I only wanted to retire, but I ended up becoming an extremely popular character.

Chapter 124 The Reinforcements Are Within Reach

Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, the Imperial army retreating from the city of Sarlom was withdrawing in batches along different routes toward the town of Segner.

Although there was no large-scale rout, any retreat inevitably leads to chaos in the formation.

The rear guard became the front guard, and the front guard became the rear guard; the originally orderly marching formations were completely disrupted when they changed direction.

What's harder to manage than formation is morale.

When attacking, the objective is clear and specific: clear away all obstacles in front, crush the enemies blocking the way, and move forward, ever forward.

That indomitable spirit could even inspire a bit of courage in the most timid soldiers.

The ability to retreat is different.

Unless it is a carefully planned tactical retreat, the underlying reason for retreat is "being outmatched".

It's because we're inferior to the opponent, we can't win, and we have no choice but to retreat.

The moment most of the Empire's soldiers turned away, the burning fighting spirit in their hearts was extinguished.

The resolute determination of their charge was gone from their eyes, replaced by a weary bewilderment.

Everyone had only one thought in their minds: to reach a safe place and survive.

As for fighting, it should be avoided if possible.

Previously, Zod and Spinter's troops had broken through the defenses of Lieutenant Patrick and Captain Axel, forcibly opening up the passage between the city of Sarlom and the town of Segner.

The significance of this breakthrough goes far beyond the victory of a single battle.

They gave Axel's troops no time to set up defenses and blockades, nor did they allow the Holy Land to build a crossfire network on the high ground along the way.

Otherwise, even a well-equipped Holy Kingdom army of eight hundred men, as long as they occupy advantageous terrain, wait in comfort, and build a good defensive line, would be enough to stop the retreating Imperial troops, which are two or even three times larger and have low morale, from advancing.

Even if the retreating Imperial army were eventually able to organize its forces and break through Captain Axel's defenses, the time it would take would likely be enough for reinforcements from the Holy Kingdom to arrive on the battlefield.

Now, because Zod and Spinter have torn open this gap, the main reinforcements of the Holy Kingdom are simply unable to fill the encirclement gap left by Captain Axel's withdrawal in the short term.

Thus, the Imperial troops withdrawing from Saarlom were able to continuously converge on the town of Segna along this blood-soaked passage.

Along the way, they constantly passed through battlefields that had not yet been cleared.

The bodies of Imperial and Holy Kingdom soldiers lay intertwined, weapons scattered everywhere, the scorched earth covered with craters and bloodstains.

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They knew that the retreat route was never smooth; there was always an advance force that cleared the way and paved the way for their return.

Shortly after Spinter and Zod launched their attack on Segner, the first Imperial troops to retreat along this route finally reached the outskirts of Segner.

The Imperial troops, who had just withdrawn from the city of Sarlom, were stationed on a gentle slope not far from the town of Segner.

They gazed at the small town ahead, shrouded in smoke and fire, and could no longer move their feet.

They originally thought that Lieutenant Colonel Horton would be stationed in Segner.

That veteran whom Colonel Xavier trusted most, that man renowned in the "Imperial Blade" legion.

They assumed that Segna was still in the hands of the Empire, and that all they needed to do was join Horton's forces, obey his orders, hold their positions, and be ready to face the next wave of attacks from the Holy Kingdom's army.

But the scene before them plunged everyone's hearts into despair.

The Empire's double-headed eagle banner was no longer visible above the town of Segna.

Instead, the Holy Land's cross and fluttering flags fluttered in the wind.

Throughout the town's defensive lines, the figures of Holy Kingdom soldiers were everywhere.

Only a relatively weak imperial army is launching an attack on that impregnable defensive line.

That team was like moths drawn to a flame, charging, falling, and charging again amidst the Holy Kingdom's artillery fire and barrage.

They seemed to have torn a gap in some direction and were desperately rushing in.

However, everyone in this retreating force, observing the entire battlefield of Segna from a distance, could clearly see that the attacking Imperial army was simply throwing its life away.

The Holy Kingdom's military strength far exceeds theirs.

Artillery positions, machine gun emplacements, snipers on high ground—all locations where lives could be taken were firmly controlled by the Holy Kingdom.

Although the isolated force had managed to breach the defenses, it was clear to the naked eye that the Holy Kingdom's garrison outnumbered the Empire's army by a significant margin.

Given the vast disparity in troop strength between the two sides, it was only a matter of time before this imperial army was completely overwhelmed and annihilated by the Holy Kingdom.

What's more, these people had just retreated from the front lines.

The wounds on my body still hurt, most of my ammunition has been used up, and the bodies of my comrades are still in the ruins of Sarlom.

At this moment, they had no will to fight, no fighting spirit, and not even the strength to take another step.

Most importantly, there were no military orders for them to charge.

Even if we rush in, what can we change?

Segner has fallen, and Lieutenant Colonel Houghton is almost certainly dead.

The imperial army that is attacking before us is so small in strength that it is merely making a last-ditch effort.

On the gentle slope, a deathly silence spread.

No one intended to move forward even a single step; everyone simply stared blankly at the town engulfed in smoke and at their comrades who were going to their deaths.

Despair and confusion spread through the retreating imperial army: "The flag above—Colonel Horton—tsk—sigh—"

"That unit is clearly committing suicide. How could they possibly take back a position that even Lieutenant Colonel Horton couldn't hold?!"

"What should we do?"

"What can we do? We can only wait for reinforcements to arrive. There's no point in rushing in now."

"Moreover, our orders are to retreat to Segner and take command of Lieutenant Colonel Horton."

"Yes, the situation has changed. Lieutenant Colonel Horton is no longer in Segner."

"I just saw him, Captain Curtis, the one known as 'Black Fang,' who's currently stationed in Segna."

"I also know Captain Curtis, the one known as 'Black Fang.' I've heard that although he only has the rank of captain, he possesses strength comparable to a lieutenant colonel. He's the fang of the 'Black Sheep Saint' division, 'Black Fang.'"

"With monsters like that and their numerical superiority, there's no way we can win."

"Even Lieutenant Colonel Horton of the 'Imperial Blade' Legion couldn't hold this position. What could we possibly change even if we went?"

"Although it's frustrating, without orders from above, we have no reason to fight a war that is fundamentally asymmetrical."

"Just wait, the main force of the Imperial army will withdraw here later, so it won't make a difference if it takes a little more time."