With the mad lion, Gi Zu Ruo, participating in the battle outside of the western capital, the goblins were finally able to secure victory.
The goblins tried to pursue the fleeing Storm Knight, Gulland, and Ripper Knight, Sivara, but they were able to fend off the goblins and successfully retreat to the southern region.
The whole battle took about half a day, and it ended in the humans' defeat.
After all, while Sivara and Gulland were still alive, they still failed to achieve the objectives they had laid out. They could not evacuate Gowen, they could not kill the Goblin King despite breaking through his length and width formation, and most of the southern army was lost in the battle.
It was still fine up till the point where Sivara and Gulland worked together, but the last night attack was painful. Not only did they fail to reach the king, but Gulland's army of 100 soldiers have been cut in half. In the end, they had no choice but to flee the western capital, furious.
On the goblins' side, they suffered much losses due to their formation being broken through. There were many casualties among Gi Jii Yubu and Rashka's men. Continuing the war any further would be difficult.
But the ones who suffered the most among the goblins were the wounded ones led by Gi Ga Rax. They lost half of their numbers when they met Sivara's assault team head on, and the survivors were wounded so heavily that it was harder to find a place without wound than with.
Relatively better off were Gi Za Zakuend's druids, the demihumans, the Paradua, who were tasked by the king to pursue the fleeing humans, Gi Zu Ruo, and Gi Go Amatsuki. The last two of which were ordered by the king to secure the western capital.
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The crux of Sivara's plan was to evacuate Gowen, but when the person himself gained consciousness, which was while Sivara was fighting the goblins, he ordered his subordinates to prioritize the evacuation of the citizens instead.
"...What's the point of saving these old bones of mine!? Are we not the shield of the people? If so, it is the people who should be saved!" Gowen ordered his subordinates with enough anger to shake as he watched the people's plight from atop the spire.
Thanks to the efforts of the soldiers and the cavalry, half of the western capital's city was able to escape.
If Gowen had joined the battle at this time, perhaps victory might have swung toward their side instead, but unfortunately, Gowen prioritize his duty as a feudal lord over his duty as a knight.
It was a decision Gowen consciously made after seeing the losing battle. It was because he knew full well how tragic villages ruled by monsters were.
"Lord Gowen, the people seek an audience."
"Tell them to wait at the square."
Gowen nodded to the platoon commander, and after donning his armor to hide his wounds, descended down the stairs.
Pain jolted through him every step he took, causing his face to twist a grim expression.
Before long, Gowen arrived at the square, where the restless people waited him.
"Lord Gowen! He's safe!"
Gowen raised his hand to still the clamoring people, then as he ignored the pain of his wounds, he spoke.
"Citizens of the western capital, the city is lost, you must flee to the main capital!"
Voices that sounded like screams resounded at Gowen's proclamation, but Gowen stilled the people again as he patiently continued.