Trap For Retreating Forces

Hearing his shout, the morales of the Mariz Barony's forces shot up significantly while the three baronies forces find their already low morales dropped even further.

In matter of minutes, what left of the defenders lost their will to fight and either surrender or tried to flee from the battlefield, though the latter were never successful due to Ryker having prepared for such eventualities.

-x-

"The prisoners of war already put on the lowest most part of the border city. As for everyone else, they are settled inside the city," Era reported, earning a nod from Ryker.

"Good, casualties?" he asked.

"No Genesis Core and above died thankfully. However, we have 12 Genesis Foundation experts and 118 Genesis Condensing experts die during the battle," she told him.

Ryker merely sighed. While the scale of battle is not as large as the other battlefield, not to mention the numerous disadvantages suffered by their opposition, casualties is still something that cannot be avoided, especially when they are the one attacking a fortified position.

"Let the men and women rest for now," he said before adding, "but have those that is not too injured and volunteers to do a check in on the resource stored inside the city.

I want to know how many resources are there so we can do the next part of the plan," the blonde nodded before she walked towards the area where the soldiers are, no doubt searching for volunteers.

He then turned towards the other blonde in the room.

"Miriam, tell the Formation Specialist to be ready. They will have to work extra hard this few weeks," his lover nodded before taking her leave.

Ryker stare at the sole road from the city to the rest of the Barony, the only thing connecting it to the other part of Mariz Barony.

"The enemy will not like the surprise we going to give them,"

-x-

"Quick, move faster! If not, the Mariz Barony will reach us!" a captain yelled to his retreating group, the men increased their marching pace despite them being fatigue.

'Better tired than dead,' the man thought grimly. He just received another news that another surviving splinter force being eradicated, though whehter they are killed to last man or get caught to be sold into slavery is not something he sure off.

Nevertheless, he did not have the desire to follow their footsteps. His own group only barely manage to a number of 1 000, which cannot be compared to the invasion force initial 700 000.

The captain sighed, wishing it is possible to turn back time so they did not invade the encursed Barony. Still, what is done is done. He can only do his best in helping his group to retreat back into the safety of their territory. If it is safe anymore.

After all, most of their forces had join in the assault, and there is no doubt the Mariz Barony will took advantage of it.

The man pushed the thought aside. Future him will think of the future problem. For now, he just need to get his men to safety.

"Sir! I see the border city!" one of his scout come back, reporting it to him. Hope bloomed in his heart at the thought of getting out of the killing field that is Mariz Barony.

"Full speed ahead! We are getting back to our home!" his words caused the men to cheer loudly as they maintained a steady march, one that looked more like synchronized running more than anything else.

Soon, he could see the city, proud and tall in the middle of nowhere. As he and his men step even closer, that's when the trap was sprung.

Formation light glowed when they walked deep enough, causing them to slow down as heavy pressure pressed on them. Fear can be seen in their eyes as the captain muttered a stream of "no, no, no,"

From the forest at both side of the road, soldiers wearing the armor with the insignia of Mariz Barony emerged, surrounding his group of men, their weapons pointed towards them.

"Surrender, or die," a young man said, likely the herald of the group of soldiers.

The captain wished to fight to his last breath, at least it would not be as humiliating as it is right now but he suppressed such urge, knowing to won't do him any good for doing so.

He looked at his men and sighed, "We surrender,"

-x-

"We got another group, commander," one of his men told him, as Ryker stare at the bound soldiers of the three baronies.

"How many are there?" he asked.

"Around 1 000," the man replied.

Ryker nodded before giving his next order, "Send them with the rest," the soldier nodded before going to lined soldiers, helping in conveying his order.

Both Shuri and Solance were with him at the moment, having fully healed themselves and digested the experience they gained in the battle.

"Why do we keep them alive?" Shuri asked, confused of the reasoning.

"Killing them all might be a little too much but we don't have enough resources to provide for them, especially for the weaker cultivators,"

One of the things that many people forget due to cultivators still eating like mortals are that they actually did not need to eat to sustain themselves. Or at least not as much as a regular mortal need.

While the first three first major stage of Genesis Grand Realm require sustainance in the form of food, the amount needed decreased the stronger they area.

When one reached the Genesis Foundation, they could now began to substitute food with wordly energy, though they still need to eat once in a while.

It's when a cultivator touched the realm of Genesis Spring that food and drink is no longer a requirement, though cultivators at the level or stronger still eat and drink for the pleasure of it.

Since most of the soldiers they captured are at the Genesis Gathering and Genesis Formation, it would be hard to sustain them for a long time.

Ryker could understand their logic, but killing them will not work for the long term plan of the Baron.

"Let just say they will be vital when the Baron arrive," he said cryptically, causing the two people to sigh.

They knew it is likely a secret only known to the higher-ups and considering that Mashia is a Genesis Source expert, it make sense for him to know certain secrets. It does not make it any less annoying not knowing though.

"You will know soon enough, the Baron will come here in a week time, so just be patient until then," the two nodded before leaving, as Ryker sighed and stare at the horizon, more specifically the border of Esel and Mariz.