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

In the early morning, Lin Miao yawned and stretched as usual, then sat back down in front of the computer.

His fingers deftly moved the mouse to launch the program, beginning to examine the village that had been peaceful the previous night.

On the screen, the equipment that was airlifted in yesterday was being checked and distributed one by one. A group of people piled the equipment in the central square and were carefully counting it.

Lin Miao poured herself a cup of coffee and gulped it down. While watching the residents busily working on their own, she used the mouse to drag and categorize some of the people, muttering to herself, "No, nothing special should happen today, or even for the next while."

He first selected villagers who originally had no magic power but awakened the [Archery] or [Martial Arts] traits after consuming the essence of monsters and became new warriors.

These people will then enter the Hunting Mode of Dark Souls, change jobs to suit their own characteristics, and systematically learn combat skills.

After completing Chapter 2, the game unlocks two hunting modes. These modes require continuous battles against enemies that appear in the main storyline to gain proficiency and equipment. For novice warriors, this is a shortcut to rapidly increase their experience points.

Looking at the number of deployable units on the system panel, Lin Miao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "3 people per map, 6 people in total. Now I can train and awaken 6 warriors at once."

Lin Miao found a new job for those veterans who had been repeatedly training and farming equipment in hunting mode: "Those who have graduated can become hunters."

After breaking the record, the second phase of the monster extermination quest can be activated today.

Lin Miao arranged for two more people to form a four-person team, and also formed an additional team in the dungeon where Mista, Bruno, and Rose were working.

Lin Miao watched the villagers moving in an orderly manner on the screen, thinking that this way they could obtain more essential resources like monster essence.

Moreover, the resources obtained in this way are redistributed to the villagers who need them, and they become new laborers to help the tribe develop.

After that, as long as I conquer Chapter 3 with Lillie, things will proceed exactly as planned. Of course, this is all predicated on the absence of unforeseen events such as a malfunctioning entity intrusion.

This was a matter of life and death for everyone in the tribe, so Lin Miao dared not relax for a moment. He checked the neatly organized villager status list and muttered to himself, "It seems there are no villagers who need to be awakened first at the moment."

To attract more talented people, we must first expand the population base; in fact, it can be said that population size directly determines the strength of the entire group.

If the number of soldiers assisting the warriors in combat can be increased from a hundred to a thousand, the advantages will be self-evident.

Lin Miao scrolled through the screen, carefully searching the surrounding area together with the scouts sent by the village.

The group of people Li Sushang encountered was a settled ethnic group. According to her inquiries, they were actively accepting immigrants, especially migrants, in order to increase their population. They not only allocated land to them but also provided them with houses and food, which was exactly the same method they used when integrating the surrounding small tribes.

But for grassland tribes, there is another method: directly attack enemy tribes, destroy them, and then absorb their population.

For these nomadic peoples who do not settle down and cultivate the land, this is a perfectly normal practice.

Lin Miao suddenly seemed to remember something, scratched his head with a wry smile, and hummed softly.

This is not a game. War will result in casualties. He cannot easily decide to start a war just because he needs people.

Since these villagers moved to his desktop, he has developed a deep affection for these people with whom he has formed a bond, and he must consider every decision more carefully.

But if the other side attacks first, that's a different story. The villagers will fight with all their might, and he will use every means to help them.

Just then, Lin Miao looked at the countless armies that had quietly appeared at the edge of the screen and instead revealed a faint smile.

Despite being a massive cavalry force that was enough to suffocate anyone, he inexplicably felt that these people were more like prey delivered to his doorstep.

Looking back now, it was actually a good thing that the scout escaped because of my carelessness.

Since the crisis has already arrived, it's wiser and more efficient to weather it steadily and transform it into new opportunities. He's probably not the only one thinking this way; the villagers likely share the same view.

Deep in the grasslands, inside Theodore's tent, Kse was reporting the situation to the great chieftain Theodore with a do-or-die attitude.

Theodore stared at his bandaged body, yet still incredibly focused, twirling his beard in thought. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "Kexie, you seem genuine, but with only such vague information as 'northeast'... are you sure those guys are really entrenched there?"

Kse immediately bowed and replied, "Forgive my frankness, but I cannot be 100% certain. However, the complete annihilation of a tribe that followed us and the disappearance of all its inhabitants are undeniable facts."

Theodore frowned and retorted, "...So? You want me to send troops to a place where I don't even know the details?"

Kse raised his eyes, his tone becoming increasingly firm: "Since you intend to bring the unknown northeastern lands into your territory sooner or later, I believe this is a necessary step."

His logic was indeed impeccable. Theodore had to completely transform this region into his own territory, draining it of all its resources and manpower, so that he could transform into a raging north wind to resist another hurricane sweeping in from the center of the grasslands.

Stroking his beard, Theodore finally made the decision to send troops to pacify the mysterious northeast and bring it completely under his control.

Theodore commanded in a deep voice, "Do as you say. Not only should we dispatch a large army, but we should also select immigrants by tribe to relocate to that area. In this way, we can completely incorporate the abandoned land into our territory."

Kersai suddenly looked up, his face filled with astonishment: "Even immigration is going to be done?"

Theodore's ambitions went far beyond this. He intended to take this opportunity to completely incorporate the disputed eastern territories into his sphere of influence, planning to relocate some of his tribes there.

As a powerful chieftain who commands numerous tribes through sheer military force, this is indeed a viable strategy.

Before stepping down, Kse couldn't help but ask, "So, which tribe are you planning to send?"

Theodore grinned, revealing a fang-like smile, and gave his answer without any attempt to hide it: "Let Gael's tribe go. He himself is a fierce warrior, loyal and trustworthy. Of course, we can send other tribes as well, but as you know, we should be more wary of other directions than the east."

Upon hearing this answer, Kesei swallowed hard, thinking to himself: He really has made up his mind.

After all, the size of the tribe led by Gale was equivalent to the total size of several ordinary small tribes. Moreover, they not only had the advantage of population, but the warriors and soldiers personally led by the brave and skilled Gale were the famous fighting group known as the "Wild Wolves of the Wasteland." Even Theodore did not confront them directly, but indirectly brought them under his command through family marriage.

Upon receiving the order, Gale had no objections and had her people pack their belongings, leaving their long-time home.

When Gale met up with Theodore during the march, he grinned and looked at his soldiers carrying supplies. He said to Theodore beside him, "It's gratifying to have handed over all the eastern territories to us, but there's also a bit of a regret. I was thinking of going to meet those rampaging bastards."

Theodore patted him on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "It's not too late to gather strength and start a war after we've completely turned that land into our territory. Let's finish this quickly."

Theodore did not force them to migrate without a price; he promised them rich spoils and land after the war.

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Gail's eyes as he said, "I've heard that a bunch of arrogant fools live there."

The adjutant beside him chuckled and replied, "I knew it wouldn't be unclaimed territory. We can just crush it, use the prisoners as slaves, and once we've established a foothold, things will be much easier."

Gale laughed heartily upon hearing this: "That's not a bad idea. That's right, why make our people suffer?"

They were already confident of victory, and besides their sheer confidence, they also had sufficient evidence of their population, military strength, and other realities.

Gale was reckless by nature and had no intention of delaying. He planned to lead his army to the border in one fell swoop, crush his opponents in one battle, seize their villages, or enslave them to build new settlements.

Gale patted his chest and assured him, "There's absolutely no need to hesitate. Every one of my people is a warrior; a single charge will end the battle completely."

The problem is that some people, like bystanders, witnessed the entire process of their grand approach.

As the enemy troops rampaged across the open plains with impunity, as if mocking anyone who dared to stop them, the transport worker Mo Lin, who was hurriedly eating breakfast, was lifted into the air by Lin Miao using a mouse.

With her exceptional eyesight, Maureen saw the dark, approaching army in the distance and trembled with fear—it was a massive enemy force unlike anything ever seen in this region.

Seemingly having grasped the situation, Maureen was once again lifted into the air and sped across the land back to the village.

As soon as she landed, she staggered toward Attila, her voice trembling with barely concealed urgency: "At that position and speed, the enemy will arrive here in two days at most!"

The scouts following Maureen turned deathly pale and cried out in alarm, "What...what do we do! There are at least two thousand...no, it looks like there are three thousand!"

Attila remained calm after hearing the report.

Although his eyelids twitched slightly when he heard the number two or three thousand, he quickly regained his composure and said in a deep voice to the two panicked people, "Calm down. You know very well that we have no other choice."

Attila's gaze swept across the village, his tone unwavering: "We must protect this sacred land; we cannot lose to anyone."

Maureen still looked uneasy: "But..."

Attila patted him on the shoulder, instinctively bringing up the guardian deity in an attempt to soothe him: "Hasn't the guardian deity already shown you? He will be with us too."

Upon hearing this, Maureen sighed softly, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. They were not fighting alone; the ability to travel such a long distance in an instant for reconnaissance was something impossible in the eyes of ordinary people.

Attila immediately fell into deep thought, muttering to himself, "We need to devise a strategy. Even if that lord intervenes, we'll need to coordinate our efforts."

The power accumulated through various games and programs should not be underestimated; it is even beyond the realm of reason, enough to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy. The more power one can draw upon, the more complex the strategies required become.

Lin Miao, watching Attila's solemn expression on the other side of the screen, must have felt the same worries.

Since there are no options of escape or surrender, a battle must be planned, and the first issue to address is the selection of the battlefield.

They obtained intelligence in ways the enemy never expected, and with this intelligence and the time difference, they could make arrangements in advance.

Although Lin Miao didn't understand tactics very well, she at least realized that this was a huge advantage.

He concentrated intently, observing Attila and the villagers' actions.

Watching them hastily arm themselves and prepare for battle, one after another mounting their horses, Lin Miao could tell that they didn't seem to intend to fight in the village surrounded by three-meter-high walls.

Lin Miao chuckled to himself, thinking, "That's how it will be then." Following the order in which the villagers had completed their armed work, he began to move everyone to the center of the enemy's likely route, far from the village.

He intended to fully cooperate with their ideas; in this kind of war, they were more professional than he was. Since he didn't understand, he should shut up and listen to the experts; he firmly believed that this would at least achieve a moderate to above-average result.

Fortunately, the villagers understood that he was fully supporting them. As soon as they were teleported there, they immediately took their positions without any panic and prepared to act according to the plan.

Lin Miao continued moving the mouse, teleporting large numbers of troops one by one. During the process, he observed Attila's command with great interest.

Attila didn't just take the soldiers with him; he had Maureen and other porters carry large quantities of stones and dirt collected in the game, and he also mobilized many miners wielding iron pickaxes, a stark contrast to the past practice of stopping resource gathering during battles.

Lin Miao was filled with curiosity: Was she planning to make the most of everything? How exactly was she going to do it?

All the warriors were mobilized, including Lillie, and even the new recruits trained in Monster Essence and Hunting Mode were all taken out. Even the special Monster Hunter equipment that had recently been introduced to the village was all searched out.

Looking at the preparations, Lin Miao said in a low voice, "It seems quite necessary."

They needed more weapons. With that in mind, Lin Miao immediately logged into Monster Hunter, controlled the Palico's body to go to the equipment shop, and bought a large quantity of the cheapest arrows—large arrows specially made from monster bones and feathers.

Lin Miao invested all the gold coins he had earned yesterday into buying dozens of these arrows, which he then gave to Thorfinn and Dulin. They should understand what this meant.

These tools were originally prepared to capture large mutants or malfunctioning entities, but they were unexpectedly used on an unrelated opponent first.

Lin Miao looked at the fully equipped team on the screen and thought to herself: But the results should be reliable. That's precisely why this operation is so crucial.

Victory would be their chance to make a comeback; but defeat would mean the end. However, for some reason, he wasn't as nervous as he had been before, unlike in similar situations.

Soldiers clad in mass-produced, uniform iron armor, warriors in unique armor made from monster leather and bones, and women knights in armor imbued with special powers—these diverse groups of warriors are working together to prepare to fight off the enemy.

Even Lin Miao couldn't help but wonder how these guys, who had long surpassed ordinary tribes on the grasslands, would fight against their own people.

While most of the troops and supplies had been transferred, Attila was leading his warriors in executing his unique battle plan.

Lin Miao stared at the scene on the screen, a chill running down her spine: Wait, could it be...?

The most striking feature was the long, narrow trench that Attila had the miners dig in the middle of the plain.

These miners, who can dig out standard-sized clods of earth with a single pickaxe, worked in groups of a dozen or so, and in the blink of an eye, they dug a trench more than 2 meters wide and over 100 meters long.

Attila then ordered his transport troops to cover the trenches with special blocks—not to fill them in, but to cover them literally.

Lin Miao was somewhat surprised, wondering how he came up with such an idea, since she clearly hadn't shown them the sand blocks.

The sand blocks, arranged in a continuous line, looked like props that had jumped out of a game. They were now neatly covering the trench. But if it weren't for the transport soldiers, anyone who even got close would have these blocks collapse and send them straight into the trench.

Attila looked at his creation with satisfaction, then threw turf and dirt onto the sand blocks that occupied the ground to disguise them.