I Built a Beast Empire After Reincarnation-Chapter 39: The Final Countdown

The sun had barely crested the stone hills when Lucas stepped onto the central parade ground. Greystone pulsed with motion—soldiers drilling, blacksmiths hammering, archers practicing with relentless precision. The distant thrum of hammers and shouting created a rhythm of preparation. War was no longer a concept; it was a certainty.

Lucas, now clad in his newly formed Beast Emperor armor—sleek obsidian plates etched with glowing runes—marched forward with commanding presence. The twin blades on his back gleamed under the morning light, Zephyra and Umbra’s evolved forms reflected in the ethereal energy that swirled around him.

"Militia, formation practice!" Lucas commanded, his voice carried across the grounds by magical amplification. The militia of 1000—700 ground infantry and 300 archers snapped into position. The air was filled with the clashing of weapons, synchronized movements, and the disciplined roar of battle cries.

Kaela barked commands beside him, her new mythical gauntlets glinting with claws extended, her fierce presence inspiring the troops. She weaved through the soldiers, correcting stances, boosting morale, and delivering sharp rebukes where needed. Her leadership was undeniable.

On the high battlements, Elira loosed a barrage of arrows, demonstrating the capabilities of her mythical bow to the archers. Each shot struck a bullseye with unerring accuracy, and the soldiers below cheered in awe. Her elegance and deadly precision made her an icon of strength among the archers. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Ilyra emerged from the forges, soot-covered and radiant, reporting the completion of 1000 sets of armor and weapons. Lucas greeted her with a nod of immense pride.

"This will be the backbone of Greystone," he said, clasping her shoulder. "Rest once this is done. You have done more than enough."

She gave a tired smile. "After the battle, Lord Lucas. Not before."

Meanwhile, Malrick worked tirelessly near the southern ridge, inscribing magical glyphs and embedding traps into the earth. Lightning sigils, flame traps, and pitfall enchantments—each placed with precision.

Lucas approached him. "How’s the trap grid?"

"Ready," Malrick grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "They won’t know what hit them."

Just then, Angel’s voice echoed in Lucas’s head.

{Angel}

[New Main Quest Issued: "Defend the Rising Star"]

Objective: Defend Greystone and repel the invading Stonewatch forces.

Reward: Spatial Beast Companion — Starwing, a flying lemur capable of opening teleportation portals between conquered or allied cities.

Lucas’s breath caught. A flying lemur that could link cities?

"This... this changes everything," he whispered.

He glanced around, feeling the magnitude of the reward settle on his shoulders. This wasn’t just about survival anymore. It was about transformation. If Greystone obtained a teleportation system through this beast, it would become a nexus—a capital of power. But the implications...

"Angel," Lucas whispered. "What happens if others learn about this?"

[High-level kingdoms may see Greystone as a threat. Recommend discretion.]

Lucas clenched his fists. "So be it. We win this, or we perish."

Kaela and Elira approached, both noticing his sudden shift in demeanor.

"Lucas," Kaela said gently, placing a hand on his arm, "what’s going on? You’re different today."

Elira narrowed her eyes. "You look... anxious. Distracted."

Lucas sighed and motioned for them to follow him into the war chamber. Inside, he locked the doors and summoned the quest screen.

"The system issued a new quest. If we win this battle, we get a teleporting beast. It can open portals between cities."

The room went quiet.

Kaela blinked. "You’re serious?"

Lucas nodded. "Exactly that."

Elira exhaled sharply. "That changes everything. No city has that. Not even the capital."

"And that’s what scares me," Lucas muttered. "Once this secret is out... we’re going to have enemies far worse than Stonewatch."

Kaela stepped forward, brushing her fingers against his chestplate. "Then we make sure they never get the chance to tell anyone."

Lucas looked into her fierce eyes and nodded. "We win this war. No matter the cost."

But Elira wasn’t done. She stepped closer too, placing a hand on the other side of his chest. "You’re not alone in this. You carry too much, Lucas. Let us bear some of it with you."

Lucas blinked, caught between the warmth in Kaela’s gaze and the serenity in Elira’s. Back on Earth, this would’ve been taboo—unthinkable. But here, in Aerion, bonds weren’t defined by rigid rules. Love and loyalty could manifest in ways he hadn’t considered.

"I... I don’t know what to say," he said softly.

Kaela leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. "Then don’t say anything. Just know we’re with you. In battle. In life."

Elira smiled, resting her head briefly against his shoulder. "Together."

Lucas stood between them, heart pounding, and for the first time since arriving in Aerion, he allowed himself a moment of peace. Perhaps this world wasn’t just about war and survival. Perhaps it was also about connection.

As the day continued, drills intensified. Lucas personally trained with squads of the militia, demonstrating swordplay and fusion tactics. Umbra and Zephyra loomed beside him, their presence alone boosting morale. The citizens watched their lord, awe and determination in their eyes.

Malrick reported the full completion of his trap grid. The southern, eastern, and even backup inner wall routes were now lined with elemental wards and glyph-runes. The traps could delay, confuse, and eliminate large swathes of invaders.

Ilyra and her team of blacksmiths worked in shifts. The sounds of hammer against steel echoed day and night. Greystone’s forges became the heartbeats of its defense. They forged not just weapons, but hope.

At nightfall, Lucas called one final meeting in the war chamber.

"In four days, we fight. Every able-bodied person must be ready. Medics have their stations. Archers, your perches are assigned. The forge continues in shifts. Malrick’s traps will buy us time. We fight for Greystone. For freedom. For each other."

The council members stood and placed their hands in the center of the table. Lucas laid his atop theirs.

"Together," he said.

"Together," they echoed.

Outside, torches were lit across the walls. The gates of Greystone stood tall and proud, now reinforced with magic-forged steel. Banners fluttered in the wind, not just of defense... but defiance.

In four days, war would come. But Greystone was ready.

And Lucas Carter would show the world what a Beast Emperor truly was.