Chapter 645: Chapter 645: Do you know something?

Standing atop the towering city walls, Yang Yu felt the cold wind coming from the wilds as he watched General Pirov and the main troops withdraw without giving chase.

The Luoze defenders in East View City, along with the defenders of other cities, were not comparable in number. Even though they had suffered countless casualties defending East View City, they still possessed a very formidable combat capability.

Rushing forward recklessly would have only led to self-destruction.

The principle of not pursuing a defeated enemy was well understood by the Lu Hua Army. They had already completed their current offensive task, and with such a rare advantage, they needed to be cautious.

The soldiers were already very weary. It was unnecessary to risk a pursuit. Instead, it was more beneficial to savor the fruits of victory and recuperate.

After retreating from the north gate of East View City, General Pirov and General Kahel’s troops that had bypassed East View City regrouped, and together, they retreated towards Qianluo Canyon.

Dressed in thick clothes and having consumed a Thawing Potion, General Pirov’s frostbite slowly subsided, and his body warmed up slightly.

“Kahel, what’s your opinion on the traitors?”

As soon as his body felt a bit better, General Pirov immediately rode his horse closer to Kahel.

“Having so many cannons fail at once, it’s definitely not a coincidence. Under our watchful eyes, how did they manage to sabotage so many cannons?”

“I really don’t know,” replied Kahel, shaking his head.

“About a month ago, the bridge carrying supplies exploded. Shortly thereafter, a huge gap was blown open in the eastern city wall…

All these incidents happened too suspiciously, as if someone was helping Wansheng Country to overcome this crisis and reclaim the plains.

I heard that when the investigation team was working, some soldiers mysteriously disappeared from the army—I suspect it’s the doing of traitors.

Having traitors in the army would explain all these ‘accidents.’

East View City is strategically crucial; it’s not surprising that it’s targeted by traitors.

Yet, I had people patrol the cannons twenty-four hours a day and didn’t spot any soldiers acting suspiciously…

Despite checking the cannons over and over again…

Unfortunately, despite our caution, someone still succeeded.”

General Pirov clenched his fists and gritted his teeth,

“If there truly are traitors, I will personally twist their heads off.

It’s all their fault; we suffered such significant losses.

Our lives are far more important than those of the Beastmen!

Now, how are we supposed to explain this to the Emperor?”

The defense battle of East View City ended in a disastrous defeat for Luoze Empire, with more than half of the garrison dead or wounded—a figure unprecedented even in the history of Luoze Empire.

Initially hoping to completely crush the hope of the Beastmen at East View City, it turned out to be a case of losing both the wife and the troops.

“If it really comes to that, I’ll take all the blame. But please, General Pirov, ensure that the families of the deceased are well compensated.”

Stroking his beloved horse, Kahel sighed deeply,

“Make sure they have enough money and sincerity to support their lives.”

“No problem. Let’s decide on that for now,” Pirov didn’t reject Kahel’s suggestion. “I have another matter I’d like to discuss with General Kahel.”

“What is it?”

Pirov did not utter a word but smiled grimly, his brows filled with rage, “There are people in the army who overstep their command, and it might be the work of a traitor. The precise moment was when the bell rang.”

Kahel immediately understood Pirov’s implication, “Wasn’t it under your orders that the bell was rung?”

“It wasn’t my command.

At that time, I indeed had the intention to retreat.

But the bell signaling retreat was not sounded under my orders!

This time we were lucky, but if it comes to a point where we have to stake our lives, and someone secretly rings the bell of retreat, causing the military spirit to disperse, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Whether it is the deed of a traitor or not, they must be dealt with according to military law.”

No sooner had Pirov spoken than a soldier nearby swallowed nervously.

Pirov caught this scene by chance.

Without another word, Pirov leapt down from his horse, his large palm pressed against the soldier’s head, thrusting him into the snow,

“I remember you! You were the one guarding the bell! Answer me! What do you know?”

The soldier’s face made intimate contact with the icy ground as he was pressed into the snow, frantically begging Pirov for mercy,

“General Pirov, this is exactly what I wanted to report to you. Although I was guarding the bell, I had no authority to ring it…

It wasn’t me who rang it.

It was the officer in charge of ringing the bell, so I let them in!”

“Then answer me, which officer rang the bell? I have said, those below Yajiang are forbidden from getting half a step near the messenger bell.” Pirov suddenly remembered something, “Speaking of which, before the battle, I had granted a few officers the right to ring the bell. How are they?”

Pirov looked around, searching for the trusty confidants he usually relied on. After searching round and round, Pirov still could not find any trace of them.

Usually, they would closely follow behind him. Not catching up now, could they have perished in that battle?

“General, General…” The soldier Pirov was pressing down struggled to speak but managed to divulge the truth he knew, “There’s no use looking for those officers anymore, they… they’re all dead.”

“Dead? What exactly happened! Tell me everything you know!”

Pirov’s hand involuntarily tightened, causing the soldier pinned to the ground to feel as though his head was about to split open. He hurriedly exclaimed:

“General, stop squeezing, my head is about to burst. The soldiers who were also guarding the great bell with me, there’s, there’s only me left!

If I die, General, you’ll never know everything I saw.

You won’t understand the truth!”

Hearing the soldier’s wail, Pirov finally loosened his grip, lifting the soldier from the snow and placing him on the ground. His wide palm brushed the snow from the soldier’s hair, then rested it on the soldier’s shoulder,

“Tell me everything, every detail you saw. This is an order. If you dare to hide anything, you know what the consequences are, right?”

“Yes!”

Feeling the weight on his shoulder, the soldier responded resoundingly, saluting Pirov,

“Generals, what I’m about to say may seem unbelievable, but these are the real events that occurred. Please, both Generals must listen to the end.”

Just as the soldier was about to continue, Kahel coughed lightly,

“I also want to know what happened, but now is not the time to stop. We don’t know if there are enemies behind us. Let’s move and talk, so we can react in time if anything arises.”

“You are right.” Pirov removed his hand from the soldier, pointing to his horse behind him, “Kid, you’re in luck this time. Just get on my horse and tell us slowly.”