The plan to rescue the slaves and women has never been abandoned by Rody's city. Actually, the conditions set by the orcs to not act as a commander and not assist the Saint Song Alliance were relatively simple compared to the real challenge: How to safely rescue a thousand slaves and a thousand girls back to Rody’s city? This was what truly concerned people. It was impossible for the orcs to come to Rody’s city for negotiations; instead, it would be fifty kilometers away. For the powerful, fifty kilometers was a short distance, but for ordinary people, it was a long and treacherous escape route.
It was certain that the demons would attack within these fifty kilometers. How could they safely rescue these two thousand people? Rody, Chris, and others were constantly discussing and designing the best rescue plan. Ordinary people knew that Rody's enemies were the demons and orcs, but what they didn't know was that the angels and the temple would not allow these two thousand people to return alive to testify against them. The main reason why Rody did not act immediately to rescue the two thousand people was the lack of an optimal rescue plan.
According to General Quentin and others, rescue meant sacrifice. If human soldiers did not sacrifice to some extent, it would be impossible to ensure the safe return of two thousand people to Rody's city.
In Rody's city, there was no shortage of soldiers willing to sacrifice themselves. On the contrary, there were too many candidates: Naples Warriors, Mille's Four Elemental Mage Corps, Kameron's Dragon Knight Corps, Kameron's Silver Wolf Guards, Mesnotania's Eagle Knight Corps, Norn's Iron Blood Cavalry, Blood Drop Mercenaries, Silver Pegasus Mercenaries, and even the Prayer Guards sent by the Holy Lady volunteered for the rescue mission. But as a commander who makes life-and-death decisions, Rody did not want to see any troop sacrificed.
These were the elite of the elites of humanity, and the loss of any one of them would be an irrevocable loss for mankind.
How to rescue these two thousand people and ensure everyone's safety was Rody's most troublesome issue. Adding to his headache, almost everyone, for the first time, opposed his rescue plan. Rody's plan was perfect; if executed, casualties could be minimized or even avoided altogether. However, aside from the elite squad, no one supported this plan.
"Rody, I understand your intentions. You don't want to sacrifice soldiers' lives for victory. But as your chief instructor, I need to give you one last lesson. Rody, you need to understand, sometimes the world doesn't need a perfect plan or a battle with zero casualties. War means death, something you can mitigate with your limitless wisdom, but still, there is only one miraculous child among humans. If people become accustomed to battles without casualties, what will happen when you're not there? Will everyone try to avoid casualties? No. As a soldier, there's only one thing I insist on: maximizing enemy casualties. If we can achieve this goal, then even if we die, we will have no regrets!" General Quentin did not support Rody's perfect plan because he felt it necessary to let people know the dangers of Rody's city.
Rody's city was in danger because of the presence of Rody and other human elites who repeatedly turned dangers into safety. In reality, this was very risky. If the enemy launched a more powerful attack than expected, it would be a horrific battle… The elites of humanity would sacrifice themselves to maintain the hope of the people, their absolute expectation, and eventually die one after the other, causing true losses for humanity.
Especially for Rody, Chris, Ice Demon Gao, Red-haired Saul, Silver-haired Tommy, and others, if the demons and angels seized any opportunity, the consequences would be unimaginable. The veteran generals absolutely trusted Rody's military talents and strategic wisdom, but they also felt it necessary to tell the young people something. Death is not to be feared; sacrifice is inevitable.
"Yes, I agree with General Quentin's view," several generals nodded simultaneously.
"We should not be concerned with temporary gains and losses, nor with the gains and losses of a single city or territory. You should know, I am the most opposed to holding Rody's city because its defense has only symbolic significance. Rody's city is the hope in people's hearts, and it cannot collapse. But as an elder, I am very worried that this long-term defense will become an inescapable shackle for everyone. You young ones are our hope. What could be more valuable than you? As long as you are alive, hope will always be in people's hearts. So, this rescue mission should be our responsibility," declared General Heta, whose wisdom and military achievements were only second to General Quentin.
"I oppose your proposal, generals. I understand your intentions, but I must use my command authority to veto," Rody firmly denied.
"I also oppose," Chris always stood by Rody's side.
"Rody, can we talk privately, not as the Grand Commander and his generals, but as Rody and us old folks?" General Quentin walked up to Rody and whispered, "There are seasons in the world, and life has its cycles of birth, aging, illness, and death. It's a natural state. We are already old, at the twilight of our lives, with not much strength left to wield a sword on the battlefield. Rody, at the last moment, the setting sun emits the most beautiful light. Our twilight is here, child, do you understand?"
"For a sapling to grow, it needs sunlight. If an old tree blocking the light doesn't fall, the sapling will never grow into a towering tree! Rody, Chris, Saul, Gao, Tommy, what do you need? Sunlight, a piece of sky, a path to a higher and broader road," chuckled General Pufinellimor, the old general.
"While we old folks can still wield our swords and make a difference, please let us pave a bright path of life for you!" exclaimed General Heta.
"Young people, do not try to steal our last moment of glory. We are your predecessors!" smiled General Alarman.
"We have a rescue plan too. It's not perfect, but Rody, I ask you to use our plan. Sometimes humanity doesn't need zero casualties. Let us use our blood and sacrifice to tell the world that the situation is perilous, not as optimistic as they imagine. Also, let us use our blood and killings to tell the demons and angels that humans have men who are not afraid of death. Erasing humanity's hope is wishful thinking! My children, let us take this battle. When all of us are gone, then it's your turn! This is our glory and brilliance, children, let's go! This is our wish! Even in death, we will watch over you from the skies, the stars are our eyes, we will always be there!" General Quentin handed Rody a battle plan, making Rody's hands tremble.
He fully understood what General Quentin and the others intended to do.
They wanted to seize this opportunity for a desperate battle, to heavily damage the demons and angels, while also warning the world that resisting the demons and angels required the entire nation's effort, not just reliant on Rody's city alone.
These old generals all harbored a wish to die in battle, to give their last bit of strength in defense of humanity.
Looking at the battle plan titled "The Old Soldiers' Final Destination," Rody couldn't help but have tears in his eyes. First, there was General Fendesman, who selflessly sacrificed for humanity, knowingly walking into a death trap, a victim of someone else's conspiracy, yet he boldly embarked on a journey of no return. Now General Quentin and others were doing the same, knowing they could avoid this war and death, yet they chose to face it head-on and die heroically.
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With their sacrifice, Rody and the young elites will surely travel further on the life path paved by their blood. This is what they are teaching the younger generation. This is also what they are leaving for them...
"Father, father," Kerry knelt before General Quentin, crying inconsolably, knowing that after this parting, they might be forever separated.
"My good boy, don't cry! You have grown into a man of stature! Seeing you grow up to this day is my greatest pride. You have not let me down. Very good. But my son, Kerry, your grandfather, a mighty and fierce old knight, also said goodbye to me like this. This is the legacy of humanity! Perhaps one day, you will bid farewell to your son in the same way because the era now belongs to your generation. We have fought all our lives, we are tired. Let us rest. My son, don't cry! Dying on the battlefield has always been my wish!" General Quentin lifted his son and hugged him tightly.
...
Rody's city, led by a dozen generals, issued a conscription order, calling for veterans with over ten years of military service from all nations.
They held a global press conference, announcing that the rescue plan for the thousand slaves and thousand women was entirely under their responsibility. As the hope of humanity and its elites, Rody and others must remain in the city to guard against demon attacks and prevent them from exploiting any opportunities to destroy humanity's stronghold. General Quentin, holding General Fendesman's marshal sword, declared that he would exercise the power of a deputy marshal once by taking full charge of the negotiations and hostage rescue.
Nations were surprised by the actions of these old generals, with various speculations.
Were these old generals not content with obscurity, seeing the young ones fight well and wanting to show off themselves? Were they trying to protect the young, especially Rody, from danger? Were they willing to bear the potentially painful outcome of a failed rescue to maintain Rody's undefeated reputation?
Countries published this news, but few commented, as people could not fathom the true intentions of the old generals.
Only the magic newspapers of nations like Galle and Redlands harshly ridiculed the plan, even drawing a four-panel cartoon depicting General Quentin and others as hunchbacked old men riding skinny horses and holding rusty swords, negotiating with the beastmen half-dead.
The happiest about this news were the forgotten old soldiers.
Many had served for over twenty years, dedicating half their lives to the Saint Song Alliance. Most died in battle, and the few who retired and returned home found everything had changed. Many had lost their loved ones, living out their days in lonely drunkenness. They would have preferred to die honorably on the battlefield, like their comrades, than to live in such solitude.
Upon the release of the conscription order, countless old soldiers polished their armor and sharpened their swords, heading to the recruitment stations in Camarron, Miley, and other countries, being transported to Rody's city.
It was hard to imagine how just days ago, these old drunkards were now radiant and energetic, seemingly rejuvenated by twenty years. Many old soldiers met and laughed heartily. They understood the meaning of the conscription order and willingly accepted this honor. General Quentin was preparing to lead them to their most glorious moment, to become heroes and then die, ensuring history would record this glorious page.
As more and more old soldiers arrived, people began to grasp General Quentin's intentions.
Their hearts ached, yet they couldn't stop this from happening.
Knowing that these old warriors, who had fought for humanity all their lives, were preparing for one last battle, people could not stop them. Numerous condolence groups arrived, many spontaneously organized by civilians, and some representing various countries. Comrades who were too injured to fight again all gathered in Rody's city's grand square for a final farewell feast.
The young soldiers looked up to these old warriors, learning from them a spirit of sacrifice, an unyielding human legacy.
"Friends, let's sing and rejoice tonight! This is a night for old soldiers!" General Quentin toasted to nearly twenty thousand old soldiers, prompting a thunderous response. Everyone raised their glasses high, standing like a forest of solidarity.
"Rody, must it really be this way? I can hardly bear it," Chris rarely showed vulnerability, but now he couldn't help but wipe away tears.
"I could stop it, but we must respect their wishes," Rody declared, seeing the Elite Squad and other young elites tearful. "Soldiers, pick up your glasses, let's see off the old soldiers!"
"Yes!" every young man shouted, wiping away their tears and lifting their glasses.
Regardless of whether they were fathers or strangers, from their own country or another, generals or soldiers, the young soldiers shook hands with each old soldier, embracing and bidding them farewell...
Rody's city that night was destined to be a shining moment in history.
The next day, with barely three hours of rest, the spirited old soldiers lined up, full of morale, and set off. They were led by several generals. Before leaving, General Quentin and others, in their capacity as senior generals, bestowed junior general ranks to Chris, Red-Haired Saul, Ice Demon Gao, Silver-Haired Tommy, Dragon Knight Nutidora, Silver Fang Gerstone, and others, symbolizing the passing of the baton to the next generation.
"Rody, from today, you are the marshal!" General Quentin personally adorned Rody with the marshal's sword, smiling, "General Fendesman once said, if he didn't return from his final battle, you would take his place as marshal. With the command ring and marshal's sword, you are now humanity's youngest great marshal! Marshal Rody, please give the order!"
"Old soldiers, prepare, march!" Rody, with tears in his eyes, nodded, drew the marshal's sword, and roared.
"Yes," over twenty thousand old soldiers responded thunderously, saluting solemnly, and then marched out of the city.
"Rody's army, prepare, salute!" Rody, leading all the young soldiers, saluted the departing old soldiers for a long time.
As a war correspondent, veteran war journalist Uso was the first to sign up, getting approval from General Quentin. With his magic device and the help of a few equally aged journalists, he documented everything along the way.
The more than twenty thousand old soldiers started smoothly, reaching the negotiation site and holding talks with the beastmen's representatives. Despite their long-standing hatred for beastmen, they showed human dignity, firmly yet politely insisting, leading to the Fifth Marshal Colincha of the beastmen conceding the first condition, agreeing to Rody as the human commander, but adamantly refusing to let him send troops to rescue the Saint Song Alliance. They added a condition that if the beastmen captured human soldiers, Rody must exchange them with food or logistical supplies needed by the beastmen.
General Quentin agreed, signing on behalf of Rody the first public war treaty between humans and beastmen.
The beastmen left behind a thousand slaves and a thousand girls, quickly departing.
Just as people in the rear breathed a sigh of relief, Rody's city faced the fiercest attack from the demon army. Thirty thousand demons charged madly, ready to storm the city at all costs. All six demon marshals were present, along with a masked demon king.
While people worried about Rody's city, they were surprised to find that General Quentin had no intention of rushing back to assist. He fortified the well-defended negotiation camp, seemingly preparing for a long holdout. People couldn't understand why; if the beastmen reneged, the war treaty wouldn't have been signed smoothly. Now that everything was settled, would they turn back to attack? That would bring no benefit to the beastmen, so why?
The people's questions were soon answered within half an hour.
Indeed, enemies attacked General Quentin and his troops - creatures with the upper bodies of humans and lower bodies of horses, wielding long-handled axes and spears, and carrying bundles of short spears. There were over fifty thousand of them, all possessing the speed of cavalry. These centaur-like creatures, known from legends for their evil nature, brought devastation like hurricanes wherever they went.
These creatures, once thought to be extinct in times when human heroes were incredibly powerful, have now reappeared in alarming numbers and terror. Which faction do they represent? Demons or beastmen? Why are they in this land of evil, and why do they appear simultaneously with the demon attack and the departure of the beastmen? Had General Quentin not fortified the area, the consequences of encountering them on the road would have been unimaginable.
"Comrades, brothers, let's show these bastards what human bravery is! Long live humanity!" General Quentin commanded, leading the old soldiers in a barrage of arrows that knocked down many centaurs in front.
"Friends, relatives, this is my last report to the world," veteran war correspondent Uso, tearfully reported. "I'm honored to have been a war correspondent. Although I no longer have the strength to fight, I can still broadcast the bravery and sacrifice of these old soldiers, ensuring their memory lives on. Please, do not forget us, the old soldiers, and the glorious battles we fought…"
The screen showed white-haired, weathered old soldiers firing arrows in rows towards the distant enemy. They weren't young anymore, but their extensive combat experience made them even more capable than well-trained young soldiers. General Quentin and several other generals commanded from the highest point. The centaurs, arrogant and thunderous, continued their charge despite the arrows, hurling spears close to the human positions.
Arrows and spears clashed mid-air, then landed on their targets. Both centaurs and human soldiers fell, a countless number of lives extinguished under the rain of arrows and spears. The battlefield turned into a massive meat grinder, relentlessly claiming lives from both sides.
Ugly flying creatures attacked the humans with strange short tubes. Human mages retaliated with tornadoes and fireballs. As the archers shifted from firing downwards to upwards, their counter-attacks troubled the flying monsters, whose strange tubes required closer range. This slight distance difference became their death line.
Horns sounded from behind the centaur army, as dozens of powerful monster leaders ferociously advanced. "Face them, long live humanity!" General Quentin commanded, as the human close-combat troops charged from the high ground. The two forces collided with a deafening clash.
Many archers, drained of strength, unsheathed long tubes from their waists, unlike the flying creatures’ tubes. These tubes, upon reaching a certain rotation, emitted white smoke. Holding these tubes, old soldiers charged into the dense formation of centaurs. Regardless of whether they fell to the enemy, the tubes exploded with tremendous force.
One after another, old soldiers, with tubes in hand, shouted as they plunged into the enemy lines, detonating explosively...
"Relatives, please don't forget us, don't forget us... We are old soldiers! Long live!" Uso, witnessing several centaurs approaching, raised his smoking tube and charged at the enemy. A deafening explosion ensued, and the screen went dark.