Chapter 19

The sun is rising and I'm already in the dining hall, serving breakfast to my 5 beautiful fiancés. Eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast was what I made and they were digging in as I was eating while watching them smile as they scarf down their breakfast. I was almost gone when Luke came to me.

"Sir, you are needed at the castle for an emergency meeting in the war room."

"Tell them I'm on my way."

I finish quickly and with Iris, we head to the castle.

40 minutes later...

I walk into the war room and I see William, the general of the Hearth army, and an unknown woman who is in her mid 20's standing around a small table with a map of the world.

"Ok, what's the situation?" I asked.

"Scouts have spotted a large orc battalion that is estimated to be 3,200 strong on the northern shores of the Marks Kingdom. They're heading to the capital of the Marks Kingdom which would take a week,. From there, it would take a month for them to get here." The general replied.

"So it is serious. And you are?" I said as I look at the unknown woman.

"I am Beth Marks, second princess of the Marks Kingdom and General of the Marks army." said the unknown woman, now known as Beth.

"OK, why am I here? I'm a duke, not a soldier."

"Given what the orcs do to women that they capture. I figure we could us your help." William said with a serious face.

"I have the idea now. I will go with 10 knights and a force of 1,000 soldiers. I will also be taking Lydia and half of my personal battle maids. Give me a day to prepare. You can send the 9 of the 10 knights and the 1,000 soldiers to the capital immediately with instructions to stand by once they get there."

"So my sister will be joining you?" asked William.

"Yes. She's a lot stronger than she was when she went up against the cyclops. She will be fine. Besides, I'll be there."

"Ok Michael, I trust you. I leave you to do your part."

"One more thing, I'll need to go to the Evergreen Kingdom to get 100 archers."

"Ok, head to the teleportation circle. Take Beth with you."

"Beth double time it. It's urgent." I said taking off to head to the teleportation circle.

I'm coming!"

Took us 3 minutes to get to the room and we teleported to the Evergreen Kingdom. I tell the guard that I was there for an urgent matter and to take me to see the king and queen.

5 minutes later...

"Hello, my future son-in-law. What brings you here?"

"I need 100 archers like right now!" I said fast with a serious look. I explain the situation and they agreed and sent for 100 archers. With 100 archers under my command, as well as Beth following me around, we teleport back to the Hearth castle and I give instructions to the archers to teleport to the Marks capital and stand by with the rest of the forces there.

I turn to Beth and said, "Follow me, I need to head back to my home to get Lydia and half of my battle maids.."

As I'm about to head towards the mansion, I run into Iris who has her suit of armor on.

"I was about to check to see if you was ready. Looks like you are." I said to Iris.

"Yes darling. I finally get to test out the results of my training. Hello Beth, Long time no see." Said Iris.

"Hello Iris, I wish to have came here under normal circumstances." Beth replied. We head to Barnes Manor to round up the rest of the force I was taking there.

30 minutes later...

We arrived at Barnes Manor and walk inside. I called Lydia and my battle maids to meet me in the courtyard. Not even a minute later, everyone is in the courtyard.

"I call everyone here to let everyone know what the situation is. A battalion of 3,200 orcs has been spotted on the northern shores in the Marks Kingdom. They are currently marching towards the capital of the Marks Kingdom. It is estimated that they will arrive where in a week. from there, they will be a month away from here. I've been called into action to deal with the threat on this continent. I will be in command of 1,000 of the Hearth army soldiers, 100 elven archers, and 10 knights. Lydia, I with need you come with me as well as the older half of the battle maids to the Marks Kingdom capital . Lydia, you will be the captain of the scouts and the older half of the battle maids will serve as my scouts. Iris will command the knights. I will coordinate with Beth, the General of the Marks army.."

Yuna, Liza, Kara, And Anita walked up to me and kissed me and said their goodbyes. They all knew what they had to do as I talked about this type of a situation happening in the past. Ann and Margaret hugged me and back to their school lessons. I looked at the half of the battle maids that will be staying behind.

"I know you want to test your abilities but now isn't the time. I promise to take you all here to a dungeon that is under the adventurers' guild supervision. Is that ok?"

(All)"Yes!"

Then I look at Lydia, Iris, and the battle maids that will be coming with me to the capital of the Marks Kingdom and said, "Move out!" 30 minutes later we arrive to the teleportation room and teleport to the Marks Kingdom capital. I learned from Beth that the capital's name, which is Grey, was after the first King of the Marks Kingdom.

Arriving in the Marks castle, I was greeted by the crown prince of the Marks Kingdom, Frederick Marks and King Marks.

"Ah, Elizabet., Welcome back. I saw that you were successful on getting the support of the Hearth Kingdom. And I also see Princess Iris is with you as well. But the young man and the others I do not know." Said King Marks.

"Allow me to introduce myself and my other companions. I am Michael Barnes, the Duke of Rommol and the hero. This is Lydia, my Captain of the scouts and these maids are scouts. I'm also Princess Iris's fiancé."

"Nice to meet you ,Lord Barnes. I heard about what you did in the Evergreen Kingdom. You have a leader's aura about you. And you look very strong. If I was 20 years younger, I would ask to spar, haha."

Seems like he used to be a battle junkie. I'm glad that he's too old to do that but the crown prince, I'll have to see.

"I am the crown Prince of the Marks Kingdom, Frederick Marks."

"May I call you Fred?"

"You may."

"Fred, how old are you?"

"21."

"So you know William, the King of the Hearth Kingdom?"

"Yes!"

"You got any good stories about him?"

"I sure do."

An evil grin forms on my face. More ammo to use to pick on William. Same time at the Hearth Castle, William is looking thru documents when a chill went down his spine.

"I think Michael and Fred are talking about me. I'll have to deal with it when Michael gets back."

Back at the Marks Castle...

I turn to Iris and kiss her as I knew she wanted to meet up with the other knights and then turn to Lydia and told her to lead the battle maids to where the soldiers are. I begin to walk with the 3 members of the Marks royal family before running until a beautiful young girl that couldn't look any older than 20. Short red hair and smallish chest but that ass, DAMN!

"Welcome back big sister. Who is this tall, strong man?" asked the young lady.

"This man is the Duke of Rommol, Michael Barnes. He's also a hero, Nina." , Beth replied.

Nina's eyes grew wide.

"So, you're the one who killed the cyclops king, the viscount of Rommol, Duke Evergreen, and Kain Evergreen and revived the queen of Evergreen and the former Duchess of Evergreen? Can I see your weapons? I want your autograph!" She excitedly said. A fan girl.

"Whoa, slow down. One at a time. I'll entertain you later. I just got here and need to talk to your family on the orc situation." I said.

"Ok." Nina said with a pouty face. This woman.

All 5 of us enter the war room and I ask if the Orc Army has captured and women from the near by villages from their current location.

"No, we gave orders to evacuate as soon as the orcs was spotted. This isn't the first time dealing with an army of orcs though this is the largest force of them they have sent from the northern continent before." Fred said.

"Hmmm, this smells of the Dark Lord." I said, deep in thought.

The Dark Lord as started to make a move.