Arthur carefully stored all the items in his inventory, except for the map, which he unfolded and began to study with great interest. As he gazed at the map, he was taken aback by the vast area it covered. "This map shows 10,000 kilometers around my territory," he exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise. The sheer scale of the map was awe-inspiring, and Arthur felt a thrill of excitement as he contemplated the possibilities.
As he examined the map, Arthur noticed a multitude of features that would be invaluable for planning and strategy. He saw ruins that might hold hidden treasures, monster gathering areas, towns and cities, rivers that could provide resources or transportation routes, mountains that might hold secrets or dangers, and mineral-rich zones that would be crucial for resource gathering. "This map is incredibly detailed and valuable," he thought, feeling a surge of excitement and happiness.
Arthur's gaze fell upon the name of the location where his territory was situated. "So, this forest is called the Dark Forest," he murmured, committing the information to memory. He noticed that the entire map seemed to be centered around the Dark Forest, but it still didn't appear to cover the entire forest area. "The Dark Forest must be enormous," Arthur thought, his mind racing with the implications of such a vast territory.
However, as he continued to study the map, Arthur noticed something peculiar. "Wait, why am I not seeing any other lords' territories marked on this map?" He scrutinized the map more closely, but he couldn't find any indication of neighboring territories. Arthur's confusion grew, and he began to ponder the reason behind this omission.
"Is the system deliberately hiding the locations of other lords' territories from me?" he wondered. "Or is there another explanation, perhaps related to the nature of the map itself or the way territories are structured in this world?"
Arthur's eyes narrowed as he examined the map's legend and key, searching for any clues that might shed light on this mystery. He checked the map's scale, wondering if the territories might be too small to be visible at this scale, but everything seemed to be accurately represented. The more he thought about it, the more puzzled he became.
"This could be a significant piece of information," Arthur thought, his strategic mind already considering the potential implications of not knowing the locations of other lords' territories.
As he continued to study the map, Arthur's mind was filled with questions and possibilities. He knew that understanding the layout of the surrounding territories and the locations of other lords would be crucial for his future plans and decisions. With a determined look on his face.
Arthur's eyes lit up with strategic thinking as he contemplated the potential benefits of sharing the map with his commanders. "I'll provide this map to my commanders, enabling them to optimize their hunting expeditions," he thought, a plan beginning to take shape in his mind. With the map's detailed information on monster gathering areas, his commanders would be able to pinpoint the locations of their targets, streamlining their efforts and maximizing their efficiency.
"This map is a game-changer," Arthur thought, his excitement growing. "By knowing the exact locations of monster gathering areas, my commanders can plan their routes and tactics accordingly, reducing the time and resources wasted on scouting and exploration." He envisioned his troops moving with precision, targeting the most valuable and vulnerable areas, and reaping the rewards of their efforts.
The potential benefits were substantial. With the map, Arthur's commanders would be able to:
- Identify high-priority targets and plan their attacks accordingly
- Avoid unnecessary risks and conserve resources
- Optimize their routes and reduce travel time
- Increase their overall efficiency and productivity
Arthur's mind was racing with the possibilities. By leveraging the map's information, he could give his commanders a significant edge over their enemies, allowing them to operate more effectively and achieve greater success. "This map will be a valuable asset in our quest for dominance," Arthur thought, already imagining the advantages it would bring.
Then suddenly, Diana burst into the lord's house, her footsteps echoing through the halls as she approached Arthur. Her face was flushed with a mix of urgency and determination, and her eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement.
"My lord, I've returned with the rest of the units safely," she reported, her voice crisp and respectful. "I've gathered some crucial information during my investigation of the Dark City."
Arthur's gaze narrowed, his interest piqued by the mention of the Dark City. He had sent Diana to investigate the city, which was rumored to be the stronghold of the goblins, and the home of Commander Kazu.
"Please, Diana, tell me everything," Arthur said, his voice commanding attention. "What did you discover during your investigation?"
Diana took a deep breath, composing herself before launching into her report. "My lord, the Dark City, they're organized and well-structured. I was able to gather intelligence on their troop movements, defenses, and even some of their plans." She paused, her eyes locked on Arthur's, awaiting his response.
Arthur leaned forward, his mind racing with the implications of Diana's findings. "Go on," he urged, his voice low and intense. "What else did you discover?"
Diana stood before Arthur, her demeanor serious and composed. "My lord, I have gathered crucial information regarding the Dark City," she reported, her voice steady. "The city lord of the Dark City is Khali, a formidable platinum rank tier 9 boss. His military strength is substantial, with two platinum tier-9 rank commanders initially under his command."
She paused, her eyes locked on Arthur's, as she continued to detail the Dark City's military hierarchy. "However, it's worth noting that one of the platinum tier-9 rank commanders was defeated by your lordship during a previous encounter. Despite this loss, Khali still commands a significant force, including 5 gold rank vice commanders, 10 gold rank captains, and 20 silver rank leaders. These numbers indicate a well-structured and powerful military force, capable of posing a significant threat to our territory."
Diana's expression remained grave as she provided further insight into the Dark City's demographics. "The population of the city is approximately 10,000,000, with a staggering 5,000,000 soldiers. This suggests that the Dark City is heavily militarized, with a significant portion of its population dedicated to warfare."
However, Diana's tone shifted slightly as she delivered a crucial piece of information. "Fortunately, my lord, the Dark City is currently preoccupied with a war against the Kobolds City. This conflict will likely prevent them from launching an attack on our territory in the near future, providing us with a temporary reprieve."
Arthur's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information, his mind already racing with strategic implications and potential opportunities. The Dark City's military strength and current conflict with the Kobolds City presented both challenges and opportunities for his own territory, and he would need to carefully consider his next moves to ensure the security and prosperity of his domain.
Diana's smile grew warmer as she continued her report, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. "My lord, to extract more information, we captured a gold rank captain from the Dark City," she said, her voice dripping with a subtle menace. "After a day of...persuasion, he finally revealed valuable intelligence."
Arthur felt a shiver run down his spine as he gazed at Diana, her warm smile and cold demeanor sending a conflicting mix of emotions. He knew that as an assassin, Diana was no stranger to the darker aspects of her profession, and the way she spoke about torture with such nonchalance only added to the aura of mystery surrounding her.
"Please, proceed," Arthur said, his voice steady, as he leaned forward in his chair. "What did the gold rank captain reveal?"
Diana's smile never wavered as she delivered the crucial information. "My lord, it appears that khali is utilizing one town and four large monster gathering areas to converge on our position. According to the captain, the attack was imminent, and we should expect their forces to arrive at any moment."
Arthur's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information, his mind racing with strategic implications and potential countermeasures.
"You weren't hurt in this mission, were you?" he asked, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of injury. Arthur's concern for Diana's well-being was evident in his gentle tone and soft smile.
Diana's expression remained serene as she replied, "No, my lord, I'm fine. The assassins under my command are also unharmed." Her voice was calm and reassuring, putting Arthur's mind at ease.
With a nod, Arthur gave her a new set of instructions. "Good, then. Please go and inform all the commanders to gather at the summoning portal in two hours. I want to brief them on the situation and prepare our defenses against the impending attack."
Diana nodded, her smile still in place, as she turned to leave. "As you wish, my lord. I'll ensure that all the commanders are informed and present at the summoning portal in two hours." With a swift bow, she departed, leaving Arthur to prepare for the upcoming meeting and the battle that was to come.
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