CH 340

"I kept you waiting, Rina. What's the situation?"

"Everything's in order. Especially one of the opponent's team has been cornered at <Northeast Big Castle>."

"Which? Ah~, I see. So, Jilong team went to surround the Big Castle. This is going to be a hunting fest, eh."

I lightly greeted after arriving at the Base and peered into the <Dragon's Miniature Garden>, standing next to her.

The movements of both teams were shown in real-time. Tiny humanoid pieces were moving in the 3-D miniature version of <Six-Star> field.

The rare item called <Dragon's Miniature Garden> come up with the effect of <Auto-Mapping>, <Three-Dimensional Projection> and <Real-time Reflection>.

To explain in a few words, this item can form a map instantly, but when coupled with <Master-Planner>'s <Monster Watching>, <Human Observation> and <Survey Eye>, it gets dramatically power-up.

First of all, <Monster Observation> points out monsters in the map. Monsters usually are displayed only in the shape of a red point when it comes to normal maps but the <Three-Dimensional Projection> of <Dragon's Miniature Garden> takes it to the next level, and displays them in their miniature version.

Naturally, all types of enemies could be visually confirmed.

Furthermore, <Human Observation> works similarly, showing white dots in the normal map, but it also receives the benefit of <Three-Dimensional Projection> here.

And finally talking about <Survey Eye>, it helps distinguish friends and enemies with different colors, and is also capable of displaying remaining HP. Naturally, it can show the remaining HP of a castle, and whenever a square's color changes, it reflect in real-time here.

Even to put it mildly, it is a ridiculous combination. And the fact that anyone can see it as long as Rina is there after activating it once further enhances its strategic value.

Though, there was nothing more reassuring than having it on our side.

Then, I observe the situation unfolding in real-time while pondering over Rina's report.

While both <Best of the Best, the Great Star> and <Eden> are racing to capture small castles, <Best of the Best, the Great Star> is laying groundwork for their future strategies, taking several squares around the Big Castle and peeling off white squares.

Since the rule stated that a team can only capture squares that are 'adjacent to their own', <Eden> would have to make their way to the Big Castle again if the opponent converted all the white squares around Big Castle.

It was a somewhat effective strategy.

However, in hindsight, they have overlooked that the Jilong team of three capturing the <Northeast Big Castle> has been left alone.

They have yet to realize that they are being surrounded by <Eden> members who received instruction from Rina through <Guild Connect>. This was clearly an opportunity.

"Well done, Rina. That's two birds with stone, capturing the square while drawing near them."

"It's my pleasure. Also, I have made Mert team of three to be stationed in the nearby central area to work as a diversion since western side is currently lacking support. So there shouldn't be need to worry losing squares more than necessarily."

Currently, <Eden> members are mostly concentrated on the eastern side. So she seems to have put Mert team work on capturing the square in western side while also serving as decoy to prevent <Best of the Best, the Great Star> from occupying it.

That was a splendid decision.

"Shall we proceed with the plan then?"

Rina glanced briefly in my direction.

Well, it seems like our strategist doesn't need me to instruct much huh. Recently, Rina has been learning tactics or ways to use <Dragon's Miniature Garden> instead of leveling up.

The result of her hard work is evident here. It was an impressive growth.

Alright, the formation looks right even from my perspective.

It's now time for the Jilong team to make the sacrifice for Lana and others right away.

"Seems fine, you can start."

"Understood! <Guild Connect>! Your Highness Lana, please proceed in northwest direction from you position while capturing the square in stairway pattern and head north. Ester-san san's group, please head northeast, Sierra-san, please put the squares around in protection period and head north. As for Celestine-san, there is chance for the opponent team to escape from northern squares so please be on alert."

Receiving my consent, Rina swiftly gave her instruction, and thus began the 'corner Jilong team' tactic.

Receiving Rina's instruction, <Eden> members began to move.

"Zephyr-san, could you please put <Pin Mark?"

"Sure, leave it to me."

"Thank you, since my hands are already occupied. Here you have, Zephyr-san."

I received the item Rina took out from the pouch as she handed it to me. It was an item called <Pin Mark> used to mark pins on the map. I don't know the exact principle behind me, but it floats lightly in the air and can also display comments.

Click-Click-Click

I dropped them onto the <Dragon's Miniature Garden> on three places. Each <Pin Mark> represents a crucial location.

By filling in the details like at what time members were placed there, which path to cut off and where to corner them etc, it would help Rina in knowing what is currently happening as she guides others.

In short, it is a pin-type memo pad thing.

It's easier to mix up details without a memo in a complex battlefield like this. Once you get used to it, they aren't needed anymore, but for Rina who is still a beginner in guild battler, there are too many details to remember so it comes handy here.

"So, the basic plan is to capture small castles and earn points while luring them to this point, thus reducing the opponent's numbers."

"That sounds good."

"I am thinking of capturing Point A at 13 minute and 30 second mark, then at 14 minute and 50 second mark, we will the capture the square around this area, effectively closing off the path for Jilong team, and when Point A's protection ended and Jilong team attempt to break through, finding a way our, we will launch our counter-offensive. What do you think?"

"It sounds like an incredible plan. Let's proceed accordingly."

As I dropped the <Pin Mark> onto the squares, marking them with comments, Rina nodded in agreement.

I guess she must have come up with a similar sort of strategy in her mind.

Either way, this should complete my promise with Lana.

We will deprive the Jilong team of all the escape route, leave them with only a glimmer of hope, and when they will arrive at the spot taking our bair, we will take them down in full swoop.

I wrote 'Capture this place at 14 minute and 50 second, and close off the route' comment on two of the Pin Marks, and placed them above the two squares as marks.

On the third Pin Mark, I wrote '13 minutes and 30 seconds, capture, place for decisive battle' and placed it on the square.

"This makes it quite convenient to remember."

"I will also be ready, just in case they manage to slip away."

"Yes, please."

According to my estimation, the four-man team led by Jilong will likely be completely surrounded at the 13 minute mark.

We will block their escape routes. With the protection period in place, they won't be able to enter. Jilong has become like a bird in a cage.

Opponents have two choices.

Either to struggle and find a way to survive, or have a direct confrontation with our team. Either way, it will become a PvP situation, so I'll leave the rest to Lana and the others.

In contrast to the opponent team of 4 members, the number of <Eden> members heading to their place at the moment are 9.

Honestly, It might be a little over the top battle power. Furthermore, there is also me, Rina and Hannah on standby.

"Rina, pass the instructions."

"Alright! <Guild Connect>! Can you hear me, Your Highness Lana?"

And so, Rina explained the plan we have confirmed now to Lana and others. Sure enough, <Guild Connect> is really a cheat skill, even if only one-way transmission is possible.

As for our opponent, they are like the puppet on a string held by our strategist, as she observed the situation in <Dragon's Miniature Garden>.

After conveying the plan, Rina gave her instruction while readying the field until it was time. Lana and others soon arrived at the designated place while capturing the small castles and earning the points.

Our plan began from there.

And mentioning the rest of <Best of the Best, the Great Star> here, most likely they don't know Jilong team is dancing in the palm of our strategist, so there is no aid or rescue from them.

Though that's inevitable, the only thing displayed in the central screen is the time elapsed and acquiesced point. It's really tough without communication or any kind of instruction.

"Alright. Let's do a countdown. 10... 9... 8..."

The key point in this plan is to capture the squares precisely on time.

There can't be a big gap in timing. I mean the plan is based on maintaining the protection period so as to cut off the escape route of Jilong team, so if a gap appears amidst the net of captured squares, it gives rise to an unpredictable outcome. Well, a few seconds off won't matter much, unlike with the Big Castle.

"3...2...take them down, now."

At 13 minutes and 30 seconds, following Rina's instruction, one of the squares turns pea green color, entering the protection period. Perfect timing, as expected.

Next, from 14 minutes and 20 seconds to 14 minutes and 50 seconds, they capture the surrounding squares, creating the field according to the plan.

Jilong team find themselves surrounded, and unable to move. So, the option they chose was...... to seek an escape route, and try to avoid them.

Indeed. That is their final chance of survival. There are white square surrounding them, but if they manage to turn the table and put them into protection period of pink color, they will be able to escape.

That being said, <Eden> is also aware of that. Hence, they of course won't let them escape.

Lana, with this, I have fulfilled my promise of 'strike their head'; I inwardly think.

5 minutes later------

The four member team of Jilong was forced to exit.

Author note: With this, I have finally introduced <Dragon's Miniature Garden>. They had obtained it at the end of chapter 5, so I apologize to keep readers waiting for too long!

I had really wanted to make it debut in a large-scale guild battle like this!

Then, let's talk about the development.

The image below is the map of the end moment where Eden cornered their opponent.

Though there was so much to write in the <Northeast Big Castle> part that it ended becoming too clustered (Sweat).

On the other hand, on the southern side, Rika, Mert and Misato are busy keeping <Best of the Best, the Great Star> under check.

They moved from the central part to west to east and then approached the red base, so for <Best of the Best, the Great Star>, they couldn't afford to ignore them.

However, the red team has heavily stained the southern side with red and is catching up in terms of points. Also, <Southeast Big Castle> has turned pink. it seemed like they had finally overturned the situation there.

Please look forward to how the development will unfold from here.

Next update will be about the PvP battle (from 3rd person pov)! Also, I will be adding the enlarged map of <Northeast Big Castle> area as well!

I hope you are fun!