Advancing in Triumph

The large number of Eagle-Man scouts who went out and never returned caught the attention of the Eagle-Man officers. After being reported up the chain of command, the news quickly reached Behemoth Emperor.

What's meant to happen will happen!

He really is my good son. His actions are extraordinary, and he has mobilized all those old geezers of the human race in one fell swoop.

You've been pretending for decades, why not keep pretending? Why force me at this moment?

Unfortunately, he was still too inexperienced.

They thought that by doing it discreetly, they could fool everyone.

Little did they know that they had been on the wrong path from the very beginning!

"A spoiled prince, managing to gain a group of followers, really thinks he's the chosen one of heaven?"

After muttering to himself, Behemoth Emperor suppressed his superfluous emotions and became sinister.

"Guards, pass down the order. Have all units prepare for battle; the human counterattack is coming."

I sent someone to inform the Crown Prince that I was unwell, and asked him to hand over his duties and come over immediately to take charge.

Inform the other Four Great Royal Clans that human reinforcements have arrived and urge them to seize the time to destroy the Warhammer Kingdom.

..."

With a series of orders issued, the Behemoth Emperor, having severed all superfluous emotions, was left with only rationality, like a machine devoid of feelings.

The path to immortality is destined to be lonely. From the unbearable grief at the death of his eldest son to the current acceptance of it all, Behemoth Emperor's heart has long been as firm as a rock.

Perhaps I'll feel emotional occasionally, but that's just a diversion from a boring life.

At this point, immortality and immense power are the ultimate pursuits of the Behemoth Emperor.

He is willing to give anything to achieve his goal.

"Kill!"

As the battle cries rang out, a special team composed of "men" appeared on the battlefield between the human and beast races.

The magic that filled the sky heralded the start of the great battle.

Fire rain, hail, ground spikes, wind blades, lightning... the scene surpassed countless special effects blockbusters.

The sight of thousands of mages attacking together was truly awe-inspiring.

A Bearman Heavy Infantry regiment at the very front of the Beastfolk army had no idea what was happening when they encountered the Beast God amidst a dazzling display of fireworks.

"Balloons, fire! Magic Crystal Cannon, turn them around! Ritual, quickly tie down the enemy's mage corps!"

When Agustin gave the order, the Ritual behind him was struck by lightning and nearly killed.

On the battlefield, it is the duty of the mage squad to hold back the enemy, but that also depends on the actual situation.

It's clear from their physique that Beastfolk are better suited to the warrior path.

Indeed, the Orc Empire's military strength far surpassed that of the three northern human kingdoms, but in the realm of magic, it was at a disadvantage.

It wasn't that the Ritual was incompetent; it was simply a limitation imposed by racial talent. Among the Five Great Royal Families, countless members were suited for the warrior path, but very few were capable of cultivating magic.

They don't even need much training; they are born warriors as adults.

Lacking magical talent, Beastfolk can only rely on the blessings of the gods for their magical power. The Ritual, responsible for both Ritual the gods and providing magical output, holds a special position among the Beastfolk race.

Fortunately, the Beast God is a versatile individual who has a broad knowledge of various laws. If he were to specialize in only one law like the Lord of Dawn, the Beastfolk Ritual Order would be in an awkward position.

The power bestowed by the gods has its limits, and is also subject to the degree of devotion in one's faith.

Against this backdrop, the Beastfolk Ritual's power naturally couldn't grow stronger. Being able to restrain the mage corps of the three northern kingdoms was already considered an exceptional achievement.

This group of elderly mages in front of me are undoubtedly kings in terms of both spellcasting experience and personal strength.

Even if all the magicians from the three northern kingdoms were combined, they couldn't muster such a lineup. How could their Ritual corps possibly restrain them?

War doesn't follow fair principles; even battles that are unwinnable must be fought. Once the orders are given, there's always a chance to try.

The idea was good, but reality proved it wrong.

The Ritual's move directly revealed their location. Seeing this, the group of Magister who had initially just been watching the spectacle became interested.

Meteor Fire Rain, terrestrial pulses, tornadoes, falling ice and rocks...

Aside from Forbidden Spell, it can be said that all the advanced magic that humans possess can be found here.

The magic of the two groups clashed fiercely in the sky, erupting in dazzling light. However, the stalemate did not last long before a one-sided battle ensued.

Faced with the magical attack looming over them, the Beastfolk Ritual hurriedly erected energy shields, but in the face of absolute power, it was all in vain.

Except for a few powerful Ritual who reacted quickly enough to escape the range of the magic attack, the rest were instantly annihilated.

As the leader, Agustin was caught in the crossfire because he was too close to the Ritual. Although he narrowly escaped death, he was still left looking disheveled.

Having narrowly escaped death, Agustin's entire perspective changed. The idea of annihilating the human army became meaningless at that moment.

Reason told him that the group of freaks in front of him was beyond the capabilities of his troops.

"Guards, pass down the order: have the Pigmen Legion and the Ratmen Legion advance..."

Before he could even utter the word "attack," he swallowed it back. Instead of utilizing the mage squad's advantage to sustain continuous attacks, the enemy launched a full-scale assault.

The Beastfolk army, already torn to pieces, was clearly unable to stop the enemy knights' charge. Agustin hurriedly ordered, "All Wolf Riders legions, attack and stop the enemy!"

The Lion Legion and the Behemoth Legion launched an attack from both flanks, disrupting the enemy's charging formation. The Bearman Legion immediately filled the gaps and formed ranks to meet the enemy!

The fastest Wolf Riders quickly appeared from the flank in front of the army, blocking the human knights' path to charge.

Then came a scene that Agustin would never forget.

Massacre, blatant massacre.

In just one clash, the Wolf Riders legion suffered heavy casualties, with countless Wolf Riders not even having time to escape.

The corpses scattered on the ground did not stop the "old man" knights from charging forward. The Lion Legion and Behemoth Legion, which attacked from both flanks, only delayed them slightly.

The old knights' formation was not broken; instead, in the fierce clashes, they stunned the Lion Legion and the Behemoth Legion.

When have cavalrymen, the pinnacle of combat power on the mainland, ever been subjected to such humiliation?

In the past, even the most elite Knight Order of the human race were often overwhelmed by them.

Unfortunately, this situation was an exception. The weakest of the "knights" charging at the front were Silver Knight, and even the most elite Behemoth Cavalry could be taken down by a single spear thrust.

The number one cavalryman on the continent is not the same as the number one knight on the continent; they are completely different concepts.

Unfortunately, by the time they realized this, it was too late. The Beastfolk cavalry legion blocking their way suffered heavy losses in the clash, and before Agustin could sound the retreat, they had already been routed in a direct confrontation.

The bear-men infantry, who were busy filling in the gaps and restoring their formation, were also stunned by this scene.

Before they could even react, the knight's lance had already pierced their bodies. Many of the bear-men were still in shock when they were sent to meet the Beast God.

The elite legion was routed, and the cannon fodder legion behind it was even worse off. They didn't even have a chance to struggle before being cut in two by the Knights.

Upon seeing this, the commander of the Alpha Kingdom's army at the rear hurriedly ordered the entire army to launch an attack and thoroughly defeat the enemy.

The bloody battle continued, but this time it was no longer a clash between two powerful forces, but a one-sided massacre.

Even as he fled in panic, Agustin's mind was still filled with doubts.

Where did these perverts come from?

How could the human race possibly have such a powerful army?

What should the Orc Empire do next?

What should I do?

With a series of questions lingering in his mind, Agustin gradually moved away from the battlefield.

The once renowned Beastfolk commander is now dead, replaced by a middle-aged behemoth filled with fear.

Having gained a new understanding of the human race, Agustin finally understood why humans were the dominant species on the continent, while Beastfolk could only huddle on the barren borders of the continent.

Recalling the notes of his ancestors, Agustin vaguely sensed that this war was unusual.

In the past, while the human race could achieve victory, it was never this easy.

Most of the time, a few elite legions were able to rampage across the battlefield, causing the human army to flee in all directions.

Even if they fail, it will be the result of being besieged by multiple human legions.

Unlike now, a group of old men with completely white beards, who could die at any moment, beat them so badly they couldn't tell which way was which.

This doesn't look like a battle at all.

This was clearly a premeditated massacre!

An army that emerged on a local battlefield, with a mage corps of several thousand and countless human experts accompanying them, is simply unimaginable.

Unsure if it was just his imagination, a voice deep inside him told him that the enemy forces had more skilled fighters than the entire Orc Empire.

Agustin's defeat was just the beginning. With the help of a group of "old man" knights, the Alpha Kingdom launched continuous counterattacks in the border areas.

No matter how well-prepared the Beastfolk army was, or how many elite troops they gathered, they could not stop the orcs' charge.

Even the elusive Eaglemen forces paid a heavy price on the battlefield. Once targeted by the elders, an eagle would fall in an instant.

In retaliation, the Orc Empire even deployed two Eagle Legions at once to fight alongside its land forces.

Unfortunately, the final result wasn't much better. The enemy's mages transformed into artillerymen and bombarded them relentlessly, while a group of immortals flew into their ranks and began a massacre.

There was no other way; the Beastfolk on land could form ranks to fight, but these air force units couldn't.

Their weapons are mostly designed for ground troops, and they usually use bows and arrows to deal with aerial threats. Once the enemy gets close, their combat effectiveness is not much stronger than that of an ordinary person.

For a time, news of victories came frequently from the front lines. It is said that Caesar III was so happy that he was practically grinning from ear to ear. Even Hudson, thousands of miles away, felt this joy.

According to the battle reports forwarded by the kingdom, the Alpha Kingdom has gradually recovered the previously lost defenses and is only one step away from expelling all the Beastfolk from the country.

Fighting side by side in the same trenches, victory always resonates with everyone. Watching their allies triumphantly advance on the battlefield, the Dapes City was filled with the joy of victory.

It all stemmed from a debate in the Alpha Kingdom's court.

The victories of the past few days have made the kingdom's leadership optimistic about the war situation, and some military generals have proposed to reclaim the lands lost by the kingdom in the last war.

Once this strategic plan is completed, the army that has penetrated deep into the Moxi Duchy and the Warhammer Kingdom will be separated from the Orc Empire's homeland and become an isolated force.

Without reinforcements from the Beastfolk, the strategic situation was completely reversed.

The Beastfolk, isolated and helpless, are becoming fewer and fewer as they die. Even without reinforcements from the Human Alliance, they can be slowly worn down on the battlefield.

Not only is this war secured, but the future national defense security of the Moxi Duchy will also be greatly improved.

With the Alpha Kingdom as their human shield, they can once again enjoy their carefree life of watching the drama unfold.

At most, if a major war breaks out in the future, we will pay a little more attention to providing more support to our "old friends" to avoid repeating this tragedy.

Hudson simply smiled at the Moxi people's thoughts. One must always have ideals; otherwise, how will one know the cruelty of the world?

Based on his understanding of Caesar III to reclaim the territory lost in the last war at this time. Even disregarding all the pros and cons, the Alpha Kingdom did not possess the strength to reclaim its lost territory.

While the front lines appeared to be advancing rapidly, apart from the initial battles where the Beastfolk suffered heavy losses, they only suffered more defeats than actual losses to their main force.

The numbers of decapitations reported in battle reports were all just made up of grunts. Hudson rarely saw detailed accounts of orc Beastfolk in official documents.

As is customary, any kill of more than three hundred orc royal Beastfolk will be listed separately.

The reports of victory from home didn't mention it, so Hudson assumed it hadn't happened. Since the enemy's main force was still intact, a large-scale recapture of lost territory would be a military adventure.

Recovering lost territory is not just about "taking" it back, but more importantly, about "restoring" it. After taking it back, troops should be sent to garrison it.

After so many years of ravages by the Beastfolk, the original fortifications have long since been reduced to ruins. To rebuild a defensive line, they have to start from scratch.

The wounds of war hadn't even healed yet, so how could the Alpha Kingdom have the national strength to go and manage the northern lands?

In the short term, a hasty northward advance to reclaim lost territory would not yield any substantial benefits to the Alpha Kingdom other than some prestige.

Even the Human Alliance reinforcements already on their way might disband on the spot and head back home due to the reversal of the war situation.

Despite knowing this, Hudson was outwardly a staunch advocate of war.

Let alone reclaiming lost territory, even if someone suggested marching north and striking straight at the Beastfolk royal court's stronghold, Hudson would still support it, as long as he wasn't the one leading the troops.

It's just a persona, all for political purposes. It merely represents his current position and stance, not his personal stance.

Looking at the foreign minister lobbying him, Hudson couldn't help but laugh. Despite his imposing presence in the Moxi Duchy, it was all an act.

If he were to actually arrive in China, which of the kingdom's high-ranking officials would recognize him?

His military exploits were remarkable, but unfortunately, they were fought in the Moxi Duchy. While the kingdom nominally treats all its members equally, in practice, there are still differences.

The core reason is that the distance is too great, and with only data on paper, it is difficult for people to appreciate the contributions Hudson made to the kingdom.

Even if people can recognize these contributions, it doesn't mean that Hudson will have a high level of political influence.

Ultimately, the power to speak still stems from strength. In the Moxi Duchy, he commands an expeditionary force of 110,000, whose military strength is roughly equivalent to a quarter of the current strength of the Moxi Duchy.

As the battle at the front progresses, the strength of the expeditionary force continues to rise. If the entire Terence Defense Line falls, this proportion could even increase to forty percent.

With its own strength and the backing of the Alpha Kingdom, Hudson can naturally speak and act with confidence.

Returning home was a different story. The expeditionary force was disbanded and everyone went home, and he, as the commander-in-chief, was instantly reduced to his original status.

Even if everyone is united to form a new political faction, it will be difficult to gain much political influence in the short term.

Ultimately, Hudson's current strength stems from the power of the platform provided by the Alpha Kingdom; it is essentially the power of the platform, not his own.

Leaving aside the power of the platform, his personal army only expanded to a little over ten thousand. Some powerful middle-class nobles in the country were stronger overall than the forces under his command.

Expecting him to influence the kingdom's decisions is simply wishful thinking. If he truly possessed that political influence, Hudson wouldn't have used him at a time like this.

"Your Excellency, the recovery of lost territory is the common desire of every nobleman of the Alpha Kingdom, and in principle, I certainly support this plan."

However, I am currently not in the country, so I am truly powerless to intervene in the decisions made by the Royal Capital.

"Perhaps we should wait until the expeditionary force returns home to rest and recuperate. Then I will certainly propose this to His Majesty the King and do my utmost to promote the implementation of this strategic plan."

Hudson's casual reply sent a chill down Renato's spine. The expeditionary force was going home? What a joke!

The reversal of fortune in the Alpha Kingdom does not mean that the situation in the Moxi Duchy has also been brought back on track. The Terence Defense Line is teetering on the brink of collapse, and once it breaks down, the Beastfolk army will once again march south.

Without the expeditionary force, a vital military force, they could not guarantee that they would be able to hold out until reinforcements from the Human Alliance arrived.

Faced with the real issue of survival, everything else has to give way.

Hudson's deceptive nature made it entirely possible for a young, ambitious general to lead an expeditionary force back home to reclaim lost territory.

"Your Excellency, this matter requires further consideration. We are merely offering a suggestion, mainly because the opportunity has arisen unexpectedly, and it would be a great pity not to take advantage of it."

The battlefield is ever-changing, and no one can predict the future. Just because it's a good time to act now doesn't mean it will be a good time later. Even if you rush back now, it might be too late.

"Since it's all about fighting the Beastfolk, why not stay here and thwart their ambition to march south and overthrow our human race's dominance on the continent!"

Renato reorganized his words.

Deep down, he was incredibly frustrated. He'd heard from his colleagues that Hudson was a difficult person to deal with, but he never expected him to be this troublesome.

He had barely made a suggestion when Hudson not only blocked the topic but also turned the tables on him.

What may seem like youthful impetuosity is actually a veiled warning, as his years of diplomatic experience have taught him.