The Ruler

CRONOS I—WAR ROOM BUNKER

Marshal Androf, who was staring at the huge control panel used for directing the troops, was amazed. All the Orcs had just… stopped fighting. He whispered, "How?"

One officer said, "The information is confirmed. They're withdrawing from all lines of contact; there's no doubt about it! The Orc army is retreating to these ships landing nearby! What should we do?"

Androf was skeptical. Even if the Great Warlord Regnier was dead, that still didn't explain why the Orc armies were retreating. For the Orcs, when one leader fell, another usually took his place just as quickly.

Androf said, "Let our units form a compact and resistant front line. Make no pursuit of Orc troops! Also, send a message to Apophis immediately. Tell him that the Eternals must not pursue the Orcs, either."

***

PLANETARY EQUATOR—FISSURE

By this time, Apophis ascended and rejoined Jiraya and ThreeDog. Shortly after, he received the message from Azerof.