Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 524: Victory And Defeat

Han seemed to sense his thought and offered a slight shrug.

"There's nothing we can do," Han stated in a hushed tone, exclusive to Ethan's ears. "He is the son of the Western Duke, and his presence here is merely to enhance his renown."

Ethan let out a slow breath, offering no further reply.

Following a brief exchange, just as the tension might have escalated, a soldier entered the room. "The Lieutenant General requests the presence of all commanders," the soldier announced.

Han nodded. "Let's proceed," he said.

They moved in unison, arriving shortly at a larger, more imposing chamber.

Within, a man stood at the room's center.

He possessed grey hair and a robust physique, his arms crossed firmly over his chest. His face bore numerous scars, each a testament to battles fought.

The instant Ethan laid eyes on him.

He faltered for a single second.

'Garp… is that you?' the words escaped him involuntarily.

The resemblance was uncanny.

His build, his posture, even the very aura he exuded, stirred memories of someone from his past.

A fleeting wave of nostalgia washed over him, and he subtly rubbed his nose, musing, 'How did One Piece even conclude… I never managed to witness its ending.'

Yet, the man before him remained impassive. He cast a brief glance at Ethan before emitting a short cough.

The atmosphere in the room shifted palpably.

"I am Aaron," he stated.

His voice was resonant and unwavering.

"I pay no mind to who you are or what your past entails," Aaron continued, his gaze encompassing everyone present. "At this moment, you are simply individuals elevated above the rank of soldier."

He paused momentarily, his eyes intensifying.

"War is no trivial pursuit. It is savage, arduous, and unforgiving. Circumstances may deteriorate to a point where sustenance is scarce, so steel yourselves."

Silence descended upon the chamber.

Ethan absorbed his words with keen attention. Before anyone else could offer a response, Lucien interjected.

"Hm… You needn't concern yourself with us," Lucien remarked nonchalantly.

Aaron's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, yet he offered no further reaction. As a seasoned veteran, he had witnessed far too much.

He was not about to lose his composure over someone barely initiated into the harsh realities of war.

In his estimation, Lucien was merely a child, despite having lived for several decades.

Aaron proceeded.

"We have received intelligence. Our departure is scheduled in five days."

His gaze swept over each individual once more.

"Your directive is to thoroughly familiarize yourselves with the terrain and the soldiers you will command."

He paused again, adding,

"Additionally, ensure you are in the optimal mental state." His tone remained devoid of emotion.

He then issued his final command.

"You are dismissed."

Everyone stood straighter.

"Yes, Sir!" came the unified response.

Ethan cast one final look at Aaron before turning to leave with the others.

The conflict commenced without hesitation.

Five days after the directive was issued, the human army advanced in full formation, the very earth seemingly groaning under the weight of countless soldiers marching in unison. Banners unfurled towards the sky, the blare of horns reverberated across the landscape, and an palpable tension filled the air as both factions braced for a confrontation that had been months in the making.

The initial engagement transpired swiftly.

Human legions surged forward, meeting the demonic forces head-on in the outer fringes of the battlefield. The moment of collision signaled the true commencement of hostilities. Steel met claw, arcane energies ripped through the atmosphere, and within minutes, the battlefield dissolved into sheer pandemonium.

The demons were not caught unawares. It was evident they had anticipated the assault.

Their formations were formidable, their reactions instantaneous, and their coordinated assaults displayed meticulous planning and discipline. They eschewed blind charges, opting instead for controlled aggression, striking precisely where it counted the most.

Nonetheless, the human army maintained its ground.

Their sheer numbers, unwavering discipline, and collective might enabled a steady advance. Numerous demonic battalions were shattered during the initial stages, and human forces secured modest yet significant victories across several fronts.

The first week concluded with the humans seizing territory. The second week witnessed an even more aggressive push.

The tide of momentum favored them.

However, appearances could be deceiving.

Unbeknownst to those on the visible front lines, a different operation was underway.

Currently, Ethan was not deployed to the front lines.

As a Mythic-ranked individual, he was assigned to the reserve forces, tasked with awaiting the opportune moment to intervene rather than engaging in the initial clashes. This was standard procedure for individuals of his caliber, as their formidable strength was too precious to expend in the opening salvos of conflict.

Thus, while others battled at the forefront, Ethan remained positioned with the reserve units.

During this period, he did not remain inactive.

He operated under the established command structure, meticulously observing the flow of orders and gaining insights into the intricacies of large-scale warfare. He delved into the study of formations, logistical networks, and inter-unit coordination, gradually acquainting himself with the cadence of war.

It was an experience distinctly different from individual combat scenarios.

Here, a single misstep could spell doom for thousands.

Weeks bled into one another.

As the third week drew to a close, the human forces continued their relentless push forward, though the demon resistance began to stiffen. Engagements grew more brutal, and the trickle of casualties steadily climbed, yet the humans maintained an overall advantage.

Spirits remained buoyant. Many harbored the conviction that the conflict might conclude sooner than anticipated.

Then, the fourth week dawned. And everything shifted.

Abruptly, a colossal demon legion materialized.

It didn't assault from the front.

It assailed from the flank.

And the rear.

A concealed contingent, previously undetected, suddenly revealed itself, striking with devastating might. The demons unleashed a synchronized offensive, catching the human army completely unprepared. Before any semblance of a coherent response could be mounted, entire battalions were already being decimated.

The war zone dissolved into pandemonium. Commands faltered in their transmission, and battle lines shattered.

The demonic hordes surged like an unstoppable deluge, annihilating all obstacles.

What had been an orderly progression devolved into a desperate fight for survival.

In mere moments, the human units that had advanced were encircled and utterly annihilated.

The inaugural month of warfare concluded with both a resounding triumph and a crushing setback.