Amethyst Merchant HQ, Magwurt Castle.

Once Vex arrived, Lt. Col. Slane immediately explained the situation.

Weasel came from the tree line at the edge of Landei Gorge, wearing light gear and running as fast as possible towards four ADG personnel and three Amethyst Merchant workers.

They covered the 40-meter distance in an instant. Specialist Conrad from ADG tried to block the weasel but he was killed by a salvo of arrows. Specialist Hebert also died for the same reason while trying to get his Scorpion Evo that was left on the M1152.

Forty Riders then emerged from Landei Gorge and took away all the weasels including those killed or injured, along with Specialist Peggie, Specialist Amber, and three Amethyst Merchant workers who were all young women.

Vex took a deep breath before pointing to a location 20 km from Landei Gorge and interrupting Lt. Col. Slane's explanation.

"The radar on FOC South 860 cannot reach deep into Landei Gorge, but what about the Tamir launcher vehicle that is specifically placed to monitor Landei Gorge?"

Lt. Col. Slane changed the map on the display table to a picture of carts before explaining, "They passed Landei Gorge on foot, while Cloud Hawk was being put into a cart pulled by pack horses."

"They moved the Cloud Hawk on a cart?"

A large question mark suddenly appeared on Vex's forehead. Given that Cloud Hawk almost had to perch all the time. The giant bird could not stay on the ground for too long, let alone be placed in a cart that was pulled over an uneven track.

"STA personnel found remnants of an anesthetic mixed into Cloud Hawk's food."

Lt. Col. Slane took a deep breath before continuing, "Unfortunately, they found no other traces that could aid the pursuit."

After giving Vex time to digest his explanation, Lt. Col. Slane immediately added.

As dozens of Cloud Hawks fled through Landei Gorge, the Tamir ADS crew was ready to fire. Luckily, they heard Tuscan Guard at the location radioed the operations control center regarding the kidnapping that had just happened.

Meanwhile, the Radar Station at FOC South 860 managed to track down them. After exiting Landei Gorge, the Riders entered Liqua Region and continued moving west until they disappeared from the radar.

"Generally that's what happened, for the details IDG officers have compiled it while continuing to add updates." Lt. Col. Slane then turned towards Vex before asking, "What is our response?"

Vex firmly answered, "Full mobilization to the border. Meanwhile, IDG personnel stationed in the Northern Coalition are spreading rumors that we will use the incident on Berril Plain as a pretext to launch an invasion and annex their territory."

Lt. Col. Slane looked at Vex deeply before saying, "You want to use the Gunboat Diplomacy?"

"Yes, with Fort Cambia as the foothold. But how far we will go, we have to wait for General O'Neil's decision."

With full determination Viscount Rattel expressed his support, "Region Tuscan will gladly support every step that TF Amethyst takes."

And gratefully, Vex replied, "Thank you Ser Viscount, Tuscan Region's support means a lot to us."

- - - - -

Main Operations Control Room, Harley Quinn MOA.

As soon as he received a report of the incident on Berril Plain, General O'Neil immediately asked IDG to activate spies stationed in the Northern Coalition, and dispatched 6 units MQ-9 Reapers and 4 units P-8 Poseidon to carry out tracking. At the same time, the Special Operations Battalion and the Air Mobile Battalion were alerted together with supporting assets.

Without hesitation, General O'Neil considered the option of storming the Northern Coalition leader's residence. Given that in the report compiled by the IDG, there were indications that the Northern Coalition's higher-ups were behind the incident in the Berril Plains.

Weasels were capable of deploying 40 Riders, meaning they were supported by large resources. The arrows that killed the two ADG personnel all also hit vital points so it could be concluded that they were well trained.

Whereas their determination to cross the rugged terrain of Landei Gorge while carrying Cloud Hawk, looking for weak points on the perimeter, the patience to keep an eye on potential targets, then act at the right moment without hesitation, shows that the weasels were not ordinary criminals. What's more, there weren't many traces they left

It was very likely that the weasels were used to carry out high-risk illegal operations in enemy territory, and in Amstell Continent only the nobles were capable of forming and maintaining Black Ops units.

However, before the attack on the Northern Coalition leader's residence was discussed with TF Amethyst higher-ups, General O'Neil wanted to discuss it with Vex first.

And the second opinion he was waiting for, finally arrived when Lt. Col. Julius walked over to him and said, "Sir, XO is on the line one."

"Thank you, Lt. Col. Julius."

Without wasting time, General O'Neil immediately picked up the receiver in front of him and punched the number one.

"Vex, come in."

[Have you read the details of the report?]

"Yes."

[Then you must be aware that we don't have much hope. Apart from violating security protocols by visiting the red zone without escort, the captured personnel also did not carry radios so Poseidon could not carry out electronic tracking to estimate their location.]

General O'Neil was silent for a moment before he finally asked, "What do you think if we capture the Northern Coalition leaders, then dig up information from them, or propose a hostage exchange."

[I think we should use it as the last option. I mean, even if they are the culprit, there is a possibility they have already given orders to erase the tracks so they can carry out denial tactics if they are suspected.]

"Do you have any other suggestions?"

[We can launch Gunboat Diplomacy while giving an ultimatum. If the hostages don't come back alive then we will declare total war on whoever we suspect. That way the Northern Coalition leaders might choose to return the hostages while scapegoating someone they don't like.]

"I will immediately set the target for the Gunboat Diplomacy, but if in seven days we get nothing then we will capture the Northern Coalition leaders."

[What if the Northern Coalition wasn't behind this incident?]

"I'd rather kill the innocent than give up the opportunity to save our personnel."

[Understood, then I will send the list of units and assets needed. Vex over and out.]

After placing the receiver, General O'Neil then began writing a letter of condolence to be sent to the families of the two ADG Specialists who had died. Specialist Conrad left a father, mother, and younger sister. Meanwhile, Specialist Hebert left an ex-wife and two children.

However, up to twenty minutes later, General O'Neil still couldn't get any words.

'No matter how many times I write it, I'm still not used to it,' muttered General O'Neil before closing his eyes and sighing in silence.

- - - - -

Vila Hagel, a former agricultural area on the western tip of Liqua Region.

1615, 5 Jul 2025

Specialist Peggie and Specialist Amber were botanists who have never received military training. That's why, the shock they received from seeing two of their comrades get killed was quite large.

Flying on Cloud Hawk's back where there was only a small net to hold on was also a mental drain for them. Meanwhile, traveling by cart that was not equipped with a suspension system was draining their physical condition.

However, Lassac did not care about the condition of his captives. In fact, he enjoyed the scene where his two captives were half alive.

Lassac put two bowls of oatmeal on the table before speaking, "I want you to know that I am a patriot. It means that I am willing to die or do savage things for the sake of my homeland. So you better not irritate me.

What I want from you is a method to restore the Nouel's fields. Once you give it, we will free you. Tonight you can rest and tomorrow we will talk again."

Lassac was almost at the door to the room when Peggie got the courage to ask, "Where are our three colleagues?"

Peggie and Amber realized that they were locked up in a villa, and placed in a room that was quite spacious, neat, and clean. Unfortunately, they didn't know where their three comrades were stationed.

"You better worry about yourself and don't ask too many questions."

After Lassac left the room, Peggie immediately breathed a sigh of relief. At least for now she and Amber would not be subjected to rape or sexual harassment.

Peggie then turned to Amber before saying, "No matter what, we must stay alive as long as possible. So be strong."

"I will try."

Amber answered softly, but her willingness to answer was more than enough to calm Peggie's heart. They then forced themselves to eat the oatmeal before laying down on the bed.

- - - - -

Dungeon Detention, Villa Hagel.

1920, 5 Jul 2025

Lassac attentively studied the three Amethyst Merchant workers interrogations, which contained agricultural techniques, information about Amethyst Merchant officers, the economic condition of Tuscan Region, and the current capacity of the Tuscan Guard.

Although the three Amethyst Merchant workers cooperated immediately after seeing the torture instruments laid out in front of them, Lassac realized that the information he had obtained was not deep enough, considering that the source was only ordinary workers. But at least he managed to get an idea that Tuscan Region was growing rapidly in all fields.

'It is only a matter of time before Tuscan Region returns to being a Titan. When that happens it will be too late no matter what steps we take.'

After putting the document he had just studied into an envelope and sealing it, Lassac then handed it over to his assistant.

"Rhaver, send this document to Ser Baron as soon as possible."

Rhaver received the documents Lassac handed over before turning to the three Amethyst Merchant workers who were being raped by dozens of his men. Seeing the exhausted condition of the three female workers, it could easily be concluded that it was only a matter of time before their lives ended.

"How about them?"

"Do whatever you want, they're usele--"

Lassac stopped his words after he remembered that Peggie seemed to care deeply for her three companions.

"Leave them alone, we might need to use them later."

"Are you sure? Don't you see that almost all of our members are already riding them?"

"Then immediately order them to stop."

Hearing Lassac give orders in an icy tone, Rhaver immediately rushed over to his men who were drowning in an orgy.

Not long after that, cursing and grumbling were immediately heard, but no one dared to refute orders from Lassac, who was notorious for not hesitating to execute an insubordinate subordinate.

*****