A Village Appeared on My Desktop

---

Chapter 162 – System (2)

The war had ended, yet another war was upon us. Logically, it was a situation where the public sentiment couldn’t be good, but they were a bit different.

In the end, what mattered was justification and heart. The desire for revenge against the bugs that harmed family and hometown, and the sense of duty bestowed by the Guardian Deity were strong enough to wash away the fatigue of the repeated wars.

“How much time do you think we should have?”

“We need at least 10 days. There’s a lot to sort out…”

“Then exactly 10 days. But everyone, remember this. When that person gives a command, we must move accordingly. That person can see places we can’t and examine many things at once.”

Balun accepted the opinions of others and established a 10-day preparation period. However, it was made clear that this was a period they had decided among themselves. Ultimately, what was most important was the will of the Guardian Deity who stood with them.

Recently, as the Guardian Deity could enforce their actions, this tendency became even stronger. Even monitoring multiple scenarios simultaneously and warning dangerous areas felt like being watched by a transcendent presence that existed everywhere for the residents on screen.

“Everyone, do your best in your respective places. I hope the guests from outside can return safely. We need to prepare for the holy war.”

And as the outsiders left, the preparations for war began in earnest. There were some creaks along the way, but the work did not stop.

Their will, and the system that had been built carefully to support them from the beginning, had shown its power.

“It was like this from the beginning, and it remains the same now. My common sense is really shaken. The king and the common folk are preparing for war with one heart. Everyone knows exactly what they must do.”

“Isn’t the situation here quite unprecedented?”

“…I agree with that.”

The Foreign Vice Minister from the Kingdom of Baruk, who first visited here as an envoy, met Rihar on the way back this time and chuckled.

It wasn’t intentional from the start, but Rihar had completely sided with the Arin Tribe. Even now, he was fighting alongside them with the Artillery Brigade.

“However, you seem a bit different. Beyond just being involved in what happens here, it seems you genuinely like this place.”

“I can’t deny that. I’ve been through a lot here, so that might be why.”

Rihar nodded. When he came north upon the king’s secret order and contacted Luke, his feelings were no different from others.

They were merely barbarians. Primitive and worthless beings who only caused chaos at the borders. But as he began to fight alongside them, that thought had completely changed.

Rihar still could not forget the sight of a soldier torn in half right before him. Despite losing a comrade in a war triggered by himself, he was the soldier who had accepted him as an ally with the single-minded determination to fight against the bugs.

“Didn’t you see? The Black Monsters, they are the epitome of evil. They are the enemy of us all. Negotiation or persuasion is futile with them. No traitors can emerge among us. Countless lives may be lost or wounded, yet ironically, the strongest bonds of trust are forged in that process. People of all races and origins can unite as one.”

Rihar spoke with conviction in his eyes, saying that the ideals he had vaguely thought of while working as an operative to stabilize the fiercely competitive international situation were here.

The Foreign Vice Minister, who had no particular intention of denying that, simply nodded his head.

“Now I must return. But before I go, may I deliver a secret mission to you?”

“What is it?”

However, the Foreign Vice Minister glanced around and whispered into Rihar’s ear.

The term ‘secret mission’ made Rihar flinch, and he leaned in to listen. To pass on something means it has been commanded from someone higher up, and there are not many who are above them.

“Some of the ministers are still uncertain, but His Majesty and a few others believe this alliance must be solidified further. After all, weren’t our objectives not only to address the Black Monsters but also to keep the Empire in check? So, while you are here, inquire if the king of the Arin Tribe is considering a marriage. That daughter, the Paladin Order’s leader as well. His Majesty seems to be thinking about stepping in directly if necessary.”

“Th-that…!”

Rihar’s eyes widened. He had anticipated the ‘secret mission’ part, but he was tasked with a responsibility even larger than expected.

*

“Hmm, 10 days.”

To achieve victory, one must be thoroughly prepared. He empathized with the concerns of the residents assigned with the missions as he checked that duration.

However, as the residents on screen busily moved and worked, his workload decreased. The more they operated on their own, the less he needed to be concerned.

Having shifted all household duties onto his younger sibling, he had more free time and decided to utilize it to run games.

“While there are games that run well on their own, some require my direct involvement.”

He had various types of games activated through the Master Program.

The first type was sandbox crafting, which had high freedom, allowing residents to come and go as they pleased.

The second involved story progression in Dark Blood or the Hyper Field, where he had to directly control characters to guide the incoming residents.

The third type was like Glory Tower, where no player character existed, but one had to manipulate items or situations to complete achievements and missions to gain rewards.

These types had already been neatly organized and shared among users, making it well-known that maintaining balance was vital.

Since users couldn’t dedicate their entire days solely to gaming, increasing the number of games with less autonomy wouldn’t yield proper efficiency.

The proper method was to handle both self-sustaining games and those requiring direct control appropriately.

“First, I need to re-enter the chapter with Riena after a long time.”

Junyung executed Dark Blood with Riena first. Currently, she was staying in the capital after exiting the Land of Elves with the Paladins.

Even with the Arin Tribe’s size increasing to over 100,000, she was still regarded as the strongest warrior, and her busy schedule made it hard to find the right timing to pull her into the game.

He wanted to give her some rest after her war efforts to assist the Elves, but there was no choice. He didn’t want to see her hurt or suffering; she needed to grow stronger.

And above all, Riena was connected to him, so the stronger she became, the stronger he became too. The traits he borrowed were hers.

“Uh?”

“Captain!”

“Calm down. It’s just that person needing me.”

As Riena’s body was lifted into the air, she didn’t bat an eye as she calmed her startled companions.

“It is our duty to always be ready to respond to the call, wherever it may be.”

The Paladins, verified both in power and ideology, were the group he valued and relied on the most.

Even when Balun proclaimed the kingdom, the Paladins legally separated themselves from him. They were not the kingdom’s knights; they were followers of the Guardian Deity.

“The more we repeat chapters, the stronger Riena gets. Plus, we can place warriors in newly opened hunting grounds to farm items and proficiency.”

He moved his character, waving to Riena who had entered the game.

The feature in Dark Blood was not solely focused on Riena. The hunting grounds that opened with each chapter were sanctuaries for warriors to gain real experience, farm various items, or change their professions.

“What’s going on? Us too?”

“Actually, it’s good. I needed to train while the captain isn’t around.”

He placed the Paladins in the most challenging hunting grounds. The Paladins, who had resolved to fight for him, were rather pleased when given a mission.

“You’re getting tougher. The first time I met you, you were a young knight swaying at every moment. What experiences do you go through in those moments when time and space feel severed?”

“I don’t really plan to hide anymore.”

“As someone who serves me closely, you can’t help but figure it out.”

The loading screen of the game. The short time he stared blankly at the screen was less than 20 seconds, but time could indeed flow differently for each of them.

Inside the cart taking them to the next chapter, Regnor openly spoke to Riena. Riena had already vaguely sensed his identity.

“Actually, that’s good. Please tell me. How should I act and speak to serve that person properly? Now that I have followers, I need to learn that method.”

“In fact, there’s no right answer. Is there a right way to serve and believe? The members of the Order would be horrified to hear that. But the essence is just this.”

Regnor shook his head with a smile at her question. Although Riena wanted to observe and reference the Order appearing in Dark Blood for her faith she wished to develop further, Regnor, one of the Order’s angels, thought that was not correct.

“Just as we have our methods, you will have yours. As long as you’re with that person… essence is more important than method.”

“What if that person dislikes my method? What if there’s a misunderstanding?”

Regnor advised with a smile, but Riena was earnest. The most crucial being in her life, which was just entering its 20th year.

Before and after meeting him, Riena was just a different person. So greatly did he impact her inner self that she feared both wanting and losing him.

The reason she pushed herself so hard, often seen as excessive, was largely because of this.

“Not really. You seem to have done enough already. So sometimes, isn’t it fine to just rely on him? If he didn’t cherish you, he wouldn’t take you around so much.”

“If that’s true…”

Regnor’s last words brought her comfort. They weren’t incorrect.

Although it was a bit different from how Riena thought, he indeed cared for her, who had barely spoken a single proper word.

“And the one watching you is not just the one you believe in. The one I follow is also keeping an eye on those who strive for us. If you do your best until the end, perhaps that person will grant you, especially you, a great gift.”

At the same time, Regnor made a prophetic statement. It was a prophecy not mentioned anywhere in the game’s story or guides.