Eternal Empire - Kingdom Building

David’s archery skills were once merely adequate—good enough for hunting, but nothing extraordinary. Even with his ability to shoot rapidly, he only ranked as a decent young hunter. He paled in comparison to Iron Tree Fort’s elite archers and seasoned hunters like Addis. Then there was Laura, whose prowess with a hunting bow had shattered the Brotherhood of the Sun.

But everything changed when David discovered his archery talent. He experienced firsthand how raw talent could outstrip years of diligent training. Now, picking up a bow felt instinctual. His body seemed to know exactly how to hit the target. When he focused, time slowed; even fast-moving foes became easy prey.

Yet, archery wasn’t his only advantage. If the orc had survived his arrow and charged at Maloney, David was prepared. His true ace was the holy light spell—the holy fire was devastating. Unfortunately, today he hadn’t needed to use it.

After watching the orc fall, Hackett, who had been observing from afar, felt a wave of relief wash over him. The enemy had been eliminated.

“Charge!” he commanded, directing his horse toward the fray. The elite fighters had already gained the upper hand, and Hackett’s arrival was the final blow.

But they couldn’t wipe out the enemy completely. Under the cover of his comrades and their giant wolves, one orc mounted its steed and fled east.

In the aftermath, three out of four orc warriors had fallen, along with three of their mounts, while only one orc escaped. The human side suffered no fatalities—just two injured soldiers. David was astonished.

When the cavalry had clashed, Hackett’s men had been thrown from their horses but remained unharmed. They’d triumphed over orcs who were physically superior on even ground. David had underestimated the fighters’ resilience.

As David observed the soldiers checking for injuries, ensuring no one had sustained anything fatal, he marveled at their strength. Meanwhile, Hackett was apologizing to Maloney for his misjudgement, nearly putting the lord in danger.

“Let it go,” Maloney replied, masking his disappointment. “We’re dealing with an unknown enemy.”

Though he was dissatisfied with Hackett’s performance, Maloney chose not to voice it, especially now. Criticizing Hackett wouldn’t benefit him. Instead, he offered a few words of encouragement, hoping the knight would learn from this mistake.

“I won’t let you down again,” Hackett vowed, determination clear in his voice. He was committed to redeeming himself in the eyes of Maloney and proving his worth.

Maloney comforted Hackett while the warriors began to clear the battlefield, inspecting the corpses of the fallen orcs and their giant wolf mounts.

“This is the Northern Giant Wolf,” Addis said, his professional instincts taking over despite his usual attempts to remain unnoticed. After examining the mounts, he added, “These wolves typically lead their packs. They’re larger and stronger than ordinary gray wolves, with impressive endurance and speed. But I’ve never seen them used as mounts before.”

David looked closer at the giant wolf. It reminded him of the pure white giant wolf he’d encountered in the troll village. “Are these Northern Giant Wolves common around Iron Tree Fort?”

“When I was young, I’d spot them near Iron Tree Castle now and then,” Addis replied. “But I haven’t seen them in years. They must have retreated further north—this area should suit them.” He realized they were currently on the plains north of Iron Tree Fort. “These wolves thrive in the cold, making them ideal mounts for harsh northern climates.”

Addis’s casual remarks drew the attention of Maloney and his two subordinates. When he mentioned the wolves’ suitability for the severe cold, they started taking notes. Maloney turned to David, curiosity piqued. “Are there any giant wolves like this near Winter Village?”

“Probably,” David responded, recalling a wolf corpse he had seen while hunting giant monsters with his companions. He began to wonder about the possibility of capturing and training Northern Giant Wolves as mounts. Riding one across the northern snowfields sounded thrilling.

But soon, reality pulled him back as they finished cleaning the battlefield and buried the bodies of the orcs and wolves. The team set off once again.

Maloney, now resolute, decided against camping for the night. “We’ll travel through the night to reach Cold Winter Village as soon as possible,” he announced.

“David, you must be worried about your village,” Maloney guessed, estimating that their destination was not far away. He wanted to reach Cold Winter Village that night, suspecting that the orcs might have discovered and attacked it.

Though they hadn’t found evidence of such an attack, Maloney couldn’t ignore the possibility. It was equally likely that another group of orcs had already taken control of the village and sent this cavalry back to report.

As he contemplated what to do if Cold Winter Village was captured or destroyed, a thought crossed his mind. “Would you want me to ‘fund’ the rebuilding of Winter Village?”

Maloney considered David’s potential background. He suspected David might be the illegitimate son of a noble family, cared for by the elders. Perhaps David had joined the development team to establish his own territory legally.

The presence of Laura Crawford further fueled his speculation. Why would a young noblewoman be in such a remote area? While Maloney believed his deductions were mostly accurate, he acknowledged the possibility of being mistaken.

Regardless, he pondered whether David would be worth the investment.

He calculated the resources available in Cold Winter Village: potatoes—an emerging crop with a quick growth cycle and high yield. Potatoes could serve as both a side dish and a main course, making them the village’s primary specialty. Before their value was fully recognized, farmers were unlikely to risk replacing established crops with something unfamiliar.

The Northern Giant Wolf. A mount known for its combat effectiveness and adaptability to the harsh northern climate. He pondered the possibility of training one as a mount. If those ugly giants could do it, why couldn’t they?

But how much were these creatures worth? Could they be bred in large numbers? If the quantity remained small, they’d merely be a novelty with little practical value.

Then there was David himself. What benefits could he or his family gain from this?

Maloney fell into deeper contemplation as they continued their journey.

Before they realized it, they had reached Cold Winter Village.

“My lord, Winter Village is just ahead,” one of the soldiers announced.

They arrived at the village sooner than expected, the sun still lingering on the horizon. Against the backdrop of the setting sun, Winter Village appeared eerily quiet.

“What…?” Maloney surveyed the silence. Had the villagers been killed? Where was everyone?

David glanced at him, sensing his concern. “There aren’t many people left in Winter Village now. Only two remain.”

As he spoke, a strong man emerged from one of the cabins. He stood at the edge of the village, watching them intently. Even from a distance, it was clear this man was well-built, stronger than Hackett and his elite fighters.

“Who is this…?” Maloney asked, eyeing the newcomer.

“That’s Tirion Fordring,” David replied thoughtfully. “He’s the lumberjack in the village.”

Maloney raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Tirion Fordring? What about the other one?”

“Mark Watney… the only farmer left in the village.”

“...”