Assemble!
Along the ice-cast trenches, frost encrusts the joints of Constructs' armor and the collars of soldiers' thermal gear. Their breath hangs in sluggish clouds in the frigid air.
Following orders, Babylonia's Constructs stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the ARU captain-rank soldiers. Every gaze is fixed on the trench's highest point, awaiting the command.
Rosetta stands there, her silver-white Malkuth frame gleaming with a cold radiance, light sword in hand. Her spine is straight as a battle standard—a figure steadying the army's resolve, bearing the weight of their expectation, doubt, and scrutiny.
Seeing her now... you recall a conversation from before you arrived.
Commandant, after discussions between Babylonia and the port authorities, it's been decided... that I should serve as the chief commander of this joint operation.
Because this is, ultimately, the Union's fight. If someone from Babylonia took command, the local forces might... feel uneasy.
It might sound unreasonable, but when the city was being built, I met many people like that. People who trust only what they've lived through and view the outside with suspicion.
I imagine some in Babylonia might also resent having to provide support... which is why someone from the Union needs to step forward and make our stance clear.
But honestly, I don't believe my presence alone carries enough weight as a commander, so...
I never expected you'd be able to read my thoughts like that, Commandant...
I'll still take the public role of commander in the upcoming battle, but I hope to incorporate as much of your strategic insight as possible... because this is a war we absolutely cannot lose.
Ah, right... using a term from those old films I've been watching lately, I suppose we'd be... "co-bosses."
That would be shirking my duty... Of course, if you wish it, Commandant, I'm prepared to step aside and yield the position to you.
Thank you... I knew you would say that, Commandant.
Before we land, I'd like your first piece of strategic advice. The Arctic region will soon enter deep winter, which would put us at a disadvantage in a protracted war... What do you think we should do?
Not good. The Corrupted have disrupted shipping lanes across the Arctic region, and New Sophiasburgh is still a fledgling city with underdeveloped infrastructure.
In short, we lack the supplies to sustain a long battle.
Their initial assault was fierce, but it's stabilized now. I believe they've noticed our limited supplies... They're trying to wear us down slowly.
Yes, I also believe our only recourse is to force a decisive battle as soon as possible... but that raises another problem: the enemy is unlikely to accommodate our plans.
You mean... we launch an assault on their position, Commandant?
Rosetta paused, seemingly caught off guard. She fell silent for a moment, thinking deeply, then spoke again.
It's possible... Although we're outnumbered, we have several elite vanguards who could serve as our tactical spearhead.
Plus, they're currently on the defensive. A surprise strike with our vanguards leading the charge could catch them off guard! Morale is high; this maneuver might just shift the battle in our favor...
Rosetta paused briefly, a question half-formed, before she remembered herself—her rank, her duty. She took a sharp breath, her voice now firm with newfound resolve.
Always leaning on your judgment wouldn't make me a worthy commander...
Commandant, I'll announce the offensive strategy to all forces and personally lead the close-quarters assault.
Then, I will announce the operational plan.
As you snap back to reality, Rosetta raises a hand and activates a projection. A satellite map of the battlefield materializes in the air, its details crisp: the outline of the old Sophiasburgh and the breach point in the surrounding ice.
First, answer me one thing. Are you serious about taking the fight to them?
Sigh, are we really going on the offensive? I thought we'd be digging trenches and establishing a defensive perimeter.
Don't tell me we're charging into the city.
Yeah. Wouldn't it be reckless to assault the city with our current numbers?
Come to think of it... isn't there a breach at Sophiasburgh's main gate?
Correct. We won't need to fight for the gate or scale the walls. This siege is essentially a battle on more complex terrain. Besides, both my team and Babylonia's elite squads have breaching capabilities. Entering through the breach won't be difficult.
True. Though I don't know why the city gate is breached, using it would make things much easier for us.
So you want us to spearhead a direct assault into the city... It's doable. But then what?
Strike directly at their command center. The Corrupted are currently being controlled by Zack the Frostheart Emperor and the three Frostheart Warlords. Once we break into the city and eliminate those four, we win this war.
Isn't that a bit too optimistic?
Facing Palma's skepticism, Rosetta reiterates the strategic assessment she formed during the flight. As Palma hears the reasons that have forced Rosetta into such aggressive tactics, she can only furrow her brow in silent unease.
[player name], do you really think this plan can work?
Right. Now that we know the Corrupted are gathering near human settlements, we can't just ignore them. Taking out their command center is probably the most effective way to eliminate these Corrupted.
Right... I believe the key is actually entering the city itself. Compared to fighting in the open snowfields, the constrained tactical space inside the city would work to our advantage.
Once we're inside and have secured a foothold, everything else becomes manageable.
...Guess this is our only option.
Noan, what's your take on this?
I likely share your thoughts, Lee. I trust [player name]'s judgment.
Well, it seems we have a consensus. [player name], assuming we successfully infiltrate the city, what's our plan afterward?
Is splitting our forces wise?
It is. The enemy will definitely respond to our movements, and encountering their commanders is inevitable.
Setting aside the Frostheart Emperor, we know very little about the Frostheart Warlords. If they consolidate their forces, we'd be in serious trouble. By splitting up, we force them to divide as well. That's likely our best approach.
Regarding their capabilities... we actually do know about one of them.
Yes. Though her true identity is unknown, based on her behavioral patterns from our previous encounter, I believe her tactical approach is very similar to Amberia's.
So if we face her, can we win?
I've faced her before... We can definitely win.
Then the question becomes whether she'll appear near the mountains or along the coast...
Right. Commandant and I briefly encountered that "Amberia" at the front line earlier. Though we only exchanged a few words, she appeared to be at odds with the other Warlords and mentioned she would be calibrating the bionic whales alone.
Indeed... Though I never expected they'd have bionic whales.
This is the old capital we're talking about... That's the only explanation.
Then our objectives are clear: one team will engage the two Warlords near the mountains, while the other confronts "Amberia" along the coast. Rosetta, you'll head to the coastal front with [player name], correct?
Yes. So for the other front, theoretically... I suppose only the Dark Aries under your command, Simon, can take the lead.
Chief, there's a saying: "Those who aren't obsessed with winning never truly lose." If you're confident in your chances, then I'll have my own strategy too. You can leave it to me without worry.
Wait, isn't there a chance the Frostheart Emperor might join the battle as well?
It's unlikely. Because he previously risked infiltrating Babylonia to extract the black box data from this frame.
Right. The fact he specifically came for it means it's valuable enough. Now that he has it, he'll naturally be analyzing it. But even Babylonia couldn't decrypt that black box, so I imagine it will take him considerable time as well.
That just makes me more uneasy...
I know this strategy carries inherent risks, which is exactly why I called this meeting.
With her words spoken, Rosetta sweeps her gaze across the gathered group.
A vote to decide, right?
Yes. Though I'm the commander, I know I haven't accomplished enough to earn everyone's trust. My words alone can't convince you all, and any doubts will only magnify on the battlefield...
I don't want our operation to fail because of that.
Then you're worrying for nothing. We all know how much the Forest Guards have sacrificed for this place. I have no objections.
I don't fully understand everything, but you all are the strongest ones here. If this is what you've decided, then I'll follow.
Coming here means fighting the Corrupted; that has always been the deal. As long as you don't treat our lives as expendable, we've already made our peace with everything else.
Well, that about covers it... Look, we don't want to be "amalgamated" again. You give the orders, and we'll fight!
A consensus has been reached. Despite their diverse perspectives and positions, everyone here shares a personal reason to fight, and because of that, they are willing to stand together.
...Yes, Commandant.
I know not everyone acknowledges my past accomplishments, but I believe we're all professional soldiers with proper training. That's why I want to express my aspirations for this operation.
Whatever the purpose of the old Union was, or why the old Sophiasburgh existed—none of that matters to us now. No matter what anyone says, I refuse to hand over this peace we've fought so hard for, this sanctuary we've built, to anyone else.
Allies from Babylonia, I ask you to lend us your full strength. And to my Arctic comrades, this is our city, and we will defend it ourselves!
For our future... Operation, begin!
