Third Food War (7)

Above the sea

Since being sidelined, Shideweig's rationality once again took over his mind, allowing him to clearly understand the situation. Realizing the potentially terrible consequences of his impulsive actions, Shideweig broke out in a cold sweat, and his resentment towards Olibuk vanished instantly.

Although Shideweig was a brave and warlike dragon, this did not mean he was inflexible. Therefore, upon realizing his mistake, he immediately ordered his supporters to catch up with Olibuk and apologize to his old friend in person. Because Shideweig's attitude in admitting his wrongdoing was sincere and he guaranteed on his honor that he would not act rashly again, Olibuk restored his freedom. However, for safety's sake, Olibuk did not allow Shideweig to stay with him in the front lines, but instead sent him to the rear to provide support.

Although he was positioned at the very back of the team and couldn't be the first to fight, it was still better than being suspended in the air like a living specimen. Therefore, Shideweig still performed his duties very conscientiously.

"Um?"

As the column reached a certain sea area, Shideweig's brows furrowed suddenly. Just as he was about to order the troops to stop and carefully survey the surroundings, hundreds of breaths suddenly shot out from the rear, left rear, and left flanks of the column.

"Enemy attack!"

"Boom!"

Before his shout could travel three meters, his breath flew to the group and exploded.

"Ah!"

"Roar!"

Explosions and screams echoed, drowning out Shideweig's warning. However, at this moment, whether there was a warning or not was no longer important, because the commotion was enough to attract the attention of everyone in the team.

"Oh no! Ishgar's men are here! Everyone, follow me to reinforce the rear!"

Upon noticing the commotion, Olibuk immediately led the vanguard to turn around and outflank the rearguard.

"Thump!"

"Whoosh!"

Just as the vanguard had completed its turn, before it was fully rounded, beams of energy appeared on the sea in front of, to the right of, and to the right of the vanguard. Caught off guard, the vanguard followed in the footsteps of the rearguard, and in an instant, screams filled the air.

"Change course and engage the enemy!"

Under Olibuk's command, the vanguard once again turned around and headed in the direction from which the enemy attack had come. However, Olibuk overlooked one thing: with the explosions raging, not many people could hear his new orders. As a result, those who had not received the new orders collided head-on with those who had received the orders to turn back.

"Whoosh!"

"Boom!"

The grain transport team fell into chaos, and the attackers naturally seized the opportunity. A second wave of breath ripped through the sea and struck the chaotic grain transport team, followed by a new wave of explosions and screams.

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

A full quarter of an hour later, Olibuk finally managed to reorganize his scattered troops. As he prepared to lead them to meet the enemy, he discovered that after launching their third wave of attacks, the enemy had already quietly retreated.

"Roar!"

After letting out an angry roar, Olibuk coldly ordered, "Turn around and support the rear!"

His order had just been given, and the army had not yet taken any action, when a loud shout came from behind.

"Olibuk, stop these sneak attackers! Don't let them get away!"

A moment later, a disheveled and disheveled Shideweig appeared before Olibuk with his rear guard. Looking at the empty sea before him, Shideweig said in disappointment, "You... you let them escape?"

"These guys are incredibly slippery. After unleashing three waves of breath, they decisively retreated, giving me no chance to make a move."

"That's how it is on my end, which is why I rushed over with the rear guard to provide support, but I didn't expect we were still a step too late!"

"I already guessed that!"

"So what's our next step? Should we lead the pursuit?"

"Pursue them? Where are we supposed to go to pursue them in this vast ocean? Besides, what if the enemy returns here and attacks the supply convoy while we're pursuing them?"

"Are we just supposed to passively take a beating like this, without even being able to fight back?"

"Otherwise what? Do you want the enemy to destroy our food supplies and then starve us all to death at sea?"

"This..."

"The only way now is to speed up our journey and try to reach Ishgar as soon as possible to deliver the food to Kelsu and the others."

"Oh well, that's just how it is!"

After the military conference, Olibuk and his companion led the reorganized escort troops on their way, but they were no longer as relaxed as before, and instead looked very vigilant.

Chigengster Plains, Western Continent Camp

Looking up at the timer on the side to confirm the time was correct, Kelsu stood up and said, "The agreed time has arrived, we can't wait any longer! Goodpes, you go and contact the underground forces immediately and tell them to prepare to act. Delsd, you go to the designated location immediately and begin implementing the second plan. I'll stay here to hold off the guys on the other side and ensure the plan goes smoothly."

"Okay, I'll go contact the underground forces right away!"

"I'll set off immediately to command the troops!"

Be careful in everything you do!

"Don't worry, we know what to do!" (Goodpes, Delsd)

After watching the two leave, Kelsu shouted towards the outside of the tent, "All personnel assemble, prepare for battle!"

Godeswet Mountain, Ishgar's camp

"I think the defenses here should be strengthened further. What do you think? (Yate)"

"Hmm... that's what I think too! Besides that, this place, this place, this place all need to be strengthened. (Maser)"

Just as everyone was gathered around the map discussing the defenses, a blood-covered figure rushed into the tent, and at the same time, a very weak warning voice came from inside.

"Something terrible has happened! We... we're... we're surrounded by the enemy!"

"It's Phil! Quick! Help him up!" (Burz)

As the newcomer's identity was revealed, the four people standing in the center of the tent hurriedly surrounded him and carried the unconscious Phil to a seat on the side.

"Livia, quickly cast Healing Magic! (Yate)"

"Understood! (Livia)"

"I'll go get Phil a bowl of water!" (Maser)

"Okay, good! (Yate, Burz)"

Fifteen minutes later, Phil slowly woke up. Looking at the four people beside him, he said, "Yate, we're surrounded by the enemy. Quickly go and ask Sage Dragon for help!"

Upon hearing Phil's words, Yate and the others were startled. The four exchanged glances, and then Yate, asked, "Phil, what exactly happened? How did we get surrounded by the enemy?"

"I'm not entirely clear on the specifics, but the only thing I'm certain of is that we're now surrounded by a large number of enemy troops!"

"A large number of enemy troops? Apart from that camp across the street, there are no other strongholds nearby. Where did this large number of enemy troops come from? Phil, are you sure we didn't run into those guys over there?"

"Yate, those guys over there, I can't recognize every single one of them, but I've dealt with most of them before. But all the faces I just bumped into were strangers, not a single one of them was familiar. And even if I panicked and couldn't recognize people, I can't be wrong about the numbers, right? There are only a little over a thousand people on the other side at most, but I just saw at least three or four thousand!"

Upon hearing Phil's words, the four people standing to one side shouted in unison, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"As far as I know, the Western Continent Evil Dragon that invaded Ishgar only numbered around six thousand. Three or four thousand is equivalent to two-thirds of the enemy's forces. Aren't they afraid of being surrounded and annihilated by mobilizing such a large force at once?" (Burz)

"That's not all. If they do that, Sage Dragon might seize the camp and cut off their retreat, leaving them unable to even return to the Western Continent!" (Maser)

"If you don't believe me, go outside and take a look. They're arranged in four square formations, each with about a thousand people. It's easy to count!" (Phil)

"Burz, you stay here and look after Phil. The rest of you come with me to check on things!" (Yate)

"Okay! (Maser, Livia, Burz)"