Having successfully blown up the Underworld passage, Boix felt no joy at all.
The governor had died in battle, and Boix, who had been appointed in the midst of the crisis, had now passively become the highest-ranking commander in the army.
The reinforcements they had expected never arrived. Instead, they received an order to retreat.
Yet war was not something that could be stopped whenever one wished. The Giant Centipede Soldiers, whose route home had been cut off, had gone mad, constantly dragging others down with them.
The troops tangled in the melee simply could not withdraw.
The battle continued until the following day, only ending after both armies had been utterly exhausted.
By the time they calmed down, it was already too late.
Not only had both armies suffered devastating losses, but human cavalry had also arrived at the battlefield and were stationed a dozen or so miles away, watching them closely.
"Your Venerabilities, His Majesty has ordered us to withdraw from Yangguan Commandery as soon as possible, but the human cavalry is eyeing us like a tiger watching its prey.
"Once we leave camp and encounter the human cavalry on the plains, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Boix complained bitterly.
As the temporary commander, he lacked the confidence to refuse the tribe's orders and could only place his hopes on the two Venerables, whose status was far above his own.
Breaking through the enemy cavalry's blockade would likewise require the two of them to exert themselves.
After all, the method the tribe had sent for dealing with cavalry was simply too childish.
He had still dared to try it while holding the camp, but it was utterly impractical while marching.
"Just report the situation truthfully to His Majesty. Retreating at a time like this is no different from