A small settlement on the border of Region Tuscan and Tarai.

0812, 25 Mar 2025

The bonfire burns violently devouring the pile of dry wood. While in front of it hundreds of villagers knelt at the swordpoint of Mightwick Cavalry's members from Tarai Region.

The corpses of the villagers who previously tried to resist were thrown into the bonfire, and the smell of burning flesh immediately filled the air.

Captain Berg took a deep breath, and instantly his face was filled with ecstasy. "The smell that evokes the spirit of life in the morning."

He then threw a short sword at a man, who was kneeling while hugging a four-year-old boy.

"Kill your child with your own hands or I'll throw him in the fire."

"Please, we are not doing anything to disturb Tarai Region."

Captain Berg ignored the man's pleas. "Do it while I'm still asking nicely."

"..."

The man stared at the soaring bonfire before turning to the short sword in front of him. Tears rolled down his cheeks while he shook his head.

Captain Berg snorted, "Don't test my patience."

As Captain Berg walked over, two members of Mightwick Cavalry swiftly grabbed the man's hand. Without difficulty Captain Berg grabbed the boy who was crying while holding his father, then threw him into the fire.

"Uwaaaaa... D-dad... Mom... it hurts..!"

Unable to bear to hear her son's cries, a woman immediately ran towards the fire. Without hesitation, she lunged for the wall of fire that was burning violently and brought her son out of it.

While shedding tears, the woman desperately tried to extinguish the fire on her son's body, but before she could succeed three arrows shot at her from the side and pierced her heart.

"Who gave you permission to interfere with my show?"

Captain Berg cheerfully looked at the boy who was screaming and struggling, while his mother hugged him tightly and choked on her own blood.

Not long after that, the mother and child collapsed to the ground and did not move anymore.

Captain Berg then grabbed the man's hair before speaking, "This is what you get if you don't fulfill my request while I am asking nicely."

"Rotten bastard! Your soul will burn in hell."

"I know, and for your information I can't wait for it."

Captain Berg ignored the gritted teeth of the man who had just lost his wife and child, then looked at the villagers.

"Kill your children with your own hands and give them a quick death, or they will die horribly before your eyes."

Before long, a man grabbed the short sword on the ground. Then, while shedding tears he chopped his one-year-old daughter's neck.

The man and his wife then hugged their child's body and head tightly before walking towards the fire. An intense pain was visible on the couple's face, but it wasn't pain from the fire that burned their bodies.

One by one, the parents then killed their children with trembling hands while tears were pouring down. Some men even have to kill their wives first, who try to protect their children.

While several other men screamed hysterically and wailed after killing their child, who in confusion and fear cried, begged, or tried to run.

Not long after that, no children were left, and Captain Berg smiled broadly before giving instructions to his Lieutenant.

"Do what you want with the remaining villagers, but make sure a few people live to spread panic."

"Sir!"

The Lieutenant grinned from ear to ear, then turned his head towards villagers who were shivering with fear.

Judging from the way the Mightwick Cavalry personnel worked, it was clear that massacres and terror were common to them. Their gazes and smiles also showed that they enjoyed their actions.

- - - - -

Amethyst Merchant HQ, Magwurt Castle.

1250, 25 Mar 2025

After the alliance with Tuscan Region was formed, Amethyst Merchant HQ was moved inside Magwurt Castle.

Previously, Tuscan Region higher-ups had been told that the Northern Coalition was building up strength at the border, and would likely invade. So they were not surprised when Lt. Col. Slane asked them to come to Amethyst Merchant HQ.

It's just that they did not expect to be asked to witness the massacre, which was launched by elements of the Northern Coalition cavalry along the border.

The standard surveillance electro-optic on the Reaper could display car plate numbers close-up from a distance of 4 km. While the version used by ACG could do the same thing from a distance of 9 km. Therefore, the massacre that befell eight settlements on the northern border could be seen in detail by Tuscan Region higher-ups.

Once Viscount Rattel took over the leadership, the first thing he did was lift the migration ban for Tuscan Region's residents.

However, moving to another region was not easy. So most of Tuscan Region residents established settlements along the border, to make a living from other regions while waiting for permission to become legal residents.

That's why technically the people who were being slaughtered weren't Tuscan Region residents anymore. But somehow, the blood of Tuscan Region higher-ups was still boiling, when they were asked to see the savagery that befell their former citizen.

Bang!

General Khartoum pounded on the table as he gnashed his teeth.

"Mightwick Cavalry, Widewild Cavalry and Storam Cavalry. The bastard who never saw real combat, and only knew how to attack weak targets to cause panic."

Viscount Rattel took a deep breath before saying, "General Khartoum calm yourself. They are trying to provoke our reaction."

"Ser Viscount, allow me to respond to it. My 200 bodyguards could disrupt their operations, and give the residents of the untouched settlements a chance to escape."

Viscount Rattel did not immediately respond to General Khartoum's request. He had been told that TF Amethyst was planning a major operation to exhaust the Northern Coalition military capacity, and any movement had to be confirmed in advance.

After taking a deep breath, Viscount Rattel turned his head towards Lt. Col. Slane. "Ser Slane, can we carry out General Khartoum's request?"

Lt. Col. Slane was fully aware that TF Amethyst higher-ups were people with ice-cold heads. Therefore in a tone full of regret he answered.

"I will try to confirm it. But I think TF Amethyst higher-ups will choose to ignore the Northern Coalition provocation, to preserve the element of surprise that is being prepared."

Grief instantly appeared in Viscount Rattel's gaze. However he realized, with the alliance between Tuscan Region and Amethyst Merchant, he could not act carelessly. It could say he even had to follow the plan drawn up by TF Amethyst.

Lt. Col. Slane himself guarantees that TF Amethyst would not let Magwurt City fall into anyone's hands, and has more than enough abilities to ensure this.

For the time being Viscount Rattel chose to believe in TF Amethyst's promise, even though he had yet to see its military capability.

"I understand and will wholeheartedly follow TF Amethyst's plan."

General Khartoum wanted to protest, but Maine Rattel who was sitting next to him grabbed his wrist tightly. So he had to cancel his intention.

- - - - -

CO Office, Harley Quinn MOA

1412, 25 Mar 2025

Vex put down his teacup before giving General O'Neil a deep look. "Eliminating eight swarms that barged in is not difficult, but it is tantamount to giving them a warning. So, are you sure you wanted to do it?"

"Yes, consider that we are giving them a warning. If they ignore it, then we will wipe them out wholeheartedly."

Vex looked doubtfully at General O'Neil. "You want to warn your opponent? Old man, this is not your way of fighting. Did you take the wrong medicine this morning?"

General O'Neil ignored Vex questioning glances, and tapped his fingers on the table before saying, "Slane said that Tuscan Region higher-ups reacted very harshly. Apart from that, they are not afraid even though the opponents are several times bigger, while they have not even seen our offensive capacity.

We are fortunate to have tough allies. So I feel we should deepen their trust."

Vex understands the meaning of the phrase 'Tiger opponent is a challenge, pig teammate is calamity in disguise.' Therefore he agrees with General O'Neil's intentions.

"Well, they're willing to hold back and follow our game while their people are being slaughtered. So we better not go overboard."

Vex took a full sip of his tea before continuing.

"I'll prepare it. It won't take long since we are already on combat alert."

General O'Neil immediately nodded with satisfaction, while Vex rose to his feet and walked outside carrying his empty teacup.

*****