Chapter 1169: The Stronghold and Lost Memories

At this time, Tieria stood at the command table inside the Omega Stronghold’s war room...

His mechanical left eye was glowing faintly as it scanned the map projected before him.

The eye had already been changed a couple of times after Lysandra provided him with a mid-grade mechanical eye before...

It was once torn apart by Ice Zombies and he had refused to replace it with flesh even when healers suggested it was possible.

The mechanical eye gave him precision beyond human limits, and with it, he had become the finest sniper in Shane’s forces.

That same precision made him an ideal commander, able to analyze situations calmly rather than brute force. Shane had recognized this and promoted her to oversee the Stronghold.

Beside him were Hanzo and Argus, both recruits who had emerged from the fog after he used Epic‑Grade Recruitment Stones.

Hanzo was more like a hunter whose instincts rarely failed.

Argus was a warrior who could fight with sword and spear...

After being together for a long time, the three of them were already experts in their own field. Because of that, they formed the Stronghold’s core leadership when Shane was away.

At this time, the map displayed on the table showed the progress of their latest project... the construction of a road linking the Omega Stronghold to nearby allied shelters.

To the north, six hours of travel would bring them to the New Genesis Shelter. To the east lay Eclipse Domain Shelter.

The road was meant to bind these territories together, ensuring trade, reinforcements, and communication flowed without delay. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Tieria’s mechanical eye zoomed in on the highlighted sections. "More than a hundred workers are already assigned," he said... "But progress is slow. The quarry is too far. Transporting stone is delaying everything."

Hanzo crossed his arms. "We’ll need another quarry. If we keep hauling from the current site, the road won’t be finished before the next event."

Argus nodded. "Agreed. A closer source of stone would cut time in half. But scouting quarries isn’t without risk. With the Cross Apocalypse Event, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Vampires and Dragon Army in the field."

"It should still be fine..." Tieria muttered as he marked potential zones. "We’ll send a survey team. Leon knows the terrain better than anyone. He can identify a new quarry site."

Hanzo recalled Leon and agreed immediately.

That man can be trusted for sure...

"And while we’re at it, we need Light Orbs. The road will be useless at night without illumination. Flasher Zombies carry them... their orbs glow bright enough to power street lamps."

Argus frowned. "Flasher Zombies are rare. They’re not that dangerous now since we have sunglasses that block their blinding bursts, but they’re not easy to find."

Hanzo shrugged. "That’s why mercenaries exist. Let them handle it. Or we ask Leon again. He’s tracked Flasher nests before."

Tieria considered this, her mechanical eye narrowing. "Mercenaries are fine... I think Shane suggested a few of them from Ivory Gear Shelter... Anyway, quarry scouting for Leon and Flasher hunting it is..."

The room fell silent for a moment...

Every decision mattered. Roads meant survival, trade, and unity. So, every delay could cost lives.

Just then, the heavy doors of the command chamber opened.

Thud!

A messenger rushed in. He was breathless, while clutching a slate. "Commander Tieria!" he exclaimed. "News from the gates. An old mage has arrived... a fog recruit. He carries dozens of spells!"

Hanzo’s eyes widened. "A mage? Here?"

Argus’s calm demeanor broke into surprise. "That’s rare. Most fog recruits are fighters or craftsmen. A mage could change everything."

Tieria’s mechanical eye flickered as he processed the information. "Dozens of spells, you say?"

The messenger nodded vigorously. "Yes. The assessors confirmed it. His name is Merlin. He displayed Arcane Bolt, Mana Shield, Elemental Affinity and others... all at maximum level. Unfortunately, it seems that he couldn’t recall many things. He lost some of his memories."

The room buzzed with energy and soon, Hanzo muttered, "With a mage, our defenses will be unmatched. Imagine him reinforcing the Mind Tower’s resonance or crafting wards along the road. I think he needs to meet Sona, Aya, or maybe even Zephyrion."

Argus added, "This is good news for us... Maybe it’s just a temporary loss of memories. I’m sure a strong caster like him will be just fine..."

Tieria raised her hand, silencing them.

"We will not rush to conclusions. The fog recruits are free to choose. Especially the high-ranking ones... Merlin will decide whether to stay here or not, so make sure to treat him well while I make preparations..."

Tieria turned to the messenger and asked a few questions. There, he confirmed that Merlin was only wearing normal-looking clothes. He didn’t seem like an old Mage at all.

"Alright... Tell him I’m occupied with command duties," Tieria said firmly.

"He will be met soon, but for now, ensure his accommodations are prepared. Food, rest, everything he needs. He is to be treated with respect. Assign him quarters in the left wing of headquarters... the VIP suites. Make sure he knows his status is recognized."

The messenger bowed and hurried off. Tieria turned back to the map, but his thoughts lingered on Merlin.

A mage with dozens of spells could shift the balance of their defenses, yet he had arrived with nothing but the clothes on his back. That would need to be remedied quickly.

She opened the Guild Chat interface...

[ Tieria: I need Mana Crystals and other magical items. A recruit has arrived... an Old Mage. He has nothing with him aside from basic clothes. ]

Almost immediately, replies came in.

[ Jillian: Wow... I’ve got a Dark Mage Set rotting in my inventory. I’ll send it over. ]

[ Raze: Mana Crystals? I’ll have Mr. Wadsworth arrange them for you. Take care of the Mage. ]

Tieria’s mechanical eye glowed faintly as he read the responses. Support was already flowing in

[ Tieria: Good. Deliver them to the Stronghold within the day. If you know other mages, please send them here. This old man lost his memories. ]