Chapter 28: Valdemar

The meal, while simple, felt like a feast after the brutal battle. The defenders of Edric's settlement didn't have much left—most of their food stores had been depleted, and their livestock was nearly wiped out. Yet, they still had a few sheep left, and what little meat they could spare was cooked over open flames. The scent of roasting meat mixed with the lingering smell of blood and smoke in the air, creating a strange contrast between war and survival.

Leon sat among Edric's soldiers, eating in silence as he observed them. They were weary, faces marked by exhaustion, but there was a glimmer of hope in their eyes now. The knowledge that they had survived today's onslaught, against impossible odds, made them celebrate what little they had. Laughter and conversation began to trickle through the camp, soft at first, then growing louder as the tension from the battle finally lifted.

After the meal, Edric stood and motioned for Leon to follow him.

"Come," Edric said, his tone casual yet firm. "You must have a thousand questions. Let's talk in private."

Leon nodded and followed him into the keep. Despite the damage done to the settlement, Edric's private quarters were still intact—modest, but far better than the ruined homes outside. A heavy wooden table stood in the center, with a few chairs scattered around. A map of the region was pinned against one wall, covered in markings and scribbled notes. Edric poured two cups of weak ale and handed one to Leon before taking a seat.

Then, he spoke.

Edric: "So… which planet did you get summoned from?"

Leon: "Huh? What do you mean, which planet? I'm from Earth… like you, no?"

Edric: Hmm… I see. So you don't know much about our situation here.

Leon: "I've only been here for a little over a month. If you can, please fill me in on what's going on."

Edric let out a low whistle, shaking his head in mild disbelief.

Edric: "A month? And you've already gathered such elite troops? That's impressive. Most lords barely survive their first few weeks, let alone gain warriors strong enough to take on necromancers."

Leon didn't respond. He simply gestured for Edric to continue.

The older lord leaned back in his chair and took a sip of ale before speaking.

Edric: "Alright, listen well. You're currently in a world called Valdemar. It's a war-torn, ruthless world, and it has been since time immemorial. Humans are the dominant species here, but it's not just us—goblins, elves, orcs, and other creatures exist, though most of them have long since disappeared from this continent. Some fled to distant lands, while others were driven into hiding.

"This continent we stand on is called Velarion. It's one of the most chaotic regions of Valdemar, known for its unending wars. And right now, we're trapped in a wasteland between two warring kingdoms."

Edric leaned forward, tapping the map on the wall.

Edric: "To the west, you have Aurelian, a kingdom built on rigid order, discipline, and military strength. Its lords are bound by strict laws, and its rulers dream of absolute conquest. To the east, you have Drakhar Dominion, a brutal, warrior-driven kingdom where strength decides everything. Assassinations, betrayals, and power struggles are a daily occurrence in Drakhar, but despite their internal conflicts, they've been trying to expand their territory for decades."

Leon studied the map, taking in the information.

Edric: "This land wasn't always a battlefield. Just a few decades ago, it was flourishing—green fields, clear rivers, trade routes that connected the kingdoms. But after years of war, everything turned to ruin. Crops burned, villages razed, countless lives lost. Now, all that remains is death and misery."

Leon frowned. "And then… the Eclipse Covenant appeared."

Edric's face darkened.

Edric: "Exactly. Around ten years ago, those damned cultists started rising in this land. No one knows their true purpose, but one thing is clear—their power is growing. This land, tainted by war and bloodshed, is the perfect breeding ground for their dark magic. They thrive in death, and something tells me they have bigger plans than just raising Hollowborn."

Leon clenched his jaw, remembering the battle, the necromancers, and the sheer number of Hollowborn he had seen. The thought of what the cult was planning sent a chill down his spine.

But Edric wasn't finished.

Edric: "One more thing. Around the same time the Eclipse Covenant first appeared… the first Lords started showing up."

Leon's eyes narrowed.

Edric: "Ten years ago, people like us—humans from different worlds—began to appear in Valdemar. Each one chosen by the System. No one knows why, but we all share something in common: we're the only ones who can use the System's power."

Silence hung between them for a moment as Leon processed everything. Different worlds? Lords appearing for the past ten years? It was far more complex than he had expected...