They don't want me to try anymore.

You've arrived at a familiar place—the Appalani Mountains.

Initial goal achieved!

Having ventured deep into the Empire, it seemed impossible for Richard to return to Divine Grace Island in the short term, so he decided to find a place to hide for the time being.

Where could be more suitable than towering mountains?

What's more...

You sent a clever person to investigate, and they discovered that David, the mountain dweller from back then, is still active.

[After the Imperial Civil War, the mountain people also revolted. Although it was eventually suppressed, they still maintained a certain level of organization deep in the mountains, and David was their leader.]

He was surprised that you were still alive and agreed to cooperate with you without any hesitation.

In the following month of January.

Richard waged guerrilla warfare against the Empire in the Abarania Mountains.

[You led the elite troops and mountain people of Divine Grace Island to ambush a small group of pursuing Imperial troops, thus establishing your initial authority.]

You promulgated dozens of rules, including those for protecting the interests of the masses and ensuring unity in action, attempting to truly unite the outsiders and local mountain people of Shenen Island as one.

Using David's reputation and knowledge of the Abarania Mountains, you took the initiative to attack nearby minor lords and wealthy men, distributing some of the land and wealth you seized to the peasants.

You fully utilized your ability to become an undead, repeatedly disguising yourself as a corpse to ambush the enemy, and turning enemy corpses into soldiers on the battlefield, inflicting psychological damage on the opposing side.

When the empire mobilized a large army to encircle and annihilate you, you did not resist head-on, but instead led your troops into the mountains and forests, luring the enemy deep into your territory before concentrating your forces to eliminate them one by one.

[...And while we're at it, let's use a mini version of the Scourge to give the opposing team an unforgettable experience.]

Gradually, the nearby imperial nobles developed a fear of you, and even secretly made peace with you, offering supplies and smuggling channels in exchange for your safety.

[Soon Veronica regained her strength, and with the addition of a Gold-ranked member, your power reached its peak, and your army expanded to over 15,000 men.]

After news spread of your repeated victories over the Imperial army, and your miraculous resurrection, half the Empire was shaken. People called you the vengeful spirit of Connaught, the incredible Skeleton Prince.

Veronica on the other side was very happy.

In her opinion, the familiar feeling was back!

A man and a woman working together in a team – isn't that the successful model from her first simulation with Richard?

This is simply a pleasure!

Ah, it would be so much better if this guy wasn't always buried in his work; just thinking about those stacks of documents gives me a headache...

Richard's side.

He wasn't as positive and optimistic as Veronica.

In his view, although the situation is not bad now, it can also be said to have reached its limit.

Past life experiences are not a panacea.

The empire is not so decadent as to be disrupted by a foreign-led guerrilla force in the heart of the mountains—in fact, Richard feels the pressure increase as soon as he leaves the Abarania mountains.

Next, as long as the Empire can mobilize some truly skilled and elite troops from the front lines, their extraordinary individual strength will be enough to break Richard's current guerrilla tactics, and then things will be dangerous.

In conclusion, Richard deems this place unsuitable for lingering!

In reality, the empire was moving even faster than he had imagined...

[You have received news that the deputy commander of the Highland Legion has led 20,000 troops north, cooperating with local forces, and has blocked the key passes through the Appalania Mountains. They plan to advance steadily and cautiously.]

really...

Richard pondered for a long time before announcing his plan to the team.

[You requested that the forces be divided into two groups. You yourself would use the old method to delay the main enemy force and draw their attention, while Veronica would lead a team to break out from the northeast towards the grasslands, and you would then break out and join them...]

You faced fierce opposition from Veronica.

She claimed that you were trying to use her as bait to save her life, and she absolutely did not approve of this plan.

cut.

Richard certainly thought so.

It wasn't that he was addicted to sacrificing himself... well, maybe he was. But on the other hand, after thinking it over, he also felt that this was the most suitable solution.

First of all, Veronica really shouldn't have stayed in the interior of the Empire. Even if the guerrilla warfare tactic succeeds, it is definitely a serious misallocation of resources!

The heartland of the empire is teeming with enemies, and there are plenty of legendary figures among them, leaving Veronica with little room to maneuver.

This vampire's true battlefield is the Western Ocean, on God's Grace Island!

From the perspective of confronting the empire, she should return to her homeland to reclaim the position of first ruler and prevent the newly formed republic from rebelling.

Therefore, when Richard judged that the situation was difficult to maintain, his first goal was to get Veronica out of the encirclement.

But he himself was not suited to follow along.

Firstly, if there isn't someone of significant importance holding back the Imperial Army, Veronica probably won't be able to escape.

Secondly, if he could simply leave, what would happen to the people of Abarania? This was the foundation he had built with his own hands, and even in the simulation, he couldn't abandon it.

Thirdly, he was confident that with the system rewards he had, plus the ability to switch between undead and human forms, he would have a chance to escape even if things went wrong and he failed.

Conversely, Veronica couldn't do that.

However, no matter how you explain it, Veronica disagrees and insists on standing by you to the end.

[At night, you call Veronica to your bedroom, intending to gently persuade and influence her.]

After the other person sits on the bed, you... shout loudly.

"Veronica, you've really disappointed me!"

On the other side, a vampire who was also in the simulation was stunned.

That's exactly the effect Richard wanted.

Should we gently persuade and influence them?

It's better to just stun them directly!

Take this punch!

"I thought you were still the pirate queen who roamed the oceans, but I never imagined you'd become such a fool who can't see the bigger picture!"

"Do you really think you'll have a future staying in this remote mountain village? Or have you forgotten your ambitions and are simply indulging in this fragile and fleeting peace?"

"This is not the kind of First Consul I would like!"

Richard pondered for a moment, then finally unleashed his trump card.

I admit I'm starting to admire you a little!

But what I admire is that pirate queen who once roamed the oceans! Not the lustful, love-struck woman!

Finally, he delivered the final blow:

"This time, my mind is made up. Whether you agree or not, I will launch an attack on the highland legion below the mountain..."

The words are not finished yet.

[...You were pushed onto the bed by Veronica]

Veronica pressed down hard on your shoulders, her hot breath brushing against your face, and stared at you silently for more than three minutes.

Why is it unfolding like this?

What do you want, you pirate?

Hmph, I have a way to deal with you now!

You sternly stopped Veronica and transformed back into your skeleton form.

I'm already just bones, even Luvia can't help me!

But the other person didn't let go of you. Instead, they chuckled, pressed themselves against you, and hugged your skull, saying:

"Want to be the person I used to be? Okay, I'll grant your wish."

"I can split our forces and break out, but you have to fulfill one condition, right now, right here. It's something you owe me... even if you might not remember it."

[“Don’t think you can dodge by turning into bones. It works the same way, and in fact, you can use it in even more ways…”]

Ah this?

You can't use bones like that!

You're being a bit too extreme.

But then again, do I owe you something?

Richard suddenly remembered that there was such a thing in the previous simulation—it was said that as long as Veronica ruled the Western Ocean, he would grant her wish.

But in that simulation, Richard, who had been performing consistently well, died young, and that was the end of the story.

I can't believe this guy still remembers...

Little did Richard know that his decision to let go in the simulation would mean decades of regret for Veronica.

But at this moment, looking directly into the female vampire's affectionate eyes, he changed his mind.

Fine, I have to keep my promise.