Our Family Has Fallen

Late at night, outside the outpost.

The Honor Guard, who had already rested, were summoned, and Lance assigned them tasks.

Blow up other targets, then rush to target number three, confront any incoming enemies, hold this position and wait for support.

”You are critical in this battle, whether blasting the passage or holding target number three, both are very challenging tasks, be cautious.”

”Yes! We will complete the task!”

These Honor Guards are veterans, naturally aware of the dangers of this mission.

The surroundings of those targets are likely guarded by Heretics, and before reinforcements arrive, they are the only isolated unit at target number three, trying to hold at both ends against enemies means fighting desperately.

But their existence is for such dangerous missions, and they understood this since entering the Honor Guard.

No one said more, they were long prepared to sacrifice their lives for Hamlet.

Loyalty!

”Sync the watches, aim to reach the target location by 4 a.m., the blasting begins at 5 a.m., then signal the beacon.”

The squads all have pocket watches; their equipment is the highest among the army and the most specialized.

Lance took out his pocket watch to sync with them, the accuracy of current pocket watches is average, mostly for general timing.

After confirming the unified time, Lance waved his hand grandly, finalizing the action.

”Code name [Whack-a-Mole], action begins!”

Each squad stealthily slipped into the wilderness; they had trained here before, quite familiar with the environment, which would indeed be difficult and daring for ordinary units to enter at night.

But Lance still reserved an extra hour for their buffer, considering there might not be only Heretics inside.

However, Lance trusted their abilities, after all these were selected elites strengthened by Bless, all of them were special forces kings.

Lance then moved to another location, an already cleared road.

”Supply convoys will travel this road later, if I were a Heretic I’d sure attack, so Wang Cai, you will follow them, lure them out.”

Lance did not assign Guards to the supply convoy, not due to shortage but because it is a trap, let’s see if they take the bait.

Under the moon, the wolf shadow appeared; after gaining independence, Wang Cai no longer depends on Lance for Spiritual Essence, traversing reality and the Void to extract power, its body growing increasingly solid as if truly breaking through reality.

The Power of Flesh and Blood from Heretics is useless against it; they directly attack the soul, devouring Spiritual Essence.

Lance raised his hand to pet it twice, then couldn’t help but teasingly said.

”Wang Cai, if your wife gives birth early, with a few keen-nosed wolfhounds helping, things would be much easier.”

Wang Cai’s intelligence now resembles a human’s, hearing Lance’s words left it somewhat speechless...

The Personal Guard Teems are formed of five as one unit, the squad members besides basic skills, usually have exceptional talents.

Some specialize in shields, some in firearms… anyway, features similar to the front row, output, and remote professions in games, mutually compatible.

Indeed, Qi Jiguang’s Mandarin Duck Array was practicing this long ago.

Of course, individual prowess is crucial, some are ferociously effective in combats.

Elsewhere, what 4 a.m. appears, they may not know, but the wilderness at 4 a.m. remains a pitch-black night.

At this time, one squad fell into trouble, they hadn’t reached the designated location.

The reason is simple, they seemed lost, they aren’t sure where they are now.

Wilderness terrain is complex, mountainous and heavily forested, with no reference points at night, taking the wrong path is not surprising.

”What should we do now?”

”Returning to find another route is too late now. Although we haven’t found the location, our direction isn’t wrong; given our walking speed, the target should be in this area.”

To be a captain, one’s skill may not be the best, but calmness is mandatory.

The captain conducted a brief analysis, took out the simplified Map marked with target points to show the teammates.

”To confirm our target position and complete the task, now we need to wait, only wait till dawn, when other places complete tasks and signal the beacon, we can then pinpoint.”

The decision is mine; if my decision delays and causes the action to fail, I will take responsibility to My Lord.”

”I agree with the decision, likewise taking responsibility.”

”Proposal seconded…”

The teammates still trust the captain, as aimlessly wandering in confusion won’t solve the issue.

They weren’t the only ones encountering trouble; the wilderness situation is chaotic, some reached designated spots but found no objectives, some found them but detected Heretics nearby.

The accumulation of countless uncertainties brought various difficulties before the action even commenced.

However, if the Honor Guard retreated so easily, they wouldn’t be personally forged by Lance.

No hardship no effort, got hardship then make an effort.

No need for saying much, just get it done!

You say can’t find passage entrance?

”Once battle begins, those Heretics will reveal the location, just lie in ambush first.”

...

You say there’s someone watching?

”Keep track of time, prepare to eliminate them, leave none alive.”

...

At 4:30 a.m., the loud bugle roused the entire outpost.

This isn’t a casual waking call, but assembly call, hearing it means you must swiftly gear up and report in.