Operations Control Room, Amethyst Merchant HQ.

Tuscan Region's higher-ups felt their hearts churning mercilessly, when they closely saw TF Amethyst's efficiency and effectiveness in producing destruction.

Once an area was destroyed, the marking in that area immediately disappeared as the marking appeared in the new area, and each marked area was a location where the concentration of Northern Coalition personnel was very high.

A question mark filled Region Tuscan's higher-ups' forehead when Lt. Col. Slane said.

"Targets above 7 km will be hit using MLRS and Howitzer, while closer targets will be hit with a mortar."

Then, after they saw how the Northern Coalition Camp was destroyed, they soon realized that MLRS and Howitzer were the main weapons, and the mortar that hit the Northern Coalition cavalry elements 5 km on the south, east, and north of Magwurt City was the secondary weapon.

'If I didn't see this as human handiwork, I would have thought that the Northern Coalition Camp was suffering from the wrath of the gods,' muttered Viscount Rattel.

'They are not merchants, but conquerors who are on vacation,' muttered Jeve Rattel.

'Damn Khartoum, he must have known TF Amethyst's military capacity but didn't tell me on purpose,' muttered Maine Rattel.

'I thought the Kiowa Warriors were their ultimate weapon. Don't say the MLRS and Howitzers aren't their main weapons either,' muttered General Khartoum.

For the first time in their life, Region Tuscan's higher-ups sympathized with their enemy.

'The Northern Coalition has not taken a wrong turn, but it has been going the wrong way from the start.'

While Region Tuscan's higher-ups were busy with turmoil in their hearts and minds, Lt. Col. Slane casually gave instructions to an officer.

"Send Viper and Kiowa to obliterate the Northern Coalition outpost that cannot be reached by artillery."

"Sir."

Lt. Col. Slane then walked over to Viscount Rattel with a cheerful smile.

"Ser Rattel, TF Amethyst can provide assistance to defend Fort Cambia, but to operate it Tuscan Guard personnel are more suitable.

"TF Amethyst will provide 50 trucks and escorts to shift 1,800 Tuscan Guard personnel to Fort Cambia. At the same time, we will launch a clean-up against the remaining Northern Coalition forces."

"Understood," Viscount Rattel answered steadily.

- - - - -

Hills on the western tip of Berril Plain, the Borders of Tuscan and Kandez Region.

0937, 2 April 2025

Inside a hole 0.5 meter deep and covered in a camouflage net, using a high-power telescope Centurion Ravell scanned the plain spread out in front of him.

Starting from a few days ago, he and his three colleagues had accompanied personnel from Surveillance & Target Acquisition Platoon to monitor the western border, in anticipation if Kandez Region decided to participate in the campaign organized by the Northern Coalition.

However, until the Northern Coalition main force arrived in front of Magwurt City, there was not the slightest sign that Kandez Region was going to join the campaign, and this morning he received notification that some of Northern Coalition's elements who were retreating might pass their position.

Centurion Ravell didn't understand why the Northern Coalition main force that just arrived last night suddenly decided to retreat this morning. Moreover, why did they choose the route to the Kandez Region and not head straight north.

When he saw a plume of dust in the distance, Centurion Ravell immediately said, "Looks like we have another guest."

Sgt. Leslie, who sat beside Centurion Ravell answered. "Let them pass, our job is to make observations not versus-contact."

Centurion Ravell was about to nod, when he realized that among the dozens of horsemen, there was one person in a flashy and glamorous outfit.

"Sergeant Leslie, there seems to be a high-value target among our guests this time."

Sgt. Leslie immediately used a long-range digital camera to inspect the incoming guest.

The flock was still more than 1.5 km away, but through the long-range digital camera, he could clearly see the face of the middle-aged man in a flashy and glamorous outfit, including the insignia on his left chest and the rank mark on his shoulder.

Sergeant Leslie reflexively grabbed the radio and pressed the PTT button. "Wide Racoon, Miwa Control, come in"

[Miwa Control, Wide Racoon, go ahead.]

"We obtained a target-opportunity with possibly a Viscount, requesting permission to snatch and grab, confirm."

[Understood, please wait for confirmation from Miwa Godfather.]

With a pounding heart Sgt. Leslie waited, because every second was precious. Considering the target he was aiming for was going at full throttle and would pass his position in a matter of minutes.

Fortunately, when Sergeant Leslie was about to call the command center in Magwurt City one more time, a radio call came in.

[Miwa Control, Wide Racoon, come in.]

"Wide Racoon, Miwa Control, go ahead.]

[Snatch and grab are green, succeed or fail immediately go to the coordinates of Delta 0-6-0-2, Echo 1-2-6-0, Osprey will pick you up, and good luck.]

"Received and understood, Wide Racoon, out."

Sgt. Leslie immediately gathered STA personnel and gave a brief briefing. The STA unit he led consists of four sub-units, each equipped with:

AWM 338 Lapua Magnum with an effective range of 1.38 km,

HK M110A1 with an effective range of 800 meters,

HK416 with a grenade launcher for sporadic fire up to 400 meters.

While the STA personnel listened to the briefing with eyes glistening of killing intent, Centurion Ravell and his colleagues could only cry silently.

'Why are they so excited even though they know the number of opponents is three times greater? Looks like this will be my last battle.'

- - - - -

Viscount Grakh felt fortunate that he had such a perceptive bodyguard. While he was disoriented after seeing the Northern Coalition camp's destruction at such close range, his bodyguards swiftly took him out of the danger zone by taking an inconspicuous route.

Previously, Viscount Grakh had mocked Kandez Region higher-ups as cowards when they refused to join the campaign he proposed. But now, he felt very lucky because Region Kandez higher-ups' decision would help him escape.

While looking at the hills that formed the boundary between Tuscan and Kandez Region, Viscount Grakh smiled from ear to ear.

'Once I enter Kandez Region territory, I no longer need to worry about the hunting efforts that Tuscan Guard and Amethyst Merchant launched.'

Viscount Grakh had indeed lost more than half of his bodyguards, but as long as he was alive he could easily form a new bodyguard unit.

The moment before he and his remaining bodyguards arrived at the foot of the hills, Viscount Grakh proudly said.

"Once we return to Tarai Region, I will make sure you and the families of your fallen comrades are properly rewarded."

An ear-to-ear smile immediately bloomed on Viscount Grakh's bodyguards' lips. They would not only survive the hellish hell that fell out of nowhere, but would also receive a legit reward. So, it was natural that their hearts were filled with overflowing joy.

"That's why don't be discouraged and keep on---"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Ba-ba-bang!

Without any warning a chain of loud 'Bang!' was heard, followed by the fall of Viscount Grakh's bodyguard to the ground. Within a few breaths, only three bodyguards in the closest position to the Viscount were still alive.

While Viscount Grakh and his three bodyguards were flabbergasted, from a shallow hole not far from their position three STA personnel in ghillie suits rose to their feet and approached them.

"Drop your weapons, get off your horse, then lay down on the ground and put your hands behind your head."

Seeing strangely clothed people daring to command their lord while brandishing a weirdly shaped staff, Viscount Grakh's three bodyguards instinctively pulled out their long sabers.

Each of Viscount Grakh's bodyguards was not only skilled in close combat, but also adept cavalry personnel. That's why the Viscount's three bodyguards didn't see anything to watch out for from the three strange people approaching them.

And somehow, both Viscount Grakh and his three bodyguards forgot that a moment earlier dozens of their comrades had collapsed for reasons that were still unknown.

With full confidence, Viscount Grakh's three bodyguards galloped their horses towards the three STA personnel. A fatal mistake that cost their lives.

Ratatar. . . ratatar!

A short series of outbursts, and the three bodyguards instantly fell to the ground.

The smile on Viscount Grakh's lips instantly evaporated, and while he was still dumbfounded, one of the STA personnel pulled him off the horse until his body fell to the ground with a loud thud.

"I am Viscount Grakh of Tarai Region. If you don't treat me with respect, I will have Viscount Rattel hand over your heads as an apology."

Without heeding Viscount Grakh words, the STA personnel disarmed the Viscount before handcuffing his hands, gaging his mouth, and putting on a headcover roughly. At the same time, one of them radioed Sergeant Leslie.

"Top, the target-opportunity is likely to be Viscount Grakh from Region Tarai."

[Understood, I will report it.]

The STA personnel who had just radioed Sergeant Leslie then approached Viscount Grakh.

"Don't try to run away or get cranky during the trip, and we won't kill you."

Hearing a warning filled with killing intent, Viscount Grakh immediately swallowed hard before nodding his head. Moreover, he had the impression that his captors didn't care whether he was a noble or a street thug.

*****