CHAPTER 229 SHATTER THE ENEMIES INTO PIECES (PART ONE)

The instant that everyone saw the start signal, both armies sprang into action. Both the White and

Black Armies began their maneuvers, implementing all varieties of military strategies and tactics, along

with countertactics. The armies began dispatching their respective troops either to launch individual

attacks or in teams for stronger assaults. It wasn't long before the entire terrain was filled with the

sound of screams and combat.

From the grandstand, Isis watched the contest with the other officials. Her beautiful eyes didn't miss a

single action as she observed the ongoings. As she swept her gaze over half of the training grounds,

she was surprised to realize that it seemed as though one unit from the Black Army was missing in

action and not participating in the fight.

"How odd..." she murmured to herself. "It seems to me that the Black Army is short one unit of men." It

was easy to see combat in the wide open spaces of the training ground. The plains and valleys were

plainly visible to the spectators at the grandstand. However, in the terrain such as forests and hills, it

was difficult to see what was going on. This content © 2024 .

So when Isis at last realized that one troop from the Black Army was missing, she summoned up her

personal bodyguard. "Go and locate the missing troop that hasn't participated in the skirmishes," she

commanded. "Find out what that troop is doing right now."

At her orders, the female bodyguard immediately departed on her errand. It wasn't long before she

returned, however, with an account of what she had seen.

"Deputy Commander in Chief," the female bodyguard reported. "The missing troop of soldiers of the

Black Army that aren't among those in the skirmish have situated themselves in the woods at the

southwest end of the training ground. The troop has not appeared to have moved at all. They are all

resting in situ, almost as though they're slacking off."

There was a palpable wave of astonishment throughout the whole grandstand at her report. They were

seasoned veterans who had watched the Army Flag Contest for years, but it was the first time they had

ever heard of troops voluntarily ignoring the contest and hiding away elsewhere. After seeing their

brothers-in-arms engaged in a battle of life or death against their enemies, how could any soldier stand

by? It was a disgraceful and immoral sight.

"Is the Commander of this troop the breeder who had suddenly come here? He must've feared defeat

and decided to hide like a coward with his troops elsewhere. I'm certain of it." The official who spoke,

seated among the spectators, spat out his disgust. Just like the others, he was suspicious of Rocky's

true motives, which was showed in his disdainful tone.

His words drew a chorus of agreement from others. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the

leader of this troop had to be Rocky. After all, he was only a breeder who only took on the title of

Commander in Chief because of Marin's absence. It was a vaunted position reserved only for those

with outstanding fighting abilities and exemplary leadership. But as Rocky had presented himself as

insignificant and now, as it appeared, incompetent as well, no one had a doubt that he did not have

enough ability or courage to truly lead a troop to victory.

"Well?! Answer! Is that Rocky's troop?!" Isis demanded, glowering at her bodyguard, her tone dark as

thunder. Her dignified face was now icy in its demeanor.

The guard, in response, only managed to nod uncomfortably.

Mocking, scoffing laughter broke out across the grandstand at this confirmation. There hadn't been a

doubt in anyone's mind that Rocky was indeed that coward.

Isis only frowned, utterly displeased with what had happened. Even though this Army Flag Contest was

only a drill, she expected all the participants to take it seriously. Rocky was only a breeder, but he still

represented the interests of the northeast military camp, and of Marin herself. It was unthinkable and

absurd that he would behave so callously, ignoring the rules of combat and forcing his troops to laze

around. Even if he had no knowledge of any combat tactics, he could at least have the dignity to urge

his troops to try! An honorable defeat, coming in last, was more preferable to this disgrace. And now

Rocky and his troops would virtually be the laughingstock of the army.

Nevertheless, the Army Flag Contest was currently still in progress. It would be inconvenient for

anyone, including Isis, to intervene at such an inopportune time. She would have to wait until the end of

the event before she could teach Rocky a good lesson. His complete indifference to the rules of

combat merited nothing less than a severe and public punishment.

While Isis stewed on how to punish Rocky, time flew by. Suddenly, two hours had already passed. Four

of the White Army's units banded together for a devastating ambush, causing the Black Army to lose

two troops and two flags. The Black Army was now at a disadvantage.

As Rocky's troop was still resting in the woods and did not take part in the skirmishes, the Black Army

had only three troops left to fight their own battles. Those three remaining Black Army troops were

soundly beaten through by the six White Army troops, as they were virtually defenseless against

overwhelming numbers. Had it not been for the outstanding tactical commands of the leaders of these

three remaining Black Army troops, the whole army would have collapsed.

But their efforts couldn't last. Without warning, the Black Army lost yet another troop. Realizing that

there was very little hope of winning the contest, the two remaining troops of the Black Army had lost

the will to fight, turning to guerilla warfare and becoming mercenaries for the White Army in an attempt

to secure their flags. If they could manage to protect their flags from the White Army all the way to the

end of the contest, they could at least retreat with some dignity intact.

The battles and maneuvers between the two armies were transmitted to the grandstand in real time.

This allowed everyone, including Isis, to see precisely what was going on. It was clear that there was

little to no chance of the Black Army winning, especially with the disadvantage of one absent troop. At

the rate things were going, if the White Army were to put all their strength of numbers against the Black

Army, the latter's defeat was the only inevitable outcome.

As this went on, Rocky immediately received the information that the Black Army had lost its third

troop.

'The Commanders of the Black Army are useless in this game. It hasn't even been half the allotted time

for combat and three troops have already been lost. At this rate, I'm afraid I won't be able to profit from

this contest.' Rocky couldn't help but mull over to himself. His original plan was to wait until the Black

Army and White Army were thoroughly exhausted before taking his healthy, well-rested troop to directly

attack the White Army while they were off guard. However, he did not expect the Black Army's troops to

be so ineffective that they were getting beaten by the White Army so quickly.