The scouts -- one of which was Pim, though Zan was unsure of which exactly as both dressed the same -- rushed into the fray and decommissioned any stray golem caught in their path. Systematically, the scouts searched their point of entry. A few abandoned huts were all that remained. Zan had the uncanny state of seeing his Map-in-Miniature update in real time as Whiskey's Scouts searched; he saw buildings represented by basic shapes appear on his map. Experimenting, Zan attempted to imprint upon the map an "E" for 'empty.'

It kind of worked!

Sort of...

The "E" did appear but not for long. It would faintly hover inside the map's representation of the building. Then it would vanish. Maybe he would need to search the units himself? But Zan did not have the time. He needed to get into the conflict.

Following in the wake of Whiskey's Scouts, who left a sizable trail of dead behind them for 'only' being rogue-handed blades, Zan and Company eventually found their way through the series of lesser buildings which dotted the main villa's property. Zan did not pay much attention to these lesser buildings. They were either bombed out from enemy siege engines or they were dusty and empty of life.

The lesser buildings were not the priority.

Even the enemy avoided the lesser buildings. Everyone's focus was on the main villa. Which made it easy for Whiskey's Scouts to find. Beyond the entry point, which as Zan discovered, was a moment of opportunity on the enemy's part than a strategically needed entry point. Why? Zan asked himself. He saw the reason: the distance from the main villa and from their 'siege tower path' held far too many perilous twists to be effective for automotron troops. As evidenced by how the closer they got to the villa, the more the enemy presence intensified. Zan reasoned they likely secured the siege tower before many troops had been lifted into the villa.

Although the enemy presence did intensify the closer the group got to the villa-proper, it was nothing Zan's Company couldn't handle.

Between a couple of well-placed arrows, Jiehong smashing into walls with his axe and sword, and Zan unleashing the proper blade strokes and petty-magics, and the enemy groups fell before them. Zan did notice something about the enemy, however: the closer they got to the villa, which now reared itself before them, just ahead of them like a mountainous crag, Zan saw only red-and-gold plated golems.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Whoever is leading this assault force," Zan said. "Has the monopoly on golems. Look at all the specialty golems!"

Removing their blades from another slain group of golems -- the System letting Zan know of their statuses -- Jiehong and Whiskey nodded, agreeing with Zan. Whiskey said, "I see... it is rare for so many golems to be of the same make in a single area. What the rebels have discovered is differently painted golems act as different leaders for the enemy ranks. Not quite sure how it all works, but for so many 'leader golems' to be present here must mean that the invasion force is lacking the leader golems elsewhere. It might behoove our homeland to try and take out as many of these leader golems as we can here. It could help our countrymen in a small way later."

"I think that's taking things too literally, Whiskey," Jiehong replied. "Remember how many automotrons are in this invasion force? Remember how many were just at the construction site? Thousands, minimum, right? I doubt these golems are badly needed elsewhere. We make it a habit to destroy every golem we see regardless, though. So, yeah, we should destroy all the automotrons we see, but I wouldn't put any more stock in it helping our cause than it would already do to help our cause by defeating the invaders."

Whiskey shrugged. They did not argue on the point, which Zan was happy about. Allies did not need to fight. Not when an enemy was always around the corner, waiting for them at their best.

Wiping away more sweat with a rag, Zan told his friends to "move into formation."

The Scouts took point. Jiehong followed -- ready to destroy anything the scouts couldn't handle. Zan was just behind Jiehong. He was the intermediary everyman. He could fling an arrow, heal a wound, swing a sword. Behind Zan in their formation was Whiskey, who guarded their backs and who gave long-distance support. It was a basic formation. It was the only squad structure which came to his mind. Was it strategic? Was it the best use of their powers as Order warriors-in-training? Zan didn't know. He would only know by gaining experience, by throwing himself into battle after battle and earning that knowledge by his own two hands.

That or if he found a teacher.

Until either came to him -- knowledge or an instructor -- Zan was fine doing it the hard way.

"Okay. We ready? Lots more fighting up this way. We should be prepared," Zan said to his team.

Finding his team in agreement, Zan gave the order to advance.

Like whenever he went into battle, Zan hoped 'trouble' wouldn't find him. Like always, alas, trouble found him appealing, as once they bounded into the square overlooking the villa's entrance, Zan spotted a golem type he never before had seen.