"Caliph" temporary palace, communication center
The urgent radio calls and the panicked shouting of the aides nearly tore off the roof.
"Ashala Town is in danger! At least four hundred well-equipped mercenaries have appeared to the south! Fierce assault! We've suffered heavy losses, requesting support!"
"Deir Ezzor! The garrison in Deir Ezzor has charged out! They're counterattacking! Our besieging troops can't hold them! Requesting reinforcements! Requesting reinforcements!"
The two pieces of dreadful news arriving almost simultaneously felt like hammers fiercely hitting the head of Buckdadi, who was just immersed in the excitement of capturing Song Heping.
His face, twisted by fanaticism, froze instantly, turning into an iron hue, with disbelief and intense rage erupting from his eyes.
"What?! Mercenaries? Counterattack?!"
