Chapter 51

No matter how realistic D&K was, it was still just a game.

Even when operating the same unit, there was bound to be a gap between a beginner and a veteran player.

The decisive factors creating this gap were system utilization and meticulous calculations based on information.

These included things like a character's movement speed, dodging skills based on opponent's movements, and cooldown management.

These were considered fundamental requirements for D&K players to rise to the middle ranks.

"Assuming we offload all unnecessary cargo from the ultra-compact airship and only load mana bombs and a minimal crew, the time it would take is approximately 16 minutes and 50 seconds. For a typical medium-sized airship, that's enough time to fire its main cannon three times. This means if we can block three attacks, we can approach the enemy ship."

"You're not a mage, so you might not know this, but blocking a medium-sized airship's main cannon, no matter how skilled the mage..."

"It would be impossible for an individual. However, if there are two mages, they can block the main cannon with very little damage to the ship, and if there are three, they can block it perfectly. Of course, if we put three mages on one airship, the number of operable airships would decrease, causing problems with our breakthrough power. Excluding the medium-sized airship, the aerial forces of both sides are similar. So..."

It felt insufficient trying to explain everything verbally.

I even doubted if they fully understood.

I needed something to write on and was about to ask for help when Count Dman, noticing my need, tapped the strategy board next to him.

It was an indication that I could use it.

It also meant he was focused on what I was saying.

I gave a slight bow as a gesture of respect and then drew my ideas on the strategy board.

"Therefore, one airship at the front. We position an airship with three mages. Since the escort force will be insufficient, it would be best to have the strongest knights from Achimlab Fortress occupy the remaining two spots. The airship carrying the mana bombs will fly closely behind, trailing it. And I'll assign escort ships around them like this."

As I jotted down various pieces of information on the strategy board, fond memories resurfaced.

In truth, I enjoyed playing D&K, whether it was leveling up or communicating with the heroes who were no different from real humans.

However, the moments I found most enjoyable were like these.

Challenging high-difficulty stages, setting up a plan to maximize our forces by 100%, and the dopamine rush when that strategy successfully played out—these were some of the driving forces that motivated me.

"This way, each ship only needs to focus on incoming attacks from their assigned direction, preventing them from being shot down by the main cannon of an enemy ship from an unexpected angle. And if we detach the main cannon positioned at the front and install it like this, we can adequately respond to attacks from the flanks."

"......"

"Once the airship carrying the high-density Mana Bomb has been escorted to the target point, we can then use the short-range auto-navigation system to send the bomb back to the enemy. Of course, there's a high probability that the medium-sized airship will attempt to escape, so we must spread out the escort ships like this to block their retreat."

I drew the deployment of the encirclement, even considering the estimated blast radius.

Believing this was a sufficient explanation, I paused, and a quiet stillness descended.

The silence was broken by a small round of applause from beside me.

"...Impressive."

It was Count Dman.

Unable to contain himself, he sprang to his feet and gave a standing ovation.

"The introduction of airships to the battlefield was unprecedented until the war against White Hero. Consequently, our Alliance's strategies are still quite lacking. What you've presented is incredibly rational and ideal. It feels as if we've brought in a commander from White Hero, someone skilled in aerial combat."

"...You flatter me."

"Is this what they call a genius? Are you truly just an ordinary soldier? Is it possible to devise such an intricate strategic deployment without formal training? There isn't a single person here who could do it. I wish I could appoint you as my deputy right now."

"......"

No, any mid-tier player would know how to do this.

Count Dman praised me so much that I started to feel a little overwhelmed.

I had expected, at best, a 'Hmm, quite impressive for a low-ranking soldier,' but I never imagined such high praise.

It certainly made sense, given that the air force was deployed for the first time in this war, meaning they would have little accumulated experience.

Even familiar and basic strategies for players who had experienced countless battles and wars through various online games were completely new to them.

However, just because these strategies were new didn't mean they were completely ignorant.

"However, there's one problem with your strategy."

"I'm listening."

"It's not easy for three mages to synchronize their shield deployments simultaneously. If their timing is off, or if their magical manifestations overlap, the spell will fail. In that case, the worst-case scenario is the entire fleet being swept away by the enemy's main cannon."

I understood Count Dman's concern.

In a typical game, pressing a hotkey would cast a spell towards the mouse pointer or the direction the character was facing.

However, reality was not a game.

I would never fully comprehend how many factors mages had to consider to cast a single spell.

But not understanding didn't mean I gave up on trying to understand.

"There's no need for three separate spells."

"What do you mean?"

"Three people can cast one spell. In other words... using joint incantation would resolve the issue the commander mentioned. That's what I'd like to say."

Battles between White Hero and the Alliance usually favored White Hero.

The Alliance's ordinary soldiers couldn't contend with White Hero's heroes, and that gap only widened as the heroes' levels increased.

One against a hundred.

That phrase wasn't just a metaphor; it often became reality.

While knights somewhat narrowed the gap, White Hero inevitably had an advantage in terms of training difficulty, cost, and various other aspects.

The ones who could overturn that favorable structure were the mages.

While individual contributions were significant, what White Hero's players feared most was the mages' joint incantation.

This referred to multiple mages simultaneously manifesting a single spell or adding their magic to an existing one.

Magic became multiplication, not addition.

Large-scale magic cast by several mages became a powerful weapon capable of leading the flow of war.

The fact that the Alliance could fiercely engage in back-and-forth battles against White Hero on the front lines was largely due to mages, especially the joint incantations of Archmages from various nations.

Of course, it had the drawback of being heavily influenced by talent, but Selina and the old man had already succeeded in completing one spell together.

And if it was Count Dman, the mage who had flawlessly defended Achimlab Fortress in Stage 1-4a, bringing tears of blood to the eyes of countless players, I was confident it was possible.

"So that's why you needed three people. It's a strategy that puts too much burden on the three mages at the front..."

Count Dman furrowed his brows and stroked his unkempt beard.

His reaction wasn't enthusiastic.

It was a natural reaction.

The strategy I proposed was a high-risk one where, if the leading mages failed their joint incantation, the entire fleet, not just individuals, would suffer the damage.

If it was just about repelling the enemy, countless safer methods could be devised.

But simply repelling them wouldn't be enough.

If the airship remained intact, the enemy would regroup and attack repeatedly.

To achieve his goals.

To capture Achimlab Fortress.

Count Dman would know this.

That the Achimlab Fortress's current fleet had no means to destroy a medium-sized airship other than high-density Mana Bomb.

"Your plan is systematic but risky. However... the potential is sufficient, and currently, no other method comes to mind. I'll consider it seriously."

"Thank you."

The meeting continued for a long time afterward.

It lasted until the stars appeared in the night sky, skipping dinner, but ultimately ended without a definitive conclusion.

* * *

The day changed.

However, the roar of artillery announcing the start of battle was not heard.

In an unsettling silence, Selina was called away for the unfinished meeting from yesterday, and we, aboard the airship, were fully prepared to sortie at any moment.

And I,Munch munch.

"...Once you get used to it, it's quite edible."

I was sitting on the airship's railing, concentrating on my meal.

Even calling it a meal, it was a sandwich made with mashed boiled potatoes, similar to what I got from the mess hall, mixed with various vegetables and ham sliced so thin I couldn't even taste it.

The taste was terrible.

The bread was hard, the vegetables weren't fresh, and the ingredients didn't harmonize, actually diminishing their individual flavors.

Normally, I wouldn't even look at it, but having grown accustomed to military slop, it wasn't inedible for me.

"Rian seems to be able to stomach that well."

On the other hand, Ririsa, who was quite the gourmet, hadn't even eaten half of her sandwich.

She glared at the sandwich she had taken a bite from as if it were her sworn enemy.

"Still, eat it all. When the battle starts, you'll regret not forcing yourself to eat it then."

"Ugh... I wish our unit would grow so large someday that we could have a resident chef."

Ririsa squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to fill her stomach.

It was only Ririsa, with her sensitive palate, who was struggling.

Byan, who had a hearty appetite, and Latia, who had the strange theory that all food was the same once it entered the stomach, had already finished their meals without a fuss.

The surprising one was Sergel.

"......"

Holding an uneaten sandwich in his hand, he stared blankly at the sky as if his mind was elsewhere.

Eventually, his grip loosened, and the ham and vegetables between the bread fell to the floor. ...The ingredients are incredibly fresh.

And the ham is really thick.

Is this because he's Count Dman's brother?

I realized that blood relation truly was the most important connection.

"Field Commander."

While my eyes were drawn to the fallen ingredients on the floor, Sergel's gaze, which had been fixed on the sky, now turned to me.

His eyes held a complex expression, as if he was deep in thought.

"I have something important to tell you."