It was difficult to explain what I understood and what I did not understand about war to my General Staff. Therefore, I figured out that the fastest way to explain to them was making them playing ROC.

My General Staff was among the first people on Escana to play ROC as a game. I wanted to teach them what ROC was all about from my perspective. I wanted them to experience the changes and differences in technology and strategies from their time. They were men and women who were out of time and reality. Ember was a man behind time by a hundred years while Sasengun had a millennium to catch up. Therefore, I taught them playing ROC with mouse and keyboard to experience the war, now from the point of view of Gods and Demon Lords.

“This is how I experienced my battles and wars until now.” I told them, “Until this moment, I played War as if I was a God or a Demon Lord. I have never fought a war. Therefore, I want you to understand my view, my advantage, and limitation while playing war and not fighting one.”

After they have learned all the basic of ROC, I told them to practice the game among themselves. I only drilled the mechanical skills into them, nothing else. I made them trained themselves and played ROC with their self-invented techniques and their unique approaches. I told them to form teams and compete with each other.

These warlords and Champions of their time quickly became fulltime gamers in this dreamland that I conjured. Watching them compete, I found myself missing the competition and The Alliance more than ever. I could remember everyone, my family and The Alliance, their voices and my memories shared with them. But their faces were a different story. I even forgot about Alice’s face. Through a Divine Dream, an immortal could reconstruct a mortal’s memory. And because the memory was reconstructed, reality and truth were altered to a certain extend base on a person’s consciousness. Therefore, I suspected that their face has been altered through time. I found myself wishing that I had Thùy Dương’s near photographic memories. But Thùy Dương would probably wish that she possessed my audio-library instead.

Conflicts of interest, idealism, value, and culture were immediately curbed in the fetus state. I showed my General Staff why I was called the Prince of The Alliance by revealing the distance between us, me and them. I crushed those all-dwarven, all-human, all-orc, all-elf teams. I destroyed those all-male, all-intelligent-race teams. “This is reality. This is how unpolished and inexperienced you are in this game. Forget about your differences in races, forms, and statuses. In this place, everyone is a teacher. Everyone is a student. Learn from your competitions and teach them what you have learned. I want everyone here to be the best version of themselves. Learn from your competition and rise above them by becoming the best version of yourself, the best of the best.”

When the best teams of my General Staff started forming by dominating their competitions through various means, I once again crushed their ego by beating every team in a 1v5 format. The quickest elf of my dreamland soon learned that his fingers were not as fast as he believed. The most detailed dwarf realized that his better existed in this dreamland. The most focus-minded orc was completely unraveled in a ten hours game. The strategist who was famous for predicting the future was beaten a simple tactic before he could execute his winning strategy. My General Staff became better at ROC. But, I am still who I am. Fearless, the Prince of The Alliance. Something just never changed.

“Do not be disheartened, I am the best ROC pro-gamer in history. There is no shame in being defeated by me.” I assured my General Staff. “Besides, I don’t want you to be good at this game, good a playing war. As I have told you before, I taught you this game because I want you to understand my limitations. I taught everyone this game because I want you to have a general understanding of the current age. I have shown you my knowledge and experience. Now, I want to learn from you,” I lowered my head to them while making my points. I, their savior and leader, lowered my head to them after I had already but crushed their spirit and ego. My General Staff had no choice but to follow my principles.

“In this place, everyone is a teacher. Everyone is a student. Everyone is a leader. Everyone is a follower. Everyone is a soldier. Everyone is a general. Be the best, be the greatest, nothing else.” I drilled this motto into their heart and their mind. I used this motto to unite my General Staff to my goal.

At the time, Blindfold ROC was forming.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Pride revealed her primary miracle as payment for me to teach her how to play ROC. “A craft for a craft. A secret for a secret,” she said. Pride explained the requirements and capability of this ability in full details. Though I have already learned about this ability from the game and from Lust and Envy, only when Pride explained about this ability of her that I fully understood it.

In the game, was a passive that allowed Pride to convert any unit that she has destroyed into her unit and restored that unit to full health. It worked differently from Thrall’s ability that only reanimate the corpse of the units that he killed. Thrall’s turning corpses into moving zombies without their original perks and abilities. But kept units that were killed by Pride alive, whole and complete. They retained their original perks and abilities while serving Pride.

If Pride killed an army, she gained an army at her disposal. If she killed a general, that general would serve her. But if players could punish Pride for her lack of mobility and powerful range attack during the game, Pride’s worth was reduced to her large HP bar, a meat-shield.

Due to this limitation of her primary ability, Pride was considered as a lesser summon in the game when comparing to Sanguine who could turn any unit insane instantly or Lust who could convert or kill any male unit at any moment.

But in this world, this ability operated differently.

The fact that Pride has revealed her ultimate card to me this early meant that she was confident in beating me at my own game. I had to admire Pride’s recklessness and ego. In term of arrogance and hardheadedness, Pride was definitely my equal. She revealed her winning card to me as a tutorial fee to learn my best craft and to inform me of how our battle and argument would end. Just the way I fought.

Pride was the first and only Demon Lord who showed any interest in playing the game I played. And probably the only one who wanted to crush me at my own game. Pride wanted to crush me as a gamer and not a Demon Lord. That was something no Demon Lord has tried to do. Even Sinintee who talked some mad shit about perfect and competition and whatnot, he did not even try to challenge me at anything. It was funny that he, the God of Civilization showed no interest in Arts and Culture. It was funny that he, the Perfect God has never bother discussing with me about Earth and Earth’s civilization, or religion, or history or anything related to Earth. Sinintee made me question the meaning and definition of the word “Perfect” in both world, on Earth and on Escana.

It was an irony to me that Pride was the only one who has actually talked and discussed with me about Earth. In this dreamland, she was the only one who saw me a Fearless, Prince of The Alliance and not URLOX’s Champion. It’s difficult for me to not like her had it not for one fault. “In the end, you are only a mortal,” she spoke this sentence so very often.

“That was exactly what Sinintee has said, word by word before I dunked him into a cesspool.” I constantly reminded Pride that our current position was that of a warren and a prisoner, and my hospitality to her was the sign of my respect.

“I just state my belief. Being born a mortal is your only fault.”

“Actually, there are a lot more. But let’s move on, you realize that you are being trapped inside a mortal’s dream, right?”

“That’s precisely why I said being born a mortal is your only fault. Have you been born or reborn as an immortal, you would be perfect.”

“Perfect as in what sense.”

“My mate for life,” Pride flashed a grin that was full of regret, “My Shandorei.”

Shandorei, beloved one, ardent one, precious one. Lust called me with this word as well.

“Aren’t Lust, Greed, Managan and Acrẽa your Shandorei?”

“I found them severely lacking in personality, intelligence and many other qualities that you possess,” Pride spoke frankly.

“You are even a worse narcissist than I am.” Our conversation on this topic would always end with me making that comment. In Pride’s mind, she could only fall in love with her equal and she believed that she had no equal. And I could see why.

I taught Pride everything that I knew about the game. Steadily and carefully. I removed any bad habit that she developed during her training and encouraged good habits. I taught Pride in the same manner that FY taught ROC to Phúc and me. I compiled and edited a huge portion of my memories, all ROC related materials into a library for Pride to use as her study materials. I taught her the META of the game, the off-META, and the counter-META. I taught Pride everything. I trained Pride as if I intended to make her my successor. I trained her as if I wanted to make her the best ROC player in the world, better me, better than FY or Superior or anyone else.

I even told her how and why Heavennet was defeated on that stage and that special day, something I have never told anyone else. Everybody thought that it was a try-hard-and-be-lucky and never-give-up and the testament of mankind’s greatness. Only Phúc and I knew that none of those bullshits that the media was talking about was true. That day when my PC failed to boot up for a reason. I had to wait for my turn, for everyone to be defeated and I was the last remaining person to defend mankind’s dignity. On that day, the only thing and the only person that can prevent Heavennet from winning that battle was myself if I hadn’t given my 100% in that match. I showed Pride my trump card since she has already shown hers. I kept no secret.

“You are such a bad man,” Pride giggled.

But no, the credit of that victory belonged to Phúc. I only executed his strategies and won all the credits to myself.

I loved teaching Pride. Back then, I found joy in teaching her about arts and my knowledge on earth. Now, I fell in love being her teacher in ROC. Pride was a fast and willing learner in every aspect. She asked a lot of question. She loved experimenting with ideas and strategies. She loved watching my teaching materials and breaking them down to details. Back then, FY had created a monster, me, the Prince of The Alliance. Now, I, too, was creating mine. The best monster that I could possibly create. I trained with Pride to the point that she grasped my tendencies and habits.

“This is precisely why I said being born a mortal is your only fault,” Pride said laughing, “You make me the best of the best. Your hardest test. And therefore if you pass this test, you will remain the best.” The two of us have spent so much time living and talking with each other that we understood the other’s kinks so very well. She then lamented, “If only URLOX have sent you to this world as an Immortal.”

“Keep talking like that and I will dump you into a cesspool as I did to Sinintee,” I kept warning Pride.

“If you want to do that, you would have done it a long time ago,” Pride smiled and gave me a kiss on my cheek as usual.

And that day came. 13 years, the exact number of years that I have played ROC as a game and as a pro-gamer. Pride refused to train herself longer than that.

She was ready for her real test.

So was I.

I granted true freedom to Pride. I returned to Pride the freedom to command her authorities at her liberty. Pride activated . Two golden rapiers with lion ornate hilt appeared. She instructed me to grab one rapier and stabbed her heart with it. We stabbed each other, but it caused us no pain. Even though Lust has already recalibrated my dream and my sense of touch has been returned to me, I experienced no pain when Pride ran her rapier through my heart.

“This sword would bring no pain,” Pride explained.

“I see.”

In harmony, under Pride’s instruction, the two of us made our vow to completely submit to the other if we lost our match. Just as Pride was about to end the ritual, I added my special clauses, “I will play Blindfold ROC while you will play the normal ROC in our competition. You only need to defeat me with a single battle to win this match. But for every 5000 straight losses, a part of you, a part that constitutes your character shall randomly submit to me.”

Pride was incensed though her expression spoke otherwise. I mocked her by giving her some major handicaps in the last minute.

I went on mocking Pride, “If you believed that you are on my level with 13 years of playing and studying this game, Pride, my dear, you are an absolute moron.”

“I suppose that you are as cursed as you have said. You cannot allow yourself to not give a beautiful woman a handicap of some form.” Pride flashed a fresh smile without any ill-will, but she was seething underneath. That was a rule that I made for myself and I have adhered to it faithfully until this very moment. The only three women who existed outside of this rule were Thùy Dương, Alice and Orithyia. I literally told Pride that I considered her lesser than the three of them with my handicap.

“Well then, I will gratefully accept this handicap.” Pride maintained her even smile and then concluded the ritual. The rapiers faded into our chest. “Try not to disappoint me in the very first match,” Pride warned.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“My beloved Prince, your right flank is wide open.”

Ten minutes into the first match and I regretted everything. Everything. EVERYTHING.

“My dearest friend and teacher, if you gave me your rear for free and uncontested, I, Pride, your student, and beloved friend shall humbly take it.”

SHIT. SHIT. SHIT. SHIT.

“Oh, How I admire you, Fearless my prince! You appear so dreamy. So do your tactics. Dreamy. Too bad, so sad, this is the reality.”

SHUT UP. YOUR MOUTH HAS LITERALLY BECOME ESCANA’S BIGGEST LANDFILL.

“Oh, your prized witches, your beloved witches, why did you give them such cruel orders? Why did you command them to die like that? How pitiful!”

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCKKKKKKKKK

Pride laughed as she kept toying with me like a fiddle.

“Come on, my dearest prince, you cannot fall in the first battle. You are the best at this game, remember? You, you cannot possibly tell me that you would humiliate yourself after you have given me such hope and expectation. Common, don’t give up.”

“SHUT THE FUCK UP, BITCH, I need to concentrate here.” That was the first time I used swear words in front of Pride.

“Aw, do you?”

“SHUT UP.”

“Awwwww,” Pride cooed as if she sympathized with my difficulties. Then, she kept talking trash for the next three hours until the match end. Pride congratulated me, applauding while wearing a bright expression. “Congratulation, Fearless, the Prince of The Alliance, you are the first human to win against me in a battle of tactic. How does it feel?” There was no ill-feeling in her voice. Pride planted a playful kiss on my lips as a reward for beating her. “You are the first man and the first human to receive my victory kiss. Be proud of yourself. Defeat me the next time as well and I will reward you again.” The monster I created laughed happily.

Pride enjoyed the sight of my mighty struggle. Pride intended to let me win 4,999 battles and then defeated me in the 5,000th battle. She intended to show me the great difference in our abilities in a single battle, the last battle, and with it, she would crush my ego with a single blow.

If our position reversed, I would definitely do the same thing. The two of us, egomaniacs, we were cut from the same cloth despite one of us was an Immortal and one was a human.

The second matched arrived.

“Really? Did you really intend to take on me with that formation?” Pride asked.

I did not need to look at her face to know her current expression.

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.

Resisting my urge to curse, I screamed my orders instead, “KEEP GOING. DO NOT LISTEN TO THAT BITCH’S TAUNTS. DO NOT STOP,” one of my helpers have just described the situation incorrectly and my entire battle plan went straight into the garbage dump as the result. “FUCKKKKK. FIRST RANK, SHIELD, BRACE YOURSELF.”

I found it was very difficult to keep a mental map of the battlefield while listening to the updates from my helpers and Pride’s trash talk at the same time, all while trying to control the battlefield with my orders.

“Really? Really? Really? Dearest Prince, you would give up that many men to me for free? Really?”

“THAT’S A TRAP, BITCH. I DARE YOU TO TAKE IT.”

“Then I shall gladly do it.”

“FUCK YOU.”

“Awwww,” Pride laughed and headed out to do exactly as she has declared.

During that time, my helpers bombarded me with all manners of chaos and nonsenses. That one asshole who has messed up the word “trot” for “gallop” and fucked up everything, he intended to commit hara-kiri to atone for his sin to me, his God.

“BASTARDS, CALM THE FUCK DOWN. WE CAN WIN THIS. IF YOU KILL YOURSELF, I WILL BE FUCKING UNDERSTAFFED. WE CAN TURN THIS AROUND. I NEED YOU TO CALM YOUR FUCKING TITS.”

“Awwww, poor boys. Don’t take out your anger on them.” Pride’s crispy cackled echoed within my ears.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU BITCH. It’s none of your FUCKING concern.”

“Awwww”

“Keep that awwwing and I will SPANK YOUR TIGHT ASSES.”

“Awwww”

As soon as the second match ended, I retrained my helpers from the beginning. Still, the third match saw no improvement from my part or my helpers’ part.

“O how lovely you are. Only you could grant me such a magnificent gift. Your cavalry, I will take them all. I love you, my dearest Prince.”

“I LOVE YOU TOO. BUT FUCK YOU.”

“Awww,” Pride cooed sweetly and swallowed all of my cavalry within a single fell swoop.

The fourth match, the fifth, the sixth and the twenty matches followed after that witnessed the same thing. Pride was still toying with me and I struggled mightily in every match. I doubled the number of my helpers and still. Shit was still shit.

“Awwwwwwwwww.”

OMG, HOW I HATE THAT SOUND….

“Awwwwww.”

“SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU BITCH.”

“That’s not how you should talk to a lady, sweetest Prince.”

“FUCK YOU.”

“How dreamy you are, even when you are angry and vulgar. I love you.”

“I FUCKING HATE YOU. Nobody loves you. SHUT UP.”

“Awwwwwww.”

I hated Pride the most when she made that sound.

It took another fifty matches for me to make the first breakthrough. I gave up. I gave up on controlling my entire army to the minute details. I elevated five of my helpers to the rank of operators, giving them the liberty to control a certain portion of my troops to their intention.

Being toyed for another twenty matches taught me that I should have created a Quick Reaction Force a long time ago. The thirteen matches after that made me said, FUCK THIS SHIT. I doubled the numbers of my helpers again and increased the number of operators under my command to 9, showing Pride no shame in doing so.

“Awwwww,” Pride smiled, “That’s not enough and you know it.”

“SHUT UP, I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING.”

“Do you?” Pride asked with a vicious grin spreading on her lips. Her anger was leaking out of her mask of perfection.

I immediately increased my number of helpers and operators again in the subsequent match. The one after that, I dumped the responsibility to monitor my scout's network to my operators.

One hundred matches after that, I had no idea what kind of role that a general should have on the battlefield. I dumped all of my responsibilities on my operators. I became a total bystander inside my own HQ.

“Bitch, if you cannot defeat my operators, do you think you can defeat me?” I was as shameless as I could possibly be. My operators played that Blindfold ROC match for me without saying.

Pride was mad. Visibly and audibly mad in that match. I pulled the same stunt on the next match and even the one after that. Pride had it enough. She quitted that match and the one after that as soon as they began. We quarreled that night and things got extremely testy. Pride punched me. I decked her right back, except my fist never reached her six packs. She caught my arm and broke it. This was why I hated throwing punches. None of my punch has ever landed.

Our fight escalated quickly. And by “escalated quickly,” I meant that my two arms and two legs were twisted like tweaks within three seconds and I got kicked out of the room. There was no way I could beat that bitch without being completely shameless and activate my GOD cheat code to curb-stomp her. When I gave that bitch her freedom, her Might returned back to her as well.

Since I had my own room inside that villa as she had hers.

The two of us, great talkers and great seducers, all manners of communication between the two of us ceased to function. We stopped talking to each other completely throughout the length of the next one thousand matches.

Still, no matter what happened, Pride was adamant about beating me in the 5000th match. Her intention remained unchanged regardless of my taunts. Even when she was furious, her ego came first in the pecking order. Pride was such a woman.