Preparation

Sean had proposed a battle plan to confuse the water bandits before infiltrating their camp because he knew that human nature was inherently inert. When people needed to make changes, most would instinctively hesitate and quietly resist them.

It was like in his previous life, when someone needed to change jobs or move house. Leaving behind everything familiar and integrating into a completely new environment would make anyone feel apprehensive and conflicted.

The water bandits were no different. Unless forced to do so, who could easily abandon the home they knew and wander far away or become displaced? Sean was taking advantage of this mental inertia. Without definite news to prove otherwise, the water bandit leader and his men would surely expect the Garrison to withdraw soon, just as the "rumors" claimed.

After leaving Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's Command Tent, Sean returned to his own tent. Thor and Phil were anxiously waiting for him inside.

Although the two were curious about what Sean had said to Lieutenant Colonel Merkel and the others in the Command Tent, they understood that some matters were not theirs to ask about. If there was anything they were allowed to know, Sean would certainly tell them himself.

"Phil, make me a cup of tea first. Then go fetch me some clean water..."

As soon as he spoke, Phil respectfully nodded, then turned and jogged out of the tent.

"Thor, bring Vinson to me. I have something to say to him..."

"Yes, young master. I'll go right away..." Thor immediately agreed. Just as he turned to leave, Sean called him back.

"No hurry. Let me wash up first... then I'll see him." Sean stopped Torr, who was about to leave. Thor nodded in understanding and slowly withdrew from the tent.

Only Sean remained in the tent now. He leaned tiredly against the back of his chair and rubbed his temples. Ever since returning to camp with the Grain Ship convoy that afternoon, he had been busy in the Command Tent and had not even had time for a sip of water. Weariness showed on his face, yet he was already considering what he would say when he met Vinson.

Convincing Vinson to accompany him and lie in wait near the Water Bandit Camp was one of the keys to the plan's success. As water bandits who had existed in the swamp for a long time, they would certainly know the terrain like the backs of their hands.

It would be nearly impossible for Sean to lead his team around every open and hidden sentry post. That made Vinson extremely important. If the water bandits discovered Sean and the others, Vinson could step forward to negotiate, pretending they were the water bandits who had attacked the Grain Ship earlier.

Whether the water bandits became suspicious or not, it would at least make them hesitate for a while instead of immediately reporting to their leader. As long as Sean and the others could successfully approach the Water Bandit Camp, they could launch a surprise attack on it.

Sean estimated that the delay needed would not exceed three hours. Vinson was the key to perfecting his plan, and Sean could not help frowning as he considered what terms he should offer.

Phil soon returned at a jog carrying clean water, and before long, everything was prepared. Bowing slightly, he said apologetically, "My lord, please forgive me... the conditions are rather crude." After speaking, Phil wore a self-reproachful expression.

"It's fine... You needn't be so formal. Before we came here, your sister Alice even asked me to take care of you..." Sean said with a smile, reassuring him.

"Thank you, my lord. You have already taken very good care of my sister and me," Phil said respectfully. Then he smiled at Sean. "Before we came, my sister repeatedly told me that I had to take good care of you..."

"Mm." Sean nodded at Phil's words. With Phil attending him, he simply freshened himself up with clean water. When he finished, Sean felt much more alert. Taking the hot tea Phil offered, he smiled and said, "I like your sister, but my expectations for you are even higher. I imagine you've already sensed that. I hope you will continue working hard..."

"Thank you, my lord. I will certainly work hard. And thank you for taking care of my sister..." Phil replied, his face full of smiles.

Of course, Sean's so-called liking had nothing to do with love between a man and a woman. He was merely "simply" pleased to accept Alice's "service."

After Sean drank his tea and rested for a while, Thor brought Vinson to stand outside Sean's tent.

"Torr, invite Mr. Vinson in." Sean set down his teacup and spoke to Torr, who was standing at the entrance.

"Yes, young master." Thor smiled at Sean, then gestured for Vinson, who was behind him, to enter.

"My lord, you summoned me?" As soon as Vinson entered the tent, he bowed to Sean. There was worry and confusion in his voice.

"Mm, Mr. Vinson. Would you like a cup?" Rather than state his purpose directly, Sean pointed at the teacup and asked.

"No... no need... Thank you, my lord. I... what are your orders..." Vinson hurriedly waved his hands. The anxiety in his tone and the sweat forming on his forehead told Sean how frightened he was inside.

"I do indeed have something that requires your help, Vinson..." Sean was quite satisfied with Vinson's state of mind. Only if Vinson feared for his life and wished to survive would he possibly listen to Sean's persuasion and agree to his request.

"Ah... yes, my lord. I... I'm very willing to help..." Ever since Sean had sent for him, Vinson had been constantly guessing at every possibility. He had been terrified of hearing the worst news, and only after Sean's slight hint did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Don't you want to hear what I need your help with?" Sean looked teasingly at Vinson's face and asked with a smile.

"Uh... please give your orders, my lord..." Seeing Sean's gaze, Vinson's newly eased heart became uneasy again. He had no choice but to answer carefully. In all his more than twenty years of life, he had never been as... unlucky as he had been since meeting Sean today.

"Hehe, it's nothing much... I just want you to make a trip back to your Water Bandit Camp." Sean watched with amusement as Vinson's expression kept changing after hearing his words, and felt wickedly relaxed.

This was probably a character flaw most people had. Seeing someone else suffer misfortune always made the observer feel pleased.

Vinson's face turned ugly as his lips trembled. He did not know how to answer. To him, Sean's words could only mean that the Garrison wanted to send him back into the Water Bandit Camp as an infiltrator. Whatever he was being sent to do, it would surely be extremely dangerous, and his chances of surviving would be exceedingly slim.

"With me," Sean added with a smile. Vinson's face suddenly went blank, clearly unable to believe what he had heard.

"My lord, you... you aren't joking?" Vinson asked uncertainly, a trace of hope rising in his heart again.

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Sean's smile vanished as he asked coldly with a stern expression.

"Ah... no... my lord... I... I don't quite understand..." Vinson was so frightened by Sean's sudden seriousness that he began to stammer.

"I need you to lead me around as many of the open and hidden sentry posts outside the camp as possible. And if we are discovered, you will step forward to deal with the water bandits who question us." Sean gave a serious and detailed explanation. Once Vinson understood, he continued, "Also, among the water bandits captured today, do you have any trusted men? I need the kind who can be completely trusted..."

"My lord, I have two trusted men, but..." Vinson spoke hesitantly, his eyes flickering.

Sean immediately understood that Vinson wanted to negotiate terms, and he fell silent in thought. Sean's stern expression made Vinson extremely nervous and uneasy. At the same time, he feared that his words might provoke Sean's displeasure.

Vinson cautiously asked, "My lord, can you tell me... what punishment I will receive afterward?"

Sean frowned and said coldly, "As a captured water bandit, you will either be executed or reduced to slavery..."

"My lord... that other lord just promised to pardon me..." Vinson immediately asked unwillingly after hearing Sean's words.

"That is assuming everything goes smoothly... But even then, you will become a slave," Sean told the anxious Vinson.

Vinson fell silent at that. After a moment, he asked, "My lord, if... if I go with you... could you take me in... and allow me the honor of becoming your servant?"

Though Vinson feared Sean somewhat, he also had to admit that Sean was powerful. Moreover, Vinson had seen important figures, such as Lieutenant Colonel Merkel, speaking amiably with Sean earlier, which showed that Sean already had his own connections.

But most importantly, Sean was still young. From the way he had tempered his subordinates' resolve by making Thor and Phil kill, it was clear that his power had not yet taken shape. As long as Vinson worked seriously, with the experience of having "shared hardships" with Sean, it should not be difficult for him to find his own chance to rise.

Of course, Sean's circumstances still could not compare with those of some highborn people. But here and now, there was undoubtedly no better choice.

Upon hearing Vinson's words, Sean was immediately tempted. It was not because he admired Vinson or for any other reason. If he agreed to take Vinson in, Vinson would surely give his all for the sake of his future life, which would greatly benefit the execution and completion of the plan.

"Fine. Once the mission is successfully completed, I will personally make a request to Lieutenant Colonel Merkel..." Thinking of how it would aid the plan, Sean no longer hesitated and answered decisively.

"Thank you, my lord... I... I will certainly give my all and brave fire and water for you..." Vinson immediately bowed repeatedly in excitement, his face beaming as he continuously made promises.

"Go see your two trusted men at once. Ask them... you know what to say, don't you?" Sean stopped Vinson's somewhat cloying thanks and gave his orders.

"I know, I know... I'll have them swear loyalty to you too before I tell them..." Vinson replied ingratiatingly.

"Mm, go. Once they agree... remember to bring them to see me tonight." Sean frowned, but quickly relaxed. He waved Vinson away and gave Thor a meaningful look. Thor immediately understood and turned to lead Vinson out.

Earlier in the Command Tent, Lieutenant Colonel Merkel had promised Sean that the soldiers participating in the infiltration raid would undergo temporary infiltration training under him. This was not because Sean excelled at infiltration warfare, but because the Imperial Army was only skilled at frontal combat.

Over the past several centuries, the Empire's only large-scale battlefield had been on its northern frontier, where every year it relied on fortresses and other defensive structures to confront the habitual raids of the Northern Grasslands barbarians.

As for local Garrison Force units, their greatest task was merely the occasional bandit suppression campaign. But those generally relied on overwhelming force and direct crushing power, with scarcely any variation. Thus, the Imperial Army was extremely rigid and inflexible in its use of tactics.

As the setting sun of dusk shone over the temporary camp, more than twenty soldiers appeared before Sean. They were the elite selected by Lieutenant Colonel Merkel, and together with Sergeant Donnie, they would carry out the infiltration rescue mission under Sean's command.

"First, I thank all of you for taking part in this difficult mission. The Empire... and the Garrison will remember the danger you bear and the arduous effort you give..." Sean said to the soldiers before him with a warm smile.

"I am Second Lieutenant Sean Winchester, the commander of this mission. During the mission, I hope you will obey my orders completely and do everything in your power to carry them out..." Sean addressed the soldiers with a stern expression. Looking at the silent men before him, who seemed unmoved even by life and death, he could not help sighing inwardly. They truly were elites personally selected by Lieutenant Colonel Merkel.