War was cruel. War was hard. It was so for either side.
The humans were certainly under immense pressure, to the point that the Radiant Kingdom was already on the verge of collapse, but the orcs were no better off.
Compared to humans, the orcs' productive capacity was poorer, and in order to hold the front lines, they had mobilized far too many troops.
So many that it had already severely affected production in the rear.
The orcs' primary livelihood was animal husbandry, with farming only secondary. From late winter to early summer, the prolonged standoff between the two armies had consumed vast quantities of food, nearly exhausting the Orc Empire's grain reserves.
If this standoff continued, the humans might still be able to hold on for a while longer, but the orcs could not last much longer.
Emperor Ilo looked at the heavily guarded warehouses in the rear and sighed inwardly.
Though those military granaries were large, there was not actually much rations inside. If this rate of consumption continued, the army would likely run out of food in another month to month and a half.
Backward agricultural and pastoral production, coupled with a shortage of manpower, meant that rear production could not keep up. To escape the current crisis, they could only seek help from the gods.
But... seeking help from the gods meant they might violate the Lord of Order's rules.
Whether it was Emperor Ilo or the Orc Pantheon, neither wished to take that risk.
The orcs held the advantage now, so they were unwilling to gamble. A desperate gamble was something only the disadvantaged side would do.
Just as "Devouring Sky Dog" Lefeng had done back then, without a word, ramming his divine kingdom straight into the humans' divine kingdom and smashing it apart.
But...