The borderland battlefield, northern sector.
The setting sun on the horizon was as red as blood. A phalanx of over ten thousand heavy infantrymen stood assembled. The front row held metal kite shields. Rounded at the top and pointed at the bottom, these shields reduced weight while still providing decent defense.
Protected by the soldiers, Apocalypse Paradise contractor Hippocrates hesitated. For some reason, he suddenly sensed that something was wrong. Faced with the current situation, the enemy had not only failed to flee but had instead drawn their blades.
"Retreat..."
Hippocrates had just begun to give the order when the adjutant beside him roared.
"Charge, all troops!"
After the furious roar spread, it was followed by the orderly clatter of armor.
"Wait."
Hippocrates tried to stop him, but his adjutant ignored him. The reason was simple: the adjutant did not want to die. Even if it meant offending his superior, this battle had to be fought today.
Over ten thousand Empire soldiers had encountered several hundred gray orcs. If they not only failed to annihilate the enemy but instead retreated, it would be impossible to explain. That was shirking battle, fleeing without fighting, and if it was seriously investigated, it would be a grave offense.
The battlefield was not a playground. Once someone stepped onto it, there were times when they had no choice at all. The adjutant understood this very clearly.
"Kill!"
Under Hippocrates' astonished gaze, soldiers rushed past him from both sides. Seeing this, he looked at his adjutant.
"My lord, shirking battle is a grave offense."
"This... Yes, you did well."
Hippocrates, who had never commanded soldiers before, finally understood what was happening. After taking control of ten thousand soldiers, he had instinctively treated them as his temporary summons.
He had forgotten that there were also a