The first wave to attack the fortifications consisted of five hundred Barbarian Raiders and Chaos Raider Riders. They quickly succumbed to the meticulously planned defenses by Fugen. The dense rainforest hindered the cavalry’s charge, and arrow volleys like heavy rain reaped the lives of almost all the barbarian soldiers.

The second wave was led by a Chaos Champion. He personally led his own Berserkers and Raider Riders in a fierce assault on the fortifications, successfully breaking through the first line of defense. Under Fugen’s orders, Long Halberdiers, Long Spear Soldiers, and Sword and Shield Soldiers launched a counter-charge. Through steadfast fighting and the personal encouragement of the Legion Commander, the Expeditionary Army’s soldiers, with their orderly ranks and strict discipline, repelled the Barbarian Raiders. The Chaos Champion was riddled with bullets as hundreds of fire cannons fired simultaneously.

At this point, the war had been raging for several hours. This midday fierce battle had plunged both sides into starvation, with the Ash Legion, which occupied the lowland, evidently controlling the water supply. Both sides began to show signs of exhaustion, especially as the barbarians gradually realized the unfavorable situation. At this time, extremely bad news came; the deputy commander of the Ash Legion had led an elite unit of about 500 to cut off the barbarians’ retreat!

Everything went according to Fugen’s plan, leaving the remaining Scogji forces in a quandary.

Thus, in the third wave of attack, the Scogji people were forced to commit their entire main force. Dozens of Chaos Knights led over three hundred Chaos Raider Riders in a charge. Barbarian Champion Warriors and Chaos Warriors shouted the name of the God of Chaos as they followed a War Mammoth, which bore an Evil God Shrine, in a powerful assault on the fortifications. Over three thousand Barbarian troops consecutively broke through three lines of the Ash Legion’s defenses.

Despite heavy losses, the Expeditionary Army still managed to use cannons and muskets to shoot and kill the War Mammoth. Subsequently, the first company of the Ash Legion, personally led by Fugen, completely crushed the Barbarian’s offensive.

This was the turning point of the war. After the fall of the War Mammoth and the Chaos Champion atop it, the Scogji people descended into chaos. The morale of the Barbarian army plummeted, leading many chiefs of small tribes to withdraw from the battlefield. Some scattered Chaos Knights attempted to circle around the fortifications to attack the Ash Legion’s flank, only to be repelled by Fugen’s well-prepared reserve forces.

At this moment, Pilazzo had successfully led a detachment of elite units to strike from the rear, causing the Barbarian army to fall into total collapse under the pincer attack. Chief Rostlinksen-Kur of the Scogji, in a desperate sacrificial ritual, summoned a Chaos Great Demon in an attempt to reverse their defeat. However, even the Great Demon, in whom he placed immense confidence, was banished after only seven rounds with Fugen.

In the end, Chief Rostlinksen-Kur of the Scogji escaped with only a dozen or so followers.

This war, which began at ten in the morning and ended at four in the afternoon, resulted in over five thousand Barbarian heads claimed by the Ash Legion, with their own losses amounting to just over twelve hundred.

After this battle, the severely depleted Scogji people were forced to completely withdraw from the forest. However, Fugen also abandoned the pursuit of the Barbarian territory due to his legion’s losses. He sought every possible way to establish contact with the Old World. Using large amounts of gold, silver, and gemstones as bait, he successfully persuaded many nobles from Estalia and various city-states of Tiriel to organize three more waves of Lustria Expeditionary Armies. Naturally, Fugen easily brought these forces under his command using his charisma, passionate slogans, and promises of golden and honoring rewards. He even established a stable recruitment center in Miraglino of Tiriel.

The mercenary commanders watched helplessly as all their subordinates were captivated by Fugen’s charisma and grand ideals. They deployed troops multiple times to obstruct but always heard of defections at the last moment. A trusted assassin sent to kill Fugen ended up betraying those who sent him. One noble from Tiriel even sent his son to assassinate Fugen, but the result was the son returning empty-handed; not only that, he sang of surrender in front of his father, declaring his allegiance to Fugen and choosing to renounce his noble status to become a new recruit.

"Fugen asked me to pass you a message..."

Angered, the noble committed suicide in his room using a belt.

After a series of reinforcements, the Ash Legion now numbers approximately twenty thousand strong. They have built numerous towns along the coast of Lustria, settled there, and continued to adhere to the alliance with the Great Demon Lord, Mazda Moody, attacking all Scogji territories.

"Commander? Are you listening?" Pilazzo’s voice interrupted Fugen’s thoughts. The Primarch of the Emperor’s Sons nodded calmly: "I am, this is indeed a remarkable victory, Fernando, but this is only the beginning."

"Indeed, this is only the beginning." Fernando was overwhelmed with boundless enthusiasm and excitement. The warm sunlight shone upon this old Mercenary Leader. He had never felt so full of glory and faith: "Look, Commander, the soldiers are cheering."

From the forest to the coast, from the ruins to the high platform, the soldiers of the Expeditionary Army are cheering. They are shouting Fugen’s name loudly. Their admiration for this Legion Commander has reached an unparalleled level. As long as a war was personally commanded by Fugen, it never resulted in failure. Soldiers worshipped him, adored him, and even imitated his every move.