Chapter 80

A red magic signal flare appeared in the sky, indicating that a squad of warriors in the nearby area was in a critical situation. This was a distress signal.

However, firing a magic signal flare at this moment not only alerted the other warrior squads in the vicinity but also the demon patrol teams in the area. This meant that both the warrior squads and the demons in the vicinity would converge on the area where the distress signal was fired.

Kagel, the bearded one, quickly ran to a large tree, climbed up it in a few swift movements, and looked in the direction of the signal flare. However, all he could see in the distance was a dense forest, and he could not discern the situation there.

Augustus was stunned when he saw the signal flare, then burst into a tirade: "These brainless fools, firing a red signal flare here. Do they think we all want to die faster?"

Although Augustus's words were harsh, they were true.

What could the heavy infantry scouts do even if they called for help when they encountered demons? Could the other brother squads really have the strength to defeat the demons?

A squad warrior sitting beside him also complained, "They probably want to drag us scouts into the mess too."

Red Socks interjected, "Maybe they discovered a large demon force and are sending a warning signal to the Fourth Battalion..."

Augustus angrily retorted, "Then they should have fired a yellow flare."

This time, as the vanguard army entering the Moyaun Ridge area, the Fourth Battalion's squads carried three magic signal flares each for easy communication. The three flares were of different colors: red meant the squad was in danger and requesting support, yellow meant a large number of demons had been discovered, and green meant a safe campsite had been found, serving as a guiding signal.

The neighboring squad's red signal flare clearly indicated they were in danger and seeking support.

Red Socks asked Suldak, "Captain, what should we do?"

For Suldak, this was a difficult decision. If they did not go to the rescue and the neighboring squad was wiped out, they would inevitably face questions from the military judges upon returning to the infantry battalion. But if they went to the rescue, they would put their own squad in danger.

After a moment of serious thought, Suldak finally decided, "Let's go and check it out, but be careful to stay hidden. If the situation gets out of control, we can retreat in time!"

Since they had decided to go to the rescue, time was of the essence. They needed to arrive before the demon reinforcements to be of any help.

The second squad quickly packed their gear. Since it was a rescue mission, they did not carry the tents they had set up in the dense forest. The thirteen warriors streamlined their belongings, camouflaged themselves with leaves, and moved stealthily down the slope toward the location of the magic signal flare.

Following the footprints left by the demon patrol team, they finally reached a forest where a fierce battle had taken place. Several heavy infantry warriors' bodies lay scattered on the forest clearing, their wounds mostly penetration and tearing injuries. The copper breastplates, torn by immense force, were now just piles of scrap metal. The warriors' chests had been sliced open, their internal organs spilling out, and their hearts had been gouged out.

The forest was covered in blood, and a pear tree as thick as a bowl had been snapped in half. The muddy forest floor was marked with chaotic footprints.

Red Socks squatted in front of a body, pulled out the warrior's identification plate, and clenched it tightly in his hand, gritting his teeth and cursing, "These beasts..."

Suldak inspected the battle site and found some chaotic footprints extending westward into the dense forest. He instructed, "Be careful not to fall into the demons' trap. Augustus, take some men and search the area."

Augustus straightened his back. Although he had a bad temper and a foul mouth, he was reliable in critical moments.

"Yes, Captain," Augustus said, then called two squad members and moved into the forest.

"Everyone, follow me!"

Suldak led the second squad members along the demon footprints.

After walking about 200 meters, they saw the body of a heavy infantry warrior hanging from a tree, his head missing, and a large blood hole in his collarbone, his chest cavity empty.

It seemed the warrior had tried to hide in the tree but was discovered by the demons, his body impaled on a branch, blood dripping down the tree.

Seeing the gruesome scene, with the blood trail extending deeper into the forest, Suldak, with red eyes, wanted to continue the pursuit.

At this moment, the sentry scroll stuck in the ground suddenly caught fire. He quickly pulled it out and threw it on the ground. In a moment, the scroll turned to ashes. The sentry totem, which had been stuck next to the mountain beast's skeleton, was likely stepped on by a demon.

Large beasts like the mountain beast were at the top of the food chain in Moyaun Ridge. Even after death, their skeletons were not approached by smaller animals. Only demons would dare to approach the mountain beast.

He Boqiang held back the somewhat overheated Suldak and pointed to the burned sentry scroll on the ground.

Suldak, seeing the burned sentry scroll, wiped his face and decisively ordered the second squad members, "We retreat!"

He Boqiang followed the second squad back to the previous battle site, just in time to see Augustus and two warriors running out of the forest in a panic. Behind them, a demon over three meters tall appeared, its shoulder covered in black magic patterns, with a green face and fangs, but no horns on its head.

The demon clutched a military bayonet and pursued them with large strides, its eyes filled with mockery and evil.

Red Socks and Big Beard, while running, drew their alloy bows from their backs. As soon as they were within range, they both stopped abruptly, kneeled, and fired two steel arrows.

The arrows whistled through the air, flying rapidly.

The demon, sensing the arrows while running, simply raised his arm to shield his face.

One arrow embedded in his arm, the other in his shoulder.

The demon's skin was extremely tough, and the arrows shot by Big Beard and Red Socks only pierced the skin and hung limply on his shoulder.

However, the two arrows successfully drew the demon's attention. Seeing another squad of imperial warriors in the forest, the demon's blood-red eyes glowed with ferocity, and it charged directly at Suldak.

Suldak hesitated for a moment.

Among all the members of the second squad, he and Augustus were the highest-ranked, both level six warriors.

If he could not stop the demon, the other warriors would be even weaker.

This time, he did not hesitate. He held his shield in one hand, drew his Roman sword with the other, and stepped forward, assuming a defensive stance. He shouted to the second squad members behind him, "Everyone, prepare for battle..."

The heavy infantry battalion had a combat plan for dealing with demons: the strongest warrior in the squad would stand at the front, blocking the demon's attack, while the other members would seize the opportunity to kill the demon.

In such moments, someone had to step forward to face the demon's attack.

And whether he could withstand the demon's full-force attack was the key to his survival.

The other members of the second squad also assumed a determined stance.

Seeing He Boqiang actually stand up to fight, the demon increased its speed, charging like a steam train.

Suldak stood at the front, his heart pounding, and he was prepared to die.

Just as the demon raised its bayonet to pierce through the square shield in Suldak's hand, a dwarf chain shield suddenly extended from beside Suldak, firmly blocking the demon's bayonet, which sparked as it hit the shield.

He Boqiang and Suldak collided violently and were thrown back...