Penance Camp

Schroeder was appointed commander of the Aldo Army.

Because of the fall of the Black Stone Plain, the guilt-ridden Catherine firmly declined the position. She believed that overall command should go to a veteran general more familiar with the kingdom's north.

Thus, the position naturally fell to Schroeder. He had once been a commander at Watchman Fortress and later served as a senior military officer in Arda, making him the choice everyone favored.

After discussion, the Aldo Army decided to take advantage of the orc army's unstable foothold and first retake Agate Fort, located southeast of Silver Moon Fort, forming mutually supporting positions.

The various territories' armies gathered together, numbering nearly twenty thousand men. They began marching east, declaring their counterattack against the orcs.

Agate Fort was a medium-sized city. According to intelligence, it was defended by two Orcish Cavalry squads and a small number of human rebels who had joined them.

Unfortunately, the first attempt to scale the walls failed.

Since the troops were all freshly withdrawn from the Black Stone Plain, this was within Schroeder's expectations. His true aim was to test the orcs' ability to defend the city.

But just as the first wave of soldiers retreated for a brief rest, the vastly outnumbered orcs boldly and secretly opened the city gates, sending cavalry to charge the retreating human army.

The battlefield instantly descended into chaos. The fleeing soldiers scattered in every direction, slowing the Royal Capital cavalry that had rushed forward to provide assistance.

Schroeder flew into a rage and immediately called off the operation.

Without a doubt, the series of earlier defeats had already cast a deep shadow over these fleeing soldiers.

If military discipline was not restored first, nothing else could be discussed.

"Form ranks!" "Stand properly!"

Under the continuous harsh shouts and whippings