Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points! - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Day Four Of Hellish Training
Sephira turned back to the tracks, watching as the workers hammered spikes into place.

The metallic clang rang out, a proof of their progress.

“We’re making good time,” she said, more to herself than anyone else. “But we can’t afford delays.”

“Agreed,” Arvel said, rolling up the blueprint. “With your leadership and their hard work, Lady Sephira, this railway will be the backbone of the empire.”

“Indeed.” She said, she then giggled softly as she said, “Although what beings me joy is the award I could get from the emperor.”

Arvel glanced ah tee blushing face and the was she cupped her left cheek in her left hand as she bit her lip and simply choose to say nothing, his respect for his emperor silently rose.

….

Back in the maze, the mountain zone.

The knights moved forward, their boots scraping against the jagged rock as they made their way through the treacherous mountain terrain.

The once smooth path had long since given way to steep inclines, winding paths, and cliffs that seemed to rise into the sky.

The air was thinner here.

And each breath came with a burning sensation deep in their lungs, a reminder of how intense their journey had become.

Kael led the group, he kept his eyes on the narrow trail ahead. His sword was sheathed, but his grip on its hilt remained firm, ready to draw at a moment’s notice.

Behind him, the other knights struggled against the ascent. Garik, kept watch over the rear, ensuring no one slipped or lost footing on the rocky slopes.

Esten, whose sharp eyes seemed to scan the surrounding cliffs with ease, kept the pace steady as they pressed onward.

“Damn cliffs,” muttered Lionel under his breath, his hands grasping the rough surface of the stone for stability.

His legs trembled slightly, fatigue gnawing at his body as he struggled to keep up with the others.

Every step upward felt heavier than the last, and his breathing was shallow, the altitude taking its toll on him.

“Keep moving, rookie,” Darian encouraged from beside him, his voice calm but filled with his resolve.

“You’ve got this. Just one more ledge, and we’ll rest.”

Lionel shot him a grateful, yet weary, glance. Despite Darian’s usual teasing, his presence brought him a sense of ralif.

Yet even with the reassurance, Lionel couldn’t shake the unease tightening in his chest.

He glanced up at the towering cliffs ahead, the narrow trail barely visible against the sheer rock face. Below them, the valley stretched out like a vast abyss, a drop that seemed infinite… A fall here would mean certain death.

“Esten,” Kael called out, pausing briefly to survey the view from a ledge just wide enough to stand on. “How far do you think we are from the tye gate to the next zone?”

Esten adjusted his footing, his eyes focused on the horizon. “At least another hour… maybe more. This terrain is a bit tricky. It seems closer but all this climbing isn’t exactly easy so it’s longer than it is.”

Kael nodded slowly. “Then we keep climbing. Every step is one closer to safety.”

Esten cast a glance downward, then upward again, his expression thoughtful.

“This might be the most mind racking part of the maze yet,” he murmured, his voice almost lost to the wind. “But at least we can see more of the maze from here. It’s a vantage we haven’t had before.”

Kael agreed, though the weight of their situation did not lessen.

“It’s both a blessing and a curse. We see the challenges ahead, but we can’t turn back. Progress is the only way forward.”

The knights resumed their climb, each step taken with caution. Every muscle strained with the effort of navigating the unforgiving path, their arms aching as they hoisted themselves up ledge after ledge.

Even Garik, known for his endurance, appeared exhausted as the thin air made breathing harder.

“Vanguard, secure the next section,” Kael commanded, breaking the heavy silence

The group moved to comply, with Laris and a few others carefully placing anchors and ropes along the cliffside for added security.

“Careful,” Laris warned, his voice tight with concentration as he secured his own rope to a sturdy outcropping. “This rock isn’t exactly forgiving.”

“Understatement,” Esten said, testing his footing carefully before climbing up the next section.

As they moved, the sky darkened further, casting long, ominous shadows over the mountain range.

Lightning flickered in the distance, though it was far away for now. Still, the rumble of thunder echoed across the valleys, a grim reminder of the storm brewing somewhere overhead.

“We’ll need to find shelter soon,” Kael said, glancing upward at the heavy clouds rolling in. “We can’t afford to be caught out in this terrain during a storm.”

“Agreed,” Esten said, his sharp gaze flicking between the clouds and the twisting paths ahead.

“We press on, but we must be prepared for the worst.”

The climb continued, every knight pushing through sheer exhaustion and fear. Each ledge was harder to reach, each step more Jared to make than the last.

Darian, despite his usual cocky demeanor, moved a lot more quietly, his focus locked entirely on each move… No on coukd blaim him, who had time to joke whan tyer lives were on line.

He glanced occasionally at Lionel, offering silent encouragement with a pat on his shoulder or a reassuring nod.

“Almost there,” Darian whispered, his voice calm as he helped steady Lionel through a particularly difficult section.

“You sound like a damn motivational speaker,” Lionel mumbled, his breath ragged as he hauled himself up a final boulder. “Just get me off this rock.”

Darian chuckled softly, even as his own muscles screamed in pain. “One more, rookie. We’re close.”

The summit loomed above them, the last stretch visible through the thinning mist. The final ascent was the steepest, requiring all their strength to push upward.

At last, Kael reached the top, his form silhouetted against the grey sky.

“Made it,” Kael breathed, looking out over the vast expanse of the maze below. The view was breathtaking, though the feeling of accomplishment was short-lived.

“Rest here,” he ordered. “Just long enough to catch our breath and gather strength.”

The knights settled on the rocky surface, taking deep breaths and wiping away sweat-drenched faces. The landscape below stretched endlessly, but their eyes were not on the maze’s complexity anymore—at least not for now.

They were too focused on the present, the struggle they had just endured.

Esten stared out into the distance, his keen eyes scanning the horizon. “The maze is vast,” he murmured, half to himself. “But it feels like we’ve carved out a part of it today.”

Kael nodded, sitting heavily beside him. “One step closer. That’s all we can hope for.”

“What day is it now though.”

“I belive we are kn the forth.” Esten said.

They sat in silence for a while, the mountain winds cutting through the air with a chill. But despite the challenges ahead, the knights drew strength from their unity. They had faced the impossible before—and they would do it again.

Eventually, Kael stood, his expression resolute. “Let’s move. There’s no telling whan that storm will start poring, catching a cold here would be suicidal.”

….

Meanwhile.

The dim glow of the strategic room flickered faintly against the ancient stone walls, casting long shadows across the ornate floor.

At the head of the room sat Arkanos, his throne before the rest of the gathered figures.

The air in the room was tense as Arkanos rose, his voice echoed confidently through the silence.

“Thank you all for making it here.”

“Your presence is valued more than you know.”

From across the room, Arc Mage Sylvana stood, her green hair cascading down her back like a flowing waterfall.

Her brown skin was adorned with white vine-like tattoos, glowing faintly in the candlelight.

Beside her, the fallen angel Abaddon stood, his red hair contrasting sharply with his black and white eyes. Black armor encased his figure, by six massive black wings folded behind him. A blade, dark as night and crackling with dark energy, rested by his side.

To Arkanos’ right stood a group of warriors, clad in dark red and black armor. They were Berserker Knights.

The leader of the group, a tall and commanding woman with fiery red hair tied back in a braid, Utilia.

Removed her helmet to reveal har beautiful face and piercing emerald eyes.

“I welcome you all,” Arkanos said. “You have done well to gather here. Before we begin, we are expecting one more.”

The room settled into a tense silence. Abaddon shifted slightly, his gaze sharp and calculating.

“You’ve gathered quite the crew,” Abaddon said with a smirk. “One would almost wonder why you haven’t begun your goal of world conquest yet.”

The Berserker Knight Captain leaned forward, her expression cold. “You shouldn’t speak unless spoken to,” she said firmly.

Abaddon raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. “Watch your mouth, Human. Or else, when I’m done with you, you won’t have a mouth to close.”

A smaller, slightly taller Berserker Knight near the captain snapped in return. “That is no way to address her.”

Sylvana raised a hand, her voice gentle spoke. “Enough,” she said calmly, her gaze sweeping over the room. “We’re here for a purpose, and bickering serves no one.”

Knight Captain Seraphine, standing silently nearby, glanced at Arkanos, her expression gave away her concern. She hoped for his intervention, to make sure they didn’t argue here.

Suddenly, Arkanos spoke, his voice a powerful force that echoed through the room like a blade. “Is my presence a joke to all of you? I don’t recall giving any of you permission to speak.”