With this thought, Gaius no longer hesitated.
He spun around and issued a command to the messenger beside him.
"Relay my orders!"
"The entire army will break camp immediately!"
"Protect the Heart of the Giant Beast and return to the Black Stone Territory!"
"What?"
The surrounding generals were stunned.
"General, the Duke is still..."
"This is an order!"
Gaius's voice was sharp and resolute, leaving no room for argument.
"The Duke and Lord Astra are buying us time! Retreating now is the best way we can help them!"
"Everyone, move out now!"
Under the weight of Gaius's powerful authority, no one dared to object.
The vast army began to move once more.
Without a moment's hesitation, they departed from the corpse-strewn swamp, marching at full speed toward the Black Stone Territory.
Behind the army, the thunderbolt-filled sky looked like a constantly expanding wound, grim and terrifying.
The journey home was long and oppressive.
