Leon led his fifty soldiers down the dirt road, the faint glow of burning embers guiding their path. The stench of smoke and death grew stronger with each step. He could already hear the distant crackling of fire, the occasional scream carried by the wind.
The village was still under attack.
He clenched his fists, his mind sharp despite the dull pain in his body. He had no experience leading an army, but instinct and desperation had a way of sharpening the mind.
"Form up," Leon commanded, his voice firm.
The soldiers obeyed without hesitation. They moved in synchronized formation, their steps falling into rhythm as they drew their weapons. Swords gleamed under the moonlight, shields raised in silent readiness.
Leon wasn't just a lone fugitive anymore. He had an army.
And it was time to use it.
---
The Village Ruins
By the time they reached the outskirts, the village was little more than charred ruins. Several wooden houses had been reduced to smoldering husks, their skeletal remains glowing with dying embers. The once-thriving farmland was trampled, littered with corpses of villagers and livestock alike.
In the town square, a group of armed men—mercenaries—laughed and drank beside a large fire. At least twenty of them. Their armor was mismatched, their weapons a mix of stolen blades and axes. Their faces bore the arrogant sneers of men who thought themselves untouchable.
Nearby, a handful of survivors—women and children mostly—were huddled together, bound in ropes. Their faces were streaked with dirt and tears, their eyes filled with terror.
Leon's grip on his sword tightened.
He had spent his life being powerless. He knew what it was like to be at the mercy of those stronger than him.
He wouldn't allow it to happen again.
"We strike fast and without mercy," Leon whispered, turning to his lead soldier. "Surround them. Cut off any escape."
The soldier nodded. He didn't question the order. He didn't hesitate.
Because Leon wasn't just a fugitive anymore. He was their commander.
The troops split into smaller units, moving swiftly through the ruins. The mercenaries, still lost in their revelry, didn't notice the shadows closing in around them.
Leon exhaled. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind was steady.
He raised his sword.
"Kill them all."
---
The First Battle
The attack was swift.
Leon's soldiers charged from all sides, their movements precise and disciplined. The first mercenary barely had time to react before a sword pierced his throat, his gurgled scream lost in the night.
Panic erupted among the remaining men. Some fumbled for their weapons, others tried to run—only to find themselves surrounded.
Leon stepped forward, his blade flashing as he slashed through the first man he encountered. Blood sprayed across the ground. His arms trembled for a brief moment, but he pushed the feeling down.
He couldn't afford hesitation.
A mercenary roared, swinging a massive axe at him. Leon ducked, feeling the wind of the strike pass over his head. Without thinking, he drove his sword forward, plunging it into the man's gut.
The mercenary let out a choked gasp, eyes wide with shock before he collapsed.
Leon didn't stop. He turned to the next enemy, his body moving on instinct.
His soldiers cut through the mercenaries like a blade through dry grass. These weren't disciplined warriors—just raiders used to preying on the weak.
Tonight, they had become the prey.
Within minutes, it was over.
The last mercenary fell to his knees, blood dripping from a deep wound across his chest. He gasped for breath, eyes flickering between Leon and the bodies of his fallen comrades.
"P-Please… have mercy—"
Leon stared down at him.
Mercy?
Had they shown mercy to the villagers? Had they hesitated when they cut down innocent men, women, and children?
His fingers tightened around his sword.
"I have no use for cowards."
With one clean motion, he ended the man's life.
---
The Aftermath
Silence settled over the battlefield. The only sounds were the crackling of burning wood and the ragged breathing of the freed villagers.
Leon turned toward them. Some flinched, their eyes darting toward the bloodstains on his armor.
"You're safe now," he said, wiping his sword clean. "This village… is mine now."
A few villagers exchanged nervous glances. Others bowed their heads in quiet gratitude.
Leon wasn't expecting instant loyalty. Fear would come first. Then trust. Then obedience.
He turned to his soldiers.
"Secure the area. Check for supplies, food, and weapons. If there are injured, tend to them. We're staying here for the night."
The lead soldier saluted.
"Understood, Commander."
Leon took a deep breath as he gazed over his first conquest.
It wasn't much. A ruined village, a handful of survivors, and fifty men under his command.
But it was a start.
The first step on the road to conquest.
And he would never stop walking.
The Birth of a Lord
Leon stood amidst the ruins of the village, the scent of blood and smoke still lingering in the air. The battle was over. The mercenaries lay dead, their bodies scattered across the ground. The freed villagers remained silent, their expressions a mix of fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty.
This village was his now.
But what did that mean?
He had never ruled before. Never managed land, people, or supplies. Yet now, he stood as the only authority left in this place.
He couldn't hesitate.
"Gather the villagers," Leon commanded, his voice firm.
His soldiers obeyed without question, ushering the survivors toward the town square. There were fewer than he had hoped—only about thirty people, mostly women, children, and the elderly. The men of the village had likely been killed defending their homes.
Leon stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over them.
"I am Leon. You have nothing to fear from me or my men." He paused, letting his words settle. "This village is mine now. That means your safety is my responsibility."
Murmurs spread through the crowd. Some villagers looked relieved, while others eyed him with suspicion.
An old man stepped forward, his wrinkled face set in a scowl.
"And what makes you different from those bastards who just slaughtered our people?" he spat. "You march in with armed men, kill whoever stands in your way, and now you claim to rule us?"
Leon met his gaze, unflinching.
"They came to destroy. I came to rebuild." He turned, gesturing to his soldiers. "These men serve me. They are disciplined and loyal. They will not harm you."
The old man narrowed his eyes. "And if we refuse to serve you?"
Leon smiled coldly.
"Then you die when the next group of bandits arrives. Because whether you accept me or not, this village is too weak to defend itself."
A tense silence followed. The villagers exchanged uneasy glances. The reality of their situation was clear—they had no better option.
After a moment, a young woman stepped forward. Her clothes were torn, her face streaked with soot, but her eyes burned with determination.
"You saved us," she said. "My name is Elara. I will serve, if it means my people will survive."
Leon nodded.
"Good. Then let's begin."
---
Rebuilding from the Ashes
The first task was to secure resources.
Leon split his soldiers into groups—some to bury the dead, others to scout the village for supplies. Food, weapons, building materials—anything they could salvage.
The soldiers moved with precision, working efficiently under his command.
Leon didn't just sit back and watch. He helped where he could—lifting debris, reinforcing broken structures, and organizing supplies.
The villagers took notice. Hesitation turned to cautious acceptance. They saw that Leon was not just a conqueror—he was a leader willing to stand beside them.
As the night stretched on, progress was slow but steady. The village had suffered greatly, but it was not beyond saving.
A temporary base had been secured. But this was only the beginning.
---
The System's Rewards
As Leon oversaw the efforts, a familiar blue screen flickered before his eyes.
---
[Quest Completed: Secure Your First Territory]
Rewards:
Beginner's Army Upgrade (Troops can now level up)
Basic Resource Pack (Wood, Stone, Food)
Leadership Recognition (Influence over followers increased)
---
Leon's eyes widened.
The system was more than just an army generator—it rewarded him for progress.
The Beginner's Army Upgrade meant his soldiers could now grow stronger, which was crucial for future battles.
The Basic Resource Pack provided much-needed materials for rebuilding.
And Leadership Recognition? If it helped him solidify control over his people, then ruling would become much easier.
Leon clenched his fists.
The system had given him power. Now, he had to use it wisely.
---
The Dawn of a New Rule
As the first rays of sunlight broke through the horizon, Leon stood at the edge of the village, gazing at the rising sun.
He had conquered his first piece of land.
It was small. Weak. Barely worth mentioning on a map.
But it was his.
And from here, his empire would begin.
He turned back toward his men, toward his new subjects.
"We begin today," he said. "We rebuild, we grow stronger, and we prepare for what's coming next."
The road to conquest was long.
But Leon would walk it without hesitation.
And nothing would stand in his way.