While Wang Hu remained locked in combat with Creuset, it became clear neither could gain immediate advantage.
The main battlefield bore no resemblance to ancient warfare where soldiers would stand in orderly ranks,
watching their champions duel before committing to an all-out assault upon victory.
Even in antiquity, such decisive single combat between generals occurred far more often in legends than reality.
Thus, the battle raged on regardless—though Wang Hu and Creuset's clash had subtly shifted
the morale and psychology of soldiers on both sides.
Accustomed to Wang Hu carving through enemies like melons, accustomed to following his unstoppable momentum—
though only days had passed, this relentless success had left many East Asian Army soldiers
with an acute dependence on Wang Hu's presence.
Now, suddenly deprived of their peerless vanguard who routinely dominated the battlefield,
countless soldiers found themselves disoriented and insecure.
Meanwhile, the Coordinators' morale soared. After days of brutal defeats—
no matter how desperately they struggled, no matter how they swarmed their foe—
everyone instinctively recognized the stakes. No fools remained when survival hung in the balance,
let alone among Coordinators whose average intellect far surpassed Naturals.
Yet until now, all their resistance and stratagems had been crushed beneath Wang Hu's overwhelming might.
"Hahaha! Their ace is pinned down!"
"Charge! Without that Wang Hu freak, these Naturals are nothing!"
"Brothers, our chance for vengeance is here! Let's take Nova in one push!"
Such cries flooded the communication channels of Coordinator MS GINN units. The trauma of recent days
had forged them into an army burning with grievance, now finding sudden release in this offensive.
As momentum shifted, the East Asian Army's lines inevitably buckled under pressure.
"Pathetic."
Yet few among the Coordinator captains observing from their warships shared their soldiers' fervor.
"When did our troops lose absolute confidence against Naturals?" grumbled one captain to his adjutant.
Though currently prevailing, not a single soldier in the comm channels had demanded
Creuset claim Wang Hu's head—as if their finest captain could only hope to stall the enemy.
If this wasn't tragic, what was?
"Sir," the adjutant ventured, "perhaps the men don't realize Captain Creuset is engaging Wang Hu."
"Had they known, they'd never entertain such defeatist thoughts."
Looking at the deputy who came to comfort him, the captain still shook his head and said,
"We can't say anything."
"Why?"
The deputy was utterly baffled. Earlier, they kept it secret to catch the enemy off guard.
But now that the battle had already begun, why still refuse to disclose it?
"Can't you see?" The captain pointed toward the battlefield where Wang Hu and Creuset were engaged.
"He came to the battlefield in secret, catching them unprepared, yet he could only fight to a stalemate."
"Is this a result worth boasting about? If the soldiers find out, I doubt it would boost their morale. On the contrary, I think it would crush it!"
"This…" The deputy muttered, speechless. His captain's reasoning wasn't without merit.
Putting himself in their shoes, their ace had sneaked in and only managed this much despite all the effort.
Announcing it would indeed bring no glory.
Not to mention, Creuset was an idolized war hero within their military, and they had long been promoting the superiority of Coordinators.
The shattering of an idol and the collapse of their propaganda—the deputy shuddered at the thought. He decided this must never get out.
Unless Captain Creuset could kill Wang Hu, then they might shamelessly spin it into a victory, leaving the Naturals with nothing to say.
Meanwhile, in the command center of the Nova Resource Satellite, General Zheng and his staff frowned as they observed the battle.
"Wang Hu has been stalled. Our forces' morale is wavering, and the frontlines are retreating."
Chief of Staff Jiang clenched his fists, sweating nervously as he asked,
"Should we deploy the reserves?"
"No." General Zheng waved his hand, rejecting the proposal.
To him, the current situation was just like when they had encircled and annihilated ZAFT's left-wing fleet.
History was repeating itself.
"If we mobilize the reserves, the Coordinators will see through the façade of strength we've built these past few days."
"If they realize we're weak inside, they might grow bold and press their full force, throwing our entire strategy off balance."
"All the sacrifices made in previous battles would be for nothing!"
"But!" Chief of Staff Jiang anxiously watched as their soldiers fell back further toward the satellite.
"Without Wang Hu's spearhead charge, our overall strength is indeed inferior to the Coordinators."
"Deploying some reserves, in my opinion, is necessary!"
"Our forces are sufficient!"
"No!" Understanding his old comrade's concerns, General Zheng turned to see their soldiers bleeding and dying.
His heart ached no less, and he feared the line might collapse.
"But we can't!" His fists clenched so tightly they creaked, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Right now, everyone is holding their breath. The outcome of this battle was decided in the last great war."
"The Coordinators won't retreat out of pride, and we can't abandon the gains we made last time."
"Hold on. Just hold on. If we withstand this enemy assault, they will surely withdraw."
"We're not fighting alone here. We must trust in the strength of the collective."
"The people on the home front, the elders in the rear, the Aboriginal Affairs Council Ambassadors wielding words like swords on PLANT—"
"That's why we absolutely cannot retreat here!"
"Go. You go."
Pointing at Chief of Staff Jiang, General Zheng spoke, his entire body trembling with anguish.
"Send a message to the soldiers on the front lines. Ask them—can they not fight without Wang Hu?"
"Can they only win easy battles but crumble when the odds are against them?"
"Tell them I will absolutely not send reinforcements. Even if they die, they must hold their ground against the Coordinator!"
"If they fall, I'll go myself! I, Zheng Yong, will never flee alone!"
"General Zheng!" Sensing the anguish in the general's heart and the resolve in his words, those around him were moved.
His expression hardened as he straightened his military cap. It was clear that for the greater good, General Zheng was prepared to march onto the battlefield.
"I understand. I'll go with you."
Chief of Staff Jiang walked toward the communications console. "I'm not too old yet—I can still wield a gun."
Then, word for word, Chief of Staff Jiang relayed General Zheng's message to the front.
"What?"
Countless soldiers read the words from their revered general.
"Damn it! Who the hell does Wang Hu think he is? When I was dominating the battlefield, that brat was still playing in the mud!" one soldier roared.
"Brothers, we all have one head on our shoulders! If it gets lopped off, so be it! Charge together!" another shouted in agreement.
"All units—officers in front, soldiers behind! Charge! Charge!"
Blood boiling, the fearless warriors removed their helmets across the entire army's comms network.
In space, space suits and helmets were little more than symbolic—every soldier knew they offered no real protection.
But removing their helmets was an unmistakable declaration of their determination to fight to the death.
Thus, led by their officers, as the battle cry resounded—
"Kill!"
Their war cries shook the heavens, echoing the valor of heroes from a century past.
Charge, charge, and charge again!
The men of East Asia were no cowards!
When the army sought courage, courage crowned the army!
A small request to all esteemed readers—please don't just bookmark and leave! Even if it's just a little effort each day, let's read up to the latest chapter together, alright? It's tough writing these, so your support means the world!
(End of Chapter)