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

"Withdraw the troops?" Even though Captain Spent knew that the war had become a quagmire of attrition and stalemate, and that continuing to fight would only bring harm to the "Imperial Blade" legion.

Withdrawing troops is undoubtedly a rational decision that takes into account the overall situation.

But he still cautiously made one last confirmation: "You mean...we're going to retreat?"

"That's right, we need to retreat."

Colonel Xavier's tone was unusually firm, without the slightest hesitation: "If the Holy Kingdom's reinforcements arrive, they will not simply be a single division."

He had barely finished speaking when he raised his voice: "Messenger!"

A young lieutenant appeared almost instantly in front of Xavier, stood at attention, and saluted: "Colonel Xavier, what are your orders?"

Colonel Xavier's gaze was serious as he issued a series of orders in a clear and fluent manner:

"First, order the artillery positions to launch a comprehensive artillery barrage on all firing points of the Holy Kingdom's positions fifteen minutes later."

"Don't be stingy with shells. Use up all the ammunition at the maximum capacity to create the impression that our army is about to launch a strong offensive."

"Second, order our rear guard to immediately retreat toward Segner and rendezvous with Lieutenant Colonel Horton, who is stationed there."

"Third, once the shelling begins, order all frontline troops to retreat in an orderly manner, without panic or lingering in battle."

"Fourth, after the shelling inside the city ceases for ten minutes, order the heavy artillery cluster outside the city to continue to bombard all fire coordinates of Sarlom City, using the maximum number of shells until they are all used up."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the messenger with a sharp, piercing intensity:

"Lieutenant, deploy all messengers."

"Even if it kills me to run my legs, I must convey my orders to the commanders at the front within five minutes and to all the commanders of the Imperial army in the battlefield of Sarlom within ten minutes."

Because the city of Sarlom was under "full-band jamming" and communications were completely cut off, they could only transmit combat orders through the most primitive methods.

The lieutenant messenger paused for a moment.

Although he knew that the messenger's duty was to accurately relay the superior's orders, like a fine clock.

Even with such a crucial order as "retreat," he couldn't help but confirm again: "Colonel... excuse me, is it a retreat?"

"That's right." Xavier said without hesitation, looking directly at him.

"I see!"

"Repeat my command."

Given the gravity of the matter, Xavier still strictly adhered to this essential procedure to ensure that operational orders were executed flawlessly.

The lieutenant messenger took a deep breath, looked straight ahead, and accurately repeated Xavier's orders word by word.

After confirming there were no discrepancies, Xavier nodded slightly: "Go."

Before he finished speaking, the young officer's figure vanished from the spot in the blink of an eye.

After the messenger left, Captain Spent stepped forward, his face showing concern: "Colonel Xavier, I fully agree with your decision to withdraw troops."

He paused, his gaze drifting to the faintly visible Holy Kingdom's positions in the distance:

"However, if no troops are left behind to cover the retreat route from Sallom to Segna, and to block the 'Black Sheep Holy Head' division, we will probably not get far before the Holy Kingdom's army catches up with us."

With that, Spinter took a deep breath and made an extremely difficult decision for him: "Colonel, I will lead the team to stay behind and cover the rear."

Both men were well aware that for the main force to reach Segna safely, someone had to stay behind to hold off the pursuers.

However, Xavier shook his head: "No, Captain Spent, you have a more important mission."

"Take your troops immediately, catch up with Lieutenant Zod, and join him in supporting Lieutenant Colonel Horton in Segner."

"To be honest, I'm still a little worried about Horton's situation."

Xavier was still not entirely at ease relying solely on Zod's small force to reinforce Segner.

With an experienced commander like Spinter around, he could feel a little more at ease.

To ensure the smooth withdrawal of the imperial army, nothing can happen to the town of Segner.

Otherwise, the retreating imperial army would be trapped in a desperate situation, attacked from both sides.

"I understand." Spencer nodded, then pressed, "So, who do you plan to have cover the rear? Who will be responsible for covering the main force's retreat?"

"There is no one more suitable than myself," Xavier said calmly, as if he were stating something perfectly ordinary.

"No way!" Spente blurted out, his tone resolute. "How can we let you cover the rear? What if something goes wrong? Who will take command...?"

Xavier raised his hand, interrupting Spente.

His gaze was calm and resolute: "If it were anyone else, even if they stayed, they wouldn't be able to withstand the offensive of the 'Black Sheep Holy Chief' division, especially Olgat Noval, none of you are his match."

He paused, then continued, "As for the command of the army, the commanders of the 56th and 39th Corps are still in charge."

"They are all experienced commanders, and even when I'm not around, they can lead the troops to a successful withdrawal from Saarlom."

"But..." Spinter wanted to make one last attempt to persuade him.

"Enough talk, carry out the order, Captain Spent." Xavier's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority: "Time waits for no one. Every minute we argue here, the Holy Kingdom's reinforcements are closing in."

Spinter's lips moved, but in the end he simply straightened his back and gave a solemn salute: "Yes, sir!"

Faced with Xavier's unwavering stance, all he could do was obey orders.

But the moment he turned to leave, his steps were much heavier than usual.

……

……

The order spread rapidly through the ruins and alleyways like ripples.

The messengers ran through the smoke and gunfire, delivering Colonel Xavier's orders to the commanders at the front.

When someone is shot and falls, their comrade immediately takes over to complete the unfinished mission and continues running forward.

"Artillery positions, fully covered in fifteen minutes! Maximum capacity, fire all shells!"

"The rear guard is to immediately retreat to the town of Segna!"

"Once the shelling begins, frontline troops shall withdraw in an orderly manner. Do not panic or linger in battle!"

The orders were spread to every corner of the city of Sarlom in the shortest possible time.

Time was short, but for the well-trained communication system of the "Imperial Blade" legion, this was not an insurmountable limit.

……

On the east side of the watchtower, on the artillery position.

The gunners were only momentarily stunned after receiving the order.

Coverage bombardment, maximum capacity, firing all shells.

They had a vague idea of ​​what this instruction meant.

No one speaks.

Everyone understood that this might be their last bombardment on the battlefield of Sallom.

After firing all the shells, the artillery will become a pile of useless scrap metal, and they will have to pick up rifles like the infantry and join the retreat.

However, before leaving, they wanted to unleash all their firepower and fury on the enemy.

One shell after another was loaded into the cannon barrel, and the muzzle slowly rose, aiming at the coordinates of the Holy Kingdom's positions that had been marked countless times before.

The pointer is jumping.

Time's up.

"Fire!"