TFA1 7.14 - Second Round
Main Meeting Room, Buriek Guard HQ
03:30, 2 Sept 2025
Yesterday morning, Grand Commander Keraz received the statement of surrender from Viscount Issel. He immediately accepted it, with the hope Buriek Guard could catch their breath before counter-invasion from Kingdom of Makai arrived.
However, not long after the ceasefire was issued, he received a report that the execution of the prisoners was already being carried out before the ceasefire order arrived, and a moment later the battle broke out again.
Grand Commander Keraz was familiar with General Griek's character, so he realized that the General was deliberately ignoring his order. Unfortunately, for the time being there was nothing he could do, except support General Griek's attack on Castle Lagra. He had to wait until Castle Lagra was captured before he could pass the sentence to General Griek.
However, the battle that was expected to end in an instant became a fierce battle that lasted until dusk. After that, a shocking report arrived. Robber Cavalry was being wiped out by foreigners at Desolate Entrance, along with three squadrons of Riders that were sent to provide assistance.
Then, reports that were much more stifling kept coming. Starting with the destruction of Buriek Guard elements in Lagra City, the destruction of Cloud Hawk stalls and Rider barracks in Levsait and Raisait, and the destruction of carrier ship, supply ship, and transport ship from 2nd Fleet.
Moreover, the cause of all those destruction was unknown. The report only said that fire spears suddenly appeared from behind the horizon, and then blowing up whatever it hits into pieces. And to this moment, the report about ships from 2nd Fleet were being sunk by deadly fire spear was still coming in.
At the giant map on the strategy table, almost every position of Buriek Guard in Sandhur Region was now labeled with a red cross. A sign that the element had been destroyed.
Grand Commander Keraz turned his gaze to Marshal Ducie and Admiral Errez before saying in a heavy tone, "It seems the foreigners in Desolate Land’s entrance have the capability to launch a night attack. However, in a few hours sun will rise and we can send Riders to retaliate.
I also plan to shift 3rd and 4th Fleet to replace 2nd Fleet in providing air cover for the remaining Buriek Guard’s elements in Levsait and Raisait. If you two have other suggestions, you'd better say it right now."
Marshal Ducie cleared his throat before saying, "I agree we go on the offensive. I suggest we leave 400 Riders to defend domestic airspace and send the remaining Riders including those still in training to carry out a scorched earth attack."
Admiral Errez added, "I also agree that we go on the offensive. I suggest we send Riders from 3rd and 4th Fleet to launch a scorched earth attack on Castle Lagra. I hope it will raise our men morale, who currently is being stuck Levsait and Raisait."
Grand Commander Keraz nodded in satisfaction. "Then, we'd better start issuing the orders right away."
---
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Guise Sea, 20 km from the remains of 2nd fleet.
06:40, 2 Sept 2025
When the invasion of Sandhur Region was launched, the 3rd and 4th Fleet were tasked to ambush Makai Navy’s element that was sent to assist Sandhur Region. However, until the third wave of landings, not a single Makai Navy’s element appeared on the route they guarded. Then, they received an order to replace 2nd Fleet.
Rear Admiral Wessek looked at the rubble scattered over the surface of the sea, while deep in his heart he wanted to know what kind of opponent that the 2nd Fleet faced and how hundreds of ships were being wiped out clean overnight.
He then took a deep breath before turning his head towards Brigadier Zaak who stood next to him. "Unlike 2nd Fleet that was specifically being prepared to support the invasion. The 3rd and 4th Fleet can only provide 200 Riders in total.
With that number, are you sure we can defeat our opponent in the air?"
Brigadier Zaak answered firmly, "Our opponents have night vision ability. So it's suicidal if we fight them after sunset. However, for air battle during the day, I'm sure our Riders will devour their aerial elements with ease.
And don't you find it strange, why did they stop hunting 2nd Fleet’s ships just before sunrise?"
Rear Admiral Wessek nodded slightly. "Twenty km before we join the remnants of 2nd Fleet. I'd better get back to the bridge, and you better get ready too."
Brigadier Zaak grinned from ear to ear. "Don't worry, all Riders from 71st Air Regiment are ready to scramble at any second."
---
Basement, below the Issel Family Mansion.
07:15, 2 Sept 2025
As soon as support elements arrived at Castle Lagra, they began to work immediately. The medical element went to treat the injured, and managed to save more than one thousand half-dead defenders. It was an achievement that Viscount Issel considered a miracle.
Viscount Issel also received a report on how TF Amethyst's personnel effectively and efficiently cremated the bodies that piled up like a small mountain around the castle walls, both the bodies of defenders and attackers. But the thing that impressed Viscount Issel the most was the way TF Amethyst raised the morale of the defenders, residents, and children in the castle by providing delicious warm food.
When the reinforcement from TF Amethyst arrived in Castle Lagra, there were about 16 thousand survivors, 80% of whom were children under the age of ten.nBut without difficulty, TF Amethyst's field kitchen provided hot food for everyone, and at exactly half-past six in the morning all resident in Castle Lagra were able to enjoy a super delicious meat and potato stew.
Personnel form TF Amethyst's field kitchen even specifically ensured that the stew they distributed to the children was not too hot, but was warm enough and could be eaten right away. The number of kitchen personnel who distributing potato stew to the children was also three times bigger than kitchen personnel in other place. Moreover, TF Amethyst put very tight security around the basement where the children take shelter.
When Viscount Issel saw the children in the basement happily wolfing down the warm potato stew, and for a moment they even forgot that they had lost their parents, his chest suddenly became tightened.
'Forgive me, for failing to protect this city and your family.'
Viscount Issel muttered silently as he looked at the joy on the faces of the thousands of children in front of him. At the same time, Baron Ossik entered the basement and approached Viscount Issel.
“Ser Viscount, Ser Luther requested your presence in Command Center. Two battle groups with five carrier ships each just entered Sandhur Region's waters, and then a hundred Riders took off and headed here at full speed."
Baron Ossik's message made Viscount Issel realize that the war with Kingdom of Buriek was not over. Killing intent in an instant flashed in Viscount Issel's eyes.
"Ser Luther has promised TF Amethyst will evacuate the children and civilians if this castle falls into Buriek Guard's hand. So, we should fight to the last drop of our blood if we have to."
"Understood."
Calmly but steadily Baron Ossik answered.
*****