The Stalemate Begins (10)

"Delsd, we..."

"You don't need to say anything. I'm just gagged, but I can still hear, so I understand the situation. You two don't need to explain. We'll settle the score after this battle!"

Sensing the burning rage beneath Delsd's calm words, beads of sweat poured down the back of Goodpes's foreheads. At this moment, they could only hope that the fierce battle that followed would make Delsd forget all his unpleasantness; otherwise, they would be in deep trouble!

After finishing their complex internal monologues, the three of them climbed out of the underground trench and crawled into the camouflaged fortifications built on the ground to investigate the enemy's situation.

"It's now confirmed that the enemy has sent a division to reinforce us. Their commander is damn cautious!" (Goodpes)

"But that's fine too, at least we don't have to worry about not having enough chips to exchange for anything good!" (Kelsu)

"Can you two say something useful, like how we'll proceed, how we'll distribute the opponents and the loot?" (Delsd)

"Haha! That's right. Only by securing our prey can we have the leverage to negotiate with the other side. (Kelsu)"

"To be on the safe side, when Delsd launches a frontal attack, I will lead men to flank and outflank the enemy. Kelsu, you will stay put and prepare to deal with any unforeseen circumstances. (Goodpes)"

"Okay, let's do it that way!" (Kelsu / Delsd)

"General Xizhalansa, Hertz and the others are not far ahead!"

Following Medvedjev's gaze, Xizhalansa saw magical lights flashing across the sky, indicating the intensity of the battle. Considering the vast disparity in strength and the critical situation, Xizhalansa quickly turned and shouted behind him, "Brothers, the situation ahead is dire! We can't afford to delay any longer, so we can't inch forward like snails anymore. We must speed up!"

"All personnel, full speed ahead!"

With a command from Xizhalansa, a large patch of black clouds suspended in the sky moved forward at an extremely fast speed, eventually transforming into a streak of black light and disappearing into the distance.

Observing the movement of the black 'grain cloud' in the sky, the three-person team, who had been lying in wait underground for a long time, began to set up the bag they would use to capture the cloud. As time passed, the grain cloud gradually moved forward and finally entered the bag. Immediately afterwards, the mounds of earth at the edge of the bag began to shift, gradually sealing the opening in the bag.

"Um?"

Staring at the countless mounds below, Xizhalansa sensed something was amiss. Just as he was about to order his troops to halt and examine the area more closely, the hunters began their operation!

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

Beams of energy shot out from the mound and flew toward the First Division in the sky.

"Defensive formation!"

"Boom!"

The attack began as soon as Xizhalansa issued the battle order, before the soldiers could even carry it out. Breaths of air exploded in the sky like fireworks, but instead of joy, they brought the smoke of war.

"Counterattack!"

In fact, there was no need for Xizhalansa to give the order, because in the instant the attack occurred, everyone had already made the most correct move based on their instincts.

"Sacred Dragon, look!"

Although there was some distance between the First and Second Divisions, it wasn't far. Therefore, even without the guidance of the soldiers beside him, and even with his eyes closed, Sacred Dragon could hear the sounds of battle ahead. However, out of courtesy, and more importantly, to accurately assess the enemy situation, Acnologia glanced in the direction the soldiers were pointing.

"Hmm? Hmph! These Evil Dragon of the Western Continent have quite the appetite, but unfortunately they lack a good set of teeth!"

"Everyone, speed up! Follow me to rescue the First Division!"

"Yes!"

"Haha! Those guys on the other side are really cautious, they actually threw out two full divisions. But we're not pushovers either! (Kelsu)"

"Everyone prepare! Follow me to meet the enemy reinforcements!" (Kelsu)

"Yes!"

Just as Acnologia led the Second Division to the vicinity of the battlefield, streams of multicolored Dragon Breath emerged from the ground, forming a curtain of Dragon Breath that blocked the path of the Sacred Dragon and his men.

"Ha! This road is blocked! (Kelsu)"

"It's blocked? Then I'll break it open! Everyone attack, tear a gap, and let the brothers of the First Division get through! (Sacred Dragon)"

"Stop them at all costs! (Kelsu)"

As the orders were given by the commanders of both sides, the soldiers began a fierce battle. In an instant, the sounds of magical explosions and the clashing of muscles echoed through the sky.

Due to prolonged hunger, the Western Continent had suffered a significant decline in stamina. Therefore, despite their superior combat skills and experience, they could only manage a draw against the Ishgar faction, whose strength was greater but whose overall power was slightly inferior, resulting in a stalemate. Furthermore, as the Ishgar dragons gradually adapted to the pace of battle, the situation began to subtly shift.

Seeing that the balance of power on their side could tip at any moment, Kelsu had no choice but to urge his teammates to end the battle as soon as possible.

"Goodpes, Delsd, hurry up!"

Like the Second Division, the dragons of the First Division were also beginning to adapt to combat, their fighting abilities gradually improving. However, they were not facing an equal number of enemies, but rather twice their size, so there was no possibility of a stalemate; the battle would only be one-sided. Moreover, after Kelsu issued an urgent signal, Goodpes and Delsd accelerated their offensive, further intensifying this one-sided situation.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Xizhalansa had no choice but to abandon the rescue of Hertz and the others, and ordered his soldiers to concentrate their efforts to break through the enemy's encirclement and join up with the Second Division.

"Listen up, everyone! The rear guard becomes the front guard, break through the encirclement, and reunite with the brothers of the Second Division!"

"Trying to escape? No way! Brothers, follow me and charge! Capture these cowards of Ishgar alive! (Delsd)"

"Everyone hold on! Don't let the people of Ishgar break through!" (Goodpes)

Despite the best efforts of Kelsu and Goodpes, the First and Second Divisions continued to converge. Just as the two sides were about to meet, a new development suddenly occurred on the battlefield: a force of several hundred men suddenly flew in from the northwest, and in the center of the force were dozens of bound dragons.

Upon seeing the newcomers, Kelsu shouted excitedly, "Glaide, Talib, Yanimus, quickly lead your men to harass these guys from behind! We absolutely cannot let them join forces!"

"Yes, Kelsu!"

Upon receiving Kelsu's orders, Glaide and his men split into three. Yanimus led fifty men to remain in place to guard the prisoners, while Glaide and Talib each led a squad to flank Acunologiya and his men from behind, launching a harassment attack. In an instant, the situation changed again. Kelsu and Acnologia were once again evenly matched, the Second Division's advance was halted, and it began to retreat. Meanwhile, the First Division was gradually surrounded by Goodpes and Delsd, with no possibility of breaking out.

Watching the soldiers of the First and Second Divisions fall one after another, Acnologia instantly realized the immense crisis they faced. He gradually slowed his advance and quietly moved an elite force, mixed in with the regular troops, to the rear of the army.

"Everyone, follow me and charge!"

Upon hearing Acnologia's roar, Kelsu instinctively mobilized his troops to prepare for the Second Division's charge, and Glaide and the others also subconsciously moved forward a short distance. However, the expected charge did not occur; instead, a small unit from the rear of the Second Division launched a retreat charge.