Facing the company commander's rebuke, the first company commander to step forward shook his head fiercely and argued loudly:
"No, this is absolutely not the outcome I wanted! I just can't bear to watch myself and my brothers die such humiliating deaths.
We would rather die on the battlefield. Even falling on the path of a charge would be better than dying like helpless sheep, driven by the enemy and slaughtered while fleeing in panic!"
As he spoke, his gaze never left the chaotic crowd being brutally massacred by the Judgement Custodes. His once-resolute face was now filled with despair and sorrow.
At that moment, the regimental commander, who was doing his utmost to organize the retreat, noticed the disturbance behind him. Anxious beyond measure, he raised his voice in a furious roar and issued new orders:
"All officers, remain where you are and do everything possible to stop the heretics' savage assault! All other soldiers, retreat toward the bridge at once! They urgently need more reinforcements there!"
"Yes, sir!" Hearing the regimental commander's decisive order, the officers who had been desperately fleeing to the rear all came to a halt.
Without hesitation, they turned around and threw themselves back into battle, launching wave after wave of fierce attacks against the Judgement Custodes regardless of their own lives.
"Sir, we'll stay and stop those heretics with you!"
Some of the fleeing soldiers suddenly stopped. Turning to look at the officers exchanging fierce fire with the Judgement Custodes not far behind them, their eyes filled with resolve. Then they shouted at the top of their lungs, their voices echoing across the chaotic battlefield.
These soldiers were filled with respect for their officers and hatred for the enemy. They could not bear to watch the officers fight alone, and they were determined