To ensure that the defenders at Lagra Castle did not have time to catch their breath, the 53rd Regiment was ordered to fly 15 minutes behind the 71st Regiment. Therefore, Brigadier Asai and the rest of the 53rd Regiment did not know how all the Riders from 71st Regiment were shot down.

At first, Brigadier Asai thought the defenders at Lagra Castle were setting off a bonfire to produce smoke that would interfere with the Riders' vision. Considering that the bonfire was so close to the castle walls and surrounded it.

However, Brigadier Asai's assumptions changed as soon as he inspected the bonfire in the distance with a telescope.

He could only stare in horror at the bodies of Rider and Cloud Hawk that were burning violently, and billowing thick black smoke that rose to the sky.

'There seems to be a barrier preventing the Riders from 71st Regiment flying directly to Lagra Castle, and while they were circling the castle looking for an entrance, they were brought down simultaneously.'

After a single glance, Brigadier Asai deduced what had happened to the Rider of 71st Regiment. Even so, he still had trouble imagining what weapons the defenders at Lagra Castle used to wipe out the entire 71st Regiment.

Moreover, the 53rd Regiment was only 15 minutes apart. While from the remains of burning Rider and Cloud Hawk, it seemed that they had been devoured by the flames for more than 10 minutes. This means that defenders at Lagra Castle only needed less than 10 minutes to take down 100 highly trained Riders.

Brigadier Asai's hairs instantly straightened up to the ends, and he immediately activated his communication crystal.

- - - - -

Overall, Buriek Air Corps had a strength of 1200 active Riders, 300 reserve Riders, and 500 Riders who were in their final year of training.

In the invasion of Sandhur Region, Buriek Air Corps deployed 400 active Riders. Of these numbers, 84 Riders died with their Cloud Hawk. The other 20 had to be withdrawn for medical treatment. While the remaining Riders were then wiped out to the last man.

Of the remaining 800 active Riders, 200 would be deployed to attack Lagra Castle. While another 400 would be assigned to secure domestic airspace.

So, the total power that Marshal Ducie could muster to attack the foreigner strongholds was 200 Active Riders, 300 Reserve Riders, and 500 Riders who were in their final year of training.

At exactly eight o'clock in the morning, the Rider Formation that was about to attack the foreigner stronghold took off and flew north at full speed.

In the leading position, with an expression that was difficult to describe, Marshal Ducie looked at Kingdom Buriek's residents who were cheering on the formation he led.

At first glance, the formation was full of awe and thrill for everyone who saw it. However, Marshal Ducie was fully aware that the battle he would face was the most difficult battle in his entire career as a Rider. Because this battle was full of unknown factors.

However, Marshal Ducie was a veteran full of death and life combat experience. So, once he crossed the northern coastline of Kingdom Buriek, restlessness in his heart faded away, and all that was left was the determination to win the battle.

In this attack, Marshal Ducie decided to use the simplest possible tactic. Considering there were a thousand Riders to coordinate.

In short, the Rider Formation was divided into four groups, where each group had a different area of ​​target and was supported by a different group of supply ships.

The group of supply ships had already departed and would take a position 50 km from the coastline of the area of target. That way, Riders could refill oil lamps in the shortest amount of time. Then, after performing three attack sorties all Riders would withdraw.

It didn't take long before Marshal Ducie saw the line of supply ships and escort ships protecting them. A smile instantly spread across Marshal Ducie's lips.

'They let the supply ship take a position so close to the shore, this could be a good sign for our offensive.'

Marshal Ducie was just about to deploy orders to split up the formations according to the target, when his communication crystal suddenly lit up. While frowning, Marshal Ducie opened communication.

"Marshal Ducie is here, come in."

[Ducie, Keraz speaking here, I just got a report from Brigadier Asai that 71st Regiment was wiped out to the last man in less than ten minutes.]

"Are you sure they got wiped out in less than ten minutes?"

[Yes, and therefore we have to make adjustments.]

Marshal Ducie knew very well that Grand Commander Keraz was a super calculating person. So he never doubted the judgment of his old friend.

In a steady tone Marshal Ducie answered, "Understood."

- - - - -

Operations Control Room, Davy Jones MOB

In the air defense doctrine adopted by most western countries, the defensive zone was divided into three layers. Point Defense with a radius of 20 km from the protected site. Area Defense with a radius of 20-300 km, and Long Range Defense with a radius of over 300 km.

TF Amethyst also held the same air defense doctrine, although so far only to the level of Area Defense.

As soon as Operation Crystal was launched, the Point Defense and Area Defense elements deployed around Davy Jones were immediately activated to their highest capacity.

The Point Defense elements consisted of M2HB Teams, Stinger Teams, M1151 Reapers, and LAV Shorads. While Area Defense elements only consisted of Tamir ADS networks.

For Area Defense, fighters also had to be deployed to reduce the number of opponents before they entered into Point Defense. Unfortunately, currently all Super Hornet and Poseidon in Davy Jones could not be flown because they were still undergoing total maintenance.

Meanwhile, the four Super Hornets and four P-8 Poseidons that came from Harley Quinn were almost finished being configured for the heavy airstrike to Makai Royal City. Therefore, Vex and Nate could only sigh in silence when the radar operator informed them that a large number of Riders had just taken off from Kingdom Buriek and were flying straight to the north.

Vex and Nate never expected that Kingdom Buriek would launch a counterattack in such a short time, without trying to find out how their elements in Sandhur Region were wiped out.

With a serious expression, Vex looked at the radar operator and asked, "Are you sure our radar detects 1000 Riders?"

The Radar Operator firmly answered, "Absolutely, Sir, there is even a possibility that their number is a little higher."

Vex nodded slightly before making calculations. A Tamir ADS launcher vehicle carries 16 ready-to-fire missiles, and currently Davy Jones and the surrounding area were protected by 24 launcher vehicles. So, for the first salvo a total of 384 missiles would be fired and it would take nine minutes to reload and fire the second salvo.

Taking into account the range of a Tamir missile which reaches 70 km and the speed of the Cloud Hawk which reaches 360 km/h, the Rider from Kingdom Buriek would arrive before the third salvo could be fired.

'Hopefully, the point defense elements can finish off the remaining Riders in the shortest possible time,' muttered Vex before turning to the radar operator. "How far are they?"

"80 km from the shoreline and approaching fast."

Without delay Vex turned to one of the communications officers. "Spread orders to all air defense elements, Weapons at Discretion."

"Understood, Weapons at Discretion to all air defense elements."

Without delay the communications officer spread out the orders. Vex and Nate were then anxiously awaiting the launch of Tamir ADS' first salvo.

However, just before the Leading Riders from Kingdom Buriek got into Tamir ADS range, the radar operator suddenly shouted, "Incoming Raiders lowered altitude and made a sharp turn. Repeat, the incoming target lowered altitude and made a sharp turn."

"Where are they headed?"

The radar operator scanned the radar display before speaking somewhat hesitantly, "They circled back to Kingdom Buriek."

Silence instantly enveloped every corner of the operations control room. Then the Radar Operator spoke once again, this time with a firm tone, "Sir, they indeed returned to Kingdom Buriek."

Vex nodded slightly before turning to the communications officer. "Cancel the Weapons at Discretion command, then fly four Reapers and perform a simultaneous four-way sweep."

"Sir."

Without delay the communications officer spread out the orders, while Vex and Nate stared at each other for a moment.

*****