Meanwhile, on the border of the Purple Nation and the True Horde, there were some isolated Blood Khaganate territories. The Purple Nation was secretly sending soldiers as mercenaries to support the Wanderers, seeing them as the perfect proxy to weaken Red Nation influence without direct confrontation.
Despite this, turmoil brewed within the Purple Nation, a melting pot of diverse populations from India, Pakistan, and China. Opinions about the Red Nation varied widely, but one soldier who had become a merc for the Wanderers was a legendary strategist.
In the heart of the desert, where harsh snowy winds met gritty sand, an unusual sight awaited the foreign mercenaries. A modest wooden sign creaked in the wind, proclaiming: "4 Star Hotel." The paint was faded, but it still clung to the wood—an.
Among the motley crew was a man with dark hair and striking purple eyes, dressed in a formal white shirt. He was Light, the wandering strategist, and beside him stood Boris, a bulky man with weary eyes, leading his ragtag crew of mercenaries, vagabonds, and outlaws, approached the shack with a sarcastic chuckle
“Well, this looks luxurious,” Boris remarked, his tone dripping with mockery as they reached the shack. The rest of the crew exchanged tired glances, their exhaustion evident.
Light eyed the dilapidated building with skepticism. “Are you sure this is a 4-star hotel?”
Boris shrugged and gestured toward the shack. “It’s got a pool. Compared to the tents we usually sleep in, this is luxury. So, yes, this is a 4-star hotel.”
Light raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “You don’t have higher standards?”
“Higher standards? You think you’re an emperor or something? Should we be staying in a king’s castle?” Boris shot back, irritation creeping into his voice.
Light chuckled, unbothered. “I’ve stayed in a king’s castle before, and it was pretty comfortable. But I’m fine with whatever as long as it’s safe and warm for sleeping.”
“Be grateful we have this,” Boris snapped. “It’s the best I can afford. Don’t be an ungrateful bastard.”
“Relax, Boris. I’ve seen worse. This isn’t so bad,” Light replied, trying to defuse the tension.
Eager to change the subject, Boris pointed to a map spread out on a nearby table. “Forget about the shack. You see this map? That’s the Tibet border.”
Light nodded, glancing at the map. “Yeah, I see it.”
Boris’s expression turned serious. “That’s our first target. We’re not just ambushing supply trucks this time; we’re wiping out the whole garrison. Our client wants that border cleared, so gear up.”
Light’s smirk returned. “Just clearing the border, huh? Sounds like a solid starting point. But are we up against any heavy hitters or just conscript soldiers?”
Boris leaned back, confidence radiating from him. “No worries. Reports say they’re just conscripts—barely trained. All they’ve got are standard-issue AKs, some SMGs, and a few anti-tank weapons. We’ve got better gear; this should be a cakewalk.”
Light’s expression shifted to cautious optimism. “If they don’t have heavy guns or artillery, they’re no real threat. But don’t underestimate them. They might not be trained, but they’ll fight like hell when cornered. So let’s not get careless.”
Boris nodded, acknowledging the concern. “True, they’ll fight when pressed. But we’ve got the numbers and the terrain on our side. The area is flat and open, perfect for us to use our range advantage. As long as the supplies come in, we should win with minimal casualties.”
“Any points of concern we should keep an eye on?” Light asked, his focus sharpening.
“Yeah, the general in charge of that area. He’s experienced and knows how to operate artillery like mortars and howitzers. He’s a threat, and we need to take him out quickly.”
Light’s interest piqued. “So the general is our primary target. I can handle that. Eliminate him, and the rest will crumble." He looked up, his gaze sharp. "But let's not underestimate his guard. Even untrained dogs can bite if cornered."
Boris waved dismissively. “Just regular security with basic combat training. But there are a lot of them, and their morale will be high, so we need to take them out fast. Otherwise, they could stall our advance and support their general.”
“Got it,” Light replied, nodding. “Anything else we should worry about?”
Boris shook his head, brimming with confidence. “Nope, that’s it. We have the upper hand. If we attack properly, it should be an easy win.”
Light turned to the troops, rallying them. “Alright, are we ready?”
The mercenaries rallied with determination, shouting in unison, “Yes!”
“Then let’s move out!” Light ordered, a smirk on his face.
As they raised their rifles, their battle cry echoed through the desert. They were primed for a swift, bloody assault.
Leading the charge, Light knew the key was to keep the enemy on the defensive, preventing them from regrouping. He signaled his troops to strike from the rear, sowing chaos and confusion.
The mercenaries executed his orders flawlessly, attacking with speed and precision from multiple angles. Some of the enemy, caught off guard, panicked and fled, while others struggled to regroup.
Light shouted commands, directing his troops to target the enemy’s regrouping points. He aimed to keep them in a state of panic and retreat. Keeping an eye on the general, he sought to isolate him from the battle.
Light’s troops pressed the attack, striking hard at the enemy’s attempts to regroup. The enemy, now in disarray, continued to retreat, while the general remained pinned in his defensive position.
Monitoring the general’s movements, Light signaled his troops to cover the enemy’s escape routes. He ordered his machine gun unit to provide suppressive fire on the general’s position, pinning him down.
The machine guns roared, preventing the general from escaping. With his options dwindling, the general faced a grim choice: fight to the death or surrender to Light’s mercy.
A glint of satisfaction flashed in Light’s eyes. Everything was going according to plan. But a nagging thought lingered in the back of his mind: "What about enemy reinforcements? Are they on their way, or do we have time to finish off the general first?"
The report was clear: no reinforcements were expected anytime soon. The government needed time to reassess the situation, which would take at least 12 hours. No reinforcements were coming.
Light nodded, determination solidifying. “So we have plenty of time to deal with the general first. Then why wait…” He signaled his troops to advance, keeping the general pinned under machine gun fire while ordering one unit to surround him.
The battle was far from over, but victory was within reach.He signaled his troops to advance further, keeping the general's position under machine gun fire while ordering one unit to surround the general.
The troops sprang into action, moving swiftly behind the general's position and surrounding him completely. The guy was trapped, no way out. His soldiers were losing steam fast, their morale crumbling under the weight of Light's relentless assault.
Light took a moment to survey the scene before giving one last signal to his troops. The general was boxed in, and it was time to finish this. “Let’s wrap it up,” he commanded, and his troops surged forward, ready to deliver the final blow.
In an explosive rush, they charged in, some tossing grenades while others opened fire. A few went in swinging machetes. Chaos erupted inside the general’s camp, but Light’s crew was too well-coordinated; they overwhelmed the enemy forces in no time. Now, the general was at the mercy of the Wanderers. The big question was: what would they do with him?
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Light strolled toward the general, a smirk creeping onto his face. The general’s eyes darted around at the mercenaries closing in on him, desperation etched across his features. Light stopped just a meter away and asked, “What do you want?” the general ask with voice rising. but deep down he wanna see a other day
Light’s smirk widened. “I’ve got one question for you,” he teased, knowing it would be painful to answer. “Will you surrender and accept defeat, or are you going to fight to the bitter end?”
“I’ll never surrender to you!” the general shot back defiantly, but before he could finish, two of Light’s men lunged forward, grabbing him and forcing him to kneel. They pressed their guns to his head—a clear threat.
Light watched with a grin as the general’s bravado crumbled. “You can still change your mind, you know. Surrender now, and I can guarantee you’ll walk away from this.”
“I won’t surrender,” the general spat, clinging desperately to his pride even as he knelt there, defeated.
Light chuckled, inching closer, his smirk unwavering. “You sure about that? Because if you don’t surrender, I promise you won’t survive this day.”
The general’s eyes widened, realizing the gravity of Light’s words. He understood that refusing to surrender meant certain death. Yet, even with that knowledge, he stood firm, choosing honor over his life.
Light leaned in, close enough to smell the general’s fear. “One last chance. Are you absolutely sure?”
The general met his gaze, his expression steely and resolute. No words came; he simply stared, defiance radiating from him.
Light couldn’t help but admire the guy’s spirit. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. You’d rather die than give in. That’s kinda impressive.” He stepped even closer, his grin growing. “But it’s also a little silly. This is the first time I’ve met a soldier who’d rather die than surrender. This day just got a lot more interesting…”
The general’s glare intensified, a mix of rage and contempt. He knew Light was toying with him, but he wouldn’t flinch. Staring down the barrel of Light’s gun, he dared him to pull the trigger.
Bored with the stare-down, Light finally stepped back, raising a hand. His troops mirrored him, guns trained on the general.
The general’s glare didn’t waver, now fueled by a burning hatred. He breathed heavily, his body trembling with barely contained fury. “I’m a soldier, loyal to my nation! I’ll die as a man, not as a coward! If you want my life, then by all means, take it! I’d rather face death than surrender to the likes of you!”
Light burst out laughing, a loud, genuine laugh that echoed through the room. “Oh, my. Such drama!” He wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. “You know, if this wasn’t a war, I’d offer you a part in my next play.”
Meanwhile, Boris circled the room. Despite his hardened exterior, he felt a growing unease. Was Light about to cross a line? Would he torture this poor bastard, or was this just another one of his sick jokes? His gaze landed on a document on the desk. Cassio. The general’s name. One of just two the last top generals of the crumbling Khaganate. while the rest is dead or captured on various front, Boris looked at Cassio, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes, hoping Light would just stop.
Light’s laughter subsided, but the smile remained, now with a distinctly unsettling edge. “Seriously, though. This is becoming quite the spectacle. How long can you keep this up, General? It’s almost… performance art.”
Suddenly, a soldier burst in, shouting, “Sir! Enemy reinforcements are coming! They have a Hind!”
Light’s smile instantly vanished. He lowered his hand, his voice sharp and commanding. “Everyone, take cover! Reinforcements! Hold the line!” He barked orders to his machine gun units, preparing for the attack.
His troops sprang into action, retreating to their defensive positions. The machine gun units got ready, spotting the enemy reinforcements approaching from the south—an Mi-24 Hind, tanks, and a transport aircraft. This was a serious force, and they were coming in hot.
Light frowned as he assessed the situation. “Oh damn… this is bad. But no worries, we can handle this. Everyone, hold your positions. We’ll meet their reinforcements with our machine gun units and minefields. It won’t be a stalemate here!”
His troops nodded, keeping their cool. They knew they could hold the line. Sure, the enemy reinforcements were big, but they were ready to defend. Following Light’s orders, they weren’t giving an inch.
As Light watched his units dig in, he began searching for weaknesses in the enemy’s defenses. “Maybe there’s a way we can turn this around…”
He noticed the enemy had weak air defenses—only one Hind covering their entire force. If his air unit could take that bird down, it would open up a huge opportunity for his troops.
“This is our chance! We need to exploit their weak air defense! Get my ace pilot on that Hind! And everyone, focus fire on it! If we take out their air support, we can push them back without worrying about getting bombed!”
The troops quickly responded, raising their weapons and zeroing in on the Hind. Light’s ace pilot sprang into action, using a modified glidder dodging enemy fire as he flew toward the target. The Hind tried to evade with some slick maneuvers, but Light’s ace stayed locked on and scored a hit.
Light couldn’t hide his excitement as he watched the Hind go down. “Yes! Finally, we took out their air support. Now we can breathe a little easier.” He turned to his troops, all fired up. “Now, take out that transport aircraft! We can’t let those reinforcements reach us! Call in artillery support to the front! We need to destroy them before they get close!”
His troops reacted instantly, opening fire on the transport aircraft. Even the machine gun units switched their targets. The artillery unit got the message, redirecting their fire and unleashing devastating explosions on the enemy reinforcements.
Light grinned at the chaos they had unleashed. “We’ve blown a massive hole in their formation! Now’s our chance to push them out!” He bellowed his command, “All troops, move forward! Drive the enemy back to our main line! Don’t give them a second to regroup! We’ll turn this front into a slaughterhouse!”
His troops sprang into action, charging toward the enemy reinforcements. Light kept the front line firing and advancing, but the enemy didn’t sit idle—they opened fire, and the battlefield erupted into a brutal bloodbath. Casualties piled up on both sides, and it was getting messy fast. Light just hoped his troops wouldn’t lose their cool.
Amidst the chaos, Light noticed his troops holding their ground. They kept their formation and returned fire, even as the enemy pushed back. It was a sign of a solid unit, but the cost was high. He could see the death toll rising, and he prayed his men wouldn’t break under pressure—that would just lead to more unnecessary losses.
Then he spotted it—a gap in the enemy line. The troops on either side of it weren’t well coordinated, too focused on their main defenses to notice. “That’s our ticket!” Light thought, excitement coursing through him.
Without wasting a moment, he shouted, “Infantry, push through that gap! Machine gun unit, cover their advance and keep firing at the main force! Break through and don’t stop until you reach their command center! Once you’re in, our machine gunners will focus on the main force, and our ace will keep air support. Artillery, you know what to do—create more gaps and cut off any reinforcements coming in!”
His troops roared in response, charging toward the gap with the machine gunners laying down cover fire. Light’s ace pilot kept watch, ready to take out any lingering enemy air support, while the artillery pounded the enemy’s rear line, cutting off reinforcements. Light’s troops surged forward, transforming the gap into a deadly trap for the enemy.
“This is it,” Light thought, adrenaline pumping. “One mistake could spell disaster. We’ve got to keep our heads and move with precision. If we play this right, we can wipe them out!”
Everyone was laser-focused, no one daring to mess up. The machine gunners unleashed hell on the enemy’s main line, making sure they couldn’t even peek out to return fire. Light’s ace pilot scanned the skies, taking down any enemy aircraft trying to make a move.
Then it happened—the enemy started to retreat. Some soldiers dropped their weapons and ran, while only a few stubborn ones hung on. Light’s troops kept the pressure on, pushing the main force back toward their rear line. The machine gunners turned their fire on the incoming reinforcements, keeping them pinned down. The ace pilot maintained air superiority, swiftly taking out any approaching aircraft. The enemy was cut off and isolated.
Light watched as his troops advanced, the machine gunners hammering the enemy’s position. The advantage was theirs. “No room for mistakes now. I’ve got to keep everyone sharp. We can’t let the enemy exploit any openings. If we keep this up, we’ll deal them a crushing blow. This is our moment to finish this fight!”
The air crackled with tension. Every soldier knew exactly what they had to do, The soldiers with the rapid-fire guns kept the enemy pinned down, making it impossible for them to show themselves. Light's ace kept the skies clear, destroying any planes that came near
As the enemy continued to crumble, more and more soldiers threw down their weapons and fled. Only the most stubborn kept fighting. Light’s troops pressed on, driving the main force back, while the machine gunners focused on the incoming reinforcements. It was a symphony of gunfire and chaos as they isolated their foes.
aftermath of battlefield, it was chaos. Bodies of enemy soldiers littered the ground, wrecked tanks smoldered in the fading light, and smoke hung thick in the air. The scene was a complete disaster, but their enemy was decimated.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the remaining merc started looting the dead, finishing off the wounded like it was some twisted game. They waved their weapons in the air, firing randomly and celebrating their little victory, wasting ammo like it was nothing.
Boris stood next to Light, surveying the wreckage. “The Khaganate is no more. They’ve been defeated on every front,” he said, his voice steady.
Light nodded, his eyes locked on the sunset, lost in thought.
One week later, Alam was determined to reach the new general who had led the Wanderer mercenaries to victory in Tibet. His name was Light, a rising star in the world of warlords, and Alam had a campaign of his own brewing.
“Alright, I hear you led a successful campaign in Tibet without reinforcements,” Alam began, trying to sound as casual as possible.
“Mhm,” Light replied, a sly smile creeping across his face. “Without too many casualties among my troops. Feels good to win like this.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Alam waved his hand dismissively. “Anyway, I need your expert advice on my campaign to conquer the Xian Empire. I need your insight.”
“Sure thing! Lay it on me. What are we working with here? Your army? The enemy’s? Their positions? Resources?” Light leaned back, clearly intrigued.
Alam took a deep breath. “Okay, my army has besieged the capital. They seem blissfully unaware of my actual numbers. Right now, I’ve got 100 veteran infantry, 10 IFVs, and 1 Hind. Meanwhile, Xian has over a thousand troops and anti-aircraft defenses. They’ve got two strong points: Xian City and Xianyang City, separated by a river.”
“Oof, sounds rough,” Light remarked, raising an eyebrow. “You’re outnumbered and outgunned. They’ve got heavy weaponry and two easily defensible cities. And a river? That’s just unfair! But hey, what’s your plan?”
Alam straightened up, his determination shining through. “Well, I’ve ordered a dam to be built. I’m planning to flood them out and force them to rethink their defenses. My first target is Xianyang to the north. The dam is already under construction, and I’m speeding things up by working with the locals for tools and manpower. I’m raiding their resources too. The plan is to make Xian City unable to attack while I focus on Xianyang. I’m going to destroy the bridge between them to cut off reinforcements. My raiding party is already hitting Xianyang now.”
Light nodded appreciatively. “Hmm, good plan, but watch out for a counterattack from the south. Be ready to move your troops to intercept. And about your raiding party? If they get trapped, they’re toast.”
“I’ve got that covered,” Alam replied confidently. “I built decoy IFVs and a decoy Hind to take the first hits near the dam. My raiders are seasoned guerrilla fighters; they’ll attack at random intervals to keep the enemy guessing.”
“Smart! If you pull this off, Xianyang will fall like ripe fruit,” Light said, leaning back further. “Just remember, don’t underestimate the enemy.”
Alam sighed heavily. “The dam’s construction is taking six months... How do I keep my true numbers hidden?”
Light shrugged. “Why keep it a secret? They already underestimate you. If they feared you, they would’ve countered on day one.”
“Exactly!” Alam replied, frustration creeping into his voice. “If they thought I was a real threat, they’d have attacked. They’re still scared of me, I think.”
“I get it,” Light said, nodding. “But if it were me, I’d want to finish them off quickly. Sieges are a drag. And don’t forget—destroy their crops! Starve them out and cut their supply lines.”
Light grinned. “Just my two cents. Your plan is solid; just watch the execution and timing.”
“Classic advice,” Alam said with a hint of sarcasm. “But I want to be a liberator, not a conqueror. If I wanted to wipe out Xian, I’d just carpet bombing them”
“Really? You want their trust? That’s ambitious!” Light chuckled. “Just remember, the faster you win without bloodshed, the better your reputation. And for the love of all that’s holy, don’t get addicted to victory like I did. You’ll regret it!”
“Right,” Alam replied, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “I’m actually thinking of some propaganda. The nearby settlements are sympathetic to my cause—they trade with us and even provide manpower. Maybe a coup?”
“Now we’re talking!” Light said, his eyes lighting up. “Make a deal with the local merchant union. If they’re on your side, you won’t even need propaganda—they’ll do the heavy lifting for you. And about that coup… anyone got a grudge against the emperor?”
“Maybe,” Alam said, scratching his chin. “The Xian Empire has a mediocre reputation, but there’s someone even more hated nearby. Luckily, my forces are the most respected.”
“Perfect! If you can get support from someone more hated than the emperor, you’re golden. Just remember, keep it clean—manipulate the political scene instead of going full Rambo. Less blood, more community support,” Light advised.
“Uh, I’ve never staged a coup before. What do you suggest?” Alam asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
“Win over the richest, most influential merchant. Get their favor, and you can sway the others. Use favors, gifts, or even a little blackmail. Whatever works! They’ll spread the word that the emperor’s a tyrant and you’re the fair alternative,” Light said, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Alam frowned, considering the implications. He’d used similar tactics against the Khaganate and the Flying Dragon, but those were smaller, more contained operations. Spreading rumors across a vast, populated territory like the Xian Empire felt… different. More toxic.
“Spreading rumors sounds shady, but it’s better than bombs or poison gas. I’ll save that plan for later,” Alam replied,
“Exactly! If you want a quick win, propaganda is your best friend. Prove to the people the emperor is a tyrant who doesn’t care about their welfare. Show them you’re the fair and just alternative.” Light leaned forward, his enthusiasm growing. “If you do it right, the people will believe every word you say. Just remember, be charming!”