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Early in the morning, after checking the system notification, Gilbert summoned Fermo and ordered all combat preparations to be ready.

Despite the sudden order, Fermo, seeing Gilbert’s stern expression, swiftly carried out the command, completing all war preparations in less than 20 minutes.

Finally, as the available Colossal Mechs within the territory were on standby for deployment, Gilbert also linked CT-777 to the Colossal Mech.

[CT-777 link complete. Gilbert, what is the mission to be performed this time?]

“Defend Bismarck and end the war.”

[Mission input complete. Based on the given information, I will establish a mission scenario.]

During his time in Bismarck, Gilbert periodically fed information to CT-777. If asked to name the best Artificial Spirit at the moment, Gilbert would unhesitatingly choose CT-777.

When playing Tactical Combat, CT-777, whom you always had to face as an enemy, was an Artificial Spirit with an overwhelmingly powerful performance, even by game standards.

The difficulty of the scenario where you encounter CT-777 was always determined by how much CT-777, the Artificial Spirit assisting the knight piloting the Colossal Mech, had grown, rather than the knight’s skill level.

Because of this, among users, there was once a topic of discussion about how far CT-777 could grow if obtained by a veteran player. They were curious about how much CT-777, whose performance varied greatly depending on the level of learning, could grow when supporting a veteran player pushing human limits.

However, since it was officially stated that CT-777 could never be obtained, users could only engage in baseless debates. Some users even claimed that CT-777 could perform as well as Fressia, the Artificial Spirit of the Colossus, the ultimate tech Colossal Mech in Tactical Combat.

Of course, the general opinion among users was that CT-777 could not surpass Fressia, who was officially recognized by the game company. But Gilbert, who had actually synchronized with CT-777, couldn’t help but be amazed by CT-777’s performance once again.

[Knight Gilbert’s special ability identified. Synchronizing with the ability.]

[Synchronization complete.]

[Gilbert, I will display information about the ability at the top left.]

A mini-map status, which could only be checked through the system, appeared at the top left of the screen. CT-777 clearly and visibly displayed information that should only be available through the system.

At this point, Gilbert couldn’t help but be amazed by CT-777, which could even configure this. Only he should be able to recognize the system, but somehow CT-777 easily accessed it and displayed it in a more user-friendly manner.

Gilbert couldn’t help but ask.

“CT, how can you display the mini-map?”

[This ability is judged to be Gilbert’s unique ability. It may be related to forcibly synchronizing with an Artificial Spirit without a formal contract. I have completed learning about this.]

“Is that possible?”

[It is possible. Reflecting the contractor’s abilities is not difficult.]

Gilbert couldn’t help but feel bewildered by CT-777’s words. No matter how much it was a growth-type Artificial Spirit, it was hard to understand how it could access a system that seemed like a cheat in another world.

Until now, Gilbert was the only one directly affected by the system. Active skills or stats that appeared on him were typical examples.

The only time the people here were indirectly affected by the system was because of Gilbert. Special stats like intimidation, which could be used when authority and leadership stats reached a certain level, were of that kind.

But CT-777 casually synchronized with the system support Gilbert had and provided a mini-map that summarized only the information Gilbert needed, removing unnecessary parts.

Although he hadn’t obtained Fressia, the Artificial Spirit of the Colossus, to compare, it was clear that the hypothesis users had set up wasn’t entirely baseless.

Maybe it could even surpass Fressia.

Recalling the extremely picky Artificial Spirit, Gilbert nodded.

Anyway, there was nothing bad about it.

“Not bad.”

[This is just basic.]

Gilbert couldn’t help but laugh at CT-777’s unexpected response. CT-777, who always answered like a machine, gave a cheeky reply, which made him laugh.

“Then, let’s check your skills.”

[Command input complete. I will support you with full power.]

While Gilbert and CT-777 were exchanging banter, Fermo reported that the deployment preparations were complete.

Now, all possible preparations were finished. The goal was to clear the Main Scenario with minimal damage, but he didn’t think it would go as planned.

War was always full of variables.

There were no exceptions. That was the conclusion drawn by Gilbert, no, Kang Do-jun, who had been through countless battlefields.

[Unidentified Colossal Mech detected. Location is presumed to be the valley.]

Taking a deep breath, while waiting, the expected intruders arrived at the predicted route.

“To all troops on standby, there is only one order.”

Don’t die.

Gilbert’s short pre-battle speech seeped into the hearts of all the troops ready for deployment.

“All troops, move out.”

With Commander-in-Chief Gilbert’s deployment order, the Main Scenario of the Sigurdians’ attack began.

***

Early in the morning, as Brynhild infiltrated Bismarck, she couldn’t shake off an uneasy feeling.

Though she couldn’t describe it, her finely honed sixth sense was constantly sending signals.

Don’t go…

…can’t turn back…

…can’t win…

Incomplete sentences scrambled in her head, disrupting her focus. It was the first time Brynhild had felt such concrete and negative emotions.

Was it because her nerves were on edge with the war for the survival of the Tribe Union approaching?

Brynhild shook her head.

That couldn’t be it.

Brynhild’s sixth sense was a kind of inherited ability bestowed by her ancestor, Sigurd. According to the records of the Sigurd Tribe Union, passed down through generations, the most outstanding ability of Sigurd, the tribe’s founder, was a sixth sense close to foresight.

The power to avoid misfortune and guide one to the right path.

That was the ability of Sigurd’s sixth sense.

Many descendants awakened the sixth sense after Sigurd.

Nagelung, who displayed great valor during the First Empire War, was one such descendant.

One day, he used his awakened sixth sense to put the Imperial Army in numerous predicaments. Since the sixth sense was an area that couldn’t be logically explained, he avoided meticulously laid plans and traps solely with his sixth sense, using guerrilla tactics to bring many victories to the Sigurd clan.

But the sixth sense was capricious.

It wasn’t based on any grounds but relied solely on gut feelings.

At first glance, this difference might seem trivial, but on the battlefield, such small differences could determine life and death.

Even the valiant Nagelung, who blindly trusted his sixth sense, fell on the battlefield for that reason.

Other descendants who awakened the sixth sense after Nagelung were the same. The faintly inherited ability was distinctly different from the founder’s sixth sense.

Brynhild, who awakened the sixth sense in her generation, was one of those who knew this difference well.

Thus, she didn’t blindly trust her sixth sense. She always thought twice and never forgot to establish grounds.

But this…

Brynhild’s grip on the controls tightened. She didn’t blindly trust her sixth sense, but it was the first time her sixth sense had sent such an intense warning.

This wasn’t just a warning to avoid misfortune.

Going there would lead to ruin.

Her sixth sense kept urging her not to go.

But avoiding this war wasn’t an option. Even if the path ahead led to ruin, retreating would only lead to the tribe’s extinction.

It was a situation of being caught between a rock and a hard place.

In such situations, Brynhild always chose one thing.

[We will arrive in Bismarck in 10 minutes. Are you ready?]

“What kind of question is that? Keep up and don’t fall behind.”

Responding to Tarhal’s communication with a smile hiding her anxiety, Brynhild focused her eyes. If she was stuck between a rock and a hard place, breaking through head-on was her way.

Being scared before even starting wasn’t in her dictionary.

[Then, good lu…]

Boom!

Before Tarhal’s communication ended, a deafening roar began to shake the valley.

Brynhild felt her sixth sense pounding something red into her head.

“What’s happening?!”

[The Empire has noticed us!]

“What? How could they notice us before we even attack? There’s no way they came out without any preparation. This is like…”

[This is like they knew exactly when we would attack.]

Brynhild couldn’t help but slam the controls as Tarhal voiced the same feeling.

She realized belatedly that this was what her sixth sense had been warning about.

“Damn it! I’ll lead the vanguard!”

Cursing under her breath, she quickly composed herself and led the Colossal Mech to the front of the advancing troops. Although they had been spotted by the Imperial Army before even attacking, her task remained unchanged.

“For Sigurd!”

Brynhild shouted urgently through the general communication channel, drew a massive iron sword, and charged towards the Colossal Mech at the forefront of the Imperial Army.

It was to awaken the warriors frozen by the sudden appearance of the Imperial Army.

Fortunately, hearing her valiant cry, Sigurd’s descendants regained their senses and followed her.

It seemed the sudden situation was somewhat under control.

Then, all that’s left is to seize the initiative!

Ignoring the still alarming sixth sense, she swung her sword with explosive mana to take down the Imperial knight at the forefront.

It was a strike filled with the hope of turning the tide with this one blow.

But.

Clang!

Brynhild’s confident horizontal slash was effortlessly blocked.

By a dazzling golden sword.

 

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