The Renaissance era.
"Let's shoot the academy from this spot, +3, that's strong enough."
"No way! We need to film in the nature reserve. The location with so many mountains is bound to be highly attractive. What if you build the academy's nature reserve instead?"
"Hey guys, are you really just going to ignore the Aztec next door? They've got a million troops amassed on the border, and they're still stuck here worrying about those tech points?"
The three of them got into a heated argument over the plans for the new branch city they had just acquired.
At this moment, the dormitory had transformed into Little White, the highest cabinet.
"Why are you afraid of him? The Aztec have a pretty good relationship with us, don't they? That's probably just a normal troop movement. Don't panic."
Frank heard Mike's warning and shifted his gaze to the border between the two countries.
Sure enough, there were already several units lying horizontally here.
"It's alright. We shouldn't be afraid if they really attack us. They're just two medieval heavy cavalrymen. We're in the Renaissance era now."
Frank glanced at his tech tree; he was just one step away from entering the industrial age ahead of schedule.
With a generational gap between the two eras, how could the Aztec possibly compete?
If he dares to make such a declaration, then he's got guts.
"Hmm—what I'm worried about is production capacity."
Mike frowned as he looked at the few units, then glanced at the capital, Washington, which was right next to them.
Even now, several cities still face a significant productivity gap.
If we start producing units to resist immediately in this round, it will take at least 6 rounds.
Add the time it takes to move to the contact line----
A time difference of about ten rounds is enough for the city to fall.
Mike had witnessed Frank's operations firsthand and knew exactly how serious this situation was.
Productivity issues are a problem across the entire United States.
Even the industrial city of Boston, which was specifically built to address this issue, was not immune.
However, perhaps because of the sacrifice in productivity, their own technology and culture have progressed at an astonishing pace.
Even before the game officially entered the Renaissance period, Frank had already unlocked the "bank" technology tree, a key aspect of the Renaissance.
Although this was only the first game, Frank knew very well that it was normal for the Middle Ages to be technologically advanced and from the same era.
"Am I actually very good at operations?"
Frank had asked himself this question more than once, "Hehe—I'm so proud of myself."
He grew more and more excited as he thought about it, patted his chest, and waved at Mike: "Don't worry about that! Once we've industrialized a bit, we'll go straight for the Industrial Revolution! Brothers, do you understand the Industrial Revolution?"
"By the time we've got coal burning and railways running, this guy'll still be dawdling in the Middle Ages. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure we've won this round, you get the idea?"
I thought " Civilization " would be something complicated, but it's nothing special!
Scientific research? A piece of cake!
Alan sat to the side with his arms crossed, offering no response.
He was focusing on something else that the other two seemed to have overlooked.
music.
From the very beginning of the primitive era, Alan had vaguely heard the background music hidden beneath the game's mechanics.
This is "Hard Times Come Again No More," a piece of music performed by Foster in New York in 1854.
However, the instruments used are very simple.
It seems there aren't even any chords, just a light and cheerful melody, like a cowboy playing a solo while still maintaining optimism despite being in a low point.
Unlike the grand " Dream of Flight " on the main interface, the background music (BGM) seemed invisible in the face of the vast and complex mechanics of Civilization. The three players, immersed in the game, hardly noticed its presence.
It works subtly and quietly, without overshadowing anything, yet it fulfills its intended purpose perfectly.
When the Classical period arrived, Alan immediately noticed something was amiss.
The melody is still the same.
But the instruments have changed, or rather, become more diverse.
More instruments and more tracks intertwine to create a version with a distinctly classical feel.
The same piece of music has presented completely different styles in different eras.
This made Alan wonder what new changes would occur after the advent of the industrial age.
[5 rounds remaining until the end of the Renaissance]
"Ha! Looks like I'm one step ahead. Industrialization technology will be completed in the next round!"
Frank laughed heartily, and after manipulating all his units, decisively pressed the next turn button.
"Bass!"
A sound like a sharp sword being drawn came from the television set.
Upon hearing this voice, the three people who were still arguing about operational strategies instantly fell silent, their hearts sinking.
This is a very clear warning sound.
According to the logic of game design, a sharp, unsettling sound must be used in certain special occasions.
For example----
Montezuma I ( Aztec ): You are a cancer on the world. You are a devil!
Montezuma I condemned you (they simply dislike you).
Montezuma I ( Aztec ): Let's see if you're a coward or a warrior!
[ Montezuma I declares a surprise attack on you!]
Rua!
"Shit, you were right, he actually dared to declare war on us?"
"No, what do you mean by 'just doesn't like me'?"
Frank clicked his tongue.
To be honest, such a sudden and unexpected event really caught Frank off guard.
After all, according to his plan, as long as everyone lived in peace, he could focus on farming and developing technology.
Once one's skill level becomes unparalleled, anyone who attempts to invade will be courting death.
"Forget it, it's not like we can't beat them anyway, let's do it!"
Frank immediately suspended projects in several cities and shifted all his focus to the production of the Musketeers.
Then he used the gold coins he had been saving up that he didn't know what to do with to forcibly buy a brand new musketeer.
It's really expensive.
But there was nothing they could do. Although their country was technologically advanced, they didn't actually have any military units.
Only the two dogs created at the start and the free warriors are still running around aimlessly on the map.
It's truly unacceptable for such a technologically advanced nation to rely on only two dogs to guard its gates.
"See! I told you so! Now we're finished, Aztec units are all on our border!"
Mike slammed his hand on the table, striking a pose as if to say, "Told You."
"Hey, what are you afraid of? He's just a medieval Muggle. He's unlucky to have run into us."
Frank was quite relaxed about it. He knew there was a generational gap between him and his opponent, but as long as the musketeer could get moving in the next round, taking on ten opponents wouldn't be a problem, right?
"Hehe----good, we haven't fought anyone except barbarians yet, it's time to practice."
Next round.
The Aztec units followed the trade routes all the way to the outskirts of Washington.
This road, originally intended for commercial use, has now become a boon for Aztec units, allowing them to approach rapidly with minimal movement point consumption.
Following closely behind the heavy knights were two catapults.