Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Two: The Impregnable City of Godo

Brada had already received reliable intelligence: the tank regiment arrayed before Godo City was the final enemy force. Xiao Feng's orders to Brada were unequivocal—dispatch this last tank regiment without restraint, even if it meant exhausting all the city's ammunition reserves.

Upon sighting the approaching tanks, Brada promptly commanded his assembled heavy artillery units to assume battle stations.

The tank commander, stationed beyond the city walls, remained oblivious to the scene within Godo. Had he glimpsed it, he would have fled without hesitation—but now, it was far too late.

With a triumphant cry of "Fire!" Brada unleashed a devastating salvo of a dozen cannons. Assisted by Mark's precise targeting, the artillery volley obliterated several tanks outright.

The tank commander, stunned beyond belief, had not even fired a single round before witnessing his force's decimation. Unable to ascertain the full extent of casualties, he bellowed into his communicator, "Open fire—!"

Before he could finish, several missiles trailing plumes of white smoke streaked toward the remaining tanks, striking with unerring accuracy. The ensuing explosions extinguished the regiment's combat capability entirely.

Brada laughed heartily, addressing his mercenaries behind him, "Let's move out and clear the battlefield. Damn the Alliance troops—they're utterly no match."

The city gates swung open, and several trucks roared forth, as Brada led three platoons to secure the field.

By evening, Xiao Feng and allied forces had returned to Godo City, their spirits buoyed by an unexpectedly swift and decisive victory over the Alliance. Much credit was due to the Brom Company, whose support ranged from the Black Angel ammunition supplied to Xiao Feng to the cannon and surface-to-surface missiles that shattered the tank battalion.

During the victory celebration, Xiao Feng contacted Hebrew, offering thanks. The ever-dapper Hebrew smiled warmly at Xiao Feng's good cheer. "It seems you have achieved a resounding victory?"

Xiao Feng chuckled softly. "Yes, and with minimal losses—only one infantry regiment suffered casualties."

Hebrew's laughter was lighthearted. "Better than I imagined. I expected your thousand-strong force to pay dearly against their two thousand. Seems I must regard you with newfound respect."

"Unworthy of such praise, Uncle Hebrew. Without your aid, our victory would have been improbable. I merely wished to express my gratitude."

"Think nothing of it—we're family. No matter how many weapons we possess, without soldiers like you, winning this war would be impossible." Hebrew's smile deepened. "Now that you've officially engaged the Alliance forces, the pressure mounts. They've even begun assassinating our company's leadership. Fortunately, we anticipated this, relocating all management to the new capital. Though our strength, alongside Victoria Company's, is limited, controlling one city remains feasible. Yet this is no lasting solution—if the Alliance is not utterly crushed, we remain perilously vulnerable."

Xiao Feng nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly my sentiment."

"So, what's the next objective?"

Scratching his head, Xiao Feng replied, "You saw through me already?"

"I knew you'd call only when trouble brewed. Likely to ask for something!" Hebrew's tone bore no anger; he too needed a formidable force to counter the Alliance.

"The next target: Black Whale."

Hebrew paused in surprise. "You've quite the ambition, boy—targeting a secondary city so soon? Not bad. Now, what are you requesting?"

"The biggest challenge is troop transportation. What do you think I need?"

"Transport planes are fast but unsafe. Armored personnel carriers are best, but too slow for a surprise strike. Moving a division requires countless APCs, and with the current dire situation, I can't send you many. I'll do my best to provide twenty APCs and twenty helicopters. How does that sound?"

Frowning, Xiao Feng said, "Twenty APCs won't suffice. With a thousand troops and each vehicle holding twenty, that means fifty APCs are necessary..."

Hebrew laughed. "It's not that I can't supply more—it's simply impossible to transport them under the Alliance air blockade. You must understand. The rest you'll have to handle. I doubt a few dozen APCs will defeat you."

Xiao Feng nodded. "Very well. Arrange to send the APCs and helicopters as soon as possible."

"Consider it done."

"Goodbye for now."

After ending the call, Xiao Feng scratched his head ruefully. "If only I hadn't blown up those trucks—they would have been useful. Next time, I'll be more careful..."

As Xiao Feng pondered, a somewhat tipsy Ivy approached, draping an arm over his shoulder. "Heh, Xiao Feng, you've won, but you haven't told me your terms yet."

"What terms? Have I won?"

"I told you—if you'd blown up the fourth truck, I'd have conceded. Now tell me, what do you want?"

Ivy's eyes sparkled with intoxicating allure.

Xiao Feng, teasing, leaned closer. "Ivy, did you lose on purpose?"

"Heh, you saw right through me..."

Before Xiao Feng could continue jesting, Alice suddenly appeared, eyes blazing with anger, shouting, "What are you two up to?"