60 km to the west of Buriek Continent coastline,

2320, 27 Oct 2025

Under the darkness of the night, more than 4000 ships under Battle Group C’s command entered Buriek's waters. Unlike Battle Group B that focused their strength on destroyer squadron, Battle Group C focused their strength on Rider for both sea control and land attack. Therefore, even if the number of their ships was smaller than Battle Group B, Battle Group C still had power projection that could not be underestimated. In total, they had 90 thousand sailors, 300 thousand landing force, and 1500 Riders.

Also, while both Battle Group A and B had to wait until Count Issak gave Viscount Issel the last warning from King Makai XXII, Battle Group C could directly launched their offensive as their target was Kingdom of Buriek. Along the journey, Battle Group C did indeed not meet with Buriek Navy's element or their Rider, but they considered that they had already engaged.

Inside war strategy room on carrier ship Solera-01, Duke Velker and Prince Dellan carried out the last strategy meeting.

“Your Highness, the final say is yours, but I suggest we start our attack immediately."

Prince Dellan firmly nodded. From the beginning, he had wanted so that Battle Group C took the role as an offensive force, and not only as a distraction force. “Let’s launch it.”

“As you wish.” After grining for a moment, Duke Velker pointed his finger at three islands on the map on the table, “Renne, Ranna, and Ronno, these islands only 12 miles away from Buriek Continent.

The three islands were easy targets for massive landings because they have long and flat beaches, surrounded by deep water. These islands also have enough coconut trees to support construction, along with fresh water reservoirs.

We will use these three as a stepping stone for offensive on Buriek Continent, so we have to captured it before sunrise."

"How strong is the defender on these three islands?"

"We know nothing about it."

In an instant, a big question mark appeared on Prince Dellan's forehead."Not even the rough estimations?"

“Unfortunately, yes." After taking a deep breath, Duke Velker continued, "This afternoon we sent a squadron of Rider as probing attack, but the opposing side didn't answer our challenge.

Our Riders Also didn't see any activity on these islands."

“Maybe they employ an underground defensive line."

“Most likely, therefore we will flood these three islands with landing troops in a lightning manner.”

“I see.”

Basically, Prince Dellan knew nothing about sea warfare or beach landing operations. Therefore, he could only trust Duke Velker to carry out the first phase of the offensive. He would only lead the offensive personally when the landing on the Buriek Continent was achieved and the land warfare began.

---

While Battle Group C's main formations anchored 36 km to the west of the targeted islands, more than 500 transport ships continued sailing forward, escorted by a combination of 300 corvettes, frigates, and destroyers.

The convoy of transport ships with ease approached Renne, Ranna, and Ronno Island up to a hundreds meters from the beach. Without delay, landing boat along with landing troops were deployed into waters and the attempt to secure a beachhead began afterward. The first wave consisted of 100 landing boats for each targeted island, and each landing boat carried 36 seasoned landing troops.

From one of the landing boats, Brigadier Kollak observed Renne Island's beach using his sharp eyes, and anxiety enveloped his heart as he did not see a glimpse of light, silhouette, or movement. "Damn, this is too quiet."

“Yeah,” Captain Rasak who knelt next to Brigadier Kollak calmly replied. “I believe they had already detected our presence and movement, and we already entered both footbow and longbow range. If up to this moment they didn’t welcome us, then they must be up for some nasty surprise.”

“I hate to admit it, but your prediction always spots on.”

After a deep sigh, Captain Rasak said, “Actually, I do hope I wrong this time. Considering that our opponent has insane fire power.”

“So do I.” Brigadier Kollak then turned his eyes toward a pile of neatly sandbag wall in each side of the landing boat. "I hope this thing work as we expected."

Each Battle Group developed their own way to counter TF Amethyst’s assault rifle, and Battle Group C chose to use sandbag. Once the landing boats toached the sand, 61st Landing Brigade’s personnel immediately jump out of the boat, then build a sandbag walls for a cover. They already did it a hundred times on their training, so they could swiftly build the sandbag walls in a matter of minutes.

Then, as the landing boats returned to the transport ship to pick up the second wave of landing troops, 61st Landing Brigade's personnel laid behind the sandbag walls silently. Behind one of the sandbag walls, Brigadier Kollak said to Captain Rasak, “Well, we manage to safely land without fire support. So, I guess they will not launch the salvo unless we ask it.”

“It seems so.”

“Then, let’s ask it.”

“At once.” Wasting no time, Captain Rasak reached out for his crystal communicator. “61st Brigade to Landing-Command, do you copy?”

[61st, we heard you, go ahead.]

“Requesting for fire support, target is first objective.”

[Do you meet any resistance?]

“Negative, we reach the beach safely, but we will very appreciate it if destroyer skuadrons lend their hand to softened the opposing side’s defensive line.”

[Hold the line, we need to request direct permission from High-Command to launch a salvo in this circumstance.]

“Understood.”

The 61st Landing Brigade then patiently and vigilantly waiting behind the sandbag walls, but they didn’t need to wait for long. Five minutes after the request for fire support, footbowmen on every corvette and frigate in the vicinity launched a salvo of fire arrows. The flight of fire arrows made a high arc above 61st Landing Brigade's position before accurately rained down the targeted fishermen village. A moment later, each destroyer launched a salvo of fire trebuchet.

The salvo of fire support was launched for 30 minutes in a well cordinated manner. As the result, the targeted fishermen village became a flat blackened field. With ease, 61st Landing Brigade seized it, then conducted a wide spread search and destroy to every corner of Renne Island.

---

Emergency Docking, Renne Island.

1500, 28 Oct 2025

Turned out, the three targeted island were empty. It seemed that Buriek Navy had evacuated the fishermen and their family around 2-3 days ago. In summary, Battle Group C won their first victory almost for free. In a matter of hours, hundred thousands of landing troops and their logistic landed on Renne, Ranna, and Ronno then. After that, various of construction were began.

Once the first docking port in Renne was completed, General Hetraz immediately went over there. He and his staff casually came out from the side door of a destroyer and stepped in to the wooden dock, while Brigadier Kollak respectfully welcomeed him.

“General, Sir, your command post is ready.”

“Good,” General Hetraz calmly replied.

“Regarding the request for fire support in the last night landing, I will fully take the responbility.”

“Well, we really wasted a huge amount of ammunition last night. But fortunately, High-Command didn't want to issue a punishment in order to maintain troop's morale."

“General, this servant will never forget this kindness.”

General Hetraz nodded and then said, “Other than barracks, Cloud Hawk’s pen, and logistic storage, we will also build a healing camp for the slaves, on each island.”

“Healing camp and not isolation camp?”

“You heard me, Brigadier. Don't make me repeat my words.”

"Yes, General."

While following behind General Hetraz, a big question mark appeared on Brigadier Kollak's forehead. Two days after the departure of Battle Group C, a deadly infectious disease arose among the slaves.

Out of fifteen thousand slave workers, only half of them survive. As for the slave women and slave children only a little over 2000 survive the disease, or around 5% from their initial numbers. The deadly disease also took the life of 1255 sailors and landing troops.

Fortunately, the healers were able to stop the spreading of this deadly disease. The High-Command then decided that after the landing they would isolate the slaves and worked them separately until they met their end.

“General, may this lowly servant know the reason behind the healing camp’s construction?”

General Hetraz calmly explained, “At 10 this morning, both Battle Group A and B launch their first offensive. In mere a few hours, they got beaten back badly. Each Battle Group lost around 40-60 thousand combatants, or maybe more.”

“That’s a nasty result for a few hours of versus contact.”

“Yeah,” After silence for a moment, General Hetraz continued, “After that, Battle Group B launch their second landing attempt. This time, they also employed human shield tactic and turned out it’s working out very well.”

“The human shield tactic is actually effective?”

“Yes, Battle Group B managed to secure a beachhead without suffered any lost. They even secured a giant military camp in a perfect condition, without versus contact.”

“What a jackpot.”

"Yeah." General Hetraz nodded in agreement. “Therefore, we will try to heal our slaves, while a new batch will come in 10-12 days.”

“Understood, General. This lowly servant will make sure the process to heal our slaves run smoothly.”

“Good.”

Wasting no time, Brigadier Kollak then led General Hetraz and his staff to their command post.

*****