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The Main Scenario of the Sigurdian attack unfolds similarly to what is commonly known as a tower defense game.

The main objective of the scenario is to prevent the Tribe Union from invading Bismarck and ensure they cannot breach its defenses.

At first glance, it might seem easy, but the Sigurdians are warriors, each and every one of them. Most start wielding weapons as soon as they can walk and talk, using the sacred power of their ancestral gods in combat.

Their most exceptional warriors are said to rival even the high-ranking knights of the Infractus Empire, making their combat prowess something that cannot be ignored.

The Sigurdian attacks are so critical to the survival of the Tribe Union that even the most renowned warriors within the tribes participate, making the Main Scenario one of the more challenging ones.

Thus, even if you don’t directly participate in the Main Scenario, the story progresses, and it has become a popular scenario for veterans to test their skills.

Of course, for veterans like Gilbert, who are obsessed with achievements, or those focused on speedrunning, this scenario is often skipped as it’s considered a “good boy” scenario.

Depending on the war’s progression, it could take up to a month in-game time to clear, which can be quite bothersome for achievement hunters or speedrunners.

However, it’s widely agreed among users that this scenario is attractive as it’s the first large-scale war you can experience in Tactical Combat. Hence, many users enjoy this Main Scenario.

Even Gilbert used to clear this scenario diligently before he became obsessed with achievements. Large-scale wars using Colossal Mechs are always fun, after all.

Of course, in reality, it’s better if such wars don’t happen.

“Yah! Gilbert!”

“I’m busy.”

Gilbert, who was reviewing a report submitted by Fermon, raised a hand to dismiss Camilla, who had suddenly appeared.

A quick glance at the message window showed that there was about a day left.

The notoriously unfriendly Tactical Combat doesn’t give you a heads-up about attack times. The game’s motto seems to be “If you don’t know, you’re screwed,” so you always learn by getting beaten up here and there.

But for some reason, after returning from a search, the system notified him of the Sigurdian attack time via a message window. He had a moment of doubt about whether to trust it, but ignoring the system’s message would be foolish.

Fermon’s analysis also suggested that the Sigurdian attack would occur within a week, so he prepared based on the system’s notification. After all, it’s better to be prepared early.

“Coming here every day just to work! You’ll ruin your health! You need to know when to rest!”

Camilla, who had now approached, snatched the report Gilbert was reviewing.

It seemed she had been quiet for a few days. Gilbert didn’t expect Camilla, who acts on whims, to stay quiet for long.

In Tactical Combat, Camilla’s unpredictability often became a significant variable in party management.

Camilla would sometimes suddenly leave the party while playing the game, usually because she found it boring and would quit without hesitation.

The standard play was to include Seraphina in the party and then add Camilla, but many users avoided her due to her unpredictability.

Despite her potential being on par with Seraphina, she was hard to grow and predict, leading some users to avoid her.

Gilbert’s decision depended on the achievements he was aiming for in that playthrough. There were achievements that required her to clear, so he always included her for those.

But now…

Gilbert chuckled as he watched Camilla waving the report, deep in thought.

Objectively, having her around now was more of a liability than an asset.

Her unpredictable personality often led to trouble, and now, in the midst of his busy schedule, she was throwing a tantrum out of boredom.

Her sparkling eyes suggested she would keep bothering him until he played along. In this regard, it might be the right decision to dismiss her, but…

‘I don’t know either? I just thought Gilbert was a good person. No matter what others say, the Gilbert I saw was like that!’

‘Are you feeling better now?’

‘Coming here every day just to work! You’ll ruin your health! You need to know when to rest!’

Most of what Camilla said to Gilbert was comforting or concerned about his well-being.

In a world where he was suddenly branded a troublemaker, she saw him without prejudice and worried about him.

Perhaps it was because Camilla acted on whims that she could do such things.

Even Seraphina, who was friendly, would clearly move to eliminate Gilbert if she thought he was a threat to the Empire. The Seraphina he knew was like that, and the Seraphina he experienced was no different.

Moreover, during the Academy attack part, Gilbert, who couldn’t hide his anxiety, was able to calm down thanks to Camilla. Her harmless smile provided significant comfort, and he was able to save Briana, whom he couldn’t save in the game.

It would be ridiculous to dismiss such a benefactor just because she was a bit of a headache.

Gilbert reached out to her.

“Alright. I’ll finish this report and then hang out with you.”

“Huh? Gilbert, are you really not feeling well…?”

Perhaps Gilbert’s reaction was unexpected?

Camilla, who rarely panicked, was now flustered.

She carefully handed the report back, genuinely worried if Gilbert was feeling unwell.

“Was I too noisy? Are you really not feeling well?”

Watching her flustered, Gilbert chuckled. It was amusing how she came to play but was now surprised when he agreed.

“Gasp! Gilbert, are you really sick?! I’ve never seen you smile before!”

“Stop being so loud. I’ll play with you after this.”

“Oh no! Lily! Where are you, Lily!”

Thinking Gilbert was unwell, Camilla made a fuss and ran out of the office. Her expression was so serious that anyone seeing it would think Gilbert was in critical condition.

She’s a handful, but… this isn’t so bad.

Gilbert chuckled again and started reviewing the report.

Taking a little break isn’t so bad, after all.

***

“Big trouble! Gilbert must have a deadly disease!”

“Gilbert. Is that true?”

“Big brother!!”

Damn it.

Gilbert held his throbbing head as he saw the three who had come to his office shortly after.

Maybe dismissing Camilla was something to seriously consider.

***

Brynhild.

Among the Sigurdians, each a warrior, she was the Grand Warrior of the Vanir tribe, renowned for her bravery. Even with the war against the Empire looming, she was fervently training.

Every movement she made revealed finely chiseled muscles, visible to the naked eye. Even her compressed muscles, trained to the limit, were straining to bear immense weight.

With a final shout, she completed her last rep and dropped the iron weights to the ground with a thud.

Thud!

The ground cracked, and dust rose, but Brynhild calmly wiped the sweat pouring down her face.

To an outsider, it might seem like ascetic training, but for her, it was routine. Each training session built up to make her the Grand Warrior she was today.

No matter how close the war with the Empire was, skipping training was unthinkable for her.

“You’re working hard today.”

“Especially at times like this, I can’t skip training. You skip training, big brother, so I caught up to you quickly.”

Tarhal, who had been quietly watching her training, smiled wryly at his sharp-tongued sister. The child who used to follow him around asking to be carried had now become a warrior representing the clan.

If there was a moment to realize how time flies, it was now.

“But what brings you here? I thought the tribal meeting was in full swing.”

“The date for the sortie has been set.”

Brynhild, who was drinking water from a prepared container, wiped her mouth at Tarhal’s words.

“Coming here like this, it’s tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. Tomorrow.”

Tarhal hesitated even now about waging war. Considering the tribe’s situation, war was inevitable.

Peaceful methods were not feasible given the dire straits the tribe was in. In a month or two, their food reserves would run out.

However, reaching out to the Empire could backfire. Showing weakness to the Empire would only invite them to pounce. The rift between the tribe and the Empire had deepened too much.

“Tomorrow, everything will be decided…”

“I worry if we’ve burdened you too much.”

“As the Grand Warrior of the tribe, it’s my duty. That’s why I’ve trained so hard.”

Brynhild’s eyes were unwavering as she looked at Tarhal. He thought he saw a firm resolve in her.

“You’re risking your life.”

“That’s the same for everyone. War is like that.”

While the war with the Empire was the first in decades, Brynhild was an experienced warrior who had seen battle before. Even within the Tribe Union, conflicts were not uncommon.

And she had always been at the forefront of those battles. This time would be no different.

As a Grand Warrior, she would do her duty.

It was simple and clear.

“Right. All we can do is pray that Sigurd watches over us.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely bring us victory.”

Tarhal nodded, believing in his sister’s fighting spirit.

But Tarhal was worried about what would come after.

The Empire’s strength was not just what was visible. Even if they won tomorrow’s battle and secured food, the aftermath would be a problem.

The Empire was not one to sit idly by after being challenged.

They would surely retaliate against the tribe that dared to bare its fangs.

Could the Union hold off the Empire’s wrath when that time came?

Tarhal doubted it.

Reluctantly, he thought that perhaps their extinction was inevitable.

Sigurd, watch over the tribe.

That was all Tarhal could do.

And the next day dawned.

[Main Scenario: The Sigurdian attack begins.]

Finally, the curtain rose on the war.

 

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