They don't want me to try anymore.

How many truly gifted and powerful individuals would be willing to serve as noble guards?

In other words, we're on the ship now...

Am I the strongest?

You attempted to eavesdrop on Old Dulles's conversation using a concealed summon, but the weaker mage was completely unaware of it.

You have learned that old Dulles's trip north was to personally appease several prominent noble families with whom he had a long-standing relationship, and to secure their support for the Second Prince.

As the ship approaches the shore, you see old Dulles walk onto the deck and greet a group of people on the harbor. You recognize that among those waiting are powerful figures from the North…

[You suddenly launched a sneak attack!]

Although Richard's strength in reality is far from sufficient, in the simulation, he is already at the peak of Silver rank, has been with Luvia for many years, and has long since developed his swordsmanship. His overall strength is far beyond that of ordinary people of the same rank.

Faced with your sudden sneak attack, the mid-level Silver Mage only had time to cast a shield before being engulfed by dragonfire. Meanwhile, the shieldbearer beside him was dragged into the nearby sea by three dragonflies working together.

I heard you're a Shield Guardian, with very high defense?

We'll send you out of here first!

Next up is the main character...

[Under Dulles's incredulous gaze, you pierced his heart with the thorn of ghostly light.]

"Richard Targaryen is to your liking."

You killed Robert Dulles, completing your belated revenge.

Those on the shore were all shocked. At this moment, the eldest prince removed his mask, revealing his true face. Finally, led by several conservative figures, everyone knelt down to pay their respects.

[You have successfully reached the northern part of the Empire. A few days later, Luvia arrived as well, injured but not seriously. Only Wilt has disappeared.]

Ugh……

Richard silently mourned for three seconds.

With the eldest prince in charge, the powerful factions in the north of the empire have found a backbone.

They then questioned Idaril's second son, and after several rounds of open and covert struggles, it finally escalated into armed conflict.

then……

Your army has been defeated.

Ok.

It can't be said to be entirely unexpected.

Richard was not optimistic about a military struggle between the conservatives and the progressives from the beginning. The former's strength was mainly reflected in the civil service, which was good at the intricacies of office politics.

It was alright when Norton I was alive, but now that he's dead, and the Imperial Civil Service's central office, Idaril, is still in the hands of the Second Prince, how can we manage with just these few northern provinces?

Even if Luvia is still there, she's just one person, and the empire has more than one legend...

Richard was quite satisfied with this, though.

After all, this was the first time the situation had escalated into an imperial civil war.

If things were to develop this way in reality, with Veronica and Alice getting involved... however, this might incite cooperation between the two sides of the Empire...

As he pondered, the situation rapidly collapsed.

Many previously neutral local dignitaries have defected, and even the eldest prince himself remains steadfast.

Ah no... We were ready to fight to the death, why did Your Majesty surrender first!

[You and Luvia are still resisting, but as you hold a fortress, you once again witness a fireball descending from the sky, like the sun walking across the earth.]

...So this thing is actually on the side of the Second Prince?

But this time, Luvia was not easily defeated.

The Imperial Sword Saint drew his longsword and engaged in a fierce battle with the mysterious fireball. The two legends displayed their full power, causing the heavens and earth to change color. The aftershocks alone destroyed half of the fortress.

However, since you were still inside the fortress, Luvia was inevitably distracted and accidentally struck by a mysterious fireball spell—the Great Banishment spell.

A massive void vortex appeared out of nowhere and sucked you both in...

Good grief, so you're going to throw him out if you can't kill him?

Ugh, it feels like I'm insulting myself...

As a mage, Richard knew about the Great Banishment spell, which, to put it bluntly, is to forcibly throw someone into a distant illusionary realm, or simply into the abyss.

This spell has a very high threshold for execution and very demanding conditions, so it is generally not easy to succeed.

But if the opponent is a legend associated with a god, then that's a different story.

[After searching around with Luvia, you discover that you are on a deserted island shrouded in endless mist. There is a strange magical field on the island that can shield your mind, making it impossible for you to even summon creatures.]

You've tried many methods, but you can't get out.

You've tried many methods, but you can't get out.

You've tried many methods...

Richard sighed.

It seems this place was carefully selected by the other party and is completely isolated from the outside world.

If Luvia were a legendary mage proficient in spatial magic, there might be a chance of escape, but unfortunately she is a sword saint, while I am only a high-level silver mage, so there's no point in even thinking about it.

Fortunately, there seemed to be food and water on the island, so there was no need to worry about starving to death.

Luvia doesn't want to try anymore.

Luvia built a wooden house and even made a large bed for it.

[Luvia invites you... (1000 words omitted)]

[A hundred years later, you passed away peacefully surrounded by Luvia and your children.]

This simulation has ended.

Ah this...

Richard was at a loss for words, unsure how to evaluate the ending.

Well, in the end, he couldn't save his hometown and was instead exiled to an unknown place to live out his days.

Let’s talk bad…

But this time, I've lived to a ripe old age! I even have children now!

I just don't know how many there are, whether they're male or female, this broken system doesn't even explain it clearly... *cough*

Richard exited the fantasy time and felt exhaustion wash over him.

Never mind all that, I'll just get some sleep first.

And thirty kilometers away from Idaril.

Luvia and her entourage were staying at a roadside inn.

The simulation ended, and Luvia regained consciousness. After confirming that the doors and windows were still locked, she received all the memories.

Decades of memories flashed through her mind, making her sometimes nervous, sometimes giggling foolishly with flushed cheeks, and sometimes filled with regret in her eyes...

Like Richard, she had mixed feelings about the ending.

The bad goes without saying, but the good...

Hmm, Richard's tastes really good!

Is this what it feels like to spend a lifetime together? If the empire is destined to remain unchanged, and if she can truly let go of those responsibilities from the bottom of her heart, then growing old together with Richard like this would be quite blissful...

But can I let it go?

But...would Richard be willing to do this?

Luvia then asked herself two questions, and then fell into deep thought.

The purpose of putting yourself in someone else's shoes is not just to increase their favorability in the simulation; more importantly, it's to teach her how to truly consider the other person's feelings...

Only then can it be love, and not just a simple obsession and possessiveness.

After achieving her goal, Luvia's obsession faded somewhat, but her emotions remained. Upon further reflection, she realized the answer was already obvious.

Locking people in cages, basements, or isolated islands isn't entirely impossible, but it's best to keep it confined to simulations. After all, simulations preserve memories, and the pleasure is the same.

In the real world...

She still hoped that the man could smile from the bottom of his heart!

The swordswoman's gaze grew even more determined, and despite her exhaustion, she stood up.

She couldn't think about things too far ahead for the time being, but there was one thing she could do right now.

She picked up the sword, opened the door, and walked out.

Across the corridor, the female attendant, startled awake, asked in confusion, "Lady Luvia, where are you going so late?"

"Go and stop a despicable massacre."

Before she finished speaking, the beauty had already vanished into a blur on the street.

Meanwhile, two other women, thousands of miles apart, either began to take action or were annoyed that time was too short and they were powerless to help.