A/N: Oh also, don't worry about the OP levels of Kirito and Argo for the moment, these seemingly broken characters will no longer be broken when the Nephilim descend from the sky; on the contrary they will be the only things capable of stopping the angelic beings.
Also I placed up that huge wall of dry equipment text so that people will know why Kirito can do certain things, this is not like other Fanfictions where Kirito simply gains powers through a bug in the system (I was thinking of that though, giving Kirito Neo's powers from the MATRIX would be cool) but is due to his equipment. The fact that he got such gear is simply down to luck ;) thanks for reviewing everyone! Enjoy, also my PC died so uploads will be a ton slower sorry!
Chapter 8 - The Council
"The way the Inventory works is that all players must be carrying some sort of pouch, bag or otherwise carrying item. This will allow them to access the Inventory as Seven Kingdoms Online works heavily towards a very realistic reality. When one opens up their Inventory and chooses an item to be taken out the player will retrieve said item from their pouch, bag or otherwise carrying item. To place an item into the Inventory an individual must place the item into their pouch, bag or otherwise carrying item for it to work." Seven Kingdoms Online: Inventory and Items
Kirito looked forth over the expanding Kingdom of [Seido] as he floated in the air, his unique wings softly floating out from behind him. His eyes darting as he heard the sound of metal slamming against metal; the blacksmith zone alive and bustling despite the fact that the sun was just beginning to rise over the East. The sky was still dark blue and purple, a merging of colors that left one breathless as they looked upon the detailed reality of a non-reality game. Orange glow of flames flickered through the shut shutters of various metal working blacksmiths as they attempted to recreate the special metallic weapons the [Seiyari] had used against them, weapons that had been extremely effective on most of the player based warriors that had fought to push back the invaders. Majority of soldiers had rushed back to the capital city after hearing the potential news of a new threat arising from the East; a selected few with a singular general were chosen to stay back and man the fort against any sea landing invaders. If there was sighting of the enemy they were to light a beacon to warn anyone inland.
A land filled with what seemed like savage centaurs that were soon coming to reap the land like a harvest. This hint had been more than blatantly spoken to them by various NPC's in both the market place and mysterious ones that showed up bandaged and near death. Sightings of a centaur had also rumored to have been spotted, the singular hoof beats against the ground before seemingly vanished was scoffed at and disregarded for nothing more than a false tale. Yet looking around now, it was obvious on various levels to Kirito that the Kingdom of [Seido] took any rumor seriously at the moment, many deaths still fresh on their minds from the invading forces of the [Seiyari]. Thinking back to the beta Kirito, and the few beta players, knew that the centaurs would be a lot worse than any [Seiyari].
They were strong creatures, half man and half horse. Adorned completely in iron armor, their human portions of the body would be hard pressed to be hit; and considering that they charged at you with great speeds that one slamming into you could well kill you if you were unlucky; it was a little intimidating facing them in battle. They normally wielded a broadswords or battle axes or any other melee weapon in one hand whilst in the other held a large, heavy iron shield that would deflect all blows. These were the basic [Centauri Infantry]; although where one got the idea that a half man half horse being could be infantry was beyond Kirito. The next type of soldiers they would fight were known as [Centauri Archer]. In their hands would be a longbow, easily taller than any man with a drawback weight almost impossible to be drawn by mortal hands. Arrows fired by these bows could cut through the current armor they had like a rock through a paper wall; death would almost be instant, even with the newly upgraded iron armor. Lastly the unit that made them so dangerous was that as they were one of the older races of beings in this world they had access to something mankind had lost for eons; magic. [Centauri Magician] were creatures capable of some terrifying magic for those seeing it for the first time. Whilst they were unlike the [Nephilim] that fire obeyed their every beckon and the winds twisted around them like the caress of a lover; [Centauri Magicians] were capable of granting [Blessings] to the battalion herds of the [Centaurist] which would increase their speed, strength, life. However their most fearsome tactic from the beta was where they would charge forward with a full herd of [Centaurist] and then all of the galloping monsters would suddenly disappear, only to reappear right in front, or sometimes even on top, of the front line warriors.
This was known as [Shock Ride Pass] as the players of the beta had come to call it, a dangerous passing and a very, very effective weapon against those who had never seen it before; even for those who had viewed it prior no real defense had ever been able to be conjured for such an attack. In the beta they had just placed heavily armored players in the front, hoped they didn't die, and then charged forward. But now, where death meant death, such a strategy was definitely out the window.
Kirito watched the sun rise, such a primordial force that ignored the worries, struggles and deaths of the mortals living underneath its light; insignificant to such power. He sighed before turning back down and began the motion of diving forward, his wings streamlined against his body before the world suddenly blurred around him as he flew. His target was the palace window as a meeting regarding all Generals, and the [Courts of Seido], had been called by Empress Argo regarding strategies to fight against the upcoming war.
He flared open his wings the moment the palace window closed up upon him, gracefully his feet touched the ground without even the slightest hint of a sound. All that announced his presence was the flaring curtains, and a soft dust cloud that had risen from the ground due to disturbance. The wisp of darkness curled around his back before disappearing, fading away into the light; wings of a creature from the very depths of darkness.
Kirito looked up, his eyes scanning the palace halls through the twin eye-holes of his mask. Argo and him had decided, or well mainly Argo, to keep his identity a secret. The main reasoning for this being that now that no one knew about him, if there was ever a need for a recon mission Kirito would be able to go; after all he was Argo's most trusted friend. It also allowed him to be able to walk amongst the 'normal' people and to hear the things they said without getting any attention drawn to him. It was a good move if he was to be honest with himself. Doesn't mean he wasn't whipped by Argo though.
His black and green outfit stood out greatly against the light brown walls and nearly translucent paper walls that surrounded him. He walked along the carved crimson outlines of a dragon that circled each and every pillar that he passed, endless other doors leading to endless other rooms dotted the walls of the large hall. Each and every step he took had an unearthly grace to it, each step completely silent, Kirito allowed his wings to gain form once more and they grew out from his back. His body slowly lifted off the ground as he continued his journey to the meeting room, steps soon turn into nothing as the wings propelled him forward. If one were to look at him they would first see a very blurry outline of a person, before seeing black wisp curling off his body armor like smoke. If one were to be honest Kirito looked like death personified, and his mask certainly did not help in any sense of the matter.
Finally stopping by the door which would lead him into the [Council Room], Kirito, AKA General Kenta, stopped a mere meter away. He watched as what seemed like shadows slowly crept along the door, and through the force of his will and mind the doors were pushed open with the power of the Shadow Arts. It had been two weeks since they pushed the [Seiyari] back from their shores, three weeks since the [Battle of Sueokano] and Kirito had finally gotten to the stage of [Mastery] regarding the Shadow Arts. Now they simply responded to his will and were only limited by his imagination and mental capabilities. To those within the [Council Room] it looked like the doors had just magically opened themselves before the most powerful, and famed, General of the [Seido] Kingdom. He glided slowly, content with just enjoying the path that took him to the [Council Room], nothing but gravel underfoot and grass and trees around him. Eventually he got there, and as each time before it still stunned him.
The room itself was perhaps the most exotic thing of the palace. This entire [Council Room] was formed out of frees. Leaves joined together from twenty huge trees left nothing but a small circular opening to allow the sunlight in. It created a dazzling display as shafts of light danced through the little hole pockets and sparkled through the air. The twenty trees had been planted long ago in a circular formation and beyond that were just more trees. The entire area was an extension into the forest, joined to the palace by the way of nature. Hidden by powerful runes and magic long lost to mankind only those that the Empress allows in were allowed to enter into this safe haven. Around the middle of the circular clearing, in conjunction to each of the twenty trees, were twenty stone thrones.
Each seat was made from a single piece of solid rock, and whilst it was not the most comfortable sitting arrangement, it was still impressive to say the least. In the center was a pond, crystal clear with a shallow depth. It wasn't large, maybe only five meters in diameter whilst the chairs sat in a perfect circle about fifteen meters in diameter. However it was a significant part of the [Council Room]. Once the debating of the council was finished the person who brought forth the main idea of that discussion, especially if it is a plan or a law, would be given the honor of walking over to the pond and dropping their plans into it; if the Empress allows so. This would immediately cause a magical effect to take place over the entire Kingdom as a new law would be implemented and notified to every player living within the Kingdom. The last time this was used was to gather all players back to [Seido] when they regarded the [Seiyari] invasion. Basically it was a magical pond megaphone that would reach all players wherever they were as long as they were in [Seido] territory.
Kirito allowed his wings to dissipate, gracefully transitioning from hovering to walking as he approached his seat; which was the throne on the right hand of Argo. He looked around the clearing, taking note of the other council members but not actually knowing them. Most of them were just high level merchants, heading blacksmiths or other people of greater influence. These would indefinitely be the future [Guild Masters] of the larger guilds that would form when they were allowed to be created. The only exception being himself who in reality whilst holding great sway over the masses as the Kingdom's most powerful General and swordsman, would hardly ever open a guild for himself to lead. He was the only General of the Army of [Seido] to sit on the council and to him, the others held no significance. They helped in the equipping of the armies, but he had no idea who they were and any attempt to remember their names and roles would undoubtedly turn into a raging headache; better to leave those things to Argo.
"Ah! General Kenta. How gracious for you to join us." a drawled voice, laced with dripping irony, carried over the [Council Room]. The man in question was a fat man, sitting down with a huge belly that seemed to almost spill over the throne in waves and rolls of human fat. Two guards stood behind him, in fact all the councilors, except himself, had guards standing behind them. Kirito tried to remember what the man's name was or even what did he do; but such a thing eluded him to no end.
"I'm sure General Kenta has his reasons of being reasonably late." Argo said in a cold, superior tone that didn't allow any response, towards the entire gathered council; all having been there for a good three minutes before him, "Now that he is here let us continue on with discussing the possible strategies to deal with the [Centauri] people."
Kirito had to smile at the fact that Argo had come up to defend him, she always did see him as a child in the area of politics, swindling, hustling, subtle blackmailing and all the graceful, and yet deadly, workings of the [Courts of Seido]. In all honesty, he was. He did not understand why people were so concerned about their reputation or about their pride; could they not put aside their greed and just focus on clearing the game? He would never understand these people.
"Gathered by rumors and hints dropped from the NPC's, it is safe to state that the [Centauri] will attempt to invade our shores within four weeks." Argo stated, calmly and yet confidently claiming the inevitable. However this was something they had all heard before already, "We have three options; and they shall be backed and debated by those who believe in them strongest. Malyk, Head of the Merchants. State your piece."
"Thank you Empress." A blonde haired woman stood up, she looked to be at least thirty and had a petite body that was on display for all to see by her choice of clothing; hugging the very curves of her body, "Council members, surely you have not forgotten about the [Battle of Seuokano] and how many victims we lost? Morale is low at the moment and if we do not strengthen ourselves now, the death of those 300 players will cause many to be disheartened and leave the front lines. However if we show them that we are strong, if we show them that we can protect them; they will come flooding to us." Kirito tuned her out at that, he manage to catch on to her underlying message; he was sharp despite Argo thinking otherwise when it came down to these sort of things. What she really wanted was for the player base to come rushing back and start buying equipment once again, it would mean an increase in her sales and thus more profit meaning more money for her. He sighed, the greed of many seem to never stop following humanity no matter where they went.
"Thank you Malyk." Argo said as the blonde finished her speech, polite clapping echoed around the [Council Room] making Kirito grit his teeth and grimace behind his mask. "Head Banker Don Driago, you may voice your opinion."
Banking systems, huh! Kirito pondered. It was a recent addition to the player community proposed by Argo to make certain taxes were paid. Guilds would deposit their collective loots to trustworthy people appointed by her herself and they would never leave the safe zones for a small fee. This way the high level players could empty space from their inventory which they could later use on lower level guild members. And were they to die the empire would gain possession of everything on the certain persons account. If the member that died happened to be the guild leader the earnings could even rise to millions of Col.
All in all it was a good way to both discourage PKing and not leave good loot to the monsters when warriors fell.
The fat man that welcomed Kirito and was shut off by Argo gave a polite nod with a grin too wide for his face. A failed attempt of diplomacy, Kirito would guess. He shuffled in his seat before standing up, with some moderate difficulty!
"Dear council members! I am certain you remember our victory against the [Seiyari]. It was a great victory, albeit one painted with the blood of our brave warriors." He said lowering his voice and gaze in an attempt to sound grieving. "Alas" He raised his tone sharply. "That is the nature of war. There cannot be war without blood and if blood is unavoidable then what keeps us from staying with the already tried and safe method, albeit with some improvements. This time we hit them the moment they come into contact with our lands. We hit them once and we hit them hard with the combined army of all our kingdom. They will never see it coming and they will most certainly be tired from the journey and unorganized. We can win this way! It is a bloody way, but it is a sure way!" He said and there was some obvious admiration throughout the room.
Kirito had to admit. This guy had a silver tongue. Maybe laced with a bit of poison inside though. He spoke so easily about bloody victories and glory when he had never stepped into a battlefield. Never put his life at risk. Always slithering his way away through wordplay. Despicable.
Kirito gritted his teeth and barely managed to not voice his opinion over his. He would have his turn and then he would show the wrong of the other ways in one go.
"Thank you Don Driado" Argo said and the man settled back to his seat, a self-liking smirk plastered upon his face.
I wouldn't be surprised if he had rehearsed the speech beforehand. Thought Kirito but kept it to himself.
"Hantaerufu, Hunter Master. You have the floor." Argo stated
"Thank you Empress." the person who was now addressing the council was a boy seeming to be of fifteen or sixteen years of age.
He was thin and lean, the typical green molten garments of the hunter's cloak adorned around his shoulders whilst no doubt hiding the variety of weapons that they generally had at their disposal. A longbow was looped around his shoulders. Kirito remembered that bows had just been added into the arsenal of the [Seido] army after capturing and studying the [Seiyari] own use of their bows. However unlike the spear tribe, their bows did not release projectiles that could essentially be used as a spear itself, but rather normal arrows. The feat of already being able to use a longbow despite it having been only days released, spoke volumes of Hantaerufu's dexterity and agility stats.
"Council members, as you know the group that I lead scouts out the land and returns with information ready to be handed out to both high government as well as the general masses. We do not only find new lands but catalogue mobs with various headings of their behavior type, shape type, form and much more." He paused and looked around the room, eyes resting upon the relaxed form of General Kenta before continuing, "We ask for your support to find out more about the [Centauri], ready an expedition force to get a foothold in their land, a fortress; to do what the [Seiyari] have done to us, ensuring that they do not get here as they will have to defend their mainland. If we hold our ground for long enough to prepare the army of Seido we can -"
That's enough!
"You do realize what you are asking for is backing for a suicide mission right?" Kirito spoke up, obviously annoyed, interrupting the voice of Hantaerufu. A quick collection of gasps could be heard around the room. To interrupt a fellow council member whilst they spoke was extremely rude and normally would result in severe penalties; however everyone knew that General Kenta had undeniable favor with the Empress; nothing could touch him even if they tried.
"Y-yes but -" the Head Hunter stuttered for a split second, trying to cover up his flustered state; to only fail as Kirito continued on.
"We need all the people we can get, no one is allowed to die; not whilst I sit in this council; especially not a foolhardy mission like this. I would expect this of your fellow councilperson Don Driado but you have faced the battlefield! You know the pain and fear of death and yet you propose for you and your comrades to head to your deaths. They are your responsibility!" He growled. A sudden wave of fear passing through everyone in the room and entrapping their minds as his mask gave off a wave of terror debuffs.
"What do you propose then General Kenta?" Argo asked, dressed in nothing but the clothes befitting of a beautiful Empress, he could see the concealed smirk as mirth danced in her eyes.
"I propose -" he began, only to be in turn cut off just as he did before.
"Wait!" a voice cried out, the blonde haired woman was now annoyed, it was evident on her face, "Your highness, how can you allow this … person … to get away with talking to the council behind a mask? I demand that he removes it this instance and talks to us face to face." A chorus of agreements was passed by the murmuring of the council members. Kirito thought about this, catching the worried gaze Argo casted towards him.
"Very well Malyk." Kirito said before commanding his mask to slide back.
He smirked as people craned to get a good look of the General that had been in the front lines since the start, one of the few people who no one knew about and was certainly powerful enough with that godlike equipment that only the Empress could seem to match. He laughed out loud when they gasped at the sight which greeted them. Kirito had hidden his face behind a swirling twisting mass of shadows, it created a wall between them in front of his face, hiding it from the view of all whilst allowing his voice to still carry through. To all who looked it seemed that there was nothing but swirling masses of shadows within the armor speaking to them.
"Wh-what?" Malyk cried out, her eyes widening as fear started to creep into the edges of her mind, "Get rid of that mask! I demand you to this instance!" she cried out, furious as a pathetic attempt to cover up her own fear.
"You all asked for what hid behind the mask. This is what lives behind the armor you all follow." Kirito said gravely and anonymously, "The darkness that none of you want to accept, but the same darkness that you all place your hopes on." his words cut through the core of every person, he shook his head as the mask slid back over his face. He would not show them his face, but he was not averse to playing with them.
"What did you have to say addressing this council General Kenta?" Argo asked, a soft smile adorned upon her lips.
"I propose an alternative solution to this predicament. We raise the defenses needed at the Eastern Shore, create a fortified wall as well as gate. The [Centauri Magicians] cannot teleport past what they cannot see; it is a trick that many beta players know about." at the mention of those who had played before, those who had rushed off instead of staying back and helping the ones who needed it, the atmosphere of the room darkened a little; but Kirito chose to ignore that and keep going, "However we also then send a group of Hunters as scouts. Their shores are not as limited as ours, many of their cliff faces have pocketed holes which a relative few can use to hide within. But there is to be no attacking unless they themselves are attacked first; the purpose of their mission would be to find out more about our enemy, nothing more nor nothing less."
"Now many of you are simply thinking that this idea is just a mesh of the strategies I have just judged as wrong by both Don Driado and Hunterufu; here is the difference." he said leaning forward slightly, and unconsciously everyone else did so as well; anticipation thick in the air, "I propose that we set up a teaching grounds of sorts. We lost 300 players during the [Battle of Seuokano] simply because players were unprepared for the mental fatigue cost of long drawn out battles. I suggest that we have a few of the Generals act as teachers, training them. The final details are here in this scroll and it will be passed on to all council members after this. With this, we can train up a strong core army, properly settling them into different divisions and push these [Centauri] back as well as overcoming any future foes. Lastly my way is a bloodless way. I will not accept any deaths so this is a tactic that allows us to prevent them. That is my piece council members, thank you."
"Let us adjourn for a fifteen minute break, report back here after that and we shall put to a vote the plan." Argo announced, standing up as everyone did so before slowly walking out in pairs, the hushed murmuring already evident around them.
Argo felt a presence appear beside her, a quick flick of her eyes confirmed the black outline of Kirito. She smiled before gesturing him to follow her.
"Come with me General Kenta."
They walked past the tree line, quickly retreating into a small alcove that only the two of them knew about. Kirito had placed his hand on her shoulder; his force field down at the moment, and both them simply vanished. The ability to go invisible certainly was an easy task considering the mental strength Kirito had now.
When they finally walked past the tree barrier he let go of the invisibility, and saw the shimmering joy in Argo's eyes. He had to admit that this place was beautiful, A single large tree stood surrounded by various other kinds, the trunk of said tree split off into two, creating a 'Y' looking shape and a small place adequate for sitting; and as the two had discovered it was great for cuddling as well.
"Finally!" Argo whispered as she turned and circled her arms around his waist, her head resting upon his shoulder, "Sometime alone with my Kii-bou~."
Kirito closed his eyes as he wrapped his arms around her hips and held her. The first time in quite awhile. He sighed with content feeling her smaller petite body fitting perfectly against his. If anyone had stumbled across into that clearing over the course of the fifteen minute break, they would've seen the Empress hugging and holding on to the strongest general with his mask pulled back as though he was her last life line.
"Let's go back Argo, times up." the black cladded boy said softly to her as he unwrapped his arms from her hips; already missing the feeling of her body pressed against his in nothing more than a loving, innocent, embrace.
"One kiss Kii-bou." she murmured, looking up at him. Defense crumbling before her beautiful hazel eyes he dipped his head down and kissed her. Both felt that little hungry beast of need rising its head in their chest, a desire for more and more of this resulted in Kirito's fingers digging into her hips and her fingers pulling into his hair, a soft moan escaping both of them before they pulled back.
"Come on Argo, don't distract us." he teased her, a soft smile upon his lips that she had just previously meshed against.
"Whatever Kii-bou, you're no fun." she pouted as they began their journey back.
Eventually they returned to the [Council Room], no distractions along the way thankfully; or sadly depending on how one viewed it. The council came into order as the last member sat down in their seat. The finality of decisions could already be felt in the air of the twenty members, now it was to simply see how it would pan out.
"I call this council into order!" Argo announced, "We will now vote on the various plans and decide a course of action. As per usual I shall abstain from voting and so will those who introduced their plans. Now all who agree for the plan of Malyk please raise your hands."
No hands went up and dead silence ruled the room.
"All for the plan of Hantaerufu please raise your hands."
Once more no hands were raised and the silence was nearly deafening.
"All for the plan of Don Driado please raise your hands."
Third time and no one raised their hands. The three of them looked ready to burst with anger but concealed it well. They were genuine parts of the court.
"Those for the newly introduced plan of General Kenta, please raise your hands."
Immediately all sixteen hands went up, a unanimous vote for the first time in the months of playing that had already occurred in this death game.
"It is settled then. Let it be noted that for the 17th council of the [Courts of Seido] a unanimous vote was passed in favor of General Kenta's plan for the course of action against the [Centauri]. General Kenta you will be in charge of this operations, I give you full power and authority to do as you need to do. The starting message shall be dropped into the pond when everything has been settled, until then this council is adjourned, dismissed."
The rising rustle of twenty people standing up before moving away again was nearly thunderous. Kirito glanced over at Argo who, as traditions dictate, had to leave with two guards behind her; she caught his eye before smiling warmly at him, then disappearing into the palace. He sighed, as he too began the journey out, now it was laid on him to prepare their army against the rising tide of the [Centauri].
"Head Crafter Lenan!" Kirito called out, watching as the twenty year old council member turned back. He was thin, barely filling out the formal council clothing, yet beneath those baggy clothes Kirito knew that there laid an untold strength and resolve within this man. Lenan was one of the few people who he actually respected.
"General Kenta, how may I help you?" his voice was smooth and silky with each word measured closely before being spoken.
"I was wondering if you and your crafting crew would mind creating the training grounds I have had in mind. The cost will be paid of course and -"
"Please General Kenta, there will be no cost for this." Lenan said shaking his head with an intrigued smile, "You have lead every charge into battle for the makeshift army we have, the least we can do is provide you with a training ground for them."
Kirito was flustered, although thankfully his masked covered this up, he was entirely unexpectant of such grace and a wide grin split his face.
"Thank you Head Crafter Lenan, I really did not expect this at all. Thank you for such generosity." he said bowing slightly at the man who stood in front of him; never once did he dream he would be doing business with someone who was five years his senior.
"Don't worry about it General Kenta." the council member said, waving a hand dismissively, "Just pass me your plans and we can discuss the finer details at a later date."
"Certainly; thank you again Head Crafter Lenan." Kirito said, opening his palm and allowing shadows to pool over it. Considering Lenan's generosity the least Kirito could do was show the man an ability he had.
Upon completing [Mastery] in the Shadow Arts Kirito had gained a new bonus known as [Shadow Space]. Basically he could access his Inventory through the use of shadows and it had now an increase capacity to hold a lot more objects. No doubt when he finally mastered the Void Arts another expansion would occur again.
Lenan watched with wide open eyes as a scroll was formed forth from the shadows of Kirito's palm before the darkness receded and in its place a blueprint scroll sat perfectly balanced in his hand. The Head Crafter looked up into the eye holes of the General, green flames flickering softly in its place with no doubt a surprised look adorned across his own face.
"Amazing." he breathed as he gingerly took the scroll.
"Thank you once more Head Crafter Lenan, I shall be on my way now." he said, turning and disappearing into the halls of the palace. Not seeing the awe-struck-wonder look in the face of that man.
As Kirito entered the palace halls, pillars on either side of them, he found the next person he was looking for. A brunette haired girl, or previously brunette as now it was a bright fluffy pink with pins woven through it to keep back the bangs, with chocolate brown eyes was leaning against a pillar whilst talking to another council member. Her in game name was Lisabeth and she was the top blacksmith in the province of [Seido]. Whilst she was not a council member she always followed Nakurama, Head Blacksmith, to these council meetings as one of his chosen representatives; in Kirito's personal opinion it was for the big man to show off his hand.
He knew her from run ins during the early stages of the game. He had found her after she had just failed three upgrades for three different people; their jeering and anger towards her was uncalled for and he had felt a rising anger surged through him. He had quickly walked in front of them, asking her if she could upgrade his blade for him; and her disbelieving eyes with the faint spark of hope was all he needed to see. She had succeeded and from that day on she had become his personal blacksmith that he always returned to. However after having to fold into the role of General Kenta, Kirito hardly had time to go out anymore; plus his gear did not really need any maintenance and if he did show it to anyone it would just raise a lot of questions. He still tried to pop by every now and again, but their meetings had diminished in frequency and talks even more so. He knew she was currently considered an 'apprentice' to the Head Blacksmith, and as such if he found her he would find her teacher.
"Head Blacksmith Nakurama!" he called out as he took graceful strides towards the duo blacksmiths.
"General Kenta, what an honor. How may I help you?" the man asked. He had thick black bushy eyebrows with arms the size of Kirito's head. He stood at an intimidating height of 2.3 meters and was built like a tanky bear. It was no wonder he was the head blacksmiths, he could probably bend iron with his bare hands; the palms were easily the size of his own face. A massive beard covered the strong jawline he had whilst continuing to give him the look of a berserker.
"I was wondering if I could get your assistance in the matter of this training ground." Kirito asked, eyes glancing over to Lizbeth before refocusing on the Head Blacksmith. The use of honorific names was something that Argo had commanded within the palace walls and for council members to council members. It was to ensure honor and respect, even when there was none to be given internally; it also solidified an 'upper class' of the Kingdom of [Seido] to truly hook in the current council members into the [Courts of Seido]; a devious move, "I'll be needing a lot of weapons and armor to equip this army as well as maintain their gear. I'm certain your shops would gain a huge bonus in people rushing to get maintenance done."
"Certainly General Kenta. Just pass me a list of your needs and I will get straight to it." the blacksmith confirmed, his voice deep like the hits of a drum, or the plucked strings of a base.
Having called forth the necessary scroll before entering this conversation Kirito simply handed over the scroll, bided them a good day and left; his mind already fluttering through the various necessary people he needed to find and talk to.
As exited the palace gates he saw the green molten cloak of Head Hunter Hantaerufu; a quick yell of his name caught his attention and caused him to turn around, waiting for Kirito to reach him.
"General Kenta." a simple nod of his head in acknowledgement towards the strongest player in their Kingdom.
"Head Hunter Hantaerufu I was wondering if you had anyone you could spare for teachings on archery?" he asked the sixteen year old teenager, "With us suddenly getting the bows we need we can now train a sizable force to be archers, knowing that amongst your scouting team are the best shots; would you be willing to spare one of them?"
"I would be willing. Notify me or my second in command when you have established the necessary logistics and we will see what we can do. Now if you will excuse me." the Head Hunter said before turning around and simply walking away.
Kirito sighed, no doubt that teenager was angry at him for shutting down his idea. He walked along the road for awhile, thoughts fluttering around how this training ground could be properly set up.
From previous talks with Argo he knew that this training ground would be called the [Taisai no Seido] or for a shorter name; [Academy]. It would be a huge academy which would train the players in how to fight and survive this death game. The training was required for every player registered under the army and was compulsory in teaching them how to fight as one large group, how to pace themselves and how to know which Sword Skills to use at what time and in what circumstances. It would further split the player army up into various divisions and battalions; allowing for quicker command and structure amongst the hundred of thousands of players in the Kingdom of [Seido] alone. The classes would rotate between the various players and also those that would be duty at that moment. It would be a single teacher teaching a group with one-on-one teachings only being done by a General; or later after the first batch of trainees, a recognized individual who was capable of teaching. The first batch would be the smallest, they would be the ones who were going to be trained into the teachers, the leaders, the other administrators. They were the ones who would form up the rest of the skeleton of the army, the chain of command, whilst later batches would form under them.
When players entered this training ground they would be assigned a particular title. It started with: [Trainee], an individual who would've just entered the [Academy]. Following this was when the player passed the test set and entered [Apprentice], however this did not necessarily mean they were learning under a master; yet at the same time if a General or someone who is of the same recognized level, decides to take an individual on as a person apprentice then they would be known as [Legacy of *insert name*]. Graduating that tier the next was [Warrior] where they would fall under the various branches of the army. But for those that became a [Legacy] they would graduate whenever their teacher deemed so but would not change their title. From here the increase of titles and tiers go as: [Captain] for those in charge of a group of one hundred [Warriors], [Weapons Master] for those recognized as specialist in a certain area of their fighting capabilities, [General] is used for those known by the [Academy] and by the Empress as individuals capable of such great battle strength that they lead an entire [Battalion] alongside the other [Generals] of other [Battalions] and lastly you have [Executor Primarch] the person who is charge of all the [Generals].
Of course later on there would be additions to the army including separate secret divisions or specialist units, but those were for the farther future; this army ranking and structure was for the now. In all honesty Kirito was pretty happy with himself, such a precise and concise idea for the [Academy], of course anyone was welcomed to increase the structure through him or Argo if it was deemed fit; but for now that would do.
However quickly he shook his own head before allowing his wings to come alive and he disappeared in a blur. He had many other people to find before such a dream of organized army could be realized as a reality.
Later as the sun went down from the sky, setting it behind the west, Kirito landed near an inn tavern that was outside of the main Kingdom. He could hear the chattering of players as they ate and drank there, having a good time after what was most likely a full day of grinding mobs. With a different full armor set equipped Kirito walked through the front door, pushing it open and taking a look inside. He didn't want the people here to know General Kenta had come for a visit.
The inn tavern was relatively spacious, the bar counter on the left with a kitchen behind whilst all in front of him were tables and chairs filled with both players and NPC's releasing a day of stress from their body. On the right sat a burning fireplace, the soft wift of smoke already evident in the air as well as a light smoke fog. Towards the far end of the room there was a flight of stairs leading up to the second floor, an extension of the dining area for this place. Across the street was where the residents truly stayed, rooms that were lightly and humble furnished with the most basic necessities. But what Kirito was looking for was neither drink nor lodging, he was looking for a group of players that called themselves Fuurinkazan. Their leader was known as a man named Klein, a soft ironic smile settling over the face of Kirito as he knew that was the same man he had met the first day of this death game.
He spotted the red bandana wrapped around their leaders head and walked over to the fireplace. He placed his hand on Klein's shoulders, laughing at the shocked features as the man lumbered around; the flickering flames casting shadows along the floor that were quickly countered with lights from the various lamps. A grin split both their faces when they finally saw one another, ignoring the confused look of the other players.
"Klein, I have a proposition for you."
AUTHORS NOTE: Hey guys sorry for taking so long to upload this, my PC died and I'm currently using an old laptop. Updates will be coming slower for this so yeah, sorry!