Published: July 3, 2025
The glow of the Imperial Army was, of course, visible to the elves as well.
While they did not understand the finer details, they recognized that reinforcements had arrived for the enemy.
This realization was synonymous with despair.
"Not yet, it’s not over yet!"
Facing down and on the verge of losing their fighting spirit, the lady granny shouted at her subordinates.
"In the north, those from the autonomous bureau who returned from the royal capital are fighting! If we endure, they will defeat the enemy and finish off those in front of us! Fight!"
There are times when a commander must speak loudly even about things they do not believe themselves.
For the lady granny, this was that moment.
The autonomous bureau's forces would not be easily defeated.
Having seen the recent use of light magic, the enemy would undoubtedly transition to a strategy of "as long as we don't get defeated before reinforcements arrive"...
A quick resolution was unlikely.
Without a doubt, their own limits would be reached before the autonomous bureau forces arrived.
Though she understood this, she felt she had no choice but to speak.
However, it was also a fact that the lady granny's exhortation managed to keep the elves, whose spirits were nearly broken, somehow holding on.
They had not lost yet!
Those sealing the enemy's movements with downbursts, those shooting through the enemy... Everyone began to fight desperately, putting forth all their remaining strength.
Twenty minutes had passed since the light magic was cast.
On the northern side of the central fortress, the battle continued between the four hundred members of the Imperial Army's shadow army led by General Lanshas and the fifty returnees from the royal capital led by Commissioner Carson of the Autonomous Bureau.
"How many have we lost?"
"Five, including Yuri..."
"Damn it."
Among the elves, there were those skilled in recovery magic.
Their magical system differed fundamentally from that of the Central Nations, as they borrowed the power of spirits to speed up recovery and heal injuries.
Therefore, they could not repair lost limbs like the high-ranking priests could.
Still, they were considered valuable personnel among the elves, and a few would always be included in a combat group.
Yuri, who had died this time, was an elf exceptionally skilled in recovery within the autonomous bureau, meaning that their combat team had sustained damage exceeding their numbers.
Carson understood this as a commander.
The strength was balanced.
In a forest battle, it was fundamentally unusual for the elves and the Imperial Army to be evenly matched... but here it was happening right before his eyes.
If the numbers continued to dwindle, they would be gradually worn down...
Commissioner Carson was feeling considerable mental pressure.
It wasn't enough just to defeat this opponent; after that, they would have to strike at the thousand enemies held back at the central fortress... if they hoped to win.
But...
"Is it only possible to struggle against this opponent?"
Frustration made him tremble.
"How many have we lost?"
"About forty."
"What the hell..."
On the other hand, General Lanshas also frowned at the heavy losses of his forces.
Despite having given the order to "not push themselves until reinforcements arrive" due to the rise of light magic, this was the situation they found themselves in.
If they fought head-on, they might not be able to defeat the returnees from the royal capital... he honestly felt that way.
"Don’t be overly anxious. We just need to stall until reinforcements arrive."
Just as Lanshas said this to a nearby subordinate...
"I found you!"
A slash from directly behind.
However, Lanshas easily dodged the attack.
"You are the commander, then."
Despite having his attack evaded, the opponent remained calm.
"What will you do if that’s the case?"
"I will have you die."
General Lanshas posed the question, and Commissioner Carson asserted it.
As if it were the most natural thing.
"Do you think you can?"
"Shut up!"
Lanshas provoked, while Carson attacked.