Chapter 3: Meeting the Officers

The grand tent, adorned with the symbol of the Ryker's army, stood tall amidst the bustling camp. The air was thick with the smell of freshly baked bread and roasting meats, mingling with the sound of clanging steel and murmured conversations. Kiyo, dressed in his commander's attire, stood nervously outside the tent, adjusting his uniform for what felt like the hundredth time. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He had no idea what to expect, but he was determined to make a good impression. After all, he was now Ryker, the protagonist of "Eternal Realms," and he needed to act like it. As he entered the tent, he was greeted by a group of officers, each with a unique expression. There was Commander Thompson, a seasoned veteran with a stern face and a hint of curiosity in his eyes. Lieutenant Sophia, a young and eager tactician, stood beside him, her eyes shining with excitement. The other officers, a mix of grizzled veterans and fresh-faced recruits, filled the space, their faces a blur of concern and anticipation. "Ah, Commander Ryker," Commander Thompson said, bowing slightly. "Welcome. We've been expecting you." His voice was deep and resonant, with a hint of skepticism. Kiyo nodded, trying to look confident. "Ah, yes. Thanks for waiting. I'm...uh...ready to get started." He scanned the room, taking in the maps, the battle plans, and the assortment of curious faces. The officers exchanged skeptical glances, but they began to introduce themselves. Lieutenant Sophia stepped forward, her eyes locked on Kiyo's. "I'm Lieutenant Sophia, Commander. I'll be your tactical advisor." Her voice was bright and cheerful, with a hint of nervousness. Kiyo smiled, trying to appear friendly. "Nice to meet you, Lieutenant. I'm...uh...counting on your expertise." He nodded, his eyes drifting to the maps scattered across the tables. Commander Thompson cleared his throat, his expression turning serious. "We have a battle to plan, Commander. General Victor's army is approaching, and we need to prepare our defenses." His voice was firm, with a hint of urgency. Kiyo nodded, trying to look interested. "Ah, yes. The enemy. What's the plan?" He leaned forward, his eyes scanning the maps. The officers began to lay out the battle plan, discussing troop deployments, flanking maneuvers, and siege tactics. Kiyo listened intently, trying to make sense of it all. However, to him, it sounded like a bunch of gibberish. He nodded along, pretending to understand, but his mind was a blank. "Ah, yes, I see," Kiyo said, trying to sound confident. "So, we need to...uh...deploy our troops in a...a...triangle formation?" The officers exchanged skeptical glances. "Actually, Commander, we were thinking of a crescent moon formation," one of them corrected. Kiyo nodded vigorously. "Ah, yes, that's exactly what I meant. Crescent moon formation. Brilliant idea." The officers looked at each other uncertainly, but they continued to explain their plan. Kiyo zoned out, his mind wandering back to his gaming days. He thought about the times he had beaten the game with ease, effortlessly navigating the story and defeating the bosses. This was just like that, right? Except instead of pressing buttons, he was...uh...leading an army. As the discussion continued, Kiyo started to get more and more confused. He had no idea what a "siege engine" was, or what "cavalry" meant. He thought "artillery" was a type of food. The officers started to notice his confusion, and their expressions grew increasingly worried. "Commander, are you sure you're feeling okay?" Lieutenant Sophia asked, her voice laced with concern. "You seem a bit...distracted." Kiyo snapped back to reality. "Ah, yes, I'm fine. Just...uh...thinking strategically." The officers looked at each other uncertainly, but they tried to press on. "Okay, well, let's talk about the enemy's strengths and weaknesses," Commander Thompson said. Kiyo perked up. "Ah, yes, I know this one. In the game, General Victor is a tough opponent, but he has a weak spot...uh...his left flank?" The officers looked at each other in surprise. "Actually, Commander, that's correct," Commander Thompson said. "General Victor's left flank is his weak spot. But how did you...?" Kiyo shrugged. "Just gamer instincts, I guess." The officers exchanged skeptical glances, but they seemed to be willing to give Kiyo the benefit of the doubt. For now, they continued to explain their plan, trying to make sure Kiyo understood the basics. As they finished their discussion, Kiyo stood up, trying to look confident. "Alright, I think I've got it. Let's go win this battle!" The officers nodded, trying to hide their doubts. "Yes, Commander. Let's do this." As they left the tent, Kiyo felt a surge of excitement. He had no idea what he was doing, but he was determined to lead his army to victory. After all, he was Ryker, the protagonist of "Eternal Realms." He had to succeed. The problem was, he had no idea how. The sun was setting over the camp, casting a golden glow over the soldiers and the landscape. Kiyo took a deep breath, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over him. He was in this now, for better or for worse. And he was determined to make it work.