Ark Chess Player.

The A1 reserve team consists entirely of new recruits. They were still conducting simulation exercises in the training room yesterday and have basically never been on the battlefield.

"Amiya, if the operators are in danger, I will still step in."

Lin Lu said softly, his voice calm and leaving no room for negotiation.

"I agree, Doctor. I trust your judgment. Please give your command, Rhodes Island."

Amiya responded, and the two exchanged a smile as their eyes met.

"Everyone, gather here."

Lin Lu stood beside Amiya, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. Although he meant no harm, the cobalt blue eyes beneath his black hood still inspired fear.

"Time is of the essence, so I'll get straight to the point. Our mission is to protect the fifth district of Lungmen's outer ring, but the Reunion Movement has launched a surprise attack at this time, blocking our path. If we try to leave by car, we'll become moving targets, which is tantamount to suicide."

Lin Lu observed everyone's expressions. Apart from the newlyweds being a little nervous, the others seemed quite used to it.

Especially the Kingslayer, this person who clearly betrayed the Reunion Movement, showed no regret for her former comrades, but instead appeared eager to try her luck. She'd probably been really bored on Rhodes Island these past few days; staying in a comfortable place for too long will dull even the sharpest blade.

Thinking back, the Kingslayer fought to the death in Chernobog to carry out Lin Lu's orders, refusing to back down. If Lin Lu hadn't risked his life to go back and save her, perhaps the day of the Chernobog Incident would have been the Kingslayer's death anniversary.

People all over the world might betray Lin Lu, but the regicide would never be one of them.

"My request is simple: in the upcoming battle, all you need to do is listen to my voice and obey my orders. This battle is not for morality or justice; our actions are solely for two reasons: to survive and to be safe."

Lin Lu clenched his right fist and pounded it against his chest, saying in a deep voice, "I promise you all that I will do everything in my power to ensure the safety of every operator. Even if it means abandoning this cooperation with Lungmen, I will absolutely bring each and every one of you back to Rhodes Island alive."

"Everyone, obey my commands and orders."

"start to act!"

Chapter 167 Annihilation Operation

"Final warning! You have violated the Mobile City-State Security Law! Surrender to the Lungmen Guard Bureau immediately, disarm, and leave at once! Final warning—" The captain of the fourth squad of the Lungmen Guard Bureau shouted through a megaphone, but the response he received was a homemade Molotov cocktail, which startled him so much that he quickly raised his heavy shield to block it.

The necks of these high-proof liquor bottles were stuffed with cotton cloth. When lit with a lighter, the Molotov cocktails struck the shields, causing the glass bottles to shatter rapidly into sharp fragments. The flammable liquid spread in all directions, and as the fire spread, the writhing flames climbed upwards.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

The once arrogant captain of the Lungmen Guard decisively chose to retreat. Their squad consisted of only six men, while the opposing thugs, wielding iron bars, crowbars, and metal clubs, outnumbered them five to one. Moreover, masked thugs behind them were constantly throwing homemade Molotov cocktails; if they recklessly advanced, they would be mercilessly baptized by flames.

"Old Zhao is trapped in the crowd! He can't get out!"

A member of the Lungmen Guard shouted, his voice trembling.

It is clear that the retreat was not going smoothly. One of the Guards' comrades was entangled by the Reunion Movement's infected using sheer numbers and had nowhere to retreat.

At first glance, amidst the dense mass of infected, a member of the Guard Bureau stood holding up a shield against the overwhelming crowd. But two fists are no match for four hands; his body was constantly struck by heavy metal objects, inflicting new wounds, and he could barely lift his shield.

"Damn it, forget about retreating! Charge! Charge! Let's get Old Zhao back first!"

The squad leader quickly weighed the options in his mind. If he abandoned Lao Zhao and retreated at this moment, Lao Zhao probably wouldn't even be able to get his body back intact!

"But Captain! We can't get through!"

"We have to charge even if we can't get through! Old Zhao only has a few months left before he retires, and his wife and kids are waiting for him to return to Yan! If he dies, you'll all be waiting to see his wife and kids come to the Guard Bureau looking for him. You'll all regret not risking your lives today! Rather than live the rest of my life in guilt, I'd rather give my life today!"

The captain of the fourth squad of the Lungmen Guard Bureau suddenly hoisted the heavy shield, still wreathed in flames, and slammed it forcefully onto the forehead of the infected person in front of him.

As someone who has been through it all, he had faced similar choices before, but this time he was unwilling to make the same decision again.

"Damn it!"

The squad leader exhaled fiercely, a savage line appearing at the corner of his eye through his goggles. He mustered his courage to face the rioters, trying to regain the forty centimeters he had just retreated. But how could something lost be easily regained? The masked rioters pressed forward swiftly, the heavy metal clashing against shields incessantly, the arms supporting the heavy shields feeling as if even the bones were about to shatter.

Old Zhao was no longer visible within the squad leader's line of sight, which made him increasingly anxious, yet there was nothing he could do.

"Damn it, why haven't the reinforcements arrived yet!"

If this continues, not only will we not be able to save Lao Zhao, but we'll probably all lose our lives here!

Just then, a red arc flashed past at high speed from behind.

The squad leader felt something gently tap his shoulder, and then he realized that someone was using his body as a springboard to leap into the air.

The azure coat fluttered in the wind, and the jet-black tactical boots landed precisely on the heads of the rioters. The slender figure traversed a hundred meters with incredible speed, rushing to the side of the besieged Lungmen Guard members.

A sharp flash of light erupted, and the infected who were still assaulting the unconscious Guardian members felt a sharp pain in their arms. A bloody gash spread from their arms, like a line being split open, blooming like a flower, splattering crimson nectar.

"Swallow the bitterness of the dead!"

The Kingslayer roared, grabbing the battered Old Zhao and activating Originium Arts.

Through the smoke-generating organs inside her mouth, a nerve-directed response triggers the smoke, allowing her to disperse the pitch-black smoke.

The Kingslayer retaliated with a kick, sending the shield, bent by the impact of the infected, flying in the opposite direction. She dragged the unconscious Guardian team member as she tried to retreat, but the sheer number of attackers was overwhelming, and they overcame the weakness of obscured vision by forming a human wall.

If it were just the Kingslayer alone, she could stroll leisurely through the thick fog, calmly piercing the chests of one person after another with her dagger until the smoke dissipated and she was the only one left present.

But not now.

Lin Lu's task for her was to rescue this person.

If it is his order, the kingslayer must carry it out no matter what.

She is his sword, she is his shield, she is his outstretched hands.

The kingslayer narrowed his eyes slightly, a long, soft strand of hair slipping out from under his hood, his crimson pupils gleaming with a cold light.

She was ready to kill, even though she had once belonged to the Reunion Movement... or rather, even though the Reunion Movement had once belonged to her.

"Mira, don't be impulsive. Stop and wait five seconds."

A familiar voice came through the communication headset, and the lord killer abruptly stopped raising his short blade, his pounding heartbeat slowly calming down.

The regicide stood there obediently, like a child dependent on its father. Lin Lu said to stop, so she stopped, no matter where she stood. Even if a mountain collapsed in front of her, and a torrent of debris swept towards her, she would still stand there obediently.

Because she always believed that Lin Lu would never harm her.

This is the fact.

Less than twenty centimeters from the regicide, a streak of black light precisely struck the rioter who was attempting to wield the holy sword of physics at her, clearing a clear zone.

Dozens of meters away, Amiya took small breaths, looking somewhat tired.

This was her first attempt to concentrate a spell into a single point, increasing its range without reducing its power. The effect was outstanding, but the cost was exhaustion.

With Amiya's strength, she could sense the presence of the Kingslayer at close range, but clearly this distance was beyond her capabilities. However, it didn't matter, as Lin Lu, skilled in controlling the battle, provided the necessary information in time, allowing Amiya to unleash her spells without any worries.

"here you go."

The Kingslayer and Amiya's eyes met, and the Kingslayer nodded slightly. She did not miss the opportunity and quickly evacuated with the seriously injured and unconscious Old Zhao.

"The trapped people have been successfully rescued. We have established a defensive line in the rear. All personnel of the Lungmen Guard Bureau, please retreat immediately," Amiya shouted.

The squad leader instinctively turned around and looked back. "You, you guys are—"

"careful!"

Amiya raised her hand and released the spell that had been gathered into a beam of light, knocking the scavenger who was attacking the Lungmen Guard squad leader in the chaos to the ground.

The squad leader felt a chill run down his spine and took several steps back in fear. The spiked club in the opponent's hand was no joke; if he were to be hit, his brains would probably be smashed out on the spot, and even a god wouldn't be able to save him.

"Rest assured, we are Lungmen's partners... if all goes well."

"Longmen's partners?"

Yes, we are—

Amiya raised her hand, and behind her stood every Rhodes Island operator supporting her.

"Knights of the Ark".

Chapter 168 Favorable Timing, Location, and Human Harmony

“Blackhorn, Beagle, our defense line has only one entrance. We'll use a rotating defense, so don't overexert yourselves. There are four Lungmen Guard members around you. Divert the Reunion Movement's firepower appropriately, don't let them be idle. If sacrificing one of you can force the Reunion Movement to retreat, then I'd rather the Reunion Movement's infected trample through Lungmen! I'll repeat myself, each of you can only hold off a maximum of three people. I will prioritize your lives.”

"Klose, Ranger! You occupy the high ground and continue to apply pressure to prevent them from throwing Molotov cocktails and cutting off their firepower."

"Dulin...Dulin, wake up! Stop sleeping! If you sleep any longer, I'll shave your head! Wait...don't cry! I'm just kidding, I'm just kidding! I won't cut your hair, really. Dulin, you and Flame Lava, get ready to provide magical support as soon as Blackhorn and Beagle have more than three members to withstand the pressure. Be careful to stay hidden; you are the key damage dealers to turn the tide of the battle, so you absolutely cannot get injured. Especially with our lack of medics, this is the crucial point that will determine the outcome of the battle."

"Nightblade, you and the Kingslayer will carry out the decapitation operation. Prioritize dealing with the enemy's invisible crossbowmen and protect our high ground positions. Finn, make full use of the Kuranta's speed advantage and be ready to provide support. Their safe return depends on you. Don't be nervous. Taking advantage of terrain and seizing the initiative is your forte. You can do it."

Lin Lu accurately conveyed all instructions to each operator. He believed in the strength of Rhodes Island operators and in his own outstanding ability in tactical planning.

Combat deployment, coordinated actions, combat command, combat operations, and combat support—Lin Lu, as Rhodes Island's military commander, excels in all these areas. Thanks to the information provided by the data-driven spiritual domain, everything about Lao Liu is completely exposed to him, leaving him practically naked.

When Lin Lu discovered the sorcerers and crossbowmen hiding behind the Reunion Movement thugs and soldiers, he immediately devised a countermeasure plan.

Establish a defensive line and utilize everything available.

Reduce the opponent's mobility and narrow their path of travel to a single point.

To guide, deceive, create false impressions, and induce enemy commanders to make incorrect judgments.

Lin Lu pondered for a moment, adjusted the dialogue channel, and shouted, "Amiya, from now on you will be responsible for adapting to the situation on the battlefield and making good use of magic to provide support without overdrawing your mental energy. With your strength, whether in terms of air superiority or combat capability, you are currently the best among us."

"Doctor, please rest assured, I will not let everyone down."

Amiya couldn't help but smile, feeling elated by the praise, and inadvertently revealing her adorable girlish side.

Lin Lu saw this and sighed helplessly in his heart.

If he could, he would never let Amiya appear on the front lines.

Given Amiya's age, she should be focusing on her studies, enjoying her youth and campus life. However, the reality is that Amiya not only has to consider all aspects of Rhodes Island, but also finds herself on the battlefield, risking her life.

"Peace in an era...?"

Lin Lu thought to himself, then slowly turned around and took a step.

When Lin Lu decided to undertake the defense mission, he already had a tactical plan in mind.

No matter what kind of war it is, it always depends on the right time, the right place, and the right people.

Natural climate conditions, geographical environment, and public sentiment during combat.

The current climate is cloudy and dry, making it highly flammable and explosive. The terrain is at the intersection of city and wasteland. The enemy is adept at using fire attacks; if they were to enter the outer naval docking area of ​​Lungmen-Lofty Island, Rhodes Island ships could be affected by the fire. We must not allow them to succeed. Fortunately, fire is an uncontrollable double-edged sword; while burning everything, it also raises a high wall to protect life. The Reunion Movement will not recklessly throw things unless their fire resistance is maxed out, allowing them to be themselves amidst the flames.

In terms of numbers, the enemy outnumbers us by ten times. If we charge straight in without a strategy, the result will inevitably be total annihilation.

Therefore, Lin Lu chose to wait for the enemy to tire themselves out and to defend as a form of offense.

Although they cannot change the fact that they are being suppressed, from Rhodes Island's perspective, they have fulfilled their obligations under the cooperation agreement.

Rhodes Island has no obligation to actively eliminate them; it's a thankless task that might not even be rewarded. Let whoever wants to do it do it.

"Furong, how are the wounded soldiers' injuries being treated?"

Lin Lu arrived at the temporary hospital at the rear, which was basically a large tent that could accommodate four people.

Logistical and technical support are essential. Before the mission even began, Lin Lu mobilized Rhodes Island's medical supplies and enough crossbows and bows for Kroos and the Rangers to squander. An army marches on its stomach; this principle applies to both the Reunion Movement and to ourselves.

"Doctor, I gave him first aid, but I'm not skilled enough to fully heal him without medical equipment. His injuries are severe; it's not just a scratch from a sharp object, but also a blow to the back of his head from a metal object. Even if he's out of danger now, he'll need sophisticated medical equipment to scan him and check for any ruptured blood vessels in his brain."

In the makeshift hospital, Furong picked up a blood-stained towel and wiped her hands, lowering her head and speaking in a low voice.

She had done everything she could, but it wasn't enough... not enough.

"Don't blame yourself, it's not your fault."

Lin Lu gently stroked the top of Furong's head between her two horns, comforting this hardworking girl.

"You're right, aren't you, Lungmen Guard Bureau squad leader?"

Lin Lu said calmly, his gaze turning to the captain of the fourth squad of the Lungmen Guard Bureau, who was bandaging his arms beside him.

"I, Lao Li, have really learned something new today."

The squad leader sighed deeply. His hands had long been burned by the flames, but the surge of adrenaline during the battle had temporarily numbed his sense of pain. Now that he was slightly relaxed, the blisters and cracks on his skin, combined with the heavy blows from holding the shield, made him feel both pain and numbness, making it impossible for him to lift his arms.

Old Li looked at Old Zhao lying on the military green mattress, then glanced at Lin Lu, who was dressed in all black, and the little girl with purple hair.

"A Sarkaz, not armed, but using a staff to save people. A pharmaceutical company, not sitting in an office, but establishing itself on the battlefield. I'm forty years old, a mercenary, a soldier, and a veteran, and this is the first time I've ever seen anything like this. You really do see all sorts of things when you get old." Old Li took a deep breath, deeply moved. "I never dreamed that those who saved us weren't from the Lungmen Guard, but a group of doctors."

"That's wonderful. If Longmen had doctors like you ten years ago, maybe that incident wouldn't have happened..."

Chapter 169 The Big Cart!

"What is the current status of the Lungmen Guard Bureau's mobilization?"

Time was of the essence, and Lin Lu didn't have time to consider the feelings of a stranger.