Chapter Seventy-Seven: Nine Provinces! Thank You!

Everyone fell silent, no longer speaking. After all, what Auris said was not without reason. Now was not the time for mutual blame, but for coming together to solve problems.

“How is the Dark King’s offensive progressing? How much longer can we hold out?” Auris turned to his secretary, Meli.

Meli opened the report in her hands and adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses.

“The assault remains fierce. If it continues at this intensity, we can hold out for a maximum of ten hours. If the Dark King retreats after ten hours, we will survive. If not, we’ll be forced to withdraw—and most of us will perish or be wounded.”

Merlin’s expression was blank.

Auris nearly fainted. This situation was yet another predicament for him. How could he repel the Dark King within ten hours? That was the hardest problem to solve.

“If we concentrate all our firepower for ten hours, could we drive him back?” Auris, as the national leader, was no fool—he always had strategies up his sleeve.

Meli calculated.

“According to my estimates, we have a sixty percent chance of victory, a twenty percent chance of defeat, and the remaining twenty percent is a draw.”

“But if it’s a draw, it’s as good as a defeat.”

“We can’t afford to think about anything else! Some of you, prepare for a possible retreat at any moment. The rest, join me in fighting for that sixty percent chance of victory!” Auris slammed the table, startling everyone.

“This is the moment of life or death! I hope you will all fight alongside me! The military, follow me! Civilian forces, prepare to lead the people in retreat!” With Auris’s command, no one dared to hesitate.

Such was the resolve of the painter-leader!

Burning the boats, fighting with their backs to the river!

At that moment—

All firepower was assembled for a counterattack against the Dark King, aiming to defeat him in one blow.

“Soldiers! Charge! Defeat the Dark King! Fight for a chance for your country and your families! Now, at this moment!”

All firepower converged.

Victory or defeat would be decided here.

Within an hour, the Dark King must be repelled.

Otherwise, Ostrong would fall into the shadow of death.

Those prepared to retreat were merely a comfort; sooner or later, death would catch up to them.

“Open fire!” Auris, wielding the “Fire of the Sun,” rushed to the front, launching the attack.

It was a battle of morale.

At that moment, every soldier surged forward!

All guns blazing! When one fell, another took their place.

Half an hour later, Ostrong was still at a disadvantage, but the Dark King was no longer overwhelming them.

Forty-five minutes in, the two sides were locked in a stalemate.

One hour later!

The Dark King retreated!

He withdrew his entire army!

The war was over! Ostrong had triumphed!

With walls built of flesh and blood, with bullets forged from willpower, Ostrong defeated the Dark King!

The Dark King was unaware of Ostrong’s reserves; seeing their sudden ferocity, he hurriedly withdrew his mechanical army to avoid greater losses.

“We won! Ostrong has won!” Auris shouted in excitement, but as soon as he spoke, he felt a bitter taste rise in his throat—a mouthful of blood almost spilled out, but he forced it back, letting it trickle from the corner of his mouth.

Meli noticed Auris’s condition and rushed to support him.

“President, are you all right?”

Auris opened his mouth, and blood sprayed forth.

“I’m fine! Take me to the medical ward! Count casualties and resources consumed—report as soon as possible!”

With those words, Auris slipped into a long coma.

Everyone cried out, “Leader, what’s wrong?”

“Ah! Are you all right?”

“Meli, what’s happening? Hurry, take him to the medical ward!”

…

Now the citizens of Ostrong cared deeply about their national leader, Auris.

Because he had led Ostrong to victory over the Dark King, protecting their land and its people.

Perhaps Auris did not know, as he charged forward with the “Fire of the Sun,” how many soldiers were moved and inspired by him.

This was the leader people held in their hearts.

Auris lay in his hospital bed, looking at the casualty report, his heart filled with grief.

This time, his mistake had led to greater losses; he deeply regretted it.

A desperate battle was certainly grand, but the cost in lives was immense.

Thirty-five thousand, two hundred and eighty-two.

The lives of these people had brought victory.

If only they had the improved weapon, perhaps casualties would have been halved.

Supplies were nearly depleted; production had to be accelerated. The collection and refining of radium needed to be sped up.

“Sigh!” Auris let out a long sigh, expressing his pain and helplessness.

Just then, Meli walked in.

“I told you, let me be alone for a while! I’m troubled right now!” Auris turned his head to the window.

Meli ignored the remark and said, “Are you sure? Then I’ll turn away the visitors from Kyushu.”

“What did you say? Kyushu sent people?” Auris looked at Merlin in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Meli nodded. “Yes. And not just anyone—it’s Chu Xiao, whose status in Kyushu is on par with the Chief.”

Auris got out of bed. “Quick! Get me dressed and groomed—I must meet them! Remember, use the grandest ceremony!”

Merlin shook his head. “No need—they’re waiting just outside the door.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chu Xiao entered.

“President Auris, greetings! I’ve come to see you. How is your health?” Chu Xiao knew of Auris’s recent decisions and felt a growing admiration for him.

Auris went forward and grasped Chu Xiao’s hand. “Ah! I’m fine! Thank you so much for coming!”

“I know Ostrong didn’t help Kyushu before, but that was my own decision. Please don’t blame Ostrong. Soon, Ostrong will select a new president—someone even better than me—to negotiate with you.”

Meli’s eyes widened at this, but quickly returned to normal.

In truth, Auris was now universally respected—the people’s ideal leader.

“No! Please don’t!” Chu Xiao refused. “Everyone makes mistakes in judgment. Besides, this time you led Ostrong, fought on the front lines, and drove back the Dark King. You are already a model for us all. I believe you are fully worthy of your position.”

“Besides, I came for Ostrong—not for any individual. Our Kyushu leadership held a meeting and unanimously agreed.”

Chu Xiao patiently explained, though he would never reveal to Auris just how complicated that meeting had been.