The Daoist Order’s main objective was to annihilate as many of the Sonno-joi faction’s active forces as possible, focusing especially on cutting off their reinforcements. But the Sonno-joi members were not fools either. Without sufficient pressure, their reinforcements would never attempt a direct assault on the Daoist Order’s forces.0

In other words, the more critical the situation at Ise-jingu became, the more desperately the Sonno-joi reinforcements would fight to save it. Thus, the Daoist Order’s offensive on Ise Province’s main battlefield was not a feint. It was a genuine, all-out assault, without the slightest pretense or deception.0

In the contest for victory on the battlefield, there were no formal duels between champions from each side. Every possible means was employed. On the Ise battlefield, the most effective force was not a single Heavenly Being but hundreds of cannons, first unleashing a storm of steel to bombard the enemy, then supplemented by the Diviner Corps during artillery lulls. Once the foe was crippled, the main army would advance, led by invulnerable heavy cavalry in black armor and supported by various infantry units.0

Though...0