Just as Fugen anticipated, the Spirit Lizard Legion's raid was only a beginning.

In the afternoon, the Expeditionary Army quickly discovered that the Lizardmen's counterattack was coming.

Taller and standing over human height, the Lizardman Legion appeared deep within the rainforest. These creatures were nothing like the small figures of the Spirit Lizard Legion; these Lizardman Warriors were tall and robust, with powerful arms, surging like a green tide out of the lush rainforest, completely surrounding the ruins.

"Swish swish swish~" A large group of cavalry riding Cold Lizards also appeared deep within the rainforest.

The ancient race began to show its fangs.

"Legion Commander, the scouts have discovered a large number of Lizardmen reinforcements!" Immediately, the Great Swordsman came to report.

"How many?" Fugen remained calm all along.

"Countless, estimated over five thousand." The Great Swordsman had sweat on his forehead: "What should we do? Legion Commander, should we retreat?"

"Retreat? We're on the Lizardmen's turf, in a tropical rainforest, and you want to compare speed with these Lizardmen?" Fugen hadn't replied when Pilazzo first reprimanded the Great Swordsman's unrealistic notion. The experienced Mercenary Leader glanced briefly into the distance.

The forest was trembling, the sea of trees swaying, a kind of disquieting turmoil.

The Expeditionary Army's morale began to be eroded by the fear brought by the unknown, with soldiers hesitating; instinctively, they turned their gaze to the figure standing on the ruins.

That was their faith.

Fugen knew he had to say something now.

In the heart of the Primarch of the Emperor's Sons, these underlings were a motley crew; not to mention his former legion, even the troops he was blown to this planet by the Subspace storm were far from it.

But what did that matter? Who doesn't start from scratch, from weak to strong?

Ever since his resurrection, Fugen established a benchmark in his heart, needing to prove himself anew before his father; he must prove that he and his army are the perfect Emperor's Sons. He will use this army to rebuild his own glory!

Under the watchful eyes, the Ash Legion Commander spoke.

"Wealth, or death, glory, or being forgotten." Fugen's eyes were ablaze, he carried the golden power sword, speaking slowly: "Now, only one battle remains, unavoidable, irresistible. Soldiers, do you feel fear?"

"No!" The soldiers who came to Lustria on the expedition, whether eager for achievement, mercenaries longing for riches, criminals seeking absolution, or vagabonds enlisted for survival, all had a fierce spirit within them. Hearing Fugen's words, feeling his disdainful gaze, almost instantly turned red-faced, shouting loudly: "No!"

"Then, are you willing to fight for me?" Fugen, with an outstanding posture above the crowd, felt it, felt the belief, courage and hope of mankind.

"Willing! Willing!"

"Past glory has long turned into illusions, endless darkness once swallowed us, yet we still stand here! We are the great humans, the universe's greatest race, born from the flames of war, we shall never surrender. Brave, loyal, faithful, soldiers who identify with me, raise your weapons, clasp your shields, let us write the glory of our Expeditionary Army in blood and fire!" Fugen laughed as he lifted his sword.

"In the darkness, we are born!"

"In the light, hope endures!"

With majestic grandeur, he sang broadly, his divine presence filled the Expeditionary Army with fervor.

That was light more dazzling than the sun.

"Glory! Glory! Glory!"

The Ash Legion boiled over, human soldiers shouted loudly, cowardice, fear, instability turned to ashes, leaving only loyalty and faith, and the blood ignited in their chests.

Fearless courage transformed into great strength.

"In a future filled with endless darkness, only war remains. Soldiers, who is your enemy?"

"Who the Legion Commander's enemy is! Our enemy is whom!"

"Soldiers, why does your sword exist?"

"For the Legion Commander's glory! It exists to protect the Legion Commander!!!"

The human army again prepared for battle.

As large groups of the Lizardman Legion appeared before the Expeditionary Army, all the human troops were already in full readiness, without a trace of panic, without a trace of fear, and the human soldiers firmly guarded the entrance to the ruins.

"Wuaaaa!" The first wave of thousands of Lizardman Warriors roared as they rushed towards the human army.

"Fire!" Pilazzo signaled the artillery to fire: "Launch!"

"Fire!!!" Five mortars and three cannons fired simultaneously!

"Boom~ Boom~ Boom Boom Boom~" The massive barrels spewed red flames, the mortar shells flew high into the sky, directly aiming at the Lizardman Legion, the first shell exploded among the Lizardman Warriors, and unexpectedly instantly consumed seven or eight Lizardman Warriors in the blast.

"Whizz whizz whizz~" Eight consecutive shells fell, exploding within the Lizardman Legion, which was thus thwarted, the human artillery's power was immense, suppressing the Lizardman Legion with firepower.

Yet these ancient forest races showed no sign of retreat or wavering, as if the death of their kind was unrelated, instead, more Lizardman Warriors surged out from the rainforest, charging towards the human army.