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

Attila asked the shaken scouts for details.

"Did you encounter raider warriors?"

"Yes. The fact that the two sides met during reconnaissance indicates that they have indeed arrived in this area."

The scout named Ron was too shocked to focus on reporting what he had seen and heard rather than on his own flight back from the sky.

"They were dressed like ordinary soldiers, and we thought they were a small tribe fleeing from disaster, so we approached them. But when they saw our attire, they became extremely wary and even asked us if we came from the southern city wall."

"What was their reaction after they found out who we were?"

"He looked incredulous."

The scout looked down at himself with a wry smile. His gleaming breastplate and fine iron weapons were far beyond what a small tribe could afford.

Perhaps the raiders did not attack immediately because they were intimidated by the proper equipment the raiders were wearing.

"They claim to be warriors who follow the great patriarch Theodore. They say that if we cooperate, we will be treated well, but if we refuse, they will bring more troops to crush us. They even made this threat."

Although they seemed somewhat intimidated when they saw us, their arrogance was extreme. The last thing I remember was that they were enraged by our provocation and charged forward, only to be smashed to pieces by divine retribution.

Attila listened to the successive testimonies and fell into deep thought: "His infamous reputation for tyranny is indeed well-deserved; he truly deserves to be called a plunderer."

Although they had long anticipated a conflict with Theodore, who was rapidly expanding his power through plunder and war, they were still inevitably nervous when the day actually came.

Maintaining good relations with those natural predators is nearly impossible.

Moreover, they were entrusted with the duty of protecting this land and fighting against the Zerg by the divine guardian, so how could they possibly agree to Theodore's demand for submission?

Moreover, it is highly likely that Attila and Lillie's enemies were among Theodore's tribes.

Scout Armin said in a trembling voice, "Most of the surrounding small tribes have already submitted or been crushed. You understand, right? If this continues, their power will only grow stronger, and sooner or later they will march on our borders with their armies."

Armin, who was once a member of the Mista tribe, fled here to escape these raiders, so it's natural that he would tremble with fear.

"You're right, we are chosen by a divine being. No matter what happens, we must never bow down to them. Sorry, Ron, call the others before we rest."

Attila was determined to respond forcefully. Since conflict was inevitable, he decided to strike first.

Attila convened a meeting to share his ideas and gain support.

"That great one will surely protect us."

When he was alone, Attila took out the sacred sword he kept in his home. This was a treasure bestowed by the gods, a testament to his authority.

"Just like when we attacked those raiders who abducted prisoners, we, who are expanding our power, are destined to be irreconcilable enemies. Now that both sides have become aware of each other's presence, I believe that taking the initiative is the best strategy. Those small tribes that they have swallowed up... let us liberate them."

"I also think my father is right."

"This means facing enemies several times, or even dozens of times, stronger than us, plus dealing with black monsters. As the tribe's number one warrior, you're probably in for a tough time."

Before everyone gathered, Attila first shared his thoughts with Lillie, who had come to visit.

This girl, who was once the tribe's only warrior, achieved the most military exploits, and was deeply loved, remains the tribe's strongest warrior through repeated trials.

These words imply that she will have to take on more frontline and dangerous tasks in the future.

Before becoming the patriarch, Attila, as a father, could not help but feel worried.

"...Recently, while working with that person, I realized something: evil is actually not far from us."

Lillie shared her insights based on her own experiences with her father.

Although the tribal crises, migrations, and adaptations were all experiences shared by the father and daughter, she is accumulating her own unique experiences as she follows that adult through the story in the Dark Souls world.

Especially during the second chapter, witnessing the corruption and depravity of humanity by demons in the game brought her an unprecedented shock.

"A steadfast and powerful belief—that's the most important thing."

The power she gained from the game wasn't just skills or stats. Everything she experienced there felt real to her, and therefore her experience became increasingly profound.

"Yes, you're right."

Attila looked at his daughter, who had become so resolute in such a short time, and nodded with a slight sigh. Before he knew it, the people he had summoned had gathered around him, and Attila began to relay the scouts' reports to them.

"Theodor the Raider expands his power through plunder and war, exploiting subjugated tribes to fill the bellies of his warriors and maintain their loyalty. Those greedy enemies who crave more spoils and more slaves have finally discovered us. I believe we must kill these guys who try to hinder our sacred mission and liberate the suffering tribes on the steppe."

Attila insisted on fighting. Although some were nervous, no one objected, for Attila, wielding the divine sword, was telling the truth.

More importantly, everyone was acutely aware that if they retreated here, the god who had bestowed so many blessings would not stand idly by.

"I heard that the Guardian Deity once used his power to suppress an enemy that attempted to attack our army. There shouldn't be any problem, right? That deity will help us."

Attila firmly shook his head at Mista, who was tentatively speaking: "Of course, that one will help, but we cannot rely on His power, much less take it for granted."

Even when fighting the Corruptors, Attila realized that the gods could not intervene by destroying the interface, so he firmly believed that self-reliance was the key.

"Our chosen mission is to fight the black behemoth. This is a trial that has been bestowed upon us, and we cannot even ask for the help of that lord. For that moment, we must rely on our own strength, even if it means fighting the raiders. You don't really think we'll lose, do you?"

"How is that possible?"

"The strength we've accumulated until now has been prepared for this moment."

Seeing that no one objected or raised any objections, Attila raised his sword and gave the order to go to war.

He will personally lead hundreds of elite troops to raid part of the Galhan tribe's territory, and then turn around and seize that territory.

Soon the entire tribe began to move as if they had become one.

While Attila's authority was certainly powerful enough, what was more crucial was their identity as "chosen ones" blessed by their guardian deity.

As valuable combatants with awakened talents, Rosie and Bruno's talents, which might have otherwise never been realized, have been recognized and they naturally have to participate in the battle.

Upon hearing the news of the impending expedition, a nervous Bruno was stunned to see Rosie wiping her weapons with a faint smile.

"Rosie, aren't you scared?"

"I'm so excited. I've honed my skills by gritting my teeth and fighting monsters with this recognized power. Finally, the opportunity to take revenge on them has arrived."

Rose simply smiled even more brightly, saying that she had been waiting for this moment from the past to the present.

◆◆◆

In fact, it wasn't just Attila's Cintamanian army that encountered misfortune.

On a plain quite far from Attila's village, a large tribe also received the badly wounded.

"What on earth happened?! Oru was carried back half-dead!"

"I...I don't know either. Just get treatment as soon as possible!"

When the chieftain heard that one of the tribe's bravest warriors had returned from scouting covered in blood, he rushed out in a panic.

Another scout involved in the rescue was clearly terrified, stammering incoherently, "Only Lord Oru, a warrior, survived. The horses and the rest of the people were unrecognizable!"

Although herbs and bandages were brought, the injured person was barely clinging to life, making it all seem pointless.

"Oru, tell me. Who did this?"

"A...giant...hammer..."

The chieftain was bewildered by the words Oru managed to squeeze out with difficulty: "W-what? A hammer?"

A giant, semi-transparent hammer falling from the sky—this scene is truly unimaginable; those who can barely comprehend it can only assume it's some kind of sorcery or magic.

Even so, Oru, as if vomiting his own guts, insisted on recounting everything he had seen and heard, regardless of whether those around him could understand him or not.

"I've never heard of any decent tribe further east than this."

"Zhendan? This is the first time I've ever heard of that name."

After hearing Oru's testimony, the people rushed to say they couldn't understand it at all, except for the patriarch whose pupils trembled violently.

"Um...shouldn't we report this to the clan leader?"

As they were talking, a young man leaned close to the chieftain's ear and whispered something. Upon hearing the word "Great Chieftain," the chieftain shuddered and his eyes widened.

"No need, it's just a small tribe."

He shook his head vigorously. Although he had sworn allegiance to the invading Theodore and preserved his tribe, and even used Theodore's name to annex surrounding small tribes, he didn't really take Theodore seriously at all.

"If that greedy bastard finds out, he'll definitely force us to hand over the spoils and slaves we fought so hard to seize."

Asking Theodore for help would allow them to borrow his power, but the price would be too high. The patriarch didn't want to be taken advantage of.

Rather than be slowly devoured by Theodore, it's better to keep all the spoils for future use.

"Summon all warriors immediately," the chieftain declared, looking down at Oru's cold corpse. "I will crush those arrogant sorcerers."

Of course, revenge is just an excuse.

Ultimately, he only chose the path of plunder for the sake of the tribe's survival.

◆◆◆

Lin Miao's mouse wobbled aimlessly, while the villagers in the scene were nimbly coordinating their actions, preparing for battle.

"In the end, things still turned out this way."

Soldiers were tidying up their meticulously maintained weapons and armor, while non-combat personnel filled vacant positions to provide support to those going into battle.

Attila, Lillie, and Roschel were no exception. For them, war was a battle that gambled with the fate of their entire race. International law and humanitarian treatment simply did not exist in that world.

Even at this time, Attila insisted on not conscripting resource gatherers.

Although Lin Miao interacted with them through the game, the game was just one element among many for them.

For them, reality is always the most important thing. Enemies in the game are certainly a hindrance, but what is more deadly are the hostile tribes and invaders that are eyeing them in reality.

It was precisely because Lin Miao understood this that she allowed them to decide to start a war.

Before setting off on the expedition, Attila led the villagers to kneel on the ground and chant incantations to the sky.

Although she couldn't fully decipher the words, Lin Miao could sense that they were trying to convey a message to her through some kind of ritual.

"They probably want our help."

Lin Miao would certainly help them. As long as the other party was not an invading entity, he could directly intervene using the program he had acquired at great expense.

After completing the departure ceremony, Attila loudly gave orders to the others and then mounted his horse.

This group of robust warriors, numbering over a hundred, was mobilized almost entirely, equivalent to one-third of the village's population.

This cavalry unit, which I had only ever seen in period movies and TV dramas, began to march westward across the plain in perfect unison.

"It'll probably take a whole day."

Lin Miao swiped the screen to view the [Western Grassland (9)] they had headed to, which was deserted. There were only a few wild beasts.

Even the most mobile cavalry would not be able to reach their destination in a few hours.

With nothing to do in the game and nothing likely to happen before they arrived, this calm before the storm became Lin Miao's free time.

Although Lin Miao could use the mouse to instantly move them nearby, she didn't do that.

[Li Sushang: Are you free now?]

As if she had timed it perfectly, Li Sushang sent a message.

She said she had made a plan and wanted to meet to discuss it, so Lin Miao had no reason to refuse.