154: Final Battle 1

The next day, the morning light was faint.

Under Shirei's command, the massive formation of the Star-Moon Legion was like a silent steel Dragon, quietly bypassing the ridge line on the outskirts of the Werewolf Royal Court and rolling towards the west. Moving tens of thousands of people was no easy feat, but under strict discipline and careful prior arrangements, the entire process was orderly; although the sound of hooves and footsteps was heavy, it did not cause much chaos.

This scene naturally fell into the eyes of the werewolves who were constantly monitoring the movements of the Star Sea Army. On a hidden cliff on the outskirts of the Royal Court, the temporary commander Wade and several confidant generals looked solemnly at the distant, receding flood of people. The sunlight pierced the morning mist, illuminating the cold sea-blue light on the armor of the Star Sea Army and reflecting the suppressed anger and deep unease in Wade's eyes.

"General!" An Earth Rank werewolf general with fresh claw marks on his face couldn't help but growl, his fangs bared. "The humans have split their forces! There are only thirty thousand left here! This is the perfect time for us to counterattack! The King is at a critical moment of his Breakthrough, and we cannot sit by and watch these humans flaunt their power at our doorstep and then walk away swaggering!"

Another older Shaman also hissed, "Lord Wade, the warriors' anger needs an outlet. While their forces are dispersed, let's concentrate our strength and raid their camp. Even if we can't annihilate them, we can heavily damage their staying forces, dampen their spirits, and buy time for the King to emerge!"

Wade's large hand, covered in coarse grey fur, gripped the edge of the rock wall tightly, the stones creaking under his fingers. How could he not want to pounce down immediately and tear those hateful humans to pieces with his claws and teeth? But the world-destroying roar of the magic crystal cannons echoed in his mind, as did the scene of the fortress being destroyed like rotten wood by the sea-driven boulders on the coastline that day. More importantly, the King's final instructions before his seclusion still rang in his ears: "Wade, guard the home and wait for me to come out. Humans... are very cunning; do not be deceived by appearances."

"Shut up!" Wade growled, suppressing his subordinates' restlessness. His crimson pupils stared fixedly at the Star-Moon Legion disappearing below the western horizon. "You think this is an opportunity? This is a trap! The humans are deliberately showing weakness, trying to lure us out, away from the favorable terrain of the Royal Court, and then crush us with those damn cannons and their tight formations!"

He turned to face the generals, his voice carrying an unquestionable decisiveness: "Order all units to strictly guard the defense lines; no one is allowed to attack without authorization! Strengthen patrols around the Royal Court, especially where the King is in seclusion, and triple the guards! All warriors, rest and build up your strength. Our hope, our counterattack, everything... must wait for the King to successfully take that step!"

Although the werewolf generals were unwilling, under Wade's long-standing prestige, they could only bow and accept the order, temporarily suppressing their desire for a counter-offensive. Their eyes turned toward the depths of the Royal Court, where heart-palpitating energy fluctuations were faintly emanating.

Time passed, and a month and a half later.

The Western Front, the newly completed "Vanguard Fortress."

This fortress, quickly built from boulders and hardwood, was situated on high ground at a key river mouth, guarding the last plain leading to Laixi Deep Province. Inside and outside the fortress, military camps stretched continuously, and flags fluttered. More than a hundred thousand troops from the Star Sea Legion, Star Shattering Legion, Star-Moon Legion, and various auxiliary units had already completed their rendezvous. The scale of the camp covered almost the entire riverside plain as far as the eye could see. The hubbub of voices, the neighing of warhorses, and the chants of engineers intertwined, filled with the vigorous sense of power unique to the eve of a great battle.

In the largest command hall in the center of the fortress, a huge sand table took up almost half the room, finely outlining the terrain, rivers, forests, and known alien force markers within a range of over three hundred miles from the coastline to the eastern border of Laixi Deep Province.

Above the sand table, Admiral Clay wore a crisp deep blue general's ceremonial uniform, the general's stars on his epaulettes shining under the magical lights. He looked steady, his gaze sweeping over the Western Front generals gathered in the hall. On the left were naval generals led by Ocean, and on the right were army generals led by Angus and Karl. The newly arrived Shirei was also prominently present. Everyone was in bright armor, their Auras fierce, and their eyes burning with intense Battle Intent.

"Everyone," Clay's voice was not loud, but it clearly overrode the faint discussions in the hall. "The Star-Moon Legion has successfully arrived. Our forces on the Western Front now exceed a hundred thousand, with ample grain and weaponry, and high morale. At this point, our army has completely controlled the corridor of over five hundred miles from the landing point to here, established seventeen military stations, and cleared forty-three large and small alien strongholds."

He pointed to a long, narrow area clearly marked with a red line on the sand table: "According to the strategy set by the Lord before the war, our army's first-stage strategic goal is to open up and completely control this coastal corridor from East Sea Prefecture to Laixi Deep Province, approximately 1,800 miles long and 300 miles wide, with a total area of about 540,000 square kilometers. Now, the goal is right before our eyes."

Everyone's gaze focused on the end of that red line, which represented the eastern boundary of Laixi Deep Province and the finish line of this "pioneering" operation.

"Ahead of us, the last area that needs to be cleared is the three-hundred-mile zone from the edge of the 'Gravel Wilderness' to the border of Laixi Deep Province." Clay's gaze turned to Angus. "Major General Angus, you have been at the front line and are most familiar with the current enemy situation. In your opinion, what should be the next move?"

Angus took a step forward. This veteran general, known for his steadiness, pointed to several areas on the sand table marked with Goblin skulls and Centaur symbols, his voice booming: "General, fellow colleagues. According to Griffin reconnaissance and scout explorations over several days, the remnants of the Goblin and Centaur allied forces, along with a few Ogre and Lizardman tribes they have recently coerced or who have actively joined them, have a total strength of about a hundred thousand. They are mainly concentrated in three strategic locations: 'Blackwater Marsh,' 'Wind-Eroded Stone Forest,' and 'Howling Canyon,' supporting each other like the horns of an ox, attempting a final resistance."

He paused, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "The enemy's morale is low, their equipment is disorganized, and the long-standing conflict between the Goblins and Centaurs will surely lead to poor command. Our army's elite forces are gathered, and in terms of manpower, equipment, morale, or coordination, we far surpass the enemy. Therefore, I suggest we no longer waste time with probing maneuvers. We should seize the opportunity of General Shirei's arrival and our army's soaring Aura to launch an all-out offensive!"

Angus's palm pressed heavily on the sand table, covering the area representing the final obstacle: "With the momentum of a thunderbolt, we shall strike from three directions, breaking these three strongholds respectively, completely driving away the remaining enemies or forcing them to surrender. We will clear this final three-hundred-mile obstacle in one fell swoop and plant our flag next to the boundary marker of Laixi Deep Province! Completing the first-stage operational goal of the Western Front assigned by the Lord!"

"Well said!" Ocean was the first to cheer. He rubbed his hands together and grinned, "I've been waiting for this day! Those green-skinned runts and four-legged bastards used to play hide-and-seek with us in the marshes and stone forests, which was quite annoying. Now that we have the numbers, we'll just steamroll over them and see where they hide then! My naval guns can provide long-range support from the sea at any time. Blast them to hell!"

Karl also nodded steadily: "General Angus is right. Prolonged sporadic fighting is unfavorable for our logistics and gives the enemy a chance to breathe. It is the right time to finish it all in one battle. All units of my army have finished resting and are ready for battle at any time."

Shirei had just undergone a long march, but his face showed no fatigue; instead, he was high-spirited: "The Star-Moon Legion requests to serve as one of the main attacking forces! We will surely pierce through the enemy lines for the army!"

Evan followed with heroic spirit: "The Dragon Scale Knights are ready to trample the Centaur territory..."

Other generals also requested to fight, and the command hall was boiling with Battle Intent.

Clay listened quietly to everyone's opinions, his gaze falling back on the sand table, lingering for a moment at the end of that red line. He raised his hand, and the hall quickly fell silent.

"I agree with Major General Angus's strategic judgment," Clay said slowly. "Delaying is useless; we should cut the Gordian knot."

He looked at everyone and began to issue specific orders:

"First, the all-out offensive plan. With General Ocean as the commander-in-chief, coordinating the army and navy landing forces to launch an attack on the Goblin tribes—everything should be focused on expulsion! One unit of the Dragon Scale Knights, one unit of the Divine Arrow Army, and the captured Auxiliary Army, totaling 20,000 troops, will attack the Centaur tribes."

"Shirei, you will lead the Star-Moon Legion and my Griffin Knights to the Blackwater Marsh to dismantle the Lizardman and Ogre alliance."

"We will split into three routes, and the magic crystal cannons at sea will conduct long-range strikes on the three locations at any time!"

Raging war fires ignited in the eyes of the generals as they accepted the orders in unison!

"Everyone," Clay finally looked around the room, his voice clanging like iron, "this battle is the final battle of our Western Front's pioneering campaign. By winning this battle, we can open up a life corridor for the Star Sea Territory connecting the East Sea and the inland, 1,800 miles long, and seize over 500,000 square kilometers of fertile land! This will be a crucial milestone on our Star Sea Territory's path to rise!"

He raised his right fist and slammed it heavily on the edge of the sand table: "For the Star Sea Territory! For the Lord!"

"For the Star Sea Territory! For the Lord!" all the generals roared in unison, the sound waves almost lifting the roof off the command hall.