"What's going on? Where did that explosion come from?"
Inside the armored vehicle, Garl watched flashes of fire erupt one after another among the troops at the front. An unprecedented sense of dread immediately rose in his heart.
As if confirming his suspicions, his adjutant's report came through the Communication Device the next moment. The instant he heard the specifics, his face turned livid.
"Report to the commander-in-chief: the enemy stuffed the attacking magic crocodile horde full of Magecraft Grenades. Their self-destruction has wiped out all of our frontline swamp-solidification troops. As a result, our army may no longer be able to reach heavy cannon range before the enemy withdraws, as originally planned."
"What did you say?!"
Upon hearing this news, Garl felt the world spin. He nearly suffocated, and dense blood vessels burst across his eyes.
Just a little more!
Just a little more again!
He had clearly been about to lead his troops into that area and seize this damned victory through artillery fire.
Yet once again, he had fallen victim to the enemy's schemes.
So he could only watch helplessly as victory slipped through his fingers, then become a stepping stone for John Maslow's rise amid the humiliation of defeat?
"No, I refuse to accept it! I absolutely refuse to accept this damned outcome!"
I, Gal Loken, am a genius destined to distinguish myself in this war with dazzling military achievements and, with the Solaris Family's support, ascend to the rank of general before long.
How could such a humiliating defeat possibly happen to me?!
Bang!
With a savage expression, Garl punched open the armored vehicle's door. Then, amid everyone's astonished stares, he erupted with full force and charged toward the very front of his main army.
With his magic power unleashed at full strength, every footfall