"General, we can't keep fighting. Our troops have suffered far too many losses. The first wave of attacking forces suffered losses exceeding sixty percent. Those who withdrew have also completely lost their will to fight. We no longer have the ability to continue fighting." A lieutenant general tried bitterly to persuade him.
"Yes, General. The Germans' firepower is too formidable. Not only do they have powerful machine-gun fire, but their artillery bombardment is incredibly dense as well. Worse still, they have naval gun fire support. The naval guns are simply too powerful—one shell can cost us over a hundred men, with hardly even bones left behind. Our soldiers no longer have the courage to keep fighting." Another lieutenant general spoke as well.
General Markimician's face turned ashen. The battle had only just begun, yet the troops under his command had already collapsed and no longer had the courage to continue fighting. It was simply too humiliating.
Though he knew this was the truth, the Germans' strength had far exceeded their expectations. But with the battle having turned out like this, how could he possibly answer to His Majesty the King? Once His Majesty the King flew into a rage, the consequences would be severe. As the Commander, he would be the first to face punishment.
"What about the other troops? Can they still keep fighting?" General Markimician asked.
"General, after seeing how ferocious the Germans were in the previous battle, how could our troops possibly still have the courage to fight?"
"Yes, General. If we send more troops to launch an attack, it would truly be no different from sending them to their deaths. They certainly would not agree to it."
"General, if we forcibly issue an order to attack, it might provoke a mutiny within the troops. In that