“Uh, ughhhh!” “How can we topple such a gargantuan beast…!” The emergence of the boss monster plunged the soldiers on the ramparts into disarray. The once relentless fire of the cannons and ballistae halted, and the once impermeable wall of flame quivered and broke. -Roaarrr! -Roaarrr-! Living Armors that penetrated the weakening wall of flame…

“Protect the Empire” is, at its core, a defense game. And what’s the golden rule of such games? Monsters follow distinct patterns of behavior. These patterns are designed for the players to understand and to formulate a defensive strategy accordingly. In “Protect the Empire”, the monsters usually exhibit one behavioral pattern. ‘Kill humans.’ They choose…

Work was progressing in earnest. I hustled around the site, giving out orders. We fortified our defense mechanisms, set up artifacts on the ramparts, refined the soldiers’ formation, and worked tirelessly to erect the wooden wall. ‘Not too shabby.’ With every preparation made, my confidence in this stage grew. ‘There’s no reason to panic!’ Indeed,…

I filled my party members in on the current situation. As I discussed the imminent onslaught of a thousand Living Armors, the faces of Damien and Lilly turned ashen. Jupiter just exhaled billows of smoke from her cigarette without a word, while Lucas, having already been briefed, remained composed. “What’s our plan, your highness?” Lucas…

[Ash (EX) has changed jobs to ‘Novice Commander’!] A lively fanfare chimed in, marking my transition to a new job. Then. [A 50 percent debuff is applied to your stat growth rate.] [A 50 percent debuff is applied to your equipment proficiency.] …? Hold on, what? “What, what the?!” I stared, blinking, at the successive…

Lucas began to speak with caution. “I…” I was on pins and needles. Multiple contingency plans sprouted in my mind, considering how to justify my actions to Lucas in a manner that would ensure his continued loyalty. However. “I simply follow your orders. I harbor no doubts.” Those were Lucas’s words. “I am your sword…

“From this day forward, you will die on the frontlines!” I declared it without any attempt to sugarcoat the truth. “Each week, fresh graves will appear in this cemetery, accompanied by the mournful tunes of the choir.” Despite my efforts to limit the losses, lives would be lost. There could never be a battlefront void…

Leaving Aider with a list of tasks for the day, Lucas and I exited the mansion. About half an hour later, we found ourselves standing in front of the Mercenary Guild. Although it was called the Mercenary Guild, it bore a strong resemblance to an inn. It was a hub where uncontracted mercenaries lodged, dined,…

“What’s there to hide? Absolutely! I am the Director of [Protect the Empire], Aider~” “…” My mind went blank. The director? This kid? So, the one who dragged me into this was this son of a…? My mind whirled with a hurricane of thoughts. Just at that moment… —Thud! Aider collapsed, spreadeagle, onto the floor….

The carriage shuddered with every turn of the wheels. “Yawn…” A yawn slipped from my mouth as the carriage gently rocked to and fro. It had been three days since we left the forward base, making our way northward in the carriage. Our pace was slow, burdened with caring for the injured – and I…