Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 541:Ambush

Under the command of Han and Hale, the army continued its tactical withdrawal, their haste unabated even beyond the primary engagement zone, for the threat had not truly receded.

The remnants of the human forces advanced in a fractured, extended column, each stride burdened by weariness, agony, and profound sorrow. Distant plumes of smoke still assailed the sky, and the fading reverberations of conflict pursued them like an inescapable specter.

Han took the van, his battle attire stained with grime and coagulated blood, yet his hand remained resolutely clasped around his blade. Hale remained at his side, his bearing outwardly composed, though the exhaustion etched into his eyes was readily apparent.

A period of silence elapsed between them, which was eventually broken.

"That individual," Han murmured after a considerable lull, exhaling as he gave a slight shake of his head.

Hale offered a brief glance and a subtle nod in response.

"Indeed."

Han massaged his face, his gaze sweeping over the retreating soldiers who were barely maintaining their coherence.

"He genuinely held back an entire host… and a Divine Knight…" he remarked, a note of incredulity still coloring his words.

Hale let out a measured breath.

"He is a force of nature, Han. Do not draw comparisons," he advised softly.

A momentary quiet descended once more as this stark reality permeated their thoughts.

Han emitted a dry chuckle.

"We were concerned for him," he stated, an undercurrent of self-deprecation in his tone.

Hale's lips quirked slightly, though his gaze retained its gravitas.

"It appears we were the ones being protected."

Behind them, the soldiers moved in disjointed clusters, some tending to the injured while others maintained vigilant readiness with their weapons. Despite their successful evasion, no one dared to completely lower their guard.

Han's expression grew more somber.

"Still, this war…" he vocalized, his tone heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Hale concurred with a slow nod.

"It escalates."

They had witnessed it firsthand; the adversaries were no longer operating in isolation.

"Fortunately, our rear seems secure…" Han commented, attempting to project an air of confidence.

Hale offered a faint nod.

"I wonder what the Emperor will decree next. Will reinforcements be dispatched, or will the campaign be suspended?" he inquired.

"A halt may occur, but integrating such a defeat will be exceedingly difficult to stomach," Hale responded, subsequently pressing his lips together.

Their initial expedition had comprised millions, yet after subjugating several territories and enduring relentless engagements, their numbers had dwindled to seven hundred thousand. Now, a mere hundred and fifty thousand had managed to escape.

Among this diminished contingent, a significant portion consisted of support personnel rather than seasoned combatants, responsible for logistics, medical aid, and post-battle sanitation.

A shared sigh escaped their lips.

Their thoughts inevitably turned to Ethan.

Was he safe?

As for General Aaron, facing an enemy Divine Knight significantly diminished his prospects of survival.

Even Divine Knights were not infallible.

Those with discernment understood the grim truth.

Only those within the Ascension Realm possessed true security; all others remained precariously vulnerable.

"Let us strive for optimism. I am confident the future holds brighter possibilities," Han declared, attempting to buoy their spirits.

Before their conversation could progress, a sharp sound sliced through the air.

WHOOSH!

Han's head snapped skyward instantaneously.

"Incoming!"

In the subsequent moment, a volley of projectiles descended from above.

BOOOOM! BOOOOM!

Explosions ripped through the retreating formation, the earth convulsed violently as soldiers were airborne amidst deafening screams.

"AAAHHH!"

"Ambush!"

"Take cover!"

Pandemonium erupted instantaneously.

Hale pivoted sharply, his expression hardening as he fixed his gaze upon the distant horizon.

"Beastmen…"

From the surrounding hills and terrain, figures surged forward with alarming speed.

Hulking, fur-clad bodies, wicked claws bared, and eyes burning with homicidal intent.

The Beastman horde descended upon the defensive lines, seeking to encircle them.

Without hesitation, they plunged into the compromised human ranks, unleashing a savage onslaught.

"Hold the line!" Han bellowed, stepping forward to intercept an incoming assault.

CLANG!

The impact forced him back a step, but he maintained his footing.

Hale reacted swiftly, felling a charging Beastman before pivoting to defend another group.

"Form ranks! Do not break formation!" he commanded, his voice straining to be heard above the din.

The formation crumbled rapidly.

The wounded fell back, while others attempted to rally, but the sudden surprise attack had plunged everything into disarray.

Beastmen roared with savage glee.

"Slaughter them!"

"Allow no escape!"

Their cries were filled with brutal ferocity, their assaults relentless.

Blood painted the ground. The retreat had devolved into yet another brutal engagement. Han gritted his teeth mid-combat, his gaze darting around the chaotic scene.

"Damn it… what in the blazes is occurring?"

"Where is the rear guard army? What is Lucien doing!"

"That bastard…"

Hale's expression became grim as he observed more enemies breaching their lines.

"They orchestrated this as well…"

The realization dawned on both of them simultaneously.

This might very well be another treacherous trap.

And this time, their strength was already depleted.

After a swift glance at each other, Han and Hale moved forward as one, resolving to plunge into the fray and cleave through the enemy ranks with all haste.

However, just as they advanced, a voice boomed across the tumultuous battlefield.

"And just where do you think you're headed?"

"Do you presume yourselves to be the only ones of consequence here?"

In the very next instant, four imposing figures erupted from the surrounding chaos, their very presence suffusing the atmosphere with an oppressive weight.

Mythic rank individuals.

Han and Hale faltered for a mere fraction of a second, an icy dread coursing through their very spines.

The pressure escalated exponentially.

The Beastman forces consolidated their encirclement, and the human army, already battered and disorganized, began to disintegrate under the relentless onslaught.

The calamitous situation was once again slipping beyond their control. And to exacerbate matters, Ethan was not present with them now.

The oppressive feeling in the air shifted the moment those four figures emerged, evolving from mere battle intensity to an almost tangible heaviness that bore down upon every soul present.

Han’s grip on his weapon intensified, his weary eyes piercing through the haze as he distinctly perceived the truth.

"Mythic Knights…" he breathed, the words barely audible.