Chapter 22: Preparations
Another six days had passed, and the city of Pentos was alive with activity. Under Alex's leadership, the city had started to change in ways the people had never experienced before.
Construction projects, overseen by the summoned engineers and laborers, continued to repair and improve the city's infrastructure. Roads were being repaved, marketplaces renovated, and new housing for the freed slaves was under construction.
The census effort was well underway, with over 100,000 residents identified. Records now included details about family size, residences, and occupations, all organized meticulously by the Financial and Law Teams.
The trade networks were thriving again, benefiting from the newfound stability. Conversations in the streets began to shift, with more citizens speaking positively about the new rulers.
"This new king, Alex, he's different," one merchant said to another.
"Aye," the other agreed. "He's making changes—real changes. It feels… safe here now."
"I heard, he is a really powerful magician from far east, beyond the huge mountain range" said an eerie looking guy.
There were a lot of rumours going around, but most of them were showing positivity about their new rulers.
Meanwhile, Alex's army was becoming a formidable force.
The freed slaves, alongside the remnants of the prince's soldiers, had been integrated into a structured military force. Training sessions were relentless, with Alex's knights Victor, Mark, Leon, and Raven leading different divisions.
The army now numbered over 4,000 soldiers, divided into:
Divisions: Groups of 1,000 soldiers each.
Platoons: Groups of 250 soldiers within each division.
Squads: Groups of 25 soldiers within each platoon.
This organization ensured clear command structures, making the army efficient and disciplined. Alex got this idea from the modern army where they used of have chain of command to ensure everything goes well.
On the seventh day, Alex received a notification from the System:
Alert!
Khal Drogo's horde will arrive at the outskirts of Pentos within 24 hours. Prepare for imminent confrontation.
Alex, who had been expecting this moment, remained calm. His preparations were already well underway.
The night before, Alex had gone through the System Store, looking for weapons capable of dealing with the sheer numbers of the Dothraki horde.
He had settled on purchasing two M249 light machine guns (LMGs), costing 3,000 credits each, perfect for crowd control. Alongside these, he spent another 1,000 credits on ammunition, ensuring he had tens of thousands of rounds and spare magazines.
While browsing the store, he considered larger weapons like the M134 Minigun, but its exorbitant cost of 8,000 credits made it impractical and it costed like 100 credits just for 500 rounds for this, which is not financially stable for Alex at the moment.
"These two M249s will do," Alex thought, confident in his choice.
Victor and Mark, already experienced with such weaponry, were given the LMGs. Alex trusted them implicitly, as their loyalty was secured through the System.
Their former AR rifles were passed down to Leon and Raven, who, after about a week of training, were now proficient enough to use these firearms.
That evening, Alex gathered his core team Victor, Mark, Leon, Raven, and Daenerys in the war room. A detailed map of the city and the surrounding area was spread across the table.
"Drogo's horde will be here by tomorrow," Alex began. "We're prepared, but we need to execute this perfectly."
Victor and Mark nodded, their M249s resting against the wall behind them.
"Victor and Mark," Alex continued, "you'll take positions near the northern gate, where the horde will likely concentrate their attack. Use the LMGs to thin their numbers. Leon and Raven, you'll take squads and secure the eastern and western flanks."
"And me?" Daenerys asked, her voice steady but tinged with nervousness.
"You'll stay with me" Alex said. "Your presence as queen is vital to maintain morale, but your safety is my priority."
Daenerys nodded, though she wished she could do more.
As the city prepared for the inevitable clash, Alex made his rounds, inspecting the defenses and speaking with the soldiers.
"You've trained hard," he told them. "You've risen above your pasts, and now, you stand as warriors of Pentos. Tomorrow, we fight not just for this city, but for a future free from fear and oppression. Because my soldiers do not buckle or yield. When faced with the cruelty of this world, my soldiers pushed forward. My soldiers scream out. My soldiers rage." Said Alex with all the passion because it's his one of the best speech from past life anime AOT that he loved watching.
Cheers erupted from the soldiers, their morale bolstered by his words.
Later that night, Alex returned to his quarters. From the balcony, he could see the city lights flickering, the sounds of last-minute preparations echoing through the air.
Daenerys joined him, her dragons perched nearby.
"Do you think we'll win?" she asked softly.
"We will," Alex said firmly. "Not just because of the weapons or the soldiers, but because we're fighting for something bigger than ourselves. They are just bunch of barbarians, what can you expect from them. Soon there bodies will lay to our foundations of what we will become in future.... You know someone once told me, 'Blood is the price for victory' and tomorrow you will see and lot so be prepared" said Alex.
Daenerys looked at him, her heart swelling with admiration and something more she still couldn't fully articulate. This is her first actual battle that she will fight, she is scared and excited at the same time but more at ease because all the things Alex showed her so far.