This Game Is Too Realistic-Chapter 575.2: Shortcut?!
A settlement of 50,000 was rarely complex. Control the one giving orders, and the rest followed.
Then they could interrogate, take hostages, and find out about the Torch Church with ease.
When Ample Time first suggested it, Falling Feather had been shocked by his boldness.
But on reflection, it was efficient.
Seize the farm and everything would resolve itself.
He had been ready to strike, but then Ample Time sent word, the plan was off.
"Things changed. There’s a better way... Tell him."
After checking weapons, Ample Time looked at Luo Feihui, who cleared his throat and repeated his plan. "The restaurant’s chefs are servants of Lord Zhao’s kitchen. After the banquet, they’ll ride carriages back to the manor."
"My men will intercept them. You’ll ride their carriages through the checkpoints and directly reach the central residence. The driver is mine, he’ll get you past inspections. After that, it’s on you."
Falling Feather froze, not believing what he just heard. "That simple?"
"You best not underestimate it." Luo Feihui shot him a look, speaking in a grave voice, "Zhao Tiangan keeps awakeners as bodyguards. If shots are fired, the nearby regiment will arrive in 10 minutes at most. I don’t command enough men to help you much more."
"Understood," Ample Time replied without hesitation. "Just handle the aftermath. Leave the rest to us."
Luo Feihui nodded slightly. "I’ve staked my life on you. May fortune favor you."
With that, he left.
As the door shut, Falling Feather looked at Ample Time, suspicion in his eyes, and whispered in Mandarin, "Can we really trust this guy? First time we meet and he’s helping us like this?"
He wasn’t sure he could believe it.
The plan sounded almost too smooth, like this man knew they were coming, even what they intended to do. "I don’t fully trust him. It’s possible he’s hiding something from us, or has his own agenda. But since we’ve already been exposed, the old plan is useless. In that case, why not see what script he’s prepared for us?"
As he spoke, Ample Time pulled out his VM and tapped it with his finger. Soon, a black-and-white thermal aerial feed projected onto the screen.
At the very center of the image was Pinecone Ranch.
Bright white dots marked heat sources in the darkness, at this hour, anyone moving around the streets was obviously part of the ranch’s patrols.
Recognizing the familiar interface, Falling Feather’s eyes widened. "Good grief... A Seagull?!"
The Seagull fixed-wing drone!
Capable of carrying eight R-36 Punishment air-to-ground missiles, it had participated in the New Alliance’s military operations in the Sunset Province, shining brilliantly on the battlefield.
He hadn’t expected the Burning Corps to bring so many toys.
Seeing Falling Feather’s shocked face, Ample Time explained, "This operation was pre-reported to the New Alliance Army Command and approved by the administrator. If this settlement keeps planting Na Fruit, it’ll be a serious threat to the south of River Valley Province and even the Sunset Province. He wants us to clean it up and cut out this tumor with minimal cost."
"I recall an R-36 costs like 100,000 CR..." Falling Feather said enviously.
His entire quest was only worth 100,000 silver coins!
Support that expensive wasn’t something he could even dream of.
Ample Time coughed lightly, "The drone isn’t actually carrying R-36s. They’re Dove missiles from Boulder Town Arms Industry. They’re not nearly as extravagant."
He tapped the VM screen again, switching the comms channel to speak to Old White.
"The recording has been sent over. That’s the situation. With inside help, we’re planning to directly seize the lord’s mansion in the center of Pinecone Ranch."
After a burst of static, Old White’s voice came through the earpiece. "Understood. Do you still need our support?"
Ample Time’s reply soon came. "... Stay on standby nearby. If all goes well, it won’t be necessary. The best outcome is we seize control of the whole settlement before the Torch Church even notices, no shots fired, and we’ll catch them off guard at the critical moment."
Old White grunted. "Good plan, though maybe a bit optimistic?"
Ample Time said firmly, "It’s worth trying."
Old White answered cheerfully, "Alright, I’ll follow your lead then!" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
Their tacit understanding needed little discussion. After brief words, they reached an agreement.
Not long after, Luo Feihui returned to the door to tell them the carriages were ready. The group loaded up with their gear and climbed on board.
There were three wagons in total, covered carts that looked like cargo haulers. Each could seat seven or eight people without being cramped.
The ride was silent.
Clutching his rifle tightly, Falling Feather’s heart thumped wildly. Every sound outside made his nerves taut.
He had fought plenty of battles, but that was his first time on such a nerve-racking infiltration mission.
"Don’t worry," Night Ten chuckled softly beside him. "No killing intent so far... No one within 500 meters has their eyes on us."
"You’ve got some balls..." Falling Feather said in surprise.
"Bah, this is nothing," Night Ten said dismissively. "Back in West Continent Municipality, things were much wilder. And hey, it’s just a game. Die and it’s only three days before you’re back."
"Fair point." Thinking it over, Falling Feather realized he was right. Even failure just meant a three-day respawn timer.
But then it hit him, unlike those guys, he wasn’t someone who could just restart. He had a massive silver coin quest at stake!
If things went south, his quest was as good as ruined. The thought made his anxiety return.
Fortunately, the ride went without incident.
The sentries at the posts barely checked. One glance at the rider and a sleepy wave was given for them to pass.
600 meters vanished in moments.
They passed through the mansion gates, walked by two machine gun posts, and soon saw the splendid villa ahead.
Its marble-clad walls were carved with exquisite reliefs, rising seven stories high.
From afar, it looked like a castle in a garden, reminiscent of Old Leech on Baker Street.
Only this one was leagues more opulent, their wealth incomparable.
"Holy crap... How many rooms does one man need?" Night Ten whispered, trying to count windows through the cart slats.
Gale raised his eyebrows and teased him over the communication channel.
"You think he lives here alone?"
"Uh... fair."
Night Ten thought it over, if he were a local tyrant, having 70 or 80 concubines would be expected.
Truly... His imagination wasn’t too wild because he was poor...
By the fountain, the driver glanced at a patrol walking away and coughed twice.
The signal.
The players jumped from the carts, rifles raised and bolts chambered.
Keeping his voice low, Ample Time gave his orders. "Team 1 flank to the rear, cut off escape. Team 2 hold the central garden. Move inside after engagement. Team 3 on the front door. And Team 4 take that window at the left corridor’s end!"
"Go!"
The channel echoed with crisp replies.
"Roger!"
Routes had already been marked on the drone’s feed.
Moving swiftly, they split into four squads and crossed the lush garden.
Ten Little Feathers dispersed among them, wearing K-10 Iron Wall exoskeletons and serving as the vanguard.
Ample Time with Team 3 reached the main door. He shot Falling Feather a look, who answered instantly.
"Little Feather!"
"Yiwu!"
One Little Feather in armor crouched into a running stance, then charged like a linebacker.
Bang!
The heavy door burst open and the silence of the night shattered.
Concealment was unnecessary now.
The missile-laden drone circled above as the squads surrounded the mansion. Now it was a trap.
Team 3 stormed into the darkened hall and Team 4 followed their plan.
But the instant they entered, Ample Time smelled something wrong.
There was blood.
He raised his light and saw a corpse hanging under the chandelier.
Its belly was slit, intestines looped around its neck, face twisted in agony.
Ample Time’s pupils narrowed as he lit up the face of the corpse.
The uniform. The face. It was Luo Feihui.
He couldn’t mistake it.
They had spoken with him only an hour ago.
A chill raced down his spine. Had the man already been dead? Had someone else met them?
A creak came next.
Swinging the beam of light over, he saw hulking mass feasting noisily, cramming meat into its maw.
Its skin was green, but it wasn’t a mutant, it resembled a Butcher of the evolved type Slime Mold.
Fat folds layered its body and it looked like a rockery boulder sitting there.
Grisly corpses lay scattered, men, women, old, young, and their parts.
They were likely Luo Feihui’s family.
"Shit..." Falling Feather’s stomach churned. He raised his rifle, locking on to the feasting monster.
Then a dry, rasping voice drifted from the stairs above, tinged with mockery. "I hear..."
"Someone’s been looking for me?"
