Black Stone Mountain Range, Hundred Mile Corridor.
The upper ranks of the Giant Centipedes had gathered to discuss the aftermath, while the Centipede Soldiers standing guard outside were equally anxious.
"We bore the main responsibility for this crushing defeat.
We launched an attack in haste before determining the enemy's strength, and that was the fundamental reason for our disastrous loss.
But more important than reflecting on our failure was the strength the enemy displayed!"
The Centipede Marshal was the first to speak.
The decision to attack had been made by the clan, but he had commanded the battle. He had to shoulder responsibility for the defeat, but he could not carry all of it alone. That required political wisdom.
"Marshal Howell, probing the Alpha Kingdom was a decision we made together. We should bear responsibility for the defeat together.
The main reason for this defeat was our excessive arrogance. We assumed that the divided human kingdoms were not worth fearing.
The Surface World differs from the underworld. Many of our previous assumptions do not apply here.
In the underworld, while the Giant Centipede clan was not among the very strongest great races, we could at least rank within the top ten.
The differences in strength between races were not too great. Even when facing several top-tier great races, we still possessed some ability to protect ourselves.
The Aslant Continent is different. The disparity in strength among the major powers here is far greater.
A single kingdom in the human world possesses strength comparable to, or even greater than, our clan.
Being fooled once is enough. Our foremost task now is to quickly determine the situation of the major powers across the continent!"
The Centipede King said solemnly.
Victory was the easiest thing to lose oneself in. The Giant Centipede clan's