บท 10: Civil War Phantom Cocolia
[You had a pleasant conversation with Captain Jepard, increasing his favorability and trust in you.]
[Your reputation among the Belobog Silvermane Guards rose to Revered.]
[The rift at the edge passage was drained of its imaginary energy by the Stellaron and thus completely dissipated, with the Belobog commercial district reclaimed.]
[The next day, High Guardian Cocolia Rand left Klipperfort and came to the logistics area alone.]
Cocolia came out?
Lying lazily on his bed, Ron suddenly sat up, a gleam of mischief in his eyes as he looked at the screen.
Finally, she's here... Cocolia.
He rubbed his hands together, suppressing a hint of excitement.
In this simulation, he had focused on maximizing his combat prowess, and it had indeed led to a different outcome.
The Stellaron had been severely weakened in one strike, and even the rift at the edge passage had dissipated due to the depletion of its imaginary energy.
Based on the last simulation, once the front line achieved a significant victory, Cocolia couldn't contain her ambitions and would come out to cause trouble—
Last time, she directly charged into the rift, was assimilated by the Stellaron, and came back to blow up Belobog, essentially becoming a self-destructing truck.
But this time, Ron was well-prepared. Now, he was strong enough to fight Cocolia on equal footing... even if she were assimilated by the Stellaron.
If Cocolia tried to charge into the rift again, Ron could easily stop her and hang her in the barracks for a spanking.
Given Ron's current prowess as the top Silvermane Guard, taking down Cocolia without anyone noticing would be a piece of cake...
With this anticipation, Ron watched as the text on the screen began to change:
[The High Guardian arrived at the barracks, greeted by the assembled Guards who showed her great respect.]
[Cocolia ordered the Guards to assemble on the training ground, where she planned to give a speech celebrating the recent victory.]
The screen displayed a new scene:
Cocolia stood on a carefully constructed platform on the training ground, with the Guards assembled neatly below, their ranks like a dense forest of steel.
The officers saluted Cocolia solemnly from the front of the platform.
The Guards saluted in unison, like waves rolling across a calm sea.
"You've done well in this battle to defend Belobog."
Cocolia smiled, her tone filled with encouragement and firmness, acknowledging the Guards' achievements:
"Eradicating the rift creatures, reclaiming the old Belobog commercial district, consolidating the defense... This is the first successful counterattack against the rift since the founding of the Builder Era!"
Her tone was fervent, but a cold glint flickered in her purple eyes as she changed her tone.
"However, even though we've achieved victory, it is now in the past. We must not dwell on past glories but look forward to a new future."
She grabbed the Builder's badge on her chest and tore it off, raising it high as she exclaimed:
"The decision to counterattack the rift was the right one. A bright future is beckoning us!"
"We can reclaim not only the commercial district but also the outskirts, and more... The rift creatures are but defeated foes. Belobog will usher in an even more glorious future!"
"The children of Belobog will sing freely in a broader world!"
Cocolia's words painted a beautiful future, causing the Guards to erupt in cheers.
[Cocolia provided various useless guidance and empty praises to the Guards before issuing several military orders.]
[She ordered Captain Jepard to lead the troops back to the front line immediately, without delay.]
[She commanded all your Guards to be reorganized into the front-line troops and temporarily recruited new soldiers to guard the armory in the logistics area.]
[Dazed by victory and fantasy, the Guards obediently accepted the orders and began preparations in an orderly manner, ready to head to the front line at any moment.]
[Please choose—]
[1. Accept Cocolia's orders.]
[2. Refute Cocolia's orders.]
Seeing the text on the screen, Bronya found herself in a dilemma.
Had it been the old her, she would have undoubtedly followed Cocolia's orders without question. But after experiencing a simulation...
She looked at the Guards, who had lost their rationality due to Cocolia's agitation, and made up her mind, choosing the second option.
One must not be blinded by victory; every decision should be carefully considered—this was something her mother had taught her.
Although Bronya didn't understand why Cocolia was acting so impulsively, she couldn't watch her mother continue to make mistakes in the simulation.
The Silvermane Guards were the foundation for Belobog's survival, the last line of defense for the civilization's spark in the harsh winter.
This defense battle, although a great victory, was not without cost—
In Bronya's panoramic view, the Guards who had become Pathstriders were no longer enough to form four full squads.
This defense battle had resulted in a 40% casualty rate, and it was only Ron's surprise attack that had ultimately dismantled the rift creatures' offensive.
After that, it was the return of the front-line army that had encircled the rear, killing the seemingly endless rift creatures and turning them into dust.
Although the front-line army was in much better shape than in the last simulation, they had also suffered some casualties.
Pushing into the rift wouldn't necessarily reclaim more territory but would certainly cause greater losses among the Guards.
Reclaiming the commercial district was already an unprecedented achievement since the founding of the Builder Era. The remaining time should be spent repairing the commercial district, establishing a new defense line, and recuperating...
With this thought in mind, Bronya watched as new text appeared on the screen:
[You refuted Cocolia's orders in front of the army.]
[You explained your thoughts clearly and logically, analyzing why recuperating was better than a forced advance.]
[The Guards began to murmur after hearing your words, their quiet discussions interrupted by Captain Jepard.]
[Cocolia angrily accused you of lacking ambition and courage.]
[She dismissed your suggestions as demoralizing nonsense, expressing disappointment in you.]
[You felt flustered under your mother's scolding, turning to see the various expressions on the faces of the officers and Guards, finding no one speaking up for you, only silence.]
[You began to doubt yourself, wondering if you were truly unambitious and foolish.]
[Cocolia was deeply disappointed in you, quietly telling you to return and rest, not to disgrace Klipperfort in such an important setting.]
[You, disheartened, prepared to leave the training ground, but someone blocked your way.]
[Your personal guard Ron disobeyed orders and left the Guards' formation, standing in front of you.]
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง