Chapter Sixty-One – A Kingdom for A Horse

  In the aftermath of the fight, I wasted no time in having the guards put the word out and to assemble the armies of the city-state. As far as I could tell, it had been an afternoon and a night, so the Goblins above hadn’t had much time to figure out that anything was off. But given the guards we’d offed at the back entrance and Harric’s rebel attack on the magic sigils, there was no way that they were as lax as they had been previously. Fortunately the King had been playing everything close to his chest, so there was no way that they were suspicious of the kingdom or its infiltration.

  Not yet anyways.

  I got the quest finish notification:

  Quest Complete: Infiltrate the Dwarven Kingdom

  Reward: Alliance, +1000 XP

  and I knew it was time for the first big battle of the war.

  The first units of dwarves to arrive cheered me, their cheeks rosy and plump as one of their anointed and worshipped once again took charge of their kingdom. I could see in their glassy awed eyes the legend I was inspiring, and I took heart in that, even as I thought of the megachurches back home. I was using these people, and I didn’t like it.

  I had to be a leader though, and I knew exactly what to do.

  “I need units at both entrances. Nobody gets in or out,” I informed the army’s captains and other commanding officers as they filed in, entranced by that same mythic awe. “This is the return of the Infernals, but the goblins will stop us if they get a chance. I want us to surprise them with our actions. We will march forth, and the orcs above will unite with us in our infernal march. A march that will culminate in Gharag City and will end the Empire as well!”

  Morale was high, cheers frequent, as well as a general sort of blood chant that the dark dwarves continuously muttered here and there, something about grinding the unbelievers and feeding them to the hells. They weren’t that entertaining, but Jeldorain couldn’t seem to get enough. He would chant along, his eyes closed and his head bobbing, and I occasionally caught a glimpse of his imagination, the scenes bloody and full of red ice.

  Ike took charge of one unit, marching with them to release the orcish families and put them into protection in better quarters while Kevinar took charge of another unit, reasoning that this fully-fledged subjugation of the dwarves meant that the NPCs would not be needed to save the chieftains, and that he could meet up with Brandosyeus and take care of the rescue instead.

  I agreed with him and told him to start the rescue at dawn just after we started our attack from the city.

  Everything was a busy swirl, and the organization of our plan began to take on a life of its own, with armies forming and heroes coming together to lead them forward.

  Feeling exhausted, I let it move on without me. When I was ready, they’d be together and waiting for me, I was sure of it.

  Instead, I went to the body of the fallen king, searching his inventory for his loot. The box opened up and I browsed its contents, my eye dancing across a slew of mana potions before lighting upon the crown. It was quite beautiful, its gold gleaming with a soft, inner light, reflecting the tremendous mastery of the kingdom.

  The crown was encrusted with a multitude of precious stones, all of them possessing a soft inner aura that signaled magical capacity. They were rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, in that order, repeating all the way around the band.

  I focused in on the item, waiting for the identification to rise up and hopefully supply me with all of the stats.

  King Thorano's Crown:

  Bestows upon the wearer unmatched authority and protection, enhancing leadership and charisma. Its divine aura absorbs the first 20 points of damage in combat, a shield that recharges with the dawn of each new day.

  The gold of the crown radiates warmth, while the embedded jewels add splashes of fiery red, deep ocean blue, and the clear brilliance of diamonds, making it not just a piece of regalia, but a work of art.

  +5 to Charisma Checks, +5 Leadership Checks

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Special: Grants a Protective Aura that absorbs the first 20 points of damage in any combat. Recharges after 24 hours.

  Forged at the place where crust meets mantle, the crown of the Khazud-Tharik once held 12 spells, each of them legendary in strength, and each of them expunged from the gem they occupied once cast. They hold their spells no more.

  I groaned. Of course the legendary spells didn’t exist anymore. Still, the plusses looked nice. I was rather sure that this transition into becoming a ruler would need them. I moved onto the next item.

  Royal Seal of Khazud-Tharik:

  Empowers the bearer with the authority to command and consolidate loyalty among the denizens of Khazud-Tharik and its allies. The seal's magic can cast “Zone of Truth” within a 10-foot radius, ensuring honesty and transparency during crucial diplomatic or strategic meetings. Additionally, it subtly enhances the bearer's influence, making negotiations and commands more persuasive.

  Forged from the rarest mithril, the seal shimmers with a silver light that seems to pulse with the lifeblood of Khazud-Tharik itself. Engraved with the ancient runes of binding and loyalty, its surface is adorned with a deep sapphire, symbolizing the depth of commitment it commands.

  Grants +10 to Diplomacy Checks, enables “Zone of Truth” casting once per day without mana cost.

  Special: The bearer gains an aura of Command, improving loyalty and morale of allies within a 50-foot radius. This effect intensifies in dire circumstances, rallying the kingdom's forces against overwhelming odds.

  The Seal of Khazud-Tharik serves as the magical seal of approval, cast in the most sacred of forges and infused with the will of its people.

  I contemplated the seal, watching it catch the light as I fiddled it through my fingers. These were certainly the items of office, and I was lucky to have killed someone so royal at a time when I needed to step into leadership. It was a departure from Lords of Chaos in that the game never allowed any of us to command more than 30 minions.

  It wasn’t unfamiliar, however. Before LoC had become all of the rage, I’d been top of my league in Terra Universalis, a supreme nation-building sim that started players in the real world at 0 BC and allowed one to rule the nation, steering it as a disembodied voice to a multitude of kings, chiefs, and presidents to modern times.

  The spell’s targeting criteria was all starting to add up.

  Moving to the next item, I found took hold of the dwarf’s weapon, staring hard into its data.

  Battle-Ax of the Dwarven Kings:

  Type: Weapon (Ax) Damage: 8 to 32 (+10 against Goblins), Weight 8, Speed Moderate

  Specials:

  Earth's Grasp (5%): Once per battle, the wielder can summon a protective barrier of earth around themselves, reducing incoming damage by 50% for 3 turns.

  King's Strength (Passive): Increases the wielder's Strength and Endurance by +5, imbuing them with the might of the Dwarven Kings of old.

  Attunement Level 0: Attune to gain increased abilities.

  Forged in the heart of the world by the first Dwarven King, this ax is a symbol of the enduring power and legacy of the dwarven royalty. Its blade, shaped in the deepest caverns, carries with it the essence of the mountains themselves – unyielding, enduring, and vast. Legends tell of its ability to cleave through the ranks of goblins like wheat, its edge never dulling, and its might never waning.

  It was a good weapon, and something I could gift to one of my heroes, but it didn’t suit any of our styles. Moving on, my eyes widened as I examined the king’s armor.

  Armor Type: Gilded Armor of Khazud-Tharik, Defensive Rating 10, Weight: heavy

  Special: Can only be worn by small-sized humanoids beings

  Bonus: Completed Armor Set (Chestplate, Greaves, Gauntlets, Helmet) Increases Defense by 2

  Crafted from the purest gold and steel found only in the heart of Khazud-Tharik's mines, this armor set was forged under the watchful eyes of the Dwarven master smiths. Each piece is imbued with the blessings of the mountain spirits, ensuring that the king's presence on the battlefield was as commanding as it was protected. The armor gleams not just with the sheen of gold but with the legacy of a lineage that has withstood sieges, dark magic, and the test of time. Tailor-made for King Thorano, it served as his bulwark against the countless threats that sought to undermine his reign, and now, it awaits its next worthy bearer.

  Special Properties:

  Protection: Reduces incoming physical damage by 25%, Weight: Heavy

  Magic Resistance: Reduces damage from fire and ice spells by 20%

  Specials:

  Resilience of the Dwarven King (Passive): The wearer is granted partial immunity to charm and fear spells, standing unwavering in the face of magical manipulation and intimidation.

  Mountain's Endurance: Increases the wearer's endurance, allowing for a reduction in exhaustion from combat by 20%, embodying the tireless spirit of the mountains.

  It wouldn’t fit me, but it would definitely fit Ike. A picture of him clanking around in heavy shiny battle armor, trying to reach down to scoop up some dirt, sprang to mind. Jeldorain caught whiff of it and laughed intensely as I smirked and scraped it away.

  There was one more item here, and I was surprised to find it. It was a simple key, silver plating over some more solid material. And its appellate was ‘Vault Key”.

  After everything was over, we’d examine those new assets as well. Fighting the mad king had opened a literal treasure trove of possibilities, and I looked forward to examining them further. But for now I had a battle to fight. Taking the crown and placing it on my head, I felt it expand to fit my dimensions. Then I strode out and towards the gates. It was time we ended this.