On the women face appeared evil smile. Her strategy was working perfectly. Earlier the enemy was attacking but now they were pushed back to simple defence. If they will keep it like that then victory is theirs.
-Saluan.-The man beside her immediately kneeled in front of her.-Tell side-squads to surround the enemy from both sides.
The foreigner immediately stood up bowed respectfully and left with queen's new orders. She returned to her usual cold and calculating face then looking at the gathered generals sighed playing the telescope with her hands.
-What is our future ?-she asked old woman with long grey hair. Missing an eye and having black snake on her arm didn't make her look friendly so she stood further away from others. But hearing the order she immediately started her rituals.
-I see it very foggy. Cards are undecided and full of doubt.-she took another deck.
But the queen knew what will be the result. It's the same from a few days already. Who would have thought it will still be like this ?
Not wanting to think more about it she focused on the battlefield again. Dead bodies laid in chaos everywhere still hot, bubbly a while ago. Dried land quickly drank crimson blood puddles. Really frightening sight but she was used to it from her childhood.
Unfortunately it can't be said about Byakko. He wanted to vomit whenever he saw full of cuts dead body. It no use to compare it to movies because the smell of blood and sounds of agony were all real. The maker of this not human, but life. But no matter what he felt he can't let go. He tried to make wise decisions. The as he had in his sleeve will have to wait for the chaos to settle down. Generals knew about Byakko's plan so they tried to maintain their subordinates's spirit. Another one of Shi Shuan's small plans started to bring effects. Even under such a pressure and dramatic situation they all found bravery in them to fight alongside their leaders like if they were brothers. It was amazing. And worked to their advantage. He noticed the enemy's try to surround them. It's perfect opportunity.
-Now !-he shouted and bugle sounded three times as a signal. No one other than commanders expected troops charging from the forest. Six thousands of pikeman and horse calvary. Pretty strange mix but it worked quite nice for the boa circling Ju kingdom's army. But their role was not only that. Soldiers would be physically drained standing in front of mission impossible. Defeating larger army ? With holes in equipment ? You don't have to be a genius to predict the outcome. That's why Byakko's plan was made. Fist grave thing was to buy some time and rise the morale of soldiers showing them the true war god. But it didn't last long so they needed something aside from hero. Experienced and high ranked soldiers isolated themselves from others. So next thing is to put those legends in battle, for them to left the safe spot with nice view and battle along their squads to pour bravery into their hearts. The last crucial even were troops. Drained soldiers in euphoria would find a new energy in them.
Putting aside everything else, rising morale was success. The army broke through the boa and charged with new strength like wounded wolf making his last desperate struggle.
-Unbelievable !-the prince almost clapped his hands in ave.-They are retreating !
Not wanting to prise the day before the sunset Shi Shuan stayed tensed with gaze glued to the horrifying battle. Bodies cracked, spliced, twisted laid everywhere in the sea of blood. For him it was hard to call it a victory even when that was essence of the art of war.
The queen was furious glaring at the retreating soldiers cursing inside. Did she misunderstood the opponent ? Searching through the telescope she locked gaze on one person to far away to distinguish his features. But he was certainly not prince nor priest. There was someone more on the other side.
-Who's the man standing alongside the prince ?!-she asked loudly the gathered crowd.
-War god.-said the women with cards in her dry hands.-Like I predicted. Ju kingdom put their everything on the line.
Hearing that the queen cursed them thousand times. She ordered to wipe him out long ago ! Did they just escaped with money not ending their job ?!
-Retreat !-she commanded.-Every squad retreat immediately !
No one was expecting this. Generals all stared at her. But to no vain because they didn't get any explanation. The order get to use and Western Kingdom run fast for their mother to reach the border.
The prince put aside his mighty image and shouted happily phrases like ,,Chase them ! That's their place !''. Only after Byakko spoke then his emotions cooled a little.
-We can't catch them. But it's a miracle they are retreating in that moment.-he said observing through the telescope.-If they didn't we would have lost after a while.
-That was risky...-sighed High Priest.
-What are you trying to say ?-ignoring the priest he stared at Byakko who took his time to answer.
-Our soldiers aren't in good condition. Like if they got super-powers with help of the drug and now will experience backslash. Continuing we would lose many, specially generals without surely winning. Retreat give us solution. Draw.
The prince wasn't really satisfied with the result but Shi Shuan felt as if he won loads of money in lottery. His first war ended in draw ! With that he will surely sleep well at night.
But then his beautiful dreams interrupted scream, more precisely a shout.
-High Priest ! You are urgently needed in infirmary ! The situation is bad.-the messenger knelt while reporting panting heavily.
Saving words like gold High Priest immediately jogged to the temporal hospital and Shi Shuan tagged along concerned about the soldiers he send to fight to death earlier.