Foreword

Before I begin, I'd like appeal to you, as fans, to purchase copies of the Grimgar Light Novel. If you weren't already aware, the Grimgar anime was made more for the purpose of pushing the (K)NoW_NAME (singers for the anime) brand. For those who have read the LN and watched the anime, they can tell what kind of things that went missing that took away from Grimgar showing its true greatness. There is likely no second season of Grimgar. Yet somehow, I heard bloody Fairy Gone gets a second bloody season (also worked on by Ao Jyumonji).

So I'm hoping through sales of the physical or digital Seven Seas copies, or through the J-Novel subscriptions, we raise enough attention for Japan to continue that series, cos they sure as hell won't pay attention to a petition by a bunch of gaijin, insular as the Japanese are to outsider opinions. It is a bare wisp of a hope, but it's really sad that Grimgar is no longer seeing anymore screen time. Won't you at least try fight for it?

Also, Awaken Online by Travis Bagwell. When westerners write an Isekai, hoo boy. Throw money at him too. Grimgar first, then him. *Grin*

...

Let's begin the foreword in earnest.

Please read Roland The Archer before reading this sequel. Start at Chapter 5 or 6 if you're one of those people with no appreciation for setting things up. Likely you're one of those MOBA/Battle Royale brats. Or a smut enthusiast that has marked pages on the 50 shades series with coloured stickers. Stats show that most quit at chapter 1. What were you expecting, you dumbass? If Ao-sensei starts there, I'll start there too. Fine, I'll start this one with a kissing scene. Sheesh.

So it's actually happening. Roland The Archer gets a sequel. There's only 1 that has asked for more via review feedback. Thank you so much, even if there's just 4 positive reviews and one Skyrim enthusiast, it allowed me to feel like the next Tolkien for a few minutes before coming back to reality. I had told myself that I won't be doing another, but months later I kept coming back to read my own story, I realized it was a fun kind of pain, and secretly I probably did want a Roland The Archer II. Since I got more reviews here than at the other site with the As and the Os Threes (people there more highbrow I guess), Roland The Archer II will show up here first, then will make its way there to compensate for strange countries like mine that bans FF because religion.

I have considerable hurdles to face for this one. The main one is that I lost the main character sheet for Roland. The .docx file got corrupted. Next, I painted the battle of Deadhead to be more bloody than it actually was. Somewhere in Book 4 of the LN, it was revealed that only about 20-plus people died. It was a bit frustrating, since I had set a rule to not deviate too far from lore. This is why I won't cross-over and have Demit Kamehameha or Brewary Unlimited Blade Works or Roland having an Orbital Strike. Having an Archer not trained by the Elves was already quite far off the lore as it is. Finally, there's my hate for anything after Wonder Hole. Ao-sensei's world building past that point makes things really difficult to insert my characters in. Thankfully, I assume I will manage somehow since I sensibly left enough from the past story to have a firm foothold. I'll have to read source materials and do some planning.

I will try as I did in the first story to keep to the "Grimgar flavour", such as letting the main character sink back while other characters shine more, the "weight" in the fights, some juvenile-mindset mentioning of the female physique and undergarments, Ranta's loud-mouth, and the general selfish mindset of the Grimgar universe. Anyone who reads the LN knows that most people aren't evil, but there is consensus that it's dog-eat-dog out there, only a few people are actually helpfully approachable, and no one's going to go out of their way out of charitability.

From previous experience I have learned a few things, most importantly that even 10 rounds of edits doesn't help if you don't just switch off for a day or 2, then come back fresh just for the purpose of editing.

The difference between this and the first one is that this is not a NaNoWriMo (the daily word requirement was stressful), I have planned so far less into the future, and will write at my own pace. This time I will publish as I write, and absolutely nothing will go wrong with that kind of idea.

So to those who have read the previous one, thank you. All who are here now; Hi, and welcome. I hope you enjoy your read.

LoneWanzerPilot

...

Roland's thoughts are in italic. Skill names are in bold.

Chapter 1

It tasted sweet. Slyvester had his lips pressed against Roland's. Shoving with his left, he swung a haymaker with his right, almost connecting with Slyvester's jaw. His chest hurt from the exertion.

"Gerrofme!". 2 voices cussed nearby, angry. Slyvester skipped back a few steps lightly, landing in Brewary's embrace.

"Oh I just wanted to thank the Hero of South Gate, the Orc Slayer who turned the tide, allowing the breach that saved all the fine Pimpernels from certain doom", replied Slyvester. Roland wiped his mouth with his palm. It was sweet. This guy's using the same lip balm as the girls. He was kissed by a guy whose lips tasted like the girls he pays for. His discomfort rose. Demit stepped in before Roland could say anything.

"First of all, asshole, my squad got no problem with your bullshit as long as you keep to your kind and don't touch no one else. Second, fuckers who took the bounty and credit for the kill pisses me off enough, and I don't want anyone reminding me of that, is that clear?!"

Roland recalled the incident. They were assigned to the eastern flank 'Wild Eagles' led by Kajiko. During the battle, the team scout Jakson reported high casualty rates inside the keep, as the main force attacking the south gate had not yet breached. The Volunteer soldiers, with no reinforcements were being killed by the chieftain Zoran Zesh, moving from tower to tower with its personal guard.

The Orc Chieftain responsible for the south gate held back the human force successfully, grinding down Frontier Soldiers in a fight of attrition. The humans would have won anyway, but at great cost as Wren Waters, the coward leading the southern attack force panicked and took half the available manpower away. Cautioned by Jakson against entering Deadhead Watching Keep, Fireteam Alpha went against orders and followed the wall to the south gate, where they were immediately pressed into the gaps made by the defending Orcs.

Roland used his gift from the Pimpernels, an Electric Elemental Coated Arrow, catching the South Gate Orc Chieftain in the arm. The electric shock stunned the Orc long enough for it to be decapitated. The tides turned, the gate was breached and the Frontier Army streamed in and killed every Orc found, just as Team Renji, Haruhiro and Kajiko managed to kill the leading chieftain Zoran Zesh. Robbed of glory, the Frontier Army took credit (and bounty) for the breach at South Gate. Fireteam Alpha protested but were threatened with censure via bounty for deserting their post at the eastern flank.

The pay and loot for participating was substantial for every member but Roland. He was shot during a retaliatory arrow shower. Dragged away from danger, he was then looted and left at the medical tents. Of all the things he lost, the most expensive was his bow. Adding to the cost is the damage to his Lamellar Armour. Replacing individual plates were time and labour intensive and those were reflected in repair costs. His fireteam racked up quite the repairs bill themselves. Brewary's Zweihander and armour were battered. Demit needed a new helmet. Jakson had some deep cuts and ruined armour sections that needed replacing.

Post battle opportunism didn't help either. The various services in Alterna were flooded with commissions so they took the opportunity to charge anywhere between double to 5 times the usual rate, not including cost of raw materials, which also went up with demand. Roland felt terrible without a bow so he grabbed the cheapest training bow he could get his hands on, just for the sake of having one.

There was a suggestion by Jakson to just wait out the market before commissioning repairs. He reasoned that when the inevitable late shipments come, prices of surplus raw materials and finished commissions would bring prices back down, but Demit went stir-crazy. Jakson and Roland were comfortable with lazing around drinking and eating (they were the most injured). Brewary served his customers full time (and any injury lovingly nursed back by them). Demit however, was a woman of action. 'Downtime', as she called it, made her restless. She was seen boxing her boyfriend, who was also as restless as she was. Their hands were wrapped in bandages, slightly red from where they drew blood. Money changed hands as onlookers bet against the odds that Demit would win. Naturally she lost against the larger, stronger and more robust Paladin. There was a city-wide downtime where people waited for their gear and weapons to be restored before going back out. Anything edible or drinkable was selling at marked up prices, and people gambled over anything.

Currently, Fireteam Alpha is adding 2 more members. In the leadership style of Demit, all members are to assemble and have a show-and-tell of skills, yet leaving things to the individual to make the best of the information. At the very least, she explained, each member knew what every other member was capable of. It would eliminate accidents like stumbling into each other during fights or straying into the path of ranged attacks. Roland liked it. There was some control, but not to the extent that Demit would micro manage where each member should stand and when to fire.

Being the nice guy Roland is, he stepped up to the 2 newcomers and held out his hand. One took it in a strong grip and a shoulder slap, the other grabbed him by the waist and kissed him.

"Yea. Don't want none 'them faggot shit 'round my squad", replied Billy. The Paladin was marginally shorter than Roland, but broader with muscles. His build suits his class, Roland thought. This Paladin was the most orthodox variant, the one that relied on the shield and plate to soak punishment. Running a practiced eye over Billy, Roland thought that he would need Bodkins and Penetrator if he were to ever have a face-off . Billy looked like the type that would take a Kinetic not directly like an Orc, but at an angle that would send the arrow elsewhere, while only rocking slightly in place from half the recoil. That was of course based on his rather favourable opinion of Demit, hoping that Billy wasn't just some simple pig-headed moron. But I bet my damn War Bow will punch right through that shield, greaves, arm and plate and whatever chainmail or coat underneath. Fucking Frontier Army.

Demit turned to Billy.

"Hey. My fucking squad. We being together don't make all this yours."

"Now now, Paprika", replied Brewary. He gave Slyvester a sharp slap.

"Bad boy, sly creature, you. No touching. Leave Honey alone". Slyvester gave a false pout and whimper. Oh god. What the hell?

"Goddamit, woman. What kind of squad you raisin'?", asked Billy.

"I told you about them, dumbass. You said it's nothing you can't handle. So you in or you out?", retorted Demit.

"Warfighters all. Same crew that walked out of the Tower with me, put on these fucking badges-", she said, plucking at her badge.

"-same bunk, same grub till we could afford proper rooms…". Demit was heating up.

"All right, all right. 'Don't care what they do in their downtime', just like we agreed". Demit didn't like being cut off mid-sentence, but just let it slide when Billy went around extending his hand.

"Play nice, mummy bear", said Brewary, one arm around Slyvester's waist and another to raise an arm out like a puppet for a handshake. Slyvester straightened, took Billy's hand and a firm handshake took place. Demit walked up.

"Not picking a fight, but you do you, and don't touch anyone else in my fucking squad, is that understood, soldier?". Slyvester was considering a witty reply but Brewary humped him from the back once, in which he replied,

"Aye aye, Paprika". Demit would have to get accustomed to one more person calling her by that name. Demit motioned all closer to start the meeting.

"Basic rules.

Number 1, everyone pulls their weight. Loot is shared 8 ways, with Brewary and Billy taking 2 portions each for maintenance of weapons and armour.

Number 2, what you do in your free time is none of anybody's business. But you show up battle-ready, sober and on time. No exceptions. If you can't show, let me know in advance, and unless you got some orc arrow stuck up your ass or half a broken neck, not being present will hurt your standing in Fireteam Alpha.

Number 3, if you got something, say it. If you smell a trap, say it. I got veto in this democracy but I don't want a bunch of fuckers need babysitting or assholes who don't got his team's back.

Is that understood?". Affirmatives came from all.

"Right. Now we make sure we know what every skill looks like. I'm sure you 2 veterans know if we just told you the name of the skill?". Billy nodded and Slyvester gave a 'hmph'.

Brewary had Rage Blow, Wind, Forward Thrust, Steel Guard, Reverse Thrust. The 2 men nodded. They were familiar with the Warrior skillset. Roland began to be curious as to how they became independent Volunteers.

Demit was next. She had Cure, Smash, Counter Strike, Guard Stance, Light of Protection. Slyvester raised an eyebrow.

"Ooh. Only one healing skill? Spicy."

"Yep, that's why I love her", replied Billy. He shared Demit's opinion on combat-focus. Roland assumed he was also offended that the Temple forced her next skill to be healing instead of staff.

It was Roland's turn. Billy voiced first.

"Ay you ain't got them wolfhound pups yet?"

Roland's skillset is relatively unknown due to the rarity of his class. He explained the difference between a Hunter and an Archer. Slyvester probably had him explained by Brewary, so he kept silent.

"Didn't Demit tell you about my class?"

"Said you was damned fine at shootin'."

Roland demonstrated his skillset. Chop, Quick-eye, Stop-eye, Kinetic, Penetrator. Slyvester loved the show as Billy picked things out of a nearby trash pile for Roland to shoot at. He whooped when Kinetic launched a piece of scrap metal over the rooftops of Alterna. Roland then explained the dangers of his lack of melee, and that he can't keep Quick-eye and Stop-eye on all day, though he can use both at once, unlike Hunters. Billy seemed to process that information the same way Demit did.

"You're right, darln'. We got ourselves a goddamn sniper."

"Told you so. If he has clear line of fire, it's fucking dead."

"Just gotta keep 'em varmints off 'im. Don't you worry, soldier. I got'ya". Roland smiled. You better. He was still dreading the day he has nothing but Chop against a melee opponent.

"...and his ammo ain't cheap, neither," he continued. He pulled different variants from Roland's quiver and studied them.

"Them's steeled square bodkins", he said, running a finger against the bodkin's sharpened cutting edges.

"Takes twice as long to make cos them's fire-treated steel need sharp'n. None o' them cheap shit pig iron ones that bounce off plate". He seemed to be making his own assessment instead of talking to Demit. Billy was making a fair first impression. No, he's not stupid. Just homophobic like Demit.

Jakson, almost forgotten till it was his turn, continued. He had Slap, Backstab, Sneaking, Swat, Dual Wield.

"So what you carryin', Broski?". Billy noticed Dual Wield and understood. He also picked Demit's nickname for Jakson. He unsheathed his Baselard and Stiletto. Billy nodded.

"Not gon' carry a hammer instead of that ice pick?"

"Nyet. If insert correct place, better than hammer. Hammer… noisy". Billy nodded. He looked Jakson up and down.

"You the team scout?"

"Da." Billy wanted another handshake from Jakson.

"'preciate you not leading the team into the Keep. It was uglier than home-made sin, an' too big for anybody's britches. Anyone din't die in there owes the devil some, an' he gon' come collect one day". Slyvester agreed and thanked Jakson as well. He just nodded in turn.

When it came to the newcomers, Slyvester wanted to go first. Brewary and Demit had seen Mage magic up close when they battered the gates of Deadhead, but Jakson and Roland were not there to see, and Demit insisted on a display. Slyvester insisted in turn that they relocate, so the group went past the gates, a ways off from Alterna's outer walls. Brewary did not exaggerate when he said Slyvester was a man of passion. He hummed and sang as his fingers deftly drew the symbols. His fires burned almost blue. He had Fireball, Firewall and Blast.

"What, only 3?", asked Demit, Roland and Billy almost at the same time. Slyvester laughed and responded.

"Yes, darlings. I have fewer skills because I devote to Mastery and Meditation. I have more mana than the average Mage, and as you can see, my fires burn hot like my love". He blew flying kisses which only amused Brewary and Jakson.

"Well, I also have dear sweet Ricardo, my Fire Elemental, but that is not something you simply summon", he admitted a few seconds later.

Billy managed to explain his skillset rather effectively with the help of Demit in a mock duel. He had Block which angled the shield to set up an unbalancing, deflecting or opening for an attack. Punishment, simply put, was the Paladin's one-handed Rage Blow using a longsword. Bash did what the name suggested, which was to strike or shove an opponent with the shield. Thrust is using the shield and sword to strike at the same time. Billy demonstrated the several forms it could take; a combination of a slash, stab or butt with the sword or a shove, bash or striking with the lip of the shield. Guard gives him focus on defensive use of the sword, adding deflection or parrying to the blocking with a shield. He then came close and showed them the Lumiaris hexagram sigil on his sword, explaining that Saber needed a bit of his blood and a prayer, allowing the sword to cut through armour plates.

"Carves more turkey than just plate. I once hacked a door like it was parchment", he proclaimed.