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

"It's unbelievable that the proposal to start a company to trade with the state was approved on the first try."

[Li Sushang: Although politicians and bureaucrats strongly opposed it, the commander overruled their objections. He said that the right to choose must be preserved so that new users could join without burden, and that their spontaneous action would minimize losses.]

Li Sushang, who claimed to be exhausted, told Lin Miao about her experience while he was overwhelmed in front of the computer.

She returned after personally negotiating with this country.

Regarding users, faulty components, and the various issues that will only escalate in the future.

Newly awakened users will appear one after another, just like him and Li Sushang, regardless of class, gender, or age.

Their personalities also vary greatly.

Some people may be unwilling to fight no matter how dire the situation, while others may crave conflict.

Li Sushang argued that these people should not be bound by the responsibilities and obligations that inevitably accompany huge amounts of support, but rather that they should be offered a choice of receiving rewards based on actual merit. Surprisingly, this theory was successfully adopted.

Lin Miao had previously worried about whether she should use the Invisible Cloak to secretly meet the Commander if she failed, but now it seems that was completely unnecessary.

"Didn't they ask me anything?"

[Li Sushang: Of course, some people have asked, but there are also people like you who pretend not to know, so I emphasize the need for company assistance.]

Although she was wearing a cloak at the time, Lin Miao, who had appeared in public before, was still asked about it.

Unsurprisingly, topics about him also emerged.

Lin Miao, who refused to reveal her true identity, was seen as an eyesore and a source of concern by the authorities.

Unfortunately, Lin Miao will still not reveal her identity in the future.

He had only heard about what happened today from Li Sushang, but it left him breathless.

"But that doesn't mean I haven't fulfilled my obligations."

The user's responsibility is to properly cultivate and manage the residents on the screen.

After ending the call with Li Sushang, Lin Miao looked at the table again.

Among the newly added dwarves, those with talent were assigned to the game to activate their traits, and the town continued to function smoothly on its own as always.

"Long time no see. You're finally back after the city riots have subsided? Your partner didn't come with you."

Lin Miao took the opportunity to start a game, Dark Souls, but this time Lillie wasn't with him; he was all alone.

"Want to buy armor? That's easy."

Lin Miao opened the game to meet the blacksmith she would encounter in Chapter 2.

After completing the side quests, the blacksmith who becomes a merchant will sell various equipment to the player.

As you progress through the chapters, the variety of equipment available for purchase will increase.

Among the various types of equipment specific to a profession, some, like the Lillie Armor obtained as a quest reward, possess special powers.

"Good eye. This armor possesses powerful magic resistance, comparable to the standard armor of the Paladins."

Gold coins are generated automatically and continuously. This is because the countless enemies that residents eliminate every day in hunting mode are converted into funds for their characters.

Lin Miao took out some of her savings and bought a suit of armor.

The women's style is similar to Lillie's, but it wasn't originally designed this way; it was also modified by a mod.

"But partner, I've already given you something nice. Who are you planning to give it to this time? It's not like you're going to wear it yourself, is it?"

Shaking his head repeatedly at the blacksmith's unnecessary chatter, Lin Miao put the armor into his inventory and turned to leave.

I bought this armor in the game not to wear it on my own character, but to give it to Rose.

"If you're going to push it, push it all the way."

After all, Lin Miao planned to fully support the Holy Knights Order formed by Lillie and Rose.

The knights who pledged allegiance to him? Although the pressure was immense, he was willing to do so as long as it gave them the unwavering will to fight to the end.

"What will happen? Will it continue to expand or will it be appropriately controlled?"

The operation of the Holy Knights depends entirely on Lillie.

Depending on her choice, the Holy Order might grow rapidly or it might hardly expand due to strict management.

Lin Miao personally hopes it is the latter.

Now that he has decided to support them, the residents will definitely be eager to join the Holy Knights.

The next day, the person Lin Miao summoned the Black Soul for was not Lillie, but Rose.

This reliable female warrior, who has made many military achievements, is also a young girl who needs to grow up.

Rose fell into a completely unfamiliar place and was frantically looking around at her surroundings.

Are you that surprised?

Lin Miao approached and patted Luo Xie on the back. She was so startled that she jumped up and almost fell over.

Knowing how valiant this girl was in battle, Lin Miao was both amused and exasperated to see her like this.

The size should adjust automatically.

Lin Miao gave her a thumbs up, as she seemed to have calmed down a bit, and took out the armor set she had purchased from her inventory.

Lillie's size was fine back then, so the item should automatically adjust its size this time as well.

Just as he expected, the armor in her hand had shrunk to a size that fit her perfectly.

"You must live a long life."

Seeing Luo Xie's moved expression as she thanked him, Lin Miao couldn't help but sigh.

Although residents' deaths are commonplace, there are always some who bear heavy responsibilities or are particularly endearing.

Rosette, whom I've known since the beginning, is one of them.

Every time you see this girl, who initially only fought with anger and hatred, gradually grow up, it's impossible not to be moved.

"Nothing should happen today, right?"

After dropping Luo Xie off at the village, Lin Miao yawned and was about to get up to have breakfast.

At this moment, the northern territory is quiet. Neither the villages where residents have begun to move about nor the surrounding areas have sounded any invasion alarms.

[Enemy Invasion]

"Um?"

As if anticipating the moment, a notification appeared on the screen just as I was about to get up.

Lin Miao quickly sat back down and swiped the screen to check.

The alarm sounded in an area where residents had built outposts and regularly sent out scouts to patrol.

The alarm was triggered precisely because soldiers were stationed there.

"Theodore's soldiers?"

Completely opposite to the right side where the outpost is located, on the left side of the screen are several figures riding horses and galloping desperately.

Lin Miao right-clicked to view the information and stared at them with a complicated expression.

Although the system did mark them as enemies with red boxes, their haggard appearance made it hard to call them a threat.

Lin Miao, who had originally planned to strike with a heavy blow at any moment, decided to wait and see for a while longer.

Anyway, there are only a few of us, so our comrades at the outpost should be fine.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before our scouts spotted them and rode off to meet them.

Although they carried weapons just in case, they were completely useless.

Because Theodore's soldiers panicked and reined in their horses as soon as they saw our army, and didn't touch their weapons at all.

What are they talking about?

Although I've gotten used to most of the situation, not being able to hear their trivial conversations still makes me anxious at times.

Seemingly having heard something unusual, Theodore's face grew paler as he spoke, while our soldiers showed signs of panic.

"Are you taking them with you?"

After a brief exchange, our soldiers led the visitors toward the village.

Such a fuss would never be made over a trivial matter.

This means that something extremely important has happened.

In response, Lin Miao used a mouse to pick up a scout who wanted to report the news in advance and quickly transported him to the village.

The teleported soldier, clutching his dizzy head, rushed toward Attila, parroting what he had seen and heard.

Attila could not hide his astonishment, but his expression turned serious as he quickly prepared to depart.

Attila the Tribal Chief's Troubles

A pop-up window appeared.

As Lin Miao had anticipated, Attila was troubled by this problem.

Lin Miao, peeking at the contents, finally understood what had happened.

"So, you're going to start another war with the other clan leaders, aren't you?"

"Yes, yes. A chieftain named Luke was the first to operate in the central region, annexing and threatening the surrounding tribes. Now that he has gathered his strength, he has begun to attack the other chieftains."

Theodore's soldiers explained to Attila the reason for their hasty arrival.

Attila frowned upon hearing the news of a war between the great patriarchs.

While the Zerg were engaged in fierce battles with countless Zerg, a tribal civil war broke out on the other side.

In the past, Attila might have understood their actions or even encouraged them, but things are different now.

At a time when monsters called the Zerg have invaded and devoured this land and continue to multiply, these people are still killing each other; it's utterly foolish.

Thinking of the already extinct dwarf kingdom, it is unknown when this grassland will suffer the same fate again.

"So what does Patriarch Theodore want from you?"

"Our chieftain said... he is currently fighting on the front lines and will repay us many times over in the future. He hopes to trade for more supplies."

Theodore's soldiers requested Attila to increase the trade of supplies.

This request is not excessive, after all, the reserves are still quite sufficient.

At this moment, the resources harvested in the game are still pouring out in a steady stream, and the new immigrants, including the dwarf survivors, are continuously increasing their productivity by enhancing their traits.

"Although Patriarch Theodore initially had some friction with us, he has now recognized the danger of the black monster and is building a friendly relationship with us."

After informing the other officials about the matter, Attila briefly fell into deep thought.

Although he seemed hesitant, his heart had already already leaned towards it.

After all, if the hard-won friendly relations break down, Aurora will also suffer.

"I also believe that Theodore should be supported."

"We share the same opinion."

Most officials judged that it would be more advantageous to aid Theodore.

Attila stared blankly at the sky upon hearing this.

To be precise, it is the being gazing at the other side of the screen, who is currently reading Attila's troubles and trying to understand how things are unfolding.

But even if they knew the reason, their guardian deity probably wouldn't give a clear answer. This has always been the case.

These kinds of questions should have been accurately judged by them themselves, and the gods never interfered, but Attila regarded them as trials that had come upon him.

"So be it, nothing in this world is ever truly obtained by easy means."

The guardian deity they serve never gives alms indiscriminately.

It is better to teach people to fish than to teach people.

Fight side-by-side in the game world and grant them power.

This is how the residents, including Attila, interpreted these actions.

Before making his decision, Attila asked Lillie, "What do you think?"

"Father, I think we should help Theodore," Lillie said, echoing the opinion of others without any change in her expression.

"What you're saying... is really interesting."

This was very unusual for Attila.

Because the nameless tribe that clearly belonged to Theodore's command was the very tribe with whom they had a blood feud.

"I will suppress the emotions that may arise in my heart for a moment, and I am determined to fight to follow the will of that great man."

Lillie declared that she had buried the past. She secretly resolved to fight as a knight who believed in and followed her guardian deity.

Because she had made up her mind not to fight for personal grudges, but for a higher purpose.

"……you're right."

Attila nodded with a wry smile, then summoned Theodore's soldiers and ordered them to convey his demands.

"Go and tell Patriarch Theodore: Our army is engaged in holding off the raging black monster legion in the north and cannot send reinforcements. But if it becomes too difficult to hold out, we may retreat eastward to our territory."

"I...I will convey the message in this way."

Theodore's soldiers were amazed by Attila's generosity in handing over the precious supplies.

They had no idea how these supplies were obtained, so naturally they reacted this way.

"What's the situation? Can it end peacefully?"

"I'm not entirely sure. Luke from the central region, though from a small tribe, unified the surrounding tribes through sheer force and greatly expanded his power. Rumor has it that he's colluding with forces on the other side of the barrier, but I don't know if that's true. However, Luke's soldiers are indeed equipped with sophisticated weapons."

The soldiers replied that they didn't know how things would develop.

Logically, one should assert that victory is assured, but the fact that they dare not say so indicates that the situation is extraordinary.

Attila watched them leave, his intuition telling him that good or bad news would soon arrive from the west.

"What if Theodore is defeated, and that great patriarch named Luke even occupies their territory?"

In response to Lillie's question, Attila envisioned the worst-case scenario.

"We'll take in Theodore and his followers then. It'll be a good opportunity to expand our sphere of influence. But if we do that, Luke will definitely be after us too. If we can resolve this through negotiation, that would be fine..."

We might have to fight another war with those who tried to invade this place, just like last time.

"Allen, go and call all the miners and porters. It seems we need to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances."

Attila decided to reinforce the village defenses that had been temporarily neglected due to the construction of the northern fortress.

Although the wall is currently relatively stable, the damage could be severe if the fears come true.

"Look over there! They're building more defensive towers! Sure enough, the gods are closely watching the situation."

As if to witness their choice, defensive towers on the village walls are rising one after another.