Ambush

During his time in the canyon, Ang maintained the catapults every day while keeping up with training and meditation to improve his combat ability and control over his Qi force. Three days had passed since the last battle against the Demons. The Grand Duchy of Tan'anster had sent two new Cavalry Regiments, an Infantry Regiment, and an Archer Regiment as reinforcements.

According to the scout reports sent out by Commander Meredith, beyond the canyon lay a vast plain, while the Demons' main camp was located on the Kewenhua Grand Plains in the eastern part of the Maple Sugar Plane. The plains had been named after Professor Kewenhua of the Tan'anster Geographic Survey Institute.

After the reinforcements arrived at the canyon, Meredith remained in command of the battle. As the combat commander for the eastern region of the Maple Sugar Plane, Meredith received the new reinforcements and immediately ordered the defensive line pushed beyond the canyon. The Logistics Regiment where Ang served swiftly responded to the Allied Forces commander's orders and moved the fortifications forward. Every member of the Logistics Regiment joined the effort, taking a day to advance the defensive line to the edge of the Kewenhua Grand Plains and begin constructing new fortifications there. The Cavalry Regiments patrolled outside the defensive line to ensure security.

Meanwhile, Commander Meredith continued monitoring the Demons' movements and drew up a detailed battle plan, preparing to launch a final assault on the Demon main camp in the Kewenhua Grand Plains at the right moment. The entire Allied Forces made thorough preparations for the coming battle. Everyone knew this would be a decisive and crucial campaign.

After analyzing the report from Dawuyura, one of his subordinate generals, Gewalong, the commander of the eastern Demon territory, silently swept his gaze across the other Foul Spirit Commanders present. The meeting room was filled with anger and dissatisfaction. The Demons angrily condemned humanity's shamelessness, believing humans did not dare confront their great Holy Race head-on and instead resorted to despicable harassment tactics.

Gewalong raised a hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. The Foul Spirit Commanders immediately stopped their clamor, turned toward Gewalong, and waited for his instructions. Gewalong said calmly, "Since Dawuyura reports that the humans are wavering between advancing and retreating, we cannot simply stand by. We must teach them a lesson and make them understand that before absolute strength, all their schemes and tricks are nothing but worthless trash."

His voice was deep and powerful, full of authority. Gewalong continued, "We will concentrate our forces and launch a powerful counterattack, shattering the human defensive line completely. Inform every unit to prepare and remain on standby. Dawuyura, personally lead the Elite Troops. Find the weak point in the human defenses and deal them a fatal blow."

The Foul Spirit Commanders nodded, vicious light gleaming in their eyes. After the meeting, they moved swiftly, each deploying their troops and preparing to launch a fierce counterattack against the humans. Gewalong stood before the battle map, coldly staring at the marked human defensive line as he finalized a detailed battle plan. He knew this counterattack would be a crucial step in the war between Demons and humans. Only by winning in one stroke could they make humanity truly understand its insignificance and helplessness.

Before long, the Demon army rapidly assembled and challenged the duchy's Allied Forces. The two sides faced off at the edge of the Kewenhua Grand Plains, and the atmosphere on the battlefield was tense. The dark mass of Demon soldiers spread out like a tide, menacing and overwhelmingly oppressive.

Meredith stood on the Allied Forces command platform, his eyes fixed on the Demon army opposite him. Though reinforcements had arrived, the sight of such a massive enemy force still placed pressure on him. He understood the difficulty and importance of this battle. Every decision could determine the outcome of the entire war.

Meredith took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. Then he turned to the adjutants and generals beside him and said resolutely, "Everyone, this is the strongest enemy we have faced, and this is a battle we must win. No matter how ferocious they are, we cannot retreat. Commanders, return to your positions and make sure every soldier is ready for the coming battle."

Soon, Meredith ordered the catapults to attack first. Massive stones flew from the Allied Forces position, arcing across the sky toward the Demon army. However, Gewalong had already seen through the humans' intentions and swiftly ordered the entire army to retreat. Limited by their range, the catapults' stones fell harmlessly onto empty ground, failing to injure a single Demon.

Seeing this, the Demons burst into laughter. Their mocking voices echoed across the plains, exceptionally grating to the ear. Seeing that the catapult attack had failed, Meredith sighed inwardly. He understood that such long-range bombardment could only be attempted once and would only have a real effect when the enemy was entirely unprepared.

Meredith quickly adjusted his strategy. He knew he had to change tactics to deal with such a vigilant enemy. He said to the generals beside him, "We must use speed and flexibility to launch a more direct and effective attack. The catapults may not have worked, but we still have other methods."

He ordered the archers to prepare for the next wave of long-range attacks while commanding the infantry and cavalry to prepare for a charge. Meredith knew this battle required everyone's effort. He encouraged the soldiers to maintain their faith and courage and not shrink back before a powerful enemy.

Just as the Allied Forces adjusted their formation and prepared for another attack, Gewalong was also closely watching the humans' movements. His gaze was icy, and he had already devised a response. He said quietly to the Demon generals beside him, "The humans truly cannot withstand a blow. We will wait for them to expose an opening, then deal them a fatal strike."

The tension on the battlefield grew thicker and thicker. Both sides gathered their strength, waiting for the best moment to attack. The wisdom and decisiveness of the two commanders, Meredith and Gewalong, would determine the course of this battle, and the fates of both sides would be decided on these plains.

While the two sides were facing off, Dawuyura led a thousand Demons and quietly appeared atop the cliffs on both sides of the canyon. The Demons hid behind rocks high above, looking down at the canyon below, their eyes gleaming with cunning and cruelty.

Dawuyura stood at the cliff's edge, coldly watching the human troops in the canyon. The Allied Forces at the bottom of the valley looked so small and helpless, as if they could become prey beneath Demon claws at any moment. A cold smile appeared at the corner of Dawuyura's mouth. He was full of confidence in his Demon warriors.

"Hide yourselves and wait for the right moment," Dawuyura ordered in a low voice. He knew a sudden attack would strike the humans the hardest, and all he needed to do was wait for the perfect opportunity.

The Demon warriors swiftly scattered, each finding a concealed position and silently lurking in the shadows of the cliffs. Dawuyura's eyes burned as he closely watched the movements of the Allied Forces below. He had already mapped out his next move—when the humans' attention was drawn to the Demon army ahead, he would lead his forces in an ambush from above and deliver a fatal blow to the Allied Forces.

At the Allied Forces camp on the valley floor, the soldiers had not yet noticed the danger overhead. They were still tensely preparing for the coming battle. Meredith, meanwhile, continued observing the enemy ahead from the command platform, considering how to deal with the predicament before him.

Seeing the human catapults begin to withdraw, Gewalong immediately ordered the Foul Spirit Legion to advance once again. Seeing the bombardment had stopped, the Demons grew bolder and swiftly pressed forward toward the Allied Forces position with imposing momentum.

The Demon vanguard soon entered the Archer Regiment's range. The Archer Regiment commander keenly noticed this and decisively gave the order. "Fire!"

In an instant, countless arrows shot forth. A dark Arrow Rain flew from the Allied Forces position toward the Foul Spirit Legion. The arrows traced graceful arcs through the air, tearing through it with sharp whistles as they rapidly descended upon the Demons. However, relying on their powerful flesh and bones and heavy armor, the Demons fearlessly faced the Arrow Rain. They believed human arrows could never pierce their sturdy defenses.

Arrows struck the Demons one after another. Some bounced off their armor, while others pierced their flesh but inflicted only superficial wounds on those powerful creatures. The Demons roared and continued advancing without slowing in the slightest. The Archer Regiment soldiers' hearts tightened at the sight, but they did not give up and continued firing at the enemy.

Seeing that ordinary arrows could not inflict substantial damage on the Demons, the Archer Regiment commander decisively ordered them to switch to enchanted arrows. The soldiers moved quickly, nocking arrows imbued with the Sharpness attribute. Empowered by magic, these enchanted arrows glimmered with light, their power greatly increased.

Soon, another Arrow Rain flew toward the Foul Spirit Legion. This time, arrows with the Sharpness attribute easily pierced the Demons' armor and flesh. Demons constantly fell amid the rain of arrows, letting out agonized howls. Seeing his troops being steadily weakened, Gewalong burned with rage. He immediately ordered the entire army to advance faster, trying to crush the human defensive line through sheer numerical superiority.

Meredith saw more and more Demons pouring in, and the battle grew increasingly urgent. He decisively ordered the Cavalry Regiment waiting in the canyon to charge. At the sound of horns, the cavalry suddenly surged forth, hooves thundering as they charged toward the Foul Spirit Legion with incomparable momentum. Before the Demons could fully react, the fierce cavalry charge broke them apart. Many Demons fell beneath hooves and spears.

The cavalry's powerful impact threw the Demon formation into chaos. Seizing the advantage, Meredith ordered the Infantry Regiment to follow close behind and employ pressing tactics, giving the enemy no chance to catch its breath. The Archer Regiment soldiers delivered precise strikes, while cavalry or infantry comrades would occasionally signal to the archers on the defensive line.

Meanwhile, the members of the Logistics Regiment escorted the catapults back from the front lines. Though the catapults had failed to produce the expected results in the initial attack, they remained strategic resources that needed protection and maintenance.

Ang followed the Logistics Regiment's column, his heart filled with shock and tension. The battle he had just witnessed made him keenly feel the Demons' ferocity and refusal to yield. The enemy came like a tide, endlessly surging forward as if there were no end to them.

However, at that moment, Dawuyura, lurking atop the canyon cliffs, saw his opportunity. A sly glint flashed in his eyes, and he immediately ordered his thousand Demons to launch an ambush from above.

The Demons rapidly climbed down into the canyon along vines on the cliff face, moving as nimbly as ghosts in the darkness. The Logistics Regiment soldiers froze at the sudden attack. Many had not even had time to react before the Demons tore their bodies apart. Blood sprayed everywhere, and screams echoed through the canyon.

The Demons unleashed terrifying roars and savagely pounced on the unsuspecting humans. Before the Logistics Regiment soldiers had fully come to their senses, they had already been slain by the Demons. The scene descended into chaos and bloodshed, and the once orderly retreating column instantly collapsed.

The moment the Demons appeared, Ang immediately became alert. He swiftly drew his weapon and prepared to meet the enemy. However, before he could warn the comrades around him, the Demons had already pounced. He watched helplessly as his companions fell one after another, his heart filled with rage and grief.

The Demons crazily attacked the Logistics Regiment members, their sharp claws and fangs tearing through human bodies. The Logistics Regiment soldiers had almost no ability to fight back and quickly fell one after another. The catapults also suffered severe damage amid the chaos. Their huge wooden frames were ripped apart by Demon strength, fragments scattering everywhere.

Ang swung his hand axe and engaged the Demons in close combat. Every slash carried the rage and fear in his heart, but Demon flesh was exceptionally tough, and the hand axe could not easily bring them down. His arm shield continuously blocked the Demons' attacks, and every impact made him feel that indescribably immense strength.

The Demons' claws and fangs were like iron hooks, every strike carrying a deadly threat. Ang resisted with all his strength. His arm shield rang with muffled impacts, transmitting his opponents' enormous power. With every clash, Ang could feel his body tremble, making him deeply realize the gap in strength between himself and these Demons.

The Demons attacked like waves, one after another. Ang's arms gradually began to ache, but he did not retreat in the slightest. He knew he could not take even one step back. Gritting his teeth, he continued swinging his hand axe, searching for every possible chance to counterattack.

Just as a Demon pounced, Ang swiftly sidestepped and brought his hand axe down in a vicious chop at its neck. The attack succeeded unexpectedly. The axe blade sank deep into the Demon's neck, and it let out a scream before collapsing to the ground. However, more Demons rushed toward Ang close behind it.

Ang quickly adjusted his stance and raised his arm shield to block a Demon's sweeping strike. The powerful impact forced him back several steps. He panted heavily, feeling his strength steadily drain away, but he knew he could not fall. A fierce fighting spirit rose within him.

Ang soon discovered that the Demons' weak point was their necks. He shouted to the comrades around him, "Attack their necks! That's their weak point!" His voice carried across the chaotic battlefield, showing his comrades how to fight.

Ang's strength was gradually depleted by the fierce battle, and his movements began to grow heavy. Even so, he stubbornly kept swinging his hand axe, refusing to give the Demons an opening. His eyes swept across the battlefield and noticed that his teammate Lika was struggling against several Demons.

Enbei had been tragically killed in the Demons' first wave of attacks. His body lay quietly nearby, and the brutality of the battlefield made Ang's heart sink. He knew he could not let more companions die. He had to support Lika as quickly as possible.

Ang rushed toward Lika, his hand axe carving sharp arcs as it drove back the Demons in his path. When he reached Lika's side, the two stood back-to-back, forming a solid defensive circle as they resisted the Demons' attacks together.

"Lika, attack their necks!" Ang reminded him again. At the same time, he used his arm shield to knock aside a Demon's claw, then swiftly swung his hand axe and accurately struck its neck, killing it.

Hearing Ang's instruction, Lika immediately adjusted his strategy. He aimed his longsword at the Demons' necks, and every strike became more precise. One Demon tried to pounce on Lika, only for him to drive his sword through its throat. It fell to the ground, twitching.

The two fought back-to-back with perfect understanding and seamless coordination. Though the battle was exceptionally fierce, they stubbornly held their ground. The Demons' assaults came wave after wave, but Ang and Lika's cooperation made them difficult to break through.

Ang's strength continued to drain away, but he gritted his teeth and kept swinging his hand axe. He knew that as long as they held on, reinforcements would arrive and they would see the dawn of victory. Their tenacity and courage also inspired the comrades around them, and everyone worked together to resist the Demon assault.