The 'Extra' Lord (Unlimited Plunder) - Chapter 65

Most of the tickets Owen used ranged from 1-Star to 3-Stars. Only one knight was a 4-Star, a tall woman from the Rok’Ta giant race named Galina Stoneshield. Her face looked like it was carved from stone, with sharp angles and a bluish tint to her skin. Standing nearly 8 feet tall, she was a frightening sight.

She held a longsword that was probably meant for two hands, but she wielded it easily in one. What really caught Owen's attention, though, was the shield she carried—a massive kiteshield over 7 feet tall, thicker than any normal shield he'd ever seen.

One glance at her Status made it clear: Galina specialised in defence. She had two passive skills—one that made her shield absorb more damage, and another that increased the power of her shield bashes. The bloodstains on the pointed tip of her shield made that last skill all too real.

"Galina Stoneshield," Owen said, finishing his inspection of her System.

Galina stepped forward and slammed her sword and shield into the sand. "My shield is yours, my Lord."

“And my kingdom is yours too,” Owen replied with a smile. “It’s good to have you all here. Galina, you’re the most talented of the group, so I’m making you the general of the Knights. Any complaints?”

“None, my Lord,” she said, bowing her head. “It is my honour.”

“Great,” Owen said, clapping. He pointed toward Balthus in the distance. “That’s Balthus, my administrator. He’ll give you the rundown on this land. If you have any questions about the dangers here, ask Draed—the elf with the black bow. He’s the General of the Hunters. Got it?”

The new units bowed or saluted, then made their way toward Balthus. Owen turned his attention to his last ticket—the General.

Okay, maybe I need to come up with new titles for Draed and the rest, he thought, scratching his head. Commanders, maybe?

Scoffing at the thought, Owen tore open the ticket. A blinding wheel of light spun, settling on a gorgeous purple colour. 5-Stars. His mind raced with excitement. Would it be a legendary general in shining armour? Maybe a member of a godly race with golden eyes that commanded respect?

Owen’s excitement faded fast. From the light emerged a drunkard. Dirty, with matted ginger hair and thick arm hair, he looked like he hadn’t bathed in ages. His pointed nails were filthy, and he swayed on his feet, stinking of alcohol and… beef? He wasn’t even wearing armour.

The system must’ve forced him into an awkward, stumbling bow. It was a miracle he stayed on his feet.

Owen glanced at his Status, confused. The name “Vestid Pridecaller” sounded grand, but this man looked like a broken shell of his former self. No way the system got it wrong… right? The system was never wrong. Vestid must’ve gone through something terrible.

The beast-man was still bowing, eyes closed. Was he… asleep?

Owen approached and placed a firm hand on his shoulder to steady him. “Vestid?”

The man swayed, his head bobbing. “Huh, what?” He blinked up at Owen, his eyes shaky from too much alcohol. “Ah, my Lord! It’s an honour to… be here with—” he hiccuped “—you. Got any ale?”

Owen’s smile twitched. “Sorry, Vestid. All we have is desert. Brewing beer isn’t exactly a top priority.”

Vestid crouched down, cradling his head. “Oh no… that’s not good.” His eyes shot open, and he grabbed Owen's arm. “But it is on the agenda, right? How long till we get some?”

Owen thought for a moment. “Well, once I get a Winemaker or Brewer, maybe… tomorrow?”

Vestid’s eyes lit up, only to darken as Owen continued, “Could be next week. Month? Year?”

I could just buy one from the market, but I’m not wasting Credits on that. I’ll keep that to myself for now.

“The moment I get one, you’ll be the first to know, Vestid.”

“Oh… I appreciate that, my Lord.”

“I won’t sugarcoat things, Vestid. I don’t know what happened to you before you were summoned, and you might not remember either. But I need your help. I don’t have the experience to lead all these people. A few weeks ago, I was just an office worker. I need your leadership. Will you help me lead them into battle?”

Vestid hesitated, meeting Owen’s serious gaze. Something flickered in his eyes—maybe a spark of hope, or something long lost. He glanced at the troops scattered in the sand, all different in armour, race, and weapons.

“My Pride,” he muttered, sounding sober for a moment. “I… I don’t think I can do it.” He shook his head, clutching it like he was trying to squeeze out a deep, lingering pain.

Although Owen didn’t know what was wrong with Vestid, it didn’t take a genius to figure it out as he glanced at his System.

Name: Vestid Pridecaller

| Race: Aerlar

| Level: 1

| Class: General

Attributes:

| Strength: 13

| Vitality: 28

| Dexterity: 14

| Magic: 38

| Mana: 30

Skills

| Prideful Presence — Mastery: Medium

| Tactical Withdrawal — Mastery: Low

| Strategists Insight  — Mastery: Medium

Skill Descriptions:

Prideful Presence: Vestid emits an aura of authority, compelling distant allies to fight harder. Increases allies' attack and defence by a moderate amount. Drains mana.

Tactical Withdrawal: From his distant vantage point, Vestid orders a strategic retreat, increasing the movement speed of all allies by a moderate amount and reducing damage taken by a small amount for 10 seconds as they reposition.

Strategist's Insight: Vestid gains increased awareness of enemy positions, allowing him to relay critical information telepathically. Allies within his command gain morale boost and increased perception of hidden threats.

The Pride was Vestid’s army. And from the look in his eyes when he mentioned them, Owen could tell one thing—it meant loss. Vestid had lost his people. Judging by his worn appearance, it had happened a long time ago.

Owen wondered, did Vestid join the Lord System before that tragedy, or after, when grief pushed him into despair?

“You’re not alone, Vestid,” Owen said, crouching to meet the beast-man’s gaze. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you. Well, apart from alcohol right now.” Owen chuckled, and Vestid gave a weak smile.

“We’re in this together,” Owen added. “I don’t know if you’ve lost many people, but I have. Every time, it feels like a burning rake tearing through my heart and mind. But for their memory, for their spirit, we’ve got to keep going—one step at a time if that’s what it takes. Would your men want to see you like this?”

Vestid shook his head, his eyes reddening.

“Right,” Owen said. “So let’s get up. I think there’s sand fleas here, and the last thing you need is a rash.”

Owen helped Vestid to his feet. The beast-man then slapped his own cheek, hard. He nodded, clearing his head. “Thank you, my Lord, for your words. I’ll stay with the troops and see what they’re good at.”

Owen smiled wider. “That’s the spirit. Oh, and we might need to change their weapons.”

“My Lord?” Vestid asked.

“I’ve gained a power that boosts everyone’s blunt weapon damage. We’ll still need spears, but most of them should use maces, hammers, things like that. They’ll learn it faster too.”

Vestid nodded, still a little unsteady. “I’ll keep that in mind, my Lord. I’ll organise the army into smaller units and special roles.”

“Perfect,” Owen said. “Honestly, most of what I know is from books and movies. I’ve got a lot to learn from you.”

Vestid shook his head. “I’m not in the right mind to teach anyone anything right now, my Lord. I’m sorry.”

“There’s no rush. And Vestid?”

“Hm?”

Owen smiled warmly. “Welcome to the family.”

From there, watched as Rehan left to scout the southern land. Today, he’d spend the night outside in a cave he had discovered previously. It was finally time to find out what was out there. He’d be gone days along with Draed and a set of orcs.

Only time would tell if they’d make it back. Owen prayed for them. As for Owen, he spent the rest of his day tending Bimpnottin. With the added units, along with the orcs, that totalled 40-ish people all looking for food to eat and water to consume.

Fruit was also a staple in everyone's diet. Before, everyone received one citrus fruit and a plateful of meat; whether that was hound or crab. For now, food was okay. But 40 people was a lot. Even with Owen’s storage filled, that would only last an estimated week—if that. 

They had to do something about food, and fast, if Owen wanted to keep summoning Units. And that wasn’t all. He had to make a public toilet.