Clancia, Sword Pine City.

It had been nearly a year since the Frost Alliance's golem army had last laid siege to the city. By now, this mountain city was a vastly different place.

The entire valley was enclosed by a towering stone wall of varying gray and white mottled colors. A thick steel fence stood on the river below to block the enemy's advance.

There are turrets scattered across the fortress, and some are built on the hills on both sides, overlooking the canyon below.

It was already early February, and the previously tranquil mountain valley had been shattered by the clamor of war. Metal golems, one after another, stomped heavily on the broken cobblestones by the riverbank, their cannons trained on the sturdy, towering canyon fortress, unleashing crimson torrents of magic without mercy.

As dusk approached, highly compressed magic shells rushed through the air, their original spherical shapes deformed into elliptical shapes due to the compression impact. They landed on the city walls and exploded violently.

The flying rocks and sound waves spread outward, raising gray dust clouds and leaving ugly craters on the fortress.

The golems attacking Jiansong City this time were unlike the older models from before. Each one roaring and unleashing artillery fire across the land was at least Sequence 4, with many being elite golems equivalent to Sequence 5. A high-level giant Sequence 7 golem was overseeing the battle from behind, and it was not about to strike lightly.

Inside Jiansong City, a hidden command point in the fortress.

Several staff officers were moving various symbols on the map, quickly discussing possible situations and opportunities. At the open door, messengers came in from time to time to report on the current battle situation and conditions. After receiving responses from the staff officers and generals, they quickly left.

After temporarily ending the discussion, a general in silver-gray armor observed the battle situation in front of him through a telescope, and then gave new orders to the messenger waiting beside him.

"Prepare the artillery on both sides of the hill. When the central turret gives the signal to fire, fire simultaneously, aiming to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy golems within optimal range."

"Yes, General Saige!" The soldier immediately walked out of this hidden observation point and conveyed orders to the hills on both sides.

At this time, the resolute-looking general put down the telescope in his hand and looked at another young man in the room who was dressed differently.

"Mr. Tug, what do you think the outcome of this battle will be? Will we repel the enemy like before, or will we have to abandon this fortress?"

The young wizard leaning against the wall was resting with his eyes closed. He was wearing a dark blue and white wizard robe, with a badge and a gold chain on his chest.

After hearing the general's question, Tug opened his eyes, looked at the huge moving golems in the distance, and sighed.

"This time is different from before. It seems that Frost Rose is determined to start a war."

"Look." He raised his hand and pointed at the tall golem in the valley that was constantly roaring and spewing out torrents of magic power.

"That's a 'Rage-3r' type golem. This high-level golem forgoes power shells in favor of a surge of mana-infused impacts, requiring less support. By constantly rotating Sequence 5 or higher mages aboard, it can maintain a continuous attack. A single golem can handle nearly ten cannons, and its defenses are also very strong."

"Even in the old days of Lurna, there weren't many elite and expensive golems like these. They used to be stationed at the border to defend against invasions from the Green Green. I didn't expect them to be so bold as to deploy this entire legion this time."

"If we continue to resist, I'm afraid all the soldiers in the fortress will die under the scorching torrent of its bombardment."

Hearing this, Saige's expression gradually became serious. He asked, "Do you have any good suggestions?"

Tug tapped his fingers and paused for a few seconds before answering.

"If the southern route weren't blocked, we could still ask those Sky-Battle Fierce Armored Dragons for help and destroy these golems. But now... we don't have much of a solution. The forces we have at our disposal are too weak to destroy these sturdy golems under heavy fire."

"Therefore, I still suggest that you prepare for retreat in advance and try to transfer the soldiers in the fortress to avoid unnecessary casualties."

"Retreat, retreat again." Saige angrily slammed his fist on the wall beside him and said gritting his teeth.

During the previous retreat, many people he knew and knew died in the battle. He hadn't expected that two years later, the same result would still be achieved. What then would be the value of all the fortresses and defenses he had worked so hard to build over the past two years? Familiar faces from the past surfaced in his mind, bringing waves of sadness to his heart.

Was everything in vain? He couldn't accept this outcome. He pounded his fists against the stone wall again and again.

Several staff officers nearby were also shocked by his voice. They stopped their previous discussion and looked at the general who was out of control.

Time passed slowly, and the sound of artillery fire outside continued. After a long time, the general took a deep breath and turned around.

"I'm sorry to have embarrassed you. I couldn't control my emotions." His eyes were red and his voice was a little hoarse.

"Nothing." Tug shook his head slightly, indicating that he didn't mind and understood the general's feelings.

Since arriving in New Wilga and Clancy, he had seen more than once those brave and honorable soldiers sacrifice their lives on the battlefield. These people may have never left their hometowns before, nor did they know those unfamiliar compatriots, but for the sake of their current country, they were willing to sacrifice their lives, fighting for their homeland and dignity.

In the army, the feelings between these comrades who have experienced life and death together are extremely deep, which cannot be compared with the temporary recruits from other countries.

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