Forster was clearly in the worst shape of all the forces.
Eagle Claw Fortress was nearly out of supplies, morale was low, and Lion Lake City, his home base, had fallen. He was surrounded by three forces—none of which he could defeat.
After seeing the Lion Knight Order's banner to the west, Forster understood that Lion Lake City was most likely beyond recovery.
There was only one thought in his mind now—take his most elite troops and run for it.
There was no doubt that this was a wise judgment.
Kaidelen's remaining troops were scattering in flight, the Raven army was fighting the Lion Knight Order, and the Gatu people were busy occupying the Raven Kingdom's camp and looting it. This was the best possible chance to escape.
But Forster also understood that if he directly told the soldiers he was retreating and running away, their already low morale might collapse completely...
After all, the soldiers knew Lion Lake City had fallen. Once they left Eagle Claw Fortress, they would be an isolated force with no base of their own. And to both the Lionheart Kingdom and the Raven Kingdom, they were rebels.
Under such circumstances, the best outcome would probably be for all the soldiers to become deserters. As for a less favorable outcome, some bolder fellow might take Forster's head to atone for his crimes...
Besides, Forster could not possibly withdraw everyone. The slow infantry and the wounded certainly would not be able to escape, especially with the Lion Knight Order right nearby!
To ensure his own escape, he needed some people to cover the rear and create better opportunities—for example, by throwing the battlefield into complete chaos.
But in the current situation, no one would likely be willing to stay behind. He could not even say they