VOLUME 2: CHAPTER 131 – SYLPH UNIFICATION WAR VI
Status
Race Goblin
Level 57
Class King; Ruler
Possessed Skills Ruler of the Demon Children of Chaos; Defiant Soul; World Devouring Howl; Sword Mastery A-; Dominator; King’s Soul; Ruler’s Wisdom III; Household of the Gods; One-Eyed Snake’s Evil Eye; The King's Dance at the Edge of Death; Magic Manipulation; Soul of the Berserk King; Third Impact (The Third Chant); Warrior's Instinct; Blessing of the Underworld Goddess; Guided One
Divine Protection Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia)
Attributes Darkness; Death
Subordinate Beasts High Kobold Hasu (Lv77); Gastra (Lv20); Cynthia (Lv1); Orc King (Bui) (Lv82)
Abnormal Status Blessing of the One-Eyed Snake; Protection of the Twin-Headed Snake
After comparing our forces with the unfaltering enemy elves, I felt it was about time to retreat. We could still keep fighting, but I couldn’t think of a way to secure victory.
If we kept this up, we would only be shooting ourselves in the foot. Replacing the fallen elves isn’t easy, and the goblins are too far from headquarters. We can’t lose here. If we lose here, the dream to conquer humanity will remain but a dream.
“Fei, Gi Ji, we’re retreating!” I commanded.
Fei nodded, while Gi Jii was shocked. Regardless, though, they both understood my intentions and promptly passed my orders.
“Fei, take Ru Rou and scatter into the forest! Gi Jii, have the hordes at the front retreat,” I gave orders while cutting down the enemy. “I will protect the back.”
The three-man-cell groups under me are exhausted, but we have to keep fighting if we are to minimize our losses.
Swinging the orichalcum long sword, I clad it in ether. As the vanguard gradually retreated, the enemy’s focus shifted toward me.
Arrows shot from the forest to cover me.
I don’t know if this is Fei’s or Ru Rou’s, but either way, I’m grateful.
“Gi Za, cover me!”
“On it!”
Cyclones sprouted up around me, blowing away the plants nearby and stopping the heavy infantry approaching me.
We continued our retreat like this, but the enemy continued to pursue. Fortunately, the arrows shooting from the forest were able to slow them down.
“Now! Turn around and run!” I commanded to the goblin vanguard fighting behind me, then we ran toward Jirad.
We lost! Damn it!
The difference in equipment, the knowledge of terrain, the tactics used… There are a lot of things to think about, but right now we have to focus on retreating.
Stifling the sense of loss within me, I ran.
◆◆◇
“…Is that?”
Fei had gone ahead to lead his platoon away when he noticed that several trees had been piled up, blocking their way. With the trees fastened together with vines, it would be no easy task to break this obstruction.
They were almost at Jirad, so who could have possibly laid out this obstruction? Then a cold chill struck him.
“Careful, men!” Fei commanded as he looked around him, searching for the enemy.
Only an enemy would do something like this. If so, then an enemy must be waiting for them here.
The worst scenario flashed through Fei’s mind. It was then that arrows rained from above.
“Wind of Heaven’s Blessing!” Fei chanted, casting Wind Shield and deflecting the rain of arrows.
“So it really is an enemy! Have we been surrounded?”
The enemy that should have been pursuing them from behind was suddenly before them.
The more the sight before him bore itself onto his eyes, the harder it was to believe.
The forest surrounding the roads which they traversed was something that could slow down even the elves themselves. Overgrown with plants entangled with vines, it was a kind of place that would obstruct even one’s vision.
Now that their path was blocked, they had no choice but to retreat.
They didn’t have enough people to overcome the enemy ahead, and neither could they run into the forest, for doing so would be to abandon the goblins coming from behind.
Several elves appeared behind the trees that obstructed the road.
“Foolish citizens of Forni! To think you would actually join hands with the likes of goblins! You are a disgrace!” The enemy elf cried as arrows rained upon Fei and his men.
“Retreat, retreat!” Fei ordered as he glared at that wall of trees that towered over them.
Fei didn’t know this, but the one who created this barricade was none other than the Pale’s detached force led by Felbi. His job was exactly this, to go around the battlefield and seal the path of the Goblin-Forni Army, then they would wait for Pale’s signal, at which they would then perform a pincer attack on the enemy.
“The enemy retreated,” Felbi said as he watched Fei and his men retreat from atop a tree. “…Let’s proceed according to plan. To Jirad!”
◆◆◇
By the time Fei’s shrieking report arrived, we had already shaken off the enemy pursuing from behind.
—The enemy is up ahead.
I had to make a decision the moment I received that report.