The grove hummed with its usual activity as the morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow over the sprawling territory. Selene stood near the Fae Circle, overseeing her operations. The teleportation circles continued to connect her to her vassals, and the resource-gathering forces had been performing admirably. Yet something felt different today—a tension in the air that hadn’t been there before.
Selene checked the World Chat and immediately saw the shift in focus. The desperate cries for food had all but disappeared, replaced by a new concern: strength.
[IronWall]: "The trial is only a few days away. Does anyone know how strong the monsters will be?"
[FlameBringer]: "I’ve heard they’re brutal. If you’re not prepared, you’ll get wiped out."
[SilentSpear]: "Anyone trading resources for soldiers or unit blueprints? I need to strengthen my army."
[FrostCrane]: "Forget trading. I’m upgrading everything I have. This trial is make-or-break."
Selene frowned. The upcoming trial—an event the system hadn’t yet revealed much about—was clearly weighing heavily on everyone’s minds. While she felt confident in her Fae Lords and their forces, she couldn’t afford to underestimate what was coming. She needed to ensure her grove’s defenses were impenetrable and her forces ready to handle anything.
---
Her thoughts were interrupted by the familiar hum of the Fae Circle. It was time for her daily summons.
《System Alert: Day 6》
《Court of the Fae Lords is alive with mystical energy!》
《Do you want to summon two Fae Lords?》
《Yes》《No》
Selene selected 《Yes》, and the circle flared to life. The runes spun faster, their glow pulsing with vibrant energy as two new figures emerged.
The first was a tall, imposing figure cloaked in jagged, dark armor that seemed to ripple like liquid metal. His movements were deliberate, his eyes glowing with an eerie red light. He exuded an aura of menace and authority, his voice deep and commanding.
“I am the Fae Lord of Iron,” he said, his tone like the clash of steel. “A Tier 1 Fae Lord. I command forge spirits, ironbound sentinels, and steel golems. My domain is strength and durability, and I am yours to command.”
The second figure was smaller, almost ethereal in appearance. Her translucent form shimmered faintly, and her hair flowed as if caught in an unseen breeze. She seemed to glide rather than walk, her voice soft and melodic.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“I am the Fae Lady of Dreams,” she said, bowing gracefully. “A Tier 1 Fae Lord. I command dream wraiths, slumber sprites, and illusion beasts. My power lies in weaving illusions and manipulating the mind. I serve you, Queen of Balance.”
Selene nodded, pleased with the variety of abilities her new Fae Lords brought to the grove. “Welcome. Your strengths will be crucial in the days to come. Claim your places in the castle.”
---
As the new Fae Lords approached the castle, the structure began to change once again. Iron placed his hands on the black side of the castle, and jagged steel reinforcements grew from the walls, their sharp edges gleaming menacingly. Dreams claimed a section of the white side, where soft, glowing lights now danced along the walls, creating an ethereal, dreamlike effect.
《System Alert: Castle Upgraded!》
《The castle reflects the growing balance of its Queen and her Fae Lords.》
Selene admired the transformation for a moment before turning back to her Fae Lords. “We need to strengthen our forces and prepare for the trial,” she said. “Dreams, your abilities will be critical for disrupting enemies. Iron, focus on reinforcing the grove’s defenses.”
Both Fae Lords bowed and left to carry out her orders.
---
Later that day, one of her shadowlings returned with a report. A small group of hostile beasts had been spotted near the grove’s borders, likely drawn by the increased activity and magical energy.
Selene immediately summoned Ember and Snow to deal with the threat. Ember’s fire foxes and Snow’s frost wolves worked together to create a devastating combination of heat and cold, quickly dispatching the beasts. Selene arrived just as the battle ended, inspecting the remains.
Among the spoils was a strange, glowing orb that pulsed with power.
《System Alert: Rare Item Discovered!》
《Contents: Reinforcement Blueprint – Defensive Barrier》
Selene’s eyes lit up. This was exactly what she needed. She returned to the castle and activated the blueprint, setting her frost sprites and forge spirits to work on constructing the new barrier. Within hours, a shimmering, magical wall encircled the grove, its surface reinforced with steel and enchanted with illusions to confuse and disorient enemies.
《System Alert: Defensive Barrier Completed!》
《Your grove’s defenses have been significantly enhanced.》
---
As the day drew to a close, Selene returned to the Trade Interface. The listings were now dominated by requests for unit blueprints, rare materials, and defensive structures.
[StormHammer]: "Trading energy cores for any soldier upgrades. PM me."
[AzureFang]: "Does anyone have extra defensive blueprints? I’ll pay in stone and cores."
[IronClaw]: "I need a high-tier unit to pass the trial. Offering everything I’ve got."
Selene resisted the urge to list her resources openly. Instead, she used her vassals once more, sending small quantities of materials and blueprints to SilverLily and IronFist for them to sell in their names. This ensured she remained anonymous while profiting from the growing desperation of other lords.
---
That evening, Selene gathered her Fae Lords in the castle’s main hall. The room had grown larger with each upgrade, its walls now adorned with glowing crystals, cascading water, and swirling fog. The presence of her Fae Lords filled the space with power and confidence.
“The trial is coming,” Selene said, her voice steady but firm. “The other lords are scrambling to prepare, but we have the advantage. Our forces are strong, our defenses are secure, and our network is expanding. We will not just survive this trial—we will dominate it.”
Her Fae Lords nodded, their loyalty unwavering. Selene’s gaze swept across the room, her mind racing with plans for the days ahead. The Boundless Continent was a dangerous place, but with her growing web of influence and the strength of the Fae at her side, she was ready for whatever came next.
