I, who was eager to retire, became an Imperial General.

Chapter 159 The Master of Manipulating Nature

"So, the enemy has now abandoned the trench defenses and chosen to retreat into Star Town?"

Inside an inconspicuous logistics truck at the Allied rear, Frank listened to the latest battle report coming through the communication device, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

He had indeed anticipated that John would abandon the trenches and retreat, thus turning the siege into a street battle.

However, in his calculations, the enemy would never so easily give up the front line. Instead, they would most likely set up suicide squads or other special forces in the trenches to wear down his forces through an unexpected tactic.

After all, in the previous battles, the enemy had used a variety of unexpected tactics to wipe out more than half of the Seventh Army's forces.

Ultimately, the Empire also suffered significant casualties as a result, and the overall gap in troop strength between the two sides did not narrow considerably.

And the heavy artillery divisions he relied on the most suffered very few casualties.

Therefore, in Frank's view, if John Maslow wanted to continue trying to fight him, the cunning fellow would definitely try to limit and deplete the strength of his heavy artillery divisions.

Instead of so easily surrendering the front line and choosing to retreat.

So, is this a trap?
Frank narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he had thought of something, and immediately asked his subordinates in a deep voice through the communication device:

"Forensic Science Department, has the reconnaissance department located the enemy's heavy artillery units?"

"Reporting to the general, it has not been found yet."

Seemingly surprised that Frank would ask this question, Falk, who was in charge of commanding the front lines, paused for a moment, then seemed to understand his superior's concerns, and quickly added:
"However, I have already sent troops to search the surrounding jungle areas and hidden caves. Apart from finding the centaur residents who were driven out of Star Town by the enemy, I have not found any enemy troops or any traces left by the movement of the magic cannon vehicles."

"That's it..."

Frank pondered for a moment, but his brows did not relax at the news; instead, they furrowed even more.

In his view, the current progress is going too smoothly.

Although current intelligence suggests that the enemy did not set up an ambush, but was forced to retreat.

However, after facing the young commander head-on and suffering repeated defeats, Frank had long since lost his previous contempt. Instead, he now regarded the young man as someone comparable to Dormammu, the white-haired demon general of the Empire.

When facing such a formidable opponent, it would be strange if things went smoothly.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that the other party deliberately set up a feint by taking advantage of his psychology.

After all, just a few days ago, this rising star of the empire used a similar method, employing only three people, to scare away his suspicious disciple, causing him to fall into the opponent's trap and suffer defeat.

Frank greatly admired the opponent's tactics, which were both adept at psychological warfare and exceptionally bold.

But it's limited to just admiring.

Just like the evaluations of other generals when he commanded battles in the past, he never considered himself a rule-abiding commander.

He prefers to take unconventional approaches.

Although he knew that John Maslow might be setting up a feint, or even a trap within a trap.

But so what?
Ultimately, the victory of a battle depends on the strength of the army.

Now he has a heavy artillery division at his disposal, plus a troop strength several times greater than the enemy's.

If we choose to retreat simply because of a feint set up by the enemy.

Once this story spreads, he won't need to call himself the "Romantic General" anymore; he might as well just change his title to "Cowardly General."

Therefore, the answer is obvious!

"Lieutenant General Fako, order the troops to continue advancing, surround Star Town, and then bombard it with artillery shells until it's completely flattened. Get the momentum back on the battlefield!"

Frank's tone was calm.

He knew that this battle plan was the most cumbersome method for the campaign, but undeniably, it was also the most effective.

The enemy wanted to avoid a direct confrontation with his heavy artillery division and instead planned to switch to urban warfare, using the buildings as cover to recreate the scene from the previous night's battle.

Furthermore, through the Empire's telepathic magic, and through seamless information transmission, the troops were transformed into puppets that could be manipulated at any time.

By employing this unreplicable method, the empire widens the gap in command execution between the two sides, thereby expanding its advantage.

But he simply wouldn't do as the other party wished.

After all, what if you find yourself unable to defeat your opponent in a game due to unforeseen circumstances?

In this situation, nothing is easier than simply flipping the table to achieve victory.

And coincidentally, the Seventh Legion right now has this capability!
"Yes, General!"

Seemingly understanding Frank's reasons for doing so, Falk did not question the order. Instead, after responding with a single sentence, he directly ordered the troops to bombard the buildings on the outskirts of Star Town.

In an instant, the roar of artillery fire resounded throughout the entire Star Town, and the ground trembled violently, with the air filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder.

But looking at the buildings that were constantly exploding in the distance, and listening to the stagnant sound from the communication device, which showed no reports of any attack, he could not see anything.

Frank, however, began to feel an inexplicable sense of unease.

Especially after realizing that his own side was employing a bombardment-style approaching tactic, John Maslow had not revealed his true intentions.

This restlessness began to uncontrollably transform into unease, and it intensified over time.

Later, he even found it difficult to sit still, so he got off the truck under the protection of the guards and went to a slope, where he used his binoculars to look at the distant battlefield.

This method is intended to predict the enemy's movements in advance and to command troops to counterattack immediately.

What puzzled Frank was that John Maslow never made any counterattack despite his side's continuous encirclement through artillery bombardment.

It was as if the enemy had already led their troops away from the battlefield.

But Frank knew that was absolutely impossible.

So, John Maslow, what exactly is your purpose?

Frank fell into deep thought, but he still couldn't figure out the reason.

Just as he was trying to figure out what John was up to, Yu Guangzhong was taken aback when he caught a glimpse of the lower reaches of the Yuan River, not far from Fanxing Town.

He seemed to immediately understand something, his expression turning extremely serious, and he promptly gave orders to the reconnaissance troops:
"1st Reconnaissance Battalion, immediately assess the situation of the Yuan River nearby and then report back to me!"

As time ticked by, Frank waited anxiously, and soon, the reconnaissance battalion commander's report came through the communication device: "Reporting to the general, after inspection, I have confirmed that there are no enemy special forces hiding in Yuanhe."

"That's not important, soldier. Tell me immediately what the current water level of the Yuan River is, and how it differs from the previous state. Tell me quickly!"

"Uh, General, according to my measurements, the current water level of the Yuan River is approximately thirty meters. In addition, after inquiring with Major General Damon about the past conditions of the Yuan River, it seems that the current water level is indeed much lower than before, about ten meters lower."

The torrential rain lasted for a whole day and night the night before, so why did the water level not only not increase, but actually decrease?
And it's a full ten meters lower?!

Oops!

At that moment, Frank, realizing what John Maslow's true goal was, had his pupils shrink to their limit.

However, before he could even activate the communication device to issue an immediate evacuation order to his own troops, the previously calm air inexplicably began to thicken.

A large amount of magic began to gather and compress uncontrollably in the sky above Star Town.

Then, accompanied by an indescribable sense of oppression and suffocation, hundreds of magic arrays shining with a deep red light like that of purgatory appeared in the sky.

Then, under Frank's silent gaze, it landed directly on the deserted town.

"Buzz!"

In the instant that the deadly and dangerous dense red light descended.

The world seemed to slow down at this moment, and time seemed to stand still. Large areas of buildings rapidly cracked and collapsed under the surging lava, taking on a dark hue.

"Boom!"

Accompanied by a violent explosion that occurred almost simultaneously.

A large plume of black smoke generated by the explosion surged upwards, then converged with the simultaneous explosions, ultimately forming a terrifying mushroom cloud that could not be ignored and rapidly spread outwards.

Even though they were thousands of meters apart, Frank could smell the suffocating sulfurous odor the moment the mushroom cloud appeared, amidst the raging winds stirred up by the terrifying force.

"Fuck!"

At the same time, the communication device began to produce uncontrollable noises and strange sounds caused by interference with the magical wavelengths.

At this moment, all communication devices that relied on magic began to be forced to shut down under the influence of this dense and almost immeasurable annihilation power.

The sweeping impact made the surrounding jungle rustle, but even though he managed to stand firm with the help of magic, he did not show any signs of being in a disheveled state.

But as the smoke cleared and revealed itself in his field of vision, what was once a fairly prosperous town had now transformed into a massive crater, thousands of meters away yet impossible to ignore, filled with surging lava and flames, resembling the ravages of a god hundreds of thousands of meters tall.

Even Frank was lost in thought for a long time.

But after regaining his senses, he found himself falling silent.

After witnessing this scene, he already knew the final trump card that John Maslow had left for the Seventh Army.

I also understand that I am now doomed.

However, compared to resentment and despair.

Knowing that death was imminent, Frank couldn't help but feel sorry for his disciple who was being safely escorted to Morning Star Territory by his guards and the two enemy prisoners under his orders.

He knew this after his defeat by John Maslow and his formal death here.

He knew that his seemingly cold-hearted disciple, who actually regarded him as his father, would surely go mad and try every means to kill John Maslow in order to avenge himself.

But in the face of such a once-in-a-millennium genius, such a tactical master whom even he couldn't help but admire.

Could Leon, a mere mortal, really do it?
Frank did not know, and would never know.

Feeling the violent tremors beneath my feet, as if the ground was being churned by a sea monster comparable to Leviathan.

He felt the thick, almost condensed moisture in the air, which was so dense it formed droplets on his skin.

As the sound grew clearer in my ears, I heard the roar of what seemed like a legendary, long-extinct dragon, a roar so loud it was impossible to escape into despair.

At that moment, Frank's expression turned completely relieved.

He pushed away the guard who was completely stunned beside him.

Then he turned around and looked behind him.

Watching the jungle completely destroyed and crushed, like the gaping maw of a prehistoric monster, constantly devouring everything on the ground, and with indescribable speed, the boundless waves that seemed to be about to completely cover the sky were rapidly approaching them.

Frank raised his steady right hand and, with a smooth and elegant motion, stroked his mustache one last time.

He then looked at the overwhelming, earthen-yellow wave that threatened to crush him, leaving him no chance of survival. A look of admiration crossed his face, and he burst into loud laughter.

"Such methods of manipulating nature, to use as my old man's grave, is truly a source of great pleasure and honor!"

"boom!"

The raging floodwaters, accompanied by a deafening roar, surged forward and, in an instant, swallowed up the tiny humans below, along with everything else on the ground. Undeterred, the floodwaters continued to surge forward, and upon impacting the surrounding mountains, they unleashed even more terrifying waves.

Then, the subsequent waves engulfed and covered the mountain peaks, surging forward with unstoppable power.

Occasionally, one can hear panicked cries for help from humans, as well as the mournful sounds of ancient trees being broken.

But it was quickly drowned out by the deafening roar of the waves.

The terrifying power stained everything it touched gray.

This power was something even the gods of the divine age could hardly wield.

At this moment, all living beings facing this wave will inevitably fall into the deep and silent abyss of death.

The whole world was silent except for the roar of the raging floodwaters.

It was as if all possibilities had been forcibly taken away by this surging tide.

It came to a complete end in this awe-inspiring force of nature!

"Wow!"

……

(End of this chapter)