TFA1 5.1 - Ambush
Lt. Colonel Slane's Office, Amethyst Marketing Office
07:51, 2 Jul 2025
Once the conflict with Northern Coalition ended, Lt. Colonel Slane moved Amethyst Merchant HQ to Castle Magwurt. As for the old HQ building, he converted it into marketing office. Every day, Lt. Colonel Slane spent most of his time in the marketing office. He went to Amethyst Merchant HQ only when he had to attend a meeting with Tuscan Region's higher-ups.
Once he sat down at his desk, Lt. Colonel Slane immediately wrote the report regarding Amethyst Merchant's latest progress. The essence of the report was:
The supply of agricultural commodities and livestock from Kandez Region was sufficient, so the supply from earth would be reduced. Of course, the development of farmland and livestock ranch in the valley below Herron Mountains would be continued to prevent food dependence from outside source.
The Amur Beer and Lada Whiskey factory in Magwurt City was also already in full operational. After final producing process, it would need two weeks before Amur Beer was ready to be consumed, while Lada Whiskey would need four years. Fortunately, the latest supply from earth would ensure Lada Whiskey was available for the next six years.
Production facilities for perry, cider, jam, syrup, candied fruit, jelly, meat sauce, along with packaging glass and cardboard would also be in full operation this month. Therefore, the production facilities on South America could be sold to local investor. Meanwhile, the finishing products could be sent to Amstell Continent.
The sugar factory would have to wait for first sugarcane harvest before its real capacity was known, but in general there was nothing to worry about.
The report also included the impression he caught while visiting Walluo City, along with intelligence regarding the close relation between Terrek Family who ruled Kandez Region and important noble families in Makai Royal City.
Lt. Colonel Slane suggested that for the time being the relations with Kandez Region should be limited on the level of economic cooperation, without entering into an alliance. At least until Kingdom of Makai's reaction to TF Amethyst’s presence could be ascertained.
After nodding his head three times Lt. Colonel Slane returned his focus to write the next part of the report, but Vex suddenly walked into the room and sat before him. Without delay, Lt. Colonel Slane turned his gaze to the sofa where Kim Dong-Ree, the chief of his security detail, was sitting and reading a fashion magazine.
After staring back at Lt. Colonel Slane, Kim Dong-Ree got up and walked out of the room with her team.
"I don't expect you to come here. I hope you don't bring me bad news."
"Of course not,” Vex casually replied. “I come to survey Herron Mountains and I happen to have a few questions I want to ask you."
"Well, don't hesitate."
Vex nodded and asked the first question, "Are you sure the energy needs for production facilities in Magwurt City can be fulfilled without the planned hydropower plant in Herron Mountain?"
Vex did not understand agriculture, livestock, or matter regarding food processing industry. However, he knew that the three states that became largest food producer in US of A were also the biggest energy users. So, he wanted to determine how urgent the energy needs for Magwurt City.
Lt. Colonel Slane calmly explained, "For now, each production facility in Magwurt City is only at home industry level. We will be fine even without a hydropower plant."
Seeing Lt. Colonel Slane answered confidently, Vex didn't ask further about the matter and chose to change the subject.
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"I bring some updates for you."
In a half-whisper, Vex then explained that Claire had succeeded in controlling 80% of Antarctic. She was ready to send exploration team and announce the discovery of new energy source. Nouel's first harvest along the South High Road was also quite successful, and in a few weeks the fuel for all of TF Amethyst's ground assets would be switched to Nouel biofuel.
Vex then closed the explanation while handing over a flashdisk. "This is the intel that Major Petrov obtained, about the economic situation, social, political, cultural, and trade in Kingdom of Makai, including trade agreements and price list for various commodities that you have asked for."
While smiling from ear to ear Lt. Colonel Slane grabbed the flashdisk. "Thank you, with this intel I can immediately carry out trade negotiations with the noble families.
And if it’s possible, can Major Petrov dig deeper into the relations between Terrek Family and noble families in Makai Royal City?"
Vex nodded slightly. "I will ask Major Petrov to prioritize your request."
---
Landei Gorge
12:40, 5 Jul 2025
Landei Gorge was located at northwestern tip of Berril Plain, extending for 7 km with the widest area reaching 3 km wide. The gorge, on which the surface was a dense forest, forms a barrier between Kandez Region on the south and Liqua Region on the north.
For decades, skirmishes between Kandez Region and Liqua Region took place in Landei Gorge. However, two years ago, to be precise after the skirmish which caused both parties lost more than a thousand lives, both sides finally signed a truce agreement.
In the ceasefire agreement, both sides agreed not to carry any activity in Landei Gorge and the border post must be built at least 1.5 km from the gorge’s outer boundary. It was also for this reason that Tuscan Guard built the border post 1.5 km from the gorge’s outer boundary.
By taking advantage of the authority vacuum in Landei Gorge, Lassac and his men managed to infiltrate the outer area between Berril Plain and Landei Gorge. Their mission was to kidnap Amethyst Merchant’s personnel.
Since seven days ago Lassac had been observing the activity on Berril Plain. Every day, Amethyst Merchant’s personnel would come to inspect the barley fields using iron carriage. They even came over close enough to Lassac’s position a few times.
However, Lassac didn't take action because of three iron carriages that came, only passengers on one iron carriage got off. Therefore, if the rider on other two iron carriages decided to interfere, Lassac was completely sure the kidnapping attempt would fail.
Every time he imagined that being hit by iron carriage which was super heavy but could run very fast would definitely be very painful, the hairs on his nape immediately stood upright to the end.
But today, luck finally smiled at Lassac and his men. There was only one iron carriage approaching his position, and all the passengers were getting off and moving away from the iron carriage. Also, of the seven passengers, five of them were women while the other two men looked very weak.
From their gestures and clothes, Lassac could tell that four of them were not locals, while the other three were residents of Tuscan Region.
"Now!!" Lassac firmly gave his men signal to act.
With steady steps Lassac and around 60 men ran toward their prey. They were only 40 meters apart, while the closest Tuscan guards were about 500 meters away. So, speed was the key to ensure the kidnapping attempt succeed.
"Stop and state your identities!"
While his comrades were running towards the iron carriage, one of Amethyst Merchant's personnel shouted and grabbed something from his waist. However, Lassac ignored the warning and sped up his pace.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A loud explosion was heard and several of his men collapsed to the ground, but Lassac kept running toward Amethyst Merchant's personnel.
Lassac already knew that Amethyst Merchant personnel had fire sticks that could kill from a distance. Therefore, for this mission he specifically chose the best runners and archers who were also ready to sacrifice their lives.
Without waiting for orders, the archers placed arrows into their bows and took aim. A moment later, Amethyst Merchant personnel who previously knocked their comrade down fell onto the ground with a body full of arrows.
One of Amethyst Merchant’s personnel who almost reached the iron carriage did not escape the rain of arrows either. He tumbled to the ground just as his hand about to open the iron carriage’s door, and the companions behind him immediately stopped their run.
In an instant, Lassac and his men arrived before the remaining Amethyst Merchant’s personnel who stood stunned as they raised their hands. When Lassac saw the horror in their gazes, he instantly grinned from ear to ear.
'Looks like Amethyst Merchant personnel aren't as terrifying as we think.'
Of course Lassac didn't forget his job. As in the distance a dozen of Tuscan guards running over to their position with all their might, Lassac blew out a whistle, and 40 Cloud Hawks suddenly shot out from the tree line at the edge of Landei Gorge.
Before long, Lassac and all of his men were already sat on the back of their Cloud Hawks, flying low over Landei Gorge with their prisoner.
*****
