"Darn it!"Darrow, the Captain General who had commanded the Southern Military Command for over a decade, slammed his cup down on the table, the sharp crack echoing in the room.Having held such a high position for years, he dealt regularly with major officials and foreign generals, and he understood the world's power dynamics perhaps better than anyone. The Sahar Wastes region was chaotic, yes, but even at its worst, it was utterly implausible that a fully-equipped, heavily-armed military force would suddenly decide to surround and eliminate a squad of the Southern Wyvern Blade.The mission Torre and his team were on was no different from their usual assignments-in fact, its difficulty was lower than most. Yet, it had somehow attracted the attention of a massive armed force. That was a serious violation of the established order.Furthermore, his latest intelligence indicated that while Torre's team was trapped by a large enemy force with modern weaponry in a border town near Ivoria, the enemy wasn't pressing the attack. They seemed to be waiting for something.At this moment, Leander, who was also somewhere within the Sahar Wastes, was the only logical answer.His eyes narrowed. He immediately instructed Larry to use the satellite phone to contact Zara and Liana, ordering them to warn Leander not to move rashly.Barely ten minutes later, he received Larry's report and erupted in fury."What? General Ashcroft has already left?"His expression froze, turning utterly grim."It seems they genuinely intend to target General Ashcroft!"Yet, no matter how frustrated or unwilling he was, he was powerless. The Sahar Wastes were too far away. Even as Astria's Captain General, his reach could not extend there. All he could do was silently pray that his grim suspicions were entirely wrong....On the Ivoria border in the Sahar Wastes lay a small town, abandoned for over six months.Inside a dilapidated stone building, a physically powerful man carefully pressed against the wall. He had just used a stone to smash a reconnaissance drone flying overhead. This was Torre, the captain of the Southern Wyvern Blade. His body bore several minor wounds, caused by shrapnel and flying debris.He moved cautiously along the wall, creeping toward the town's periphery, finally reaching the outer barrier. He glanced sideways and saw, arrayed just outside the town, lines of armored vehicles, including numerous heavy tanks mounting large cannons. Hordes of armed personnel, gripping rifles and rocket launchers, stood in formation, their cold eyes glinting with lethal intent. They were clearly disciplined, battle-hardened soldiers.Torre had barely exposed his head for that quick look when one soldier instantly locked onto his position. The soldier snatched up a shoulder-fired rocket launcher and launched it directly at the wall where Torre was concealed.The fierce friction between the rocket and the air screamed through the sky. Torre saw a dark shape hurtling toward him. With no time to think, he dove to the side, leaping behind another section of the wall. The spot he had been hiding behind was demolished, vaporized by the rocket's impact."D*mn it!"Torre's ears were ringing. He dared not stay put. Gritting his teeth, he sprang up again and rushed deeper into the town, unwilling to risk getting close to the perimeter again."Target has retreated inside. Should we pursue?"Beside an armored vehicle, a soldier holding a machine gun reported to a middle- aged man who looked like the commander."No need to pursue. Let him run."The commander, wearing a military green overcoat, leaned against the armored vehicle and lit a cigar. He tipped his head slightly, a cold light flickering in his eyes."The people hiding in that town are merely small fry. Our orders are only to seal this town off and ensure no one escapes. Our true target is not them."This town is completely surrounded by three thousands of our men, sixty armored vehicles, thirty-five heavy tanks, and twenty rocket-equipped armored vehicles. Even if the people inside were powerful, they couldn't break out."The main quarry hasn't arrived yet. Until then, all we need is patience."The surrounding soldiers nodded in unison."Yes, sir!"...Inside the town, Torre moved like the wind, darting through the ruined houses, finally reaching a guest house that was remarkably well-preserved.He vaulted the perimeter wall and rushed inside. Nine people were huddled together, and upon hearing the commotion, they all tensed u and looked his way. Seeing it was Torre, they relaxed slightly, though their expressions remained drawn. "Captain, what's the situation outside?"A sharp-featured woman, Vane, the Southern Wyvern Blade's expert assassin, spoke up. The others-Skyler, Brute, Boomer, a physician in a white coat, and a young man and woman—were all present.When Vane asked, everyone looked to Torre, hoping for some good news."It's bad."Torre's expression was incredibly heavy. Though deeply reluctant, he could only shake his head with regret."They show no signs of pulling back. In fact, their numbers seem to have doubled, and they've added heavy tanks. It looks like they intend to keep us completely boxed in here."Boomer, the most hot-tempered of the group, immediately shot up. He slammed his fist against the adjacent wall, punching a hole clear through it."This is insane! can't stand being trapped! Rather than waiting to be choked to death, we should go out there and fight them head-on! I'll die trying to tear open a gap for your se you can escort Professor Rainer and his children to safety!"He started toward the door, intending to charge out, but Skyler grabbed him firmly."Boomer, don't be reckless!"Skyler held his shoulder and spoke in a low voice. "Right now, they are only surrounding us. They haven't made a move. That means we are still safe for the time being."Boomer instantly calmed down, and everyone turned to the most seasoned man among them, their captain, Torre."Captain, what do we do now?"Torre was silent for a moment. He truly didn't have an answer.noveldramaTheir mission to escort Jonathan Rainer and his children out of the Sahar Wastes was supposed to be routine. Instead, a squad of highly-trained armed personne had materialized, immediately opening fire and relentlessly driving themtoward the Ivoria border. Out of options, they were forced to hide in this abandoned town. Torre narrowed his eyes, deep in thought."To be honest, I don't have a good plan right now."A wave of despair washed over the others. Usually, Torre was the most resourceful,level-headed, and capable of analyzing the situation and finding a way out. But today, even Torre was stumped.Vane's delicate face showed a trace of weariness. She sighed suddenly."If only we had the Chief Instructor's skills. With even a third of his ability, we could definitely escape this alive."As she lamented, the young woman next to her suddenly spoke, her face alight withhope."Who is this Chief Instructor you all talk about? Can he come and save us?"