The two armies had been fighting for over two hundred hours. The Dion Army had been forced back another two hundred kilometers and was now less than four hundred kilometers from Markus Fortress.
The disparity in losses had widened considerably, reaching 7:1.
Reinforcements for the Dion Army were gradually dwindling. Some frontline Dion Army units had even begun retreating back to Markus Fortress.
News that the Dion Army had only one Black Sword Royal Knights unit left began spreading among the frontline troops, and their morale had fallen to rock bottom.
More than half the bases surrounding Markus Fortress had been occupied by the Mieweng Unit, affecting supplies to Markus Fortress.
Yelishao De received reports from his subordinates. He had roughly identified the traitors within the fortress, and they had already tracked the movements of 90% of the Sky Wing Mercenaries who had infiltrated it.
Some had already been secretly arrested.
Yelishao De sat in his office chair, reading through documents.
Ten guards stood before him, with a blond man kneeling between them.
His name was Balzac, a lieutenant general in the Dion Army.
Salamander also knew Balzac. He was Barbaros's younger brother.
"It seems my eyes have grown dim. I never expected General Balzac, who had followed me for so many years, to be one of the traitors."
Balzac lowered his head without saying a word. He knew there was no point in saying anything. Having served beside Yelishao De for years, he understood exactly what kind of person Yelishao De was.
Back then, his older brother had followed the First Prince, while he had chosen the Second Prince because he knew perfectly well that the Second Prince was far more capable. Aside from relying on his maternal family, the First Prince was fundamentally incompetent.
Later, his foolish older