The journey home lasted four days.
Along the way...
The refugees officially became part of Base 101.
Ben organized the soldiers into rotating patrols.
Leon and the Shadow Scouts eliminated every monster that wandered too close to the caravan.
Runa's archers hunted enough food to feed everyone.
Zora and the Goblin Mage healed the wounded every evening.
Kael spent every rest stop sparring with the younger soldiers, correcting their stance and teaching them the fundamentals of spear combat.
By the fourth morning...
The great walls of Base 101 finally came into view.
Smoke rose from dozens of chimneys.
Fields of grain swayed gently in the breeze.
New homes stood where empty land had once been.
The refugees stopped walking.
One little girl whispered,
"...It's beautiful."
---
High atop the walls...
A guard looked through his spyglass.
His eyes widened.
"THE COMMANDER HAS RETURNED!"
The cry echoed across the fortress.
DONG!
DONG!
DONG!
The return bell rang throughout Base 101.
Farmers dropped their tools.
Blacksmiths left their forges.
Merchants abandoned their stalls.
Children raced through the streets.
Within minutes...
Hundreds of people gathered at the main gate.
---
The enormous gates slowly opened.
RUMBLE...
Standing proudly inside...
Was the Crystal Giant.
The colossal guardian watched Sam approach.
Then...
It slowly knelt.
The ground trembled beneath its immense body.
Sam smiled.
"You've protected everyone well."
The Crystal Giant's crystal core glowed brightly.
It lowered its head in acknowledgment.
The citizens cheered.
"Our Guardian!"
"The Crystal Giant protected us!"
"No monster even reached the walls!"
The refugees looked on in amazement.
This wasn't just a base anymore...
It was becoming a kingdom.
---
Through the cheering crowd...
A familiar figure stepped forward.
Dressed in the white-and-blue robes of the Medical Corps...
Mira smiled warmly.
"Welcome home, Commander."
Sam smiled in return.
"It's good to be back."
Mira's attention immediately shifted to the weary caravan behind him.
"I see you've brought more people."
"Refugees."
Sam nodded.
"They've been through a lot."
"They'll need food, rest, and treatment."
Mira gave a reassuring smile.
"The Medical Corps is ready."
She raised a hand.
At once...
Dozens of healers stepped forward carrying stretchers, blankets, healing potions, and medical supplies.
They immediately began treating the wounded and guiding the exhausted refugees toward prepared shelters.
The refugees stared in disbelief.
An elderly man whispered,
"They were waiting for us..."
Mira looked back at Sam.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't return alone."
Sam chuckled.
"You know me too well."
---
George suddenly burst through the crowd.
Covered from head to toe in soot.
Laughing as always.
"COMMANDER!"
He wrapped Sam in a crushing hug.
"You've been gone too long!"
Sam laughed.
"I've only been away a few days."
George pointed dramatically toward the center of Base 101.
"A few days?"
"Do you know how much I can build in a few days?"
Kael laughed.
"Here we go."
George ignored him.
"No!"
"You're coming with me first!"
---
Walking behind George...
A tall older man emerged from the crowd.
His beard was neatly braided.
His leather apron was stained with enchanted metals instead of soot.
Master Doran.
The Master Blacksmith.
He bowed respectfully.
"Commander."
Sam smiled.
"It's good to see you, Doran."
"The forge has kept me busy."
"I imagine George has done the opposite."
George looked offended.
"I've been extremely productive!"
Doran chuckled.
"He has."
"More than anyone."
---
George practically dragged everyone toward the center of Base 101.
"You've seen the forge."
"But not everything else!"
He proudly pointed ahead.
"Look!"
Sam stopped.
Where his old commander's residence had once stood...
Now stood an enormous manor.
Three stories tall.
White stone walls.
Silver rooftops.
Large crystal windows.
Beautiful gardens surrounded the entrance.
Two stone lion statues guarded the front steps.
Ben blinked.
"...You built that?"
George puffed out his chest.
"I sure did!"
"You can't lead a Silver Kingdom while living in a house."
"You need a Commander's Manor!"
The citizens laughed.
Kael whistled.
"I think George enjoyed building this more than the forge."
George didn't even deny it.
"Absolutely."
---
He pointed toward several nearby construction sites.
"We're not finished."
"Over there..."
"A Military Academy."
"Beyond that..."
"A Noble District."
"And we're expanding the barracks."
George's eyes sparkled.
"Oh!"
"And wait until you see the new marketplace!"
Sam looked around Base 101.
It had grown tremendously.
Not because of the System...
But because everyone had worked together.
---
George finally led them into the Advanced Forge.
The temperature immediately rose.
Mana-powered furnaces roared.
New assembly lines filled the building.
Dozens of smiths worked together with incredible efficiency.
Molten mana-steel flowed through enchanted channels.
Massive automated hammers struck glowing metal.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
George spread his arms proudly.
"Now..."
"This is my masterpiece."
Doran smiled.
"Our masterpiece."
George nodded.
"Right."
"Our masterpiece."
---
Doran stepped forward.
"Commander."
"While George expanded the forge..."
"I focused on improving the weapons."
He uncovered several weapon racks.
Every officer stopped.
Rows upon rows of beautifully crafted equipment rested before them.
Each piece radiated mana.
---
Doran walked toward Leon first.
"I believe these belong to you."
He presented two sleek black daggers.
Their blades shimmered with dark mana.
---
Rare Weapons Acquired
Shadow Fang Daggers
+70 Dexterity
+50 Agility
Skills Granted:
Shadow Rend
Silent Kill
---
Leon's normally calm face showed genuine surprise.
He gripped the daggers.
They felt weightless.
He looked at Doran.
"...Perfect."
Doran smiled.
"I thought they suited an Assassin."
Leon gave a respectful bow.
"My thanks."
---
Next...
Doran approached Zora.
He presented an elegant silverwood staff crowned by a floating sapphire crystal.
---
Rare Weapon Acquired
Staff of Arcane Flow
+90 Intelligence
+70 Mana
Skill Granted:
Mana Convergence
---
Zora smiled warmly.
"This is beautiful."
---
Then...
Runa stepped forward.
Doran handed her a longbow carved from emerald wood.
Mana flowed naturally through its limbs.
---
Rare Weapon Acquired
Windpiercer Bow
+80 Dexterity
+60 Agility
Skill Granted:
Storm Volley
---
Runa gently drew the string.
It hummed with power.
She smiled.
"I can't wait to try it."
---
Kael was next.
Doran revealed a magnificent blue spear.
Ice crystals naturally formed around the blade.
---
Epic Weapon Acquired
Frost King's Spear
+100 Strength
+80 Dexterity
Skill Granted:
Frozen Dominion
---
Kael's eyes nearly popped out.
"...Mine?"
Doran nodded.
"I forged it using the Mana Crystal ore Commander brought back."
Kael burst into laughter.
"I LOVE THIS PLACE!"
---
Finally...
Doran stopped before Sam.
Everyone became quiet.
The Master Blacksmith slowly removed a black cloth.
Beneath it rested an elegant sword unlike anything Sam had ever seen.
The blade was forged from black mana-steel.
Silver runes ran along its edge.
The guard resembled two skeletal wings protecting a glowing emerald crystal at its center.
Even the Goblin Mage stared at it.
---
Doran spoke quietly.
"I've never forged a weapon like this."
"It responds..."
"...to death mana."
Sam slowly reached for the sword.
The moment his hand touched the hilt...
Black mana flowed into the weapon.
The runes ignited.
---
Epic Weapon Acquired
Soul Reaver
Weapon Type: Runic Longsword
+120 Strength
+120 Intelligence
+80 Dexterity
Passive Skill:
Soul Harvest
Enemies defeated by Soul Reaver generate additional Soul Essence for Necromancer abilities.
Skills Granted:
Soul Slash
Death Wave
---
Silence filled the forge.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Weapon compatibility...
One hundred percent.
Recommendation...
Equip immediately.
Sam slowly sheathed Soul Reaver at his side.
He looked at Doran.
"This..."
"...is worthy of a king."
Doran smiled.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
---
George suddenly clapped his hands.
"Alright!"
"Enough admiring weapons!"
Everyone looked at him.
"We've got a Commander's Manor to decorate..."
"...and an Emerald Wildlands expedition to prepare for!"
The entire forge erupted into laughter.
Outside...
The emerald pillar still shone across the skies of Eastern Aetherra.
Calling.
Waiting.
The next great adventure...
Was about to begin.