“Where the heck am I?” It was all Beast managed to say after that forceful change of scenery. To his front, Naomi clapped her hand at her success while Magdalene looked on, satisfied at her apprentice’s achievement.

“Wait, if Naomi is here… then…”

“Yea, I summoned you to Loyderidge.” His heart dropped like a stone.

Beast almost wanted to kill himself just in case it was a bad dream. After all those resolutions to avoid Loyderidge and the war and head for Splinter Mountains, it was all for nothing as his plans were foiled yet again. The first thing he wanted to do was to scold the girl in front of him.

“I… you…” Beast’s finger shook, but he found himself unable to point it at his master.

“Hmm?”

“… Never mind.” Even if he wanted to blame Naomi for this development, he could not. It was his mistake apparently, for blindly pressing buttons on the notification window without reading them carefully; that third window was a notice for summoning.

Beast sighed. There was nothing else he could do to reverse the situation so he might as well take it in his stride.

“This old lady here is?”

“Oh, right. She is Magdalene, my cleric teacher.”

Beast raised an eyebrow. Naomi, a cleric? Unbelievable. Nevertheless, he should not forget his manners. “Pleasure to meet you, Magdalene. I am Beast.”

“You must be Naomi’s friend, young man.” Beast nodded. “Such promising youths nowadays, I believe the both of you will do Caerheim proud and defend her well from the invaders.”

“Uh… right. Thank you for having us.”

With just one sentence, Magdalene had pushed responsibility and expectations in his direction. Scary, he thought, as he hastily took his leave and dragged Naomi out with him, all to the cheery smile of the Saint of Loyderidge.

“So… where is the militia camp?” Beast asked once they were out in the streets.

“Huh?”

“The gates are closed right? Since I am already here, I might as well make full use of my time and join the defense.”

“I thought you would prefer to join Lifey’s Joint Operation?” Naomi was curious. Most eligible players joined the Joint Operation Army, only coming to the militia when they did not meet the prerequisites. For Beast to want to participate in the militia was a surprising move to her.

“Well, some people I know personally are in the Joint Operation Army and I don’t want to meet them in that kind of environment. “ Beast explained as he walked, his eyes darting around to take in details regarding the city of Loyderidge. It was his first time here and the first thing he noticed was that the layout was completely different; Rydelin is a circular city while Loyderidge seemed to have been built facing the west.

“Besides, you are in the militia, isn’t it? That is enough for a reason.”

Interesting, given how the circumstances of the development of both cities might have been very different. A gradual expansion from a village to a town to a city might explain the layout compared to building a city from the get go.

“R-right…” If he had been looking at Naomi when he said that offhandedly, he would have noticed the blush creeping into the girl’s face and her shaking her head to clear it.

“So why did you become a cleric, eh? I always thought you were the violent type –OWHH.”

-317 HP

“Baka.” Naomi harrumphed as she brushed imaginary dirt off the fist that had whacked Beast across the face. Then she quickened up her pace towards the militia camp while her apprentice painfully picked himself up from the ground and followed behind.

………….

The militia camp had calmed down since the last time Naomi was there. The wounded were already patched up and sent back to their divisions except for the NPC soldiers who needed a longer time to rest and recover.

As they walked across the courtyard towards the commander’s tent, Beast picked up a familiar face mournfully strumming his lyre atop a pile of crates by the campfire. His mouth was moving, but there were no sound coming out of it.

“Shadun?” The man perked up at the mention of his name, recognition flooding his expression as his eyes met Beast’s.

“Who?” Naomi asked at the sudden outburst. She was confused. Did Beast see someone he knew?

“Give me a moment Naomi.”

Altering the direction of his path, Beast headed for the bard who jumped down from the crates. Once they were within range, the both of them embraced each other in a warm brotherly hug.

“How are you man? It has been a long time.”

“Indeed.” Shadun was as stoic as always. “So who is this lady?”

Naomi had followed Beast and was standing slightly behind so as not to disturb the men’s reunion.

“She is Naomi, a cleric. Naomi, meet Shadun, a bard.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Shadun said as he extended out his hand for a handshake.

“N-nice to meet you too.”

As Naomi took it, Beast could not help but notice that the girl was acting a little weird, like she was enamored by the suave man. Now that he thought about it, it was undeniable that Shadun was much more handsome than an average male and the calm demeanor would only serve to add merit to the air of confidence around him. As tom-boyish as Naomi was, she was still a maiden at heart after all.

Tsk.

“So, what are you doing here? I thought you should be eligible to join the Joint Operation Army?” The last time they separated, their levels were similar. Even though he had gotten a fast forward in levels from Savathrox and the Antroach, the amount of experience gained should be equivalent to hardcore grinding for the same amount of time he was in the Fort. Thus, it was not a stretch to assume that Shadun was at least the same as his level or higher.

“I got kicked out for singing.”

At that explanation, Beast could not help but burst into laughter. Shadun was not amused, while Naomi cocked her head in bewilderment. Beast somehow knew he should have expected that answer ever since he asked that question, because he knew exactly what Shadun’s singing sounded like.

Terrible. Horrible. Incorrigible.

For a bard that could render allies alike incapacitated, it was no wonder Lifey and her subordinates kicked him out for their own necessity and sanity.

“It is not funny. I can’t even leave Loyderidge after they kicked me, so I have no choice but to join the militia just to get something out of the event.”

Taking in deep breaths to rein in his laughter, Beast mouthed.

“I am… I am sorry.”

“Don’t be.” It was a rare snide remark from Shadun, whose lips were pursed and seemed like he might be slightly miffed for once. “How about you? Why are you here?”

“Well… I am here due to some unforeseen circumstances.” Beast wagged his eyebrow in Naomi’s direction. “Speaking of which. I am going to this Gordo guy to sign up, so I will be right back.”

Right after finishing his sentence, Beast grabbed Naomi who had been bemusedly watching their interactions to head off for their original objective, only for Shadun to place his hand on him instead. “I will come too.”

“Sure, why not?”

Inside the tent, the lone knight was reading some texts over by the light of a torch. Based on the glinting armour caused by the flickering of the flame and the beautifully etched zweihander sheathed on his back, Beast could judge that the knight was not any other NPC. At the very least, Knight Gordo should be around level 80.

“Knight Gordo Sir.”

“Yes, Naomi? Is there anything I can help you with?” He had a rough shaven beard and matted black hair, though a kindly smile was hidden beneath that burly and tough facade.

“I brought a friend to sign up for the militia.”

“You did? Loyderidge could do well to accept any aid at the current situation.” Gordo stepped forward and looked over Beast. “And you are?”

“Beast. A…. umm… historian.”

If Gordo had any doubts about Beast’s class, he did not show it.

“A historian huh… maybe… Very well, I hereby extend to you an invitation to join the war effort.”

You have been invited to participate in:

Defend Loyderidge

Loyderidge of Caerheim is under siege from Hondurian forces. Knight Gordo of the City Militia has offered you a chance to contribute and serve your country on the war front. Defend the capital and prevent it from falling into enemy hands.

Difficulty: B

Failure Conditions:

Loyderidge falls.

Lord Trigent is killed.

Note:

Contribution points are earned for every effort put into the defense of the city and rewards will be distributed according to their earned proportions

The quest window was special, having a silver trim that differentiate it from the rest of the ordinary quest windows that he had encountered before. Beast pushed the ‘yes’ button and was immediately greeted by the sound of a quest being accepted, but a weird feeling was gnawing at the back of his head while he did so. There was something strange regarding the quest, but he could not place his finger on it. Beast shrugged, maybe he will have a eureka moment later.

Now that he was officially part of the militia forces, he should start asking on how he could contribute. Beast was late to the party, so he needed to get to racking up those points. There was a lull in the fighting and the healing was mostly done, but who was to say that there were no more problems that needed solving? After all, a war was not about fighting alone.

“Is there anything I could do now to help right now?”

“Yes…“ Gordo murmured when prompted. “We do need some help with our inventory problems. Commander Lifey had taken the major production classes with her and I know better than to touch her resources. Right now the attackers are setting up siege around the city so there is a period of peace we can make use of. Maybe you could help us obtain some equipment for the fresh volunteers I have drafted up from the suburbs so that they won’t die a fool's death.”

“All in all, I needed equipment for about forty to fifty people.”

War Supplies

The Militia has run out of equipment to assign. Knight Gordo of the Militia has requested that you help obtain equipment to gear up fresh recruits during the lull in the fighting so that they would have better chance at surviving the war.

Difficulty: E

Note: The number of contribution points rewarded is determined by the amount of equipment donated to the militia.

Naomi was surprised. She could never have guessed she could ask Gordo for assignments to do; she had always just taken whatever job whenever she was given. She was even more surprised when Beast simply unloaded his inventory on the spot, filling the tent with heaps of copper and iron equipment.

“Is this enough?” Beast nonchalantly asked, to Gordo’s amazement.

“Why, yes! These will be sufficient to get our recruits started.”

Beast had originally wanted to sell them off for some coin, but if he could offload them at the moment for some fast contribution points, he would do so in a heartbeat. A bunch of contribution notification windows appeared as Gordo accepted the stash, all informing him of his current gain.

149. It was not too shabby, given his first contribution to the operation. Thanking the knight who did not have any other missions to assign, the trio walked out of the tent into the cool night air. Clouds obscured the sky ahead, blocking out the stars and moon and it looked like it might rain any moment.

Rain in-game has always been far and few, but whenever it rained it would be best to seek shelter lest one comes down with sickness and disease that would cost a pretty penny to cure. Shadun might have realized it as well, because he was steering them towards one of the barrack tents.

“Armadillo leather huh?” It was Shadun the bard. “I don’t think I saw any armadillos near Loyderidge. Where did you get them?”

“Near Corelia.” Beast shrugged.

Shadun raised an eyebrow. “Corelia? That is all the way west at the frontier. The circumstances you spoke of must have been pretty forceful.”

“Yea, they are.” Beast said sarcastically, to which Naomi sheepishly lowered her head. “Anyway, where can I find the information rankings for contribution points?”

“I am also interested to know.”

“It is an extension from the quest window. Wait, you people have never been in a Joint Operation before?”

Beast shook his head, as did Naomi.

“Nope.” They replied in unison, while Shadun nodded.

“I will demonstrate. Joint Operation – Defend Loyderidge, Contributions.”

Immediately, a window opened up in front of them.

Defend Loyderidge –Contribution Rankings

Top 5:

1.) Naomi 2134 pts

2.) Aveye 1201 pts

3.) 3nity 1189 pts

4.) Wingsman 1132pts

5.) Crystalyst 1104pts

Your contributions:

429.) Shadun 58pts

Surprisingly, Naomi was at first place at two thousand points. Beast whirled towards his dojo master with a look of incredulity. Just how much effort had she spent to get herself to such lofty heights?

However, what was even more surprising was the list itself. It was not as Beast expected; He had been so sure that Lifey and her posse would have occupied the top five positions. So it would appear that the two different armies used a separate listing for contributions, something that made sense considering how there should be two distinct Joint Operations in the first place. Would that also suggest that the quest given for the two armies were different as well? He would have to find out.

“Naomi was it? Good job.” Shadun complimented.

“Thank you.”

Beast bit his lips, not wanting to be a wet blanket. He was sure the contributions for the other army would have been numbering in the ten of thousands or so about now. Luckily, it was not for long, because in the next moment, the sound of bells rang throughout the city.

A series of shouts rang throughout the watchtowers adjoining the city walls, all forming together in a chorus, warning of impending catastrophe.

“Siege! The city is under siege! Honduria has started to attack!”

At that same moment in time, a gigantic ball of fire split the clouds apart as it crashed down from the heavens into one of the northern watchtowers, silencing it forever in a spectacular display of fiery explosion. Burning wood splinters and stone showered down on the blast zone, right as another one of those meteors obliterated the next watchtower.

“What the hell?” Beast had no idea who said that. It could have been him, or Shadun, or even a random person who had come out of their tent, but he was too shell-shocked by that degree of destructive power to even care.

“Militia, get your sorry asses into gear!” It was Gordo, who strode past the trio as he barked out orders into the burning air. “We are supposed to be responsible for the West Gate. Archers, get up to the towers and fire at will! Division one is to barricade the gates. The rest of you stay on the city walls and protect the ramparts from boarders!”

The air was soon filled with the sounds of arrows flying.

“You three over there! Naomi!” Naomi snapped into attention at her name being called. “Take this.”

It was one of the armadillo leather armour that Beast just turned in.

“Bring the new recruits to extricate the wounded from the frontlines back here for treatment.”

Approximately forty young men and women lined up in front of them as the Knight continued. “I will make you in charge of paramedic operations.”

“Yes sir!”

This was probably why Naomi ranked top in the contributions list – Knight Gordo apparently trusted her very much. Beast shrugged at the scene in front of him. Since he came late to the party, he would have to work his way up as a grunt.

“Naomi, I am at your order.” Even in game he could not escape from being Naomi’s work slave, Beast mused.

“Beast, you head up to the west walls and retrieve any wounded with us. Shadun, could you please stay near us and sing a song of speed?”

“NO!” Beast and Shadun both said at the same time, a little too forcefully.

“Believe me, you will want everyone alive for this.” Beast continued after seeing Naomi’s puzzled face.

“Huh?” Naomi questioned with the hope of receiving a more direct answer, but Beast and Shadun had already started running towards the ramparts with the recruits, forcing her to put it aside for the time being and follow.

The moment they reached the face of war, all that greeted them was the cruel smile of chaos. Flaming stones rained down from the sky as the sounds of trebuchets ricocheted off in the distance. Burning debris were strewn everywhere, and among them were the bodies of NPCs and players alike.

Those who were still up and about were doing nothing. Confused, Beast looked out and he instantly understood why. It was pitch darkness. There were no lights or torches out there that allowed him to see anything. The only light he could see was by the illumination of the fireballs that the militia magicians were blindly shooting.

“Hold your fire!” Knight Gordo was commanding the defenders on a higher vantage point. “Mages keep throwing fireballs. Archers shoot once you see something.”

Without even saying anything, Shadun and Naomi began pulling the injured out of the clutter of destruction but Beast halted in his tracks.

Naomi hissed, “What are you doing?”

“Wait… Wait.” Something was amiss.

Logically speaking, the enemy came from the east and therefore the eastern gate was expected to undergo heavy attack. From both a strategic and logistic point of view, the west gate had been deemed low risk and was probably why the less capable militia was assigned to guard the position. It also only had two watchtowers unlike the other gates. So why was it that there were trebuchets incoming on the west gate? And how was it that they had managed to traverse the entire perimeter of the city unnoticed?

A burning stone crashed into the ground beside Beast, almost crushing him. Beast’s nose was immediately assaulted by the strong smell of sulfur from the projectile, wrinkling his nose in disgust. Brimstones; he mentally made a note that he hated siege weapons, especially the brimstone kind.

No wait… it was not a projectile from a trebuchet… There was nothing in the darkness out there that indicated that the origin of these projectiles, much less the loading and lighting of the fire.

“Oh my god.” Beast could only gasp as he realized what was happening – what they thought to be a siege barrage was a spell all along.

Looking upwards into the cloudy sky, he saw that the areas above the watchtowers were bright orange compared to the grey. The next moment, a meteor struck down from the heavens and ignited the nearest watchtower into a burning ball of death. Screams rang out from the inferno as players and NPCs were reduced to charred bone and ashes of data. It was only for a fleeting moment before the structure collapsed upon itself from its weakened integrity and silenced them forever.

“Shields, we need shields on the other watchtower!” Beast yelled out, hoping that someone or anyone would listen. Nobody did. His cries were lost in the chaos of war.

However, the thought itself was not.

“Shields!” A strong voice echoed over the background; Gordo apparently had the same idea. “I want all mages to cast a water shield on the other watch tower now!”

“Aqua Front!”

“Aqua Front!”

“Aqua Front!”

At the knight’s command, the militia’s magicians gathered their magic at a single location, forming a sturdy wall of water that stood as high as the watch tower itself. Not a moment too soon, the clouds gave way to another meteor which crashed right into the shield. Steam clouded the area as fire met water in a violent thermal reaction. For a moment there Beast was afraid that the shield would not hold, but when the steam cleared, the structure of the watchtower was still thankfully intact, much to the relief of all the defenders.

Then, a bored male voice drawled from beyond the wall.

“Man, they shielded. I just wasted my mana for nothing.”

The red name of Fyrzen came into view with its bearer riding a horse, dropping the hopes and morale of all those present with his appearance. Hopping down the steed, he gave it a smack and sent it running into the darkness before turning to the defenders on the wall with a toothless smile.

“Yo.”