The Twilight Obelisk (Mirror World Book #4) LitRPG series

by Alexey Osadchuk

  None of them looked offended. They were warriors, not sissies.

  “In which case I suggest they try them on and we’ll take a look. We might find some ways to improve them.”

  The warriors hummed their agreement. The three “test subjects” went into the tent to don their armor.

  Half an hour later, we were looking at a totally different kind of Caltean warrior. No wonder: they’d just made a leap from prehistory right into the Iron Age.

  Admittedly, the game designers hadn’t been too original. This was a rather impressive-looking Scandinavian-type suit of armor.

  The warriors fell silent. Imagine a painting called Vikings Landing in the Land of Savages. All those helmets, chainmail shirts, bracers and greaves...

  The gray-haired Crym looked especially impressive. Big and thickset, he towered over his brothers in arms like a cliff. A sword in a steel-decorated scabbard hung from his belt; his battle axe glinted predatorily behind his back, next to the massive limbs of a crossbow. The broad pauldrons made him appear even stronger and burlier than he was. In his left hand, he was holding a shield with a large steel boss at its center; in his right, a long poleaxe.

  The armor’s steel parts clinked as he stomped about. Jesus. The guy was a killing machine.

  Droy’s equipment was only marginally lighter. Still, unlike Crym who was more or less familiar with his type of armor, Droy’s boasted some new features. His shield was broad; his new pike a couple of feet longer than his old spear. He had a chainmail shirt, a pair of pauldrons and greaves, and a brigandine covered in small steel plates. A Scandinavian helmet sat on his head, protecting the upper half of his face and leaving the lower half open.

  Seet may have been an archer but he too looked suitably impressive with a new composite bow in his hand, a quiverful of arrows, a steel-plated vest and a leather helmet with a long steel nasel.

  While the other Calteans surrounded them, chattering their excitement, I opened my new warriors’ stats.

  Oh wow. I couldn’t have even dreamed about this. Both their defense and attacking stats had grown 40%!

  Also, they seemed to belong to slightly different classes now. Crym used to be a Light Footman — but now he was a Heavy Soldier. Droy was now a Heavy Pikeman. Seet the Archer had now become a Crossbowman.

  I squeezed my eyes shut with pleasure, visualizing my powerful future army. Talking about which...

  I turned to the blacksmith who was beaming with pride and took him aside, “How much time do you think you’ll need to equip all of our warriors?”

  He must have given it some thought already because he replied without hesitation, “About four days, I think.”

  “And if we find you some assistants?”

  “I’ve already found them,” he replied. “Four days.”

  Okay. Four days was good enough. I shouldn’t pressurize him. It was a game, after all: things happened insanely fast here as it was. I dreaded to even think how long it might have taken a real blacksmith in real life to single-handedly equip a bunch of warriors like this one. Months? Or even years?

  Once the excitement around the blacksmith had calmed down a bit, Droy walked over to me.

  “You never stop working your miracles!” he told me, beaming.

  The half-mask of his helmet distorted his smile, turning it into a predatory grin. Oh wow. If I was scared looking at my own beaming friend, imagine what the enemy would feel staring at his furious scowl.

  I shrugged. “I told you I’d think of something, so I have.”

  “How many of the clan craftsmen received similar gifts from you?”

  “All of them,” I replied honestly.

  It was true. I hadn’t forgotten a single one of them, be they cook, a tradesman or a healer.

  Having said that... I hadn’t been exactly honest, no. There was someone I still had to see.

  * * *

  “I just don’t seem to get warm,” Laosh said in a weak voice.

  He wasn’t in a good way. I found him wrapped in firs sitting in front of a blazing fire. Every now and then he’d offer his trembling hands to its warmth and blissfully close his tired eyes.

  Me, I found myself a place as far from the fire as I could, next to a small air vent. The cool draft felt good on my hot face.

  Outside, a celebration was in full swing. The sounds of music, songs and laughter hung in the air. Who would have thought that the Calteans would have enjoyed their mini-industrial revolution so much?

  I heaved a sigh. I wasn’t in the mood to celebrate. I had too many things to discuss with the shaman.

  “You shouldn’t have let Amai go so lightly,” Laosh grumbled.

  I didn’t think so. “He’s young and inexperienced,” I said out loud. “We just might steer his thoughts in the right direction.”

  “What are you up to?”

  I might tell him, why not?

  “I’m not making any plans,” I said. “The moment isn’t exactly right. But if we could forget our problems for just one second, I’d tell you that this place could become a Caltean capital city.”

  He perked up. “Have you been thinking about it too?”

  “Can’t see why not. As long as we survive the first few attacks. It might get easier after that.”

  Laosh’ eyes filled with sadness. “You think they will attack us?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “In that case, you shouldn’t have let Amai go.”

  “Who told you I let him go? He’ll be back. Quite soon, too. He’ll be bringing us food and fodder. Lots of it.”

  “What does he want in return?”

  “To begin with, he wants some weapons and tools.”

  He grew restless. “You’re right! Now we really have something to offer! All thanks to your magic! No Caltean has ever had the kind of weapons and tools we have now! And made by our own craftsmen, too!”

  “Exactly. Who did Amai see yesterday? I’ll tell you. He saw a bunch of fugitives running away from danger. Now look at your people! The tables have turned. And I’ll tell you something else: this is only the beginning.”

  We fell silent. Laosh watched the flames dance, shuddering despite the stifling heat.

  I breathed in the fresh air, listening to the sounds of the party forcing their way in through the tiny air vent.

  “You know I have gifts for you too, don’t you?” I rose and offered two scrolls to the surprised shaman.

  “What’s this?” he asked, accepting my presents with shaking hands.

  “The merchant who sold me this said that only someone that possesses the right powers can work it out,” I bluffed with a poker face.

  In fact, those were two spells. I didn’t even know which ones. All I’d cared about was that they didn’t have class restrictions.

  Laosh unraveled the first scroll and began reading. In the meantime, I decided to stretch my legs and get a breath of fresh air.

  The camp was awash with the cheerful sounds of drums, flutes, psalters and bagpipes. Everyone was busy partying.

  It felt admittedly good. They needed a break. They deserved it.

  I lingered there, taking in the festive atmosphere, then walked back in.

  Hearing me, Laosh raised his head from the scroll. “Thank you, Olgerd! These are extremely useful spells.”

  He didn’t look it, though. His face was sour as if he’d just eaten a lemon.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked.

  He waved his hands in protest. “Absolutely not! How can you say that!”

  “Then why are your eyes so sad?”

  “I’m sad because I wish I’d had one of these spells earlier... and now it’s too late.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Do you remember the magic you used to heal Droy’s son?”

  “Sure,” I nodded as I began to understand.

  “Had I had this earlier,” Laosh took one of the scrolls, “a lot of people would have survived.”

  Chapter Ten

  I AW
OKE IN THE MIDDLE of the night from the soft pinging of a system message. Yawning, I rubbed my eyes. What’s all that about?

  Congratulations! Your warriors have become much stronger! From this day on, no enemy will dare call them a disorganized crowd of peasants!

  Your Reward:

  The rank of Commander General

  A Shield Wall scroll, 1

  An Extended Formation scroll, 1

  A V-formation scroll, 1

  Now I was fully awake. I hurried to open the clan control panel.

  That’s right! There wasn’t a single Caltean warrior left wearing their old gear. The blacksmiths had made good on their promise, with a day to spare. What a great surprise. They must have received quite a few bonuses too, that’s how they’d managed to finish the job in three days instead of four. I might need to look into that later.

  I began to shiver. I didn’t know which stats to check first. Get a grip, Olgerd. Take a deep breath. Good...

  Let’s look into my new rank first. I suppressed a smile. Sveta would laugh her head off. A Commander General, me!

  Her sweet dear face stood before my eyes. Her dimpled cheeks; her fathomless topaz-colored eyes... the unruly lock of golden hair on her forehead...

  I stopped shivering as my body filled with warmth from the memory. My gaze alighted on the Log Out button.

  No. I couldn’t. I still had lots of things to do.

  I shook my head like a dog, freeing myself from the memory. Inhale. Exhale. I massaged my temples and sat up. I had work to do.

  Congratulations! You’ve been promoted to Commander General!

  Remember this day! This is your first step on your way to glory and greatness! Keep defeating your enemies and consolidating your army, and you’ll be on your way to new successes and promotions!

  Important! Now you can appoint commanders! Take your time choosing your assistants: your choice can’t be undone!

  Reward:

  +35 to Morale

  +20 to Discipline

  Now that was interesting. Let’s have a look.

  The extra 35 pt. to Morale were very good news because I already knew how that particular stat worked. But Discipline?

  Name: Discipline

  Description: the prompt and efficient execution of orders issued by higher officers is one of the headstones of military science. The increase in this characteristic will result in the soldiers’ improved discipline regarding their commanders.

  That was extremely useful. And timely. I used to spend hours explaining the simplest of things to them.

  Let me be honest with you: I was still quite worried about the Calteans’ behavior in their battle with the Darks. My men had aggroed the enemy’s tanks like brainless mobs when we’d really had to split into two fronts. Had they attacked the Dark players’ magic support instead, the outcome of the fight could have been entirely different.

  I didn’t count on their absolute obedience. Also, I really didn’t fancy being surrounded by unquestioning machines a bit like my Scarabs. Even though the Calteans’ emotions were only an illusion, it admittedly helped to preserve my sanity. But then again, there was definitely more to these Mirror Souls that met the eye.

  Assigning more commanders was an excellent idea, too. Reputation was a great thing but if I wanted my clan to function like a healthy system, I needed something more precise than the fickle Reputation ranking which could soar one moment and plummet the next. And if my choice of commanders couldn’t be undone, I was curious how it could affect the respective clan members’ reputation. A high rank and low reputation? I dreaded to even think. Having said that, this scenario was commonplace in real life. There, the higher-standing individuals can’t really boast popularity with the masses...

  Okay. That much was clear. Now the scrolls. They were “gray”: nothing particularly special.

  I moved closer to the fire and fingered the corner of one of them. Leather, tied with strips of rough dirty-gray fabric.

  I pulled at the end of one of them, untying the scroll. Nothing extraordinary happened.

  Very well. I unraveled it.

  It was filthy, its ragged edges burned in places. Some of the spots looked suspiciously like caked blood.

  I struggled to make out the faded letters. The game designers had definitely overdone it. But the moment I peered at the writing, a message helpfully popped up,

  Greetings, Commander! You’re holding the ancient Shield Wall Treatise, written by General Conceallo Iron Beard in the Era of Black Rain.

  Important! In order to study the treatise, you must be a Commander General!

  Would you like to study the treatise:

  Yes/No

  “Well, what do you think?” I whispered. “What new general would refuse some ancient knowledge?”

  Congratulations! You’ve studied the ancient treatise: Shield Wall! Now your warriors will be able to fall into battle formations!

  Attention! Don’t forget to convey your new knowledge to your subordinates!

  I closed the message and chucked the dirty piece of leather into my bag.

  What’s that? A new icon appeared in the bottom right corner of my interface, depicting a row of shields.

  Shield Wall

  Description:

  One of the oldest battle formations, first used by the hird of Conceallo Iron Beard in their war on the Sixfoots in the Era of Black Rain.

  Effect: +15% to your warriors’ protection from physical attacks

  +5% to your warriors’ protection from magic attacks

  +15% to your small arms damage

  Minimum requirements:

  Shield-bearing heavy footmen, 3

  Archers, 2

  Maximum requirements:

  Shield-bearing heavy footmen, 30

  Lancers, 20

  Archers or wizards, 30

  I opened the Formation tab. It was pretty self-explanatory. Three rectangles symbolized the three troop types with their respective icons: three serried shields on the top one, lances on the middle one and a fiery strung bow on the bottom one.

  I clicked on the lances. Didn’t work. How strange. Why?

  I soon found the answer. Apparently, I needed to assign commanders before I could start moving the troops around. Very good. That made it easier for me.

  Now, the next scroll.

  Greetings, Commander! By studying this ancient treatise, you will learn the secret of Dryx Stoneheart who managed to continuously fend off the army of Desert Dwellers in the Canyon of Two Moons.

  Important! In order to study the treatise, you must be a Commander General!

  Would you like to study the treatise:

  Yes/No

  Very well, let’s study it.

  Congratulations! You’ve studied the ancient treatise: Extended Formation! Now your warriors will be able to successfully confront the enemy, armed with only the lightest of weapons!

  Another icon appeared in the bottom right corner of my interface, depicting a lance and a strung bow.

  Extended Formation

  Description:

  One of the ancient battle formations used by the archers of Dryx Stoneheart during the battle with the Desert Dwellers in the Canyon of Two Moons.

  Effect:

  +15% to your warriors’ speed

  +25% to your light weapon damage

  +15 to your stabbing weapons damage

  +15% to your magic attack damage

  Minimum requirements:

  Lancers, 3

  Archers or wizards, 2

  Maximum requirements:

  Lancers, 65

  Archers or wizards, 45

  Excellent.

  And finally, the V-Formation!

  Oh. It refused to open. It was a cavalry formation — and cavalry was something we didn’t have... and might never have, unfortunately.

  Still, it was better than nothing. We had to work with what we had.

  Which was actually a lot. Before, my Calteans would attack the enemy in a motley
disorganized crowd — and I now had the chance to change all that. All I had to do was assign some commanders.

  But first I needed some fresh air.

  Quietly so as not to wake anyone up I slid out of the tent.

  Brrrrr! It was freezing cold! I should have put on the fur coat. My body felt well and truly paralyzed.

  Snorting, I rubbed my face with snow, then hurried back into the tent and offered my shaking hands to the fire’s gentle warmth. Much better.

  “Right, let’s take a look,” I whispered, opening the clan control panel.

  I wouldn’t be surprised if the game developers just made up all this stuff as they went along. I’d hate to become their new guinea pig.

  Aha. There it was. A new tab appeared, entitled Military Ranks.

  As I studied the chart, I couldn’t help thinking about all those TV crime series. There, too, police officers pin the picture of a crime boss and his minions to a corkboard in order to study and discuss them.

  This was similar. A picture with my avatar topped the chart. Commander General, the sign beneath said. Better than a crime boss, I suppose.

  The squares underneath were still empty. Each had a sign below, describing the respective commanders’ ranks. The one directly below me was a Colonel. It was gray and inactive, however. Little wonder: according to the prompt, a Colonel was in command of a thousand warriors. We were yet to grow an army that size.

  Below the Colonel was a Captain, in command of a hundred warriors. This we could manage.

  Below the Captain were empty openings for Sergeants, each in command of ten warriors.

  The chart didn’t provide a place for regular soldiers. Apparently, I as the chief commander wasn’t supposed to bother myself with such trivialities. My job was to assign their commanders who would then proceed to choose their subordinates.