Miss Wang Weina, even your cousin won't do!

This base-trading tactic is a genius tactic inherited from the ancient sage of Terra (probably) Sun Yifeng. As the ancient saying goes: "Trading bases when you have an advantage lays the foundation for victory, trading bases when you are evenly matched opens up the game, and trading bases when you are at a disadvantage is a desperate gamble!" There are thousands of tactics in the world, and all tactics are about switching.

Wayne used to make this joke all the time in his previous life, saying that his older brother's tactics were a thousand years ahead of the world. Now it seems that it is really true. On Terra, which is similar to the post-apocalyptic wasteland version of Earth thousands of years in the future, he actually witnessed such tactics.

"Hey, where did you learn these tactics?"

As Wayne listened to Ernest's confident and assertive explanation, he couldn't help but ask a question.

Ernest shook his head in confusion and said:

"Your Highness, this is the most common raid tactic in all of Terra. If you're wondering who invented it..."

Ernest paused for a moment. He really didn't know how to answer that question.

In Terra, a sparsely populated world where wars rely primarily on elite troops for large-scale decisive battles, the most common tactic for squad raids is base-trading.

Just as he is now advocating, instead of holding out in Princeton County and waiting for rescue, they should take the initiative and launch a full-scale attack to the depths of the Forgotten Mountains to capture the mastermind behind the "Deep Pool"—the Red Dragon Celt, and the traitorous Earl of Victoria Princeton County—Wilson Princeton Normandy.

The advantage of this tactic is that it can concentrate superior forces to catch the enemy off guard, maximize the capabilities and roles of elite combat teams, and can even be temporarily upgraded to a decapitation strike, causing devastating damage to the enemy's command and key personnel.

However, the drawbacks are also obvious. Sending all the troops out of the front line will inevitably leave the rear vulnerable. If the surprise attack fails and the retreat route is cut off, there is a high possibility that they will not return.

These are all things taught in military academies. As the honorary principal and distinguished alumnus of the Royal Military Academy, Ernest knew these theories by heart. But if you ask him who invented these tactics, you'll find that he is not an expert.

He didn't know, or rather, no one should know. This question was like the chicken-or-egg dilemma. He couldn't say whether the special environment of Terra gave birth to this tactic, or whether this tactic just happened to be suitable for Terra and was thus inherited.

Back then, there was no patent system, so who would know who developed it? Besides, military tactics weren't something you could patent.

Wayne patted Ernest on the shoulder and gave the order:

"Before using this tactic next time, silently say 'Big Brother,' and Big Brother will be watching over you, ensuring that your opponents are all blind."

Ernest nodded as if he understood, but not quite. He hadn't expected that Prince Wayne would be involved in such feudal superstitions.

This is probably the tragedy of another world. The joke that Sun Yifeng will always be my older brother and occasionally my wife is something Wayne will probably never be able to say in his life.

But while it's all about having fun, we still need to be serious when it comes to being serious.

Frankly speaking, if the number of soldiers is small and most of them are elite warriors prepared to die, then the base-trading tactic is almost a sure thing. However, if there are still people in the rear who need protection, then the base-trading tactic is somewhat risky.

Previously, Wayne might have hesitated for a moment, but he would have agreed to the plan to raid Deeppool. After all, he had already learned from Kal'tsit that reinforcements from Londinium were already heading north. Once this news reached Deeppool and the Celts, she might choose to sacrifice herself to save the king, abandoning the Earl of Princeton and the opportunity of this rebellion, and continue to lie low. At that point, it would be much harder for Wayne to seize such a good opportunity.

As long as this time bomb harbors rebellious intentions towards Victoria, Wayne will never be completely at ease.

But now things are different, and Wayne has to consider the feelings of the reeds.

He finally managed to calm the girl down, and now Reed was following Wayne around like before, never leaving his side except to use the restroom or sleep. If Wayne were to go to the battlefield, Reed would inevitably go with him, and the girl, who had just experienced the immense grief of losing her loved ones, would suffer the blow of fratricide once again.

Wayne was worried about whether she could handle it.

He pondered for a moment, then asked Ernest:

"Do you need Mudrock and Surtr to act together?"

Ernest frowned:

"With two bodyguards present, the plan would indeed proceed much more smoothly, but even without them, the steam armor guarantees the mission's success. Your Highness, please rest assured. Although Miss Surtr and Mr. Mudrock's abilities can simplify many difficult tasks, it doesn't mean we can't do without the two bodyguards. Victoria's elite forces always retain the ability to complete any order."

Ernest spoke sincerely, so Wayne nodded in relief and said:

"In that case, Surtr, Mudrock, and Kal'tsit will stay with me at the manor. You will lead the steam-armored troops to cooperate with Winster's unicorns in launching a surprise attack on [Deeppool]. Remember, capture them alive!"

Ernest stood at attention and gave a standard military salute:

"As ordered!"

.......

"As ordered!"

A dense swarm of men in black gathered in the secret room like a wave, and shouted back to Celt, who was standing on the steps.

Celtic frowned, her pretty face contorted with anger, and said:

"Remember, the sole purpose of this full-scale operation by Deeppool is to rescue my sister, who has been kidnapped by Aslan! Everything else is a secondary priority! No matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice, but at the same time, no lingering in battle!"

"understand!"

The men in black answered in unison.

Kyle nodded, stepped aside to let the Earl of Princeton step forward, and introduced him:

"This is the Earl of Princeton, our ally. He will act as your guide during this operation, helping you infiltrate the Earl's territory through the secret passage. You may follow his orders as needed, provided the primary objective is not neglected."

The Earl of Princeton waved to the men in black at the deep pool as a greeting, but the expected loud response did not materialize, and not a single person applauded in welcome.

A hint of disgust flashed in the Earl of Princeton's eyes. "If it weren't for needing you to overthrow that Wayne and reclaim everything I have, would you shameless savages be worthy of my personal audience?"

These words could only be kept to himself. After all, he was now living under someone else's roof and depended on them for his life, so he could only endure this humiliation of not being respected for the time being.

The Earl of Princeton began:

"Now, let's go! Target..."

"Raid the Earl's Mansion!"

Chapter 85 Divergence

Victoria, in the North, on the border in the “Forgotten” Mountains.

The Forgotten Mountains separate Victoria's prosperous land from the vast ocean and tundra on the other side. It is precisely because of this that Victoria, whose land area is comparable to Ursus, can enjoy peace and tranquility by sending elite troops and heavy firepower to establish "Forgotten Outposts" along its long border, instead of stationing heavy troops at the boundary between the wilderness and civilization like Ursus.

But now, compared to the terrifying creatures in the deep sea and the strange beasts and demons in the tundra, which are isolated behind the sacred mountain that protects the nation, this mountain range has undergone a disturbing transformation from within.

As the commander-in-chief of this raid, Ernest sensed the eerie and sinister atmosphere permeating the forest the moment he stepped into its depths. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his right eyelid twitching uncontrollably due to a bad premonition. But a premonition is just a premonition. Compared to Ernest, who couldn't truly pinpoint the source of this strange feeling, another person reacted extremely strongly to this aura.

Winster, the patriarch of the unicorns and the immortal of Victoria.

The old unicorn stopped abruptly the moment he stepped into the forest, extending his hand to block the steam-armored troops and unicorn squad that were trying to quickly advance into the forest. He glanced left and right, his serious face twitching slightly, and made a simple shushing gesture with his finger to his lips.

This feeling can't be wrong.

It refers to "those things".

You cannot call it by its name directly, otherwise "it" will react, and may even be awakened and launch a sneak attack.

He gave Ernest, who was looking at him questioningly, a warning look, and made a gesture across his neck, a universally recognized "death threat."

This was certainly not a threat to Ernest, but a reminder to the Marshal that what they were currently facing was unspeakable and that they should be wary, or they would face mortal danger!

Without explicitly mentioning "those things," Ernest instantly understood the truth behind Winster's silence, given the metaphorical information, the eerie environment, and Winster's deliberate actions.

His pupils widened slightly, and he opened his mouth in disbelief, but suppressed the gasp of surprise before it escaped his lips.

How could those things be here? Ernest was incredulous. The Forgotten Mountains were so vast, and the Northern King's guards stationed at the watchtowers atop them were so elite—how could any wasteland demons possibly have breached the "first and final line of defense" of those civilizations and entered Victoria's borders?!

Could it be that the damned Earl of Princeton has gone so far as to use Prince Wayne's name to gather all those soldiers?

Ernest dared not delve into the possibility, because the Earl of Princeton might actually do such a thing.

The legacy of the "Forgotten Ones" is extremely long, and only a select few at the very top of the Empire are qualified to know of their existence. However, the history of the Forgotten Ones is also far too long, even tracing back to the time of Drak's rule over Victoria. If the Earl of Princeton and [Deeppool] were to truly act desperately, it is entirely possible that the Celtic descendants of Drak, who knew of the existence of the "Forgotten Ones," might incite the Earl of Princeton to recruit them into the civil war, which would have devastating consequences!

Because it's no longer as simple as Wayne using rhetoric to persuade them to surrender. The Forgotten Ones are called the Forgotten Ones not only because they are unknown, but also because they "should be forgotten by everyone." They are both the guardians of the borders of civilization, the first line of defense for humanity against evil, but at the same time, each of them is also a source of pollution that knows of the existence of the "Wasteland Demons"!

Once the world knows about them, it will be difficult to guarantee that the information about the "Demon" will not spread. At that time, the information that the countries of Terra are trying their best to control will be leaked, and the power of the "Demon" will be enhanced like never before!

Humanity's final defensive line, the first line of defense—keeping the enemy outside the civilized world—will collapse! Not only Victoria, but the entire existing world of Terra will be affected.

Ernest and Winster could only hope that the Earl of Princeton and Celtic, the leader of the Deeppool, would be able to clear their heads and consider whether it was truly worth sacrificing the survival of civilization for a Victoria in ruins overrun by demons.

What do we do now?

Ernest asked Winster. In military affairs, Ernest considered himself no less capable than any of the great generals of Terra, but when it came to matters concerning "the alien race," Winster was more authoritative.

But Winster was thinking about something else entirely.

He thought of those "old friends," those old friends who had already passed away.

The reason why the unicorns came out in full force, led by him personally, to the North was for only three things.

First: His Highness Wayne's safety!

Second: The rebellion of the aristocratic Republican Party!

Third: The unnatural deaths of the Victorian immortals who lived in seclusion in the North!

The first two things have already been decided.

However, the third matter was unique. Winston had initially categorized it under the second, believing it to be the aristocratic Republican Party's rebellion plot being exposed by several immortals. To prevent the news from leaking out prematurely, they secretly assassinated several people. But after investigating, they found no evidence of this within the rebel army. Now it seems that his initial conclusion was wrong.

The immortals are particularly sensitive to the demons of the wasteland. Those three old friends probably sensed the strange aura that suddenly appeared in the Forgotten Mountains and came to investigate, which is why they met with misfortune.

If that's the case, then this "demon" has very likely already awakened, and its individual strength is absolutely formidable.

The troops he and Ernest are currently leading may not actually be enough.

After all, the King of the North launched a massive military expedition to hunt down a single demon! (The beginning of everything, as recorded in the King of the North's diary)

Currently, only he and Ernest know of the existence of the alien species. The other unicorns and steam-armored troops are unaware of it. They still have a chance to return to the Earl's territory to seek Prince Wayne's reinforcements. With the combined strength of Mudrock and Surtr, the two personal guards, they should be able to fight this powerful demon that has most likely slaughtered three immortals.

But this means...

They needed to turn back halfway, forfeiting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to annihilate Deeppool. They would allow this ticking time bomb-like organization to disappear into the shadows of Victoria, continuing its lurking existence.

Civilization on one side, nation on the other—which to choose?

Winston looked at Ernest. As an immortal, he would choose civilization. But what about Ernest, as a general?

“You and I stay here. Send the rest of you back and fetch Prince Wayne and his personal guard. That thing has likely already killed three immortals and accumulated considerable power. Its corruption has begun to spread into the forest. We must eliminate it immediately! Otherwise, once it fully matures, the entire Northern Territory will be in danger!”

Winster's face was grim, and he spoke stiffly in a low voice, his muscles taut beneath his white robe, ready to turn hostile at any moment.

Ernest, understanding Winston's meaning, said coldly:

"This won't do. Even with Prince Wayne and two personal guards, what are the chances of winning against those people? You're putting Prince Wayne and the future of the country at risk!"

He shook his head, categorically disagreeing with Winston's idea. He certainly understood the principle that the mutants should be eliminated as soon as possible, otherwise they would only become more and more troublesome, but Winston's plan was simply too risky!

He actually wanted to tell Wayne about the alien species! Everyone knows that once you learn of their existence, you're trapped in a life-or-death struggle. Until one side is completely dead, they can't escape their connection. Telling Wayne is like dragging him into this hunt with uncertain odds. No one dares underestimate the demonic alien species, let alone Wayne and his two guards!

That was the demon of the wasteland, which even Ursus, a nation no less powerful than the reign of the late Emperor Victoria, had to pay a heavy price of more than twenty veteran guards when it launched a campaign against it, despite being fully prepared!

With just a dozen or so unicorns and fifty steam-armored soldiers here, even if Surtr and Mudrock are added, what are their chances of winning?

Ernest dared not, and could not, fight a battle he was not entirely confident of winning, not even with a 50% chance of winning!

After all, Prince Wayne is the last male Aslan in Victoria. If anything were to happen to him, the Aslan royal family would be extinct.