Hold Steady, We Can Win
Boom boom boom boom!
Red and black Spell projectile and Magic Beam bombarded the Persian army's flanks relentlessly. The Roman Legions, advancing from higher ground, took advantage of the enemy's confusion and ruthlessly stabbed at their exposed weak points.
The fierce Roman Legions, braving close-range Magecraft artillery fire, charged fiercely into the Persian Camp from the gaps in their battle lines in a wedge formation, widening the wounds and penetrating deep into their territory, aiming directly for Darius III, who sat atop his war elephant.
In an instant, the shortcomings of the ordinary Persian soldiers—their lack of combat power and fighting spirit—were exposed. Chaos spread like ripples, quickly affecting nearly half of the army.
At this moment, on the low hill.
Samael gazed into the distance, his Cross Star Pupils, piercing through the swirling sand and dust to take in the entire battlefield.
Call...
As the ancient serpent's chest rose and fell slightly, it gradually exhaled a breath of stale air that had been suppressed since the start of the war, and it couldn't help but feel somewhat tired.
In order to quickly support the front line, Samael not only used up some of his recently recovered spatial power along the way, but also used runes on a large scale to provide convenience for the army, enabling the 10,000-strong force to speed up its march, conceal its whereabouts, and arrive at the battlefield in just seven days.
He wasn't some rigid, dogmatic fool who clung to dogma. It's true that divine power shouldn't be used to slaughter ordinary people, but there's no rule against using it on one's own people.
Besides, he's just a military Magecraft now, so who can possibly find him out?
However, all the hard work went unpaid, and it was finally completed.
Samael turned to look at Pompey beside him, who was calmly observing and conveying military instructions to his troops through horns, flag signals, and Magecraft incantations. He nodded secretly, a hint of admiration and appreciation flashing in his eyes for the general.
He truly deserves his reputation as a veteran general; he was able to accurately seize opportunities, exploit the enemy's weaknesses, and create the favorable situation he is in today.
However, under these circumstances, one needs the patience of a hunter and the strategic vision of a strategist.
In fact, thanks to Samael's underhanded manipulation, the 10,000-strong army had already arrived at the outer perimeter of the battlefield the moment the city fell, witnessing the fall of the fortress defended by the Tenth Legion.
However, Pompey did not rush to send his troops into battle to relieve his allies.
The reason is that after the city's defenses collapsed, the fortress had lost its value for rescue.
Given the overwhelming disparity between ourselves and the enemy, recklessly squandering our military strength will not only be futile but will also squander our only remaining resources.
In a situation of great disadvantage, the first priority is to ensure that you do not make mistakes in order to have a chance to turn the tide.
So Pompey strictly disciplined his army while, with exceptional patience, like a seasoned hunter in the grass, carefully hiding and quietly observing the changes on the battlefield.
When Darius III threw his ten thousand elite Undying Army into the fortress to begin the assault, Pompey, who had been frowning the whole time, immediately relaxed.
Immediately, the veteran general sounded the war horn, inspiring the fighting spirit of the city's defenders. Once he confirmed that the Undying Army was tied down inside the city walls, he seized the opportunity and launched an attack.
The Persian Empire's regular army was of poor quality, and without the Undying Army as a central and stable force, it would have been absolutely unable to withstand the close-range attacks of the Roman Legions.
As Pompey had predicted, the Roman Legions, adorned in gold and red, surged forth like molten lava, their momentum overwhelming. They easily breached the Persian army's flank and penetrated deep into enemy territory, continuously expanding their gains.
"General, you are even more outstanding than I expected."
Samael's eyes showed approval, and he admired the general quite a bit. To be fair, he was a good chess player.
"Your Highness, you flatter me."
Pompey gazed at the chaotic, spreading army, shook his head calmly, hesitated for a moment, and then earnestly explained in a low voice.
"If Darius I and Xerxes were leading the army, I might have abandoned this place and led the legion to retreat to the Ninth Province to regroup. But both of them went on an expedition to Athens and encountered Darius III leading the army here. We still have a chance. He may be a competent Lord, but he is definitely not a wise commander."
Upon hearing this frank answer, Samael seemed to be deep in thought.
The principle is actually quite simple.
Not making mistakes only guarantees them a chance to turn things around.
Waiting for the opponent to make a mistake first is their real chance to win against the odds.
In the future of gaming terminology, to put it simply, it means "Don't give up when you're behind, stay calm, and we can win; when you're ahead, don't get cocky, stay calm, and the enemy will definitely lose."
However, a single overlooked detail could cause the previously favorable situation to collapse completely.
However, an opportunity is just an opportunity, and it is too early to judge the outcome.
Puff puff puff puff!
Just as the Roman Legions were advancing with unstoppable momentum, amidst the chaos spreading through the Persian army, a contingent led by the old general Memnon drew their swords and shields, charged against the current, and mercilessly slaughtered all the fleeing deserters.
"By Mithra, the Lord of Light, His Majesty is watching you. Stop now! Immediately!"
Point your swords at the enemy; turn your backs to your teammates!
Otherwise, you cowardly brats, when you get back, prepare to experience the ultimate punishment of being burned alive by Holy Flame!
Upon seeing this, Darius III slightly turned his head.
What kind of time is this? Still can't bring ourselves to do it! If we let them storm the main camp, we're all doomed!
Memnon noticed the Lord's strange behavior, suppressed the urge to curse, and with a ferocious expression, commanded his guards to raise their swords.
As the cold glint of blades flashed and fell, the stench of their comrades' blood, the sight of countless severed corpses, and the old general's furious roars finally roused the soldiers to their senses, giving them the courage to turn and face the charge of the Roman Legions.
Although the chaotic ripples spreading from the front towards the heart of the army were roughly contained, the hastily organized lines of the old general Memnon could not cover all aspects.
Under the skillful maneuvering and driving force of the Roman Legions, the Persians, driven by fear and forced to turn their heads, could not withstand the ferocious Roman Soldier.
Hiss hiss hiss!
Just as the Persian flank was about to crumble and be breached, the sound of arrows piercing the air filled the air, and a rain of arrows, like shooting stars, whistled down on the stalemate on the flank.
Puff puff puff puff!
Suddenly, the dull sound of tearing cloth filled the air as Persians and Romans were pierced by arrows and pinned to the ground, their crimson blood splattering and flowing freely.
"Defensive formation! Defensive formation!"
The Centurion of the Roman Legions, shouted commands from the front lines. The soldiers, in units of a hundred, moved closer together, raised their shields, and covered each other to block the waves of arrows.
Even so, the force of these arrows pierced through metal and stone. In no time, dozens of shields engraved with defensive divine patterns shattered, and the densely packed Roman Soldier were shot down like wheat under a sickle.
Meteor Legion!
On the hilltop, Samael's gaze sharpened. This overwhelming attack, targeting both enemy and common enemy forces, had caused severe damage to the Roman Legions since their charge.
Pompey immediately relayed the order, commanding his soldiers to charge through the rain of arrows and engage the Persians in close combat.
The Roman Soldier, with their superior skills, quickly changed formations and adjusted their tactics. Any cracked shields were replaced and rearranged in an orderly manner, and the troops advanced steadily despite the rain of arrows.
The soldiers trudged across the blood-soaked, slightly slippery clearing and the corpses of Persians riddled with arrows, mercilessly finishing off the still-groaning wounded, and soon they were close to the heart of the Persian army.
Buzz buzz buzz!
With a series of rapid chants, Sorcery Array began to coalesce from the ground, and countless bright yellow flames flew up, their intense heat tearing apart the flesh of the Roman Soldier who were touched by the sparks. They fell to the ground screaming in agony until they were reduced to charred remains.
Flame Spirit, Eveyette!