Chapter 1626: Chapter 78: Reinforcements Arrive
“How many troops have been regrouped?”
The King Centipede asked with concern.
After the defeat during the day, they fled for hundreds of miles before stopping to regroup the routed soldiers.
“We’ve regrouped about eighty thousand soldiers. We are currently reorganizing the troops, striving to restore combat strength as soon as possible!”
Marshal Howell said, exhausted in mind and body.
After a day and two nights of continuous rushing, even he, the Commander in Chief, felt fatigued, not to mention the ordinary Centipede Soldiers.
The originally planned orderly retreat turned into every man for himself when implemented.
There were countless stragglers and those who lost their bearings.
The troops regrouped at this moment were those who followed them, while many more routed soldiers simply chose a direction without enemies and ran.
This scattered fleeing method was very effective during an escape, but when trying to gather, it became troublesome.
Even if a signal was sent out, there was no guarantee every Centipede Soldier could receive it.
Hearing the number of eighty thousand, the upper echelons of the Centipedes were all stunned.
They sacrificed their seven most elite legions as the rear guard just to save a handful of seeds, a definite blunder.
However, this time no one stepped forward to blame; having witnessed the battle during the day firsthand, all the Centipedes were aware of how perilous the situation had been.
If they hadn’t left the Elite as a rear guard, the army could not have withdrawn at all.
“If we could stay here for two more days, we should be able to regroup three to four hundred thousand troops.
But the enemy will definitely not give us that chance. If nothing unexpected happens, their Cavalry will catch up by tomorrow.
Now there are only two choices.
Either stay to regroup the routed soldiers and fight the enemy again, or continue the scattered retreat after reorganization!”
Marshal Howell’s addition once again poured cold water on the assembled Centipedes.
Staying to fight the enemy was not possible.
If they couldn’t defeat the enemy before, the current state of the Giant Centipedes made it even less likely.
Scattered retreat was the only benefit ensuring these high-ranking officials could leave smoothly, but how many soldiers would be lost, no one could be sure.
“If we calculate the time, our defeat should have reached the Demonic Crocodile Clan. Have they dispatched reinforcements yet?”
The King Centipede asked hopefully.
The disastrously defeated Giant Centipedes had lost the power to contend with the Demonic Crocodile Clan, and continued watching and waiting would only result in being picked off one by one by the enemy.
Having achieved the strategic purpose of weakening subordinates, the next issue was the survival of the Species; the Demonic Crocodile Clan would not sit by and watch the Giant Centipedes be exterminated.
“Your Majesty, we haven’t received any news yet, and there’s no reason to hold out too much hope.
Even if reinforcements are dispatched by the Demonic Crocodile Clan, it will be several days before they arrive here.
The enemy won’t leave us that much time!”
Prime Minister Javat replied, his face ashen.
Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst!
Before the outbreak of the decisive battle, no one expected the Giant Centipede would be defeated so thoroughly.
Under normal circumstances, an army of over six hundred thousand should at least take a toll on the enemy.
But due to fear of the enemy’s Magic Crystal Cannons, and to avoid being passively besieged in the castle, they chose strategic relocation.
From a strategic decision standpoint, this choice was undoubtedly correct, but wars have never guaranteed victory solely based on correct decisions.
While they avoided the bombardment of the Magic Crystal Cannons, they did not anticipate the overwhelming power of the Cavalry in open field battles.
“Issue the command for all units to retreat in a scattered manner, using legions as units, with routes chosen by themselves, and finally gathering at the Earth Core Passage!
Disseminate the information as widely as possible, striving to notify more soldiers.”
The King Centipede ordered decisively.
The Demonic Crocodile Clan might not do their utmost to rescue them, but they would definitely protect the Earth Core Passage at all costs.
Luckily, they were much closer to the Earth Core Passage than to gather in Parma Province.
The aftereffects were also serious.
Though the Human Race only knew that the Earth Core Passage was in the Bofeil Province, its detailed and specific location had not yet been confirmed.
Their current actions were equivalent to leading the enemy to the vital point of the Demonic Crocodile Clan.
Once the Demonic Crocodile Clan’s rescue fails, or if the rescue is not timely, they will soon end up like them, as stray dogs.
“What, the Giant Centipede was utterly defeated?”
The Demonic Crocodile King asked incredulously.
The news received at this time was clearly delayed. However, the battlefield can change rapidly, and unexpected occurrences are normal.
Upon receiving the news, we immediately sent people to verify it, discovering the ground littered with Centipede soldiers.
The scene was too chaotic, and we could not locate the position of the Centipede’s King Court, so the specific losses are temporarily unknown.”
Marshal Kent answered, somewhat troubled.
During wartime, cooperation between the two sides was necessary, and coordination with the Giant Centipede was always a military matter.
Having lost the location of the Centipede’s King Court was clearly a dereliction of their duty.
If they hadn’t received a plea for help, they might not have known of the Giant Centipede’s defeat in the first instance.
I tasked you with closely watching the Giant Centipede’s every move, yet you even lost the location of their King Court.
Are the Demonic Crocodiles responsible for communication just a bunch of useless drunks?”
The Demonic Crocodile King’s rebuke left Marshal Kent very embarrassed.
It seemed like he was scolding the “crocs” responsible under him, but in reality, he was blaming him for a “crocodile failure.”
Anyone with a bit of political sense would know this was a warning to him, or rather a warning to the military.