They don't want me to try anymore.

Targaryen...

Veronica was very impressed with this surname!

Was the black-clad prime minister in Vanderbilt's story during the last simulation named this?

No wonder he's so amazing; once you think about it this way, it all makes sense!

Fate is truly unbelievable; in this simulation, he actually ended up on the Divine Grace Islands...

I heard he has a good relationship with that princess of Vatican? Is that why he's so confident in asking for supplies?

Ugh, I'm inexplicably a little angry...

Richard's side.

You have sent an envoy to Vatican City with a letter in your own handwriting, seeking their assistance.

Richard held his breath, awaiting the result.

He planned to ask Vanderbilt for supplies, not just because he was relying on his relationship with Alice, but because he felt that given the tense situation between the major powers in this simulation, even if only considering interests, Vanderbilt would probably get involved.

Being independent, calling on people, isn't shameful.

Moreover, the founding father of country M came from country F, which is a precedent!

The messenger returned quickly with Vanderni's reply.

But to your surprise, this "response" wasn't a message, but from a person.

Princess Alice of Vandan personally visited the Pearl S. Buck.

Chapter Sixty-Five: Kill that guy who wants to go home before Christmas!

Alice actually came in person?

Richard was somewhat surprised, not expecting that even though so many years had passed in the simulation, the princess still valued him so much.

But in the distant Vanderbilt Palace, a half-asleep, half-awake girl was moved to tears!

Alice always believed that Richard was dead!

This caused her to lose her composure and motivation from the very beginning of the simulation, and she regretted not listening to her lewd thoughts and luring people to Vanderbilt.

If it weren't for wanting to accumulate practical experience for reform and advancement, she would have changed her name and simply found a theater troupe to live in seclusion.

However, it was only after she gritted her teeth and persevered that she truly understood the difficulty of Richard's reforms back then.

Countless opponents, the lack of understanding and entanglement from relatives and friends, and the internal struggles within her own interest group—all of this overwhelmed her. While she admired Richard even more, she also missed the days when Richard was still alive…

Despite all the ups and downs, she has persevered to this day, making many mistakes but also accumulating some achievements.

Then she heard that Richard was still alive in the distant Divine Grace Islands.

How could she possibly hold back?

Of course I had to rush over right away!

Alice is no longer a mere figurehead princess, but a powerful figure who rose to prominence during the Vanderbilt coup. Her role in the Divine Grace Islands is not just as a messenger, but also as someone who can truly make the final decision on Vanderbilt's attitude towards the Mao Independence Army.

She fully agreed to the independence army's request for support, but with the additional condition that she herself remain on the Divine Grace Islands to oversee the independence army's use of the supplies.

From then on, she stayed by Richard's side.

Veronica was even more surprised than Richard when she saw the series of messages.

A powerful member of the royal family of a major power personally traveled to the Divine Grace Islands? Isn't he worried about the danger? Aren't he afraid of being exposed and facing diplomatic questions from the Empire? And he's even overseeing the use of supplies... Doesn't he think that's making a mountain out of a molehill?

Since it can't be explained rationally, we have to consider it from an emotional perspective.

It was only then that Veronica recalled that some tabloids seemed to have reported on Richard and Alice's affair during the Nyon incident.

Similar scandalous rumors about the royal family occur almost every year, and they are mostly just rumors. She didn't care back then, but now it seems that some of the rumors may actually be true.

So……

What a joke!

No one can take anything from the Pirate Queen!

Veronica successfully assumed the role of Commander-in-Chief of the Independence Army and promoted Richard to Deputy Commander, primarily responsible for staff and logistics.

She insists you stay by her side at all times and tries her best to prevent Alice from getting close, believing that Alice's identity is too sensitive and would provoke an unnecessary reaction from the Empire.

Furthermore, she frequently summoned you to her bedroom under the pretext of discussing military matters, even in front of Alice.

Alice was very unhappy about this and threatened to reduce support. Although she hadn't actually done so yet, it had already terrified other factions within the independence army.

These people have noticed something amiss and have approached you privately, hoping you will offer yourself up for the greater cause of independence and mediate between the two women.

Try to tame a dog!

Does this mean I'm being forced to be a male prostitute for the country?!

Despite his complaints, Richard couldn't help but scratch his head upon seeing the two women's behavior.

This is... a difficult situation!

He undoubtedly has feelings for Alice, and as for Veronica... he's playing a simulation on the path of colonial independence, so he can't leave this female vampire.

Forget it, if it's too difficult, then don't do it.

I'll be a coward!

Anyway, this is a simulation. As long as you ignore it, it will pass in a while... Well, simulations don't affect reality, as long as it doesn't happen like this in reality.

[You volunteered to tour the front lines alone, leaving the two women to face each other, which quickly cooled things down—Alice was just talking the talk, and didn't actually reduce her support.]

And soon, the pressure from the Empire made you no longer care about these trivial matters.

In response to your rebellion, the Empire acted swiftly, mobilizing all governors across the land and sending an expeditionary force to the Divine Grace Islands.

After several battles, the still incompletely integrated Independent Army suffered heavy losses. Although they won some minor victories under Veronica's brilliant command, they lost key major cities and ports.

Ah, this...

It was no surprise at all.

Richard knew all too well that the Empire remained the undisputed number one superpower in human history and was absolutely not to be underestimated.

However, he didn't believe the Independence Army would be doomed. In his view, with Veronica's military capabilities, leading the Independence Army to lie low on the Divine Grace Islands for seven or eight years and eventually achieving a balance of power with the Empire shouldn't be a problem.

But he was not satisfied with the speed.

So, let's help you step on the gas!

You made two suggestions to Veronica.

First, we should not rely solely on the descendants of immigrants to wage war. We should, like we did with pirates, mobilize as many slaves and native people as possible, promise them freedom and rights, and make them our friends. If necessary, we can even incorporate their gods into the orthodox order.

Secondly, we should not waste our military strength on large cities, but rather occupy vast villages and small settlements, destroy the meager roads on the map, and use our home advantage to isolate and encircle the Imperial army in the large cities.

Veronica accepted all of your suggestions.

Although the emancipation of slaves and the befriending of indigenous peoples aroused dissatisfaction among other factions within the independence army, the strategy was successfully implemented after you patiently persuaded them with swords and guns.

The strategy soon proved effective.

[In just two years, you have established a foothold on several main islands of the Divine Grace Islands, your forces have grown fivefold, and you have turned the tables, pinning the Imperial army to the coastline and even hanging a notorious governor.]

At the end of the year, under Alice's coordination, the Vanderbilt Navy took the initiative to provoke the Imperial Fleet, forcing it to shift its focus back to homeland defense, while Veronica took the opportunity to lead her army to besiege the city of Jotun.

[That place is a crucial foothold for the Empire's presence in the Divine Grace Islands, a transportation hub for several major cities, and a storage location for large quantities of military supplies. Once the Independent Army captures it, it will be enough to declare the Empire's defeat in the Divine Grace Islands.]

Given the importance of this battle, Veronica went directly to the front lines, while you arrived at the later city of Clem to ensure logistical support.

Inside the city, the soldiers of the independence army were very excited. Many felt that they could end the war before the New Year and go home to celebrate.

On this day, an elite army led by the renowned Imperial General Albert suddenly appeared outside the walls of Clem!

Richard broke out in a cold sweat.

When did the Empire still have such a mobile force? And how did it manage to bypass the front lines of defense?

Damn it, they actually dared to ambush an old man like me!

Indeed, you can't just randomly raise the flag of going home before the holiday!

Despite his complaints, he couldn't help but admit that he had underestimated the Empire.

Yes, such a powerful nation, rich in martial spirit, brimming with talent, and capable of self-reform, is on the rise and can deliver a fatal blow to any complacent enemy, even if it is separated by oceans.

But he, Richard Targaryen, had to confront such a terrifying creature.

Clem absolutely cannot be captured, otherwise Veronica will not only be cut off from supplies, but will also be attacked from both sides!

Despite the guards' desperate urging to retreat, you are determined to hold the city.

[You were quickly surrounded by Albert, and facing an enemy force that outnumbered and outgunned you, morale within the city plummeted.]

That evening, some independence officials who had previously been dissatisfied with your policies of emancipating slaves and being close to the indigenous people defected and opened the west gate.

The guards, sensing that all was lost, forcibly dragged you away to escape.

Wow, this must have been prepared a long time ago, right?

The Empire also has an inside agent within the Independence Army!