Chapter 268 Drive Them Back To Mezorin



The battlefield was a chaotic tableau of swirling dust, the thunderous gallop of hooves, and the deafening discharge of firearms. The air was thick with the acrid scent of gunpowder, and the ground trembled beneath the weight of marching soldiers. Battle cries and shouted commands pierced through the clamour, creating a symphony of war.

In the midst of the fray, the Ryntum forces found themselves on the defensive, desperately trying to hold their ground against the relentless onslaught of the coalition forces from Barlia and Inverloch in three different directions.

General Victor divides his one hundred thousand or so army into three distinct units with him positioning himself at the center.

On his right flank, Lieutenant General Sarika led a swift and relentless assault to outflank and destabilize the Ryntum forces. Her troops unleashed a barrage of coordinated attacks, aiming to disrupt the Ryntum's formation and divert their attention from the centre. 

Simultaneously, on his left flank, Marquess Hector orchestrated a fierce assault. Due to the lack of firearms, his troops engaged the Ryntum soldiers head-on in close combat and strived to break their ranks. His objective was to push through the enemy's left flank, creating chaos and exploiting any opportunities that arose.

The enemy's coordinated attacks caused Ryntum lines to begin to buckle under pressure.

The once steadfast Ryntum soldiers now found themselves struggling to maintain their cohesion under the unyielding assault.

As the battle goes on, a plume of dark smoke billowed into the sky. Rising from the direction of the storage area, it caught the attention of both friend and foe alike. The rising smoke acted as a magnet, drawing the gaze of soldiers from all sides, momentarily diverting their attention from the ongoing battle.

Curiosity mixed with concern as the soldiers on both sides realized that something was amiss. The sight of smoke rising from their camp area raised questions and created a temporary lull in the chaos of the battlefield.

The panic spread among the Barlia-Inverloch coalition as the soldiers believed that their camp had come under attack. Confusion and anger filled their ranks as they struggled to comprehend the situation.

General Victor, his face contorted with rage and disbelief, turned his gaze back toward the Ryntum soldiers.

"You deceitful bastards!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "To think that you would stoop so low as to target non-combatant personnel!"

The Ryntum soldiers who heard Victor's remark were taken aback by the accusation and exchanged bewildered glances among themselves. They had not planned or executed any attack on the non-combatant personnel of the Barlia-Inverloch coalition.

The accusation seemed unfounded and misplaced.

Whispers of confusion and disbelief rippled through the Ryntum ranks. They were as perplexed as their adversaries about the origins of the fire that engulfed the enemy camp. The chaos and uncertainty grew as both sides attempted to make sense of the situation.

General Victor, torn between the urgency of saving his camp and the continuation of the war, found himself facing a difficult decision. His mind raced, weighing the potential consequences of diverting forces to quell the fire versus maintaining the momentum of their assault.

The fate of his soldiers and the outcome of the battle hung in the balance.

On the other hand, the Ryntum forces saw the turmoil as an opportune moment to strike. Their confusion swiftly transformed into a resolute determination to exploit the chaos and press their advantage.

Levi, a man who was given responsibility for leading the army, raised his voice above the clamour of battle. "Attack! Reduce their number!" he shouted.

The Ryntum soldiers, their resolve steeled, unleashed a barrage of bullets toward the disoriented Barlia-Inverloch forces.

The crack of gunfire shattered the air as Ryntum soldiers took advantage of the confusion to advance upon their enemy. The chaos that had engulfed the battlefield only moments ago now intensified as the battle resumed with renewed vigour.

As the battle raged on, General Victor, realizing the urgency of the situation, issued orders for Hector to investigate the burning camp. Amidst the relentless exchange of gunfire and the cacophony of war, Hector and a contingent of soldiers broke away from the frontline, swiftly manoeuvring towards the smouldering camp.

However, this leaves the right flank to be slightly weakened and Ryntum is sure to capitalize on this. Levi ordered the artillery units to divert some of the cannons on the enemy's right flank. 

The relentless bombardment from the Ryntum artillery took its toll on the Barlia-Inverloch right flank. The continuous shelling battered their ranks, causing chaos and sowing confusion among their soldiers. The once steady line began to crumble under the intense pressure, as soldiers struggled to maintain their positions.

"General Victor, we're being overwhelmed! Our right wing can't hold them off much longer! They are on the verge of collapse!"

"I know, We need to act swiftly," Victor replied. Sensing the urgency of the situation, he swiftly made a crucial decision. He directed the remaining Inverloch units and his own central forces to consolidate into a single unified unit.

However, time was running out. The Ryntum forces, emboldened by their initial successes, pushed forward. Their momentum was unstoppable, and they began to encircle the beleaguered Barlia-Inverloch coalition.

The noose slowly tightened, leaving little room for Barlia-Inverloch soldiers to respite.

Contrary to Victor's expectation, Levi's aim was not to fully encircle the enemy but rather to cut off their retreat path to the camp and drive them towards Mezorin.

With precision and calculated movements, Ryntum soldiers gradually assembled themselves between the enemy camp and the Barlia-Inverloch coalition army. 

It was a risky move because if Marquess Hector return, they could get attacked from both front and behind but Levi is willing to take this risk despite the objection he received. 

As the encirclement tightened, panic rippled through the Barlia-Inverloch ranks. The realization that retreat was no longer an option weighed heavily on the soldiers, fueling a sense of urgency and desperation.

If action were to be delayed, they had to fight their way out, breaking through the Ryntum forces in a desperate bid for survival.

General Victor, swiftly assessed the unfolding situation. He understood that the only possible way to escape is front behind where the Mezorin city lies. 

In hushed tones, General Victor outlined the plan to Sarika, emphasizing the urgency and the need for swift execution. The retreat would be conducted in phases, allowing the Barlia-Inverloch forces to withdraw systematically while maintaining a defensive posture to hold back the relentless advance of the Ryntum troops.

With the plan set in motion, the retreat began. The soldiers disengaged from the frontlines in an organized manner, falling back in calculated steps. Each phase of the retreat was carefully coordinated to ensure the cohesion and protection of their forces.

However, the Ryntum soldiers were unrelenting in their pursuit. They pressed forward with determination, their numbers seemingly endless. The sound of battle echoed through the air as clashes erupted between the retreating Barlia-Inverloch soldiers and the advancing Ryntum troops. 

The situation grew increasingly dire as the Barlia-Inverloch forces faced mounting pressure. Their tired bodies and battered spirits strained under the weight of the relentless assault. 

Every step of the retreat they take, fallen comrades were left behind, their lifeless bodies serving as a grim reminder of the sacrifices made in the heat of battle.

There was no time to pause and mourn. The urgency of their retreat compelled the surviving soldiers to push forward, leaving behind the fallen without a chance to recover their fallen brethren.

As the retreat progressed, the situation grew increasingly precarious. The Ryntum forces tightened their grip, pushing deeper into the Barlia-Inverloch lines.

"Keep bombarding them! Don't show them mercy! Reduce their numbers!" Levi's voice boomed across the battlefield, carried by the wind. His orders echoed, driving his troops to continue the onslaught.

Explosions reverberated through the air as cannons fired and shells found their targets. The earth trembled beneath the weight of the relentless barrage.

The once orderly retreat began to falter, as chaos and confusion seeped into the ranks of the Barlia-Inverloch forces. 

"Maintain the order! Hold the line!" General Victor's voice boomed, struggling to be heard above the deafening cacophony of battle. The exchange between the retreat and the relentless Ryntum attack continued, each side locked in a deadly dance of survival. 

Before long, both armies caught sight of the imposing wall of Mezorin looming before them. A glimmer of hope sparked in General Victor's eyes. "We've made it to the city!" he exclaimed, a sense of relief flooding his weary body.

"Take cover inside the city walls! Regroup and reorganize!" General Victor commanded, his voice laced with urgency. He knew that the city provided a respite, a chance to recover their depleted strength and fortify their defences.

Levi, observing the scene, sneered. "We will establish a siege on the city," he declared, his voice filled with conviction. The opportunity to corner their enemy within the walls of Mezorin was within their grasp.