Chapter 726: Chapter 197: Fire Sprite’s Sneak Attack_4
Pu Lin sighed, saying, "Your Holiness, our Pu Yan tribe can no longer play a significant role in the Allied Forces, please allow us to return to our rear base. We’ve done what we could, the outcome of the victory now rests in your hands. I believe that justice will eventually triumph over evil."
The Pope sighed lightly, "Alright, I’ll send someone to escort you back."
Pu Lin shook his head, "Yan Shi, Yan Li, and the remaining dozen or so Tilu fighters are enough. Yan Shi, you brothers help me back."
The brothers Yan Shi walked up to the Prophet Pu Lin, supporting his frail body, and left with the remaining Tilu fighters. Their retreating figures seemed so lonely and weather-beaten.
After a little while, Xuan Ye and Mang Siu had returned, both with somber expressions. The Pope closed his eyes, sighing softly, "Tell me."
Xuan Ye and Mang Siu exchanged glances, Xuan Ye said, "We did a rough count. The sneak attack by the Fire Sprites caused significant losses. Among all the leaders, Lian Dan of the Red Charming Mercenary Corps and Zhu Yuan were severely injured, the Overlord of the Moon Scar Mercenary Corps fell in the battle, and Clan Leader Dai Ya also fell. Among the warriors of the Allied Forces, seven thousand of the Holy Knight Legion were killed, and none were injured. Over two hundred judges of all levels perished. Among the various forces that made up the eighty thousand heavy armored soldiers, over twenty-six thousand perished. In total, approximately thirty-four thousand died, which accounts for one-third of our forces."
The Pope slowly opened his eyes, a hint of tears shimmering in his profound gaze. With a sigh, he said, "It’s my fault for failing to orchestrate properly. If I had listened to Ah Dai that day and recalled all the heavy armored soldiers, we wouldn’t have suffered such heavy losses. Marshal Feng Wen, I suggest we withdraw the various allied forces stationed here."
Just as Feng Wen was about to agree, Ah Dai interjected, "I don’t think we need to. Let’s just leave these heavy armored soldiers here to rest. I think the remaining forces of undead creatures led by the Bone Dragon Corps won’t sneak attack our rear."
The Pope nodded tiredly, "Let’s do as you say. You’re the savior of the continent, in this situation, everyone’s only hope for the final victory is to follow your lead. From now on, I hereby announce the delegation of command to Ah Dai. None shall defy his orders."
Ah Dai was stunned, "Grandpa, how could I, inexperienced as I am, take over your position?"
The Pope shook his head, "Your power is there for everyone to see. Does anyone oppose this decision?"
All the leaders remained silent, their eyes focused on Ah Dai. Ah Dai said somewhat awkwardly, "Grandpa Pope, you should still be the one leading us. I will definitely assist from the sidelines."
The Pope said, "Child, sometimes, one needs to have the courage to undertake responsibilities that are rightfully theirs. We all believe you have this capability, don’t refuse it anymore."
Seeing the determined expression on the Pope’s face, Ah Dai reluctantly nodded, "Alright then. The Allied Forces suffered heavy losses today. Besides leaving enough people responsible for reconnaissance and alertness, everyone should return to their posts and count the number of soldiers that remain. Let’s rest for today, tomorrow we will discuss the actions to take moving forward."
Following the first command issued by Ah Dai after becoming the leader of the Allied Forces, all the leaders went on their own ways, each returning to their respective camps.
Xuan Yue accompanied Ah Dai back to his tent, looking at his somewhat pale face, she asked, "How are you feeling? You’ve used up so much energy today, you should start cultivating."
Ah Dai held her in his arms, only by holding the one he loved could he truly calm down, "I’m okay, don’t worry. I am truly worried about our action in the future. Today’s Undead Fire Demon is far more formidable than the Rotten Dragon, if we hadn’t come back in time, the Allied Forces here might have been wiped out. The next challenge is the Bone Dragon Corps, their individual combat ability and numbers surpass the Fire Sprites by far, which will make dealing with them quite difficult. Moreover, we still have the rest of the three undead hosts to confront. Even if we manage to defeat all four entities, our casualties will be great and we may not be able to prevent the Church of the Dark Saint, which is still unknown. The main reason I insisted that the Pope leave the heavy armored soldiers here was to use them against the final Dark Alien Races. The Church of the Dark Saint, compared with the high rank Undead Creatures here, is still far behind."
Xuan Yue said softly, "There’s still a lot of time, don’t be too anxious. We can rest for a few days after passing each stage of the Undead Twelve Calamities. The three major forces in the last three stages are formidable, but there’s only one of each. If we give it our all, we must be able to eliminate them completely. Could they possibly withstand the joint forces of our four Sword Saints?"
Ah Dai nodded, "I hope everything goes as smoothly as you said."
After two days of rest and regrouping, the Allied Forces, under Ah Dai’s leadership, moved towards the ninth stage of the Undead Twelve Calamities. After crossing the territory of the Fire Sprites, Ah Dai suddenly felt a tremendous pressure coming from the opposite mountain peak. He promptly commanded the Allied Forces to halt. The Bone Dragon had the ability to resist magic, so Ah Dai brought only martial artists with him, excluding the Pope and four Red Robe Priests. The Pope also sensed something was amiss, he promptly conjured the Divine Blessing with the four Red Robe Priests, casting a layer of Support Magic on Ah Dai and the others.
