Chapter 796

Everyone had a mind of their own. No matter how harsh the training, no one could become as cold and emotionless as a machine.

When such terrifying behemoths as war elephants approached, everyone felt as tiny as an ant. The fear of the colossal creatures swiftly seized the hearts of everyone on the battlefield.

Fear spread through the Gabellan army like a plague. The Gabellan forces, which had been encircling the Holy See army in a C-shaped formation, suddenly ground to a halt. The soldiers waited helplessly for new orders—deep down, every one of them hoped their commander would immediately order a retreat.

Even many well-trained war horses went berserk amid the elephants' thunderous roars. They reared high on their hind legs and flung their riders to the ground, while neighs and screams rose one after another.

"Hold the line! Hold the line!" The officers' roars were drowned out by the ever-approaching thunder. The heavily armored infantry in the front ranks began to tremble as they gripped their spears. They had never faced such a terrifying enemy. Sweat ran down their foreheads and soaked the garments beneath their armor.

The war elephants' roars were already close at hand. As the distance closed, the oppressive presence radiating from their massive bodies grew ever stronger. The archers in the arrow towers on their backs also began firing. Arrows poured down like rain, striking many Gabellan soldiers and drawing wave after wave of screams.

At that moment, an extremely dangerous situation arose on the flank closest to the war elephants. A young soldier suddenly threw down his spear and turned to run. It was like a signal. The dam holding back fear instantly burst, and the soldiers near him began abandoning their helmets and armor and fleeing in all directions. The battle flag