《Empire Shodow》


 Chapter 01 - Cursed Land

    "Wow!"


    Suddenly a young man spring up from bed, sat up, while with his mouth wide open gasping for air, cold sweat running down his forehead falling off his chin.


    "Tick!"


    The sweat dripped on the back of his hand, leaving a little mark of water, and he looked blankly at his hands.


    "I''m..., I''m dead. ¡± He said with A weak meek voice while gaming strength to move its eyes.


    A very strange spacious room greeted his eyes, the overall layout is somewhat monotonous, not the familiar smooth white walls, not the usual table with its rundown computers, there is no pile of junks lay around.


    Light sandalwood filled the side, hollow carved windows with fine sun-speckled.


    At a closer look, he was under a soft wooden bed, with exquisite carving and extraordinary decorations, at the bed quilt, sideways of the wall hung an ancient look long sword and oil painting.


    Although he was only seeing blurry things, everything in front of him looked strange letting him only more confused.


    It''s all like seeing a strange world.


    "Where am I?" ...... It hurts!!! ¡±


    Suddenly his head came a tearing pain as if it was hit by a heavy hammer.


    In a very short period, countless pieces of information flowed like water. In general information like territory, extraordinary power, knights, city people, beasts ...


    "Ah !!!"


    "Reyn Weeftn" While holding his head he issued a low cry, He felt as if the whole person were about to be stuffed into another soul, and he fainted again, leaving a strong breathing sound...


    Tick tick!


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


    The wind was blowing, the sky was cloudy a gloom like a picture


    as if at any time it would pour down a cold and heavy rain on this desolate frontier wilderness.


    Here is the Black Water territory.


    At distance, a group of people dressed in clothes shattered and staring blankly, like puppets manipulated by invisible ropes, Their mood, like the dark, gloomy sky above their heads, was full of depression and despair, working numbly day after day, year after year, without seeing a trace of hope and light.


    "Oh, Ting! Oh, Ting! Oh,Thing!"


    In the early morning along the town square centre, there were melodious songs of bells of the church that spread throughout the Black Water territory, and in an instant, the mood of everyone in the territory for a brief period flashed with a joyful mood.


    Many people in Black Water Territory, whether serfs, free men, knights, or maids in the Lord''s Castle, stopped, and with their eyes closed, their hands clasped to their chests and then praying piously.


    God said: Everyone was born pure, but they stain their soul as they live on this purgatory world, only through faith and prayer one clean themselves, preparing themselves to the kingdom of heaven.


    "Yes right, this world is indeed a dreary purgatory, since living is for atonement, they only seek relief after death..." Each of them thought so, for it was their only faith and hope.


    Of course, some people don''t think so, as our Lord Black Water.


    inside the dilapidated Lord''s Black Water Castle. The weak baron stood in front of the mirror, staring blankly at himself it.


    In the mirror is a skinny tall young man, up to twenty years old.


    Golden black curly hair, a flat pointed nose, plus a pale face, especially his deep and bright almost gold brow eyes, unusually eye-catching.


    "How this situation comes to be..."


    Looking at the strange self in the mirror, Reyn Weeftn mood is a little complicated.


    Two days passed, and he still did not fully believe the fact that he had crossed.


    Five days ago, on his way back from work, he was shopping for some games and before he how a red light had blinded him and before he know what had happened, the whole world changed.


    Everything has become a rather strange, unknown land, unfamiliar people, as well as himself.


    According to the emerged memory in his mind, he slowly came to some general understanding of this place.


    It was a fantasy world similar to the latest period of the Middle Ages in Europe, with lords, knights, wizards, and more outrageously beasts, giants, demons and gods.


    His name is Reyn Weeftn a baron on the border of the Dulips. When Reyn learned that he had been reborn as a Baron, he was a little nervous at first, but at the same time a little excited and lucky. As time went on, however, e started to grasp his memory of the former Baron, and after he had figured out the situation, he became a little pale.


    Originally, Black Water Town is located in the northern wilderness of the Dulips Principality, here is a bitterly cold place, lack of materials, very poor and desolate, here agricultural productivity is low, not to say also very dangerous and chaotic from time to time.


    Crops are basically abandoned, penniless civilians, hundred of jobless in muddy streets, around garbage dumps surround by fly-flying.


    "Well, that''s a mess!"...


    Further north, beyond the principality''s borders, is a dark forest.


    It is said that in that terrible dark forest, there are often beasts, savage tribes and ferocious thieves, and those barbaric tribes and ferocious thieves, in the winter, often attack the principality border towns.


    Like the small-town territories with weak-armed defences, they are often ransacked, and the money and goods off the territory are looted and clean.


    In particular, The Black Water, ruled by Reyn, is located at the northern frontier of the wilderness, and every winter, it is ready to face looting and attack, and the people who live here are in constant distress and suffering.


    Over the past decade, the Lord of Black Water has been replaced three times, whit none of them stayed for more than three years.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Because the previous Lords were either invaded by savage tribes or slaughtered by thieves, no lord could leave here alive.


    Black Water them became the "Cursed Death Territory" of Dulips, and Reyn is the newest lord of the "Cursed Death Territory".


    According to his memory, Reyn''s origins are not illustrious. His mother, Pathy Weeftn, daughter of a merchant, was fancied by the Lord Count of NorthSeet, and after becoming the Count''s lover, he was born.


    Strictly speaking, he is an illegitimate child.


    Because of the low status of the illegitimate son, Reyn could not inherit everything from the Grandrich family, including the great surname "Grandrich", so he ended with his mother''s surname, Weeftn.


    Originally, in Reyn''s illegitimate status, he could not become a noble, much less have a territorial lord.


    Although the Black Hawk territory is located on the principality border, bitter cold and desolate, but it is not his only nominal title of the illegitimate son can have, after all, here is also the Grandrich family''s territory.


    The Grandrich family after sending nine family members over the past decade or so, to Black Watertown as lords, but without exception, no last long enough to be able to leave alive even the third son of the lord had the same fate.


    But the Grandrich family could not give up this territory, according to the agreement with the Dulips Grand Duchy, the Count of WestSun city and the Marquis of Edbarth Mountain.  must for generations adhere to the northern wilderness, together to build a borderline against the invasion of bordering Kingdon and strange beasts.


    So, with the Count''s sinister intentions, the illegitimate son, Reyn, was tossed here by the Count of NorthSeet.


    Reyn is very clear of the intention of the Grandrich family, sending him to the BlackWater, is almost equivalent to sending him as cannon fodder to buy some time, he was just an insignificant piece of chess.


    It''s no exaggeration to say that as long as Reyn dies in Black Water territory, soon the Grandrich Lord will be sending in new people, a new hapless cannon fodder.


    To guard the border, which year does not mean people will die.


    Otherwise, there is such a good thing, why didn''t Count Grandrich let his children come?  You know, Count has three sons and two daughters. In winter the Black Water territory is in danger of being ransacked and attacked at any time, but what about that?


    Black Water Town is not a military fortress, as a small lord of this border town, the main responsibility is to build a line of defence, patrol the border and pass early warning information, but also from time to time to expel some of the exiles into the territory. If there is no special reason he can not easily give up his territory, or he will be hanged.


    What about open territory?


    That wasn''t so easy. Because of the special trees of the black forest, it just couldn''t be so easily disposed of.  If you cut it down in about 1 year it root would rot and become a source of the plague known as black rot that would make any other vegetation turn into black colour and fastly rotting afterwards.


    It was said if you want to open one acre of land in a black forest, you would have to wait 100 years.


    Thinking of it, Reyn sighed darkly was he was very pessimistic.


    "Damn god, would you like to play me like this?" It''s not easy to be born again, can''t you arrange a better place for me? Being the Lord in this cursed land of death makes. it not different than kill me again, here I''m just waiting to die! ¡±


    He felt so hopeless.


    "Hmm, This wasn¡ät here before... was it?" Suddenly, Reyn saw on his arm a black mark, his mind could not help but pondered. Basically, by now, it could be said that his memory had blended completely. But no such mark was seen before by both memories.


    "Does the mark appeared after I crossed?"


    "Can I go back? " In an instant, Reyn''s eyes lit up.


    He walked quickly to his desk and sat down, He carefully look at the mark which was only the size of a thumb fingernail.


    The mark was black as the abyss seemed like devouring even the light, it looked very unnatural and doesn''t feel like something it could be engraved easily.


    Reyn couldn''t see every detail with his naked eye, he picked up the magnifying glass on the table and studied it carefully.


    Through the magnifying glass observation, Reyn finally could analyse it in more detail.


    It''s a miniature room with glass windows, doors, shutters, various plumbing lines, and a shelf filled whit what seems to be a game box, looks very realistic.


    It''s as if someone has used a printer to tattoo it on his arm with such incredible detail.


    "Game Store ?" So weird? Reyn squirmed, vaguely feeling that the mark was something wrong, but what was wrong, he couldn''t say.


    Why is there a Game Shop sealed inside my arm? Yes, that''s right


    He put his arm down and held its head for a long time.


    "It looks like I can''t go back." At present can only accept the reality, later in this Black Water town adapting day by day as a small baron. Reyn sighed helplessly.


    Suddenly, outside came the familiar knock of the housekeeper, Dohn,


    "Sir, your breakfast is ready!" ¡±


    Shaun moved his mind, hurriedly cover his arm hiding the mark, he just didn¡ät want to look out of place.


    After all this, he sorted out his clothes and its sword, then took a deep breath and said, "Come in, Dohn..."


    Just as the castle butler, Dohn, pushed open the door, Reyn cover the mark on his arm with his hand, and the most amazing thing is that at this moment the black mark seems to gain life as it starts to unroll and change into a strange pattern which suddenly flashed a faint glow.

 Chapter 2 - Lords and Situation

    After receiving Reyn''s consent, the butler gently opened the door.


    Dohnal, the housekeeper, was a white-haired old man, about fifty years old, he look kind and mild, his hair combed neatly, his clothes clean and meticulous.


    Soon, under the command of Old Dohnal, a maid brought breakfast to Reyn table.


    "Sir, the breakfast is served. please enjoy!" Having said that, old Dohnal waited quietly on the side, with a peaceful and respectful expression.


    "Thank you!" Reyn nodded politely and began to pick up the knife and fork and start eating.


    Today''s breakfast, like the last few days, hasn''t changed much. A glass of milk, two slices of brown bread, plus two fried half-cooked eggs and a small portion of cooked vegetal puree.


    The taste was general, not much to talk about, not to mention the difficulty of eating, can only that it was enough to fill the stomach.


    These may seem simple and simple compared to the hearty breakfasts of other Lords and Nobles, but Reyn knows in his heart that this is the most hearty and extravagant breakfast in the entire Black Water territory.


    According to the memory in his mind, he entered Black Water territory in the middle of spring this year. At that time, just after the bandits had ransacked the Black Water town. A total mess, barely anyone was around, not even a penny was found in the castle, it was simply a dilapidated place.


    After nine months of maintenance, Black Water Town barely recovered some life. At present, there are more than 500 serfs in Black Water territory, heavy-armed trainee knights plus ten junior trainee knights, and dozens of militiamen, plus maids in the castle, a total population of less than 600.


    Because of its bitterly cold border and low productivity, the territory has generated tax revenue that is negligible.


    In addition to the knights, trainee knights, as well as the salaries of councillors and castle staff, and then the acquisition of territorial weapons armour, horse materials, as well as maintenance and repair, the remaining revenue, barely able to maintain the castle and the territory''s daily expenses. In fact every week he has to take out money from his pocket to inject into the territory.


    Thinking of it situation, Reyn appetite slowly fades away, sighing slowly.


    "Dohnal, please clean up, afterwards you can go out and don''t disturb me till I call you again."


    "Okay, sir!" Old Dohnal nodded respectfully and then ordered the servant to clean up the table. Looking at Reyn''s pale and sad face, he couldn''t help but feel some pain. He was originally Miss Pathy''s maid, and he watched Reyn grew up.


    Dohnal was the only servant that volunteered fallowed Baron Reyn was the only servant who volunteered to follow him as he travelled from Snowwolves to Black Water Territory. Although Dohnal origin was ordinary, his background is now is much better than ordinary given that he was the Wewftn family servant status.


    Gently walked to the door of the room, old Dohnal turned to say.


    "Sir, if there is any need, please don¡ät hesitate to order!" ¡±


    "Thank you! " Reyn looked at him and was silent for a long moment.


    There was a hint of affection in Dohnal''s eyes, and he understood the meaning behind Reyn''s thank you.


    --------------------------------------------------------


    At the corner of the castle staircase that led to the kitchen, next to a cracked pillar, old Dohnal suddenly stopped, and through the dim light, he saw that the iron door of the kitchen at the end of the corridor was not closed.


    Mary, the maid in charge of washing dishes, was vigilantly looking around, and the moment the chef cooker was squatting down on the balcony, she hid half the bread that Baron Shawn had just eaten, and an omelette, and quickly hid it in her clothes and quickly sorted out her apron.


    The whole process of stealing food was seen by old Dohnal, but he didn''t come forward and scold her.


    Dohnal knew in his heart that Mary''s family had three children, the youngest of whom was only five years old, thin and short, hungry, her situation was not so easy.


    As long as she doesn''t break Dohnal''s bottom line and steal other food in the kitchen, he''ll keep his eyes closed.


    Before that, however, she must be warned to prevent her from committing more serious mistakes in the future.


    Thinking of it, old Dohnal walked slowly into the kitchen and told Edward, who was busy with bacon: "Edward, the bacon lord loved it last night, and remember to prepare more at noon today."


    "Okay, Mr Dohnal!" Chef Edward nodded, turned around and keep on working.


    Dohnal smiled and waved, "Well, you''re busy keep working well, I''m going to the stables to have a look, in recent days, the Lord always likes to visit the territory in the evening."


    Wipe his hands clean and he is ready to leave the kitchen and go to the stables.


    Just as old Dohnal had just stepped out of the kitchen, he suddenly turned his head and warned, "Oh, Mary, there''s just something I forgot to remind you that food should be wrapped in a dining cloth, otherwise the oil will flow into the skirt stained it, and it becomes hard to wash off." Having said that, he didn''t look back.


    Looking at the back of old Dohnal''s departure, Mary''s cheeks were flushed, her mood was complicated ashamed and moved at the same time.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.After inspecting everything in the castle''s backyard, old Dohnal followed the castle''s back door and entered the Lord''s private stables.


    Inside the stables, three adult strong horses are kept.


    A white horse, two black horses.


    White horses are ceremonial mounts, and two dark horses are the lord''s battle horses and alternate battle horses.


    Across the distance, he saw Mav, Peter and a few servants, laughing and chatting beside the stables, and because Dohnal''s footsteps were so light, they didn¡ät detect him coming. Old Dohnal listened for a moment and found the slothful guys discussing the Territory and Baron Reyn, and suddenly his face became stiff.


    "Hi, Peter, I heard that the bandits are going to invade the territory soon. We''ll have to hide a little bit." - Mav


    "You''re right, it''s almost winter, there are some bandits who attack the territory and castles, as long as we hide and don''t resist, the thieves won''t hurt us, but Baron Reyn, I guess he''ll get hurt. ¡± - Peter


    "Well... Look at the Blackstone Castle, and then look at our Black Water, the same are lords, how the gap is so big, so many years, those thieves will only attack Black Water territory, Blackstone Fort territory, thieves are afraid to go ... Ohh...... Good morning, Mr Dohnal..."


    In the face of the sudden appearance of the housekeeper old Dohnal, the crowd was startled.


    Old Dohnal looked at them coldly, and said faintly, "It looks like you are not very satisfied with castle works, I think I should apply to the Lord for a change of working environment, such as ... Go to the border and build a line of defence. ¡±


    As soon as this remark came out, several people were frightened pale, cold sweat running down, even bowed their heads to admit mistakes, imploring old Dohnal''s forgiveness.


    Old Dohnal snorted coldly, turned away from the stables, and came outside the castle gate.


    Looking ahead at the old, dirty narrow street ahead, a dozen passers-by preparing to go to NorthSeet to sell leather goods, their caravans, which had been stopped by several black Water town councillors, were paying the toll.


    Seeing this scene, old Dohnal sighed darkly, "Sir Reyn is in danger, Matthews has not come back from NorthSeet City, do not know the letter that was sent to Miss Cathy was received."


    ..................


    Reyn sat at his desk, looking at the flames in the fireplace, his eyebrows locked and his face looked dense.


    Now that the BlackWaters have been reborn, there will be a lot of problems ahead. First, he must understand and integrate his new identity as soon as possible.


    At the same time, he also had the need to organize and clean everything in the territory, including better understanding the structure, specifics and how things work in this world.


    What lords and nobles around Black Water Town, as well as the geographical environment of the Principality border, as well as the specific distribution of some countries and forces outside the country, should be one by one to understand.


    Fortunately, after his rebirth, he obtained the memory of Reyn.


    Although in the beginning, the memory emerged integration is not much, but with these days his mentality gradually smooth, slowly accepted this fact, so the mind appeared and remembered things, more and more.


    It is estimated that it will not be long before he completely inherits the memory of Reyn and becomes a true Reyn himself.


    According to some of the fusion memories, he probably learned that the former Baron Reyn was a cowardly, low-key and narrow-minded coward.


    Baron Reyn although ambitious, unusual, but in addition to the small play, he did not have enough courage and courage to change the reality. This can be seen entirely from the recent war with Baron Blackstone Castle in the territory next door.


    The last time he went to war with Baron Blackstone, the unknown thought that Baron Reyn was fighting for some civilian that was captured by Blackstone, but his real purpose was to use this as an excuse to defeat and capture Baron Blackstone castle and retake an iron ore mine that was originally within Black Water territory.


    Black Water Town in the northern part of the Principality, has been established for more than a hundred years, in the northwest region of the territory, where there is a bluestone mountain, the other side of the mountain belongs to the Blackstone fort territory.


    All along, Black Water Town and Blackstone Castle, two territories across the mountain, but also safe.


    It wasn''t until one summer a decade ago, when several stonemasons were quarrying on the bluestone hill, that they came across a large amount of iron ore on the hillsides on this side of Black Water Territory, so Baron Blackstone Castle took ownership of the entire mine.


    Since Black Water Town is under the Count of NorthSeet, and the Blackstone Castle next to him is under the Marquis of Edbarth Mountain. In fact, the two families have always been in dispute since the founding of the Principality.


    After many unsuccessful negotiations, the two lords of that year launched a number of minor skirmishes.


    Unfortunately, the Blackstone Fort territory is more prosperous than the weak and rundown Black Water Territory, which is not the Blackstone Castle opponent at all.


    Several Black Water lords before Reyn faced same the bullying of Blackstone Castle. The skirmishes only end with the capture of the lord or its force. Every battle is the Black Water Lord''s defeat.


    It was not until Baron Reyn arrived that he was ready to go to war again and retake the mine. Because the mine generates more revenue a year than the entire Black Water territory generates, there is no reason to give up.


    Unfortunately, when Reyn came out with a horse and saw the finely armed, ferocious fighting power of the Knights of Blackstone Castle opposite, he was instantly afraid and immediately back down.


    The result is obvious.


    Think of this, Reyn shook his head sighing, "Really a nest of thieves. "


    "Oh, Ting! Oh, Ting! Oh,Ting!"


    The bells at the top of the church rang again throughout the Black Water territory.  Reyn came to the window and looked at the tall church bell tower next to the town center square.


    This is similar to the fantasy world of the late Middle Ages in Europe, where many people believe in a superior power. Especially in BlackWater Town, most of the people in the territory are believers, of course, the former Baron Reyn too.


    In the town of Black Water, in addition to the weekly and annual taxes necessary for lords, the church that is placed in various territories will also collect a substantial amount of tax revenue from the territory.


    The bell that has just sounded represents the arrival of noon.


    Although Reyn had little interest in the Church, he had to admit that the Church had made a great contribution in many aspects, including the clock.


    There was a slight sound of footsteps outside the door, followed by the familiar voice of the butler Dohnal "Sir, Knight Thorris and Sir Murkoc, there is something urgent to see you." ¡±


    Morris and Kukoc?


    These two men are the Knights of black Water Territory and the councillor, and now they are anxious to see me, what is wrong with the Territory?


    "Let them wait for me in the downstairs hall."  Reyn pondered for a moment.


    "Okay, sir!" - Butler Dohnal

 Chapter 3 - Crisis

    Downstairs, Murkoc and Thorris were seen waiting anxiously at the lobby on the first floor of the castle.


    Councillor Murkoc, a thin, middle-aged man, pale as Reyn. His principal role was to assist Reyn in dealing with the various administrations of the Black Water Territory, the equivalent of a manager hired by the Lord.


    Trainee Knight Maurice is a big man with a gloomy face, with chain armour on his body, a long sword around his waist, and an extremely large body. The most striking was the bronze brooch with three long swords and three stars on his chest, which represented the knighthood.


    According to Reyn''s memory, the bronze badge represents a trainee knight who has practised specials combat art. They didn¡ät fully understand the knight division, but he knows that when starting, there are three initial stages that one has to train before the breakthrough, and even then afterwards there are more conditions to be considered before becoming a full-fledged knight, otherwise they are called just Professional.


    Thus that didn¡ät attain the full requirement to advance to Profesional. Furthermore, there is a higher Knigth rank like the Professional Knight and Master Knight.


    As the strongest in the Black Water Territory, Thorris''s main work is to be responsible for the territory''s security, the equivalent of a police station director.


    When they saw Reyn appear, they hurried to salute.


    "Sir..."


    "Please sit down!" Reyn waved his hand and motioned the two to sit down.


    "Mr Thorris, Mr Murkoc, What is of such urgency?" As soon as the Reyn end talking.


    "Sir, we may be in danger!" Thorris take the lead saying¡±


    "Danger!?" - Reyn


    "Come on, don''t waste our time, just say it" - Reyn scowled


    "I suspect that the bandits have been spying on us these days. This morning, when I was on patrol at the outskirts of the Black Florestout we found some fresh horseshoe prints" - Seeing Reyn''s displeasure, Thorris said with some embarrassment.


    "How can you be so sure it was the horseshoe print left by the bandits?"


    "You know it''s could be our team patrolling the territory on horses" - Reyn thought for a moment.


    "Certainly not our, just I especially looked through it, I even look at the archives of the Black Water we have found similar traces and it matches with the early winter of previous years similar occurrences." - Thorris shook his head and said firmly.


    "And everything point that they may be the Red Claw Bandits"


    "Red Claw Bandits!" Reyn''s face was immediately gloomy. They are a gang of bandits lurking around the border forest, they have dozens of people who are known to be notorious, cunning and ferocious around the borders area, they mostly know for picking weakly defended areas along the border.


    In particular, their leader "Claw", but also know to have a Professional strength rank, in addition, their been story that lately they were able to lay their hand on more sophisticated weaponry.


    "Sir, this group for a long time have been ransacked the Black Water territory" Till now Murkoc who had not opened his mouth, suddenly start talking


    "Since Thorris found their traces, we must start preparing because at any time they possible may invade our territory." - Murkoc


    Reyn face grimaced and glanced at the Thorris.


    "Thorris, with  our current armed forces of our territory, can we resist the attack of the Red Claws Bandits?¡± - Reyn


    "No!" - Despite being proud of his strength as peak Traine Knights, Thorris had to acknowledge the matter of the situation.


    "Our forces at moment only ten junior Trainee Knights and militiamen who have been put together temporarily but still we are far away from equally them in forces, whether it''s weaponry or the quality and combat experience of our personnel."


    Hearing this, Reyn said expressionlessly.


    "So we can only sit quietly and wait for them?"


    "I Thorris is prepared to fight to the end for the Lord."  Thorris immediately kneel down and bowed his head in front of Reyn, at the same time felting shame for not being strong enough.


    Reyn felt Thorris resolution in this matter and did not blame him at all, after all, he could just run away the moment he concluded that he might die the moment e confront the Red Claw Bandits. Reyn only shook his head, here honour and Loyalty are worth more than life.


    "Sigh"


    With a deep sigh, Reyn turned his attention to Murkoc.


    "Really? we have no opportunity to fight back or hold them down?" ¡±


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.Murkoc reflected for a moment.


    "We can turn to NortSett City for help, and ask to send a platoon of soldiers as reinforce, or spend some of the money to hire some mercenaries to help us fend off the bandits"


    "Good idea, but it''s very tricky to realise."  Thorris shook his head and rejected Murkoc''s proposal.


    "The NorthSeet guarded by the Earl of Grandrich, but it is also a military fortress dedicated to guarding the borders.  Particularly recently that are signals of movement from the forces of the Kingdom of Cisea. A little territory like Black Water that is filled with some outlaws will not gain much attention from the Count" - Thorris


    "Especially the cunning Red Claw Badints, at the sign of danger they would immediately back down, and even if the NorthSeet sent some reinforce the number is not expected to be too large, or else this kind of situation would not be a reoccurring one."- Thorris


    "Crucially even if we are to recruit mercenaries, we would soon run out of money and food to feed them through the winter." - Thorris


    "And once we recruit the Mercenary probably the Red Claw Bandits would wait till the Mercenary run us dry of our resource just to kill to vent their frustration, and such event had happened in the past." - Thorris


    As soon as these comments came out,  Mr Murkoc was quite hushed.


    After listening to Thorris analysis, Reyn founded it quite reasonable.


    In the end, The Black Water territory was so pitiable that all but Thorris was the only one with a complete decent armour, and the remaining ten  Junior Trainee knights didn''t even have decent protection.


    If Black Water were a tad financially better, hiring some powerful mercenary corps for a long time would be possible. But the key problem was that he have nothing right now, no strength no money, can only be passive in front of bandits.


    Thinking of it, Reyn''s face became more and more bloodless, and his mood dropped to the extreme.


    Feeling the depression of the Reyn, Murkoc thought for a moment and said with a weak voice.


    "Sir, What if we leave Black Water Territory temporarily and apply for refuge in Blackstone Castle, although this would require the consent of the Baron of Blackstone Castle..."


    Before Murkoc could end his thought, Thorris stopped him from finishing talking.


    "No, definitely not, we just last time by Baron of Blackstone were captured and humiliated and this time to apply for asylum in Blackstone Castle, this is a great shame, will be laughed at by all, Where is the dignity of our Black Water"


    "How many gold coins is dignity worth?" sneered Mr Murkoc.


    "Where is the Dead still thinking about that ridiculous dignity of yours!"


    "Murkoc, of course for a coward who is afraid of death, it is a disgrace to work with you!..."


    "Shut up, I had enough of this!" Reyn yelled and in a flash, the two men who were quarrelling quieted down.


    "You two can go out now, I want to be quiet."


    Taking a few deep breaths, trying to maintain his mood, he waved.


    "Yes, Sir!" Having said that, Thorris gave Murkoc a hard look and then stamped away.


    Looking at the burly back of Thorris''s departure, Murkoc said, "Sir..."


    "What now!" ReynShaun raised his eyebrows and said, somewhat upset.


    "Perhaps everyone has heard recently that the bandits are about to attack, and last night, more than a dozen serfs in Black Water fled to Blackstone Castle, and last week, there were more than fifty who fled too" Murkoc sighed.


    "What?" Hearing this, Reyn''s mood seems to hit a new low


    "The Baron Philo Edbarth wouldn¡ät probably let them come back?"


    Murkoc nodded, hesitating  and said


    "The Lord of Blackstone Castle said that people are willing to run come to his territory and as long they are willing to come back, he will not block, but he also will not allow us to use force  to do so"


    "Damn Philo, one of this day...!" Reyn gritted his teeth.


    After Murkoc left, Dohnal gently walked up to Reyn, "Sir, it''s lunchtime."


    Reyn shook his head, "No appetite right now!"


    Having said that, he went upstairs alone and locked himself in his room, his mood was extremely depressed.


    ''Give up and run? Where can I go? How do I survive? That will only make me die faster.''


    He couldn¡ät just leave his territory, because that would be frowned up and be considered as neglecting his Lord duties and the punishment for that would be dead for most cases. And about take asylum in Blackstone Castle his like stabbing in the Count Grandrich in his back and becoming a new cannon fodder under the Marquis of Edbarth, and if he survived it wouldn¡ät be long till Count Grandrich decide to clear him up.


    His situation couldn¡ät be worse. Originally thought to be born again and as a little lord, but with some financial problem but dead was avoidable, but who thought, now the situation is so alarming.


    Most of all, according to Murkoc, this group of bandits seem to have some hatred for nobles, so unless he gave up his head, compromise with them was out of the table.


    "What do I do, what am I supposed to do?... Why is so hard to want to live?"  - Thinking of it, Reyn''s mind was filled with despair.


    Suddenly, at this moment, he felt a burning sensation coming from his arm.


    "Ouchh..., What was that!"


    Reyn moved his arm and hurriedly look at the mark, and sure enough, the black mark start moving at an alarming speed. His left arm swelled almost doubling its size.


    After a while, the pain goes away and his arm started to swelled down. But the strange thing was the mark. Now it was about 20 cm long, extending from the middle of his arm to the wrist, and the colour seems to have changed too, now it was a mix of green, grey and light red, looked like an artwork.


    Puzzle by this he moves his right hand to touch his arm. The moment his right hand contact the mark, a violent shock along his left arm, like an electric shock wave rushed into Reyn brain. In his head suddenly a "boom" sound happened, he wanted to open his mouth and shout for help but nothing came out. The mark on his left arm glowed green, and something splashed upward like a long green snake.

 Chapter 4 - Unreal is Reality

    "Well", Reyn now doesn¡ät felt the pain in his arm anymore.


    After ten minutes or so, not waiting for his head to relax, only to feel a sudden green light in front of him, and a window appeared in front of his eyes, like seeing through the Oculus Rift headset.  It was like a virtual space. Many windows showing different maps, some on abandoned Street, some on platforms and some on Ancient ruins...


    Why are these so familiar? Reyn was puzzled, and in one corner of the windows, there are huge boxes marked with English letters.


    I''m sure I''ve seen it, Reyn tried to calm himself down, slowly thinking about where he had seen this place was. ''A wallpaper? No, not likely,  TV? Yes, not it shouldn''t be on TV or a console...''


    ''Isn''t this the famous DUST II map in CSGO Game''


    "Gasp" - He knew that something even more unrealistic than reborn had happened. If he remembers correctly this was one of the games he was organizing at the Game Store he work before being reborn here.


    He thought and moved his hand forward and then his hand pass the light windows and felt a light wind breeze.


    Reyn heart couldn''t help but skip a beat. Although the castle wasn''t build using the modern technics and materials of 21 century, still it doesn''t easily let the wind come in was the window is closed.


    "I''m going to go in?" Reyn felt that there was a little curiosity and temptation in his heart luring himself, so he slowly stood up and crawling inside it.


    ''Stop! I am in such a hurry? it''s too dangerous'' In the end is rational mind prevailed.


    Reyn gave up the temptation to crawling in and stopped. But still, he reach himself close to one of the windows and there he could see a map. Reaching out closer to feel, The smell of the sea came to his nose.


    After a moment,  Reyn began to look for other things, and at this time, he found that he did not know how to control the scene in front of him, as there is nothing in front of him that look like control.


    "Hmm" as he was thinking about how to control one of the screens flicked and in front of his eyes, and, unsurprisingly, a weapons-selecting menu appeared, and every weapon was unlocked, while the money column was marked "999999999..." at the maximum!


    "Woww" everything about this was still a novelty in from of his eyes, and he was startled by this, was it only need is for him to have moved his mind and something my happen.


    ''Can I take it out? ''. A crazy thought appeared on Reyn mind.


    With his mind, he turns his attention to select a weapon on the list, and finally with a click like sound on the M9 Beretta pistol.


    Just then a faint light in front of the menu appeared, and then a transparent cube seem to materialize from it, and inside two pistols appeared suspended, the two had a bright silver look.


    Reyn looked greedily at the two M9 pistols, which are no longer the only ones on the menu, but displayed in front of his as it is. He reached slowly and held the handle of the pistol, and the little cold feeling just confirmed the thing was real.


    After a moment of hesitation,  Reyn brought back his hand from the windows and a brand new, silver M9 Beretta pistol appeared for the first time in this world.


    He gently stroked the pistol, it fitted perfectly in his hand, and after a brief look back and forth. Finally, he touched the clamp, and then the bullet box fell on the ground loaded with bullets inside of it.


    --------------------------------------------


    Although he has prepared for it, but really seeing the pistol in his hands, his heart was beating a little uncontrollably. Although he had never owned a firearm, he still fantasized a little went he played some games. And now, a real one just suddenly appeared in his hands


    Exquisite workmanship, cold, black muzzle, golden bullets, all suggest that this was one of the most influential and dangerous types of weapon! He sat on the bed, stroking the weapon for a long time.


    Outside the sun had gradually set, and a ray of light of the sun tilted as it pass through the window shining on the Reyn body. Although it was almost the early winter period, the temperature still was a bit warn, and he was sweating all over his clothes.


    Reyn took out the pistol again. Then the bullet box was inserted into the handle of the gun and pulled back with one hand. "Click" and the pistol was loaded.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ''is this real? Wouldn''t it be an illusion? I What if I try it''. A thought arose in his mind


    After finding a perfect corner in his room, he wrapped his right hand around the pistol and aimed at the furnished under the window. After a long breath, he pulled the trigger!


    Nothing happen, no gunshots, no vibrations, no bullets, nothing as he imagined. Reyn felt a little shame as he think that he was so weak that he even couldn''t pull the trigger.


    Reyn re-examined the pistol, but carefully aimed the muzzle to the ground, he did not want to accidentally injure himself. After studying for a while he founded that the trigger is simply stuck, can not move at all. He was a little disappointed, the pistol can not be used.


    Originally thought to have found the solution to his predicament, but now he was back to the beginning again his hope has gradually faded away.


    This kind of downfall is really depressing.


    ''But this pistol hid is at least iron steel, melting down a couple of it I can at least make some swords and armour.'' Reyn quickly cheer himself up as he could the least scrap it down later.


    He then start playing whit the pistol, making all kinds of positions that he had seen when he played games. Then he touched a small switch at the side of the pistol, and with a push of his finger, the small trigger moved down a little.


    "BANG!!"


    The pistol suddenly shot, and a bullet casing jumped out of the upper side of the gun and landed on the floor, jingling a few times and a faint plume of smoke flowed out from the muzzle, and just in front of Reyn where the muzzle was pointed a visible hole that ran through the table and some paper on it.


    The sound of gunfire echoed in the castle, and for a time it could not dissipate as it echo away. At this moment Reyn mind was blank and his ears buzzing.


    ''What, it real, how come these broken things work... Damit the safe was on'' When Reyn came back to himself he was complaining to himself. How come he had forgotten such detail. Remembering that if he was a bit more careless worsted thing could happen, so he hastened to get the safe on again.


    "It''s too dangerous" - A bit more he would probably be the first victim of a gun in this world.


    While Reyn was stuck in his world pondering, a heavy footstep could be heard echo through the castle.


    "Bang" With a smashing sound the door of Reyn room was split in half was a body run through it.


    "Gash" Reyn jumped in surprise, and at the same time the windows that were open in from of his eyes shutdown


    "My Lord...." It was Thorris that had just rushed up after hearing the gunshot. As he runs in the first thing he saw was Reyn and then moving his eyes around trying to identify if there was any danger around.


    "Sir, are you alright?... Come here just stay close by my side Sir." Although Thorris didn¡ät identify anything besides Reyn, he still had a vigilant look on his face.


    Reyn was so surprised by Thorris that he unconsciously walk and stayed at Thorris side.


    "Sir... everything alright," Dohnal ask while gasping for breath. By now the butler Dohnal had arrived at Reyn door room.


    "It was me just now " By now Reyn had come back to himself.


    "But Sir what was that trembling noise just now," Dohnal asked in concern as he cast his eyes on the room just to stop at the table.


    "It''s nothing you should be concerned about for now"  He quickly tried to ease the situation.


    "Sir, what is th..." - Dohnal


    "Just get out... all of you Get Out!" Reyn gave up trying to come out with an explanation so he just order them to out of his room.


    "Oh Wait Dohnal. Send some to fix the door... And you Thorris the cost will come out of your salary. " Reyn said as he looked at Thorris and Dohnal.


    "But Sir..." Thorris was trying to justify the reason why he run through the door.


    "No but, next time at least use the nob to open the door." Reyn didn¡ät allow much for Thorris excused.


    After they left, Ryen immediately tried to cover the door with a curtain. Then he went to the table and analysed it better afterwards turning to look at the pistol he have in his hand and pondered where to hide it for now.


    ''Can I put it back'' It seems after some consideration he decided to try and see if he can put it back into the CS space. That mysterious space should be the safest place until it completely organizes some things around.


    ''But how do invoke the CS space?'' He lay on the bed, trying to recall, just the series of events. He began to think again only for his eyes to fall on his left arm. He stroked the strange mark on his arm and began to study it.


    The mark by now had a regular pattern, wired, circled, spiralled, grouped together to form an odd configuration. Staring, then he felt that the strange mark began to bounce, it looked as if a three-dimensional thing that was stuff down to the 2D.


    "Buzz", Again the CS scene appeared in front of him. He breathed a sigh of relief, and chose the DUST2 map, reaching out, felting the wind.


    This time he took the silver M9 Beretta pistol and slowly reach out directly to the menu. He stuffed the M9 pistol straight in, and release his hand.  Them the pistol was suspended inside the screen.


    "Great, Now a little more adventurous" Reyn murmured to himself as he took the curtains and the bedsheet and made a rope.  If successful, then he knew that now would probably be a new chapter in his life here


    He took the ropes and wrapped them around his waist, this was a security measurement. If something happened he could at least pull the rope and try to climb back.


    After taking a few deep breaths, Reyn step into the CS world!


    The space inside gave a filling like the real world, then he took a few gentle breaths, founded no problem, then rest of breathing was more comfortable followed by stronger breathing afterwards.


    It was just like the seen the real version of DUST II. He walks around a bit looking up and down. The light inside is good, but the sun was not visible, and the shadow on the ground extends only in one direction, indicating the direction of the light.


    After touring around he was relieved. He had previously worried about someone or something jumping out.  But here was very quiet, the only sound was his footstep.


    At the border of the map he couldn¡ät proceed forward, was like if the space had folded into itself. Nothing could cross out.


    Giving up the border he walked to the shop. While browsing around he founded that not only it had guns other things like and hand mines, a full set of uniforms and communications equipment.


    He happily wore a SWAT uniform and took the MP5 and made a few poses, thinking about how to improve his situation.

 Chapter 5 - Preparing Forces (1)

    After a while,  Reyn took two sets of soldiers uniforms from the space menu, one with a cloth hat, the other with a helmet, and a few pairs of military boots. Then, think again, he also took a Kelvet vest, one more helmet and an M9 Bayonet Knife.


    Opening his eyes, Reyn found himself back in the castle''s bedroom still looking the same as if nothing had happened. Without a clock watch, he didn''t know how much time he had gone.


    Reyn looked at the clothes on the bed, he felt that all this won''t be enough, after all, there were dozens or more of bandits in wait to invade BlackWater.  The smartest thing to do right now would be to fortify all his forces with some rifles.


    Having decided this, Reyn again invokes the weapon menu list and look around for a bit, after a while, he narrows down his choices to two.


    Name: AK-47


    Class: Rifles


    Ammunition/Capacity: 30/90


    Reload time: 2.43s


    Movement Speed: 215 units/s


    Firing mode: Automatic


    --


    Name: M4A4


    Class: Rifles


    Ammunition/Capacity: 30/90


    Reload time: 2.7s


    Movement Speed: 225 units/s


    Firing mode: Automatic


    Thinking for a moment he decides to take 20 of each. He don''t how each weapon would be best for this situation, so he choose ones that are known to have the best-balanced specs.


    ''So why, I don''t take the heavy weapons for this situation?'' Reyn had thought to put the heaviest weapons out, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Taking that out right now and arming his forces is like giving a weapon to a kid.


    ''Well, it''s not like they know how to use a rifle too!'' Reyn then decides to take out 20 M9 pistols and 20 M9 Bayonet Knife, he planned to make them comfortable with small-calibre weapons before putting them with a higher one.


    Time is tight, the Red Claw Bandits may invade Black Water territory at any time now, so it must be arranged early to train his force.


    "Sigh, From hopelessness to glory" Reyn sighed


    Now he felt more relaxed, the bandits wouldn''t be a problem anymore once he had his forces armed and loaded, at most, they would be the first test target of his force.


    "Matter of fact, my life starts now... Humm maybe tomorrow, it getting late" - Looking out of the window, Reyn could see the sun slowly resting on the horizon, so he didn''t take the weapons out yet. After the event of this day, it would be strange for him to come out with a strange weapon, so he prepare to end his day.


    "Uhmm" Sundenlly Reyn felt his body getting heavier, like if he had overworked every part of his being.


    "Did I overdo it," Reyn felt his body losing strength with each breath he take. Barely being able to drag his body he move close to his bed and fell like a look deep into sleep.


    ------------------------------


    The next day.


    Reyn by now felt his spirit much better, but the sensation of overdoing still linger. He couldn''t pinpoint where this sensation come from, but he could still associate it with his yesterday. Because of this, he decides to tread it more carefully and try not to use it to the extreme if the situation doesn''t seem desperate


    "Sir, your breakfast is read" - Dohnal pushes the black curtain


    that covered the door as he announced.


    "Oh thanks, Right on time, I''m starving" As always Dohnal as if having an internal clock, he could always know the right time for Reyn to eat, after all, Dohnal was been serving him for decades. For most of Reyn memories, Dohnal has been a heavy presence among all of it, being him joyful moments or unpleasant ones, it could even be said that Dohnal has a heavier influence on him than his parents.


    Dohnal couldn''t help but notice the light mood that Reyn had today.


    "It''s my pleasure Sir" Dohnal politely replied, at the same time he couldn''t help to cast a confused gaze on the room corner. There lay a stack of well-crafted brand new shined knives that looked more sharped than the swords of NorthSeet Knight. But what made him more confused was what was closed to the knives stack.


    ''Metal rod'' Dohnal couldn''t help but associate the firearms with a metal rod.


    ''Where did it come from?'' Dohnal found it strange as nothing couldn''t enter the lord room without him knowing about it.


    He cast his eyes on Reyn as he saw him enjoying his food more than lately. Then he decide to hold his curiosity until Reyn talked about it.


    "Let Thorris see in my office right away" Reyn glanced at Dohnal and said while finishing devouring the food.


    "Yes, sir!" After hearing the command, Dohnal left.


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


    ----


    Behind The Black Water Castle, there is a largely empty place.


    Next to the empty place, a large row of low houses and a large stable were built. It was originally the lord''s private ranch, which was converted into a training ground when Reyn arrived earlier this year.


    The houses around the training ground were the residences of Captain Thorris and his ten knight''s trainee.


    The eleven men belong to the Standing Armed Forces of black Water. As for the dozens of militiamen, they were the BlackWater serfs temporarily recruited from within the territory, all of whom had their fields and families.


    The serfs were required to work three days a week for the lords, and because they were recruited to become militiamen, they were no longer obligated to pay full taxes.


    Around now It''s was time to gather for training.


    Above the training ground, dozens of serfs lined up in a not-so-neat square, carrying wooden spears and practising skirmish combat under the command of Knight Thorris.


    Knight Thorris looked around with deeply frowned eyebrows. The Red Claw Bandits, who could invade Black Water at any time, had ten trainee knights on their hands, and he was sent around the territory.


    These serfs,  who come to the training ground to training is like they are doing some light way exercise, it is impossible to expect for a group of people who can not even eat enough to train hard to defend the territory and fight to kill the enemy. But what can be done?


    Morris knows this better than anyone else.


    There are currently not enough strong man Black Water, and the standing armed force are only ten trainee knights in addition to him. Once faced with a vicious gang of bandits, only by their eleven people is not enough,  so they can only train a group of serfs to try having the advantage of numbers.  Thorris doesn''t expect them to do much, he just needs that those weak serfs to be able to hold on to a spear to keep the defence in shape.


    This time in the face of the Red Claw Bandits, there is no chance of victory.


    But as the knight of Black Water, his life was deeply tied to the territory.


    Others can escape, but he can''t.


    As an almost Professional knight who has pledged loyalty to Baron Reyn, as long as the Lord does not surrender, he will die battle to the end, even if the power gap is desperate!


    That is the honour and loyalty of knights.


    Although it was been a long time since he graduated from the Noa Knight Academy e could not forget the ethics of Knights.


    "Mr. Thorris!" Suddenly, Thorris heard someone calling him. He turned his head and found it was small of the servant of the castle.


    "Mr, The Lord, there is an urgent matter to talk to you!" ¡±


    "I''ll be right there!"  - Thorris.


    ..................


    "Sir! " Reyn waited in his office for less than an hour, and Thorris came.


    "Sit down!" Reyn waved his hand and motioned Thorris to find a place to sit down.


    Reyn didn''t eminently start talking, as he was motioning Dohnal to pour them a cup of wine.


    "Mr Thorris, I''m sorry to call you in such a hurry, but I have a very significant matter to discuss with you." ¡± Reyn took a gently sip of wine and said.


    "What''s the matter!" - Thorris


    Reyn smiled and said, "Help me pick ten people, loyal people."


    "Sir, may I ask you why?" - Thorris had detected a little hided meaning of the lord request. So he asked back suddenly.


    "I want to train a group of special force, as soon as possible to deal with the Red Claw Bandits!"


    "Special Forces?" - Thorris was a little throwback, normally special forces refer to spy or some kind of information organization built by the lord. But the Black Water was so poor that barely had enough strength to defend itself, so where were they spared manpower to do other things?


    Reyn could see the confusion write all over Thorris face.


    "Dohnal what I asked of was been complete." Instead of answering Thorris confusion right away, Reyn sits up and turn to Dohnal.


    "Sir, yes, the things have been moved and the place has just finished being cleaned." - Dohnal.


    "Great, come with me Thorris" Reyn after earing the Dohnal response proceed to signal Thorris to follow him.


    So the three of them went all down to the bottom of the castle. Where was the dungeon.


    The Black Water dungeon was a place so deep into the castle that even the weepings of the graved soul wouldn''t escape.


    Wet, there''s was no soul here, a matter of fact there was been decades since any soul was locked in were, so to not waste some good space it was converted into storage.


    "Sir, we arrived "Reyn slowly enters here accompanied by Dohnal in the front as showed the way, in his back was Thorris.


    "Yes, continuing what I was saying Thorris" - Reyn turned to Thorris as they have arrived at one of the dungeon corners.


    "I need 10 loyal men. in preference they must be strong too, I have a special weapon here"


    "Special? what kind of weapon" - Thorris asked in confusion as his eyes were drawn to where Reyn was pointing.


    "Humm, how do I put it?" Reyn was trying to come up with a word to descript it.


    "It was like some kind of crossbows type, in fact, it was more powerful than crossbows that it is  called a Firearm" - Reyn


    "Crossbows, Firearm"  - Thorris and Dohnal frowned.


    Crossbows are regulated weapons in the Noah Kingdon, not everybody is allowed to own them, because it is easy to use that even a small serf could sneakily kill a Profession Knight. But now the Black Water Lord Reyn was saying that he have something more powerful.


    "Lord, can I try it?" - Thorris put his hands down trembling and looked at Reyn in a state of restlessness, and asked.


    Reyn shrugged, "Of course!"


    Seeing the stack of weapons, Thorris went uncontrolled to the corner, and he picked up an AK-47 rifle and tried to manipulate it a few times. But the aspect of a firearm was completely unknown to him.


    "Oh let me guide you" - Reyn get closed to Thorris and started explaining how the weapon work.


    "Click... Just like that you aim and press the trigger" Reyn after a series of instructions, he had shown Thorris how to stand, hold and use the weapon.


    "Thank you, Lord!" Thorris hurriedly thanked Reyn and start emitting him.


    "Good, now try it at the dummy," Reyn said as he point to the wooden dummy that he had prepared.


    "Click... " After Thorris tried only a click sound came out of the rifle.


    "Oh, I forgot the bullet, this weapon neet a special type of arrows so to say... ok try it now, but be careful" - Reyn had decided to take all the bullets from the weapon so that he could avoid any accident before educating his personnel.


    "Ok" Aging Thorris had prepared his stance, aim and was prepared to shoot.


    "BANG" - As the weapon was fired, a piercing noise rang throughout the dungeon.


    "Gasp" Thorris was surprised loud noise but years so honing himself made him quickly come back to himself, but he couldn''t help but gasp at the sigh of the wooden dummy


    Although the bullet didn''t pass through the wooden dummy, but his left lower corner was barely considered part of its body as it swing back and forth.

 Chapter 6 - Preparing Forces (2)

    "BANG" - As the weapon was fired, a piercing noise rang throughout the dungeon.


    "Gasp" Thorris was surprised loud noise but years so honing himself made him quickly come back to himself, but he couldn''t help but gasp at the sigh of the wooden dummy


    Although the bullet didn''t pass through the wooden dummy, but its left lower corner was barely considered part of its body as it swing back and forth.


    "By the lords," Dohnal too couldn''t help but look shocked.


    "Sir, this weapon is so powerful!." Thorris couldn''t help but commenting its power as he slowly put his weapon down.


    "Thorris, with these weapons, do you think we can resist the Red Claw Bandits?" Reyn faintly asked.


    "They can try but they will have a surprise" Thorris eyes flashed a cold light, although he didn''t test the weapons at the fullest its powers were already convincing of enough.


    "That''s great!" - Reyn laughs.


    "Then the next thing, it''s up to you. Pick ten of the most loyal man to me and we will start to train them, the sooner the better." - Reyn


    Thorris certainly had observed the emphasis in the word ''loyalty'' from Reyn. From what he can see, the lord wanted some secrecy in this matter, and this goes a little contradictory to how things used to be done here. If one has strength just by displaying it would be enough to avoid unnecessary troubles.


    ''Unless...'' Thorris eyes widened, normally lord wouldn''t go to greater lengths to guaranty loyalty unless what they plan on doing may put their status or life in risque if found out.


    "I''ll do it right away!" - Thorris quickly kneel as if reaffirming his loyalty not matter what Reyn plan was, as his only duty was to follow.


    "I trust you will do it right" Reyn responded as if recognizing Thorris loyalty without knowing his inner reflections


    Thorris quickly went out of the dungeon to prepare with excitement.


    --------------------


    By the nighttime, under the Dohnal supervision, the dungeon had been cleaned and more dummies had moved in.


    By now Reyn had finished his dinner and  Thorris had come with the list of people that he had selected.


    As Reyn instructed, the list contained ten people all of whom were carefully selected Thorris. The list included Thorris and 4 of his trainee knights, a total of 6 people, and 4 others were selected from among the militia and the original Reyn servant that had followed him since he came to BlackWater.


    After reading the list, Reyn frowned, "Only 4 of the trainee?"


    Thorris said: "Sir, from the ten trainee knights, only five I am certain of their origin and their loyalty to the lord, and..."


    Reyn frowned even deeper "And What?"


    Thorris hesitated for a bit "The rest of the trainee may have something to do whit the Grandrich''s."


    "Ugh, What about the rest of them, are they trustworthy?" Reyn slowly sat down. He knew that whatever he does he couldn''t keep it outside his father eyes.  For now, he knew he couldn''t do much to avoid it, so he focused on assembling a force that he could control.


    "What about the rest of them, are they trustworthy?" - Reyn


    "Although, their loyalty may be direct to the territory,  but as long the Lord command they will not hesitate" Thorris shake his head in affirmation, at the same time taking a parchment and handing it to Reyn.


    Reyn took the parchment and slowly scrolled through it, in it, was a short detailed history of four families of BlackWater, they could be called the first blood to be spilled every time a new lord assumed power in Blackwater, as they would be the first ones enlisting into protecting Blackwater. These four families could be called warrior families.


    "They seemed ok. You can arrange it" After reading Reyn could see why Thorris had arrived at this conclusion.


    "Ok, with these weapons that are powerful and very easy to operate and with a little training, I think we will have a prepared force that can fight," Thorris grins.


    Reyn sighed, "The sooner the better, at the moment, we don''t know when the Red Claw will appear."


    Reyn suddenly reminded: "Remember to keep this as a secret from thus that are not involved and remind thus that were, and strictly prohibited any other to get close."


    Thorris knew that lords did not want this to spread so soon, he nodded hurriedly: "I will arrange their training tomorrow, except for thus involved no one else will know."


    Reyn nodded, "Thank you, I trust you can do it."


    "Apart from thus that are training, reinforce the territory patrol, principally at the borders and report back to me at any signs of abnormality."If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Thorris responded with a firm tone"Yes, my Lord."


    Thorris did a salute and left.


    Just before Thorris stepped out of the room, Reyn suddenly said, "Oh, starting tomorrow, the people who are training, they''re going to be allocated to the castle."


    "If that''s the case, I think they''ll praise you the Lord."


    Morris smiled, and then went downstairs.


    ---


    Watching Thorris exiting. Reyn quickly took out two hourglasses and put them on the table, this was one of the instruments used to chronometer time here, every one of them was a duration of approximately 2 hours.


    He choose one of it and turned it upside.


    Then sit on the bed and close his eyes, and sure enough, he immediately came back to CS world again, without hesitation he chose the DUST map.


    In the CS world, the sunlight was still bright. Then look at the ones of the hourglass he took with him, and slowly turned it and confirmed that the sand was falling.


    Becoming familiar with the environment, Reyn was now testing something. Reyn was ready to analyse this place and thoroughly become familiar with it.


    About half an hour later, Reyn summed up the characteristics of this space:


    1 -  There is no life in here, even ant and flies do not exist. Although there are grasses and trees, it is a simple plant.


    2 -  The gravity inside and the outside seems the same, but unlike in the game, he still can''t easily jump as high as the wooden box.


    3 - He could mark the time in the hourglass but the sun did not show any sign of moving in this half an hour, the whole space is completely stagnant.


    Reyn after a while took out an AK47 assault rifle and began shooting and playing. He decides to practice until he can shoot as if breading.


    "clatter! clatter!..." Reyn after a series of shootings and after emptying 3 magazines of bullets, he had understood the characteristics of this gun. Although the accuracy was still a little bit off.


    By now he was almost coming close to two 2 hours inside. Reyn finally stopped shooting, maybe because of the wrong posture, his shoulder was becoming dull with pain.


    "Guns were not so easy after all." Reyn couldn''t be helping but stretching his shoulders trying to dull out the pain.


    After collecting the gun, he noticed on the ground and that the metal shells had become more and more blurred, and some even had disappeared.


    By now the hourglass had dropped the last bit of sand. Reyn drills out of the CS space. If it hadn''t been for the pain, it would not have snapped out of playing out so easily.


    The first thing he was gulping a glass of water refreshing himself. Today after so many things, It was not long before he lay his eyes at the hourglass.


    "Strange"  Reyn had stayed inside for about 2 hours, but the hourglass that he didn''t take with him to CS Space appeared that it barely moved.


    "Does the outside time stop after I go inside the Space?" Reyn was a bit thrown back.


    " It seems so" Reyn was happy so that when he was inside, the time spent does not affect the outside, in case he can stay in space for a few days and not come out people will not think that he had disappeared.


    ------


    The next morning, after breakfast, Reyn, accompanied by Dohnal, went to the dungeon down in the castle.


    At one corner of the dungeon, there are ten simple dummies targets. There the patrol captain and nine with four trainee knights and five militiamen were carrying a rifle in their hands and carefully copying the captain posture.


    When they saw the arrival of Reyn, they quickly bowed their heads and saluted.


    "Good morning, Lord Lord!"


    Reyn glanced at Thorris and asked, "How are they all practising going?"


    Thorris said: "According to your instruction we are now getting used to holding a gun and we have mastered some of the holding postures."


    Reyn nodded, "Well, just in time to start some live-fire train"


    "Yes, Lord!" Thorris quickly became excited, he could still remember the sock of firing a gun.


    It may be the appearance of the lord so that some of these guys start showing how perfect their posture holding the gun was.


    In less than a day, these guys some had imprinted in their mind the filling of the gun, although neither of them had shot a single fire once.


    "Ok so let begin" Reyn quickly took the command.


    What followed was a series of explanations about the use of the gun, how to dangerous it was and how to carefully manipulate it so as not to cause friendly fire. Afterwards, Reyn starts lecturing how to activate the safet loading the magazine and precautions they must have when firing. Reyn had already prepared around a thousand ammunition for their training.


    "What is your name?" Reyn quickly approached one of the trainees.


    "Byrne, my Lord", One man, around 21 years old, but its body already bulk and well defined in muscle answered to Reyn call. He like everyone here had a swat bullet prove vest and a helmet on.


    "Ok come here, I will guide you on your first shoot."  Reyn carefully guides Byrne under the watchful eyes of everyone.


    And like this Reyn had guided one by one on how to shoot.


    ---


    While picking his ear that was buzzing from all the gunshot noises Reyn couldn''t help but have a little shocked face. By now everyone had become useless. He didn''t know if everyone was talented or what, but the problem he had on maintaining his aim while shooting seems to doesn''t exist under them.


    Reyn watched them train all morning and found they not only had a steady aim even on rapid firing. Of course, if he ignores the accuracy he could already consider them enough to be put to use.


    He couldn''t help but notice the thing he had overlooked. Here his doesn''t follow the laws that he was used to it. So he couldn''t use his previous metrics to measure the power of people here.  For example, if you gave normal people enough nutrition here they could take a marathon like taking a stroll in the park.


    "Sir, sir" By now Dohnal has called Reyn that was lost in his thoughts.


    "Yoh, Yes Dohnal" Reyn had come back to himself after repeatedly calling from Dohnal.


    "Sir, it''s already noon?" Dohnal reminded Reyn of the time.


    "Oh, yes. Inside the dungeon, it''s difficult to tell the time... Come on, everyone lest take a break" Reyn gave a small laugh.


    Reyn quickly commanded Dohnal  "Let the kitchen prepare a little with lots of meat"


    Dohnal nodded, "Okay, sir, I''ll arrange it."


    Standing not far away, the group, heard that today at there is a meat feast to eat, and one by one excited cheering, and non-stopping praise of the Lord.


    After exiting the dungeon, he was having lunch when he saw Morris''s servants rush to the castle.


    "Lord! " - Thorris


    "Thorris, you didn''t have lunch yet. Let''s eat together." Reyn casually said. In the middle of training, Thorris had to do return to his post, as he was the single one responsible for basically all the territory security he couldn''t be absent for long.


    "It''s an honour to dine with the Lord!" - Thorris didn''t pass out the offer.


    Immediately the maid prepare a seat and but also poured Thorris a glass of wine.


    Thorris took a sip of wine, afterwards wiping the wine stains on his beard, and breathed deeply. "Sir, a receive a report before coming.  This morning the border patrol found some traces left by the Red Claw again. They seem to getting closer and closer to us."