52: Total war mode!

In all previous instances of Azure Star, such a setting did not exist; time setting can be said to be the most basic element in an instance.

Because without a time limit, some weaker Challengers could spend an indefinite amount of time in the instance, thereby avoiding subsequent instances.

Logically, the Sky Curtain should absolutely not approve of such a setting.

"Sky Curtain Notification: Considering the capacity and difficulty of the instance, Designer Lin Ye has added a free time setting to the instance, the purpose of which is to give Challengers more preparation time."

"In addition, the time in this instance has been accelerated; the flow of time for anyone participating in or observing this instance will be a hundred times faster than in the real world. Leaving the instance at any time will not affect the Challenger's time point in the real world."

Upon hearing the Sky Curtain's explanation, Ito Hidekazu chuckled again.

"Your Majesty, this is truly interesting."

"I think the Sky Curtain is actively lowering the difficulty for Lin Ye because his instance design is too difficult," Ito Hidekazu explained with great enthusiasm.

"With unlimited time, can't we prepare at our leisure? It wouldn't be too late to launch a general offensive against Eagle Country once everything is ready!"

"As long as our preparations are insufficient, we won't declare war on Eagle Country and will just keep stalling."

"Only when it's foolproof will we attack; in that case, the mission is definitely completable!"

Facing Ito Hidekazu's somewhat self-important idea, the Sky Curtain immediately issued a warning:

"Sky Curtain Notification: According to Designer Lin Ye's setting, the Eastern Island forces controlled by the Challengers have previously invaded multiple countries and have an extremely poor reputation in the international community! The world hegemon, Eagle Country, has designated Eastern Island as an 'Extremely Dangerous Nation.'"

"Excessive development by Eastern Island will automatically trigger sanctions from Eagle Country! Furthermore, Eagle Country is also a nation that advocates war and may initiate war against Eastern Island at any time! Challengers, please arrange your actions carefully."

Ito Hidekazu's expression immediately became awkward.

Isn't this just playing with them?

They said there was no time limit, but if they didn't make a move, Eagle Country would actively attack. This setting was even more anxiety-inducing than the previous one with a fixed time limit.

Because with the previous fixed time, at least you knew which period was safe; with this current setting, you simply don't know when Eagle Country will actively beat you up.

"Ito-kun, your philosophy of war is truly too outdated," the Emperor criticized with some disappointment.

"This current instance simulates an incredibly real world. Although there are no detailed mission guidelines, it doesn't mean you can lack a mission mindset."

"Opportunities for war are always fleeting; don't you know the principle of striking first?"

If we let Eagle Country attack us first, our chances of winning will be greatly reduced!"

As he spoke, the Emperor let out a long sigh.

"Ito-kun, have you forgotten why we are here? It's for the dignity of our Great Harmony Clan! Are you going to let other races laugh at our Great Harmony by endlessly stalling here?"

Facing the Emperor's reprimand, Ito Hidekazu dared not utter a single word and could only nod obediently.

As a top-tier LV4 expert, the Emperor's understanding of war was undoubtedly advanced, and Ito Hidekazu was completely convinced.

However... he had a faint feeling that the Emperor seemed to be too deeply immersed in the role.

He felt as if he had truly become the ruler of this Eastern Island.

After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor also posed a question to the Sky Curtain.

"Sky Curtain, could you please explain the 'total war' you mentioned in Mission One earlier?"

"The Total War mode is the complete form of Raging Sea, also known as the Open World mode! In this mode, Challengers are completely free. You can control the armaments and weapons you brought into the instance and launch attacks against Eagle Country in any form."

"At the same time, as the rulers of Eastern Island, you can control any NPC and existing resources on Eastern Island. You can direct NPCs to develop the economy, or you can direct NPCs to forge weapons for you. You can conscript soldiers on Eastern Island to expand your military strength!

You can even invade other places on Earth Online to plunder resources before challenging Eagle Country..."

"In Total War mode, anything is possible; at this moment, you are a part of this world."

After the Sky Curtain finished explaining, the Emperor fell into a state of immense shock.

Truly unheard of, unseen!

So instances could be designed this way.

Aside from one large mission objective, everything else was unlimited.

Or rather, at the moment they entered the instance, all Challengers had already become a part of this Earth Online!

The Emperor had to admit that such an instance setting made his heart yearn.

Hadn't he strived his entire life to make the Great Harmony Settlement exist like Eastern Island in the instance?!

A greedy and profound smile appeared on the Emperor's face.

"Ito-kun, this instance setting is completely a sacred place for our Great Harmony Clan to show our prowess!" The Emperor's mood suddenly lifted, and he lightly picked up the teacup on the table to sip from it.

Seeing the Emperor's suddenly relaxed expression, Ito Hidekazu also smiled.

"Your Majesty, do you already have a battle strategy?"

The Emperor nodded slightly, exuding a strong aura of a powerful individual.

"I admit that Lin Ye is unparalleled in instance design, but this Total War mode alone is enough to influence the future instance landscape of Azure Star."

"However... it's clearly his initial attempt, so there are a large number of loopholes in the instance settings!"

Ito Hidekazu maintained a respectful demeanor and asked:

"Please enlighten us, Your Majesty."

"Hmph... The NPCs on Eastern Island can be completely at our disposal. We can have them build war preparations for us, use Eastern Island's resources to improve our equipment, and at the same time, conscript soldiers reasonably while ensuring the loyalty of the populace!"

"Eastern Island has a population of 100 million. Without saying too much, conscripting nine million soldiers shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Combined with us Challengers, that's a force of ten million! And if we're even more demanding, it could be even more!"

"Furthermore, the instance doesn't explicitly state what method we need to use to win. We can launch a sneak attack on Eagle Country, we can pretend to curry favor with Eagle Country and then suddenly turn against them... We can even steal Eagle Country's technology!"

It must be said that as a top-tier expert, the Emperor's thinking in military warfare was far superior to Ito Hidekazu's.

This insight left Ito Hidekazu utterly captivated.

If viewed from this perspective, there indeed existed this loophole in Lin Ye's instance.

Or perhaps, when he set it up, he never considered that the Dahe Gathering Ground would come out in full force, leading to a deviation when the Sky Curtain adjusted the instance's difficulty.

If this instance could truly be taken down this time, he, Ito Hidekazu, could also return to the peak of glory!

"Your Majesty is brilliant!" Ito Hidekazu exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.

.........