First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 85
Chapter 85: End
The opposing high and mid-tier mechs were entangled with them, while the low-tier mechs couldn't move freely in the water.
So the underwater forces were...
A soldier from Liu's team finally saw clearly and shouted: "Holy shit, those are people!"
His comrade beside him said: "No shit! When has Three World ever loaded ghosts?!"
The soldier replied: "But I often see ghosts in Three World, don't I? Especially after the Flying General appeared—ghost sightings became frequent."
"They're infantry! Infantry carrying cannons shooting from underwater!"
With the supernatural mystery solved, Liu Hao was momentarily stunned before ordering: "Locate their positions and prepare to attack!"
"Can't locate them—they're too small and the river water's too murky!"
Lian Sheng's channel connected to the soldiers on shore as she chuckled lightly: "Brothers, they're ignoring you. See their ugly faces now? How much longer will you tolerate this? Kill!"
The scattered troops brandished their weapons, howling as they charged forward.
Liu's team suffered immediate setbacks from both the underwater ambush and frontal assault.
On such narrow riverbanks, they couldn't leverage their numerical advantage, especially when caught between two fronts. At any moment, a devastating shot might come from the side.
The two glowing lightbulbs opposite, coordinating with Zhao Zhuoluo and others, were advancing aggressively. Their individual combat prowess was unmatched.
The situation was completely reversed from the desert region. Now it was they who found themselves in a dilemma.
Liu Hao listened to the successive shouts in his headset that abruptly cut off, his Adam's apple bobbing. The transmitted footage kept spinning wildly, impossible to decipher.
They were at a severe disadvantage and needed his commands to regroup. But the gap in individual skills was undeniable, and he couldn't order another self-destruct bombardment from the rear—their mid and high-tier mechs were all holding the frontline now.
The underwater infantry moved downstream with the main force, continuously attacking their rear. The mechs responsible for bombing the turf upstream had also been redeployed by Lian Sheng.
The troops gradually retreated from the map's center toward the edges.
Should they withdraw and regroup, or fight to the finish?
Lian Team (899) vs. Liu Team (1254)
Liu Hao checked their remaining numbers, then punched his palm decisively: "We don't have the numbers for a second attempt! Hold the line and push through! We can win! Having come this far, show your mettle—we can win!"
Lian Sheng piloted her mech forward as well.
With Zhou Shirui currently unable to update the troop map, Lian Sheng had to gather intel from frontline reports herself.
She drew her longsword and charged ahead, roaring encouragement to her troops:
"Throughout this match, we've gone from disadvantage to dominance to desperation—now is the final moment! Show them how you'll turn the tide and claim victory! True warriors rise again and again, even in the direst straits!"
"We started at a disadvantage, fell into their traps repeatedly as they laughed at us, but none of that matters now! Even death's path we'll tread, even hopeless situations we'll escape!"
"Why? Because you're the finest soldiers! We're the mightiest army!"
"Take it! You'll have the last laugh!"
Water sprayed everywhere as mechs from both sides exchanged furious fire. Shattered wreckage littered the riverbanks, sparks still crackling. Battle cries echoed in everyone's ears.
For final victory, they staked everything on one throw.
All the schemes and strategies led to this concluding battle.
Here, only combat was real. Whoever retreated first would lose. Every moment of hesitation could mean death.
With both sides already depleted and no cover available, the outcome soon became clear.
Lian Team (699) vs. Liu Team (854)
Liu Hao could only watch the numbers fluctuate on his map while cheering his comrades from the rear—there was nothing else he could do.
When their numbers neared five hundred, he closed his eyes and exhaled heavily.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger couldn't see his expression through the mech but sensed his silence. In a low voice, he said: "Whether failure or success, a commander must witness it all. Because on the battlefield, closing your eyes won't make tragedy disappear. You must face it and accept it. Only then can you return to battle."
Liu Hao nodded.
Lian Team (629) vs. Liu Team (729)
The underwater mechs grew anxious—they could only watch and wait for enemies to fall. By the latter stages, they couldn't even see opposing mechs anymore.
With barely a hundred kills separating them and the match nearing its end, a soldier urged: "Let's go up! They need us up there! It'll be too late otherwise!"
Fang Jianchen, aiming his rifle upward, snapped: "Hold position! Steady!"
He was the only high-tier mech here capable of this range.
The soldier protested: "Bro, don't hog all the kills! You're high-tier—we're not!"
Zhou Shirui barked: "Everyone maintain position! Follow the commander's orders and prepare to engage!"
Lian Sheng reached the frontline, directly commanding formations. Finally maneuvering their heaviest armor into the enemy's interior, she ordered: "Heavy mechs—push them into the river!"
With no time for attrition on the banks, their opponents' greatest weakness remained aquatic combat.
The heavy mechs activated thrusters, driving straight toward the riverbank to drown alongside their foes.
Lian's aquatic forces spotted prey and swarmed with triumphant roars.
Lian Sheng declared: "We've won!"
"Dammit—!" the enemy howled, "Fire everything! Rearline mechs into the water, frontline activate thrusters! Don't let them grab you!"
Five minutes later, the match-end announcement flashed across the map.
The screaming stadium crowd instantly fell silent, all eyes fixed on the final result.
Breaths echoed through the venue as hearts pounded blood toward brains. They stared at the red-font message:
Lian Team (539) vs. Liu Team (499)
Congratulations to Lian Team for ultimate victory.
Delayed cheers and applause erupted, lasting endlessly.
"I just want to know how the earlier chaos happened! Was it Lian Sheng's deliberate feigned weakness or genuine struggle before a last-ditch turnaround? This uncertainty is killing me!"
"Even with missing segments, the outcome's what matters!"
"Turns out Lian Sheng's the more ruthless one. She probably anticipated everything."
"Ah, my Brother Dao lost! My heart's broken!"
"Remember Brother Dao was invited by First Military and Allied Military as opponents! Lian Sheng represents our Alliance University—have you forgotten?!"
"God, I genuinely feel for Liu Hao. That taste of near-victory snatched away... uniquely bitter."
"I'd rather lose outright than endure this rollercoaster. Otherwise, defeat day would be my death day."
"That finale was thrilling! Got me pumped!"
"Why pity First Military? Save that energy for my goddess."
On the battlefield, combatants ceased fire and faced each other.
Lian Sheng's mech emerged from the ranks, taking position at the front.
She opened the cockpit, climbing onto its shoulder and steadying herself against its head.
"This victory belongs to you!" Lian Sheng raised her left hand high, "Take pride in persevering to the end! Take pride in your struggle and effort! Take pride in this land you've conquered! Warriors!"
The troops raised their arms in thunderous response: "Hoorah—!"
Across the map...
Liu Hao seemed dazed by the result, staring blankly at the ground where wind stirred dust around his feet.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger approached: "Don't grieve. All outcomes have meaning, but not every failure should become a lesson. Every battle involves luck. What matters is understanding whether you lost by your own mistakes or inevitable circumstances."
Liu Hao still didn't know exactly where they'd failed. Which step had sealed their fate?
"But as commander, you should've been more assertive." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger smiled slightly, "Let's go. This is over."
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