Chapter 1248: Corpses Cover the Desert
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
His army proved no match for the might of the Northern Army cavalry.
With 300,000 elite soldiers, including 100,000 cavalry and 200,000 elite infantrymen, the Northern Army forces swiftly overwhelmed the million-strong aboriginal martial artists of Machusa, despite their disorganized state.
Though considered a mob, the aboriginal martial artists displayed formidable combat prowess that could not be underestimated.
The Northern Army’s 100,000 cavalry charged tirelessly across the battlefield, each assault claiming tens of thousands of lives from the opposing ranks.
Amidst the chaos, Tanner Lynn proudly bore the Northern Army Qilin flag upon his shoulder, a symbol that inspired unwavering loyalty from his comrades, who followed it into battle without hesitation.
The three legions of the Northern Army fought in perfect harmony, their coordination honed through countless bloody battles.
In the northern sector of the battlefield, a regiment from the third legion found itself surrounded by over 100,000 aboriginal martial artists.
“Sword formation!” cried Regimental Commander Shaan Lyles, his voice tinged with desperation as he tightly gripped his cold sword.
“Kill them!”
The Northern Army sword formation, renowned throughout the northern territory, was their last line of defense against overwhelming odds.
Two formed a group.
Three formed a team.
Five formed a formation.
The Northern Army sword formation was a passive defense.
When trapped in a tight encirclement, they would use their last bit of strength to maximize the damage to the enemy.
At this moment, after Shaan’s order, the Northern Army sword formation was formed.
Forming a tight formation, two thousand military swords were raised in unison, ready to repel the encroaching aboriginal forces.
As the aboriginal army closed in from all sides, thousands more martial artists rushed to reinforce the eastern flank, intensifying the pressure on the beleaguered regiment.
A five-man sword formation charged ahead, with three of them meeting the onslaught head-on while the other two provided support from behind.
The aboriginal martial artists on the battlefield were soon introduced to the devastating power of the Northern Army sword formation.
As the aboriginal martial artists swung their weapons and attacked, a Northern Army soldier boldly raised his sword to block the assault.
With a resounding crack, the weapons of the aboriginal martial artists were deflected.
In the blink of an eye, a swift sword strike from behind pierced through the chest of an aboriginal martial artist, the blade withdrawing with lethal efficiency.
The toll of battle was staggering – more than 10,000 had made the ultimate sacrifice, nearly depleting an entire legion’s fighting strength.
Such was the grim reality of war, where casualties among large armies and regiments were inevitable.
The streets were lined with Northern Army soldiers, bloodied and fatigued, as they recuperated from the battle.
Upon Braydon’s arrival, soldiers stirred, rising with determination in their eyes.
“Commander!” they saluted, voices resolute with unwavering faith.
Their steadfast chants echoed, embodying their unyielding commitment.
Braydon halted, standing before a soldier whose face bore the stains of battle, body drenched in blood, and left arm gruesomely fractured. His pallor was striking.
“I’ll arrange for your return home tomorrow,” Braydon spoke softly, offering solace.
“Commander, I don’t want to retire...” the wounded soldier murmured, his gaze dim.
“In the Northern Army, there are regulations,” Luther Carden interjected gently. “The disabled must retire. It’s for the greater good of the unit.”
Such was the ironclad rule of military protocol – the disabled could not risk hindering their comrades in future engagements.
In frontline combat, adherence to military regulations took precedence over personal bonds.
“Ensure all wounded soldiers are treated with the collected spirit herbs from Machusa,” Braydon instructed softly. “We cannot afford further casualties.”
“Yes, sir!” came the prompt response, as Tanner and his cohorts were already engaged in this task.
The immediate aftermath of capturing Machusa saw the Northern Army diligently gathering medicinal resources to aid their comrades.
Beside Braydon, Luther spoke softly, cognizant of the mixed emotions that accompanied victory.
“The high casualty count can be attributed to the fierce resistance of the aboriginal martial artists,” he explained. “Despite inflicting significant losses on them, they were only forced to surrender when Machusa fell.”
He continued, addressing the issue of equipment and weapons.
“With the exception of the first legion, none were equipped with black armor or battle swords. Their outdated swords shattered against the weapons of the aboriginals, and their lack of protective gear left them vulnerable.”
...
Luther’s words underscored the challenges of acquiring spirit artifacts, a task complicated further by the strained resources of Jaa’ku.
Despite their efforts, only the first legion had access to such weaponry.
On a brighter note, the casualties within the first legion were remarkably low, showcasing the pivotal role of quality equipment in mitigating losses.
The number of dead and injured soldiers added up to less than a hundred!
There was a huge disparity between the casualties of the first legion and the other legions.
Braydon remained composed. “We have occupied Machusa, and now we have formed a strategic triangle between Machusa, Jaa’ku and the 16th ancient city. With the core territory now secured, the Northern Army can now focus on recovery and regrouping.”