System's POV
chapter-425-4

"Did you see that, everyone?!" one of the reporters, who was at the scene, shouted. "Although the Army is retreating, they have dealt countless casualties to the Jinn Army! I've never seen something like this happen before! What do you think, Mike?"

The News Anchor, who was in the studio located on the Sirius Continent, answered the reporter's question.

"Yes, I can see it, Bryce. Please be careful out there, and don't get too close to the battlefield," the News Anchor named Mike replied before shifting his gaze to the person seated beside him.

"I have here with me a retired military officer who has served in the Army for nearly forty years. Sir, what do you think of this strategy being used by the Supreme Commander, Zion Leventis?"

The retired officer smiled before answering the News Anchor's question.

"Well, Mike, I will admit that this is also the first time I'm seeing such a strategy," the retired Military Officer who goes by the code name, Blue Jay, answered. "However, I will do my best to dissect what the Supreme Commander has just done."

The people, who were tuned to the channel, waited with bated breath as Blue Jay explained what he thought of Thirteen's strategy.

"As far as I can tell, the strategy used by the Supreme Commander is a combination of Hit and Run and Scorched Earth Tactics. From the very start, the Army hadn't engaged the enemies in closed combat, only using ranged attacks to fight them.

"When the enemy advances forward, they will strategically retreat. However, as they retreat, they make use of certain elements in the battlefield, allowing them to continuously kill their enemies and decrease the enemies' numbers."

Blue Jay paused as the replay of the army retreating was displayed on the screen. They saw how the Undead tried to run after the retreating soldiers.

However, these monsters found themselves entering a minefield, blowing their vanguards and disrupting their formation.

These gave the soldiers time to arrive at their destination.

When the Undead Army finally managed to escape from the minefield, a pillar of light suddenly bloomed in front of them, turning them into ashes.

"As you can see, this kind of tactic is impossible to pull off unless it was prepared beforehand," Blue Jay explained. "I have every reason to believe that the Supreme Commander has anticipated this scenario, and thus, implemented his counter against the enemy forces pursuing his troops."

"Indeed." Mike nodded. "According to our reporter on the field, this spell is called Magnus Exorcism, and it is being cast by none other than the Saintess, Shana Summers. Our reporter earlier also saw a Generator behind her, which seemed to be supplying her with Aether."

"That's right," Blue Jay commented. "With that setup alone, you can tell that this is already a planned counterattack. Now, those helicopters earlier used some kind of chemical to douse the Giant Centipedes, making them writhe and thrash.

"From that reaction alone, it seems that this chemical was made especially for them. Clearly, a lot of thought has been put into this strategy."

Then the scene of how Cristopher set the Centipede Army was shown, making the news Anchor praise the young man for his boldness and bravery.

"That young man's name is Cristopher Rotumbus," Mike stated as he read the information given to him by the staff. "He is one of Zion Leventis' Captains, and there are rumors flying around that he is the Supreme Commander's right-hand man."

"This is the era of the next generation," Blue Jay smiled faintly. "I am finally able to retire in peace, knowing that there are new heroes who will lead the charge to create a brighter future for all of us."

"Indeed." Mike nodded. "Now, the army is retreating for a second time. Do you think they will retreat a third time?"

"I don't know, Mike," Blue Jay answered. "While I think they might do it again, I am leaning more on the possibility that the Alliance will make their stand and hold the line."

"What makes you say that, Blue Jay?"

"Just a gut feeling."

While the News Anchor and the retired Military Officer discussed the possible strategies that Zion Leventis would make at this stage of the battle, the young man in question handed Shana a soda can.

The Saintess was currently riding in Thirteen's Humvee because this was the safest place where she could rest after keeping the Magnus Exorcism active earlier.

Although the Empyrium Generator readily supplied them with Aether, it didn't change the fact that it placed a lot of mental strain on keeping such a wide area-of-effect spell active.

"You did well, Shana," Thirteen praised as the Humvee continued to move. "You lasted longer than what I expected."

"It's the least I can do since everyone is doing their best," Shana answered. "How many have we killed?"

"At least a third of the enemy forces," Thirteen replied. "Erasmus still hadn't used his flying Undead Monsters. I'm sure he has a reason for not bringing them to the battlefield."

"Only a third?" Shana's face was pale from both exhaustion and the realization that they still hadn't killed half of the enemy forces.

"Yes," Thirteen answered. "But although I said a third, in reality, we have killed more than half of their forces."

"Are you just teasing me?" Shana asked in disbelief.

"Of course not," Thirteen lightly tapped his communicator, showing the projection of the battlefield.

Countless red dots were blinking on it, making Shana frown.

"Have you forgotten? We are fighting against a Death Lord," Thirteen stated. "Even if we killed the Centipedes, as well as the other monsters assisting them, Erasmus can still revive them as long as the body is intact.

"This is why I decided to burn their bodies entirely. That way, nothing will be left behind. Also, since the Undead are weak against fire, the Skeleton Soldiers, as well as the Zombies under Erasmus' command, will also be destroyed in the process. It's a win-win strategy."

Shana nodded in agreement. "However, the Centipede King makes me anxious. I heard that the Monarchs weren't able to hold him back earlier. If they can't defeat Jalrog, we won't be able to win this war."

Thirteen didn't affirm or deny Shana's statement.

He knew what Jalrog was aiming for, and the Centipede King might only be using him to prove to its allies that it was on their side.

But, regardless of what the traitorous monster was thinking, Thirteen already had some contingency plans prepared.

Now that they had reached their Third Line of defense, they could no longer turn back.

This was the place where the Alliance would stand their ground and face the two Kings of the Rigel Continent, who were both the second last hurdle that they had to fight before facing the Earth Dragons.

Thirteen knew that a lot was at stake in his decision, so he gave a mental order to Tiona, who was monitoring the battlefield from a safe place.

Tiona summoned the flag and asked one of her subordinates to talk to the Centipede King and ask why it had broken their agreement.

Depending on Jalrog's answer, Thirteen would enact one of his plans.

He knew that he was dealing with a traitor, so he needed to know what the Centipede King was thinking to ensure that the one who would emerge victorious in this war was none other than him.