Ch.143143. Subjugation

In Tactical Combat, when following the Academy route as the standard path for monster subjugation missions, the hunting grounds were always randomly determined.

This was a common method used in games to control tension and content consumption rate. This tendency was especially prominent in games that encouraged multiple playthroughs.

While this element did help eliminate boredom in games, it didn’t work in all cases. In extreme situations, it often increased player fatigue.

Assuming a difficulty level that was already challenging with normal play, unpredictable patterns made gameplay more difficult. This increased game fatigue, and responding to patterns that changed in real-time was never easy.

Unfortunately, Tactical Combat was a game that possessed all these unfavorable conditions. Monster subjugation missions in particular forced players into long battles and were mandatory events, which is why many users avoided them.

Unless one had intentions like Gilbert to clear achievements related to subjugation missions, hardly anyone voluntarily participated in monster subjugation missions.

Of course, now even Gilbert, who no longer had the goal of clearing achievements, wasn’t pleased about participating in subjugation missions.

“Ugh! There are so many bugs!”

Camilla waved her hands, trying to chase away the flies.

Perhaps because they had set up their base at the foot of the mountain, mosquitoes were rampant even as winter approached. It might also be because the southern region, known for winter arriving the latest, wasn’t yet chilly.

“How weak.”

“You’re the strange one!”

“I think I’m better than your frail self.”

“Ugh…”

After alternately examining her own body and Brynhild’s, Camilla suddenly made a tearful face and stepped back.

Brynhild was known for her exceptional physical abilities as a member of the Sigurd clan. She had received the Intuition skill as her trait, and having strongly inherited the blood of her ancestor Sigurd, her physical completeness also directly reflected her ancestor’s physical conditions.

Her body was so solid that “explosive” would be an apt description.

Muscle quality, elasticity, flexibility, firmness.

Her physical condition was outstanding in every aspect without exception.

No matter how talented Camilla was, when it came to physical condition, she wasn’t even comparable to Brynhild.

Camilla’s eyes lingered again on a certain part of her body. Her face once more turned into a tearful expression.

In that aspect, there was an unbridgeable gap.

“Muscle woman…”

“It’s not just muscles.”

Brynhild mocked Camilla and folded her arms.

In Camilla’s trembling eyes, two large somethings swayed.

“That’s enough idle chat. Complete the base formation.”

Gilbert, who was personally setting up his tent, pointed out the two who were fooling around. He judged it would be good to establish discipline now, considering the difficult battle ahead.

The two didn’t stop their bickering, but unlike before, they began moving to set up the base.

After about half a day of base construction, the subjugation team finished a simple meal and took a rest. However, since they didn’t know when monsters might appear, they deployed sentries.

Once the base formation was complete and sentries were positioned, Seraphina summoned the commanders of each squad. This was to brief them on the subjugation mission and discuss overall strategy.

At the commander-in-chief’s call, the commanders promptly gathered at the command tent.

“From this moment on, I address you not as the student council president of Demeia Academy, but as the commander-in-chief of the subjugation force.”

Seraphina’s usually gentle demeanor changed.

Having already experienced war, she now became the commander leading the subjugation force, not the academy’s student council president or the empire’s princess.

Gilbert secretly smiled at her sudden change in presence. This was one of the aspects that made him like Seraphina.

“Commander Gilbert. You and I have been deployed in quite a few operations. So I ask you, what is the most significant problem with our current subjugation force?”

It was a sudden question, but he wasn’t flustered. Political battles might confuse him, but he was seasoned in actual combat.

“The problem is that the subjugation force is composed of cadets who have never experienced war and are being deployed for the first time.”

“Your words are correct. I do not think the level of our current subjugation force is low. However, I must acknowledge that they lack experience.”

The commanders nodded in agreement.

Even the student council executives who had been given commander positions were still cadets without war experience. They might theoretically know what a commander should do, but actually performing those duties was different.

In reality, Gilbert was the only commander with enough experience to properly lead troops and issue orders. Ian was doing fairly well with Fresia’s assistance, but since orders had to go through an intermediary, they lacked the speed and precision of Gilbert’s commands.

“This applies to the commanders as well. For all of you, this subjugation force is likely your first command experience. I am aware of this situation and have no intention of reprimanding you.”

Seraphina made eye contact with each commander. Her red eyes showed strength and unwavering resolve.

“But we face a subjugation mission. Even though our opponents are monsters rather than fellow god-machine soldiers, we cannot underestimate them. Among the monsters, there are large ones classified as ogres or trolls.”

Ogres and trolls are representative bipedal monsters among the large monster category.

Before god-machines emerged in the world, it was said that an entire knight order was needed to take down an ogre, and knights who beheaded ogres were honored with the title “Ogre Slayer” – they were not opponents to be taken lightly.

Since humanity began controlling god-machines, hunting ogres became easier, but with inadequate piloting skills, it was challenging to keep up with the movements of living creatures like ogres.

For cadets still learning at the academy, a moment’s carelessness could be fatal.

“Though they may lack intelligence, they possess tremendous strength. Even when piloting god-machines, monsters can inflict significant damage. Never let your guard down – remember this.”

“Understood.”

The commanders responded in unison to Seraphina’s admonition.

Seeing the commanders now filled with tension, Seraphina nodded with satisfaction.

“Then let us begin the detailed briefing.”

***

After the situation briefing and discussion of subjugation strategy ended, Seraphina sent all commanders except Gilbert back to their units. The pretext was to discuss detailed tactics with him.

The other commanders left the command tent without complaint, believing that Gilbert, who held the 5th rank of Knight, would be helpful in formulating detailed tactics. Ian, the last to leave, gave Gilbert an envious glance, but couldn’t object to the commander-in-chief’s orders.

What’s he going to do about it if he sees?

Snorting at the sticky gaze, Gilbert examined the tactical map Seraphina had spread out.

They had set up camp at the entrance of Mount Njord. As the beginning of the Skadi mountain range that stretched across the southern region, it was covered with lush forests influenced by the warm southern climate.

Mount Njord was especially known for its abundant food sources, causing animals there to grow larger than in other regions. Perhaps because of this, monsters that preyed on these animals reproduced faster than elsewhere, and their overall level was higher.

Though the title “Ogre Slayer” was a relic of the past, it was still awarded to those who subjugated ogres from Mount Njord.

“It’s mountain forest terrain. The dense trees will limit visibility and likely increase tension among the subjugation force.”

“It’s fortunate that god-machines can still move through it. Since bipedal monsters like ogres and trolls can move there, tactics using god-machines will be effective.”

“But we cannot premise our strategy on high-speed maneuvers. Our current force consists mainly of first-year academy students. Only Commander Gilbert would be skilled enough to move a god-machine adeptly in such mountainous terrain.”

“I would add Brynhild as well. She’s actually more accustomed to mountainous terrain.”

“I overlooked that. Cadet Brynhild is a great warrior of the Sigurd clan. Then I shall modify the tactics accordingly.”

Gilbert and Seraphina exchanged opinions and revised the detailed tactics. Wanting to complete the subjugation mission with minimal casualties, they continued their discussion for hours.

“Let’s leave it at this for now. No commander can anticipate every possible situation.”

After the lengthy discussion, Seraphina exhaled deeply and leaned back against her chair. At that moment, she returned from being the commander to her usual self.

“Disciple.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I have high expectations for you.”

“Is that so?”

“So far, you have exceeded my expectations. In a good way.”

Some kind of yearning flashed in Seraphina’s eyes as she spoke calmly. Gilbert, who prided himself on his perceptiveness, didn’t miss that momentary glimpse of desire.

Is this a faction proposal?

Gilbert thought.

Now Prince Richard had also officially entered the imperial succession race. The reason a crown prince or princess hadn’t been designated yet was because the current emperor wanted to accomplish his final task.

The emperor had already achieved almost everything possible in his era. He had expanded territory and relieved the suffering of people affected by war. He had sufficiently established his position as both a conqueror and a wise ruler.

What remained was to designate a worthy successor to continue his reign.

If he chose the wrong successor, all his achievements would be for naught. It would leave the only blemish on his legacy that would be remembered throughout the empire’s history.

The emperor couldn’t accept that.

That’s why he wanted his children to compete.

He wanted his most outstanding child to inherit the imperial throne, proving that his legacy was perfect and flawless until the end.

Gilbert didn’t think this was wrong.

Once a crown prince or princess was appointed, it was impossible to depose them without special cause. Hasty deposition would be tantamount to undermining imperial authority.

“Let me be frank. Initially, I did not think highly of you.”

“That was the correct judgment. The good-for-nothing of a count’s family was harmful to the empire.”

“Indeed. Before entering the academy, you were a good-for-nothing. The extent of it reached even my ears while at the academy.”

Most imperial information flowed to Seraphina’s ears, but Gilbert didn’t point this out.

Even if she didn’t possess an intelligence department, it wouldn’t have been difficult to hear of Gilbert’s infamy. By the time he had possessed “Gilbert,” his notoriety had begun to spread beyond the empire across the continent.

“However, after entering the academy, you showed a different path from before. You demonstrated excellence beyond anyone else and gave me the best results.”

“I was just lucky.”

Seraphina’s smile deepened. Simultaneously, the flame of desire that had disappeared reappeared in her eyes.

Gilbert somehow felt that flame of desire appeared black.

“Lucky, you say? Is that how you respond? Very well, I’ll acknowledge it. Perhaps it was luck at first. But when that luck persists and coincidences pile up, it becomes inevitable.”

Gilbert swallowed hard.

He had comfortably thought she was making a faction proposal, but seeing her gaze, he couldn’t help but feel something was wrong.

“Disciple.”

Her voice became sultry.

It was a subtle voice, like someone coaxing to get what they wanted.

Gilbert felt a chill.

His mind was filled with the thought that he didn’t want to answer her call.

But she was a princess. Ignoring her would constitute contempt against the imperial family.

Reluctantly, he had to force himself to answer.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Let me be frank. I need you.”

It was a direct proposal. Not a roundabout suggestion like before.

Seraphina’s smile looked like something meticulously built up was about to burst.

This isn’t good.

Gilbert’s expression immediately hardened.

“I want to possess you.”

Finally, whatever Seraphina had built up burst.

It was the crystallization of thick, sticky desire called possessiveness.

[Sub-scenario “Twisted Seekers of Possession” progress has significantly increased.]

[Sub-scenario “Twisted Seekers of Possession” has reached its first branching point.]

[Sub-scenario “Twisted Seekers of Possession” progress has reached a certain threshold, allowing information access.]