The Price of Loyalty

The firelight flickered over Captain Draven's face, casting deep shadows across the scar running down his cheek. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, weighing every movement, every breath. He had just given me a choice—convince him to fight for me, or let him walk away and sell his blades to Carridan.

I knew the stakes.

If I handled this wrong, I would be fighting a war on two fronts. If I handled it right, I might gain one of the most dangerous mercenary companies in the region as allies.

The goblins around us watched with open distrust, their hands tight on their weapons. The human scouts were more cautious, standing at ease but within reach of their bows. The Shadeborn remained silent, but I could feel her presence at my back, waiting, listening.

Draven waited.

I met his gaze. "You want a reason to fight for me instead of Carridan?" I asked.

Draven smirked slightly. "That's what I said."

I nodded. I had three ways to play this. I could offer gold, knowing mercenaries always followed the highest bidder. I could offer power, promising them land and command if we won. Or, I could offer them something even better—certainty.

I stepped closer. "Carridan is already losing."

Draven's smirk didn't fade, but I saw the flicker of interest in his eyes. "Is he now?"

I nodded. "He sent scouts, and they didn't come back. He sent a probe force, and we crushed it. His supply lines? Burning. His outpost? Ours. He's scrambling to respond, and the second he moves to counterattack, we'll be waiting. You know how wars work. Who's already controlling the battlefield?"

Draven's men shifted slightly. They were listening.

I kept going. "You can fight for him if you want. But you're mercenaries, and you know what happens to mercenaries who back the losing side. You get left behind. You get blamed. Maybe you even get sacrificed when things go bad. But with me? You're fighting for the side that's going to win."

Draven was silent for a long moment. His men exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering through them.

Then, he chuckled.

"Well," he said, folding his arms. "That's a hell of a speech."

I said nothing, waiting.

He exhaled, then nodded. "Alright, Outworlder. I'm interested. But interest isn't loyalty."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you need?"

"A contract," he said simply. "Nothing written, nothing binding, but terms. If we fight for you, we get paid. If you win, we get land—enough to keep my men comfortable."

I considered that. Gold was temporary, but land? That meant a long-term alliance.

I could afford to promise them territory.

I nodded. "If we take Carridan's holdings, you get a seat at the table."

Draven studied me for a moment. Then, he held out his hand.

"We have a deal."

I clasped his wrist. "Then let's get to work."

The system chimed.

[New Faction Alliance Formed: The Iron Fangs]

- +40 Veteran Mercenary Units Added

- War Reputation Increased

- Unlocks Advanced Tactical Formations

The goblins stiffened as Draven's men relaxed, some even exchanging nods with my forces. This was new territory for both sides, but I had done it—I had turned a potential enemy into an ally.

Now, it was time to use them.

I turned to Gorak. "Reinforce the outpost. We're holding this ground no matter what."

Gorak bared his teeth. "Good."

Then I looked to Draven. "How long until Carridan moves?"

Draven crossed his arms. "He's already moving. You burned his supplies. He can't afford to wait. My guess? His full army will be here in two days."

Two days.

That wasn't long. But it was long enough.

I turned to the Shadeborn. "Scout his forces. I want to know numbers, composition, and weak points."

She nodded and disappeared into the night.

Then, I turned back to my system.

Current Gold: 1,620

Passive Income: 42 Gold per Minute

Time for my next move.

[Available Upgrades]

Upgrade Defenses Again (1,500 Gold) – Strengthens walls, adds additional fortifications.

Summon an Elite War Commander (1,200 Gold) – Provides strategic bonuses to all battles.

Expand Training Grounds (750 Gold) – Improves unit skill and training efficiency.

Construct Siege Weapons (1,000 Gold) – Adds ballistae and catapults for long-range attacks.

I needed to make this fortress a nightmare to attack.

[1,500 Gold Deducted – Upgrading Defenses]

A deep rumbling filled the outpost as the walls grew even stronger, reinforced with stone and thickened logs. The gates hardened, layered with reinforced plating. New watchtowers formed along the perimeter, giving my archers even better sightlines.

[Defenses Upgraded: Increased Siege Resistance, Improved Gate Strength, Additional Archer Positions]

The goblins and mercenaries both watched as the outpost transformed into something far more imposing.

Now, Carridan wouldn't just have to fight through us. He would have to fight through a fortress.

Gorak let out an approving growl. "Now we are ready."

I exhaled, turning back to my forces. Two days.