new territory
Looking at the city below, Drake ordered his troops to advance.
With few soldiers defending the place, he knew that there was no need for an elaborate strategy. Sometimes, brute force was the ultimate solution.
"Listen, my warriors! This is the beginning of our ascension! This is where the Page family will be reborn! Forward!"
Drake said, with a confident smile as he looked at the city.
On the city walls, the guards watched the army approaching, incredulous and frightened.
"That can't be! Didn't our lord leave with the army to defeat them?"
One of the guards, terrified, murmured
"ALERT! ENEMY ATTACK! EVERYONE READY!"
The captain of the guards shouted, but the tremor in his voice revealed the fear.
At the end of that afternoon, the city was dominated. The banners of the Page family, a black dragon on fire, now trembled in the walls.
All the descendants of the Pantaleon family were gathered in a large room, where Drake was waiting for them.
"I'll be direct"
Drake said, his voice full of authority.
"Recollect your belongings and leave these lands. I don't want problems in my new domain."
"We've already fixed everything. We'll leave, sir."
Thompsom's eldest son, with his face hardened with anger, replied:
"You can leave."
As soon as they withdrew, Drake turned to Drystan.
"Send someone to eliminate the Pantaleão family. Let's say that a bunch of hungry bandits attacked them on the way."
Drake said with a chilling smile.
Drystan swallowed dry.
"What a tragic end for a family... Don't you think?"
Drake said, with a sharp coldness in his voice.
"Yes, sir. Leave it to me."
"What about the casualties?"
"We lost sixteen men, all warriors. But we killed thirty-eight enemies and captured forty-seven prisoners."
"Excellent. We'll stay here for two more days and then go back home. We need to find someone to manage this city."
Now, with the Pantaleon territory under his control, Drake began to evaluate the available resources.
PANTALEÃO FAMILY FINANCES:
* Funds: 60 gold coins
* Copper mine: Low quality, producing 10kg of copper per month
* Villas: 3
* City: 1
"With these funds and copper production, we will be able to rebuild the infrastructure and strengthen our army"
Drake thought.
Two days later, Drake's army left the city, leaving thirty men to manage the place.
When they returned to the fort of the Page family, they were received with a party. Citizens threw flowers, celebrating the victory.
"SAVE THE PATRIARCH!"
"LONG LIVE THE PAGE FAMILY!"
Drake entered the fort, a smile of satisfaction on his face. He felt the vibrant energy of his family, as if everyone had good news to share.
Magno, his uncle, approached with a warm hug.
"My nephew! Our ancestors would be rejoicing if they could see what you did."
"Tio" Drake replied proudly.
"We managed to defeat the Pantaleão family. Now, their lands are ours."
"I always knew you could do it. And I have a surprise for you too."
With this, Magno and the other family members began to activate their lineages. Everyone had reached new levels of power.
Magno was now a senior junior knight, like Drake. His cousins and brothers had become primary junior-level knights. With this new power, the future of the family seemed promising.
"With this strength, we can stabilize our earnings and continue to grow," Drake said excitedly.
"Done, we just conquered the city of the Pantaleão family. I need someone I trust to take care of the administration. I think you're the right person for that."
Magno reflected for a moment before answering.
"It will be an honor to protect the interests of our family."
After the family reunion, Drake went to his father's old office. There, she called Sarah, the housekeeper.
She, a woman of about thirty years old, with a serene presence and a mature body, promptly answered the call.
"Sarah, tell the territory accountant to come here. I need to talk to him."
"Yes, sir," she replied, leaving with her seductive body.
Drake watched with a slight interest in his eyes.
Shortly after, a tall, simple-looking and slightly pot-bellied man entered the room. His heavy cold clothes indicated the harshness of life in the north.
"I respect the Patriarch"
Said the man, with a bow.
"Barroso, I need a balance of our family's finances."
"Of course, sir"
Removing some papers from his bag and handing them to Drake.
FAMILY FINANCES PAGE:
* Funds: 20 gold coins
* Villas: 3
* Strong: 1
"Our income comes mainly from the villages and limited trade in our fort, sir," Barroso explained.
"Now, with the joining of the conquered territories, we will have much more to receive, both in taxes and from the copper mine, even if of low quality," Drake said.
"You can withdraw, Barroso. And send one of your employees to supervise the conquered territories. We can't leave everything as it is."
"Yes, sir. With your permission."
Barroso bowed and left.
Drake sighed as he reflected.
"Now I need to deal with prisoners of war... So, is that the life of a lord?"
He said with a slight smile, satisfied with the direction things were taking.