Viscount Issel was pensively pondering the firestorm that had swept Buriek Guard elements in Lagra City, when three giant flying carriages landed in the main square of Lagra Castle. Surprisingly, Captain Rasser was in one of the flying carriages.

As soon as Captain Rasser met with Viscount Issel, he instantly prostrated until his forehead touched the ground.

"Ser Viscount, please punish this stupid servant for failing to guard your family."

Viscount Issel immediately took a deep breath. "Have they all left this world?"

"No, but apart from Lady Erien and Lady Erlien, this useless servant failed to guard the rest of your family."

Relief instantly flashed in Viscount Issel's eyes. This morning his two sons were killed while defending the castle walls. While from Region Rivek there was no news of his family.

When he heard Captain Rasser and Lady Erien send their greetings, he thought that only his fifth daughter had survived. But now, he heard that his youngest daughter also survived.

"Captain Rasser, I don't blame you. Get up and introduce our Guests."

"Sir!"

Captain Rasser swiftly got up and introduced the man beside him.

"Ser Viscount, this is Major Jansen from TF Amethyst. He came to convey TF Amethyst's intention to assist Sandhur Region."

Without delay, Major Jansen said, "Ser Viscount, TF Amethyst ready to deploy reinforcement. Once you give us permission, we will immediately set up a defensive network. Then paramedics and other support elements will follow.

If there is something you'd like to discuss in more detail before you can give your permission, I'd be happy to discuss it with you."

Viscount Issel had seen how TF Amethyst roasted Buriek Guard elements in Lagra City. So refusing their help was not wise. Moreover, they came with a friendly smile while Sandhur Region was not in a position to be picky about allies.

Without hesitation Viscount Issel replied, "Major Jansen, I welcome TF Amethyst."

Major Jansen instantly smiled, "Ser Viscount, you will not regret your decision."

The initial team brought by Major Jansen then moved towards the castle wall to prepare landing points.

- - - - -

Main Airfield, Davy Jones MOB

Smoothly, 25 units C-130J Super Hercules landed one by one. The Hercules brought 900 QRF personnel from Magwurt City, along with equipment, ammunition, and heavy weapons they needed.

As soon as Hercules' ramp door opened, QRF personnel immediately exited. Then guided by logistic and support personnel to sit neatly on the grass at the edge of the runway. While all QRF officers gathered in the nearby hangar to get a briefing.

Vex glanced at the 90 QRF officers for a moment before starting the briefing. "We have neutralized Buriek Riders throughout Sandhur Region's land and water.

However, Buriek Riders from their HQ are still a fatal threat to Lagra City. So the QRF element's main mission is to repel incoming Buriek Riders while we launch an airstrike on Buriek Royal City.

Not an easy task, because we don't have spare Tamir Batteries and LAV Shorad to move to Lagra City. You can only rely on Stinger, Ripper, and M2HB."

Vex gave the QRF officers time to digest his explanation before asking, "Any questions?"

Lieutenant Colonel Luther, who was the CO of QRF elements raised his hand. "What about ROE, Sir?"

"Feel free to shoot down anyone who enters Lagra City's airspace within a radius of 10 km."

"What about the air cover from ACG?"

"Eight Hornets and four Poseidons on standby at Davy Jones must be inspected and are scheduled to be available tomorrow at 1200. Meanwhile, Hornets and Poseidons from Harley Quinn will launch the airstrike on Buriek Royal City at 1000. So, from sunrise until noon, you won't get any air cover."

The whole hangar was silent before Vex finally said, "We have eight hours before sunrise. If there are no more questions, we better get into details."

""""Sir!""""

Without wasting time, details for the deployment began to be discussed.

Two hours later, all of the QRF officers walked out of the hangar. Some of them immediately led their units to board 24 CH-47J Chinooks, which engine was already running. While the rest joined their units on the grass, waiting for their turn to depart.

- - - - -

The first wave of QRF elements swiftly arrived in Lagra Castle. Then, following the guidance from the initial team, all Chinooks head straight to their designated dropping point in the castle walls.

Each Chinook carried 18 personnel, plus two packages that slung under its belly. With this formation, two Chinooks could carry a platoon of QRF along with equipment, ammunition, and heavy weapons.

Carefully, the pilot placed the two under-belly packages, then shifted Chinook's position a little so QRF personnel could fast rope to the castle wall.

Direct dropping in the castle wall may look simple, but in truth those were high-risk maneuvers that needed a high-skilled pilot and neat coordination with the initial team. In normal situations, whoever authorized the direct dropping would be sent straight to the military court.

Unfortunately, reality in the field sometimes dictated that extreme measures had to be taken.

QRF elements not only have to set up and organize defensive networks in limited time, but also in massive areas. While defenders at Lagra Castle were too exhausted to help, considering they were just fighting all day long.

So, standard protocol to drop personnel and equipment on secure helipads, then move them to designated areas had to be reconsidered.

After QRF personnel exit the Chinook. Pilot then immediately gained altitude before darting eastward. There were still hundreds of personnel and tons of equipment to move, so wasting time was not wise.

At the same time, QRF personnel in the castle wall began their work. Systematically, the defensive network was formed starting from the castle walls. Then moving inward to the multi-storey buildings around the castle, and the command center was set up in the Issel Family's mansion.

At 0500, the defensive network at Lagra Castle was successfully established without any accident. Paramedics and support elements then airlifted to Lagra Castle.

- - - - -

After receiving a report from Lt. Col. Luther, that Lagra Castle was ready to welcome any unwanted guest, Vex and Nate immediately breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed their mind for a moment.

Nate took a sip of his coffee before turning at Vex. "If Kingdom of Buriek chooses to fight to the last man, shall we kill them all?"

Vex casually answered, "We must not be half-hearted when fighting."

Nate tapped his fingers on the table before speaking. "When in CIA, I supervise some elimination operations directly. But only after I joined TF Amethyst I saw so many deaths occur in a matter of hours, and the aftertaste is so damn awful."

Vex nodded slightly before answering, "While undergoing Airborne Ranger training, one of my instructors said that the hardest part is not how to become efficient and effective. But how to accept the guilty conscience for every life we took.

As long as someone is not a sociopath, suffers Texas Tower Syndrome, or other mental disorders, sooner or later they will realize that taking human life is the most disgusting thing in the world, and there is no medicine for it.

The good news, maybe you will get used to it and be able to live your life normally. The bad news, when that happens, you have to start worrying about the health of your subconscious and see a psychologist."

Vex took a sip of his coffee before smiling and continuing, "Welcome to the Killer Club."

"Damn you Vex, this is no joke."

"I'm not joking."

Vex's answer made Nate gasp, and didn't know what to say for a very long time.

*****