I only wanted to retire, but I ended up becoming an extremely popular character.

An uncontrollable panic began to grow and spread in the hearts of the Imperial soldiers:

"Are you kidding me? That's way too overpowered!"

"I hope the next one doesn't hit me on the head! I'd rather be shot by a bullet than be hit by a shell like this."

"If you were hit by a shell like that, your body would probably be vaporized!"

"Where was that shell launched from?"

"If I'm not mistaken, those must be shells from the Gustav cannon that was destroyed by our 'Imperial Blade' legion!"

"If it was destroyed, why does it still exist?"

"Can we still win this war?"

"With that giant cannon around, I'm already doubting whether we can retake Saalrom!"

Whispers, exclamations, and even desperate questions spread rapidly across the battlefield.

A few soldiers whose mental fortitude had reached its limit turned pale, their fingers trembled, and some even absentmindedly loosened their grip on their weapons.

The previously orderly offensive rhythm became visibly sluggish and chaotic.

The shadow of the giant cannon did not disappear with the dissipation of the smoke from the explosion. Instead, it weighed heavily on the hearts of every imperial soldier, crushing their will and courage to continue.

Just as fear was spreading like a plague through the imperial army.

From the direction of the 39th Army Corps, a loud voice, tinged with a distinct mockery, suddenly rang out, abruptly breaking the oppressive silence.

Lieutenant Colonel Presco Charles, commander of the 39th Corps, drew his sword, pointed it in the direction of the Saint-Germain defense line, and roared with a hint of mockery:

"If the 'Imperial Blade' and the 56th Army are scared out of their wits by that damn shell, it's okay. Just stay where you are and watch carefully."

He deliberately dragged out his words, a nearly arrogant smile curving his lips: "Even with just my 39th Legion, it would be enough to take down the city of Sarlom."

"When that time comes, just don't be envious of our legion monopolizing the glory and merit."

"By the way, that's what I've been worrying about. After this battle is over, our 39th Army Corps will definitely have its own unique title. We can't keep using these cold, impersonal numerical designations."

What title would be cool to use for this name?

"If you have any good titles, you can give our 39th Army Corps some suggestions."

"Although you won't get any of the glory and credit, you will definitely be invited to the victory celebration banquet."

These remarks, which disregarded powerful enemies and heavy artillery, and even began planning for the glory of victory, were like a lightning bolt that cleaved through the heavy gloom.

Lieutenant Colonel Presco then turned to the 39th Regiment soldiers behind him, who were gripping their weapons and breathing heavily. He raised his sword high and, with all his might, let out a heart-stirring roar:

"But before that, soldiers of the 39th Legion! Let those Holy Kingdom idiots on the other side, and their expensive iron toys, see clearly!"

"The backbone of Imperial soldiers cannot be broken as easily as they imagine!"

"Glory and honor will not fall from the sky; they are right ahead."

"Right before your blades! Measure it with your footsteps, prove it with their defeat!"

His sword once again pointed heavily at the smoke-filled Holy Land defense line:

"All soldiers of the 39th Army Corps, advance! For the Empire, crush them!"

A roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami erupted from the 39th Army Corps' position.

The fear and doubt that had lingered in the soldiers' eyes just a moment ago were now completely burned away by Lieutenant Colonel Presco's almost arrogant confidence and the promise of readily available glory.

The entire 39th Army Corps, following behind Lieutenant Colonel Presco, resolutely launched the fiercest offensive against the Holy Kingdom's army.

At the same time, faced with Lieutenant Colonel Presco's highly inflammatory and provocative words, all the soldiers of the "Imperial Blade" regiment seemed to have a sensitive and fragile nerve touched.

What they felt was not just the ridicule of their allies, but a blatant challenge to the honor and dignity they carried.

"We need to make sure the people of the 56th and 39th Armies, as well as those Holy Kingdom bastards on the other side, completely understand who the main protagonists of this war are."

A captain from the "Imperial Blade" drew his sword sharply, his voice hoarse with excitement:

The "Imperial Blade" legion is the protagonist of this war; it is the Empire's sole "blade."

He also had the honor and dignity of a soldier, even though Lieutenant Colonel Presko of the 39th Army Corps was much more senior and had a higher rank than him.

But when it comes to the honor and dignity of soldiers, even veterans in the military, and even those with a strict hierarchical system, are not exempt from this.

He could not back down, could not compromise, not even by half a step.

"The 'Imperial Blade' Legion launches an attack on those sons of bitches from the Holy Kingdom's army!"

The captain roared and charged fearlessly into the dense hail of bullets from the Holy Kingdom's army.

Inspired by his resolute charge, the passion in the hearts of many more soldiers of the "Imperial Blade" Legion was ignited.

Fueled by provocation, driven by an instinct to defend honor, and fueled by an indomitable spirit, the entire "Imperial Blade" legion launched its fiercest attack on the Holy Kingdom's army once again.

"Keep up!"

"For the Empire!"

"For glory!"

"For the glory of the 'Imperial Blade' Legion!"

"Donate your heart!"

……

Roars rose and fell.

The offensive, which had been slightly slowed by the threat of the giant cannons, now erupted again with even greater ferocity.

The soldiers of the "Imperial Blade" Legion, following their officers, transformed their fear into glory and rage, and launched a new and fierce assault on the Holy Kingdom's defenses with an indomitable spirit.

When the 39th Army Corps and the "Imperial Blade" displayed their desperate offensive postures, the commanders and soldiers of the 56th Army Corps felt the same urgency and high morale.

They could not allow their unit to play a supporting role in this crucial battle.

The soldiers advanced in skirmish lines, their rifle fire and artillery fire working in tandem to steadily and forcefully squeeze the space of the Holy See defense line.

This forced the Holy Kingdom's garrison to deal with attacks from multiple directions, almost simultaneously, and the load on the defensive line suddenly increased.

Just as the Holy Kingdom's defenses were once again facing a severe test.

A figure steadily emerged from the smoke and dust behind the defensive line.

It was Brigadier General Olga, the supreme commander of the "Black Sheep Holy Chief" division.

His steps were steady, his gaze piercing through the chaotic battlefield like a sharp blade, his eyes precisely locking onto Colonel Xavier on the distant high platform.

The man he most wanted to see.

Subsequently, Brigadier General Olgat's body underwent a horrifying transformation.

A pair of curved black ram horns burst forth from his forehead, and his facial contours bulged forward, transforming into a long, narrow skull resembling that of a goat.

Its skin was quickly covered with thick black hair, and its eyes blazed with a scarlet light.

In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a humanoid black goat-headed demon.