Under the gentle dusk sun, Sandhur Region's refugees lined up in front of FOC South 1750 main gates. Captain Rasser and his men were in the back row in handcuffs, while the rest were at the front.

Lady Erien turned to Erlin, her six years old little sister, and she couldn't help but sigh deeply. In the end, she couldn't bear to tell her sister and the other children about what had really happened.

So, it's natural that Erlin was currently looking at the situation around her with innocent and curious eyes. While in her hand, she was tightly holding a chocolate bar that one of the FOC South 1750 personnel gave her.

Erlin and the other children loved the chocolate bar so much. So they enjoyed it in small pieces and stored the rest very carefully.

'I don't care what they will do to me, but at least let these children pass away in peace,' Lady Erien muttered expectantly.

At the same time, Brigadier Flek carried out an examination while frowning. He had not expected, the compound's highest leader would just give him the refugees to avoid conflict.

Of course, he didn't plan to give up his prey. The vast Nouel Farmland behind the compound gave him a thousand reasons to strengthen his resolve.

"Ser Vex, don't mess around. There are over 200 refugees from Region Sandhur."

Vex casually answered, "Well, maybe they got lost on the way. Because only 89 men, women, teenagers, and children arrived at this outpost."

"Ser Vex, I demand the handover of this compound to ensure that none of the refugees are hidden within."

"Sorry, I have to refuse, but your men can check every corner inside this outpost."

In a tone full of intimidation Brigadier Flek said, "Can't you see that 1600 elite cavalrymen are ready to level this compound?"

"Yes, I can see it very clearly. But I still can't hand over this outpost."

Brigadier Flek instantly tilted his head while looking at Vex. 'Am I talking to an idiot?'

But in the end, Brigadier Flek sighs silently after he realized that his attention had just been distracted by an unimportant question. He had just got a pretext to raid the prey he was aiming for. So he had to take action immediately.

"Ser Vex, I offered a path of peace but you refused, so don't blame me for the consequences."

Vex sighs deeply. "Can't you just take the refugees and go peacefully?"

Brigadier Flek didn't answer. He looked at Vex and Sandhur Region's refugees for a moment before turning around.

While Brigadier Flek spurred his horse towards Brigade Robber's battle formation, Vex grabbed his radio and pressed the PTT button.

"XO, to all units under Davy Jones's command center, Operation Crystal is a go."

[. . .]

"I say again, Operation Crystal is a go."

[Roger.]

[Roger.]

[Roger.

. . . .

After launching Operation Crystal, Vex asked Lieutenant Hess to remove handcuffs on Captain Rasser and his men. Then, he approached Lady Erien.

"Milady, I'm sorry for the inconvenience you have to go through. We have to make sure that Buriek Guard is targeting this outpost before we can take a stand."

Lady Erien nodded as she organized her thoughts. At the same time, long whistles were heard one after another.

---

Brigadier Flek was only halfway through the journey, when explosions suddenly rained down on Brigade Robber's battle formation. Starting from the footbow element which was already combat-ready, followed by the wing element in charge of guarding it.

Without wasting time, Brigadier Flek spurred his horse out of the killing zone. He then activated his crystal communication, and with a trembling voice sent a distress signal.

"Brigadier Flek to Buriek's combat air patrol, Brigade Robber elements were cornered by enemy attack. We need immediate air support to protect the retreat."

[Brigadier Flek, this is Captain Zavir from 41st Squadron, where is your location and who are your opponents?]

"We are 1.5 km to the west of the foreigner compound. They are protecting the fugitives from Sandhur Region and opening an attack while the negotiations are still going on."

[I'm sorry Brigadier Flek, we cannot enter airspace around the foreigner compound without authorization from command center.]

"Bastard! We have already lost more than 500 personnel. Without immediate air support, we will be wiped out in a minute."

[Captain Zavir, this is General Griek, 41st Squadron has been authorized to attack the foreigner compound, 42nd and 43rd Squadron will be flown from Levsait to reinforce you.]

[Understood General Griek, 41st Squadron is only 16 km away. We will arrive in an instant.]

"Thank you, Gen----"

BOOMMM!!

Brigadier Flek did not have time to finish his words. Without any warning, a salvo of 155 mm Howitzers hit his position fatally.

---

After receiving six salvos from 8 units 120 mm Mortars and 4 units 155 mm Howitzers, Brigade Robber battle formations were completely turned into a pile of shredded flesh, which burned and billowed smoke.

Luckily, Brigade Robber formation was at a distance of 1.5 km from FOC South 1750. Therefore, the children from Sandhur Region did not need to see the horror produced by modern artillery.

Instead, they looked at the calamity that befell on the Brigade Robber with amazement and admiration. On the other hand, other refugees could only see the scene with wide eyes and hanging mouths.

Vex patiently let Lady Erien calm her mind before speaking, “Lady Erien, we will be transferring you and other refugees to a military base 50 km east of this outpost.

Of course if Milady wishes to continue the journey, we will gladly provide airlift and escort."

Without wasting time Lady Erien knelt in front of Vex, and with a shaking voice she pleaded, "Esteemed Ser, please save Sandhur Region.

"We are ready to repay Esteemed Ser using Nouel and gold reserves in Lagra Castle."

Before Vex could reply, all refugees from Sandhur Region, including children, followed Lady Erien's action.

"""Esteemed Ser, please save Sandhur Region.""""

Vex wasn't used to seeing people begging and kneeling in front of him. So he quickly helped Lady Erien to her feet. "Air support to relieve pressure on Lagra Castle will depart in a few minutes.

While a larger support element will take off once Captain Rasser confirms some of our intel. Once the pressure on Lagra Castle loosens, we will launch a massive attack on Kingdom of Buriek to end the war as soon as possible."

Vex's explanation made Lady Erien and other refugees cry in joy while hugging each other.

At the same time, Captain Rasses' mind was stirred up. He wasn't a high-ranking officer who knew how the strategy was devised and executed, but he knew it's impossible to launch air support at night.

Besides, where did the casual man in front of him gain the confidence that he could loosen the pressure on Lagra Castle overnight. Moreover, he would launch a massive attack on Kingdom of Buriek to stop the war.

But in the end, Captain Rasses did not think further about the things that made his head dizzy. He then followed a military police officer to the command center.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Hess and the rest of the military police personnel help Lady Erien and other refugees to pack up.

*****