Strategy game? Then I'll have to control you properly.

"Hang in there a little longer! You'll be able to see soon!"

Paul, who had set off a few days earlier and only stopped when he was completely exhausted, suddenly noticed something and shouted.

It turned out that he was discovered by tribal members who had been contacted by him and were cooperating with the kingdom.

"How could the kingdom's magician have wandered into such deep grasslands!? You're lucky you weren't caught by the others!" a tribesman said.

"I don't even have the strength to speak now... Take me to a safe place first. Whew," Paul said, panting.

The tribespeople, who knew nothing of the kingdom's secret plans, tilted their heads in confusion as they helped Paul.

Paul himself was merely following orders, giving vague answers without explaining in detail.

There's no need to reveal anything to them now, whether it's about that plan or about Aurora.

"Quickly, we must get back to the kingdom as soon as possible."

Paul barely had time to rest, constantly changing horses as he continued south across the grasslands.

To deliver the message more quickly, he released the raven again, sending it soaring into the sky, its dark shadow streaking across the heavens.

Riding the wind, the ravens flew on and on, finally reaching the distant, faintly visible city walls.

It was a fortress built to protect Paul's homeland and borders.

"Hmm...where did this crow come from?"

On the fortress wall, a soldier on guard duty yawned lazily, and couldn't help but chuckle when he saw a raven land in front of him.

After all, how could mere soldiers possibly have the discernment to distinguish between a mage's familiar?

"I am the royal magician Paul! Prepare to open the city gates immediately and summon the garrison captain!" the raven suddenly announced.

"Wow!" The soldier was so frightened when he saw the crow suddenly speak human language that he backed away.

The crow kept pecking at his helmet until he started to move.

"What are you dawdling for! Do you want a beating? Get moving! We're almost there!" Raven urged.

"Yes, yes! Please stop pecking!" The soldier, ignoring the pecking crows, hurriedly ran to report to his superior.

There are very few magicians who can command familiars, so the fortress commanders immediately believed Paul's message and hurriedly began to open the city gates.

"I am Robert, the garrison captain of this fortress. Sir, you would be best to rest for a while," Robert said.

"Although I don't have the time... never mind, I'll rest for a bit and then set off immediately." Paul sighed, looking at his trembling hands.

Not only my hands, but the sleepless nights and constant running around have left my whole body feeling numb and unresponsive.

Although I learned superb horsemanship from the grassland tribes during this time, I still can't compare to those natives who can spend the night on horseback.

"What exactly happened among those barbarians?" Robert asked.

"A lot has happened. What is certain is that we are on a royal mission," Paul replied vaguely.

Paul couldn't easily back down after hearing what the defense captain Robert said.

After all, to those who don't know the truth, he himself appears suspicious.

Upon hearing the words "royal command," Robert shuddered and nodded.

"Speaking of which, according to intelligence obtained from the Mut tribe, several fierce battles have recently broken out in the central and eastern parts of the grasslands. Could that... be related to this?" Robert asked.

"They even know about this kind of thing in the fortress?" Paul asked in surprise.

"Hahaha! As long as we use those guys down there, it's entirely possible!" Robert laughed heartily, walked to the window, and pointed down at the fortress.

Below the fortress, the fortress residents were selling goods to the tribal members who had escorted Paul.

"Those uncivilized barbarians have plenty of needs. Not just food, but even a sword made of scrap metal like this would make them envious," Robert chuckled, stroking his sword as he muttered.

In reality, they are using trade as bait to bring nearby tribes under their control and control.

"Taming these guys and using them as watchdogs to stop fools who dare to raid the kingdom would be quite good. Besides, those barbarian warriors are not to be underestimated when it comes to fighting on horseback," Robert said.

"A major event is unfolding on the grasslands...it's best to prepare in advance," Paul said solemnly.

"Hmph, are those guys really planning to team up?" Robert frowned.

Although he looked down on those uncivilized people, he knew very well that when those races with outstanding combat abilities united to form a force, they would be extremely difficult opponents.

"There is indeed such a trend, but something else is more important," Paul said.

Robert scoffed, "Incomprehensible. What else can those barbarians do when they get together besides burning, killing, and looting?"

"Not about plunder! But something more important, something more sacred... cough." Faced with the prejudiced Robert, Paul felt a surge of anger and bit his lip.

We cannot reveal the whole truth to a mere garrison captain yet.

In any case, as long as they go to the central government to explain and persuade the king and ministers, these lower-level officials will naturally obey.

"They must know who those people are and what an important cause they are engaged in." Paul carefully examined the letter he had treasured in his arms.

Presenting Attila's secret letter to the king was a task that had to be completed even at the risk of his life.

"This is……"

Paul suddenly stared wide-eyed at the sky—no, the ceiling—that was enveloped in warm light.

His previously exhausted body instantly returned to its peak condition.

As far as he knew, there was only one person in the world who could achieve such a miracle.

"Although I had considered the possibility, I never thought it would actually happen."

When Lin Miao returned after slaying the monsters that appeared near the village, feeling his sore muscles after taking a shower, he sat back down in the soft chair.

Lin Miao, who was hurriedly scanning the screen, was not first struck by the fierce battle that had broken out in the north, but by Paul, who was crossing the grassland alone.

Paul began to race at full speed in the southwest, a direction the residents who had been active in the northeastern part of the grasslands had failed to explore.

He has become an outstanding scout, single-handedly exploring vast territories.

Paul, who became our ally after the last fortress defense battle, is perhaps familiar with the local tribes.

With the help of the tribe that was in a neutral state, they galloped non-stop and finally showed Lin Miao the end of this grassland for the first time.

"It's a castle."

Lin Miao muttered to herself.

【Kingdom Border Area (1)】

At the far end of the frame, where Paul enters the frame, stands a castle.

Slightly different from the castles built by the residents using their gaming abilities, this typical stone castle was not built by the grassland tribes.

Paul managed to notify the town's residents of his arrival in advance.

When he arrived at the castle on his weary horse, the busy city residents opened the gates to welcome him.

"Are they similar to us?"

While Paul was talking to them, Lin Miao carefully examined the interior of the castle, trying to figure out what kind of place this country called the Southern Kingdom was.

Although the soldiers were not wearing full armor, their metal armor was of high quality, and various weapons such as crossbows were neatly arranged on the towering city walls.

"Could this be a cannon?"

Lin Miao said in surprise.

Surprisingly, there are devices resembling cannons scattered throughout the castle.

Looking at those people labeled "Gunner" maintaining it, it doesn't seem to be powered by magic.

Surprised that even gunpowder weapons existed, Lin Miao smiled wryly as he continued to observe this novel civilization.

During this time, they also checked the village and the northern fortress through other surveillance cameras, completely unaware of the passage of time.

Upon reflection, this was the first time I had observed the situation of other forces in such detail.

Fatigue, mild dehydration, inflammation

Upon discovering Paul's extensive injuries, Lin Miao immediately initiated the vaccination process.

Thanks to him, I gained a lot of achievement points, after all, I expanded into new territory and confirmed the existence of a new power.

For such a meritorious contributor, are we really unwilling to invest even 100 points?

When Lin Miao healed Paul, who was covered in various debuffs, Paul seemed to sense it and suddenly collapsed to the ground, looking up at the sky and shouting something.

Although I didn't hear exactly what he said, his sentiments were definitely conveyed.

This man, who was once their enemy, has now become a devout follower of Lin Miao.

"The story is progressing quite smoothly. I guess it will move into deeper areas next." Lin Miao looked at him with a satisfied smile.

As a magician acting on the kingdom's secret orders, Paul is not only capable of acting independently, but also an excellent scout who provides Lin Miao with scarce intelligence.

If he is allowed to continue his activities, even the core area of ​​the kingdom, which Lin Miao was unaware of, will be laid bare.

Although the intelligence we have now can only do so much, being able to spy on the enemy's main base without leaving home is a huge advantage, regardless of whether the situation is good or bad.

"But we'll have to wait a few more days."

Lin Miao thought to herself.

After all, it would take several days to travel from the northeastern grasslands, where people live, to the border fortress, even at full gallop.

It seems we'll need more time to get a detailed picture of the kingdom through Paul.