Seventh Realm Part 1: A LitRPG Fantasy series (The Ten Realms Book 8)

by Michael Chatfield

  “Rich fishing in these waters. Been left alone for a few hundred years so their population has swelled,” Storbon informed them as their path diverted away from the harbor.

  “Still, we need to make sure it remains that way. Back on Earth, we fished the waters so much that there was little of anything left. Here, fishing is as dangerous as going in the forests. You’re liable to be eaten by your prey.”

  “Open the gates!” An NCO’s call carried the distance as the gates of the floor’s military camp opened.

  The camp had its own harbor cut through the land and into the water. Roads connected them to the harbor and the small town in one straight line.

  “The army has a barracks in the town too, right?”

  “Yes, sir. Eight reserve rifle squads and one reg force rifle squad on this floor. We keep two of the squads in the town at all times, one squad ready to go out on their corvette to help fishermen and the others as backup. With everyone joining up, their normal four squads shot up. They’re training the reserve squads as much as possible.” Lidenowski pointed at the mounted squad that passed through the camp’s gates, heading off toward the mountain ranges in the distance.

  “Must be doing patrols, teaching them. Most of our winter training is done down here. Recruits get to spend a week down here to understand it.”

  “You know a lot,” Erik questioned.

  “My brother is a fisherman and joined the reserves. I looked into it.” Lidenowski scratched his head.

  “Seems that everyone is in Alva’s military now.” Erik studied the camp and kept walking.

  “There are what, a million Alvans now?” Storbon asked.

  “Something like that.”

  “So, about a hundred thousand are traders or work doing something related to the outside of Alva or Vuzgal. Twenty thousand people to run the administration. Ten thousand to run the farms across the different floors. Fifteen thousand in the military factories. Three hundred thousand crafters of the mid journeyman level or higher?”

  “That sounds about right. Probably two or three times that in apprentices and low journeyman,” Erik nodded.

  “Then twenty thousand-ish in the reg force? People working as intelligence agents, in the Alva Healing Houses, the Alva bank, as teachers, as staff in Wandering Inns and Sky Reaching Restaurants... How many people were out in the realms taking courses or adventuring?” Yuli asked.

  “The rest? Don’t forget all the stable hands, the people doing odd jobs in the realms or in Alva,” Jurumba added.

  “A million people. A lot of people owe their future to Alva.” Storbon pressed on as Erik opened his mouth and closed it, looking at the walled stables that shared an offshoot of the army’s harbor, their intended target.

  “Terrifying, powerful, exciting. Did I mention terrifying?” Storbon chuckled.

  “Yeah, all the above. Shit, in three months we’ll have another eighty thousand soldiers, ballooning our numbers to one hundred thousand. I’m a little scared that we’re not giving them enough training and just throwing them into the deep end.”

  “I guess, but with their body tempering, they don’t need that much sleep,; just a few hours a day, if that. The damn training centers are working at all times.” Erik chuckled. Add in information books, then it’s death by information book instead of death by PowerPoint. In one day, they went from a farmer to a farmer filled with a mind full of military tactics and understanding their role from a technical perspective. The rest was taking that information and hammering it into action.

  “The fact that you’re worrying about these things…” Storbon shrugged. “I’m sorry, boss, but I’m happy that this is what you’re worrying about. The level of ability for our people is what we rely on. We have quality; now we’ve gained quantity. If we can spread that quality to them…” Storbon opened his hand.

  “Gonna fucking suck for the Willful Institute,” Yuli said.

  Erik let out a huff of laughter, smiling at the two elite warriors.

  A keening wail came from within the stables just a few hundred meters away. A familiar head appeared as Gilly flapped her wings, quickly rising in the sky and sending out eddies of snow as she shot forward, covering the ground in seconds.

  “Show off!” Erik said examining Gilly.

  Blues and browns mixed in her scales. Her powerful leathery wings flicked at the ends as she banked, the tip of her wing nearly touching the ground as she circled the group. Snow was thrown everywhere in her passing as she adjusted her tail and wings, cutting into the skies.

  Gilly dropped toward the ground, reducing her size. She flapped her wings, making everyone cover their eyes as their cloaks were thrown back and the air ruffled.

  She landed before Erik, shrinking to the size of a horse as she licked his face.

  “Hey!” Erik said as she nuzzled the side of his head and used her lips to pull at his hand.

  Master! Treats!

  Her thoughts had become clearer with the increases in her cultivation. Erik sighed and threw out a slab of meat the size of her head. Gilly expanded, snatching it out of the air and hacked it apart with razor-sharp teeth, looking at Erik expectantly.

  “Come on, you.” Erik patted the scales between her eyes, turning it into a scratch. She lowered her head, her back foot kicking up as the others chuckled.

  “Well, I’ve got the beast. Let’s go to King’s Hill.”

  They turned and headed back the way they came.

  Gilly padded beside Erik, her tail wagging with her tongue hanging out.

  Are you a dragon or a poodle?

  Poodle?

  Erik patted her, feeling better with her by his side.

  “If Gilly showed up, I think she would make the Kingdoms think twice about joining the Willful Institute’s path,” Sang So-Hyon, the last member of their squad said.

  Gilly flared her nostrils, her eyes sharpening.

  Erik clicked his tongue in light admonishment.

  She let out a complaining growl.

  “Yes, but it would gather more attention. A level seventy dragon of dual elements with heavy body cultivation. I don’t doubt Gilly could take down the First Realm by herself. We’re busy fighting across the higher realms. We can’t get locked into a prolonged war down there. We need the reserve forces to support Vuzgal once we have enough troops.”

  The air distorted around Erik. “Then we’ll crush our enemies at Vuzgal. We can move to support the Adventurer’s Guild. Win or lose, it hangs in the balance. We need time; every day is another day we can increase our strength.”

  The teleportation formation hidden deep under King’s Hill flashed, revealing six people. Their matching gear was worn and used. Their helmets hid their faces completely.

  Lord Aditya cupped his hands and bowed deeply with clear eyes and respect buried deep into his bones.

  Consortium Leader Quan stilled his cultivation in reverence. The wild ex-mercenary’s bow was sloppier, but held the same sentiments.

  Pan Kun, Commander of the Beast Mountain Range Army, saluted as Jen, head of the Alva Healing House, and Evernight, spymaster of the First Realm, all struck ninety degrees.

  Erik had a miniature dragon curled around his shoulders. Her eyelids blinked sideways, her brown and blue eyes studying the people in the room.

  “Stand up, will you? Can’t get all this bowing stuff still. Is Yui in the command center?”

  The corner of Aditya’s mouth lifted slightly as they all stood upright. “Yes, he’s watching the developments.”

  “Good, let’s go bug him. Please, lead the way. This place is as confusing as Vuzgal. How are things going with the other outpost lords and the people?” Erik asked.

  Aditya indicated for them to follow him. “The outpost lords are ready and waiting for you. We are pulling back people from the outposts to King’s Hill with mixed results.”

  “Go on, you clearly have more you want to say.”

  “Lord.” Aditya ducked his head as he led the group through the tunne
ls. “Telling the outpost leaders about your presence? Are you sure?”

  “It is something that I have been thinking about. You have been managing them up to this point, but they’re all over the place. If they know there is a power behind you, they’ll fall into line. We need command and control,” Erik said.

  Aditya nodded and glanced at the special team members.

  They reached the command center in short order.

  “Every time I see you, Colonel Yui, you’re hidden underground in some command center.” Erik saluted the other man.

  “Someone has to keep an eye on things,” Yui replied, returning the salute with an easy smile.

  “So, how are we looking?”

  “Beast Mountain Range Army is forty thousand strong. Outposts have an additional four thousand they can add to that number. Add in eighty thousand mercenaries. It is the Beast Mountain Range, after all. Plenty of people come here seeking fortune and fame, hunting powerful beasts and resources.”

  Yui got a nod from Erik to continue.

  “The army is speeding up the retreat to King’s Hill. The city needs expansion, and quickly. If we just throw up unplanned buildings to fit the masses, it could lead to dysentery, fights, riots and other issues in our backyard.”

  Aditya stepped forward. “We have plans for the expansion of the city drafted by the blueprint office. We just don’t have enough mages and construction workers to make it happen as fast as we’d hoped.”

  “Colonel Yui, what about your engineers?” Erik asked.

  “I’m sorry, but they’re tapped for training. What about the civilian builders?”

  “That could work; could you coordinate?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Anything else?”

  “No, not really.”

  “All right, let’s go and scare some outpost lords,” Erik said as the group left.

  Aditya and Quan looked at one another. The corners of their mouths lifted. He might be an odd one, thought Aditya, but he’s our lord.

  Emmanuel Fayad closed his eyes, trying to calm the headache that raged in his skull. His clan had started to make noises, with different kingdoms sending their armies toward Vermire. All the noble students had been called back to their nations. No doubt carrying information on our layout and military.

  Groups of outpost leaders talked in hushed tones around the chamber. A few sent furtive glances to Fayad who had taken his seat as head of trade. He pinched his brows and opened his eyes.

  So, it has come to this. He didn’t regret turning his outpost over to Aditya and taking up the role as the head of the alliance’s trade, despite it being a difficult job. He was more of a mediator between the remaining outpost lords than anything else.

  He looked at the seat in the middle of the long desk he sat at. Aditya’s seat. Behind it were three seats, largely forgotten, and to the sides of them were the seats for the lords and assistants to take notes. He wondered if Aditya had put them there to show that, one day, he would be king of all this. King Aditya? It would be interesting to see. Maybe the kingdoms would lose too much and run away. But there are the rumors of a sect from higher realms supporting them.

  The headache returned as the door to the room opened. Aditya walked in with Pan Kun, Consortium head Quan, and Jen, the leader of the Alva Healing House.

  What is she doing here?

  “Please take your seats,” Aditya said as he moved to the table.

  People broke up their groups and sat, waiting.

  Aditya sat down. His secretary sat down on his right with Quan beyond her, causing Emmanuel to frown. Quan always sat on his right, Pan Kun to his left, and Jen between him and Emmanuel.

  Everyone was watching with questioning glances.

  “Okay, I call this meeting to order.” Aditya stood up, gesturing for the others do so as well.

  What the hell is going on?

  The doors to the meeting room opened. Emmanuel had tempered his body to Body Like Stone, a rare talent in the First Realm. But he staggered, feeling like the sky was collapsing on him, as masked guards walked into the room, flanking a man, wearing simple yet expertly made clothes.

  The pressure came just from his guards. Who is this man?

  “Lord West!” Lord Aditya bowed with the rest of the people who had come in with him. The power of these people made Fayed and others in the room hurry into bows, not wanting to get struck down for pissing him off. Most of the leaders stared at the man in shock.

  Two of the guards remained at the entrance, closing the doors. The other four guarded Lord West as he moved behind Aditya, everyone turning with his path. He stepped past the standalone chair and sat in one of the two chairs behind and to the side.

  A man stood beside him, ramrod straight. Emmanuel saw familiarities between his body language and Pan Kun’s.

  “Rise.” Lord West’s voice was filled with power, making Emmanuel’s blood and mana shake.

  “Your orders, My Lord?” Aditya asked, his voice flat.

  “Continue.” Erik sat back in his chair, leaning his elbows on his armrests, clasping his fingers together. His gaze was heavy as he looked over the men and women in the room.

  “Yes, My Lord.” Aditya bowed his head and turned back to the room. “Please be seated.”

  An assistant came around with a contract.

  “This contract seals your lips,” Aditya said. “This meeting and what we’re about to talk about is not to be leaked to anyone, including the existence of our benefactor, Lord West.”

  His words were not up for debate.

  The lords had awkward looks on their faces as they dripped blood onto the contracts before they were all collected.

  “First, some information. When I was the leader of Vermire, I came under Lord West’s charge. My forces played a part in the fall of the Zetan confederation under the guidance of Lord West and his subordinates. The consolidation of the outposts was done under his authorization. The crafters, the teachers we have been able to attract, all serve Lord West, as does the Alva Healing House. The army was trained by his subordinates. I am but a caretaker of the Beast Mountain Range. Lord West is my lord.”

  There were no disturbances in Pan Kun or Lord Quan’s expressions, confirming Aditya’s words. They looked a little relieved, their eyes shining as they stood straighter.

  Lord West’s expression remained neutral as he weighed the room and its occupants. “We face war with the First Realm kingdoms and with the Willful Institute that supports them. If we are to win, then changes are needed.” An aide passed out another piece of paper. Emmanuel looked at it; it was an organizational chart.

  “These are your new positions.”

  The mutters spread, gaining volume.

  “Quiet.” Aditya’s power came out like a wave, shutting people up before they could start yelling.

  When did he get so strong?

  Emmanuel felt the cultivation power of Quan, Pan Kun, and Jen flooding out. In fact, Jen was stronger than the other three. How did she get so strong?

  Jen gave him a small smile. The secretary Evernight, Fayad thought her name was, had a flat expression that revealed nothing. He still didn’t know why she was up there. She normally never came to these things. While she was Aditya’s personal secretary, that didn’t make her more powerful than the outpost lords.

  More than Aditya’s words, his display of power confirmed the truth.

  “You have all been given positions in accordance with your skill sets. We need your talents. I’m not tossing you aside. You will continue to gather your percentage of the Beast Mountain Range’s earnings. You will have to obey Lord West’s rules and be bound to his service. We will consolidate all the outposts. A united front.”

  Aditya scoured the room.

  “Beast Mountain Range will not be a kingdom with a single ruler. Lord West has more important things to do. It will be run by a council, a slim one with a few heads to get things done. This will allow us to coordinate our efforts more effectively.�
�� Aditya’s eyes roved through the chambers. “I want to assure you, this is not a time of loss, but a time of gain; cultivation resources, information, all of it is accessible. The consortium, its teachers and information come from Lord West’s subordinates. From the higher realms.”

  People muttered, now with approval. There were some thinned eyes. Every single one was a fox to have held their position in the mountain range for so long. The nods and covert glances at Lord West weren’t missed.

  Emmanuel looked at Lord West and the others through the corner of his eyes.

  But will they be strong enough to defeat the Willful Institute as well?

  Lord Salyn finished swirling the water in his mouth and spat it out. His clothes were covered in dust.

  All I can taste now is dirt.

  He assessed the lines of fighters. They all wore different gear, but those that were part of noble’s personal guards wore similar coverings and colors, representing their houses. They created a sea of different colors, grouped together behind kingdom and regional banners. Fighters were hard to raise and maintain, and they would quickly leave to join the higher realms if possible.

  He looked down on the mercenary companies. They wore the signs of battle on their armor and bodies. They walked in a greater semblance of order compared to the personal guards, though their equipment was varied and rough.

  Dozens of wagons trailed after them all, carrying their necessary supplies.

  The sound of marching armored soldiers, beasts snorting and pulling their creaking wagons filled the air. A low hubbub of conversation lay over it all. Salyn held up a perfumed handkerchief, covering the smell of the unwashed and sweaty beasts and fighters mixed with the animals’ waste.

  The road was filled with people behind the supply wagons, pulling their own carts and materials.

  There he is, finally. Lord Knight Ikeda and his Red Falcon Knights rode forward.

  Salyn had always thought that they were just powerful fools. While many of them were idiots, Ikeda definitely wasn’t. Salyn couldn’t help but think of the mission he had been sent on with Ikeda, and now they were heading back to the Beast Mountain Range. He wanted to destroy them but had never imagined it would be like this. Either way, he could silence the people from the Alva Village while also getting rewards.