"Pass the order. Retreat."
Tartas gave the order decisively.
"But if we retreat just like this, won't we be exposing the backs of the other legions at the front to Order?"
Tartas sighed and said, "There's no helping it. This is the battlefield we prepared for an encirclement, and it was never suited to a defensive battle. Besides, the Earth Legion has already been routed. Order's morale is soaring, while ours has hit rock bottom. Even if we keep holding our ground, we'll have trouble withstanding Order's attack.
"Rather than sacrifice the legion we have here as well, we should withdraw and continue protecting the Logistics Supply Base. Then we can call for reinforcements while ordering the forces ahead to hold their positions. Our presence will also help pin down this Whip of Order Legion that has penetrated deep into our lines, preventing it from turning back to attack with its full strength. If reinforcements arrive in time, this front can still be saved.
"But if we're wiped out too, there'll be no force left to protect the supply base, and reinforcements will have virtually no chance of arriving in time. That would truly be the end of this front."
"I understand, big brother."
Gleehar felt that his elder brother had finally returned to his proper level, now that he had escaped the Wise Ones Elf's intelligence-lowering aura.
Tartas glanced at the scorch marks beneath his feet, the remains of the Wise Ones Elf's final combustion, and said:
"This must be included in the investigation report submitted to our superiors."
"Yes, it should."
It would be fine if this were an isolated incident. But if it wasn't, and the Order God Church had invented a way to interfere with and corrupt Wise Ones Elves, would Life Legion commanders have to