Under Airen''s command, the soldiers of the Brans Army began their full-scale assault on Zeilant Castle.

    "Fire!"

    At Luna’s command, the elite archers of the Raven Mercenary Corps unleashed a torrent of arrows. The sheer volume of arrows raining down on the enemy soldiers appeared to deal significant damage. However—

    There are just too many of them...!

    The enemy force numbered over 20,000.

    Even though not all 20,000 were concentrated at the eastern gate, the sheer size of the army was overwhelming. No matter how many arrows were fired, it was impossible to stop them all.

    And then, from a distance, the catapults began hurling stones.@@@@

    Boom!

    The thunderous roar of the impact was so loud that it pierced through even the shouts of the soldiers, striking Luna’s ears like a hammer.

    The situation was dire.

    Luna shuddered at the thought of what could have happened if Swen hadn’t prioritized repairing the castle walls. If they had invested those resources elsewhere, the gates might have already been breached.

    Swen...!

    Swen had said it clearly: the only solution was to negotiate a ceasefire.

    Luna still didn’t fully understand how he intended to accomplish that, but she trusted him nonetheless. He was her first companion, her first strategist, and the first to believe in her.

    Please... I’ll hold out as long as I can... Just return as quickly as possible...!

    Meanwhile, on the battlefield below, Tifa, perched on her saddle with her axe raised high, shouted to her troops.

    "Focus on the catapults first! You got that?!"

    "Uoooooohhh!"

    The soldiers under Tifa’s command charged fearlessly at the enemy, determined to showcase the results of their training.

    Despite the overwhelming disparity in numbers, the soldiers'' morale remained unbroken.

    Why? Because their indomitable general, Tifa, was fighting alongside them at the front.

    "Come at me, you puny bastards!"

    Tifa swung her axe with wild abandon, cutting through enemy soldiers with terrifying efficiency. Her speed surpassed even the volleys of arrows raining from the castle walls, spreading unease among the ranks of the Brans Army.

    "W-what the hell is that monster?!"

    "She’s heading this way!"

    Recognizing the disarray among her troops, Airen quickly assessed the situation.

    At the forefront, a female general was wielding an axe, decimating her soldiers.

    Oh...

    Even a minor nation had someone worth taking note of.

    Airen raised her voice, commanding her soldiers.

    "Fall back!"

    The soldiers hesitated momentarily before retreating as ordered.

    Airen, mounted on her horse, rode forward at a deliberate pace.

    "My name is Airen Juliet. What is yours?"

    "Why the hell do you care, jackass?"

    Tifa pointed her axe at Airen and sneered.

    "If you wanna fight, then cut the chatter and come at me already!"

    While such bribes weren’t a feature in Garland Eternity Saga, a similar mechanic existed in other strategy games developed by the same company. I had gambled on this precedent, and it paid off.

    With the guards placated, I passed through the gates and entered Arnel Castle.

    Wow.

    The sight that greeted me left me momentarily speechless.

    It was like stepping into the trailer for a high-budget fantasy game. The sprawling cityscape, teeming with people, was leagues beyond anything I had seen so far. Kihara Castle had been modest, and Zeilant Castle, little more than a crumbling village. By comparison, Arnel Castle, the largest stronghold in the central continent, lived up to its reputation.

    No time to gawk.

    Spotting a towering structure at the city’s center—a clear indicator of where the ruler resided—I made my way toward it.

    Gaining entry to the palace turned out to be easier than I had feared. While the guards subjected me to a light physical search and stationed soldiers on either side of me for "escort," none of these precautions mattered so long as I achieved my goal: meeting Lyn Brans.

    As I walked through the palace, the opulence was overwhelming. Everything, from the furnishings to the decorations, exuded wealth and authority. It was a stark contrast to the humble interiors of Zeilant Castle, which felt like a brick-and-mortar guest room in comparison.

    This level of disparity feels more immersive. Reality... No, this wasn’t a game anymore. It was my life.

    The soldiers guided me deeper into the palace.

    "Wait here."

    One of them stepped forward and entered through a door. Moments later, he returned.

    "You may proceed."

    Finally.

    I calmed my nerves and entered the audience chamber.

    The chamber was grand, with a long red carpet leading to a throne flanked by generals of the Brans Army. They stood in silence, their gazes fixed on me.

    I have no reason to be intimidated.

    I was here to offer a deal that they couldn’t refuse. My 100 Intelligence guaranteed success. Confident, I strode forward.

    At the far end of the chamber sat Lyn Brans.

    Her long blue hair and equally striking azure eyes shimmered under the light. Her beauty was undeniable, but there was an aura about her that words like "pretty" or "beautiful" couldn’t fully capture. It was the presence of a ruler—someone who had risen above her brothers to claim the Brans throne.

    The pixelated portrait of Lyn in the game hadn’t done her justice. Seeing her in person, it was clear she was born to lead, a woman who would never bow to anyone.

    She smiled faintly as I approached.

    There’s no advisor?

    Lyn’s lack of a strategist was surprising. Several names came to mind when I thought of the Brans Army’s advisors, but perhaps she deemed my arrival unworthy of their attention.

    No matter. I would make the most of the situation.

    Kneeling before her, I recited the phrase I had seen countless times in the game:

    "I come bearing a message from my lord, Lunarian Iniang."

    Lyn chuckled softly, her voice dripping with amusement.

    "Oh my?. A pretty boy like you, venturing into enemy territory as an envoy during a war? I suppose you’re not entirely spineless after all."

    Though her words were condescending, I didn’t let it faze me. Getting flustered now would be a disgrace to my role as a strategist.

    "Very well. I’ll hear you out."

    I raised my head, meeting her gaze. The fate of the Lunarian Army rested on my shoulders. Now was the time to put my silver tongue to work.

    Don’t falter. Trust in your Intelligence.

    "I am here to present you with an offer you cannot refuse."

    "An irresistible offer, you say? Now you have my attention. What is it?"

    Smiling boldly, I adopted the demeanor of a salesman pitching a once-in-a-lifetime deal.

    "I offer you 1,300 gold in exchange for a ceasefire with our army."