The Golem Mage Chapter 1127: Just Like A Building Strategy Game.

[Status]

Town Level: 2 (0.6/10)

Population: 534

Faith Level: 10

Army: -

Stone: -

Wood: -

Ore: -

[As the designated lord of this city, the obliteration of the City Heart would result in the immediate revocation of your lordly title and all associated privileges. The City Heart serves as the central interface for managing your city.]

Following the successful integration of his companions' lord tokens into his cube, their settlement achieved a level-up. However, after the fifth fusion, the rate at which experience points were gained significantly diminished.

Nevertheless, Alec began to perceive an profound connection to the numerous territories now under his dominion. Though logically aware they belonged to him, the feeling of ownership was altogether different.

It was as if an invisible thread connected him to these lands, allowing him to influence events from his current position. Without hesitation, he issued a mental directive to the cube, requesting a visualization of the territories under his control.

This capability was one among the many functions bestowed upon him through the information downloaded from his City Heart. The cube ascended slightly, projecting a comprehensive map of the surrounding lands before them.

The display offered a perspective akin to viewing the entire landscape from high above.

“So, that’s where my territory is situated?” Arthur inquired, indicating a specific region on the map. The other six individuals followed suit, pointing out their own lands. Observing the current state of the structures within their territories, Alec could only offer a rueful shake of his head.

It was evident that, much like his own hamlet, the other settlements were also in a state of considerable disrepair.

While examining the projected map of controlled territories, Alec noticed an option labeled 'Shop.' He subtly communicated with his City Heart using his mind, careful to conceal the cube's newfound ability to converse from his companions.

He suspected that City Cubes were not ordinarily capable of speech. The fact that his cube could communicate was, in all likelihood, a consequence of his system's custom reprogramming.

“Baby X, is this shop directly integrated with my main system?”

“Affirmative and negative, Master. You would have been capable of achieving these objectives independently, but it would have demanded substantial time and a competent workforce, resources that are currently scarce given our population's condition.”

“Therefore, the main system facilitated these improvements by modifying my programming. As I am linked to the primary system, I can accrue system points as compensation, enabling me to assist you in completing these tasks without undue stress and in a much more efficient timeframe,” the City Heart elucidated, transmitting its response directly to Alec via an internal voice channel.

“Hmmm…” Alec sighed, resigning himself to the unavoidable reality of the system's pervasive influence—and its penchant for his resources.

“Very well, there seems to be no alternative. Transmit all relevant information regarding its functionality to me,” Alec instructed, placing his fingertips upon the cube. In mere moments, Alec grasped the fundamental principles of its operation.

The system had introduced a specialized function designed to empower him in transforming his nascent city into an unparalleled stronghold. Upon completion of the information download, a smile spread across Alec's face; the system had effectively converted the City Heart's capabilities into a comprehensive base-building strategy game.

Given his access to system points, which allowed for the creation of matter from nothingness by drawing upon primal energy, the task appeared significantly less daunting.

“Alec, what transpired? You seemed lost in thought for a moment there,” Brandon inquired. Indeed, all present wore expressions of surprise at Alec's momentary lapse.

Even the elderly gentleman stationed near the throne room's entrance displayed a look of concern, as he deeply valued the presence of the sole lord who had chosen to remain and foster the growth of their long-neglected city.

“Rest assured, venerable sir, I am quite well. May I have your name?” Alec inquired.

“Iroh,” the old man promptly replied.

“Do not worry. I shall soon address the populace. Kindly convey to them my request for a brief postponement,” Alec stated, launching himself into the air, the cube a faithful companion trailing behind. Witnessing Alec's ascent, the other seven immediately followed suit. Soon, they were airborne, with Alec surveying the entirety of his domain from above.

“Display overview,” Alec commanded, deciding to experiment with one of the novel abilities granted by his system's intervention, designed to simplify his endeavors.

The cube ascended a short distance before him, projecting a luminous beam from its base. The map encompassing his primary territory and the seven others now under his command materialized once more. Simultaneously, he accessed the shop interface, powered by his system.

An auxiliary screen unfurled to the side, and he navigated through its contents, directly accessing the 'walls' category.

The screen presented a miniature rendition of a stone wall. Alec tapped on it, then gestured through the air, seemingly drawing the wall from the interface onto the projected map of his territories.

Alec prioritized this particular construction due to a glaring deficiency: despite the considerable expanse of his lands, not a single one possessed fortifications capable of serving as a defensive perimeter, nor any form of gate.

Considering the immediate threat of High Orc attacks that Alec foresaw, a possibility the old man had mentioned concerning their encroachment into human territories, he felt it would be far too simple for the Orcs to overwhelm them.

Their strategy would be straightforward: march into the city and commence a massacre of the citizens. Recognizing the immense value placed on citizens in this world, Alec resolved to dedicate all his efforts to their protection.

With his left hand, he manipulated the display, dragging the wall across the interface until it was positioned at the forefront of his small town, inexplicably referred to as a city.

Bang!

An immediate uproar erupted the moment his task was completed. Even Alec found himself compelled to look up. Those beside him, who had been observing him telekinetically manipulate objects, were utterly astonished. Although they too possessed systems, theirs merely displayed status information, and their City Hearts were likely confined within their castles, unable to be moved.

However, Alec's personal cube hovered beside him, reinforcing their conviction that aligning with him was indeed the correct course of action.

“It truly feels like one of those kingdom-building strategy simulations,” Alec remarked, gazing at the formidable thirteen-foot stone wall that had materialized from nowhere, now standing sentinel at the town’s edge.

The wall had seamlessly integrated into the terrain, sinking deep into the earth as if it had always been an intrinsic part of the landscape.

One by one, his townsfolk began turning their attention towards the castle, convinced that this remarkable feat must be the work of their new lord.

As they surmised, there he was, suspended in mid-air. Yet, this was merely the beginning. The stone walls were acquired for a mere hundred system points, a sum Alec could easily afford without making a noticeable impact on his resources.

Consequently, within the span of the next two minutes, he expended his points, erecting additional stone walls to encircle the entire area before him.

By this point, a crucial understanding had solidified within him: any alteration he made to the schematic of the lands under his dominion would manifest in reality. Furthermore, any item he procured from the store and integrated into this schematic would materialize in the physical world.

It was for this reason that he spared no expense or effort.

Before long, his primary settlement, which he already designated as his capital, stood completely enclosed by towering stone ramparts, complete with a grand gate positioned at the front.

The populace below, and even his attending siblings who had long considered themselves beyond surprise by Alec’s actions, could only gape with mouths agape, utterly bewildered by the spectacle unfolding before them.