Book 3.5: Chapter 18
Even if the star fortresses were to fall, there was still some distance between them and the elven imperial capital. However, the elves to the rear of the star fortresses were evidently worn out. Without the star fortresses, they were forced to rely on parapets and fight the red uniform army in person on the plains. But under the heavy barrage of cannon attacks, their parapets crumbled upon explosion, not to mention the blow delivered from the explosions.
The red uniform army reformed their ranks again, and beat their drums as they rushed the elves’ position. The empress drew her commander sabre and appeared right at the forefront on her battle steed. She was neither afraid of arrows nor flying rocks. She roared as she commanded the charge. When the red uniform army saw their empress appear before them again, they roared like crazed beasts and sped up while maintaining their formation.
The cannons accurately blew open the parapet while the Earth castle formation sporadically put together was instantly broken through by the Valkyries. The Valkyries rushed the defences of the elves from every direction like ghosts.
The elves retreated in defeat. Even the brave warriors of the forests were in fear while faced with the disadvantageous position. Some of them threw down their weapons and ran towards the interior of the city.
“Reporting, your highness! The humans have broken through our three star fortresses! Our men are being routed!”
“We cannot allow them to enter the city! We must not let them in! We must stop them in front of the city. Before the other elven races strike the human army from the rear, we must not allow ourselves to be forced to fight a defensive battle at the city! We have no hope of winning in a defensive fight! Our bows and arrows cannot compare to the reach of their cannons!”
The empress gave her orders as she looked at the messenger with shock. She then turned to face her generals by her side and said: “Call for the imperial guards. It’s time for them to fight! If we cannot push the humans back to the forests in this battle, the elven race will be wiped out! The other elven races will attack the human force’s artillery unit and camp from behind and completely cut off their communications to the front lines. Once successful, we’ll outnumber them, and they’ll be caught in a pincer attack from our forces by the city walls and the elves striking from behind. We can definitely win, but we must first hang in there!”
“Your highness, what are we going to use to stop them?! They have guns and cannons. What do we have?!”
The queen clenched her teeth. She raised up the war flag by her side and then in a loud voice shouted: “We have our lives, our determination, and our family! We haven’t lost yet! We haven’t lost yet! Do not retreat! Do not retreat! We can still hang in there! Men, do not retreat!!”