Chapter 468:

The troops felt as though a midnight alarm had roused them from a deep slumber. Startled awake, they quickly grabbed their gear and began retreating.

"Retreat, retreat! Pull back now!"

"Deploy grey fog, block their advance!"

"Request heavy fire support!"

"Secure the left flank! A Speed Type is incoming!"

"Lieutenant! We need to retreat immediately—there’s a second Manipulation Type among the enemy!"

Such was the chaos unfolding on the battlefield. The human forces, relying on armored equipment and supernatural items, managed to retreat, though the cost was steep: nearly 30 comrades lay scattered among small units, lost forever.

"So, even using Light Armor couldn’t shield us from that kind of pain. Before, that bandit stood by, protecting me without ever showing impatience..."

...

6 PM, Hope Town.

Richard listened gravely to the news coming from the other side of the Grieving River through the radio. The Vienna assault had failed—again. It was incomprehensible.

Their four battalions ha