Note: if you want to get access to +20 Advance Chapters before everyone else Support me to Translate and pay for the Chapters because we start paying for every chapter from the author Support me on patreon.com/flokixy
"Boom... boom..."
"Bang... bang..."
"Ahhhh..."
The thunderous roar of cannons echoed across the battlefield, accompanied by the sporadic gunfire from the rebels. The relentless bombardment pounded relentlessly into the rebel stronghold of Philane.
Thick clouds of dust and smoke filled the air, obscuring the scene below.
Amidst the chaos, glimpses could be seen of unfortunate rebels being directly hit by shells, their bodies torn apart in gruesome fashion. Limbs flew through the air, drenched in blood, creating a nauseating spectacle that would make anyone's stomach churn.
On top of a small hill, two figures stood silently.
"Tsk, tsk... Fifty thousand men, quite the intimidating force..." Vinsmoke Niji remarked with a hint of mockery as he watched the rebel positions being obliterated by artillery fire.
After a night of marching and rest, it was now early morning on the second day.
"In front of me, put away your pointless sadism, Niji."
Dressed in his signature red combat suit, Ichiji stood with arms crossed, calmly observing the battlefield shrouded in smoke. His white cape fluttered fiercely in the wind, yet he showed no intention of personally joining the fray.
Through countless bloody battles to strengthen himself over the years, Ichiji had earned titles such as "Germa's Asura" and "Demon Spear." At his current level, fighting mere weaklings held no meaning or interest for him anymore - only battles against true powerhouses could excite him now.
"Tch..."
Though clearly annoyed, Niji wisely chose to shut up. In their family hierarchy established through fists, both he and Yonji had long considered Ichiji - despite being called an "unfinished product" - to be the real monster among them.
The numerical superiority of the Philane rebels meant nothing to them. This wasn't like facing tens of thousands of Marines or a massive pirate fleet - just peasants armed with farming tools.
However, one thing troubled Ichiji's mind.
The South Blue was known as a hotbed of revolution. He strongly suspected there might be Revolutionary Army involvement behind this uprising.
Regardless of how pathetic Philane Kingdom's army might be, it shouldn't have been so easily crushed by hastily assembled civilians. There was something suspicious about how ten thousand regular troops were defeated so thoroughly.
"Damn it! Over half our positions are destroyed, their firepower is too overwhelming!"
"We've heard rumors about Germa's terrifying technological might, but to think their cannons are several times more powerful than our Royal Army's equipment - it's incomparable!"
"Those royal families and nobles actually hired this 'Demon Legion' to suppress us, how despicable..."
The rebel leaders were covered in dirt and dust, many having narrowly escaped being hit by cannon fire themselves. Their faces twisted with anger and frustration.
"This can't continue! We have fifty thousand men - we can overwhelm them by sheer numbers!" One rebel officer gritted his teeth.
Even if casualties weren't severe, most of these civilian-turned-rebels hadn't experienced such brutal warfare before. By now, panic and fear had spread through their ranks, morale was plummeting, and desertions were becoming common.
If this delay continued, they risked losing the majority of their forces.
"Charge!!!"
"Don't be afraid, they only have a few thousand men! Victory will be ours..."
"Charge forward and slaughter these bastards!!!"
"For freedom!!!"
"Never again let those greedy royals and nobles have their way!!!"
Countless rebels surged forward like locusts, creating an imposing sight. From afar, the sea of tens of thousands looked truly frightening, even causing some of the royal army soldiers to turn pale.
"Begin."
Ichiji's cold gaze fell upon the Den Den Mushi in his hand as he gave the order.
"Yes, sir!"
"Load HR-type shells..."
The captains of the 5th and 6th Squadrons ordered sternly.
Soon after, Germa warriors moved with practiced efficiency, carrying crates marked with "HR" symbols from temporary ammunition depots.
"Could these be... gas shells?"
A Philane minister's heart skipped a beat, sweat breaking out on his forehead. He wanted to stop them but recalled the terrifying power displayed earlier by Prince Ichiji of Germa. Unable to voice strong objections, he stammered out a weak excuse: "Wait, Captain Holden... this violates World Government regulations!"
If these were indeed gas shells and contaminated Philane after the war, it would become a dead zone. Any accidents reaching the capital city would be catastrophic.
Of course, citing World Government rules was just a pretense. As long as they won this war, Philane Kingdom could survive.
Though the World Government had agreements with member states not to interfere in internal affairs unless there was evidence of attempts to overthrow governments or disrupt world order, loopholes always existed. The cost of invoking the World Government's intervention was high, and who knew if their forces might stay permanently?
No king wanted foreign armies stationed within their borders. Thus, King Angus IX opted for the "cheaper" option of hiring Germa 66.
"Don't worry, we're far from the capital and the wind is blowing north - it won't affect there..." Captain Holden of the 5th Squadron frowned, understanding the minister's concerns. Though impatient, he explained: "Besides, these aren't lethal gases, just powerful tear gas."
Germa 66's research team ranked second only to the Navy Science Division of the World Government. They certainly possessed devastating biochemical weapons but rarely used them in mercenary wars.
Otherwise, even if they won for their employer, turning the battlefield into a lifeless wasteland or spreading toxic gas to other regions would deter future clients from hiring them.
"That's good..."
The minister breathed a sigh of relief.
"Boom... boom..."
Another wave of cannon fire launched.
Yellow smoke spread continuously, enveloping the charging rebels.
"Not good! These are gas shells..."
The rebel leaders paled with shock and fury at the sight.
"Cowards! Won't you face us head-on?" A rebel general clenched his fists angrily. He never expected Germa 66 to use gas shells.
"We don't have gas masks! If this continues, we'll be annihilated..."
"We can't hold out any longer! We must retreat immediately!!!"
The rebel leaders grew frantic, shouting desperately to their advancing vanguard: "Full retreat!"
But it was already too late.
"Whistling... whistling..."
"Boom... boom..."
Whether already charging ahead or still positioned at the rear, all were engulfed by successive waves of artillery fire and merciless yellow smoke...
"Ahhh..."
"Cough... my eyes, they burn..."
"Can't stop crying... cough... something's wrong with this smoke! Ahh!!"
"Damn it, powerful tear gas! Those Germa bastards are so underhanded..."
"Retreat! We must leave here immediately! Ahhh!!!"
"... "
Countless rebels screamed in agony. Many dropped their weapons, clutching their burning eyes, rolling on the ground in pain, while mass desertions began.
"Kill —"
Fearless Germa warriors surged forward like a black tide, utterly destroying what was called a "crack force" of fifty thousand men. Unstoppable, they reaped lives indiscriminately.
These Germa soldiers had worn gas masks from the start, completely unaffected by the terrifying yellow smoke.
"Gulp!"
"The battle is completely one-sided..."
"This is... a massacre?"
In the pale faces of the ministers and parts of the royal army, Germa demonstrated what the legendary "Evil Army" truly meant - cold-blooded executioners harvesting lives, chilling to behold.
Even fallen enemies or those who had lost the ability to resist were mercilessly finished off with additional slashes or shots.
Ruthless, bloody, cruel - no mercy whatsoever!
Compared to Germa, Philane's Royal Army was simply not in the same league. It wasn't just about superior firepower anymore.
These were true demons!
.....