FOC South 860

0810, 12 Feb 2025

The sentry personnel swiftly opened the portal, and a long convoy quickly flew past.

The convoy was carrying 480 TF Amethyst personnel from various groups in a vehicle consisting of:

42 units M1151 Ripper

72 units MTV of various variants

14 units M1152 Carrier Personnel

10 units M1152 Ambulance

8 units M1152 Cargo

6 units LAV Shorad

1 unit LAV Command

1 unit LAV Recovery

The road from FOC South 860 to Magwurt City had not yet been built. However, with flat, dry, and hard terrains conditions, the convoy was able to move without any difficulties.

Meanwhile, two officers observed the convoy leaving FOC South 860 from a watchtower.

"Captain, Southeast Triangle isn't finished yet and we're expanding outward, isn't that too hasty?"

Capt. Stark pondered for some time before answering Lt. Tig's question, "Rushing or not depends on your point of view. If this operation brings us allies, then we are getting a valuable foothold."

"With the technological advantages we have, why should we bother looking for allies?"

Capt. Stark didn't answer immediately, but tried to remember some intel regarding Amstell Continent.

In the Amstell Continent there were 89 regions categorized as the 3rd world Authority, and 2 Kingdom which were categorized as the 2nd world Authority, with a total age of compulsory military service of 235 million.

Even with the use of weapon mass destruction, killing more than 200 million people was not an easy feat. Not to mention the after effects that must be taken care of.

Captain Stark then took a deep breath before explaining, "It will take large resources to conquer Amstell Continent. Where the resources needed to build alliances with local authorities are much smaller.

That's why we should not create an impression of an aggressor that can unite the entire Amstell Continent. Just do what's your job and don't think about what the Bigwigs in Harley Quine should think."

"Understood."

Lt. Tig nodded slightly before looking at the convoy which was almost out of sight.

- - - - -

East Gate of Magwurt City

0925, 12 Feb 2025

Centurion Kallie looked to the east while occasionally yawning. For him, the task of guarding the city walls was very tedious. Given the city that must be guarded was a dying city and no one was interested in occupying it.

When he heard that someone was interested in renting farmland in the Tuscan Region, Centurion Kallie immediately concluded that these people must be mentally ill.

And this morning, he was notified that a large convoy would be coming from the east, and was asked not to show hostility. So Centurion Kallie was eagerly waiting. It was only natural because it had been a long time since Magwurt City had visitors.

However, slowly but surely the enthusiasm in Centurion Kallie's heart evaporated, because after three hours of waiting, he still had not seen the convoy he was waiting for.

"It looks like this day will pass like any other. A day looking at the little patches of grass between the arid fields, under the scorching sun."

Centurion Kallie muttered before preparing to yawn once more, but he was only half yawning when a cloud of dust appeared in the distance. He immediately grabbed the monocular at his waist, and not long after that he stuttered. More than a hundred big and small iron carriages were moving fast and full of intimidation even though no horse was towing them.

"Is this the convoy? But why is the iron carriage so similar to the carriage used in siege operations? Its speed is also like a lightning strike."

Centurion Kallie immediately hardened his heart and decided that the safety of the city was absolute. He could not hesitate or the approaching convoy would pass through the city gates in an instant.

"Ring the alarm bell!"

"... Sir?"

A question mark filled the faces of the Tuscan Guard member standing beside Centurion Kallie, but he didn't have much time to think.

"I said ring the alarm bell, right now!"

Centurion Kallie screamed while grabbing the collar of Tuscan Guard member who doubted his orders.

"Sir!"

The Tuscan Guard members immediately answered loudly, then ran as fast as possible towards the tower where the alarm bell was located.

Soon the alarm bells echoed through every corner of Magwurt City, followed by a frenzy that had never occurred in more than a decade.

- - - - -

East Gate of Magwurt City

1530, 12 Feb 2025

From the top of the city walls, Gen. Khartoum surveyed the giant encampment 200 meters in front of him, which a long convoy had just entered.

This morning he was about to have a heart attack when suddenly the alarm bells echoed through every corner of the city. However, after rushing to the city wall with thousands of Tuscan Guard members, he was told that the alarm bell was a misunderstanding.

Gen. Khartoum immediately became furious and punished the Centurion, who gave the order to sound the alarm bell.

However, after he saw for himself how intimidating the Amethyst Merchant's convoy was, Gen. Khartoum understood why the Centurion decided to sound the alarm bell. He then canceled the sentence imposed on the Centurion.

General Khartoum was also amazed that it only took Amethyst Merchant two hours to build a solid camp. After that, they rushed to the southeast side of the city where the land given by Viscount Rattel was located. Then built a temporary shelter, a medical tent, a public kitchen, public baths, clean water facilities, and various other facilities.

Also, since they arrived, their convoy has been back and forth carrying various loads, ranging from foodstuffs, medicine, tents, clothing, and other equipment.

To support his people, Viscount Rattel hired the Tuscan Guard as a mercenary, and Gen. Khartoum was the field commander whom the Viscount trusted the most.

As a general full of real experience, General Khartoum knew very well how large-scale military operations should be carried out. Therefore it was not difficult for him to see the military potential of Amethyst Merchant.

Massive mobilization capabilities, efficient and effective construction units and medical units, with technology levels far above Tuscan Region standards. Moreover, they came from the direction of Desolate Land which was full of Black Eagle and Gray Wolf.

The conclusions that came to General Khartoum's mind were, 'Tuscan Region will disappear from the map if it takes a hostile stance against Amethyst Merchant.'

Viscount Rattel had said that if Amethyst Merchant succeeded in growing Nouel or other foodstuffs in the Tuscan Region, then tax exemption would not be possible because once Kingdom of Makai found out, they would definitely impose taxes.

That's the reason why Viscount Rattell asked for payment in advance. So if in a later date Kingdom of Makai, which had been ignoring Tuscan Region for the last decade came knocking, Tuscan Region could calmly avert its face from Amethyst Merchant.

"Ser Viscount, it looks like you will have to change your plans."

Without delay, Gen. Khartoum descending from the city walls and rushing towards Magwurt Castle. There were many things that he had to discuss with his lord.

*****