Chapter Seventy-Two: Heavy Casualties! The Nine Provinces Endure!

This fortress had been designed with such issues in mind; a single breach would not cause the entire structure to collapse. Yet at this very moment, the pressing concern was that someone needed to seal the gap, lest the machines seize the opportunity to invade, bringing grievous harm to the flesh-and-blood humans within.

Without hesitation, Chu Xiao jumped down, intent on blocking the breach. Such perilous tasks he could not allow others to undertake. Wang Lulu watched anxiously from the side; though she did not fully grasp what was happening, a vague sense of danger hovered in her mind.

Seeing wounded soldiers continually brought down from above, Wang Lulu decided to join in. Now was a time of crisis for Jiuzhou; as a child of Jiuzhou, she ought not to dwell solely on matters of love, but place the nation above all else.

“I’ll help you!” Wang Lulu stepped forward, taking over the stretcher and helping carry the wounded.

Chu Xiao continued to fight. Suddenly, a bullet tore through his shoulder. Blood surged forth in an instant.

“Damn!” Chu Xiao cursed angrily, turning to lean against the fortress wall, pressing a book to his wound.

At that moment, a robotic hound poked its head in, and Chu Xiao fired a shot, blowing its head apart.

He could not pause; he had to keep fighting! Chu Xiao seized his gun and fired wildly.

The warriors fought on, bathed in blood and fire.

The machines kept coming, as if endless, densely packed. It seemed this time the Dark Lord was focusing his assault on Jiuzhou, intent on conquering it in one fell swoop!

But he underestimated Jiuzhou!

A warrior roared, raising his gun and firing, fierce and valiant.

When pushed to the brink, even humans will bite back!

In the end—

The Dark Lord’s mechanical army retreated!

“They’re retreating! They’re retreating!” Someone shouted joyfully.

Chu Xiao frowned as he surveyed the scene. The weapons were still insufficient, and the fortress had suffered heavy losses.

Repairs would be needed, and who knew when the Dark Lord would return.

Yet the cheers echoed in everyone’s ears—yes, this was a stirring moment, for once again, the people of Jiuzhou had defeated the Dark Lord!

After a bitter, arduous battle, Jiuzhou had paid a tremendous price, but gained victory.

Jiuzhou had triumphed over the Dark Lord once more! The Dark Lord was not invincible after all.

After the battle, Chu Xiao looked at the casualty report in his hands, a trace of pain flickering in his eyes.

So many had died.

“Twelve thousand five hundred and thirty-two!” Chu Xiao pressed his forehead. With each engagement, the casualties mounted, and next time would only be worse.

Humanity remained at a disadvantage; in the end, flesh could never match steel.

“Does the Commander know?” Chu Xiao asked in a low voice.

Ji Kaicheng paused. “Yes, he knows. There was a minor attack on their side as well, but it was quickly dealt with.”

Number One had already gone to the city of Yan Jing, as Chu Xiao had requested, for the Dark Lord would eventually attack Yan Jing. It was safest to have the Commander stationed there.

Chu Xiao tried to stand, but inadvertently pulled at his wounded shoulder, gasping in pain.

He frowned, pressing the injury.

Though it had been bandaged and treated with special medicine, it still hurt.

“Are you alright?” Ji Kaicheng hurried to steady the faltering Chu Xiao.

Chu Xiao waved him off. “I’m fine. Take me to the medical ward—I have something to discuss.”

America.

Mucus looked over the report in his hand, expressionless.

“The Dark Lord attacked only Jiuzhou?” The surprise in Mucus’s eyes could not be concealed.

Oden nodded. “Yes, only Jiuzhou. I find it very strange, too, but the facts stand.”

“The firepower was immense. According to reports, Jiuzhou suffered heavy casualties, with twelve thousand deaths, and the fortress took severe damage. They’re in dire straits. If we send reinforcements, we could win Jiuzhou over.” As an American, Oden assessed the situation from his country’s perspective; if Jiuzhou could be brought to their side, it would be a significant advantage.

“Right. Send reinforcements.” Mucus agreed promptly, without much hesitation.

Jiuzhou’s strength could indeed benefit America.

Mucus understood this well.

A glimmer of joy appeared in Oden’s eyes. “First Speaker, wise as always.”

The senior leadership of Europa also learned the news.

Sending reinforcements—no one had expected it.

“Jiuzhou is indeed formidable! They can hold out for a long time, which gives us more time to prepare for war!” Eurys declared loudly, “So our strength won’t fall behind Jiuzhou’s!”

“Once the Dark Lord conquers Jiuzhou, we’ll have grown strong enough. By then, the Dark Lord will be battered and perhaps we can destroy him in one stroke! As the old saying goes, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.”

Eurys was visibly excited, his mind focused solely on self-preservation.

His female secretary, cold and aloof, regarded such matters as routine, her demeanor unapproachable.

“Mary, what do you think?” Eurys turned to the secretary.

Mary did not look at Eurys, but stared straight ahead. “I think you’re right.”

“Good! Let’s do it!” Eurys was now beside himself with excitement, disregarding other opinions.

“Is this really wise?”

“Let’s reconsider.”

“I think we should send reinforcements—everyone united against the Dark Lord!”

...

Many voices rose with differing opinions, but Mary paid no heed, lost in her own thoughts.

North Sahara, however, was resolute, sending reinforcements directly. Churchill even went personally to Jiuzhou to assess the situation.

“Thank you all!” Chu Xiao now lay in a hospital bed. He had thought he could hold out, intending to go to the armory, but had collapsed before reaching it.

“It’s nothing! It’s what we must do!” Churchill and Oden replied in unison, each in their own language—one in North Saharan, one in English.

“Thank you for your efforts. Jiuzhou will reward you handsomely!” Chu Xiao emphasized the last few words, but it tugged at his wound.

*Cough cough.*

“Kaicheng, I leave everything to you!” Chu Xiao looked to Ji Kaicheng, firmly gripping his right hand with his uninjured left.

Ji Kaicheng did not hesitate to return the grasp. “Rest assured, General! Leave it to me—I will protect Jiuzhou!”

“Good! The repairs to the fortress, the arrangements for the fallen and wounded—these are yours. And move me to the armory.”

“I need to improve our weapons!” Chu Xiao looked at Ji Kaicheng with unwavering resolve, brooking no refusal.