The years passed, and Louigi, now thirteen, had proven himself far beyond his father's expectations. His sharp intellect, combined with the guidance of the System, had allowed him to surpass the wisdom of elders and the strategic minds of warriors twice his age.
One evening, a council meeting was called in the great hall of Tondo. His father, Datu Magat, had ruled for decades, but as he aged, his ability to lead began to wane. Louigi had, in recent years, taken on more responsibilities, organizing trade routes, overseeing military training, and forging new alliances.
"Father," he spoke calmly, his gaze steady. "It is time for you to name a successor."
Murmurs filled the chamber. The datu's eyes studied his son carefully. "You are young, Louigi. Too young to rule."
He did not falter. "And yet, it is I who strengthened our economy, I who expanded our influence, and I who forged new alliances. You know this to be true."
Datu Magat sighed, his expression conflicted. "You speak with wisdom beyond your years, but leadership is more than strategy. Can you bear the burden of our people's fate?"
"I already do, father," Louigi answered. "You have seen it yourself."
A long silence stretched between them before the old datu finally nodded. "Then let it be so. You have earned your place."
Thus, at the age of thirteen, he became the ruler of Tondo, setting the foundation for what would soon become an empire.
---
The Birth of Maharlika
One evening, he gathered his people in the central plaza of Tondo. The fires burned brightly, illuminating the faces of his warriors, merchants, and elders. He took a deep breath before stepping forward.
"From this day forward," he declared, "our lands shall no longer be just Tondo. We are Maharlika. A nation of strength, honor, and unity."
The crowd murmured in surprise, then erupted in cheers. Some warriors raised their weapons, chanting, "Maharlika! Maharlika!"
His mother, watching from the side, wiped a tear from her eye. "He truly is destined for greatness," she whispered.
He sat in the council chamber, surrounded by his trusted advisors. At his right sat Amaya, the young diplomat who had quickly risen to prominence through her sharp mind and persuasive tongue. Across from her was Bautista, the master blacksmith, who had begun working on new weapon designs based on Louigi's knowledge of metallurgy. Suma, his ever-watchful informant, leaned against the wall, arms crossed, listening intently to the discussions.
"We have secured a trade agreement with the merchants of Ming China," Amaya reported, unrolling a parchment filled with intricate characters. "They will supply us with silk, porcelain, and spices in exchange for our gold and lumber. However, they demand strict control over the ports we use."
He narrowed his eyes. "They want control over our ports? That is unacceptable. We need to dictate our own terms."
Amaya nodded. "I can renegotiate, but we must offer them something valuable in return. Perhaps exclusive access to certain goods?"
"Give them limited access to our spices, but not our gold," He decided. "We cannot afford to be dependent on them."
Bautista grunted. "Speaking of resources, our iron supply is running low. If we are to craft better weapons, we need more mines."
He turned to Suma. "What do you know about the regions south of us? Are there any territories rich in iron?"
Suma smirked. "There is one, but it is under the rule of a rather aggressive datu named Gat Pangil. He has a well-trained army but lacks strategic leadership. If we can outmaneuver him, the mines will be ours."
Louigi nodded. "Then we shall prepare. But first, we must assess our strength."
The training grounds of Tondo were alive with the sounds of warriors sparring, practicing formations, and refining their techniques. He walked through the ranks, observing the soldiers clad in newly crafted armor. Thanks to Bautista's work, their weapons were sharper, their armor stronger, and their shields reinforced with metal plates.
"We are improving," He noted, "but we are not yet the best. We must push further."
Among the warriors stood his cousin, Balintawak, now a young fighter eager to prove himself. "Kuya, I've been training every day! I want to fight for Maharlika."
He smiled but placed a firm hand on his cousin's shoulder. "Strength is not just about fighting, Balintawak. It is about knowing when to fight and when to think. Learn strategy, not just the sword."The boy frowned but nodded. "I will, Kuya."
A few weeks later, He led a force of 300 warriors toward Gat Pangil's territory. The enemy had 500 men, but their forces were scattered. He devised a plan—divide and conquer.
At dawn, his forces struck the eastern flank first, eliminating their outer guards silently. As the enemy scrambled, his main force launched a frontal assault. The battle was brutal—shields shattered, spears clashed, and arrows rained down.
He himself fought at the front, cutting down enemies with precise strikes. Seeing their leader in battle, his warriors fought harder, pushing the enemy back.
Finally, Gat Pangil was captured. Kneeling before him, he sighed. "You fight like no other leader I have faced. What will you do with me?"
He extended a hand. "Join us, and you will not just be a datu—you will be part of something greater."
Gat Pangil hesitated before taking Louigi's hand. "Then I swear my loyalty."
With the mines secured and a new ally gained, Maharlika's strength grew once more.
That night, as he reflected on their victory, a notification from the System appeared before him:
[Quest Completed: Secure the Iron Mines]
Rewards: +5 Strength, +5 Leadership, New Skill: Iron Will
[Current Stats]
Strength: 30
Intelligence: 40
Wisdom: 35
Charisma: 30
Physique: 25
Leadership: 35
Diplomacy: 30
[New Skill Unlocked: Iron Will]
Effect: Increases resistance to fatigue and enhances determination in battle.
End of Chapter.