Routed

Will looked across the field to try and see how the Allied Army was faring.

With Elder Thaddeus, Archimedes, and Nisha and he is the front baring most of the weight, the squads worked in sync to bring down demons.

"Keep pressing!" The Allied Infantry Commander von Vogel shouted leading the left flank. The flank furthest away from the cannon fire.

The right flank, closest to the ships, was left by General vont Smith.

Both flanks pushed forward, forcing the demons continuously backward. The demons did not have enough soldiers to reinforce all their centers and flanks. And their retreat was blocked by cannon and mage fire. The demons were slowly being forced into a kill box with a near point of escape.

"How are things looking, Will?" General Jing vont Smith called out to him.

"The center is holding firm, how is your flank?" Will yelled back.

"Keep up at your end, and the flanks shall break through," Jing replied.

Hearing the two men shouting like careless hens, infuriated Lord Bilal. But more infuriating was knowing that general was correct.

The situation for the demon army was not ideal. Being pushed back on one flank was bad enough, but the center looked like it was able to buckle as well.

If the humans managed to break both flanks, then it was only a matter of time before they were surrounded.

"Sound the retreat Lord Bilal," said angrily.

In this battle, he lost his newest toy and half his army. He hated the idea of giving up landed his troops claimed, but he had little choice.

A brassy low pitched horn blew, summoning the demons to retreat.

Seeing the demons flee, the cannons stopped firing as the Allied Army gave pursuit.

Will quickly cast [Earthquake], [Quick Sand], and [Sandstorm]

"Shit," said Lord Bilal after a devastating earthquake ripped through his retreat.

The feeling demons dodge the earthquake only to fall into the sand trap. Even worse the aftershocks continued to make the ground rumble as they were blinded in the sand storm.

However, the worse was to come, in the blinding sandstorm, they were unable to see the massive meteor created by Elder Thaddeus.

The meteor slowly descended in the middle of the demonic army and sent a wave rippling through the air.

The meteor cleared away the sandstorm and the pursuing army finally saw the damage. Mangled bodies were thrown everywhere. The inside of the earthquake looked like a mass grave.

Soldiers cheer wildly at the destruction. The master, disciple duo was responsible for strengthening the previously collapsing center and killing roughly fourth of the army themselves.

"Ha-ha!" Elder Thaddeus laughed.

He missed fighting. He missed demoralizing his opponents. He enjoyed reclaiming his monikers Thaddeus Ming the Demon King, Regehl Incarnate, Despoiler, Winged Scourge, and the infernal who haunt dreams.

Quickly the Allies Army turned from fighting to rescuing. Injured troops were carried to a central location and treated.

Light mages worked quickly to heal those in need. The yells of pain from the injured were the only noise left on the battlefield.

On the western river bank, the Qhosnir Army and their allies looked across the river at the fleeing demons. They looked simultaneously in shock and embarrassment.

While they coward and fought a defensive war the reinforcements arrived and in less than a day routed the demonic army. Were they that weak? Were their mages weak?

Equally as flabbergasted, was Emperor Gaozong. He expected a slaughter, just the other way around. Compared to his army's first engagement with these demons, this was a mockery

Emperor Gaozong, the kings of Zhekid and Icer, Cardinal of Ionic, Duke of Kro, and Grand Prince of Seyuet were envious and embarrassed after observing the Great Eastern Empire and Fermion's forces.

Each of the fought the demonic army individually and in partnership but lost overwhelmingly.

The victory today proved how well-trained and superior the Great Eastern Empire and Kingdom of Fermion troops were compared to there.

Moreover, it explained why the demons invaded the southern continent first. In every aspect, the defeated sovereigns felt humiliated.

Even when their six armies combined, they still lost twice.

Only Emperor Jacque-Louis felt happiness at seeing the demons beaten back who destroyed his homeland. Even though he didn't participate, he felt catharsis.

"The demon ravaged ten sovereignties with absolute impunity. Today, we issued our verdict and sent those demons running!" Crown Prince Lukas exclaimed inside his tent staring at the battle map.

As the combined armies celebrated in glee, the royals looked suspiciously at one another. They want to see who'd grovel first to the emperor. Each of them wanted to save face.

"Congratulations on your victory Crown Prince Lukas!" Emperor Jacques-Louis said first.

"I wish to thank his imperial highness for letting my army lead the Allied Army into battle. I hoped we performed to your expectation," asked King Roland graciously.

His elicited question, send the other sovereigns passive aggression. They knew if the crown prince praised the king, decorum stipulated that had to as well.

"Yes, the Kingdom of Fermion did a marvelous job. Your rifle and cannons put the demons on the back foot. If not for Grandmaster von Ballard and Sage vont Ming the center line would have broken," Crown Prince Lukas congratulated.

At once the Crown Prince's allies of Kur, Sabsta, and Bocaritanylan; as well as the emperor, kings duke, prince, and cardinal all congratulated Prince Lukas on his victory and King Roland's army.

After the obsequious praise was heaped upon Crown Prince Lukas and King Roland it was time to get down to business.

"Emperor Gaozong, I'm told there's something you wish to say?" Prince Lukas asked.

"Unfortunately, duty requires I return to the capital. I shall appoint my eldest son, the crown prince as my replacement.

A two-headed horse shall never walk a straightforward. I do hope Crown Prince Roland would consider appointing me son as Vice Supreme Allied Commander?" Emperor Gaozong asked humbly.

The emperor phrased his request like it was his decision as opposed to the crown prince's demand.

"I shall oblige you," Crown Prince said magnanimously.

"Thank you very much your imperial highness Prince Lukas. The gods surely blessed Emperor Kaiser with such a wonderful son," Emperor Gaozong praised.

"Was that the decision you came to after waking," joked the King of Kur.

"Yes, we heard you fought the demons in your dreams. How was the result?" The King of Sabsta mocked.

Hearing the jokes, all the sovereigns snickered in delight.

The emperor shot an angry look at King Roland and immediately left for his carriage.

"Spread the news my commanders and I are in charge! Deserters, rebels, and insurrectionists shall be put to death," Crown Prince Lukas decreed.

"Yes sir," bowed the prince's chamberlain.

"Well then, I think now is as good a time as any to have a meeting to discuss the battle. Summon the commanders and the remaining Qhosnir officials," said the imperial prince.

Soon Will walked in with the rest of the commanders and took a seat.

"Allied Infantry Commander von Vogel congratulation on your victory," Prince Lukas praised.

"Thank you, your imperial highness. I fear victory would not have been possible without Fermion's cannons, and marine rifle battalion leading our troops into battle.

Furthermore, a large part of the success was due to Commander vont Ballard's and Sage vont Ming keeping our center from breaking," Marshall von Vogel saluted.

"Yes, I heard my master and grandmaster had a competition. Ha-ha.

Yes, I heard he broke through the center, you same on the left, and Marshall vont Smith on the right. You all to be commended," the prince praised while laughing jovially.

The prince had not taken part in the battle, choosing to stay behind his army. His advisers demanded a view of the bigger picture and watched the battle happen.

There was also a concern for the prince's safety. Everyone was unsure how the battle would flow.

"Next, Allied Intelligence Commander von Pierce how far did the demons retreat?"

"The demons retreated a kilometer away above a hill and set up a fire array. They have the advantage in terrain and too far inland for the cannons to reach," saluted Marshall Hawkeye von Pierce.

"Let's have a bonfire to raise our men's spirits double rations tonight. At daylight tomorrow we move out," order the prince.