The Truth of History

Shirakawa analyzed the battle situation for the half-asleep Zichuan Xiu. "At present, the defeated Demon Race army still has more than fifty thousand troops, including the highly combat-capable Armored Beasts. They nearly overwhelmed us in their attack just now—I don't know why they suddenly retreated, and in such disarray. None of us Vice Banner Captains can decide whether we should pursue them. Please give your orders, my lord."

Zichuan Xiu asked groggily, "Who wants to pursue them?"

Shirakawa said, "Vice Banner Captain Roger. He strongly advocates pursuit."

Zichuan Xiu said, "Then let him go after them."

"Banner Captain!" Shirakawa was both furious and anxious. "I understand how you feel about Roger, that braggart who hasn't done a single good thing since becoming Vice Banner Captain—in fact, I feel the same way. But the five thousand Far East Army soldiers under his command are innocent. There's no need for them to die alongside Roger, is there?"

"Oh? How could you think such things about your superior, Vice Banner Captain Shirakawa?" A sly gleam flashed in Zichuan Xiu's eyes—the very expression of someone whose thoughts had been seen through. "Let him go. It'll be fine."

"But the enemy has fifty to sixty thousand men, while Roger's force has fewer than five thousand!"

"Shirakawa, think about it. Roger's troops are cavalry. Their mobility is far greater than those lumbering Demon Race brutes—if they can't win, they should at least be able to run away, right?"

"But you know Roger never uses his brain when he charges. What if he goes stupid at the critical moment..."

"Don't worry. I've made thorough preparations!"

Under Shirakawa's suspicious gaze, Zichuan Xiu dragged a promotional flyer out of the tent. It read: Imperial Capital Funeral Home, June 1 to August 30, 40% Off! We Welcome Your Patronage!

"I worked it out. If Roger kicks the bucket today, we can still make the discount period. Besides, I know the owner quite well. Maybe he won't charge us for the urns..."

Shirakawa rode back to the front lines, her stomach full of anger. The other two Vice Banner Captains looked at her questioningly.

"Lord Xiuchuan has ordered Vice Banner Captain Roger to attack!"

Roger let out a cheer. "Long live!" He turned and roared at his men, "Follow me!" Then he spurred his horse into a gallop. Five thousand black-clad cavalrymen followed in tight formation, charging down the hillside. Hooves thundered as shouts echoed through the air: "Long live! Long live! Long live..." The entire force was like an unstoppable black dragon pouring down the slope, pouncing upon the retreating Demon Race army.

"That idiot! He's so happy to be marching to his death!" Shirakawa cursed bitterly.

"Not necessarily to his death." Staff Vice Banner Captain Changchuan said, "I can sense that the Demon Race's aura is in chaos. I don't know what happened over there. Perhaps Roger really will succeed."

Shirakawa asked, "What could have happened over there?"

Changchuan said, "We don't know, but perhaps my lord does. Whenever my lord sends Roger into action, it means: 'There's no need to think now. Just charge forward.' We'll win. I have faith in my lord."

Shirakawa snorted twice, thinking, That's because you didn't see him snoring away on the back hill, ready to run for his life at any moment. She did not say it aloud, partly because she feared shaking the army's morale, and partly because...

At that moment, an unbelievable change took place on the battlefield. Roger's cavalry charged straight down and almost instantly plunged into the heart of the Demon Race camp—as easily as a red-hot fork piercing cheese. The Demon Race soldiers offered almost no resistance before scattering in all directions, throwing aside their helmets and armor as their formation fell into disorder.

An army of fifty thousand Demon Race soldiers was being routed so miserably by humans numbering less than one-tenth their strength. Such a thing had never happened in history!

The two Vice Banner Captains cried out at the same time, "Huh!"

Changchuan shouted, "This is far too abnormal—it's a trap! Roger has rushed in and been surrounded!"

Shirakawa shouted as well, "It can't be a trap. Look at how panicked their soldiers are—that can't be faked! Even if it is a trap, we have a great opportunity!"

Shirakawa turned and raised her voice in command. "All troops! Advance!"

Changchuan tried to stop her. "You have no authority to issue a general mobilization order—only my lord has that authority!"

Shirakawa answered by punching him clean off his horse and sending him rolling onto the ground. She pressed a saber to Changchuan's throat. "If you make us miss this chance, I'll kill you!" She swept her gaze over the stunned guards and messengers around them, then gave the order in a low voice. "Why are you still standing there? Relay the order!"

Horn calls sounded from every direction. The cavalrymen shouted as they launched their full assault, streaming down the mountains and across the plains. Twenty thousand sabers waved beneath the setting sun, painting a beautiful picture of iron and blood. Their battle cries shook the heavens: "Long live! Long live! Long live..."

The noise woke a certain hero's sweet dream on the back hill. He poked his head out of his sleeping bag and listened for a while, muttering, "It's an all-out attack... Looks like Shirakawa has noticed... Honestly, if you're going to fight, then fight. Why shout so loudly? You're ruining people's sleep." He pulled his head back in and tried to resume the dream that had just been interrupted...

The Zichuan Family chronicles recorded: "In Imperial Year 778, during the Third Hengchuan Battle, Banner Captain Zichuan Xiu personally took to the front lines, leading by example and fighting bravely against the enemy, greatly inspiring the morale of the entire army! His subordinates, the three Vice Banner Captains Roger, Shirakawa, and Changchuan, feared no powerful foe. United in purpose and calm in command, they finally used thirty thousand cavalry to crush eighty thousand elite Demon Race troops, killing or wounding more than forty thousand and capturing over ten thousand. Geshā, hailed as the Demon Race's greatest warrior, was also personally slain by Banner Captain Xiuchuan in this battle, dealing the Demon Race a heavy blow and becoming the first turning point of the Wei Sheng War."

The following is not part of the main text, and you won't have to pay to read it. Old Pig is just running an ad:

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And the nobles of the other two evil nations—Blasphemy and Mercenary World, of course @_@—will constantly send troops to attack you. Though it's also possible that you'll be the one constantly attacking them, haha.

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Old Pig