I, who was eager to retire, became an Imperial General.

Chapter 256 Blood Howl, Mad Demon, Abandoned Clan Land: Schemes and Machinations Ultimately Fail
"Hmm? After annihilating our main force, the enemy not only did not choose to regroup and launch an attack, but instead withdrew to the southwest?"

Inside the rainforest, Gromas couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he listened to the report from the Dark Assassins who had rushed over. He was filled with surprise.

But recalling the towering flames and violent explosions from another battlefield, Gromas instantly deduced that the Imperial forces must have exhausted all their war preparations during the ambush.

After nearly a day and a night of fighting with Allied forces and fleeing, the enemy's condition had clearly reached its limit. If they were to engage in a decisive battle with our forces, who were in good condition, their chances of winning would certainly be less than one in ten.

Given this decision-making process, it was understandable that Commander John Maslow would choose to avoid battle.

Although Gromas knew that there were too many suspicious things about Mortas leading the Bloodhowl Legion's main force to be ambushed and wiped out, it was pointless to dwell on the problem now that it had already happened.

For Gromas, the most important task right now is to quickly analyze the enemy's next moves and objectives.

"So why the southwest? Normally, shouldn't the enemy be making a detour to the northwest at this time?"

After all, apart from the cliffs overlooking the sea, there was no terrain in the southwest that the enemy could exploit.

Given our current position, I can lead the Blood Howl Legion to the northwest to block the enemy's attempt to break through to the north. This will allow us to coordinate with the Allied forces, who are currently trapped in the south by numerous traps, to move north and complete the final encirclement.

By then, even if John Maslow had extraordinary abilities, there would be no way he could lead the Imperial forces to escape.

Could the opponent, who may not have the name of a famous general but possesses the ability of one, really not see this simple and easy-to-understand principle?

Something's not right. Something's definitely not right.

Gromas frowned, his mind racing with various possibilities, but before he could ponder the deeper meaning behind John's actions, he realized that...

The next second, a flustered messenger rode up to him on horseback and delivered information that made his pupils shrink:

"Reporting to the clan chief, just now, our army received a message from the clan territory via the carrier eagle. Yesterday, the Imperial Army dispatched three magic-wielding units to launch surprise attacks on three military camps within the clan territory and unleashed explosive magic. All of our reserve soldiers were killed in the enemy's strategic strike!"

"Furthermore, after attacking the barracks, the enemy destroyed the anti-magic devices we had placed in the armory and quickly captured three of our tribe's strongholds, one of which is 'Bloodstone City,' where you have settled your family. Therefore..."

Sensing the murderous intent surging in Gromas's eyes, the messenger instinctively shrank back, but remembering the crucial nature of the letter's contents, he forced himself to read it aloud:

"Therefore, the chieftain's wife and the two young masters have all been captured by the Imperial Army. Moreover, the enemy lieutenant named Igonila has specifically declared that he demands the Blood Howling Legion withdraw from the Crescent Strait battle line immediately, or else he will immediately kill your wife and children as a sacrifice, and lead the magic troops to launch a strong attack on the tribe's main city, completely slaughtering all the direct descendants of the Blood Wolf Clan!"

After speaking, the messenger immediately lowered his head, his body trembling slightly. He didn't dare to look up at the furious commander, fearing that he would get himself into trouble and have his head chopped off on the spot.

"..."

However, upon hearing the news of the upheaval in his tribe, Gromas did not become angry; instead, his previously gloomy face suddenly calmed down.

It wasn't until two minutes later that an expression gradually appeared on his face.

But instead of anger and madness, he revealed a cryptic smile.

And it's getting worse.

"So, John Maslow, is this the source of your confidence in retreating to that perilous place? You're trying to weaken our morale by sending news of a strategic strike through the magic forces, making me lose my composure, and even fantasizing that I'll be forced to retreat under orders from the Elders because of the threat to our territory? And then give you a chance to catch your breath?"

"Truly, how cunning, how arrogant, how naive!!!"

Gromas's face was contorted with rage, and he seemed to want to roar to the heavens.

Because in his view, after John successfully lured that fool Mortas into a trap and wiped out four-fifths of the Bloodhowl Legion's forces.

As the head coach, he had no other choice but to kill the opponent!

Even if the withdrawal forces the magic soldiers to leave the tribe's territory, he will still be judged by the tribal elders for his poor command. He will definitely be stripped of his position as chieftain, and it is not impossible that his blood core will be forcibly removed from his body.

Since withdrawing troops will be subject to trial, not withdrawing troops will also be subject to trial.

Why should he waste the precious opportunity to kill you, a legendary commander who surpasses the Morning Star, for a bunch of useless trash?

If he can kill the enemy, he will not only be able to completely wash away the shame that Mortas brought to the Bloodhowl Legion, but he will also be able to gain the Orc King's reward and favor for the merit of killing the enemy commander alone.

Faced with such achievements, faced with such unparalleled glory.

Those stubborn old men in the tribe who only dragged him down and whom he loathed, he almost wished he could devour their flesh day and night. John's ability to help him solve this problem was not a bad thing at all, but rather a great thing.

As for his wife and children, it is indeed a pity.

But for him, who was in the prime of his life and still capable of having children, what did such a sacrifice matter in the face of the true Dao?
"Hahaha!"

Gromas, having figured everything out, suddenly burst into laughter. Before the messenger could react, he raised his hand and conjured a blood spike, which he then flung out.

It pierced the opponent's skull on the spot, leaving the incredulous man to fall straight to the ground with a dull thud.

"Boom!"

"Niels, send word that the Imperial Army has dispatched a special force to launch a surprise attack on the tribe's territory and is advancing towards the tribe's main city. Our army is currently unable to return to defend it. If we want to force the enemy to retreat and save the tribe, we have no choice but to fight to the death and capture the enemy commander alive. Make sure all the soldiers in the army know this!"

Gromas, with a sinister grin, waved his hand and gave the order to his brother. His face, illuminated by the firelight, appeared both excited and frenzied.

The interplay of light and shadow divided his face into two parts, each displaying a completely opposite expression, making him look like a true monster!

"Yes, Marshal!" Niels, who had witnessed the whole thing, glanced at his brother with a complicated expression, a strong sense of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

However, he ultimately suppressed his emotions and instead instructed his adjutant to pass on the information that Gromas had modified.

As false information spread, the Bloodhowl Legion soldiers, after a brief period of chaos, were replaced by an unprecedented hatred and killing intent.

Even the eyes of some new recruits began to grow fierce after learning of the attack on their tribe's territory.

In an instant, the fighting spirit of the entire Blood Howl Legion soared to unprecedented heights. Under the pervasive influence of this immense killing intent, even the air seemed to gradually become thick and suffocating.

Haha, John Maslow, even you probably didn't expect that your scheme to attack the Blood Wolf Clan would be turned into a driving force for our army's fighting spirit by me.
Today, our army is in high spirits and in excellent condition, and our high-end combat capabilities have completely overwhelmed you!

"So, what do you have to fight me with, and how can you possibly fight me? John Maslow!"

Gromas sneered inwardly. After glancing at his troops, whose fighting spirit was at an all-time high, Gromas realized that the annihilation of the Imperial Army was already a sure thing for him. He immediately waved his hand and gave the order:
"Bloodhowl Legion, advance with me! Objective: Capture John Maslow alive!"

"Yes, Marshal!"

"Tap, tap!"

……

Under Gromas's fabricated lies, the Blood Howling Legion, whose fighting spirit had reached its peak, caught up with the 'fleeing' Imperial Army in less than three hours and launched an attack on this exhausted force.

To prevent any unforeseen circumstances during the mission, John had to send his mid-level mages to create roadblocks and deploy small units to break through to the north, thus slowing down the enemy's advance.

In this back-and-forth competition, two hours quickly passed.

At this point, both sides had successfully traversed the long rainforest and arrived at the plains area fifty kilometers away from the sea cliff.

However, just as the excited Gromas was about to lead the Bloodhowl Legion across this terrain most suitable for cavalry warfare, intending to use the speed advantage of their mounts to forcibly cut off the Imperial army's hope of escape.

The next second, the intelligence reported by the Shadow Orc scouts made him pause in surprise:
"Reporting to the Marshal, just now, there seems to be a mutiny within the enemy ranks. An enemy major general attacked John Maslow and forcibly regained control of the troops as a major general. He is currently leading the Imperial forces to break out to the north."

Mutiny?

Therefore, when the Imperial Army discovered that our army had not retreated despite the attack on our territory, but instead chose to pursue the enemy, they believed they were doomed and launched a coup against John Maslow.
Of course, the possibility of it being a trap cannot be ruled out. After all, given John Maslow's cunning and treacherous nature, if his subordinates were to change their ways, the other party should have noticed it immediately.

unless……

Gromas's gaze sharpened, and he immediately turned his attention to the scout:
"Is the intelligence accurate? Did you witness the entire process of the enemy major general seizing power?"

"Marshal, I can guarantee with my life that this intelligence is completely true. I personally witnessed the enemy major general shoot John Maslow in the back, almost blowing his head off."

"Moreover, judging from the organizational structure, the major general who attacked the enemy should be Edgar Thorne, the commander of the 2nd Division of the 2nd Army Group of the Imperial Army. After the attack on John Maslow, the enemy, as a major general, forcibly completed the reorganization of the Imperial Army and launched a breakout to the north."

"The injured John Maslow, escorted by 15 magic soldiers who appeared to be lacking in magic power and unable to fly, continued towards the direction of the Sea Cliff, most likely intending to break out by sea!"

"Heaven is helping me! It's absolutely heaven's help! Haha!"

Gromas was overjoyed upon hearing the intelligence brought by the Shadow Orc scouts.

At this moment, he had sorted out his thoughts. As he had predicted, Edgar, the commander of the 2nd Division, realized that his opponent was doomed after seeing his side continue to pursue, so he betrayed John Maslow.

After all, unlike the Independent 3rd Division which had no leader and the remnants of the 1st Division which had been trained into John Maslow's loyal dogs, how could the 2nd Division, which had just recently joined forces with John Maslow, possibly maintain so-called loyalty to John Maslow, who was only a major?

Furthermore, given that the two sides are inherently hostile in their political stances, switching sides at this juncture would not only prevent the other side from being punished afterward, but would also allow them to advance further within the Imperial Conservative Party.

It’s connected, everything is connected!

"Unbelievable! John Maslow, as clever as you are, as adept at manipulating people's hearts as you are, you actually fell victim to the very thing you mastered: the manipulation of people's hearts? How utterly laughable!"

Gromas laughed mockingly, but he did not become careless because of the upcoming victory. Instead, he immediately dispatched his fastest elite troops to carry anti-magic devices and anti-air devices to the Sea Cliff. He ordered them to complete the deployment of the anti-magic devices and anti-air devices before John Maslow could leave.

He then ordered his brother Nils to lead 2000 troops to pursue and harass the Imperial forces attempting to break out, and to prevent the enemy from suddenly returning to their rear to launch a surprise attack on their side that was pursuing John Maslow.

He himself led the remaining seven thousand-plus elite Blood Howl Legion troops rapidly toward the direction of the Sea Cliff.

However, just as the triumphant Gromas was leading the furious Blood Howl Legion at breakneck speed toward the Sea Cliff.

However, he failed to notice that the Dark Assassin Division, having completed its military intelligence report, did not fully reunite with the main force of the Blood Howl Legion while marching alongside them.

Instead, they silently split into two units from within and quietly arrived around the relatively outdated Allied communications platoon and the elite troops responsible for transporting anti-magic devices and anti-aircraft devices.

And with the help of the Shadow Technique, he successfully concealed his figure.

Concealed by the footsteps of the two troops as they marched separately, they slowly and imperceptibly approached each other.

Like a ghost ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment!

"rustle!"

……

(End of this chapter)