After a recount of the exact number of soldiers, Rocky learned that there were only about twenty-three
thousand uninjured soldiers left in the Black Dragon Group. If they included the two thousand injured
soldiers, the total was almost the same as the mysterious army on the opposite side. However, the gap
in their combat effectiveness was large. The mysterious army had proven their strength by defeating
the Black Dragon Group. Even with over fifty thousand soldiers, the Black Dragon Group was forced to
retreat to the Munoz Pass because of the impact of the mysterious army.
It would definitely be a tough battle for them. They needed a smart strategy and some tricks up their
sleeves.
However, all of Rocky's actions completely confused Boyd and the other commanders, although he had
just taken over the command of the Black Dragon Group.
Rocky asked the soldiers to block the solid wall at the side of the Holy Dragon Empire's mainland.
Once this wall was blocked, then the Black Dragon Group would have no way to retreat when the
mysterious army launched its attack. They would become a turtle caught in a jar. The commanders had
no idea why Rocky sealed their only way out.
Besides that, Rocky also ordered them to burn down the rest of the provisions, leaving them with
provisions that would last for five days only. He also asked five thousand soldiers to dig holes
everywhere in the Munoz Pass. He instructed them to make the holes wide in the bottom but narrow at
the top. Over a thousand holes were dug in the valley which people would fall into if they did not pay
enough attention.
Boyd, the Commander in Chief of the Black Dragon Group, was appalled by Rocky's deranged
behaviors. But he could not do anything about it since he had agreed to let Rocky take the command.
All the commanders of the Black Dragon Group complained of what Rocky was doing too. They had
never ever seen a general preparing for an incoming battle like that. It was a complete disaster in their
eyes. Although it was true that Rocky used to be the Commander in Chief of the Crimson Dragon
Group, they all believed that he held that position only because he was a prince and Isis' husband.
There was nothing special about him. If he was indeed a respected general, why was he doing so
many crazy things? However, they did not dare to voice out their resentment towards Rocky.
On the other hand, Rocky did not mind the questioning eyes from the entire Black Dragon Group. He
just executed his plans calmly. However, even Isis and Sabina did not understand what he was actually
doing.
"Basil, what the hell are you trying to do?" Isis could not hold it anymore and asked him. Rocky, who
was standing on the city wall and looking at the mysterious army stationed two miles away, slowly
smiled.
"There is an old saying, 'cutting off all means of retreat to strive for the hope of survival'. Have you
heard of it before? That is exactly what I am doing now," he simply replied.
"What? Cutting off all means of retreat?" Isis slowly repeated his words in complete bewilderment.
"Once Munoz Pass is broken, the Black Dragon Group will have nowhere to retreat. Even if we retreat
to the mainland, we will not be able to afford the consequence. We are giving the entire borderline to
them if we do that. In case another country comes to attack us, the entire Holy Dragon Empire will face
even greater trouble. So, we must defend Munoz Pass at any cost. With the current morale of the Black
Dragon Group, it will be impossible for them to match the enemies' strength. So, it's important to give
them some stimulation to boost their morale," Rocky explained to her lightly.
"But what if the tables turn and we get the opposite of what you are expecting?" Isis understood
Rocky's plan, but she still has other worries. Things would escalate in the opposite direction when the
situation became extreme.
"Please have some confidence in me," Rocky replied and looked at her with a gentle smile.
"Of course, I have confidence in you. I've always believed in you. No one knows your capabilities better
than me." Isis looked back into his eyes with an assuring smile on her face.
"I've been thinking of their Commander in Chief all the time. I have a bad feeling ever since I came
here. We may face a lot of trouble when it comes to him." Rocky's face suddenly became deadly
serious.
Meanwhile, in the largest military tent at the center of the mysterious army's camp, there was a man in
a red robe sitting on the Commander in Chief's seat. He was completely concealed by his large robe,
and his face was behind a large mask. His whole ensemble made him look like a ghost.
This was the Commander in Chief that Rocky would confront sooner or later.
There were several other commanders standing on both sides of the tent. From their outstanding
auras, one could tell that they were all masters at the medium or premium grade of the Supernal Stage,
and one of them even had broken through the Divine Stage. The one above the Divine Stage seemed
to be the Deputy Commander in Chief of this army. However, it was a waste for a spirit manipulator at
such level to serve only as a Deputy Commander in Chief.
But it exactly showed how powerful this army was. They had manpower as well as perfect coordination
among their ranks. The Deputy Commander in Chief and the lower level commanders had such great
cultivation bases, so it could be assumed that the Commander in Chief must be even more terrifying.
The most frightening figure was the man in a mask. The aura around him was eerie. It was different
from other spirit manipulators', but it was unfathomable. The moment he spoke, all the other
commanders looked at him with fear in their eyes.
"Commander in Chief, Prince Crimson has arrived at Munoz Pass according to the information sent by
our spy," a Deputy Commander respectfully reported as he came inside the tent.
"Oh, has he arrived?" the masked man in the red robe immediately said. His voice was inhuman and
full of malice which made the others shiver.
"Commander in Chief, are we going to attack now?" one of the commanders asked carefully, cupping
his hands.
"I've waited for him for quite a long time. That was why I left Munoz Pass untouched before. Now that
he is finally here, the pass can be removed. All I wanted was to lure him here." It sounded that the
Commander in Chief had a really deep grudge against Rocky. They attacked the border just to lure
Rocky here.
"My order is final. Our entire army will march to Munoz Pass at dawn. This time, he will die under my
hands, and then I can finally take back everything that I deserve," the masked man said viciously.
The next morning, when Rocky was still asleep, a commander stormed in and reported that the
mysterious army was marching towards them with all their forces. They were going to break through
the pass.
Rocky immediately stood up and calmly walked out of the camp. He summoned the Commander in
Chief of the Black Dragon Group as well as all other commanders.
"Commander in Chief Boyd, since you are injured, you must stay here," Rocky said at once. Then he
turned to other commanders and added, "As you can see, the only way to retreat had been sealed off.
Besides that, there is only a little food left, so there is no way to retreat for the Black Dragon Group.
What you need to do is to bring your soldiers with you and try your best to win against the enemies,
even if it means that you have to perish together with the soldiers from the enemies!"
All the commanders turned to look at Boyd. Obviously, they did not want to listen to Rocky's command
because in their eyes he was simply sending them to their death.
Boyd felt the same way. Rocky was just playing with the lives of the soldiers of the Black Dragon
Group, so he said with a serious expression, "Your Royal Highness, if you want my soldiers to die, just
send me to the front lines too. I will fight and die with them!"
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