kassinki and Oshal have been at each other's throats for as long as either side can recall.

But for the last few decades, there has been peace. But the signs of war are brewing once more. For an unknown reason, the temperatures surrounding the Kazimir mountains and the northern planes of the peninsula have decreased at a notable rate.

This temperature drop has transformed the flatlands in the north that were once perfect for farming into an infertile barren wasteland that is cold and dry and allows nothing to grow.

Due to this, the land became less valuable, and farming villages were gradually forced to relocate south. As this trend continued over the last few years, the Royals of both Kassinki and Oshal began to reduce their military presence in the area.

Nobles requested for their land to be reassigned and left. With nobody left to defend the villages, the vampires began daily kidnapping operations.

Initially, none of the Royals or Nobles cared about this development until some scholars believed this increase in the food supply could bring the vampires back from extinction.

With this development, the fear that the Kazimir mountains will become even more insurmountable for generations to come has fueled increased military spending from both sides.

With rare resources such as elemental stones and spirits having depleted centuries ago, and the rapid decline of farmland causing the threat of famine. Many nobles predict a war is inevitable.

Tensions are rising on both sides, yet nobody can say for certain when the war will begin, well, except for one particular vampire.

Damien was deep in thought within a metal carriage that moved carefully along a cracked mud road.

'I have been within this world for eight days. The game's official storyline begins at the start of next year. The first major event begins in spring. Prince August will unleash a devastating plague upon Kassinki. Its main objective is to mask the assassination of the King. If only the King became ill with a mysterious new illness, people would become suspicious.'

'Once Oshal hears about this plague, and the King falls ill, they decide to launch an invasion. This war's purpose is to allow players to experience combat and level up quickly in the game. However, this peninsular is only the starting location for new players. The real fun begins after the player crosses the Kazimir mountains and journeys through the central continent.'

Damien looked out the car's window at the frost-covered barren wasteland that was now his territory.

'If I wish to live a long and peaceful life, I should remain here. But unfortunately, I will need to adventure into the central continent to advance my Magic Schools to the A grade. Only then can I return here and become an unbeatable existence. Right now, I am far too weak; if one of the powerhouses wanted me dead, I would have no choice but to roll over and die a dog's death.' Damien bitterly thought as a picture of the Dean's face appeared in his mind.

Damien looked over at Fay and rubbed his forehead in frustration.

'The elemental affinity was a pain to deal with. Although the elemental affinity is versatile in combat, four elemental stones or spirits are required to advance it to the A grade. I could advance all four of my magic schools, Psychic, Blood, Spatial, and Darkness, to A grade with the same number of resources.'

'There is no chance I can find so many elemental stones or spirits in such a beginner area of the map. It was deliberately left devoid of resources to force the player to move onto a higher-level storyline area.

But this was no longer a game. Once I become strong enough, I will return to this land I have been given and live out my days in peace.

***

Within a naturally formed reservoir fed by the mountains stood the Tarlington Fortress. The lake sits high above a large flatland. When there is excess rainfall, the reservoir will overflow, causing water to cascade down like a waterfall onto the flatland below.

Blackthorn village was built and founded upon this flatland due to the protection provided by the local noble, its proximity to the capital, and the water supplied by lake tarlington.

Due to the water from the lake, Blackthorn village has maintained lush grasslands and woods within its borders compared to the endless barren wasteland surrounding it. As a result, it was like a small oasis for the many refugees fleeing from the north.

***
As the car traversed the poorly maintained road down the hillside from the lake, Damien and Fay got an almost birds-eye view of Blackthorn village below.

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Although the King claimed the village contained only 500 people, that information was from a few years ago. Over the last five years, the number of residents has ballooned to over two thousand. The village has since expanded into a small town.

Considering that the King is oblivious to this information shows how little the crown cares about the northern region. The Royals have abandoned Blackthorn village and the rest of the north since they are more occupied with war preparations.

From their vantage point upon a hill, Damien could see the town's unique architecture. Buildings are raised above ground level by stone or wooden stilts, and a network of walkways interconnect the essential establishments above the resident's heads.

Surrounding Blackthorn town is a crude stone wall that seems hastily constructed. The town wall has many gated openings along its base to allow water to flow into and out of the town. Trying to prevent the water from entering would result in the destruction of the wall, so residents have learned to live with its presence.

Many small artificial channels direct water away from the town towards the farmlands in the surroundings.

***

Two middle-aged guards in poorly maintained leather armour sat up from their slumped position. They had shocked faces as they observed a black carriage descend the hill in the distance.

The carriage clearly belonged to a noble. The two guards gave each other a weary expression. 'Has a new noble finally moved into the Tarlington Fortress?' they both thought.

"Greg, go inform the Mayor. Don't worry. I will personally greet this noble bastard myself." The guard called Greg gave a stern nod and briskly walked towards the most significant building in the town centre.

Dave watched Greg leave and turned his sights to the horizon. The carriage was approaching quickly. Taking a swig from his hip flask to calm his nerves, Dave felt the cheap alcohol burn as it went down. Then, letting out a deep sigh, he muttered, "This is going to be troublesome..."

The strange black carriage spewing water from its wheels came to an abrupt halt in front of the town gate. Dave eyed the carriage cautiously as the occupant's status and reasons for travelling to this abandoned land were unknown.

The front door to the black carriage swung open, and a middle-aged elf stepped out. The elf wore a butler's uniform and moved with dignified steps towards the guard.

Dave put on a fake smile and said politely, "Welcome to Blackthorn. How can I help?"

The elf hid his disgust for the man's lack of personal hygiene and answered, "Greetings, I am Walter, and I am in service to Duke Nightshade. We request-"

Dave instantly drew his sword and pointed it at the elf. "Did you say Nightshade?"

The elf paid the sword no attention and scoffed, "Do you have ears, human? I said DUKE Nightshade. The entire northern region belongs to Duke Nightshade now, including Blackthorn. So pointing your weapon at me is an act of treason against your new lord."

Dave didn't back down and said with disdain, "Duke Nightshade? Apart from the vampires, there is no human with that surname or any other race for that matter. It a forbidden and cursed upon name, after all."

Walter's fake and calm expression cracked, "It's treason then."

Walter casually flicked his wrist, and with a quick chant, water exploded out of Walters's hand, impacting the startled Dave's chest and sending him flying into the stone wall.

Greg returned to the gate with a strong-looking man, the Mayor. The pair witnessed Dave flying through the air before taking out a piece of the town's wall. His body landed on the muddy ground, covered in blood, and his arm seemed broken. But luckily, he was still breathing.

The Mayor felt chills witnessing such powerful magic. Unfortunately, nobody was proficient with magic in the town, except for a few crafting classes. A group of hunters knew combat arts, but everyone knew that magic was exclusively for the educated and wealthy.

The elf in the butler uniform turned his attention away from the dying Dave and focused on the Mayor. Then, in a calm voice, the elf stated, "This land is now under the jurisdiction of Duke Nightshade."

The elf's expression turned cold as he raised his open palm towards the Mayor and proclaimed, "Comply or Die."