TFA2 2.1 - Espionage and War Strategy

Apartment Block E3, South of Magwurt City.

05:30, 29 Sept 2025

As usual, even if he just worked from dusk until dawn, Markei still looked cheerful. Throughout the way to his home, he greeted everyone he knew.

Seven years ago, Markei left Magwurt City along with his wife and children. But somehow, there were a lot of people who still remembered him. And they sincerely showed condolences when he told them that his wife and children were killed by a group of Black Eagle on the way to Walluo City. With all their heart, they then helped him so he could adapt to Magwurt City's latest situation as soon as possible.

Moreover, even if Tuscan Guard rejected him when he tried to re-enlisted, Magwurt City's authorities still helped him to get a proper job. He was also found a little consolation when an old friend told him that Tuscan Guard didn't just reject him, but every single ex-members who tried to re-enlisted.

Soon, Makei arrived in the backyard of his apartment. He took his time to lightly talk with a group of elderly who went out to enjoy the fresh morning air. Then, he cheerfully continued the walk to his room on the third floor. Once he entered his room, he immediately locked the door.

Without turning on the lighting or opening the window first, Markei took out a crystal communicator from behind a tile under his bed. The crystal communicator could only send text messages, but it could reach up to 200 km. It was more than enough to reach the secret base at Walluo City.

Working at Green Bamboo enabled Markei to hear a lot of things. Some of it was just cheap gossips, but sometime he would get essential information. Given that people who visited the stall ranged from commoners to nobles, and many of them could not keep their lips tightly closed like Pavel or Vex.

It was not a rare occurrence that from a grunt or brag, Markei heard about the deployment or strength projection by Tuscan Guard and TF Amethyst. Moreover, yesterday he saw Vex and Pavel sat eating at one table. Whether it was intentional or not, Markei had to report it.

Every single day, there was a lot of info that Markei must send to his superior officer. It would take a while and it was also a boring job, but Markei did it cheerfully.

Then, once he had nothing to report and put the crystal communicator back into its secret nest, Markei would take out a small painting. As he looked at the painting of his wife and his two children, Markei's smile became thicker.

Markei and his family were one of the few who gained success and luck after leaving Magwurt City. Markei did not only manage to bring his wife and children to safely arrive at Makai Royal City. He also managed to get in into Makai Intelligence Service and became a field officer.

'Another two months before I can go back to you all,' Markei softly muttered.

After saving the painting of his wife and children, Markei then lied down in the bed and fell asleep a moment later.

---

Main Meeting Hall, Makai Intelligence Service Quarter, Makai Guard HQ

09:40, 2 Oct 2025

Two weeks ago, King Makai XXII gave his approval on retaliatory invasion to Kingdom of Buriek. The three princes who would execute it then started the groundwork, and organized the resource they received from Regions who became their supporter.

Diplomacy to neutral Regions was also being carried out in order to get additional personnel, logistics, and equipment. And a few days ago, three Battle Groups were formed.

Meanwhile, Makai Guard HQ took care of the intelligence needed for the retaliatory invasion. All intels from internal sources, the three princes’ source, and other sources, both new or old, were absorbed and organized by Makai Secret Service.

It was a tough job because most info providers had a tendency to twist the information they submitted for personal gain or a certain group's interest. But fortunately, Makai Secret Service had a lot of competent analysts along with solid internal networks. Therefore, many biases could be recognized and dropped from the Integrated Information System.

Also, Makai Secret Service actually had been observing Amethyst Merchant since a few months ago. Though, this was the first time every single piece of intelligence from various sources was organized as a whole by a small group of staff officers appointed directly by Grand Commander Migal.

With a proud but respectful attitude, Grand Commander Migal led King Makai XXII to a giant table where Amstell and Buriek Continent's maps were displayed. As the highest leader, King Makai XXII had the first opportunity to see the results of Makai Secret Service's hard work.

And once he focused his attention in the area around Desolate Land's entrance, King Makai XXII found some military bases called Harley Quinn, Woodpecker, Davy Jones, Bluefins, long and big roads called South High Road, and other information.

King Makai XXII then said, "Uncle Migal, you can start."

Wasting no time Grand Commander Migal explained, "We have confirmed that hundreds of thousands of military personnel in Sandhur Region are members of Buriek Guard.

Most likely, Sandhur Region will also refuse the request to be used as a forward base for our retaliatory invasion. Our analyst even believed that Sandhur Region would choose to side with Amethyst Merchant. So, our first step would be to take over Sandhur Region and eliminate every Buriek Guard's elements.”

King Makai XXII used his finger to sign Grand Commander Makai to pause his explanation, and then he said, "Before the attack, please send a message to Viscount Issel that I still expect his loyalty

But if he refused my benevolence, launch an indiscriminate massacre to Sandhur Region."

"Understood." Grand Commander Migal nodded before continuing his explanation, "To capture Sandhur Region, we will launch a pincer attack. Battle Group A will attack via Rivek and Sviek Region.

While Battle Group B will attack from the sea, in addition to beach landing, they will also launch a sea control operation to block reinforcements from Kingdom of Buriek.

As for Battle Group C, they will disrupt Buriek Guard's concentration by seizing outer islands 18 km west of Buriek mainland. These islands can provide fresh water, so it's suitable to be used as forward base for landing operations to Buriek mainland.

"I see. Then, how about Amethyst Merchant's military force? I hear that their name is TF Amethyst and they have godlike military might," King Makai XXII asked in a curious tone.

"Based on the intel from their conflict with Northern Coalition, we managed to understand the potential of fire stick, artillery, ground vehicle, and aerial strength of TF Amethyst.

It is indeed a godlike military might, but they have some fatal weakness. For example, they will not fire at civilian settlements or other non-military targets. Their personnel are also weak at close combat. So, we will exploit their weakness to bring the fight as close as possible."

"I see."

"Also, Duke Kalzar plans to attack Magwurt City. It would be a good tactic to disrupt TF Amethyst's concentration, but this humble servant rejected his proposal."

As Magwurt City was mentioned, King Makai XXII frowned. The King remembered reports about the defeat of Northern Coalition who then launched a black campaign and even tried to incite some nobles in Makai Royal City to attack Tuscan Region, where a foreign power with abundant knowledge and wealth set its base.

Foreign power named Amethyst Merchant did attract the attention of Makai Intelligence Service after their absolute victory over Northern Coalition. Especially, after they managed to restore the Nouel farmland in Tuscan Region. They even helped Tuscan Region paid the tax and tribute to Kingdom of Makai a little higher than their last tribute.

However, sometime later it was known that the tribute submitted by Tuscan Region was much smaller than the profits of factories that they established with Amethyst Merchants. Not to mention that in a few months some farmland in Tuscan Region would be able to produce Nouel again.

However, the thing that made King Makai XXII angry the most was that after Northern Coalition opened trade relations with Amethyst Merchants and got massive profits, they did not increase their tribute to Kingdom of Makai.

The Northern Coalition and Regions around the Desolate Land's entrance also did not report the Nouel's production that rose up to 35% after they applied a new planting technique provided by Amethyst Merchant, or the opening of new and super large Nouel Farmland in their territory.

After calming his anger King Makai XXII said, "Instead of attacking Magwurt City, why not target Northern Coalition and Regions around Desolate Land's entrance."

"Do Your Majesty want to open the fourth front?" Grand Commander Migal asked with a worried tone, because opening a fourth front would be too much of a burden for the three princes.

"No, we will secretly launch a disruption operation to Regions around Desolate Land's entrance. Send covert ops unit to act as a brigand of marauder and launched a massive erratic killing, looting, raping, and other thing that would destroyed the public order.

I believe this operation will not eat too much resource, but it is complicated enough to provide trouble for both targeted Regions and TF Amethyst."

"This humble servant understands," Grand Commander Migal firmly replied.

"Good."

King Makai XXII then nodded with satisfaction. Nouel was a primary export commodity to the 1st World Authority that produced a large income, so hiding it from Kingdom of Makai was a crime that was worthy of severe punishment.

King Makai XXII then said, "Uncle Migal, I handed over the supervising to you."

As he slightly bowed Grand Commander Migal firmly replied, "This humble servant will do his utmost for Your Majesty and The Kingdom."

*****