Morning light!
It's like being in a dream!
Countless white-burning cannonballs were like brilliant fireworks under dark clouds, brilliant and beautiful, making Laite, who was staring at the sky, feel like he was in a magnificent dream.
The whistling sound brought by the cannonballs seems like the whispers of the ancient gods, the crying of the night sky, and the whistle of metal. It is more like the last cry of steam machinery in desperate moments, and even the "joy" before a new era. "The call.
The harsh, sharp, and loud sound of artillery fire lasted for fifteen or six minutes and did not completely dissipate.
In the sky, dense incandescent artillery fire under dark clouds was fired into the distance like raindrops.
Until, the sound of explosions that shook the sky slowly but powerfully reached Laite's ears from a distance, "shattering" and "awakening" his "realistic dream."
It wasn't until the incandescence could no longer be seen in the dark sky of the camp in Area B, and pure black smoke appeared slightly in the distance, as well as the looming, ghostly firelight, that Laite recovered from the shock.
Immediately afterwards, his lips moved. Facing the products of steam machinery and gunpowder shells, his brain could not find the appropriate words to describe the sense of confusion, frustration and surprise that penetrated into the spiritual and intellectual realm. After a few minutes, he slowly said:
"This is... what is this?"
"aluminum."
"Aluminum?" Laite asked in confusion, turning to frown and look at Feng, who also had a solemn face, but held his chin, thinking for a moment.
"Yes, if I remember correctly, my grandfather told me this last year. When an important battle begins, the empire will usually use intensive artillery bombardment to gain a certain degree of preemptive power under fire suppression. And ordinary steel Both sides of the cannonball know very well that for the lost, they can either avoid in advance, or use the magic source power of the earth and vegetation to build a defensive force field, or a shield, to reduce the losses. "Wind" science popularization "road.
"Magic... resists technology. Indeed, nothing is surprising in this world." Laite cursed.
"But the defense of aluminum shells is not that easy. Generally speaking, aluminum ammunition has two advantages. One is that it is lightweight. The density of aluminum is lighter than that of iron and copper, and silver is widely used in currency and collection fields. The industrial value has not been fully exploited. Moreover, most silver bullets are used in individual combat and are rarely used in heavy weapons."
"Second, aluminum cannonballs will burn violently after explosion. Generally, the magic source power of grass and trees builds a 'life aura type' shield, which has restrained attributes and is afraid of flames. And the 'earth core' built with the magic source power of the earth type The series of shields cannot withstand long-term attacks." Feng continued to "popularize science".
"Why? Is it difficult to maintain the spirit of the magic source?" Laite guessed.
"It's roughly like this." Feng nodded and said:
"The magic source power comes from the universe and the Creator, and ordinary users of the magic source power usually have to grab it from nature. Like steam machinery, they are used and developed at the expense of natural power. The earth system The most powerful controller of magic power in the empire should be Pope Hope, but even he can only withstand the continuous flammable artillery fire for 5-6 hours by building a shield, but the burning aluminum shells It’s more than that.”
"How long will it burn...?" Laite asked.
He suddenly felt like he was back in the previous world, in a physics class or chemistry class that he couldn't understand at all, confusing and dizzy.
It was also like the "Military Science" course that was required in college, which made him, a liberal arts student in the previous world, confused.
What's even more terrible is that although Laite's body is a battle-experienced [Warrior] and a former member of the Guards, his memories that are too fragmented to be actively accessed have made his machinery, weapons, warfare, and even fighting skills become... The existence of fragments makes it impossible to connect them together.
"How long?" Feng's childish voice came to Te's ear, causing him to briefly stop complaining about his body.
"I'm not sure about the specifics. Grandpa said that it seemed to be mentioned in a journal called Empire or something?" Feng murmured while thinking, scratching his hair as he recalled.
"It's the Imperial Military Journal."
A deep voice, accompanied by a heavy, slight "dongdong" sound, almost made the concrete floor that had been poured with water slightly tremble, and the sound of footsteps came from behind Laite.
"Team...captain?" Laite quickly saluted with an imperial military salute and said.
Although in his fragmented memory and during the few days he spent in Sokra and Chekavsk, as a member of the escort, he did not have the need or habit to salute.
Unlike the army, members of the Guard have a certain degree of autonomy and in some cases do not have to implement many of the regulations of the Imperial Army.
But here, especially when Wendek forced himself to find a similar excuse yesterday to conduct a "fight training" that made him feel sore now, it was a bit of a traumatic stress sequelae, or meant to leave a shadow, Laite still Subconsciously, he made a salute gesture.
"If I remember correctly, it should be the idea mentioned in an article titled "Research on the Power of Aluminum Magic Power Cannonballs" in issue 503-01 (12) of the "Imperial Military" journal.
By the way, your little brother Feng is right. In the past twenty years, whenever an important large-scale battle is launched or a general attack is launched, intensive artillery bombardment will be carried out. Just imagine, Laite, just 'bomb', and 'blow' again, a continuous bombardment that lasts for more than ten minutes. If there is no magic source power, the camp built with the technology level of the Lost will definitely be reduced to ruins and Scorched earth. "
"Captain, in this round, our side will definitely have the advantage...at least the initiative, right?" Laite asked immediately.
"That's the case in most cases. And I got exact and accurate information about the shells this time. They were shells named 'Thermite's Final Silence' that were secretly transported from Zhinetsk via railway lines and desert roads to camps in the northern and southern parts of the highlands. , launched by the 600 mm caliber 'Imperial S-01' and 'Imperial S-02' large-caliber artillery, as well as the 'Ice Blade-01' and 'Ice Blade-03 (modified)' rocket launchers. After all, mixed with magic Yuanli’s artillery shells can be more easily resized and used for various standard and temporary firing missions," Wendek explained.
He didn't look at Laite or Feng, but looked at the distance in the distance, where the southern direction appeared bright red and seemed to be filled with firelight.
"I'm curious, Captain, what kind of shell is the 'Thermite's Death'? Do our frontline teams have the opportunity to use it?" Laite continued to ask, like a child who is always full of curiosity.
"There should be. After all, there is a shortage of talents in the empire now, and many battle-hardened soldiers die every year. As for the Zhnetsk Army, there are a lot of attrition almost every month. So, even if we don't know how to do it at all, The empire will also require us to quickly learn how to control artillery and then use it in war."
"Speaking of 'The End of Thermite', it is not a product of pure mechanical technology. Although the main materials are still aluminum and some common metals, including some black powder, etc., 'fire ore' and yureum ore have also been added. Quite a few.
Moreover, before leaving the factory, the superpowers among the workers will inject magic power into it. Due to the burning effect formed by various materials mixed with filth and evil, especially for the lost, they will not only suffer physical harm. , as well as attacks from the magic source power and spiritual realm.
In terms of burning time alone, it lasts at least 7 hours. Of course, based on the number of artillery shells we just saw, I am afraid that this kind of attack may be the only one in the entire northern region battle of 'The Coming of Silence'. After all, the most powerful, deadly punch that can knock the enemy into blindness, one punch is enough! "
As Wendek spoke, he stretched out his calloused, wide, deliberately cleaned palms that looked like bear paws, clenched them into fists, and punched the dark sky.
Whoosh!
Buzz!
Snapped!
With just one punch into the air, three kinds of breath flows and "explosive" sounds brought about by powerful power appeared in front of Laite.
powerful! Really powerful!
Laite couldn't help but admire in his heart.
Before Laite could praise Laite, Wendek patted Laite on the shoulder and ordered in a deep voice:
"Now take the equipment and supplies and follow me. You and Feng will follow me to the garage and sit in a car with me. My deputy captain Keith was killed not long ago. I need someone with a sense of justice and ideals by my side. He is a deputy who understands the power of magic and is hard to be corroded by extraordinary things. You and your younger brother Feng are very suitable."
"By the way..." Wendek turned his head, looked at Laite, and added in a thick but slightly softer voice:
"The mission of the 'Advanced Attack Team' is not simple, and is difficult and dangerous. And the latest intelligence shows that there are not only ordinary lost people from the Giant Church in the several front camps after crossing the mountain and entering the northern part of Silent Highlands. Of course, there are also unintentional people, but I heard that there are also their chief cardinals 'Wu Sheng' and 'Ning Yuan', and I heard that they are conducting an experiment on the 'giant wolf monster'. I think the empire's order is not simple."
"'Giant wolf monster'?" Laite murmured in his heart, but did not respond immediately. Instead, his mind recalled the "child" who claimed to be an upper-level professional [sacrifice] in "The Gray Dream". Wolf".
There was an indescribable feeling in Laite, as if he had a sudden "inspiration", and he connected the two in almost a short period of brain thinking.
"Speaking of which," Wendek's rich voice interrupted Laite's thoughts, "our mission is to retake the old camp first, which has a very important geographical location and is a small node between two roads built very early.
If we can control and stand firm in these two days, we can directly threaten the camps of the 'Giant Church' and the 'Dark Night Church', and obtain a lot of clean water.
Presumably, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is now commanding the legion in the southern area of the highlands to launch an attack on the control area where the Church of Hope's 'Silent Stars' Castle is located.
Attack the north and south with artillery shells at the same time, and then launch a large-scale general attack. In this way, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's first-mover advantage will be fully demonstrated. As long as the supplies and medicines can keep up..."
…
At around 11:30, Laite was putting on a new uniform belonging to the Zhnetsk Corps, and carefully put on the new "Zhnet S-C1" for simple external protection, which was made of soft metal and Armor made of cloth material to protect the heart, abdominal cavity and joints.
He also wore the legion's standard helmet, carried a "Crazy Bear" pistol, and an "Imperial Z-01" produced by the "Imperial" factory in Zhnetsk that Wendek temporarily found for him. After using the rifle for close combat, he followed the wind and boarded Wendek's exclusive "Xinfeng brand" mechanical chariot. Following the other 15 chariots and 30 team members, they headed toward the other side of the mountain in silence. The northern area of the Highlands is officially moving forward.
Although Te was still a little sleepy along the way, sometimes with his eyes blurred, and sometimes looking out the window wistfully, his spirit was always tense, that is, once he encountered a sudden battle, he had to quickly form a spirit. , In addition to using the red magic source power for combat, you must also stay awake to the maximum extent possible for the first time and raise your gun to fight.
But fortunately, apart from the sporadic vehicles of other participating legions either in front or behind, and other vanguards and "first attack teams" used to undertake the "first attack" task, there were no more legions at this time in the morning. Duan gets involved.
About an hour and a half later, Laite suddenly felt that the "Xinfeng Brand" mechanical combat vehicle seemed to be under attack and suddenly stopped.
Under Wendek's command, Laite and Feng quickly took the rifle in their hands, loaded the bullets, opened the door and got out of the car.
"It's really tragic."
Smelling the pungent smell of gasoline, the strong smell of burning, and the faint "scent" of burning bodies that diffused in the air, as well as the rotten smell and pervasive smell that can make stomach acid rise. The smell of blood; looking at the scattered bodies lying on the ground around him, Laite couldn't help but sigh.
Following Wendek, Laite looked around. They were now at the entrance of the front camp.
Some houses made of large tents, houses surrounded by iron panels, and rare two-story houses have been damaged by artillery shells and incendiaries and are burning. The interiors are exposed, and only half of the buildings are left. Directly in front of them.
Cautiously relying on the burning bunker, after moving forward for a few minutes, Laite even saw a piece of paper on top of the iron gate not far away with the words "The Place of Giants" written in the Zine Empire language. The metal plate also has a large circular badge engraved with the image "The giant holds a sharp ax and is slashing at the stars."
But the strange thing is that although there are many kinds of mechanical chariots parked in various "positions" hanging with the imperial "Silver Double-Headed Eagle" flag around, there are no living humans, living lost people, or "unintentional people". "None of Laite and the others saw one.
Perhaps because this is the main entrance of the front camp, the competition in the early stage was fierce, so there is currently a short "vacuum period".
After observing the surrounding situation and making a quick judgment, captain Wen Deke gestured to the team of more than 30 people to divide into two teams. One team was observing at the main entrance, waiting for an opportunity to invade the camp, and the other team was circling around, looking for fighter opportunities.
Just as Laite, Wendek and others were observing for a few minutes and were preparing to break into the iron gate of the camp with rifles in hand, they suddenly heard that there was an explosion coming from the large tent with a white background and a burning aura all over the body closest to the gate. A sharp "moan".
At the same time, Laite seemed to smell an inappropriate and inexplicable fragrance of flowers.
