Steel torrents pioneering a different world

Chapter 219 Striving for First Place! For a Better Life, I'm Willing to Lead the Charge! (Please Subscribe)
One hundred and seventy kilometers east of the time portal lies the Ice River Base.

This is the most advanced intelligence and surveillance center established for the Devil's Sea.

Inside the control room, amidst the low hum of the equipment and the clatter of keyboards, several drone operators took turns drinking tea and resting, while others stared at the screens, observing a scene that appeared to be almost entirely normal.

A small number of AI-tagged scenes will be viewed, identified, and confirmed by intelligence gathering personnel.

With the application of AI technology, there is already enough comparative data collected from battlefield data.

Aside from drone pilots who frequently need to keep an eye on novel things, battlefield situation information collectors are no longer as busy as before, and fewer people are needed.

At this very moment, the information gatherer is watching the live feed transmitted from the drone on the screen, hoping to encounter some valuable targets.

With news arriving from the rear that many small ships capable of being used in special operations in another world had been modified, and with the base construction having reached a new stage and significant progress being made in various mines and other issues, the development focus of the pioneering team began to shift towards the Devil's Sea.

As exploration efforts in the Devil's Sea intensify, especially in deeper waters, the loss rate of drones is alarming.

The airspace above that sea area is subject to insurmountable altitude restrictions and persistent, intense electromagnetic interference.

What's even more troublesome is the sudden appearance of a bizarre, super-strong storm that seems to have been created specifically to purify the airspace.

Once a high-altitude, high-speed unmanned reconnaissance aircraft intrudes more than 40 nautical miles ahead, its signal is interrupted and various problems occur, as if it has vanished into thin air.

The inability to fly higher or farther means the inability to explore the secrets of the deep sea.

At this moment...

"Report: Our seagull swarm array has encountered a strong electromagnetic pulse again and lost signal."

"Received. Mark the damaged areas for rear support..."

Seagull swarm arrays are small exploration drones that are extremely inexpensive to manufacture. After being modified to enhance their signal in the other world, they are typically deployed and transported by larger drones such as Nine Heavens and Wing Loong.

Drones can use multiple communication modes such as wireless and laser.

In good weather, it has the ability to maintain stable communication within a range of 150 kilometers in another world.

Unfortunately, these designs faced even more severe challenges in the other world.

Specially customized equipment for another world will experience various problems after venturing 20 nautical miles into the Devil's Sea, such as abnormal signal fluctuations and frequent loss of laser communication links. After reaching more than 40 nautical miles, problems are the norm, and it would be a miracle if no problems occurred.

Fortunately, the Dongda Reclamation Team has sufficient funds now, so the loss of the drone is just a loss!

For a country that can easily produce millions of drones annually, and can reach tens of millions after adjusting its production lines, the loss of drones is a minor issue.

The operator recorded it with a blank expression.

Meanwhile, the other crew members skillfully turned the backup aircraft around and headed south along the predetermined route to conduct a routine patrol over the mountainous area on the south bank of the Ru River in the alien world.

Everything appeared normal, except for the outlines of undulating mountains under the night sky and some animals moving quickly through the infrared camera.

That was the territory of the mountain dwarf kingdom, which I had learned about through the elves.

Initially, the crew members who were operating the drone did not react much, thinking that today was just an ordinary day!
Just as the crew members were trying to adjust the camera to look at other areas, a warning suddenly sounded.

"A large number of humanoid intelligent beings have been detected; it's an army of dwarves!"

Upon hearing this, the drone operator immediately perked up and adjusted the camera.

Soon, a group of targets marked with boxes lit up on the screen!
A long snake composed of hundreds of points of light is moving along a rather treacherous valley.

Judging from the direction of their movement, they were heading towards the human base of the Ice River Tribe.

"Ha, after waiting so long, they're finally here? Instead of traveling during the day as usual, they're coming at night... Tsk tsk, they're up to no good!" the drone pilot thought to himself, then quickly reported: "Large-scale target assembly detected! Repeat, large-scale target assembly detected!"

An alarm sounded in the flight control and command center at Glacier Air Base.

Subsequently, the operator quickly transmitted the emergency information that had occurred here to a location more than 170 kilometers away.

Soon, the main screen in the command hall of the Time Gate headquarters switched to display people walking in the valley.

Brigade Commander Man and others, who were resting and sleeping in the command center, heard the unusual noise and rushed to the command center to check the situation.

When Brigade Commander Man and Brigade Commander Fu saw the red alert and live footage pop up on the screen, they yawned, took a sip of strong tea, and then turned to look at their old partners beside them.

"Old Fu, it seems my previous guess was right! Your theory that dwarves become obedient when beaten isn't working very well."

The dwarf warriors in the picture are wearing heavy cloaks and armor, which are placed on those burly, stout goats.

In addition, a large number of dwarven mounts carrying supplies also carried various items that were clearly for combat.

After the drone locked onto the camera, it discovered several strange cannons that looked quite powerful!

"Perhaps the dwarves are just here to set up their battle formation!"

"Really? Setting up formation at night? This is probably not an assault formation!" Commander Man replied with a smile.

Commander Fu pursed his lips, unsure how to refute.

These dwarves seemed to have ill intentions no matter how you looked at them.

These dwarves avoided aerial surveillance as much as possible during their marches, moved quickly through the mountains, and were clearly well-trained.

Moreover, these dwarves often hide, and seem to be very wary of aerial reconnaissance forces.

If humans didn't have night vision reconnaissance capabilities, they might actually be able to sneak into the vicinity of the enemy.

Commander Fu adjusted his glasses, stared at the moving band of light on the screen, and after a long while said, "The dwarves still haven't been beaten hard enough by us!"

"Oh? You have an idea? Do you want to annihilate them all? Or capture them all?" Brigade Commander Man became interested.

"Although the previous plan to capture Meng Huo and win hearts against the elves failed halfway, our ancestors' seven captures of Meng Huo tactic against the southern barbarians has always been a very effective psychological warfare tactic!"

Commander Fu pointed to the screen.

“This time, let’s arrest them all again. I want to see how these short, tin cans can charge forward now.”

Commander Man grinned and chuckled, "Not bad, I like it this way! These new recruits are lacking in combat experience! They're itching for a fight, so it's perfect to use these clueless guys as practice targets!"

Brigade Commander Fu shook his head: "Old Man, these guys brought a lot of equipment this time! The old weapons are fine, the key is that they brought some weapons whose power we don't know. We'd better play it safe!"

"Send the elite troops?"

"Okay, send them over! But also take the new recruits over to experience the battlefield atmosphere!"

"Good!" Commander Man turned around and gave a crisp order to the communications soldier: "Pass down the order, tell the garrison troops at the Ice River Base to be on guard and leave an opening for the enemy, a way out."

"it is good!"

"I remember that Zhao Chong and Butcher's troops have been undergoing some intensive training, which is coming to an end these past few days. We can let them participate in the mission!"

“We can inform them, and we’ll catch them like turtles in a jar!” Commander Man laughed as he watched the dwarves hiding and moving in the valley. “I’d like to see what excuse they’ll use this time.”
-

At three o'clock in the morning, the military camp was completely silent, except for the sound of the footsteps of the patrolling sentries echoing in the empty camp area.

Suddenly, a sharp, rapid buzzing sound shattered the tranquility of Zhao Chong's dormitory.

"Beep! Beep beep—!"

Zhao Chong, who should have been fast asleep, suddenly opened his eyes, and after a few seconds, his gaze became clear.

As an elite special forces unit pioneering in this other world, although they have recently undergone systematic physical enhancement in a rear laboratory, they have never been released from Level 1 combat readiness. Their recent training has consisted only of physical enhancement and basic running exercises.

Therefore, his physical reaction speed is very fast, and his mental state is also very high.

Zhao Chong grabbed the communicator from the bedside table.

"Team Leader Zhao, urgent mission! Assemble downstairs!"

"almost there."

As soon as he finished speaking, he rolled out of bed. With one hand, he dialed his deputy's number, uttering only two words: "Mission in progress, assemble!"

With his other hand, he swiftly grabbed his combat uniform and slipped it on. Then he dressed, tidied his personal belongings, and checked his equipment. All his movements were like muscle memory rehearsed a thousand times, so fast that they were just afterimages.

One minute and fifty seconds later, the door opened, and Zhao Chong rushed out.

Just as I turned the corner in the corridor, I bumped into a figure.

Tu Ying, the captain of the Butcher Squad.

The two stopped simultaneously, their gazes meeting in the dim light, as if a spark had flashed through the air.

"Team Leader Tu, you're awake too?" Zhao Chong spoke first, his voice calm.

Tu Ying's faint scar twitched, revealing a rather unsmiling smile: "Yeah, seeing you, the second-place finisher, about to catch up with our unit is making me quite anxious."

Zhao Chong's lips twitched: "Heh, I hope you can run just as fast later."

"Let's go!"

The two men argued back and forth, but they both knew that something that could wake up two elite units in the middle of the night was no small matter.

Without further ado, the two walked quickly downstairs side by side.

Downstairs, the staff officer sent by the brigade headquarters had been waiting for a long time, standing ramrod straight.

"Reporting, Zhao Chong from the Special Operations Force is reporting to you!"

"Reporting! Special Operations Forces Commander Tu Ying is reporting to you!"

"At ease." The staff officer nodded, his expression serious. "Urgent military intelligence from headquarters: our drones have detected a large number of dwarven armed forces south of the mountains near the Ice River base, and they are moving towards the base. Orders from higher command require both of your units to coordinate an operation to capture them all alive!"

Capture them all alive?

Zhao Chong and Tu Ying exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and an even stronger fighting spirit in each other's eyes.

"I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!" Zhao Chong said in a deep voice. "Use me in the first battle, and victory is assured!"

Tu Ying was much more direct. He licked his chapped lips and said, "Boss, give the order! My men are already impatient!"

The staff officer smiled, seemingly satisfied with their reaction: "This mission is no small matter. The enemy is carrying very strange heavy firepower; we're worried it might be some powerful magical weapons! In addition, the enemy also has a very high level of comprehensive counter-reconnaissance awareness."

"So, to ensure that no one is missed, you are the ones responsible for closing the door in this 'catching turtles in a jar' operation! Come on, let's look at the detailed mission briefing."

Fifteen minutes later, the piercing combat alarm blared throughout the barracks where the two special forces units were located.

This is not the highest alert level for the entire camp, but a targeted mobilization specifically aimed at them.

The members of both units practically sprang out of bed, rushing to the assembly point the instant the alarm sounded. Their faces still bore the marks of sleepiness, but their eyes gleamed with a wild, instinctive alertness—an instinct ingrained in their very bones by countless grueling training sessions.

Looking at his eager soldiers, Zhao Chong was extremely satisfied.

He stood on the high platform, his voice booming: "Comrades! Fifteen minutes ago, we received a combat mission from our superiors! The objective is to capture a dwarf force attempting to raid our Ice River base area in the mountains two hundred kilometers away!"

He quickly recounted the enemy situation previously detected by the drone, as well as the speculations of the staff and commanders, before finally changing the subject.

"The objective of this mission is to capture them alive! Everyone understand? Capture them alive! Also, the Butcher Squadron next door will be operating in coordination with us!"

"Butcher Squadron?"

These words immediately caused a stir in the previously calm crowd.

Many soldiers' eyes lit up immediately, exchanging glances, and some even unconsciously clenched their fists, making a cracking sound.

After losing the place with the highest combat points some time ago, everyone has been holding their breath in frustration!
Complete the mission, and then outdo those butchers so you won't be laughed at for being second best!

Almost at the same time, in front of another dormitory building, Tu Ying was also conducting the same mobilization. The scars on his face looked particularly ferocious under the camp lights, and his tone was even more sinister.

"...Comrades, listen up! The mission is to capture them alive, that's an order! But beyond that order, I have another request!"

He scanned the faces before him, each one brimming with fighting spirit.

"Keep first place! Not only do we have to complete the task, but we have to do it even better than the team next door! Let them see just how big the gap is between first and second place! Do they have confidence?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

The roar was deafening.

As mobilization concluded, the two eager troops quickly boarded the transport helicopters that were already waiting.

The massive rotors whipped up a fierce wind, and armed transport planes and escorting armed helicopters took off, skimming the ground and disappearing into the deep night, speeding toward the battlefield two hundred kilometers away.

Zhao Chong sat in the cabin, looking out the window at the silhouette of another helicopter that was almost alongside him, and picked up the communicator.

"Butcher, according to the battle plan, we need to proceed simultaneously! Once we arrive at the location, if we find the prey has been caught in a trap, those with bad luck might not be able to break through the defenses?"

A soft laugh came from Tu Ying through the communicator: "Not bad, Captain Zhao. But I'm afraid you won't even get a whiff of my exhaust fumes~"

"Ha, we've always been very lucky!"

After the call ended, the two looked at the friendly forces outside the helicopter and then began communicating internally to ensure the mission was completed successfully.
-

More than 170 kilometers away, what was originally a refuge for the Ice River tribe has now been transformed into a small village that can accommodate several thousand people, is heavily fortified, and has many small handicrafts, thanks to modern human development.

The cold wind at dawn swept across the tarmac, stirring up scattered snowflakes.

Jinhe, the former chieftain of the wild Ice River tribe, was pacing back and forth anxiously.

He wore a thick felt hat, a modern-style mountain camouflage combat down jacket, and an oversized bulletproof vest over it. A kukri was tucked into a sheath and hung on his chest. Most striking of all were the pink sunglasses perched on his nose, reflecting an eerie light under the base's searchlights.

His eclectic outfit gave him an indescribable sense of comedy and contradiction.

Yu Zirui, the village chief and a grassroots cadre from the Ice River Base who had been transferred from the modern world, rubbed his hands together, exhaled a puff of white breath, and said in Chinese mixed with the Ice River tribe's language, "Brother Jinhe, you might have to change your outfit later! It will affect the operation!"

Jinhe stopped, tightened his grip on the knife at his chest, and muttered, "Village Chief Yu Zirui, what do you know? This is called imposing presence! I look like an experienced old hunter."

He said that, but what he was thinking was something else entirely.

Just half an hour ago, he was sleeping soundly with his wife in his arms when there was a deafening knocking on the door.

Then, Yu Zirui's people came to us, saying there was a big job offering to guide people, with generous points.

Upon hearing the word "points," Jinhe's drowsiness and anger vanished instantly.

The environments of the other world and the modern world are different after all. Although Zhao Chong and his team are top-notch special forces soldiers, it would be best to have local natives as guides in these endless, unfamiliar mountainous areas to reduce casualties.

Jinhe and his tribe have survived in the extreme cold for generations. They dare not say anything else, but their experience in dealing with ice and snow is ingrained in their bones.

"Rumble--"

A deep, rumbling sound grew louder as several transport helicopters painted in nighttime camouflage hovered steadily at low altitude before slowly landing on the tarmac.

The hatch opened, and Zhao Chong was the first to jump out, walking straight toward him.

Jinhe's eyes lit up, and he quickly went to greet her, chest out and head held high.

Snapped!
He performed a military salute that was several levels more standard than the last time they met, and he did it with great flair.

Zhao Chong returned the greeting with a smile on his face: "Brother Jinhe, the situation is urgent. There is a mission that requires your and your people's help."

"Please give your orders, Divine Envoy! I guarantee I'll complete it!" Although Jin He's Chinese was only half-baked, his voice was full of energy. However, after bringing up this topic, he changed the subject, rubbing his hands together and smiling broadly, "Um... I just heard Village Chief Yu say that this time the points... are plentiful?"

Zhao Chong was amused by his straightforward manner: "Don't worry, as long as you complete the mission well, the points will definitely satisfy you. However, are you familiar with this mountainous area? Do you know any suitable places to hide a large number of people?"

As he spoke, Zhao Chong took out a tactical tablet.

Just as he was about to open the map, a tall figure squeezed in—it was Tu Ying.

"Brother Jinhe, this is Tu Ying, the captain of the Butcher Squadron, my comrade-in-arms." Zhao Chong suppressed his reluctance and introduced her with a smile.

Tu Ying forced out what he thought was a kind smile onto his face, which was covered in hideous scars. He stepped past Zhao Chong, grabbed Jin He's hand, and grabbed it so hard that Jin He winced.

"Brother Jinhe, right? I've heard so much about you! My comrade-in-arms is too slow, let's get straight to the point!" Tu Ying's voice was hoarse but powerful. "I heard you know this mountain like the backyard, this time we're counting on you!"

"Assist, assist in combat..." Jinhe's heart skipped a beat at the sight of his menacing aura, but upon hearing the other's flattery, he laughed sheepishly, "Haha, you flatter me, Divine Envoy. Let's look at the map first, let's look at the map first! I can navigate this terrain with my eyes closed!"

In reality, Jinhe was also bragging; he was inwardly apprehensive, but dared not show it.

Their tribe spends most of its time hundreds of kilometers away. He had only visited this area a few times when he was a child, when he went to the tribe to spend the winter with his father and grandfather, and he had long forgotten about it.

But for the sake of those abundant points, and to exchange them for more food, medicine, and modern, addictive items... this boast must continue!

Zhao Chong handed him the tablet, which displayed a complex contour map of the mountainous terrain, with red dots marking the location where the drone last spotted the dwarf troops.

Looking at the densely packed contour lines, Jinhe's forehead broke out in a fine layer of sweat.

He had no idea where this godforsaken place was!

But on the surface, he remained calm and pretended to lean closer to the screen, swiping his fingers across it while making deep, thoughtful noises.

Zhao Chong and Tu Ying exchanged a glance, quietly waiting for him to continue.

"Um, I don't understand these things! Can't you use a different display image?"

"Uh, okay!" Zhao Chong quickly converted the contour map of the mountain into a more three-dimensional map.

Upon seeing this, Jinhe's mind raced: points, points, hot steamed buns, brand-new cotton clothes, and gunpowder to restore his virility and make him stand tall again...

Fight!

He slapped his thigh and pressed his finger hard on an inconspicuous valley junction on the map.

"My two divine messengers, look here!"

Jinhe's voice exuded an undeniable confidence.

"This place is called 'A Line of Sky,' the only way in and out of this mountainous area! There are cliffs on both sides. Once the opening is blocked, the people inside will be trapped like turtles in a jar, none of them can escape! But what we need to deal with are the cave-dwelling half-humans. These people can move through the mountain roads as if they were flat ground. Getting them into a trap won't be easy!"

"Furthermore..." Jinhe looked at everyone, "My lords, I heard that these cunning cave-dwelling half-humans once tried to raid your camp at night, and they were all captured. When our tribe captures some hostile... cough cough, when capturing prey, if it's the same prey, a second trap is almost impossible to use, so I think these dwarves should learn from the elves!"

"Brother Jinhe, what's your strategy for this battle?"

"Our warriors have been protected by the divine messengers for many days and are willing to lead the charge to capture these cave-dwelling half-humans who dare to come to our place in the dead of night!"
-

The mountainous and forested areas that are far from the human glacial tribes.

Halfway up the mountain, a fierce wind howled.

Attila the Hammer hid in a corner of the rocks, smoking expensive fruitwood cigarettes he had purchased from the southern forest kingdom, squinting at the gradually thinning mountains to the north.

After several days of rapid marching, they were getting closer and closer to the Ruhe River, which separated the north and south.

Under normal circumstances, the area north of the Ruhe River is a desolate death zone.

The area is sparsely populated, with an estimated 100 tribes on the vast land, apart from undead skeletons and numerous savage tribes that worship these necromancers.

South of the Milk River, after passing through a seven-kilometer stretch of gentle forest and crossing continuous snow-capped mountains, one can reach the territory of the densely populated Dwarf Kingdom.

Logically speaking, the estuary and river areas should be very fertile lands, but the surrounding area for dozens of kilometers is completely indefensible, and the area is frequently targeted by undead scourges.

Dealing with the dead is very troublesome.

The key is that the opponent cannot defend against it.

The Dwarf Kingdom faces immense pressure from the southern humans and requires a large buffer zone to protect it from undead calamities.

This means that even though the dwarves know that the surrounding land is fertile, they will not establish settlements nearby. At most, they will set up guard posts and defensive routes in the nearby dangerous mountains to ensure the security of their kingdom's borders!

As the sky gradually brightened, Attila exhaled a smoke ring, then vigorously rubbed his heavy feet against the muddy, snow-covered ground dozens of times.

Then, while smoking, he reached into his pants and started scratching.

"Damn it, we can't let them fail at this crucial moment! When will those medics and alchemists be able to get better medicine than those weaklings?"

Dwarves are not a clean race; they prefer hot and cramped caves.

Attila's troops, due to their long-term responsibility for defense and combat in coastal areas, coupled with issues such as diet, suffered from athlete's foot and other itchy diseases among many soldiers.

Although this disease is not life-threatening, it often puts people in embarrassing and painful situations, making it very troublesome.

In the past two years, although we have learned from the troops on the southern and western fronts that the half-human race seems to have eaten something that has alleviated this symptom, how can the proud mountain and coastal combat troops eat the stuff that the weak race has obtained!
Those spineless cowards are not worthy of being called brothers with them!
They would rather resist with an iron will than use the other party's mature and effective treatment plan.

After some fussing, the tingling sensation in his body lessened considerably, and he finally returned to normal.

"call……"

"Boss, it's acting up again? Should we take off our clothes and get some fresh air?"

A dwarf warrior, who was only thirty years old this year and still a young man, came over with a barely suppressed smile on his face.

"What are you laughing at! If this goes on for too long, you'll get itchy disease too!" Attila snapped, fastening his belt. "After we take down the bastards this time, I'll make sure you're stuck on the beach every day, eating those horribly salty dried fish. I guarantee you'll get itchy disease before then!"

Upon hearing this, the young dwarf warriors shuddered.

While it's fun to laugh at others, it can be devastating when it happens to you.

Although athlete's foot, eczema, and inexplicable itching in certain areas are not fatal, when they flare up, they can torment even the most hardened, cave-dwelling half-human, making them restless and uneasy.

That excruciating pain was so agonizing, it was unbearable.

The young dwarf quickly said, "Chief, I heard that our tribesmen in the mountains to the south and west have obtained a kind of medicine that can cure all diseases. Can't we... really give it a try?"

"Shut up!" Attila glared at him. "We are the Legion Commander's elite troops, a proud coastal fighting force! Is it shameful to use those cowardly southerners' rudimentary methods? Don't say such things again! If word gets out, where will the Legion Commander put his face? Do we even care about our reputation anymore?"

That's what he said, but he himself was also in a lot of trouble.

Attila and his men wanted to use those medicines.

Although they have an iron will, when they feel itchy, they wish they could roll around on the ground like earth dragons; they are not pedantic.

But those new drugs were invented by those spineless cowards.

For the sake of their clan's reputation and the reputation of their legion, they would not do anything that would invite ridicule for countless years.

Seeing the worry on the face of his younger kinsman, Attila kicked him.

"Don't worry, I've heard that alchemists back home are researching things that can cure our ailments! No need to rush! We'll have good remedies in the future."

"Really? Isn't alchemy research archaeology?"

Boom~
Attila flicked the head of the cave-dwelling half-man who kept speaking: "If a great alchemist can unearth powerful items, it will be the glory of my people!"

"Alright, pass on my orders: go back into the cave and get a good night's sleep! I'm worried about the dangers of the narrow pass; from now on, we'll need to take a detour."

"Yes!"

The young dwarf responded and turned to run off to relay the order.

Attila glanced again at the unremarkable, narrow, and deep valley entrance in the distance, a secret path leading to the Milk River, and also the fastest shortcut.

Once you cross that, you can head north and enter the plains and forests.

However, Bellegas and his companions' previous experience taught them that some rash actions might alert them to their presence.

Moreover, the defense network is very sophisticated, and perhaps in this very important place, Yixiantian, countless human eyes are quietly waiting for them.

The mountain wind blew even harder, feeling like knives cutting into your face.

"Glory belongs to the Coast Hammer! But those damned bastards, weren't they supposed to be able to get through the tunnels? How come they've all collapsed!"

Attila finished his cigarette, and suddenly a burly figure came against the wind, stepping on the gravel.

The newcomer was his adjutant. His gray rune armor gleamed coldly in the dim light, and he wore a heavy mammoth fur cloak. He exuded an imposing aura as he moved.

However, the other party's expression was not very pleasant.

“Attila,” the adjutant’s voice seemed to come from within his breastplate, “Baelegas has sent another message via falcon, warning us to cease operations!”

Attila slowly tapped his extinguished brass pipe on a stone, tucked it into his pocket, and then exhaled a breath of stale air.

“Ignore him.” He scoffed. “A cowardly coward who’s been scared out of his wits by failure. His words are like a fart in the mountains, they’ll just make a sound and then dissipate. Bellegas is still basking in the shadow of his crushing defeat at Iron Mountain Pass. His will has long since dulled, just like his musket.”

Attila the Hammer turned around, a fierce glint in his eyes: "This infiltration raid is our chance to earn face before the Legion Commander! If we succeed, we will surely have a place to drink and feast under the throne of the Kingdom!"

Upon hearing this, the adjutant nodded heavily, his iron boots crunching on the pebbles beneath his feet: "Glory belongs to the Mountain Kingdom! To the Hammer of the Coast! The shame of the cowards will be washed away by us! We will become the most valiant hammer under the King's throne!"

"Oh, right, how's the situation with the sentries? Can they dig a path through the mountains?" Attila's emotions were not affected by the boastful words; he immediately switched back to the calm of a commander.

"Some of the underground defensive tunnels built by our clan are still usable, so we can't sneak up to the Milk River undetected. Apart from that, after crossing the river, it's all flat open land with very little forest, so we'd be easily exposed to the sight of those human-like iron birds."

"Hmm," Attila responded, seemingly expecting this. "How many cloaks did Vantinas urgently send?"

“I brought them,” the adjutant said hesitantly, “but not many, only three items…”

“That’s a bit short!” Attila lit his pipe again. “The three locations require our elite scouts to infiltrate in batches. It will take us several days and nights to deploy the appropriate forces and wipe out the human outposts. But for now, let’s evade the reconnaissance of those iron birds in the sky. Only then can we achieve victory!”

The adjutant blinked rapidly, seemingly in doubt.

Attila seemed to see through his doubts and sneered, "Don't confuse those effeminate herbs with the elven tools of war. We absolutely cannot use those spineless things."

"...As for those long-eared creatures! We can use them without any scruples, and it's an honor for those with long ears! Moreover, using long-eared creatures to kill scum can even frame the other side!"

After he finished speaking, he felt a slight itch in his groin again, and subconsciously rubbed his leg, which was covered in thick leather pants, against the rock next to him.

After his skillful Latin dance, he cursed a few more times!
This damn weird habit.

Seeing Attila happily scratching his itch, the adjutant corrected him, "Attila, you know me. I'm just thinking about how much meat and wine to take to the north! Supplying those places is very difficult. And those skeletons, without enough supplies, they could easily get stuck inside."

"Haha, I knew you weren't that old-fashioned!"

Don't be fooled by the fact that, to outsiders, cave dwellers are all grumpy, fond of digging holes, lifting weights, drinking, and eating meat.

However, in critical moments, their minds and moral bottom lines are far more flexible than those of other races.

Although they all looked down on long-eared creatures and disdained anything belonging to elves.

But when they use it, they are all more skilled than anyone else.

Among their people, there's another saying—if something is useful, use it to the fullest.

"Pass on my orders!" Attila laughed with satisfaction. "Rest again today, then march in batches and cross the river tonight! Let's smash those bastards' heads and seize their territory. Let those cowards see what we're made of!"

(End of this chapter)