Section 25 Military Discussion

The offensive and defensive battle that took place at the city of Derek can almost be said to be the key and turning point of the entire war. However, there is no detailed explanation for the specific process of the defeat of Paro's army. This may be because both sides were exhausted in the battle. Both sides suffered extremely heavy casualties. At the end, even the escorts of the generals were all on the battlefield. The recorders responsible for recording the war process were all dead (or at least missing), and the records left behind were incomplete.

According to limited records, the commanders of the two armies seemed to have had a one-on-one duel. This is a rare thing, because in people's view, the general's duty is to think, lead and command. Only when he had to lead the guard to attack, he would not benefit his army if he wanted to be a soldier. As we all know, Thomas was over 80 years old at this time. It was a very incredible thing to do with the old Thomas to duel and win the young and powerful Rudolph. However, this may explain why Rudolph suddenly died on the battlefield and the real reason why Paro's army had to retreat.

At first, everyone thought that Thomas defended Derek City from the "Card Time Game" strategy and stuck the supply line of Paro Border Fortress.

But it turns out that everyone underestimated Thomas' ambitions. The veteran has a passion far more than people imagined...

——Excerpt from "History of the Stigia War"

The female prophet Feier heard the sound of the door opening. Without looking back, she knew that the person who came in was Ashu Rufate. The strange man survived the battle yesterday, but checked his body and found that he was all minor injuries. And he regained his vitality after just one night's rest.

If someone else was to disturb her at this moment when she was deeply tired, she might feel angry. But the arrival of Ashu Rufate never made her feel uncomfortable. This man revealed so many mystery. He was obviously a warrior, but where did he learn magic skills? He had such a powerful force, but he had been wandering before? Is there any place that would reject such a person? And why did he never mention the past? Why did such a person remain unknown before he appeared in Saint Gene?

She suddenly remembered the two sisters, but then she put the idea away from her mind. There was nothing to be sad about. They returned to the embrace of the God of Nature and received eternal tranquility.

"What..." Ashu Rufat spoke. "Is there a new situation?"

Feier knew what Ashu Rufate was referring to. Yesterday, at the most critical moment of the situation, Thomas, regardless of his injuries, personally wore armor and commanded all the remaining troops and minor wounded to rush to the battlefield and regained the city wall again. Otherwise, even Rudolph's death would not prevent the Paro people from winning the final victory.

The old man persisted until the end with unimaginable willpower. He led the troops to drive the Paros back and personally rescued the exhausted Ashrufate. After doing everything, he organized a successful counterattack and drove the Paros back to the camp.

Of course, for Thomas now, fighting in person really exceeded the load. Not only did he collapse all his old injuries, but he was also hit by Paro's many bullets, and it was already a great blessing to not die on the spot. As soon as the battle ended, when everyone cheered for victory, he fell to the ground and remained unconscious.

"No..." Fei'er sighed lightly. "But the tendency of wound inflammation... can no longer be curbed. If there is no 'myill,' I think Thomas can't hold on for long."

She noticed that Ashu Rufat was holding something in his hand, which was a letter. Since they arrived here, they had been cut off from the rear for a long time.

"The secret envoy brought the letter here." Ashu Rufat also found that Feier was looking at the things in his hand. "Not good news. Our king, His Majesty Lan Jill, is seriously ill. But this matter is not important to us at all."

He came to Thomas' bed and stared at the old man's pale face. Thomas was still unconscious, but he would not forget the feeling when Thomas rushed to him personally. Thomas blocked him and blocked several Paro bullets with his body.

"Child, is it okay? I'm late!" Thomas said such a simple sentence at the time.

"Earl, isn't the military discussion about to begin soon?" Fei'er suddenly said.

"I know." Ash Rufate replied. The siege was finally over. After nearly fifty days of fierce fighting, seeing countless comrades and enemies fall, the tragic battle finally ended. Today, they are going to hold a meeting to decide on their next action.

"Will there be no way without 'myill'?" he suddenly asked Fei'er.

"What a pity, Count, there seems to be no other way. And now the more, the better, the faster, the better! I can't guarantee how long will Lord Thomas... be able to support him."

Ashu Rufate turned and left, the man's heavy steps seemed to indicate some kind of determination.

When Ashu Rufate walked into the large conference room, all the surviving middle-level officers were in place. He looked around the empty conference room and suddenly felt a sense of sorrow. When they had just captured Derek City and held a meeting, it was quite crowded.

At that time, Thomas, the commander of the Expeditionary Force, led four deputy generals, and under the deputy generals there were nearly a hundred middle-level officers - this was the number after the militia captains were removed. But now, Thomas was seriously injured and bedridden, with only two deputy generals left. The middle-level officer added the militia captain who could only listen and not speak, and there were only about forty people together.

Behind this number is the outrageous huge casualties of the Expeditionary Force. The army, which originally had nearly 8,000 people, now only 2,200 people can fight. There are very few wounded people, because under the healing magic of the Prophet, most of the wounded people quickly recovered and joined the war again - and then died.

The three female prophets are now only Fei'er. The Holy Grail Knights are all killed on the battlefield. It can be said that the Expeditionary Force has only a small part of its combat power. If this battle is a field battle aimed at defeating the enemy, this casualty is enough to turn any declaration of victory into black.

Leo stood aside, with a white bandage wrapped around his head. He was stabbed on his face, making his romantic and handsome face now become hideous and terrifying. In addition, he also got a war hammer on his body. On the surface, he could finally move freely, but in fact he would definitely not be able to join the battle formation in a short period of time.

"Don't worry. Miss Fei'er said that there is half chance that this injury will not leave any scars." Leo found that Asu Ruffat was looking at his face and said in a low voice.

The topic of the meeting was very simple. What should the Expeditionary Force do after the Paro army withdrew?

The original plan was to stay in the castle until spring, then wait for an opportunity to break through and join reinforcements, and finally fight the Paro people to fight the Paro people. But now this plan is no longer necessary. Because the Paro people have escaped. In the camp outside the city, all the supplies that cannot be taken away were burned, and the Paro people were truly evacuated.

The knights were talking. In fact, there was no need to ask, Ashu Rufate could read their thoughts from everyone's eyes. After such a fierce war, no one wanted to continue fighting. And so many people had died in the previous fierce battle... In this case, it would be better to continue to garrison the castle. Anyway, the goal of the strategy has been completed, right?

Ashu Rufate came to the middle of the venue, Thomas was seriously injured, and now he was the commander for granted.

He called out the names of these officers one by one, mentioning their arms, their ancestors and their family's honors. He listed the great achievements of their ancestors, and then reminded them that their negative thoughts today were simply blasphemy of the greatness/honour of their ancestors. When honor and victory were at their fingertips, they were hesitant here! Then he mentioned the other knights who died, and the warriors who voluntarily attacked and carried out suicide actions, and mentioned one by one, trying to inspire everyone's enthusiasm and courage.

"...What did I see? So many people sacrificed their lives for victory, but now the remaining people have no courage to expand victory? If we use this attitude, how can we face the dead robe? When we die in bed one day and our souls rise to heaven, can we stand up straight and face our comrades who are waiting for us early?"

"What other enemies are there? The Paros are just a group of bereaved dogs now! The bravest of them all died under the city walls, their knights, their generals, their warriors, and no one left to die at our hands. Now what remains is a group of defeated troops without courage! And we miss this opportunity to gather the Paros again, so do we deserve the honor of the knights and the colleagues who died in battle beside you?!"

Ashrufate punched the table with a fierce punch and said loudly that he needed to make everyone forget the person in front of them, but to let them hear a high-ranking person holding the reins of power firmly in his hands. If the reins were not in his hands, then he would hold it now!

"What should I do with the captives?" Someone asked a realistic question.

"All Paro people were executed!" Ashurufat answered firmly. When he heard this, everyone gasped. It was not because of what he said, but because of the unhesitating coldness of his speech. "Hold mercenaries to join the army and join the baggage team. Promise them for salary, and at the same time tell them that if they dare to escape privately, they will be hanged immediately and there will be no chance of forgiveness!"

"Give up the Castle of Derek and bring all the supplies you can bring. Those you can't take away will be burned on the spot! The entire army will be dispatched to pursue the retreating Paro people!"

After the meeting, Leo came to Ashu Rufate.

"It's a risk to do this," he whispered. "There are at least 30,000 Paro people. They just lost their commander... Remember what Thomas taught us? Don't deliberately pursue extra results... Greed is a taboo in war command, and it contains immeasurable risks."

"There is no time." Ashu Rufate also replied in a gloomy tone. "Without 'myill', Thomas will die soon! And the place where there is a 'myill' recently is the Paro army! Leo, do you want to watch Thomas die?"

"Then why do you need to execute the prisoners? Although there are only a hundred Paro people... it's better to let them go..."

"I have no other choice. We have no energy to watch over the captives!" Ashu Rufate replied. "And I can't let the Paros know our pursuit in advance. Leo, think about William Daly..."
Chapter completed!