Squad Games [Squad Building LitRPG] [Book One Complete]

In his capital city of Pengshui, General Fei was building a mighty army.

Christoph only knew whatever details Liena and Mei told him. Mei said her father feared his opponent, Kecheng, would wait for reinforcements from their homeland until he had enough soldiers to overwhelm Fei's force. He was therefore preparing an offensive, to strike before those reinforcements arrived.

Christoph had only returned to Kuthenia to take Mei to her father, fulfilling The Baron's mission. He had stayed because of Liena. His attachment to her had grown so much that he couldn't bear the prospect of leaving her and returning to the farm alone.

They spent much of their time practising with weapons. Christoph taught her the bow, and she resumed his lessons with the sword.

Fighting with a katana was different to the longsword drills Ashlyn and Eddie had shown him. The katana was primarily a cutting weapon, with a single edge. Overall, less versatile than the longsword, but just as deadly in the right hands. Liena emphasised accuracy and speed. She set up small targets on bamboo and told him that missing wasn't acceptable. Then she counted how many times he could hit the target while she counted to twenty.

To Christoph, it felt less complicated than Fortune's talk of swordcraft as an art form. He was pleased to see his skill with the weapon develop.

Some of your ex-mercs improved their stats:

Liena:

Skill with bows: competent

The Bowman:

Skill with swords: competent

They returned from their most recent training session to the royal palace that Fei's family and servants lived in. They had the habit of entering from the rear of the building, through the window Christoph left open in his apartment. Being in a room with someone of the opposite sex was considered scandalous. Social rules were a lot stricter than back on the farm, and Liena was wary of falling foul of them.

"One's honour is the most important thing in the world," she would tell him, a point of view he hadn't come across before.

Christoph noticed movement on the roof—so brief, he almost convinced himself he hadn't seen it. "I think someone's on the roof."

"Where?"

"Up there."

"That's Mei's rooms."

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The way Liena said it immediately put Christoph on edge. Without further discussion, Liena ran for Christoph's window, and he did his best to keep up with her. She leapt into his room, then opened his door and ran down the corridor. Christoph gave chase, apologizing to a servant carrying bed linen as he barged past.

Liena didn't hesitate, tearing up the stairs to the next floor of the palace. She ran for her own apartment, unlocking the door and making for her window. She opened it and turned to Christoph for help. He helped her clamber out and supported her weight as she reached for the overhanging tiled roof. She found purchase, and he watched her disappear up.

Shit on it. He couldn't follow her, the gap to the roof was too large. He turned, exited her room and ran for the stairs that would take him to Mei's apartments.

Images of Mei murdered, and Liena fighting for her life, flashed through his mind. Two guards on the doors raised their spears as he approached.

"There's someone on the roof!" He shouted.

They hesitated, not sure whether to trust him, when there was no time to hesitate.

"Come with me!" he urged.

"Stay here," one said to the other, and opened the door. Christoph rushed through, then pulled up. He could hear the ring of metal on metal but couldn't make out where it came from. Wooden partitions had turned the place into a maze.

"This way," said the guard, sounding worried.

The guard led him into the princess's private chambers. Here, Liena fought a masked adversary. Mei was slumped in the corner, grasping a wounded arm. Her tutor lay dead a few feet away.

ACTION ROUND

The assassin's sword cut into Liena's arm, drawing blood. She lost 5 hit points. Already injured, her total dropped to 9.

Christoph charged into the melee, ready to use his katana for real. The assassin was quick, avoiding Christoph's first swing. But Liena had taught him well and he followed up with two blows too fast for his opponent to avoid. 16 damage left the assailant on 8 hit points.

The guard went next, taking 5 hit points.

Liena only had two actions remaining. She missed on her first strike, but her second sliced low. She took his feet but was accurate enough to leave him alive.

"No more," she warned. "The general will want him alive."

General Fei met with them in his private shrine. "It is safe to speak here," he explained. "Thank you both once more for saving my daughter's life."

Christoph mumbled his thanks, while Liena simply bowed her head. She was always so elegant.

"The assassin was sent to abduct Mei, but to kill her if that was not possible. I realise my daughter will be a target so long as she is with me. But nowhere in my territory is truly safe from Kecheng's agents." He turned to Christoph. "Mei needs to be taken to the west of Gal'azu. Not to Avolo—it is too obvious, and the Governor General's spies will find her. Somewhere remote, where she can be hidden until this war is over."

"I see." The Gerd farm was remote enough, Christoph reckoned. "I think I have a good spot. She would be well looked after."

"You must tell as few people as possible."

"Of course."

"Liena—"

"—Of course I will go with her, my lord. It is my duty."

Fei smiled. "Thank you. I also have a letter for you to pass on." He handed the encased scroll to Christoph. "It is for Mayor Foberoy of Avolo. To be given to him personally, and no one else."

"I'll make sure he gets it."

Some of your ex-mercs improved their stats:

Liena:

Agility +1

The Bowman:

Agility +1