Shield Hero, but hopefully Heroic

[X] Viva la Revolution! If you must be pushed into open revolt... Then so be it. "Either you come with me and join Itsuki, or you leave, or you die. The world is wrong, the time for change is now."

Your proclamation was met with silence. You turned your horse to face your knight companions. "Melromarc disgusts me. The way they treat their fellow man is horrendous. The way the high class nobles who have done nothing but be lucky enough to be born rich crush the commons under their boot. I hate the way that pirates and bandits are legitimate businessmen able to sell people as PRODUCT! I hate the poverty that could be effortlessly fixed! I hate the corrupt who steal from you, your hard earned work to fatten their coffers... I hate the Church that divides us and pits us against each other to profit off you! The entire system, they don't represent you... They're thieves and thugs... Are you going to let them continue conscripting you to die in their wars? Are you going to let them keep stealing your meager possessions? If so, then leave I will not stop you. But hear me now as I swear, I'll torch the kingdom's structure and from ash and mortar build anew a world for the common man!" There was silence stretching for a long time, before William started clapping... Then some squires, soon it was most of them "Ah... What the hell, Melromarc treated me like shit anyway" Sir Gregory muttered and began clapping, soon after Sir Bradley gave you a curt nod "Melromarc took my family from me, for some reason I think you could be the one to help me avenge them." Oh good, you were afraid you'd have to beat them.

Itsuki walked up to you, relaxed since it didn't look like you were willing to attack "Yukihime... I knew you'd be on my side on this... The aristocrats... The way they treat demihumans and their people. I couldn't... I couldn't just stand by and watch! I can't let something so awful go. There was... There was a old man... He was too slow, they said... So they just killed him, and dumped his body like it was trash! Like he didn't matter! I couldn't let that go" Itsuki looked half way to a panic attack, and from what you could tell he never killed before. You gently put a hand on his head from your position on horseback, "I'm not going to lie to you Itsuki, and say it's alright. It's never going to be alright... But that's why we're fighting, so people like us won't have to suffer! So children can sleep peacefully at night, so families aren't broken apart in slaughter! So that nobody else gets scars like mine Itsuki! Never lose sight of your goal... For we fight not as mindless barbarians, but as men and women who hold the future! After all Itsuki... Didn't you take upon yourself the most important task of all... Escorting the defenseless to safety!" You hope you reassured him, and he does look visibly brighter at your words... "Y-Yukihime! Yes... I will remember... I will remember what you've said to me for the rest of my life... Thank you, Yukihime. I will escort the former slaves to freedom... With you here, and Ren across the country nobody will be able to stop our march towards freedom! Once I arrive I'll make sure to talk to everyone about you and your cause!" Holy shit Itsuki. You thought you were joining him, not the other way around.

Well shit. "That will be wonderful Itsuki! Together the revolution is just over the horizon!" You needed to keep his morale up... Off he went with his large group towards safety leaving you, your aide William, Sir Gregory and Sir Bradley and six squires... Now rebels in a hostile land of magic and monsters. You needed to be decisive, if you looked hesitant or unsure for even a moment you doubted that your men will stay with you for long... "William! Who do you know that is sympathetic to our cause? We need to get our message to the people, we need to get community leaders to recognize us!" William looked stunned for a moment before responding "Master Hillwick, Master Xavier and Master Brant are the only ones that come to mind... Master Hillwick controls a large compound in the mountains in the far west in Melromarc, he's a strong critic of the country and is skirmishing with the local lord after Lord Rey forcibly took one of his students as a mistress... Master Xavier was forced into hiding after it was discovered he had a demihuman wife, I know where he is... His students will be elated when he comes out of hiding... Master Brant used to be the local head of the Sacred Hand Serpent, a minor religion worshiping a snake god of the sky... He should still be alive and currently operating in the South a few kilometers from here..." You nodded at him in approval...

"Sir Gregory, Sir Bradley... If two or more of the Legendary Heroes declare open rebellion against Melromarc, how many people would willingly join us?" You were hoping it was 'a fuck ton' but you weren't that lucky. "I assume... Maybe a few hundred if we tell everyone where we are, but we'd just get attacked this close to the capital for that... If we racked up some victories and built up renown we'd probably have enough to actually form an army. The problem is surviving that long for that to happen. Luckily we're all cavalry so it won't be difficult to avoid capture, and we can skirmish pretty effectively... The best option for now in my mind is falling back southward towards Master Brant and see if he's open for recruitment... After that simply destroying the mothballed fortifications before Aultcray knows what's happening would be very effective to cutting their influence down to size... Then we hope Itsuki can deliver on getting us support from Schildfrieden so we can expand our forces. If we can hold territory, we will be able to construct an army." You nodded, acknowledging his idea. "I'm more of the opinion that we need to head towards Castle Greyhaven, they should have around thirty or so men and let us in without problems... Then we will kill them and take over the fort, that should buy us enough time for people to rally to our cause... The people are itching to strike back at the ineffective rulership in Melromarc so we should have plenty of volunteers." You nodded at him as well... But at the end it was up to you.

Civil War Arc has started, you will notice a difference in the quest format from now on until the arc ends. You have chosen morality, idealism and open revolution against pragmatic actions that may have furthered your own goals. Because you've all chosen a path several times in a row that Yukihime greatly approves of in character, you gain a Immortality Token. If combat ends in the death of Yukihime, she will not die, spending the token. You're gonna need it.

Also if you chose anyone but the bargain bin knights, you'd have been fucked.

What is your plan of action. Pick One

[X] Ride South, you will meet with Master Brant and hopefully join forces. Unfortunately joining a pagan will be seen in a negative light.

[X] Ride towards Castle Greyhaven, attempt to take it over and fortify yourself.


[X] Ride West? It'll be risky, but if you could make it towards Master Hillwick you will have a secure base, manpower and options to expand immediately... If you aren't caught by the staunch patrols.

Strategic Options, due to your planning skill you can choose two!

[X] Formal Declaration of War. You will send your men to every nearby village and town, nailing your formal declaration of hostilities on townhall and church doors between you and Itsuki. You will write down the atrocities Itsuki had stopped and his heroic actions, and you will paint Aultcray as an incompetent villain hunting down a hero of the people.

[X] Yukihimeism. You and William will write scathing essays on Melromarc and its kingdom, the system of feudalism, slavery, and general works meant to incite. You will also propose better alternatives to the status quo.

[X] Ambusher. You will train your new followers to be silent like the night.

[X] Divinity. Claim the Mandate of Heaven. As you are one of the chosen of God, you have the rightful claim to the throne! For you are one of the Four Heroes to deliver Salvation!

[X] Falsify Marching Orders. Send Aultcray on a wild goose chase after your nonexistent shadow as you achieve your real goal... Cost: 100 Silver.

Personal Options, choose one:

[X] Form connections with your new companions.

[X] Train your martial arts.

[X] Strategize.

[X] Search for ways to improve your lifespan.

This is gonna look pretty pathetic for a while.

Yukihime Sakura, a would be Warlord attempting to free the people from bondage. You are out gunned, out manned and without support or resources. However, you believe that you can struggle through this disaster, and you would rather die then support the slavers in any fashion.

William Blackwood. He's Yukihime's adviser and aide-de-camp. He gives you martial art and spiritual energy instruction. He is an invaluable supporter of yours and your main connection to people who may think like you. He's also a formidable combatant.

Sir Gregory. He is one of your two officers, he follows you out of belief in your words that you can make the world a better place. He holds a large grudge against Aultcray, and Melromarc in general for the disrespect he was given as a knight of a conquered region. He serves as your adviser.

Sir Bradley Richwood. He's one of your two officers, he follows you out of a desire for vengeance. He hates Melromarc itself beyond rational reason, and likely would've became a bandit or joined another rebel group if you didn't recruit him first. Deceased. Your first officer death.

Itsuki Kawasumi. Your distant ally who you accidentally proselytized. He is the Bow Hero, and has been killing nobles for the last week. He completely believes in your vision, and is holding onto it like a lifeline. He is going towards Schildfrieden with a large amount of former slaves to gather support for your cause.

Master Hillwick. He owned a small army of martial artists in the mountains, and was willing to join your cause if you helped him free some of his captured students. One of which was his daughter. You think he's trustworthy so far and has been easily convinced on your philosophy of the world.

Thirty Adepts. These are monks under Master Hillwick's sect. They're elite shock infantry, however they are poorly armored and do not fare well in long pitched battles. They will decimate any non supernatural force on the battlefield without much issue, but will not last against harsher foes.

Ten Demihuman Militia. Former slaves of Lord Rey who forcibly volunteered to your cause. They're armed with spears, shields and chainmail from the Castle's armory. You don't expect them to amount to much in combat due to their small numbers and lack of training.