DND Realms: The Rise of the Titan-Dragon Prodigy

"You are free to refuse my recruitment decree, and I will not force you," Muria said with a benevolent smile. "Joining the demon-hunting brigade and fighting demons involves risking your lives to protect the kingdom, so it's entirely voluntary. Your life is your own."

"Now, let's begin the registration," Muria's aide Mia waved her hand, and twenty servants holding registers and an equal number with image-capturing gems stepped forward.

"Those who voluntarily join the demon-hunting brigade, please leave your names and images. You will become heroes of the kingdom, and your names and faces should be known by every citizen."

"I, Ryan, volunteer to join the demon-hunting brigade and am willing to risk my life to protect humanity and fight against all demons that threaten our peace," Ryan was the first to step forward in response to Muria's call, protecting humanity was his duty.

"Lord Ryan, please stand still. I will capture your clearest image," said a servant with a register, noting Ryan's name while another with the recording gem stood directly in front of the vibrant red-haired youth.

"Make sure to record accurately and capture the images clearly," Muria reminded them. "In three days, I will disseminate the names and images of all volunteers across the kingdom and erect monuments to inform the public. I want the citizens to know there are people risking their lives to protect them."

This announcement immediately excited many talents who were already planning to join; everyone loves fame and few can resist it. Although they had all appeared in the finals, only a few would be remembered, and the rest soon forgotten.

But this time it was different. Muria planned to engrave the names and images of all who joined the demon-hunting brigade on monuments in every major city. Such monuments of honor, unless deliberately damaged, would last for centuries.

Compared to these enthusiastic young talents, those who had planned to play it safe and refuse the recruitment felt cornered. Muria had cleverly exploited their greatest weakness.

They had joined the competition for fame and fortune, intending to return home gloriously. Refusing the call meant no honors on the demon-hunting monument.

A reputation for cowardice and a lack of valor would be inevitable, and public scorn was a real possibility.

All were talents who had come to the capital for the finals. If others responded to the Grand Duke's call to fight demons and defend the nation, how could they refuse without seeming cowardly? Cowards! Timid fools! Incompetents!

Just the thought of refusing Muria's call and facing their neighbors' disdain once the list of demon-hunters was publicized and promoted changed many minds.

"Those who wish to join the demon-hunting brigade, stay and register your names and images. Those who do not wish to join may leave now," Muria said expressionlessly.

In the council hall, many talents looked at each other, and no one moved. Among them were many nobles who deeply resented Muria's maneuver.

As well-educated nobles, they understood what fighting demons meant. They preferred to enjoy their privileged lives rather than fight for the common people—a stark contrast to the resolve of the founding nobles who had fought for their status.

Most nobles simply wanted to enjoy their estates and the fruits of their peasants' labor while gaining fame in competitions and courting noble ladies with their honors.

However, nobles value their reputation highly. Being branded as cowards could mean confinement or even expulsion from the noble class, stripping them of their titles and reducing them to commoners.

Thus, to preserve their status, all nobly born talents stayed. Regardless of their desires, they had to join the demon-hunting brigade; their status left them no choice.

This was a blatant manipulation. Muria spoke of freedom of choice, but for the nobility, there was only one option. He had effectively blocked all their exits; to preserve their honor and status, they had to fight demons.

For the common-born talents, though they lacked illustrious titles, they now carried the burden of honor. Not wanting to face their neighbors' contempt, they too had only one choice.

Of course, among the nearly two thousand people, some were exceptions who cared little for reputation. They were loners, primarily motivated by the generous prizes of the martial contest, not by honor.

Just then, Muria spoke again, outlining irresistible conditions even for these self-centered lone wolves.

"Joining the demon-hunting brigade, battling demons, is the most dangerous of jobs. But with high risk comes high reward. Each of you will receive a magical device that records the number of demons you slay and converts this into merit points based on their strength.

These merit points, like the points you earned in the martial contest, can be exchanged for resources from the list of demon-hunting rewards. The more demons you slay, the more resources I will exchange for you, without limit."

Muria smiled confidently, "

As for the demon-hunting rewards list, I can tell you now that the resources listed there—breathing techniques, meditation methods, weapons, armor, potions—are far more valuable than those in the martial contest, incomparable in value."

"Your Majesty Muria, can the merit points also be exchanged for slots to enter the demi-planes for refuge?" a young man with a battle-axe raised his hand and asked loudly.

"Of course," Muria nodded and smiled appreciatively at this considerate young man. "Due to the escalating demon attacks, I have decided to open all the demi-planes controlled by the royal family for part of the kingdom's population to take refuge."

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