Outer Wall of Lagra City

0130, 1 Sept 2025

The distance from the coastline to Lagra City was 120 km. Therefore Buriek's cavalry could reach Lagra City within 4 hours, then launch hit & run tactics to soften the defensive network around it.

However, General Griek chose to hold off the ground offensive to Lagra City. Of all the elements that landed in the first wave, he had only deployed four infantry divisions at a distance of 20 km from the Lagra City, plus four cavalry regiments to patrol the gap between the four divisions.

The remaining elements he sent straight to the north. Within eight hours after the capture of Railev Pass, the cavalry divisions had managed to establish a dynamic perimeter along the border with Region Sviek and Rivek.

Not far behind the cavalry divisions, infantry divisions march day and night. While elements of construction, elite infantries, and supplies were sent back and forth via air by riders from ground attack squadrons.

At the same time, Buriek Rider also launched heavy scorched earth attacks on Lagra City, air interdiction to Sviek and Rivek Guard which were approaching the Sandhur Region, as well as conducting hunter-killer patrols against opposing riders.

In just four days, Buriek Guards managed to complete the defensive line along the Sandhur Region's northern border. With Levsait and Raisait's terrains which were ideal for blocking ground attacks, plus the support of an adequate air cover, it was estimated that it would need a ratio of 1:16 to penetrate Buriek Guard's defensive line.

As soon as the border with Sviek and Rivek Region were secured, Buriek Guard elements of the second and third wave landings were ordered to attack Lagra City with full force.

General Griek looked at the map in front of him while smiling. "We pass the most fragile moment safely. So today we will have lunch in Lagra City and dinner inside Lagra Castle."

The staff and field officers around General Griek immediately laughed. Then one of them grinned from ear to ear and asked, "General, what about the loot?"

"Other than Nouel, food staples, and farmland, everything will be divided according to merit, not rank. You are free to do whatever you want with the captives, but make sure they are all executed and cremated when you finish."

""""Sir!""""

A moment later, right early in the mornings, 400 thousand Buriek Guard's personnel moved closer to Lagra City from various directions.

The attack was carried out without the support of riders, because it was estimated that the defenders in Lagra City wouldn't be able to provide significant resistance.

Moreover, during the last few days Buriek Rider had eliminated more than half of Lagra City's residents.

- - - - -

Since a few days ago, Sandhur Guard had withdrawn all sentry posts around Lagra City. Therefore, Buriek Guard could approach Lagra City's outer walls without encountering any opposition.

As soon as Buriek Guard leading elements were visible from the city walls, alarm bells immediately rang to every corner of Lagra City. Sandhur Guard personnel and Lagra City's residents in an instant took up their posts on the city wall.

However, the scorched earth attacks launched by Buriek Rider over the past few days had completely drained Lagra City's manpower and resources. So it's only natural that in a few breaths Buriek Guard's elements have managed to break through dozens of defensive points on the city walls.

Captain Taggar could only grit his teeth as Buriek Guard personnel brutally massacred women and elderly who were tasked with pouring hot oil. Captain Taggar also knew he was going to die soon, but he still hoped that some of the children tasked with throwing stones at the invaders could retreat from the city walls.

Previously, Sandhur Guard and Sandhur Rider failed to protect the children's parents or relatives. So he wanted to ease the regret in his heart a little.

"Sandhur Guard, listen to my orders! Protect children at the stone post so they can retreat to Lagra Castle."

No screams or answers were heard, but any Sandhur Guard personnel who were still able to fight immediately formed a combat formation according to Captain Taggar's instructions. Meanwhile, several others swiftly guided the surviving children down the city walls.

Of course, Buriek Guard personnel did not remain silent. They ambushed and indiscriminately killed the children who were trying to get down from the city walls. As a result, dozens of children managed to get off the city walls safely, but hundreds were killed in the process.

Captain Taggar also had to receive a fatal strike in his left waist to protect a child, but he had no regrets.

'I hope defenders at Lagra Castle can hold out until help from Sviek and Rivek Region arrives.'

Captain Taggar muttered before a spear pierced his heart, followed by a kick that sent him crashing to the bottom of the city walls, and joining the thousands of defender corpses.

Not long after that, Buriek Guards managed to take Lagra City's southern wall, and the city gates were opened wide immediately.

- - - - -

The morning sunlight entered Viscount Issel's study unhindered, but its warmth could not dispel the grief that enveloped his heart.

When Viscount Issel watched how Sandhur Riders fell from the sky above Lagra City like a rain, he instantly realized the difference in rider's skill was so great that Sandhur Riders couldn't put up a fight.

This means that Kingdom of Buriek had been preparing the invasion for a long time, and after Buriek Rider launched a massive scorched earth attack on Lagra City, the fall of the city was only a matter of time.

Moreover, on the fourth day after Kingdom of Buriek's landing, Sviek and Rivek Region stated that they would not send assistance and chose to strengthen their defense at the border. At the same time, Makai Guard responded to Viscount Issel's request for help by asking him to withdraw to Rivek Region.

Viscount Issel didn't mind if he had to lose Lagra City, what was on his mind was the process. Considering that currently there were more than 20 thousand refugees in Lagra Castle, and more than half of them were children under the age of ten.

'Region Sandhur is never late in paying tribute to Kingdom of Makai, but they are completely unreliable when disaster strikes this region.'

It was not difficult for Viscount Issel to conclude that Kingdom Makai refused to send reinforcement because they intended to use the early phase of the battle as a means of gathering intelligence, and they were fully aware that their decision was tantamount to sacrificing Sandhur Region.

Viscount Issel tapped his fingers on the table before asking his trusted butler, "Barrie, is it true that none of the defenders on the city walls managed to retreat to this castle?"

"Yes, it's true. Baron Ossik was on guard at the castle gates to make sure the doors were opened until the last second. However, until Buriek Guard lead elements arrived, not a single defender appeared."

'I hope they don't execute the kids who surrender.' Viscount Issel muttered before saying, "Send a surrender statement to Kingdom of Buriek. They didn't launch a scorched earth attack on this castle, surely out of hope for our surrender."

Butler Barrie instantly gasped. "Ser Viscount, if you declare surrender to Kingdom of Buriek, then Issel Family's members who have arrived in Rivek Region will be executed."

"I'm willing to trade the lives of my family for tens of thousands of lives in this castle, and make sure you beg them not to execute any captives."

Butler Barrie immediately let out a deep breath before giving a small bow.

"Understood, a declaration of surrender to Kingdom of Buriek will be immediately sent along with a plea that the captives not be executed."

*****