"Rehearsal" Operation

Sanjian Island, the front-line base of the Thai-Asian allied forces.

So that's how the story behind "Temple of Light's Wanted List: The Male and Female Vault Thieves" came about.

Rishiri chuckled softly.

"I thought it was just Su Ming and Zijin using different identities again!"

Gerus rolled her eyes at Rishuli.

"Shouldn't you be comforting me after hearing this story?"

"Isn't all of that in the past?" Rishiri asked in surprise.

"You—" Gerus was so angry she almost laughed.

"Never mind." She waved her hand.

There aren't many people more straight than Su Ming, but Rui Xiuli is definitely one of them.

But who told her to be blind and fall for him?

However, to be fair, Rishiri actually has the right to say that. He was an orphan and started working in the mercenary world at a young age, experiencing all sorts of hardships.

In that world, injury and death were commonplace; being able to open your eyes and see the sun rise the next day was already something to be grateful for.

It was only after meeting Stacy, his older sister, that Rishiri's life improved, and he began to receive systematic education and combat training.

Until they were both arrested and imprisoned in Shenwei Prison.

****

Gerald suddenly stopped.

Next to it is a supply shed selling more than a dozen kinds of quick-service drinks and food.

A pot of oil is bubbling away, and chicken cutlets coated in batter are turning in the boiling oil, their surfaces gradually turning into an enticing golden brown.

The staff used bamboo chopsticks to scoop up the chicken cutlet and gently tapped it on a strainer, causing scalding oil droplets to fall one after another.

He cut open a freshly baked round bun, stuffed in a still-sizzling chicken cutlet, topped it with sliced pickles, and finally squeezed out a thick layer of sauce.

Jelusi's mouth was watering.

She wanted to eat one, but a bag of dried meat at Katharine's place had already filled her stomach too much. This feeling of being both full and craving was truly torturous.

Gerald could only reluctantly take a chilled drink.

Rishiri also ordered a drink and tossed some coins to the clerk.

The island sun was blazing, and the two sat down under a parasol.

"What happened next?" Rishiri asked.

"When I woke up, I was already in the dorm."

Gerald replied.

He was wearing a set of dry, old clothes, and his books and notebooks had been replaced with new ones.

"Yise stayed by my side."

"I have no memory of it, I have no idea what happened."

"Yise told me that she accidentally fell into the water, and I bravely jumped in and rescued her."

"And now I'm the one who's drowned." Rishiri laughed.

You didn't actually believe it, did you?

Little Yise at that time might not have been able to swim.

But what right does Jelusi, who grew up in the arid desert, have to go into the water to save someone?

Jelus's face flushed slightly.

"... Is that not allowed?"

I was only nine years old at the time!

She coughed lightly a few times.

"Anyway, using this as a pretext, Yise and I became friends after that."

"When I got a little older, every few months she would take me to kill wanted criminals and absorb their soul power to alleviate Leonia's corruption of me."

"Occasionally, things will get out of control, Yise will seal away the memories of that time once again."

"I know nothing about it." "Those were the happiest days of my life."

****

Two hundred kilometers away in the waters near Water Chestnut Island.

The battleship Zhenjie is heading straight towards the waters near Water Chestnut Island.

The massive bow, like a blunt, heavy steel blade, cleaved the undulating sea in its path. Seven- or eight-meter-high white waves surged up along the sides of the armored structure, only to be left behind by the rapidly advancing ship.

The roar from deep within the engine room was incessant, and the entire warship was vibrating deeply. The seawater at the stern was churned into large white foam by the propeller, leaving a straight and long trail.

On the bridge platform, Beianqi checked her watch; it was 4 PM Sanjian Island time.

Currently, everyone, including the Earth support team, is using the time zone where the "Three Points Island" is located.

Even the Earth team has adjusted to a 26-hour shift system.

Beian returned to the conference room.

The power department reports that the main engine is operating stably.

The artillery department has completed gun inspections, and shells and propellant have been transported to their respective firing positions. The firing data calculation team is revising the data based on sea conditions.

The communications and damage control departments also reported back one by one:

Firefighting water has been stored, and the medical room and patient transfer route have been completely cleared.

The communication channels with the command post, the Pansy, and the landing forces have also been tested.

Beianqi sat in the chair.

"The staff on duty remain; the rest of you go and rest."

"The 'rehearsal' will begin promptly at 5:00 AM tomorrow!"

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.

****

It all started two days ago when, after learning that the Town Raider had completed its sea trials and was about to enter service, the dwarf general Moltenheart voiced his dissent.

A high-level, small-scale military meeting was quickly convened.

"The arrival of your powerful new warships will undoubtedly profoundly alter the battlefield situation," Rongxin said, then changed the subject.

"But they will also be discovered by the enemy very quickly."

"Targeted adjustments were made."

Such a massive battleship cannot be hidden.

As it gets closer to Water Chestnut Island, the number of sightings will only increase.

Anyone could tell what that bunch of thick cannon barrels were for—they couldn't possibly be there to fire salutes, could they?

"So?" Su Ming asked.

"It doesn't come here, and it doesn't stop at Sanjian Island."

Melting Heart clenched his fist and slammed it onto the table.

"Sail straight towards Water Chestnut Island, launch an attack, and catch them completely off guard!"

Katharine was surprised.

"Landing on Water Chestnut Island now?" "Our preparations are far from sufficient."

Charicco also voiced his opposition.

"Half of our team isn't even familiar with the login process!"

"So this is a 'rehearsal' operation," Rongxin said. "For us, it's also a pre-operation training exercise."

She pointed to the battlefield map.

On the side of Water Chestnut Island facing Sanjian Island, several orc coastal defense camps stretch across the land.

Melting Heart's finger pointed to the two largest positions that were mutually supporting and closely adjacent to each other.

"We can take this opportunity to wipe out the Bonebreaker and Clawbreaker armies of Water Chestnut Island."

"Annihilate this army of 100,000 orcs!"

Upon hearing this, Su Ming was immediately very tempted.

These two coastal defense legions are the core defensive forces of the orcs.

Once they are dealt with, the Bell of Calamity will have to draw troops from the rear to fill the gap, whether they like it or not. This is extremely beneficial for the implementation of Plan Dandelion!

Melting Core outlined the details of the plan:

Using the Zhenjie, which is not yet exposed to the enemy, unleash overwhelming firepower to sever the connection between these two Orc forces and their rear.

The remaining troops launched a thunderous offensive.

"Only 50,000 elite troops, carrying only one day's rations, were dispatched to land lightly equipped."

She stated.

"The heavy fortifications will be removed by the Dragon Legion aboard the Zhenjie and the Sansejin."

"The remaining Allied fleet, equipped with infantry, will launch a surprise landing."

"The occupation and annihilation of the enemy on the ground will be carried out by the landing forces."

"Once the ammunition for the Zhenjie and Pansy ships is exhausted, the landing forces will also retreat."

We have no choice but to retreat.

The Bell of Calamity has deployed between 250,000 and 300,000 troops along this side of the coastline. Behind them, there are an equal number of troops in reserve. A single sea-based strike would not be large enough to break through and overwhelm them.

Charlotte did some reasoning and felt it was feasible.

"This operation can serve as a rehearsal for a large-scale amphibious assault, allowing us to gain experience."

In the history of warfare in Thailand, there had never been such a large-scale amphibious landing operation. The commanders and officers at all levels on their side were all strangers.

The orc forces, acting as the defenders, remained in their established positions and fought the battle, thus suffering far less impact than the allied forces.

"It can also severely damage the enemy's manpower and morale," Katharine said.

Launching a surprise attack and annihilating two full-scale legions would make the rest of the orc forces feel uneasy.

This tangible deterrent will greatly limit the enemy's deployment and maneuverability.

On the Earth support team's side, the model simulation has also been completed.

"The odds of winning are high, and the exchange ratio is good too," the inchworm commented. "Let's fight!"

Su Ming nodded.

"Bei Anqi," he called out, "This is the Zhenjie's first battle. Can it withstand such a high-intensity fight?" Bei Anqi immediately stood up and replied seriously.

"The Zhenjie Ship is ready and can enter battle at any time!"

Su Ming's tone was serious.

"Alright, let's name this operation 'Rehearsal'!"

"All departments, begin execution immediately!"

"Yes!"

****

The sun was setting in the west, and the wind blowing from the sea carried a coolness and a faint salty smell.

The fabric of the umbrella billowed gently in the wind.

Gerus told Reshuri that after her abilities advanced during this period, Yise guided her to retrieve her sealed memories.

"That's good, we're finally back on track," Rishiri said.

"It's not bad, it just took some time to get used to," Gerald replied. "I was wondering where all the classmates who always bullied me went?"

"I originally planned to get my revenge when I became powerful."

A hint of sarcasm played at the corners of her lips.

"I never imagined he was already dead."

The shadow of a parasol swayed as it hung down beside the table.

The two people's drink cups were covered with condensed water droplets, which slid down the sides of the cups and left a damp ring on the table.

"Gelus"

Rishiri suddenly became serious.

"My time in Mount Saint Prison was the worst I've ever experienced."

"And those days, spent with you, were the happiest of my life."

Gerus suddenly raised her hand, interrupting Rishuli.

"I'm sorry." She looked at Rishiri, "You should know that I'm leaving tomorrow morning—" Gerus paused, "To meet up with Su Ming and the others."

"I know your mission is dangerous," Rissuri said.

"After all, this is war."

He sighed softly.

"The general offensive against Water Chestnut Island will begin in about two weeks."

"Our opponents are Saint Rank experts and those above Saint Rank from Eden; anything could happen."

Rishiri decided to lay everything out in the open.

The battlefield is a place of ruthless violence and uncertainty. No one can guarantee a safe return after every separation.

So, today I--

A rapid ringing of the bell echoed throughout the base; it was an emergency assembly order.

Those nearby who were eating and resting got up one after another.

Gerus and Rishuri quickly pulled out their phones, and sure enough, they had both received emergency orders. "Katharine wants me to immediately board a submarine and prepare to land on Water Chestnut Island," Gerus said.

"I'm going to the Pansy to participate in the raid on the coast," Rissuri said.

Both of them have a high level of secrecy, and their conversation just now actually revealed the specifics of the mission.

Logically, this is a violation of regulations.

But at this point, no one was in the mood to argue.

"Well then, see you later," Rishiri said, his tone full of regret.

He returned the backpack to Gerus and turned to leave.

"Wait." Gerus suddenly called out to him.

When Ruixiu turned around, he found that Gerus had suddenly hugged him.

Rui Xiuli froze, his hands hanging in mid-air, completely unsure whether to take them back or leave them hanging obediently.

He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

This wasn't the scene Rishiri had rehearsed! "Alright," Gerus patted his back.

"If you come back, I know you have something to say."

"If you don't come back, forget me."

She spoke softly, but her tone was anything but joking.

The task that Katharine gave her could not be explained simply by danger.

One objective is to infiltrate the Bell of Calamity to gather intelligence; another, if conditions permit, is to launch a surprise attack on Abidal during the subsequent battle.

Gerus stepped back, picked up her backpack, and waved to Rishuli.

See you later!