Chapter 115 Viller Empire, Defeat
Holden immediately didn't dare to chase anymore.
The remaining Viller Empire soldiers stood there dazed, unable to understand why Zotfort suddenly withdrew their troops. Now only they were left facing Soth Empire's three knight orders - there was no way they could win.
Saslov shouted in despair, "Come back! We signed a contract to attack Soth Empire together. Why are you suddenly withdrawing?"
But no one responded. Zotfort's soldiers retreated like a tide, leaving only the armies of two empires on the battlefield.
Saslov looked at the corpses covering the ground - most of them were his own men. Originally, they had a chance to fight to the death against the Lion Knights and Ivy Knights, but now with the Dawn Knight Order added in, and their own side having suffered heavy losses, there was no chance of winning.
They'd lost. Lost everything.
Saslov knew that Frol and his men came to Warlinekza just to kill more Soth Empire people. If they could take Warlinekza along the way, great - if not, it didn't matter.
Because their main goal was to capture a female knight captain named Candy.
When Saslov talked with Frol last time, he could tell Frol had an unusual obsession with capturing Candy. He joked that Frol had feelings for Candy, but he could tell Frol wasn't that shallow.
As Viller Empire's marshal, Saslov had people investigate the matter between Frol and Candy. He learned that Candy had forced Frol to retreat on the southern battlefield a year ago and pursued him, earning her promotion to knight captain through military merit.
But knowing Frol as he did, Saslov knew this man couldn't possibly be forced to retreat unless he was under some kind of threat.
There weren't many people or things that could be used to threaten Frol. With just a little inquiry, he learned that the Clapton family had held a funeral a year ago.
Saslov roughly understood why Frol hated Candy so much and was determined to capture her.
His decisive withdrawal now was probably because he'd caught her, so there was no need to stay in Warlinekza anymore.
Saslov understood this logic, but looking at the battlefield, seeing soldiers lying in pools of blood - they were so young, yet their lives would remain here forever, and they didn't even know why they had to die.
He thought of what Frol said before leaving the tent. That shrewd man's eyes gleamed with bloodlust, yet his tone was casual as he told Saslov, "Marshal Saslov, this war will end very soon."
At the time, Saslov didn't understand what Frol meant, but now he couldn't be clearer.
The retreat horn sounded again, this time from Viller Empire. The one blowing it was Saslov.
His eyes glistened with tears as he reluctantly lowered his head.
Viller Empire - defeated!
Zotfort and Viller Empire's soldiers blew their retreat horns one after another, leaving the knights of all three orders stunned.
The horn wasn't used lightly. Duke Skoda had signed a continental war treaty stating that when one side blew the retreat horn, the other couldn't pursue them. The retreating side admitted defeat and couldn't attack again for a set period - preventing the horn from being used as a tactical deception.
So this meant - they'd won?
All the knight order members looked at the messy battlefield, unable to react for a moment.
Until someone nearby couldn't help but cheer, and this joy spread like a tide until the entire battlefield was filled with the knight orders' cheers.
They'd won!
They had been prepared to die for their country, prepared to trade their lives, but who didn't want to live? Who didn't want to earn military merit and return home to reunite with their families?
The surroundings were thick with the smell of blood, overwhelming killing intent shrouding this land about to welcome dawn - cruel and terrible.
But Soth Empire had won. They were victorious.
For the coming period, Viller Empire couldn't launch attacks. The people of Warlinekza could also catch their breath and restore their lives.
Peace at the border meant peace for the entire country.
Metodi had already run over with the old generals, standing before Friedel. "Lord Friedel, should we send people to negotiate with Viller Empire's Saslov, and about Zotfort..."
Friedel nodded. "You handle it. Also clean up the battlefield. As for Zotfort, ignore them for now, but remember - our army absolutely cannot enter Viller Empire territory."
When the two armies retreated, Holden had tried to go through the northwest gate to find Candy. Hearing this, his eyes turned red as he glared at Friedel. "What about Candy? She's not just my wife, she's also the Dawn Knight Order's captain!"
Metodi couldn't help but mock, "Captain? The battle is over. She's no longer the Dawn Knight Order's captain. Not only that, she violated military orders, led a team to attack on her own and chased into enemy territory. Even if she comes back, she'll have to face punishment!"
Holden raised his voice. "She did it for Soth Empire too!"
But as the words left his mouth, seeing Metodi's expression and Anne and the others standing behind him, Holden knew deep down that Candy's actions weren't for Soth Empire at all - they were for herself.
What she did could warrant execution under military law.
Friedel and Anne exchanged glances. In their hearts, they knew that Candy had probably already fallen into Zotfort's hands.
As Candy chased the fleeing Zotfort soldiers, something felt off. Though they looked terrified, their retreat seemed controlled - like they were deliberately staying just within reach.
When they actually rushed toward Else Mountains, Candy was overjoyed. This perfectly fit her plan. Even if these people weren't Zotfort nobles, she could claim she'd dealt with the target - the soldiers in her group wouldn't let it slip.
But after chasing for a long time, when the group entered Else Mountains and headed northwest, Candy suddenly realized they'd been tricked.
This direction wasn't Else Mountains at all - it was the even more dangerous Drogo Mountains!
"Stop! We're going back!"
Although Candy was exhausted and could barely hold her sword, if they kept chasing and were tricked into entering Drogo Mountains, whether they could make it back alive would be anyone's guess.