Ding!

You have gained a loyal follower Zundar Rockpelt.

“So how exactly did you end up here fully covered in stone?” asked Akira who was sitting next to Zundar.

“Hmm...my head is a bit fuzzy still due to just waking up after sleeping for so long,” said Zundar as he scratched his chin and tried to put his memories into the order that they had happened so long ago.

Akira flanked by Dolph, Vilkas, and Klyn all waited quietly for Zundar to continue.

“Long ago, there was a great evil threatening our kingdom. This evil threat also affected the other kingdoms near us. We fought it for many years but In the end, we were left with no choice but to retreat after too many people were lost as it flowed across our lands.

In order to protect the royalty and the civilians that had managed to gather at the castle, they along with their guards entered the refuge that had been built for such a time as this. Several of the Royal sorcerers stayed behind and I was given the mission to protect the royalty, civilians, and their belongings.

I Don't know what happened after that because they used their ancient sorcery to encase me in stone putting me into a deep sleep to wait until someone came to challenge me.”

“What I find odd is that you have been here for all those years and no one came here. Wouldn't the great evil you speak of come here?”

“I can not remember much about the great evil, it is all a hazy blur. But if I had to say why no one found me in all these years it would probably be because of something that the royal sorcerers did after sealing me. A ward or some such protection.”

“Wow, so you're like a really old man,” said Klyn nodding his head as if he now understood something groundbreaking.

“Older than Burkin or Delgar by several hundreds of years. Hmm... you still look like you're in your thirties,” said Akira as he inspected Zundar's face trying to see his real age.

“I don't like what both of you are implying,” said Zundar as he sent a fierce glare at Klyn.

Akira stood up and placed his hand on the door that had been guarded by Zundar.

Ding!

Requirements not met. You are unable to enter at this time.

“It seems that whatever they did the door is still not accessible,” said Akira.

“Lord, we still have several other errands that need to be finished today so that they won't interfere with tomorrow's hell training,” said Dolph.

“We can continue our discussion when you meet the grand elders,” said Akira as he stood up still a bit sore from the clash with Zundar.

“Zundar, I know someone that would probably love to trade a few blows with you during tomorrow's hell training,” said Akira hatching an evil plan.

“If they are as strong or stronger than you I am interested.”

***

Akira led his guards around taking care of several errands going from one place to another helping those that needed it as well as giving input and permission to start new projects that would benefit the blooming town. Zundar followed behind them wherever they went since he took his oath seriously.

As Akira was exiting the shipbuilder's main office next to the lake he noticed Zundar was staring at the calm lake water.

“I can still feel the ancient sorcery in this lake. I'm surprised that something the royal sorcerers put in place to hold back the ancient evil is still present after such a long time has passed,” said Zundar as he knelt down and put his hand into the water.

“So that explains why the lake is filled with the holy power,” said Klyn, hitting his fist into the flat of his palm happy that something bugging him had been cleared up.

“You've seen the town so how does it compare to the old kingdom of the past?” asked Akira.

“How should I put this...Although there are several amazing new things... it's really tiny compared to the old kingdom,” said Zundar.

“Hey, it's one of the biggest places around here!” said Klyn.

“What? This puny place is the best around here? What about the other kingdoms?”

“There is nothing near us unless you count the wandering tribes. We are surrounded by vast wilderness full of monsters,” said Akira.

“So...they were all wiped out is what you're saying,” said Zundar.

“Akira! My grandfather wants to talk to you,” shouted Yuki from behind them.

“I'm melting out here, let's hurry back to the castle!” said Nollan.

“Who is that big guy next to you?” asked Yuki as she looked over the tall Zundar who was carrying his massive hammer on his shoulder.

“It seems I have found a new retainer. I'll explain more after we return to the castle, I don't want your grandfather melting on us,” said Akira.

***

“...so that is how it is,” said Akira as he explained all that had happened and what he had learned.

In the cool stone room, the grand elders had joined Yuki and Nollan to discuss the future plans for Akira's trip south with both Yuki and Nollan.

“I see. So the kingdom of OudIs was able to survive. I met king Icesar once when the surrounding kingdoms had a meeting on how to deal with the great evil,” said Zundar.

“Huh?” asked Yuki.

“I do not know of the OudIs kingdom or who Icesar is, but the names do sound familiar,” said Nollan as she scratched his head trying to remember.

“It's nothing I was just lost in old memories. I'm sure you have a different name for where you live,” said Zundar.

“So, back to the main issue. When will you be able to travel south so we can finalize the alliance agreements?” asked Yuki.

“Although the wall was finished we still have so many things that need to be done. The earliest we can send Akira is... after the army's hell training,” said Grand elder Carl after he looked at a piece of paper with several scribbled notes on them.

“I guess we can do nothing but wait,” said Nollan.

***

Over the next several days Akira led the hell training that included the army, town guards, naval sailors, marines, as well as the Militia warriors.

The hell training lived up to its name as Akira had thought of several ways to work one's body and mind.

In the morning they endured the harsh physical training and in the afternoon they were given many different tasks to complete depending on their ability. Such tasks as formations practice for the Militia, hunting monsters for the soldiers, or tasks that needed to be completed to help the growing town.

The navy's marines were given special training such as navigating with a thin layer of gauze over their eyes (especially the lookout) to simulate a snowstorm covering their vision. This resulted in a few close calls that could have been disastrous but they managed to get better at navigating half-blind.

Akira had sneakily paired Varbu and Zundar as sparring partners. Whenever they sparred with each other they tore up the ground with their fierce full-powered attacks.

On several of these days, Akira forced everyone to learn how to swim. First, it was only in their clothing but after that everyone was ordered to swim in their armor.

Although they gained valuable experience swimming in their armor at the hot springs pools they had to spend a long time repairing and polishing their armor afterward.

On the last day of hell training, the morning physical training was replaced with a contest to see who would be chosen as the standard-bearer of the army.

The only people who were allowed to participate in the contest were his personal guards, those in training, and the regular soldiers.

Everyone else was focused on all the work that had piled up during the week of training that still needed to be taken care of before the warm months ended.

“Hmph, you should have let me join in the fight!” complained Zundar.

“The grand elders have decided that you are to join as one of the core bodyguards along with Vilkas and Dolph. You can't be taking up another job that would divert your attention,” said Akira.

“Tanner, since you won the match I now give you the position of Kodria's standard-bearer,” said Akira.

“Awooooo~,” a loud howl rang out from one of the lookouts on one of the paroling naval ships alerting them to the presence of an enemy.

“Awooooo-awooooo,” Akira let out a howl in response giving an order to the navy, army, and guards to go to battle stations to fight the enemy.

“Is this also part of training?” asked Zundar as he ran alongside Akira and the rest of the army as they headed towards the waiting transport ships.

“No, it's an enemy attack!” said Klyn.

“Awoooo~.”

“You know for those of us that don't speak wolfanese, it's hard to understand what is being said.”

“Hurry the naval marines have intercepted the enemy trying to swim across the lake,” said Akira.

Due to Zundar's heavy body and weapon, only Akira and his guards were able to enter one of the ships with him so that it didn't sink.

The large naval ships along with several of the smaller ships were now surrounding the invading enemy blocking Akira's view of who exactly it was.

When they had rowed to the flagship of the navy and climbed up onto the deck the fight was already over.

Akira looked at the group of wounded enemy soldiers that had been pulled out of the water and were now being held at sword point.

“So the Ramia people of the Madu kingdom survived as well?” asked Zundar.

“Who are you to speak the name of our ancient kingdom!” asked an arrogant male Ramia warrior.

The Ramia warriors looked like lizard men with their upper bodies covered in thick scales of arious grays and browns. But instead of legs, their lower body was that of a snake.

“Don't speak unless you are asked a question!” shouted one of the marines as he poked the lizard man with his sword.

“I see, so the Auga tribe of Ramia was once part of the Madu kingdom? What is your purpose of trying to cross the lake uninvited?” asked Akira.

“I'm surprised that your small village has grown to something this formidable. It's nothing like they told us several months ago,” said the loudmouth ignoring the question.

“Answer the lord!” said the naval marine poking him again.

“Oww! Stop jabbing me with that! You'll ruin my scales! We just came to scout your village to see for ourselves if you really were here. It seems your small village has grown into a ripe town... Ow! I told you to stop poking me!”

'So this is all because of the Demigods again,' thought Akira as he looked at the Ramia warriors.

“What should we do with them? Throw them into the brig?” asked one of the marines.

“Hey! If you hold us the chief will view it as a deceleration of war! The others have already left to report everything.”

With all Akira had to deal with he could not risk starting a war with the Auga tribe right now.

“You are to leave our land and stop sticking your nose where it does not belong. Tell your chief that sending warriors into someone's territory can be viewed as an act of war. It would be best if he doesn't do something like this again,” said Akira.

“It's not like we would attack a place with such strong fortifications,” said loudmouth.

“Captain Walcott please escort them to shore. Officer Hurst, you will take the first and second unit of the first omega and escort them out of our territory,” ordered Akira.

“It will be done as you say, sir!”

“We don't need no babysitters!” said Loudmouth.

“We wouldn't want you to get hurt or lost and find your way back here so we'll make sure that you are taken care of,” said Akira as he waved for his bodyguards to follow him back to the transport ship.

***

“There are still a few more preparations that we need to finish today before we can go,” said Akira as he talked to Yuki.

“Are you sure you can leave so soon after something like this happened?” asked Yuki.

“The army and navy are strong enough to handle defending the town while I am gone. Plus the grand elders will be here to make sure everything runs smoothly. With the list I gave them, they should have a good idea of what is needed to grow the town into a city,” said Akira.