Lord of the Oasis Chapter 3
Previously on Lord of the Oasis...
The afternoon sun beat down relentlessly. The gentle breeze felt more like a blast furnace.
Yet, this was the harsh reality of the Nahrin Desert.
The intense heat amplified the pervasive stench of blood, painting a grim picture of a recent massacre.
Fifty Jackalans, distinguished by their long, pointed lower tusks and covering of grey fur, raised their beastly heads in a final, desperate screech. They swung their spiked clubs wildly at the twenty approaching knights.
From atop the dunes, the knights of the Dukedom of Leo launched their charge with equal ferocity, lances extended.
It was a direct, no-holds-barred confrontation between the opposing forces.
Historically, the Jackalan Tribes of the Nahrin Desert and the Dukedom of Leo had been locked in eternal conflict.
Fueled by deep-seated hatred and long-standing animosity, both sides abandoned all semblance of logic and reason.
Nevertheless, as crimson flowed freely, Jackalan after Jackalan was sent reeling by the charging warhorses, their final screams choked by blood erupting from their fanged mouths. Their pained shrieks of agony replaced their earlier cries of madness.
“The great Edmund, our God of War, bears witness to our valor!”
Rowan, the captain of the knights, impaled a Jackalan, pinning it to the yielding sands. Unwilling to rest, he drew his longsword and roared, spurring his men onward, “For the Dukedom of Leo, charge!”
“Charge!”
The assembled knights echoed his command with fervent shouts.
The Dukedom of Leo held Edmund, the God of War, in high regard, a cornerstone of their Warrior Faith.
This single invocation sent the knights into a violent frenzy, their longswords raining down upon the bestial foes, the very ground they trampled saturated with the coppery scent of blood.
The engagement was fierce, yet brief.
Soon, fallen bodies carpeted the terrain.
Blood flowed from grievous wounds, soaking into the sand and staining the landscape a deep crimson.
Emerging as clear victors, the knights of the Dukedom of Leo showed no mercy, dispersing to pursue the fleeing Jackalans. Their objective was total annihilation, eradicating any future threat.
Only a handful, four or five Jackalans, in their panic, attempted to break through the ranks of the Swadian Peasants.
Swiftly felled by the peasants' long scythes, their escape was decisively thwarted.
Though primarily farmers, the Swadian Peasants possessed a basic grasp of combat.
Within the game’s world, the Continent of Caradia had endured decades of warfare. The omnipresence of bandits and marauders had compelled the common folk to fashion rudimentary weapons from their everyday farming tools.
Moreover, the scythe-wielders maintained a tight formation, a formidable barrier that even seasoned knights hesitated to breach head-on.
The battle had concluded.
Simultaneously, a System Prompt resonated within Kant’s mind.
[Ding... All enemies have been vanquished.]
[Side Quest: Ambush the Jackalans has been successfully completed.]
[Reward Acquired: Date Palm Trees x 20 (Mature)]
[Comment: A truly furious and exhilarating battle. Though fought by your allies, the victory is undeniably yours.]
Kant offered a wry, exasperated smile, disregarding the system’s commentary.
There was little else he could have done.
Without the intervention of the twenty knights from the Dukedom of Leo, relying solely on his thirty Swadian Peasants would have resulted in devastating losses. A significant portion of his men would have perished long before achieving any meaningful victory against the Jackalans.
Twenty Date Palm Trees?
A holographic display materialized before Kant’s eyes, showcasing images of the trees.
These thirty-two-foot-tall trees stood erect, adorned with vibrant, emerald leaves. Bunches of dates hung laden, appearing plump and exceptionally sweet. Their close proximity to one another made them appear remarkably appetizing.
Cultivating conventional crops in a desert environment was practically impossible.
However, Date Palm Trees were renowned for their resilience against both extreme cold and heat, establishing them as the most dependable sustenance source in arid desert landscapes. From October through February, the dates reached maturity, serving as a primary dietary staple for desert dwellers, rightly earning them the moniker ‘Desert Bread’.
As the de facto lord of the Nahrin Desert, Kant recognized the indispensable value of these trees.
Even as he savored the taste of their hard-won victory, a new notification materialized.
[Ding... Your forces possess units that can be upgraded.]
Kant’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Upgradable units? He promptly accessed the system interface.
The interface presented thirty icons, each representing one of the Swadian Peasants, distinguished by a “+” symbol, indicating their readiness for advancement.
This was not a supplementary reward from a System Quest but a direct benefit derived from the successful engagement.
[Upgradable Troop Class: Swadian Peasants x 10] [Spend 10 Denars each to upgrade to Swadian Recruits] The system presented two dialogue boxes following these initial declarations. One hundred Denars remained well within the budget. Without a moment's hesitation, Kant muttered, “System, perform the level up immediately!” This upgrade was imperative, a crucial step that could not be skipped. Only the Swadian Recruits, produced after the upgrade, would truly qualify as combat-ready units. Despite being the lowest tier of troop class available, they were still markedly more effective than the Swadian Peasants. As Kant's decision solidified, an unseen mystical force enveloped the 10 Swadian Peasants standing beside him. Numerous transformations became apparent on the 10 peasants. A peculiar data stream, visible only to Kant, materialized around them. While their 5-foot-9-inch height remained unchanged, their physiques appeared significantly more robust. The most striking alteration was to their equipment. Their simple linen robes were replaced by leather armor, offering superior protection, and their hoods transformed into leather caps. The long scythes they had been holding were now standardized spears, each measuring 7.5 feet in length, making them akin to the lances used by the knights of the Dukedom of Leo. Wooden shields materialized on their backs, and hand-axes were now sheathed at their waists. The 10 Swadian Recruits had finally shed their peasant guise, emerging as genuine soldiers. “Finally, my fighting force is assembled.” A sigh of relief escaped Kant. These 10 Swadian Recruits were merely the initial phase; higher-tier troop classes were yet to come. For the present moment, the total reliance on the dukedom's knights was no longer necessary. Those knights would depart immediately after escorting them to the Oasis Lookout, with no intention of remaining. “My Lord, they have all been attended to.” Rowan returned with his knights after Kant had concluded the troop upgrade process. He expressed mild surprise upon observing the 10 Swadian Recruits equipped with spears. Rowan’s gaze swept over their shields and leather armor as he inquired, “From whence did these individuals emerge?” “The desert is fraught with peril. It is simply prudent to possess additional weaponry, just in case,” Kant replied, offering no further explanation. Rowan nodded, conveying his understanding without probing further. He recognized that these soldiers had previously been peasants. Now, adorned in leather armor and armed with spears and shields, they didn't appear drastically different from the peasants who had wielded long scythes. The other knights merely cast them a brief, surprised glance before dismounting their horses to rest. They seemed to find nothing out of the ordinary. The baron assigned to the Nahrin Desert would never arrive with a mere 30 common peasants. Equipping them with some form of armament and armor, enabling them to fight even marginally, was a perfectly reasonable action. Inwardly, the knights harbored a degree of disdain. Within the dukedom's forces, the Swadian Recruits would be considered little more than conscripted cannon fodder. “Let us return to the encampment.” Kant paid scant attention to the veiled sarcasm in the knights' expressions and continued issuing his commands. The sun beat down relentlessly as they stood upon the dunes. All of them felt a disorienting dizziness and shortness of breath following the intense engagement. Any further delay in resting would surely lead to heatstroke. Even the warhorses, their muzzles white with foam, sighed restlessly. “Make preparations and offer the horses some water,” Rowan instructed his subordinate knights. For these knights, their warhorses represented cherished companions. Everyone proceeded towards the makeshift camp situated below the dunes, in urgent need of respite after the battle. The knight positioned at the very back, still atop the dunes with his warhorse, pointed towards the north and exclaimed in astonishment, “Lord Edmund the God of War, look! Is that not the Oasis Lookout?” “What?” All eyes turned upwards, mirroring the surprise on their faces. Every gaze was fixed upon the shouting knight, who seemed to have become an unmoving statue atop the dune. Kant swallowed hard, regaining his composure among the first. He quickly ascended the dune, following the direction indicated by the knight’s finger. On the distant horizon, a faint patch of green was discernible amidst the vast expanse of yellow. It was an unmistakable sign. In the desert, any patch of green could only signify an oasis. “We have arrived.” Kant couldn't help but murmur to himself, clenching his teeth as he pronounced, “The Oasis Lookout.” All of them climbed to the dune's crest, their eyes fixed on the distant green expanse. They were collectively stunned, yet an unparalleled excitement blazed in their eyes. After toiling for six arduous days on their journey, they had finally reached their destination. To the south of the Nahrin Desert lay the fief and estate belonging to Baron Kant—the Oasis Lookout. “Huzzah!” The knights erupted into jubilant cheers. This discovery meant they would finally be able to return home.The need to slow their pace for the carriages and the common folk had vanished. They were now free to gallop towards home without delay.
A mere three days separated them from the Dukedom of Leo's lands and the familiar comforts they had once held so dear.
“Alright, alright.”
Kant’s voice unexpectedly grounded the jubilant group. He settled his light crossbow over his shoulder, casting a glance towards the knights of the dukedom. “It seems like the perfect time to set up camp and enjoy a hearty lunch, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Indeed, Your Lordship,” Rowan replied with a smile and a nod.
The other knights echoed his sentiment, guiding their mounts gently down the sandy slopes.
With the Oasis Lookout so close, a wave of cheerfulness washed over everyone present.
Everyone, that is, except for Kant.