While Lynch and Mr. Wardrick were discussing the northern battlefront, others were also talking about this battle.

"The Federation people lack war experience. I believe that even if you gave them a month, they still wouldn’t be able to conquer this position!"

The diplomat from the Gafura Empire sat by the table, with his high collar forcing him to keep his head straight while speaking, as lowering his head would make him feel like he’s being choked.

He wasn’t short, which made some people feel that he was speaking with his head held high, filled with the unique arrogance of Gafura nobility.

However, no one opposed the content of his words.

Everyone knew the Federation people lacked war experience, and in previous battles, the Mariluo people didn’t put up much resistance.

When they slightly increased their resistance at the riverside city, the Federation suffered heavy losses, reportedly losing over one or two thousand people.

This time, they faced an even fiercer and more determined resistance.

The information has already been gathered through various channels, and Mariluo warlords have united to show the Federation people their strength, assembling twenty-six thousand people, together with local residents rewarded to stay and resist.

A total of about thirty-five to forty thousand people have built a formidable defense in the town, a common scene in war.

Assembling stronger forces than the attackers within a city, breaking through these defenses requires a heavy price.

No one could refute this fact; it was undeniable!

If the Federation’s army also appears... incapable, the vigilance against them would lower, even leading to some diplomatic strategies changing.

Without a strong army, it is impossible to achieve substantial aggression; bombarding ports won’t affect national sovereignty, only by steadily advancing would they push a country toward annihilation.

People speculated leisurely on how long it would take the Federation to overcome their obstacles.

The conversation eventually turned to the downed aircraft.

"I heard someone experimented and found that low-flying planes could be shot down with machine guns, ending the myth of aircraft invincibility."

The comment seemed to resonate, drawing attention to the topic.

Nations were eager to acquire aircraft due to the "invincibility of aircraft" theory that arose after their debut.

This theory centered on planes flying in the sky, beyond the reach of those on the ground, making them unbeatable until an effective method of attack was found.

Aircraft could repeatedly bombard or observe from above, while people on the ground were helpless against them.

This theory emerged when aircraft were unknown, with their performance, maximum altitude, and speed remaining mysteries.

Some people would blindly fear and further glorify powerful unknown entities.

Now, the time has come for this theory to end.

An aircraft was shot down by a group of warlords, implying that nations with complete industries could also shoot planes down.

The Gafura diplomat timely remarked on this issue, "I heard it was an anti-aircraft cannon developed by a company in some small country."

Interest surged, with some even suggesting halting the purchase of Lynch’s planes in favor of those anti-aircraft cannons.

They may not be invading other territories, but someone might invade theirs.

If large-scale anti-aircraft deployment occurred, they would have no worries concerning defense.

People remembered that Lynch had recently delivered a batch, and the diplomat who received them was present; the Gafura diplomat jokingly suggested, "Why don’t you bring out some planes while we’ll get some anti-aircraft cannons and conduct a real test?"

The idea intrigued people, but the diplomat who purchased the aircraft was hesitant.

They had spent real money and weren’t inclined to bear losses unnecessarily.

The diplomat’s silence led the Gafura diplomat to propose jokingly, "We all know once we acquire the planes, similar tests will follow."

"So why don’t we resolve it all at once?"

"If the anti-aircraft cannon can indeed shoot down a plane, or if the plane is damaged but not destroyed, let’s share the costs together."

"This way, we achieve the desired outcome while reducing expenses, something to consider..."

The proposal was realistic, leading almost everyone to agree.

With so many in agreement, the diplomat from the country with the initial aircraft purchase couldn’t refuse, eventually agreeing to the proposal.

Meanwhile, efforts were made to contact anti-aircraft manufacturers and find a testing site.

Days flew swiftly by.

Given the busy nature of their endeavors, time seemed to slip away unnoticed, with darkness falling before anything substantial was accomplished.

Unlike carefree childhood days when time seemed endless, adulthood’s wake found days passing too swiftly.

The northern front was still engulfed in war, with Mariluo resisting fiercely, unwilling to yield this time.

Especially after downing a plane, their resolve grew more unyielding.

Moreover, they changed their narrative concerning the Federation’s "invasion," no longer labeling it as such but as "Darkstone Security Company’s invasion."

Previously, when calling it the "Federation’s invasion," it was psychological solace, reassuring themselves it was not due to their unwillingness to fight but their inability against the Federation.

Meanwhile, this narrative also sought international sympathy, urging condemnation of the Federation’s invasion.

However, circumstances had changed, and warlords believed they might indeed match the Federation, so continuing to emphasize the invaders as "Federation people" could provoke official annoyance.

They weren’t arrogant enough to think the Federation Military couldn’t surpass them.

So now, they emphasized the invaders as a private military company, constraining the conflict between the warlords and the Federation Company without broadening it.

Even if they were to annihilate numerous Federation soldiers, it would only concern the private company’s armed staff, unrelated to the Federation Military.

This little trick revealed the warlords’ intent: to annihilate Darkstone Security Company’s staff within Mariluo territory, even exerting pressure on Sanchez’s side.

Some warlord troops were gathering, possibly launching an offensive along Sanchez’s line.

Another day of intense combat ended with the Federation withdrawing by nightfall.

Commanders continued strategizing for forthcoming actions, grappling with challenges.

The primary headache was the city’s firm resistance; even if they captured a part, expanding from there was difficult due to the overwhelming local resistance.

There were far too many people, vastly outnumbering them by several times, who would launch fresh attacks while they rested at night.

This required maintaining continuous, high-intensity engagement to hold their ground.

Lack of rest, deteriorating mental states, and declining morale plagued them.

Until the tools capable of downing aircraft were addressed, the rear advised bombers to refrain from missions, although a new squadron was in preparation, unsure if they had arrived.

"To make a breakthrough, we need to find a suitable location to establish fortifications..."

A commander from the Amelia Battlefield provided advice, "Entering just to be forced back achieves nothing but casualties, offering no progress in our overall campaign."

"Another option is to use special ammunition. Lynch has authorized its use if necessary; now seems an opportune time."

Following their previous use of special ammunition, international voices criticized Darkstone Security Company’s actions as inhumane and antisocial, urging them to avoid using it.

In private, the Federation Government also suggested avoiding its use if possible, as a tarnished reputation could damage the Federation’s international image.

Besides, everyone had their considerations; anyone approving the use of special ammunition would bear responsibility for any subsequent issues, so despite Lynch’s approval, few wanted accountability.

The commander’s claim drew looks from others, implying he should take responsibility.

After a brief silence, the commander remarked, "I was merely suggesting."

In truth, uncertainty prevailed as to whether the company would protect them from international criticism and pressure if things escalated.

This was a deterrent against using special ammunition.

Should the company fail to shield them, the Ministry of Defense would certainly refrain from intervening, leaving them with tarnished reputations.

Not only would they lose their jobs, but their families might also be affected, given anyone labeled as a "butcher" or "executioner" faced public reproach.

Moreover, the Federation was a peculiar society, where excessive freedom pursuit left citizens without a strong national ethos.

Achievements didn’t automatically earn someone the title of hero; instead, people might regard them as bloody executioners like foreign observers.

Such perceptions might even incite strikes and protests, with demonstrators brandishing signs demanding punishment for the "executioners."

This was the Federation’s media freedom and its ideological independence!