The Stalemate Begins (11)

"Haha! Ishgar is indeed a breeding ground for cowards. During the battle, some soldiers actually launched a counter-charge. It's hilarious!"

"Ha ha"

"Ha ha"

Hearing Kelsu's mockery, Goodpes, Delsd, Glaide, Talib, and Yanimus joined in the laughter, while everyone from the 1st Division, 2nd Division, and Seventh Squadron lowered their heads in shame. However, no one noticed a hint of relief and ease hidden beneath Acnologia's ashamed eyes.

"Listen up, everyone! Anyone who deserts in the face of battle will be executed without mercy!"

Hearing Acnologia's chilling command, none of the 2nd Division felt brutality; only endless shame filled their hearts. The mocking laughter from the outside world further ignited this shame, transforming it into soaring rage and a fighting spirit.

In an instant, the previously disciplined First and Second Divisions transformed into a group of desperate warriors, their fighting style shifting from a balanced offense and defense to purely offensive. With sheer courage, the First and Second Divisions brought the battle back to a stalemate.

However, Acnologia knew very well that once the anger and morale of the troops subsided, defeat was inevitable. At this moment, the Sacred Dragon could only pray that the surprise force he had dispatched could complete his mission before the battle collapsed, bringing a glimmer of hope to turn the tide.

Chigengster Plains, Ishgar Camp, Main army tent

"Alsman, immediately divide the entire reconnaissance team into five groups, each group patrolling at a distance of twenty li. Make sure we can keep track of any movement within a hundred li of the camp."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

"Gelsi, I'm entrusting the patrols and defense of the camp to your First Brigade. Are you confident you can accomplish the mission?"

"Rest assured, Sage Dragon, as long as I, Gelsi, have a breath left, I will not allow even a mosquito to enter the camp!"

"Very good! Sakta, your Second Brigade is responsible for mobile support and is ready to support the reconnaissance battalion and the First Brigade at any time."

"Yes, Sage Dragon!"

"Buo'ertui, your Third Brigade is resting and preparing for the rotation."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

"Go and prepare!"

"Your subordinates take their leave!"

After giving instructions on the camp's defenses, Belserion returned to his seat and mentally reviewed the defense arrangements and rescue plan, ensuring nothing was overlooked. Just as Sage Dragon was preparing to return to camp to rest, a tremendous roar suddenly erupted outside, followed by a powerful hurricane that whipped the tent curtains wildly. Before Sage Dragon could even open his eyes, which were still fogged by the sandstorm, a violent tremor shook the tent, toppling everything inside.

After struggling to his feet, Belserion shouted outside, "Alsman, go and see what's wrong!"

"Understood!"

A moment later, Alsman hurriedly returned to the Main army tent. After bowing, he said with a solemn expression, "Sage Dragon, a fierce battle has broken out in the northwest of the camp. Judging from the commotion, at least four or five thousand people are involved in the battle."

"What?"

Upon hearing Alsman's report, Sage Dragon slammed his hand on the table and stood up, staring in astonishment at the northwest direction of the camp.

"Luckily, I didn't act rashly before, otherwise I would be in trouble by now!"

"Wait! A battle of four or five thousand men? Doesn't that mean the other side has mobilized all their forces to ambush Aku and his men? Oh no, Aku and his men are in danger!"

Upon realizing this, Belserion lost all interest in waiting quietly in the camp. He hurriedly ran towards the camp gate, issuing the latest battle orders.

"Alsman, immediately notify everyone to cancel the defenses, assemble the troops, and come with me to rescue Aku and the others!"

Alsman, who always obeyed Belserion's orders, refused this time and stopped the Sage Dragon from rushing out of the camp.

"Sage Dragon, you cannot go!"

Looking at Alsman standing in front of him, Belserion roared angrily, "Alsman, who gave you the courage to openly defy my orders? Who gave you the guts to obstruct my actions? Who!"

Alsman slowly stood up and replied firmly, "It is the courage of the tens of thousands of subjects behind us that allows me to disobey your unwise orders! It is Queen Irene that gives me the audacity to stop your impulsive actions!"

Upon hearing the words "subject" and "queen," Belserion's anger gradually subsided, but his determination to go to the battlefield to rescue Acnologia remained unchanged. Therefore, he merely forgave Alsman for disobeying orders, but did not halt his advance.

"Sage Dragon, you cannot go!"

"Alsman, I don't blame you for stopping me, but I absolutely must save Aku!"

"Sage Dragon, I only said that you cannot go, but I did not ask you to give up on rescuing Sacred Dragon Shenglong!"

"Um?"

Belserion stopped and stared at the scout captain blocking his way, looking puzzled.

"You mean..."

"Sage Dragon, have you forgotten someone? Someone very important!"

After being reminded by the scout captain, a colorful figure that both annoyed and left Belserion speechless entered his mind, breaking through his rigid and closed thought process.

"Oh yeah, how could I forget about that brat!"

Sage Dragon slapped his thigh hard (he really slapped his thigh, no mistake!), then hurriedly turned around and ran towards the teleportation tent. Watching the clumsy Sage Dragon walk away, the scout captain, while wanting to laugh, also felt a sense of warmth and reassurance.

Dragunov, the courtyard of the royal palace

After glancing at the three upright officials sitting opposite her, the suspect Anna tucked her head into her chest and continued to remain silent.

"Anna, what kind of boy do you like? Tell your older sisters, we can give you some advice!" (Diphiya)

"Sister Anna, don't worry, just tell me. As long as you can tell me, I'll turn the whole kingdom upside down and I'll definitely find you someone you're happy with!" (Irene)

"Hey, you two, why are you talking so loudly? Look, Anna is embarrassed!" (Grandiere)

"Yes, yes, sister -Grandiere is right, let's all keep our voices down!" (Diphiya)

So the three presiding judges lowered their voices and once again launched into a soul-searching interrogation of Anna about her life's most important matter. Faced with this situation, Anna felt extremely regretful about her actions not long ago. If time could turn back and everything could be done over again, Anna would definitely give her past self a good beating for making that decision.

The incident began a few days earlier. After listening to Sordil's lecture, Anna immediately immersed herself in researching inter- Spatial Teleportation Array. So engrossed was she that Anna neglected meals and sleep, working through the night, and thus successfully skipped class the next day.

Upon learning of this, Anna's homeroom teacher, Sordil, called Anna in for a serious talk. After more than an hour of verbal abuse, Anna finally realized her mistake and vowed to change her ways. However, things didn't go as Anna; the next morning Anna skipped class again!

Unable to tolerate it any longer, teacher Sordil summoned Anna once again. First, he had a heart-to-heart talk with her, and then he punished her with time-out. Unfortunately, these measures had no effect; the truant queen Anna continued to skip school as usual.

Left with no other option, Sordil turned to his wife, Queen Irene, for help. The reliable Her Majesty the Queen offered a sound idea: to find Miss Anna a reliable boyfriend to help her settle down. So, young master Sordil arranged this reliable Triple interrogation to gather reliable information and complete the upcoming reliable matchmaking.