A Villain's Journey Begins in the Type-Moon World

After a pause, Dalton reluctantly uttered the decision:

"Cheshig...it can't be held anymore. We must retreat. And now, we must immediately report the complete fall of Cheshig and its impending independence to Prince Baikal!"

Chapter 387: Walking Towards a Dead End

"Really...really should we report it like this? Is Chernobog really already..." Stonnov's expression changed drastically, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Hmph! Even now, do you still harbor any illusions?"

Quan Duoer let out a short, cold laugh, his eyes filled with unfathomable fear:

"The Reunion bandits who came to support us say it all! Hrag, those lowly people who took up arms, and those infected in the city! They've long been completely in cahoots with the Reunion bandits! We've all underestimated this force... They are truly a malignant tumor that can shake the foundations of the Empire!"

Quan Duoer took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay alert, and his thoughts became unusually clear in this desperate situation:

"Even if we don't report it, do you think the Reunion Movement will let go of this excellent publicity opportunity once we manage to break through? They'd love for the whole world to know that Chernobog is independent!"

"Instead of letting them reveal the truth first and mislead the public, we should strike first and expose the brutal truth! We must shatter Prince Baikal and the others' illusions completely! We can no longer give these rebels any time or space to grow stronger!"

Quan Duoer stood up, supporting himself on the edge of the table. His charred face looked particularly ferocious and terrifying in the dim light, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

Although he has fallen to such a state, his strategic vision remains sharp, and he even saw through the course of this war.

Ultimately, the entire south will become an endless free-for-all with the Reunion Movement forces.

"Once they gain a foothold in Chernobyl and turn it into a stronghold of rebellion... all the restless commoners in the southern cities will be inspired by them! At that time, the entire Southern Military Region will be plunged into an unmanageable situation."

Quan Duoer analyzed carefully, "We can't sit here and wait to die any longer; we must take immediate action."

"Go, hand me the military communications equipment. Immediately establish the highest-level military communications! I need to personally inform the other border commanders of the major changes in Chernobyl!"

All-Dor pointed sharply to the communication equipment in the corner and gave the order decisively:

"Make them immediately retreat and converge towards Chernobog at all costs! As for Prince Baikal... Hmph, once we've successfully mobilized our troops without prior notification, he'll have no choice but to follow suit!"

"Also, urge the troops that are about to arrive to speed up their advance and be prepared to forcefully break through the ground elevation and elevation zones of Chernobyl at any time."

Quan Duo'er's voice was resolute and left no room for doubt. His sharp gaze swept across the map, as if he could already foresee the impending battle.

"At the same time, they were strictly ordered to be highly vigilant against any disturbances in the surrounding area!"

Quan Duoer pointed heavily at the terrain surrounding Chernobog and said in a deep voice:

"The Reunion Movement's bandit army will likely continue to arrive in Chernobog. Therefore, in this area, all individuals not marked with army group insignia or acting suspiciously should be treated as bandits! Without warning, treat them as armed bandits immediately! Better to kill the innocent than let any potential threat go unpunished!"

"Yes, General!"

Upon hearing that Quandor had finally begun to issue a series of clear and forceful orders in an orderly manner, Stonnov's tense nerves suddenly relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Despite knowing that the disastrous defeat in this battle and their imminent humiliating retreat with their remaining troops would make them a laughingstock among other generals and could even bring them severe repercussions from the Imperial Council.

But at least for now, they are still alive. As long as they are alive, it means they still have a chance to breathe, and perhaps in the future they can still find an opportunity to "atone for their sins."

However, neither Stonnov nor Zondor himself could have foreseen that this last seemingly decisive and iron-fisted order to "treat them all as bandits" would, like a rope, ultimately sever their last chance of escape.

……

"The situation is roughly as I described... Ha, you didn't see it with your own eyes. Prince Baikal's face was turning blue with anger and pale with panic. He probably wanted to tear that idiot Dorr to pieces a thousand times in his heart and still not be satisfied."

As evening fell, Wang Chong received a secret message from the Black Serpent, and the reaction from Prince Baikal quickly appeared before his eyes.

Although Wang Chong had already been aware of Quan Duo'er's every move through surveillance and knew his plans inside and out, this did not prevent him from simultaneously obtaining information about the specific movements of the Baikal Prince's camp from the Black Serpent's secret network.

Having more channels to verify something is always a safer bet.

“There’s no need to go into those emotional details,” Wang Chong said calmly, cutting straight to the point. “What I’m more concerned about is how Prince Baikal will respond next? What substantive measures has he taken?”

“Understood.” The black snake’s voice was low and respectful as he slowly said, “Thanks to my well-timed ‘reminder,’ Prince Baikal has decided to place all the blame on Quandor. A sincere letter of apology has been drafted.”

“Even if His Majesty the Emperor sends the Imperial Guards to investigate thoroughly, there is no need to worry too much. After all, I have Imperial Guards of the same rank around Prince Baikal. These people will find a way to clear him of some of the blame and reduce his punishment.”

He paused briefly, then continued his clear analysis:

"The final outcome will be that the Third and Fourth Armies will be bogged down in a two-front war in the north and south. Prince Baikal will never relinquish control of the southern region."

"He has been scheming for many years, even at the risk of offending the emerging aristocratic group, to get to where he is today. Now the die is cast, and he has no choice but to bite the bullet and push forward."

"As for Quandor, he has become a pawn. Prince Baikal has long coveted his border army, and now that Quandor has committed such a heinous mistake, Prince Baikal is seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to completely eliminate this thorn in his side."

"Although the whole of Dor had preemptively issued orders to mobilize border troops to retreat and converge towards Chechen, all strategic passes were firmly controlled by Prince Baikal's Third Army."

"They will try every means to slow down the advance of the border army, giving us enough time. You can use this time to cleanly and thoroughly wipe out Quan Dor and his remaining forces in Chern."

"Right now, the only force capable of rescuing Quandor from this quagmire of Chern is the 10,000 border troops he previously mobilized and who are rapidly advancing to his aid. However—"

Black Serpent's tone carried a hint of certainty: "As long as you, my lord, want Quan Dor to die in Chern, then no matter how many reinforcements he brings, it will be in vain and will not change his fate."

"All of Dor must die in Chern..."

Wang Chong's voice carried an undeniable coldness:

"This man is no ordinary person. Even if he cannot shake Prince Baikal's control over the Third Army, his ability to integrate his 100,000-strong border corps alone is enough to create huge trouble for us in the south and severely slow down our progress once he successfully gathers his troops."

"Our immediate priority is to unify the entire southern region with overwhelming force and at the fastest speed! We must not give the Fourth Army and the Imperial Council any breathing room or time to react!"

Wang Chong paused slightly, then issued more specific instructions:

"So, Black Serpent, continue to stir things up with Prince Baikal. Subtly amplify his paranoia, making him distrust his truly capable generals. Ideally, he should seize all command authority firmly in his own hands."

“In that case…” A cold smile, as if he knew the outcome, flickered across Wang Chong’s lips. “The Third Army Group, which was already corrupt and dysfunctional, will only collapse and disintegrate faster than we expected.”

"I will obey your orders, sir!" Black Serpent immediately bowed his head in obedience, his tone respectful.

"As for the 10,000-strong reinforcement force outside the city, I have already arranged for the Reunion Movement's troops to set up blocking positions... Hmm?"

Just as Wang Chong was about to explain in detail the tactics for annihilating this foreign aid force, a sudden stream of information flooded into his mind, interrupting his words.

"My lord? What happened?" Noticing the pause in Wang Chong's words, Black Snake immediately asked.

"Heh, something interesting has happened." Wang Chong chuckled, his tone tinged with amusement and unexpected ease. "It seems that the 10,000 reinforcements... they probably won't make it in time to their deaths."

Chapter 388: A Young Girl's Thoughts Revealed Early

The afterglow of the setting sun painted the positions near the inner city of Chernobog with a warm orange hue.

Early Dew was moving among the busy crowds, directing the people of Chernobog to reinforce their defenses in preparation for a possible surprise attack by the border army under the cover of night.

After the exhilarating victory that morning, and the fair distribution of the large amount of supplies brought by the Reunion Movement to every citizen, almost all the residents of the outer city of Chernobog spontaneously joined the battle to defend their home.

When the people of the city truly united as one, they were surprised to find that those legendary, invincible "imperial elites" also felt fear and were afraid of having their lives taken by ordinary citizens like themselves.

After this battle, the people of Chernobog were completely freed from their mental shackles. They threw themselves into the construction and defense of their homeland with great hope, and the supplies they received were not only a guarantee of survival, but also a symbol of dignity.

A burning flame blazed in everyone's eyes, longing for the day when those vampire-like oppressors would be completely driven out and annihilated.

Although Zao Lu only rested for a short two or three hours before dragging her tired body to get up and continue to work at high intensity, coordinating and commanding various positions, the physical exhaustion had long been overwhelmed by the immense spiritual satisfaction.

She is witnessing firsthand how the people of Chernobyl are gradually taking control of their new future.

"That's great..." Zao Lu raised her hand and gently wiped away the traces of sweat and dust mixed with her forehead with the back of her hand. A sincere and proud smile unconsciously bloomed on her face.

The reason she was able to be at the center of all these changes and win everyone's trust and love was because she met the teacher who changed her destiny.

"Teacher..." Thinking of Wang Chong, Zao Lu's eyes instantly became complicated.

Before she became the young and determined leader of the resistance in the hearts of the citizens of Chernobyl, during her most confused and anxious days, it was her teacher's unwavering composure and wisdom that soothed her fears like a stabilizing force and gave her an unparalleled sense of security.

She firmly believes that as long as her teacher is by her side, she can overcome any difficulty.

Wang Chong shaped who she is today. She has boundless respect for Wang Chong. However, this pure respect has somehow been mixed with an inappropriate emotion that is causing her distress.

These complex emotions made her sigh softly and murmur the honorific title.

"Hmm? I just arrived, and you already noticed me?" Just as the last syllable of Zao Lu's soft sigh had faded, a very familiar voice, tinged with surprise and amusement, rang out clearly behind her.

"Ah! T-Teacher..." Zao Lu turned around abruptly like a startled deer, her cheeks instantly flushing slightly, and her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic, "Um... because, I'm very familiar with your footsteps..."

"I see..."

Wang Chong nodded understandingly, his eyes revealing deeper concern, and gently instructed:

“But you should take care of yourself and get some rest. I heard that you’ve been working at a high intensity for two days and two nights straight, and you’ve barely slept at all.”

"It's not that exaggerated..."

Upon hearing this, Zao Lu smiled and shook her head slightly, explaining frankly:

"I did rest when I needed to, but I didn't get much sleep."

Early dew tinged with weariness, but her eyes remained resolute. She looked at the citizens diligently laying sandbags and building their fortifications, and said softly:

"There are just too many things to deal with in Chernobyl right now, and each one is related to our future. I must pay close attention and not let my guard down."

"Everyone is fighting with all their might for their homeland, how can I sleep soundly?"

"What you said... makes me, your teacher, a little embarrassed." Wang Chong couldn't help but chuckle, his tone carrying both praise and a hint of helplessness.

Then, Wang Chong's smile faded, and his expression became serious. He said, "Alright, back to the point. I came to see you because I have something important to discuss."

Upon hearing the words "important matter," Zao Lu immediately straightened her back, and the girlish shyness on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a serious and focused expression.

Early dew's gaze was fixed on Wang Chong, as if she had instantly switched to that of a capable leader: "Teacher, please speak. What is it that I need to do?" (The last part, "你梅咏你你在空你林在在没呢," is a nonsensical string of characters and doesn't translate directly. It's likely a result of OCR errors.)

Wang Chong said in a deep voice: "According to the latest intelligence sent back by the Reunion Movement's secret service, a border army force is rushing towards Chernobyl in the Gobi Desert, a hundred miles away from Chernobyl."

"They should be the reinforcements that Dortmund urgently drew from other cities, as mentioned in the intelligence we intercepted earlier."

"!!!" Zao Lu's pupils contracted slightly as she immediately caught the key information. Her voice carried a sense of urgency as she said, "So, does that mean we'll soon be facing another battle?"

"!!!" Zao Lu's pupils contracted slightly as she immediately caught the key information. Her voice carried a sense of urgency as she said, "So, does that mean we'll soon be facing another battle?"

“You could say that,” Wang Chong nodded in confirmation, then changed the subject, “However, our main objective going forward is not to directly confront this foreign force in open terrain. Our primary target remains the remnants of the Quandor army, who are holed up in the inner city of Chern.”

After a brief pause to think, Wang Chong clearly stated his plan:

"I need to personally lead a small contingent of elite troops to that location a hundred miles outside of Chernobog to support my allies."

"An ally?" A hint of doubt flashed in Zao Lu's eyes.

“Yes, it’s a pharmaceutical company called Rhodes Island,” Wang Chong explained. “As you know, the vast majority of Reunion members are Oripathy patients, so establishing and maintaining a good cooperative relationship with this pharmaceutical company that focuses on Oripathy research and treatment is crucial.”

"After all, while Oripathy can give the infected people valuable power, it cannot offset its continuous erosion and pain on the body. Treatment is a necessary step for the infected people."

After saying that, Wang Chong steered the conversation back on track:

"Getting back to the point. That border garrison must have received orders to clear out all suspicious persons in the surrounding area, and it just so happened that it ran into the forces of my ally, Rhodes Island."

"They are currently engaged in a fierce battle in the Gobi Desert, a hundred miles away. The situation is critical. If I arrive late, Rhodes Island will likely suffer significant casualties."

"Therefore, I need to take a small force to support them immediately and try to bring them safely back to Chernobog."

After saying that, a sharp glint flashed in Wang Chong's eyes, and he continued, "Of course, if we seize the opportunity properly, we might even have a chance to wipe out this isolated border army that has penetrated deep into enemy territory in one fell swoop."

"Therefore, I need to select one hundred elite musketeers to accompany me on this mobile support mission. The majority of the remaining musketeers and Reunion Movement fighters will continue to be under your and Grandpa Hrag's full command."

Wang Chong's gaze was fixed on the early dew, his tone solemn:

"Your mission is very clear: defend the city at all costs and never let Quan Duoer, who has received the news, take this opportunity to break out of the city."

"As long as we can successfully annihilate this reinforcement force outside the city, the entire city of Dor will be completely trapped, with no chance of escape. At that time, it will be just around the corner to reclaim everything that belongs to the people of Chernobog."

After carefully listening to Wang Chong's entire plan and explanation, Zao Lu understood the whole situation. She nodded firmly, her eyes as resolute as a rock, and promised:

"Teacher, I understand. You can go and support our allies with peace of mind. Old Master Herag and I will defend every inch of Chernobog's defenses and will not allow any of the entire Dor to escape from Chernobog!"

"Ah."

A trusting smile appeared on Wang Chong's face. He reached out and gently patted Zao Lu's shoulder, conveying silent encouragement and entrustment, before speaking:

"I believe you can do it. I expect to return with Rhodes Island's allies as early as tomorrow. During my absence, I entrust the safety of Chernobog to you."

He gave one last piece of advice, then turned and strode away to begin selecting those who would accompany him on the expedition.

"Although I would prefer to stay by my teacher's side, silently sharing his difficulties and assisting him..."

Watching Wang Chong's receding figure, a soft, almost silent sigh escaped the girl's early lips, carrying a hint of barely perceptible loss and complex longing.

"But it seems that my teacher... hopes that I can grow up and truly stand on my own." This thought lingered in her mind.

She knew very well that after fulfilling her long-cherished wish to save her parents, the strength that supported her to continue to shoulder the heavy responsibility of leadership came not only from the deep trust given to her by all the people of Chernobyl and her own increasingly firm belief and awareness, but most importantly, from her determination not to let down her teacher's earnest expectations.

She wanted to prove herself and live up to this heavy expectation.

"Hmm..." Zao Lu shook her head violently, as if trying to shake off those chaotic thoughts. She raised her hand and slapped her cheeks hard with her cool palms, letting the slight stinging sensation bring her clarity.

What's wrong with me? It's such a simple thing, why am I making it so complicated?

Chapter 389: Rhodes Island Attacked