Lance's plan was simple: deploy small elite units to seize these locations, first controlling the entrances and exits, while the main force sweeps through and clears out the heretics hiding in the wilderness, leaving them with nowhere to escape.

But the actual operation was more complicated.

Due to insufficient troops for control, Lance decided, after consulting the map, to keep only three key objectives and blow up the rest.

Objective One was the closest to the outpost, Objective Three was the farthest north, while Objective Two, as the name implies, was in the middle. The route, though somewhat damaged, could be used with some simple repairs.

As for the others, since they couldn't be utilized, they'd all be blasted.

If I can't have it, neither can you.

The mission was exceedingly difficult, requiring them to delve into the wilderness within a short time and proceed in the dark of night; too many participants would risk alarming the heretics.

To complete this mission, the Honor Guard was undoubtedly most suitable.

"This mission will be entrusted to the Honor Guard, dividing into five squads of five to set out at night and complete the demolition task before dawn, then regroup at the northernmost objective to defend."

The person in charge of the Honor Guard was Lance himself, and Lance wouldn't let anyone else interfere; Geralt and the others were merely instructors.

So this order was given to himself; he would detail the arrangements for the Honor Guard when the time came.

But this was merely the beginning.

"Balistan, I need you to lead Team Two from here, and directly penetrate!" Lance said, drawing a line on the map, bypassing Objective One and heading straight to Objective Two, as if the troops were being inserted into it.

"Along this route, leave thirty men at Objective Two to construct simple fortifications to block the heretics and guard against enemy counterattacks, then take the rest to support the northernmost Objective Three and collaborate with the Honor Guard to hold the position."

Then Lance looked at Barton.

"If you need men, I'll give you men, if you need horses, I'll give you horses. No matter what, make sure to reach Objective Two quickly at the start of the war.

Get the artillery set up in position, and take over Objective Two before the heretics can react. Blast anyone who shows up and completely seal it off."

After Lance's previous inspection of the artillery, Barton had intensified training, churning out skilled gunners through considerable effort. Currently, Hamlet could operate twenty guns.

During this preparation period, Barton also conducted reconnaissance. The paths through the wilderness were certainly tough, but a six-pounder cannon was a small one, a single horse could barely pull it; as for ammunition and supplies, each artillery unit of seven men could manage to carry them if necessary.

"Rest assured, my lord, I will complete the mission!" Barton was equally serious; this was his first battle to prove himself, and he had to perform excellently.

"We've already scouted the old roads from back then, and the route plan is solid; all it needs is a bit of clearing for use."

Lance pointed to a route on the map.

"We conscripted five hundred convicts and thirty carts, so make sure this path is cleared out. It won't take long, as long as the carts can roll and the cavalry can run, it's fine.

This path is vital for our logistics and troop deployment, crucial for both support and withdrawal; it's essentially our lifeline."

It practically meant that once the infantry swept forward, construction would begin immediately behind, advancing the road alongside the frontline.

If not for Gene's contribution of a batch of convicts and carts, it would have been difficult for Lance to gather these resources.

Grateful for Mother Nature's gifts...

"To complete the blockade against them, the north of the wilderness is very critical. The first wave of assaults will be borne by the Honor Guard, with Balistan's support being very critical.

I want the cavalry to start the battle by directly cutting in from the northwest to cut off their escape westward, then divide a hundred infantry to assist and kill as many heretics as possible, driving them back.

The rest will launch a frontal assault, conducting a grid search and tightening the encirclement; either they jump into the sea to the east, or they get trapped within."

After laying out the battle plan, Lance sternly warned them.

"From now on, a state of emergency is in effect. Without my orders, no one leaves the outpost, go back now and prepare for tomorrow's battle."

"Yes! Mission will be accomplished."

Lance sent some back to prepare and kept others behind.

"Those heretics surely won't be satisfied with us besieging them, so they're bound to counterattack and seize these passages that haven't been blown up."

Reynard, Balistan, and Barton would all be with the army, so there wasn't much mobility on site.

"Geralt, Alhazred, Tadiff, you three go to Objective Three to assist Balistan in the defense. Though the Honor Guard is there, it's possible that there are Transcendents among these heretics, so I need you to act.

What's more important than the encirclement itself is the direction of the northern ruins; heretic reinforcements are likely to come from there, and it must be held."

"Rest assured, Lord, those heretics won't get past Objective Three." Balistan chose the most dangerous path.

"The central Objective Two is very critical too, because once the troops pass Objective One, the only escape route within the encirclement will be there. The heretics will charge madly, so the pressure is not light at all. Boudica, Dismas, Junia, you go support Barton."