Chapter 848

EP.848 Part 3 Chapter 2 Prelude

In visual novel dating sims, the emotion of love is expressed as data.

The “affection level” metric is the easiest way to numerically represent the feelings between the protagonist and heroine, and many aspiring lovers benefit greatly from tracking affection levels while playing dating sims.

But affection in virtual reality dating sims works differently.

Since you’re not just looking at 2D data but actually interacting with virtual beings in a tangible simulated world, the algorithm for increasing affection through set choices doesn’t apply here.

What made Death Dinass of the Sky so wildly popular compared to other VR games was precisely this true VR experience starting from the affection system.

Aside from the trope of heroines easily falling for handsome, capable male protagonists, any player could deeply exchange emotions with these virtual characters.

This led to various issues, but overall people responded positively – interactions with heroines felt both realistic and fantastical within the game.

Someone put it like this:

Even though it’s clearly a VR game, and obviously based on a dating sim, it feels like you’re the protagonist of a romantic comedy.

Because of this, when players entered different heroine routes, they often found themselves genuinely invested.

It’s the same for me.

Whenever I pursued a heroine, I approached it wholeheartedly, treating them sincerely – not like some character to “conquer” but like a real woman I was dating. So every time, I genuinely liked and loved each of the sixteen, or maybe seventeen women I encountered, with all my heart.

With full sincerity.

Of course, my current affections are directed toward Shin-ra, Harang, and Yuna. After leaving pieces of myself on Earth for twenty years, I thought I only loved Chang-yeom now.

But that wasn’t entirely true.

The traces I thought I’d cut off by leaving Earth twenty years ago still linger in my memories and heart.

To put it bluntly, this could be called lingering feelings for past lovers.

Since I didn’t initiate the breakup, and since I did genuinely care about these heroines, those experiences and emotions remain with me.

That’s why I couldn’t bear to see a woman I once truly loved fall apart.

Ji Ryun.

She’s such a kind woman.

An older sister figure who looks great in glasses, she has the nurturing charm of a mother who warmly embraces and accepts everything.

If there’s one flaw, it’s her deep love for children, but even that can be resolved by having a child with Ji Ryun.

In her ending, Ji Ryun falls even more in love with the commander who gave her a child.

She loves children that much – even more than the player if not on her personal route.

Seeing her mind corrupted by Earth’s influence and treating Gaia as some Nazi regime cannot be tolerated.

Her inaction regarding the High Priest of Earth’s behavior is unforgivable.

“Ji Ryun.”

In the twenty years on Earth, she was so affected by the pollution that even Hydra had to step in.

So we need to meet her.

We must capture the High Priest of Earth who serves as a conduit to reach her.

“I enjoy giving my love to others. Children are pure and respond clearly to the love I give. I wish everyone I love could be happy.”

For the woman I once loved, even briefly.

“Even if someone is wrong or astray… I believe that if I give them love, they can change. That’s what I believe.”

I kill the High Priest of Earth who corrupts her.

* * *

Taking on an organization-level nation is quite challenging.

But when an organization grows to national scale, it becomes a fight worth attempting.

This is Terra, another dimension.

In this world where magic power reigns supreme, having enough magic can solve everything.

The reason members of New Blue Wind Sect follow me is because they believe in the strength of Cheongnyeon’s Apostle.

Therefore, before meeting the enemy leader, the High Priest of Earth, I fully recharged all my powers to achieve peak condition.

“Phoenix Sir.”

Standing ankle-deep in the only sunlit spring on the ground, I felt Hari approach.

The golden girl who still resembles Karna embraced me quietly from behind, maintaining her 140cm height like a young child facing me.

“It’ll turn out fine.”

“Of course it will.”

Failure wasn’t even an option. I’m not leading a solo organization but comrades who share my purpose.

People whose lives might be lost with a single command from me.

“There’s no need to calculate probabilities. We’ve been defeating armies week after week for months now.”

I’ve done everything possible to minimize harm to Blue Wind Sect members, only expending magic power to fell enemies.

I’ve increased the number of Apostles of Flame and deployed them daily on the battlefield, pushing them perhaps too hard.

Still, fortunately, they’ve supported me enthusiastically.

After learning the truth about Gaia Nazis who aim to destroy children’s futures, they’ve grown disillusioned with the High Priest of Earth. Plus, they’ve become captivated by the power of Flame.

“Are the Apostles resting?”

“Yes, everyone said they’d do ‘that’ once more before sleeping.”

‘That’.

What exactly is ‘that’?

It’s dickbate.

After confirming their virginity within Flame’s barrier and introducing them to ether dildos for their first experiences, they’ve come to desire similar encounters.

So I modified the dickbate devices to be longer on both sides, allowing two Apostles to use one device simultaneously for a sex-like experience.

Lesbian sex using strap-on dildos.

While I don’t particularly approve, viewing the world through Shin-ra’s eyes brings her great satisfaction.

“Phoenix Sir, everyone sincerely appreciates you. Without Phoenix Sir, our futures would have been helplessly restricted.”

“Even without me, such a future wouldn’t have come to pass.”

The pedopia envisioned by Gaia Nazis won’t happen.

Though I’m mobilizing Blue Wind Sect to thwart their ambitions, even if I fail, Terra would collapse before Gaia Nazis could fully realize their plans.

Still, as the latter scenario must never occur, I’ll dedicate my full strength to stopping Gaia Nazis and the High Priest of Earth.

“Hari, watch closely this time. See how I’ll save the nation. Witness the liberation of Gaia-na Kingdom and judge how your Vishnia Kingdom can be saved.”

I made a promise of sorts to Hari.

To lift the shadow over her country.

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course, Master.”

“…The ‘Master’ title feels a bit off here, but whatever.”

I stepped away from Hari’s embrace.

“Solar charging complete. Now let’s crush Gaia-na with full power.”

* * *

Gaia-na Kingdom’s terrain clearly resembles an ant colony.

Though it appears spacious and open on both sides, in reality, spaces equivalent to soccer fields stretch long as tunnels.

The breadth of advance is limited, and when encountering enemies, the fighting force is also restricted.

Thus, the frontline soldiers’ strength is crucial. Their ability to efficiently defeat the enemy frontline determines the situation.

“Will you really follow the plan?”

“Absolutely.”

Everyone initially opposed my proposed strategy.

No wonder they frowned upon it, thinking “Is this even a plan?”

“Advancing while bombarding from the front line. Is that it?”

“There’s no better tactic suited to this terrain.”

Given the nature of the terrain, tactics must be limited.

“Normally, overwhelming power renders any strategy unnecessary. Trust me, or just watch.”

I stood silently atop my flagship, the Destroyer.

Currently, my personal mech War Inducer is being piloted by Hari and Krishnu.

Then what’s my role?

“See them? The regular army.”

Ahead.

Finally, a massive number of soldiers appeared, blocking our path. At a glance, they numbered in the thousands, with around a hundred appearing to be B~A Rank.

-The High Priest of Earth commands! Surrender immediately and drop your weapons, rebels!

-Those who hand over the officers will be greatly rewarded! Be loyal to the kingdom!

-Participate in the great progress of Gaia-na Kingdom! As citizens of this land, it’s your duty!

“Such outdated propaganda.”

Thankfully, only Nazi methods crossed over.

Had Hitler or Goebbels transferred to Terra and established Terra Nazism, I’d have had to kill them all.

However, there’s no need to kill all the kingdom’s soldiers.

Their eyes showed earnestness against war, and less than 1% harbored malicious intent to annihilate our Blue Wind Sect.

Most of these less-than-140cm Purebloods, who coincidentally possessed A Rank power, were among that percentage.

“Not impossible to win.”

Had victory seemed unattainable, I would’ve already abandoned Blue Wind Sect by now.

But if we can win, then let’s secure that victory.

“Prepare artillery.”

“Command to all tanks! Prepare artillery!”

Magic gathered at the mouths of the Phibers.

The condensed blue spheres of magic trembled as if ready to explode any moment.

[Phoenix Sir, this…]

“It’s fine.”

I threw myself into the sphere of magic.

Curling up as much as possible, I protected myself with wings in front while maintaining the intensity of the sphere.

“Trust Me.”

Operation name: Phoenix Fall.

“Fire!”

I became…

KABOOOOOOOM!!!

The projectile itself.