Starting from Ainz Ooal Gown, simultaneously traveling through time

After Leylin's words, the soldiers finally stopped refusing and accepted the magical weapons with great care.

They made a vow in their hearts: they would never betray His Highness's trust, and they would never dishonor the sharp blade in their hands that carried such expectations.

Unbeknownst to them, in the classification of magical weapons, below the "lower grade" there is an even more common "lowest grade".

Most of the works of the kingdom's enchanters are at this level.

In this world, to produce magical items of a corresponding level, one must have the corresponding production profession level.

For example, to craft a "lower-grade" sword, you need to have a profession like "weapon craftsman" or "sword maker," and the total level of this profession must be raised to 10 or higher.

Anyone with a production skill of level 10 or higher is considered a master of production within the kingdom.

Only they can produce [lower-level] items and weapons; as for the others, most are below level 10.

In other words, the quality of the weapons they currently possess has surpassed the average level of the kingdom's conventional magical weapons.

In terms of pure gold coins, a [lowest-tier] item is worth tens to hundreds of gold coins, while the value of a [lower-tier] item jumps to hundreds or even thousands of gold coins.

The actual value of the rewards that Lei Lin distributed this time far exceeded the amount that the soldiers were entitled to according to the old rules.

His Highness's grace is as heavy as a mountain.

Your Highness's kindness is never enough!

After the rewards for most of the meritorious soldiers were distributed, only a few remained.

These individuals are clearly stronger, with levels above 20, theoretically capable of unleashing the power of [intermediate] weapons.

Leylin originally intended to follow the principle of "matching strength with equipment" and tailor-make higher-level equipment for them, but after a little thought, he temporarily shelved the idea.

There are three reasons:

Firstly, although their combat achievements were slightly higher than their colleagues, there was no overwhelming gap. Rashly granting them higher-level weapons would be unfair and could easily create discord.

Secondly, the rarity and symbolic significance of [Intermediate] items far surpass those of [Lower] items.

Leylin can easily produce items of this caliber, but that's because he's cheating; for anyone else, it would be extremely difficult.

This requires a corresponding production profession of level 20 or above, and such a person is probably rare even after searching through the entire history of the kingdom.

Even the royal family's national treasure, the "Griffin King's Claw," is only a high-quality item among the "Intermediate" level.

Giving away treasures of the same level to subordinates indiscriminately will not only cause a stir, but may also make the recipient feel fear and unease.

Thirdly, and most practically, there were no readily available [Intermediate] items in Leylin's personal space at the moment.

His inventory is polarized: on one hand, there are easily mass-produced [lower-level] standard equipment, and on the other hand, there are painstakingly crafted [highest-level] and even [heritage-level] treasures.

The intermediate-level equipment is currently vacant due to considerations of its use and efficiency.

"It seems I need to stockpile items of all levels in the future, just in case," Leylin thought to himself.

So he still awarded these level 20 warriors level 10 excellent weapons.

Looking at the somewhat underwhelming combination, he decided that he would definitely find an opportunity to upgrade their equipment in the future.

Finally, it was the turn of the garrison commander, Kabu.

As the fortress's supreme commander, he was a master strategist and commander, and he provided crucial assistance when Leylin killed Siba and his adjutant Stol, making him the most outstanding of all.

Leylin's reward was also the most generous: a full set of plate armor forged from Valyrian steel, along with a longsword, dagger, short sword, and inner chainmail—he was armed to the teeth.

In addition, Leylin also planned to give him a special guarantee privately.

"Alright, my warriors," Leylin addressed the entire army, his voice echoing across the square.

"You have earned the recognition and power you deserve. Now, return to your posts. When the mission calls once more, I look forward to seeing the glory you create with the blade in your hands!"

"As Your Highness commands!"

After a thunderous response, the soldiers dispersed in an orderly fashion, their ranks disciplined and their morale soaring.

Leylin nodded slightly to Kabu beside him: "Kabu, come with me."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

..............................

Only two people remained in the meeting room.

Leylin handed Kabu a seemingly antique metal amulet. The amulet was warm to the touch and engraved with simple protective patterns.

"Your Highness, what is this...?" Kabu took it, somewhat puzzled.

"An improved amulet," Leylin explained. "It can automatically activate a powerful protective effect when you are under deadly threat, while simultaneously alerting me and locating me."

Upon hearing this, Kabu's expression became somewhat complicated: "Your Highness, I remember that the amulet you gave me before seemed to have a similar function?"

"That's right." Leylin nodded frankly. "Otherwise, why do you think I was able to arrive so quickly? It was because you activated the talisman when you were in danger that I learned of the border crisis and set off immediately."

Kabumo stroked the brand-new amulet in his hand, feeling a warm current flowing through his heart, yet also a heavy sense of responsibility.

"Your Highness... such a precious magical item, perhaps... could be bestowed upon other soldiers on the front lines..."

Leylin gently shook his head, interrupting him.

"You are the brain and backbone of this fortress. If even you are in danger of falling, it means that the defense line is on the verge of collapse. By giving you the amulet, I can know immediately whether the most critical nodes are safe. No one else can replace you."

Kabu remained silent for a moment, then gripped the amulet tightly in his palm and carefully put it away close to his body.

He secretly resolved to be more cautious in the future and to do everything in his power to avoid triggering this final alarm again—he did not want His Highness to be put in danger again because of his own crisis.

"The fortress is now in your hands." Leylin patted him on the shoulder.

"I will find a way to gradually improve the overall defensive strength... but that's a matter for later. I look forward to the next time we meet, when you have broken through the barriers and truly entered the 'Hero's Realm'."

Kabu took a deep breath, his eyes unwavering despite knowing the road ahead would be difficult: "Your Highness, please rest assured! I will live up to your trust, guard the border to the death, and strive tirelessly!"

"I'm looking forward to it." Leylin's voice gradually faded, and his figure slowly disappeared into the air in the dim light of the teleportation magic.

In the empty conference room, only Kabu's tall and straight figure remained, with the burning fire of determination in his eyes.

..............................

Leylin used Teleport to return to the palace.

Without delay, he immediately went to see his father, the king, to report on the border situation.

The king was not in his study dealing with state affairs at the moment, but was leisurely enjoying afternoon tea in the courtyard.

Upon hearing Leylin's brief explanation, he choked violently, spitting out the black tea he had just drunk.

"Ahem... What did you say?"

The king took the handkerchief hurriedly handed to him by the servant, wiped his mouth, waved for the tea set to be removed, and frowned.

"Without your father's knowledge, a battle was fought in the North, and an orc army of tens of thousands... was wiped out by you?"

"It wasn't my doing alone," Leylin corrected. "I only cleared the field in the final stages. The main resistance and casualties came from the bloody battles fought by the border soldiers."

"...Let's not discuss who deserves the credit." The king rubbed his temples, his tone carrying his usual helplessness and a hint of barely perceptible pride.

"Didn't I say we should avoid large-scale conflicts in the near future? But... things have come to this point, we can't let you resurrect those orcs now."

He knew his son's temperament and abilities very well.

If Leylin's strength were not unfathomable, he should have restrained him long ago with the authority of a king and father. But since his son has the power to influence the course of the war, he can only repeatedly remind him to think carefully before acting and not to act on impulse.

"Resurrect them? Of course not." Leylin said calmly. "But I've resurrected most of our fallen soldiers, which will greatly reduce the pressure on compensation payments."

The king was taken aback again, staring wide-eyed at his son: "...[Resurrection of the Dead]? You've even mastered this kind of advanced fifth-tier magic?"

He was genuinely surprised, as this magic was extremely difficult to learn, and very few people in the history of the Kingdom of Inberia had mastered it.

"I learned it from the national treasure, 'Rainbow Light Gradually Turns White'," Leylin said casually. "It doesn't feel particularly difficult."

The "Rainbow Light Gradually Turns White" is indeed an ancient treasure containing the "Resurrection of the Dead" spell, but to the king, it was simply a fantasy to reverse-analyze and master such complex magic with just one item.

"...Tell me honestly," the king leaned forward slightly, scrutinizing Leylin with sharp eyes.

"Just how strong are you now? Have you... already crossed the line into the realm of the 'abnormal'?"

Those who are considered "abnormal" refer to individuals who transcend the conventional realm of heroes and whose strength undergoes a qualitative change, deviating from that of ordinary people.

"An abnormal person..."

Leylin hesitated for a moment, then extended his right hand, pinching his thumb and forefinger together to make a tiny gap, and revealed his signature, slightly casual smile.

"Pretty much, just a tiny bit stronger than the average person."

The king was speechless when he saw his son's "just a little bit" expression.

He leaned back in his chair, let out a long breath, his expression complex, which eventually turned into a sigh and a sense of relief.

"...You little rascal, the last person to reach this level was our founding ancestor. You are the second. It seems that when I go to see your mother and hand over the throne to you, I can finally rest easy."

Leylin's relaxed smile faded slightly. He lowered his eyes and whispered in an almost inaudible voice, "...Not enough."

"Huh? What did you say?" The king didn't hear him clearly.

"It's nothing." Leylin raised his head, regained his composure, and placed two carefully prepared lists on the table in front of the king.

"This is a detailed list of those who died in battle and those who made meritorious contributions. I have already made advance payments and distributed the compensation and corresponding rewards. You can take a look at it. The rest is just a matter of going through the procedures. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now."

Before he finished speaking, the teleportation light shone brightly, and his figure quickly faded away.

"That kid! Always so impulsive, never steady!" The king scolded his son, pointing to the spot where he had disappeared.

He shook his head, picked up the two lists, and prepared to routinely glance through them.

However, when his gaze swept over the notes section on "Specific Details of Rewards for Meritorious Service," his eyes widened suddenly, and his fingers gripping the paper turned slightly white from the force.

After confirming it several times, a low growl, a mixture of shock, heartache, and a wry smile, finally broke through the silence of the courtyard:

"This spendthrift!!!"