Chapter 429 - The Southern Front (5) Checkmate

The forest loomed around Commander Thallus like an unforgiving maze, thick with underbrush that tangled at their legs, branches clawing at their armor. His men moved in a loose formation, three thousand strong, but the dense woods hindered every step, reducing their progress to a crawl. The scent of damp earth hung in the air, mingled with the sweat and grime of his soldiers. The ground beneath their feet was soft, almost bog-like in places, sucking at their boots and making each step feel heavier. The sunlight barely filtered through the thick canopy overhead, leaving the forest floor in a perpetual twilight.