North Gate, Fort Cambia

1710, 6 Jul 2025

This afternoon Col. Meyer received reports that a number of cavalry entered Tarai Guard border post. However, he ignored it because the opening attack would be launched by artillery elements, and the greater the concentration they made the happier he was.

One thing he did not expect was, not long after that the Northern Coalition leaders arrived at Fort Cambia north gate, and asked to meet with Lt. Col. Slane or Viscount Rattel.

'Are they trying to use the Trojan Horse Tactic?'

Asked Col. Meyer inwardly, but his wonder evaporated after he saw that his guest consisted of only three luxury carriages, each carrying a middle-aged man in glamorous clothes, an old man, a woman, a young man, and several children.

Meanwhile, a small number of cavalrymen and coachmen stood not far behind them.

Col. Meyer was a Georgian ex-Ranger Airborne who had a tough, outspoken character, and didn't know how to speak formally. Therefore, without introducing himself first he opened the conversation.

"State your identities and the reason for the visit?"

One of the middle-aged men immediately took a step forward, then in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant, he said, "I am Count Weizz from Tarai Region. Together with Viscount Olrig from Liqua Region, and Viscount Yelk from Darpha Region. The three of us intend to propose peace talks with Amethyst Merchant and Tuscan Region.

As a sign of goodwill, in addition to our trusted assistants, we are also bringing in the most important family members including our successors."

Without any further thinking, Col. Meyer realized that he had to take his guest to Magwurt Castle.

"I am only in charge of field operations. So I do not have the authority to respond to your requests. Therefore I will send you all to Magwurt Castle and you are not allowed to bring armed guards."

Count Weizz nodded before saying, "We understand, but for the trip to Magwurt Castle we hope Amethyst Merchant will provide an escort for us."

Col. Meyer took a deep breath before saying, "We will transport you all using airlift. So as for your carriages and horses, we hope that your guards will bring them back."

Count Weizz was stunned for a moment before he finally answered, "Understood, we will follow Amethyst Merchant procedure."

- - - - -

Main Hangar, Fort Cambia.

To support TF Castor, ACG provided air assets that could be flown immediately without the need to be scheduled in advance, and the choice to bring the Northern Coalition leaders and their families fell on 2 units Chinooks, 2 units Venom armed with Mk 19 Automatic Grenade Kaunchers, and a Kiowa Warrior.

Venom was chosen so that in case one of the Chinooks had to make an emergency landing, the VIP passengers could be evacuated immediately.

When they finally arrived in the Main Helipad, the Northern Coalition Leaders and their family instantly stared at the five flying carriages in front of them with a dropped jaw.

'Finally, I was able to get a close look at Amethyst Merchant's flying carriages."

Count Weizz muttered as he followed a small briefing from a Lieutenant who would escorting him. Meanwhile, the Chinooks crew politely helped the very nervous passengers to sit as comfortably as possible and fastened their seat belts.

Before long, a convoy of helicopters carrying the Northern Coalition leaders and their family were take-off and sped up toward Magwurt City, under the night sky.

And as soon as Viscount Olrig turned his gaze towards the window, cold sweat instantly ran down his back. He then nervously turned to Count Weizz who happened to be sitting next to him.

"How do they see in the dark?"

Previously, Count Weizz was too immersed in shock after seeing Amethyst Merchant's flying carriages. So he completely forgot that he would fly under the night sky.

That's why, as soon as he heard Viscount Olrig's question, in an instant Count Weizz's face became as pale as a corpse.

"How am I supposed to know?"

Count Weizz replied in a low voice. While in his heart, for the first time in his life he sincerely prayed to the gods who lived in heaven for a safe journey.

- - - - -

Main Interrogation Room, Amethyst Merchant HQ, Magwurt Castle.

1820, 6 Jul 2025

Once the notification from Col. Meyer arrived, preparations to welcome the Northern Coalition leaders were immediately carried out. Mier had the task to taking care of the Northern Coalition leader's families and bringing them to Maple Palace.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Slane, Viscount Rattel, General Khartoum, and officers from IDG would talk with the Northern Coalition leaders. An interrogation room was immediately prepared. But of course, not an interrogation room equipped with torture instruments.

As soon as Vex entered the Observation Room, he immediately walked over to Major Maxwell, who was standing behind a giant glass wall.

"Am I late?"

Major Maxwell shook his head. "No, they just finished dinner and we were waiting for you before starting to questions them?"

"Thank you."

Vex nodded in relief as Major Maxwell signaled that the interrogation could begin.

- - - - -

From the earphones attached to his left ear, Lt. Col. Slane heard Major Maxwell say.

[LTC, you can start.]

Lt. Col. Slane immediately cleared his throat before asking a question while maintaining the casual atmosphere.

"Ser Count and Ser Viscount, can we start confirming a few things?"

Count Weizz nodded slightly before answering. "We, can."

Initially, the Northern Coalition leaders were disappointed when they heard that their family was being sent to a hotel. It was quite natural because in Amstell Continent, nobles never stay in public inns unless they were in an incognito circumstance.

Nobles would usually rent mansions or villas when they travel to other regions, or choose to camp in the wild if there were no facilities that matched their status.

So with their status as diplomatic guests, the Northern Coalition leaders spontaneously felt insulted to hear that the lodging reserved for their families was a hotel. Fortunately, Viscount Rattel and Mier who realized the situation immediately calmed the Northern Coalition leaders.

Viscount Rattel and Mier assured the Northern Coalition leaders that Maple Palace was specially designed and prepared for nobles. Also, the hotel had never received guests, and to honor them, Maple Palace would not receive any other guests during their visit.

Realizing that their current position did not allow them to bid for a bargain, the Northern Coalition leaders in the end canceled their request that a mansion in Magwurt Castle must be reserved exclusively for their family.

In addition, after the Northern Coalition leaders enjoyed the steak and wine served by the host, and received assurance from Viscount Rattel that their family would have a much better dinner because the chef at Maple Palace was three levels better than the chef at Magwurt Castle, the Northern Coalition leaders' heart became calmer and easier to talk to.

After he saw the Northern Coalition leaders' friendly expression, Lt. Col. Slane smiled before asking the first question.

"Are you the ones who planned or knew about the attack on Berril Plains?"

"We have absolutely no idea about the attack on the Berril Plains, let alone planning it."

After clearing his throat, Count Weizz continued in a serious tone.

"Before Ser Slane asks any further questions, let me state our intention of coming here."

"Please."

"We will cooperate wholeheartedly in searching for Amethyst Merchant personnel who have been kidnapped. Additionally, every military officer and noble in our Region is ready to be summoned here for interrogation."

Lt. Col. Slane nodded slightly before asking, "What rewards do you expect for the full cooperation you are proposing?"

Viscount Olrig cleared his throat slightly before saying, "If the annexation of our territory is truly launched by Tuscan Region and Amethyst Merchant, we hope that a deadly means such as an airstrike is unnecessary, and bloodshed can be avoided."

Lt. Col. Slane pondered for a moment before returning to ask, "Are Ser Count and Viscount ready to lose your position as Region leader if Tuscan Region and Amethyst Merchant launch the annexation?"

Now it was Viscount Yelk's turn to answer, "We prefer to lose our position peacefully, rather than lose it with the life of our people. Of course, if we have to lose our position then we hope Amethyst Merchants will provide protection, considering we have enemies that will show their fangs once we lose power."

Count Weizz immediately added, "Let's make an honest calculation. The Northern Coalition's total population reaches 1.4 million, while Tuscan Region's total population is no more than 100 thousand. So, the key to making the annexation run smoothly is to eliminate eight out of ten residents in the three targeted Regions.

If we insist on fighting back even though we are aware that in the end, we will lose our position as well as the population that we must protect, then when we arrive in the afterlife we ​​will not be able to be held accountable for our actions in front of our ancestors."

Lt. Col. Slane tapped his finger on the table before speaking casually, "We have no objection to the proposals that Ser Count and Viscounts proposed. You also don't have to worry about the annexation if we manage to get the kidnapped personnel back alive."

"...?"

Then, Lt. Col. Slane's gaze turned icy before he continued, "However, if we fail to recover the kidnapped personnel, we will turn the Northern Coalition territory into a desert with all its residents."

Gulp!

The Northern Coalition leaders swallowed hard simultaneously, while Lt. Col. Slane's gaze returned to being casual as before.

*****