Chapter 528: Artillery

In the dark world, at the eastern mouth of Rochelle Canyon, Michael Wood was holding a magical artifact that looked like a telescope, peering deep into the canyon.

At this moment, the land behind him had been completely turned into a construction site, with the sizzling sounds of welding and the continuous roar of mechanical hammers.

Workers from the Wieldenstein Military Construction Contracting Company had already laid a sizable foundation here and were installing the modular components they had transported in succession. A temporary military fortress was beginning to take shape.

On both flanks of this fortress were three trenches, each ninety kilometers long, reinforced with steel and military concrete, along with numerous tank and artillery emplacements. The 29th Armored Regiment of the Wieldenstein Foundation, six armored regiments directly under the Rising Sun Group, two mechanized infantry brigades, four engineering battalions, and three mercenary regiments they had hired—totaling over 68,000 men, more than 900 light and heavy tanks, 400 armored vehicles, 220 various types of magical power armor, and over 1,400 self-propelled and towed artillery pieces—were deployed along this line.

At this time, a large number of accompanying military mages, under the command of Professors Douglas Duncan and Alex Granger, were rapidly setting up magical energy arrays along the front line. The main purpose of the latter, besides reinforcing fortifications, was to suppress demigod-level powerhouses. Only by bringing the latter down from their pedestal could human weapons and armies be effective against them.

Behind those trenches were dozens of built magical energy lighthouses, emitting sunlight-like radiance in this world, illuminating the surrounding hundreds of kilometers in every detail.

Their main opponents were vampires and the undead. The former were swift and adept at hiding in darkness, while the undead were exceptionally powerful in lightless environments.

Thus, these magical energy lighthouses were also key to the success or failure of this war. The Rising Sun Group had invested a hefty 1.2 billion in this regard. They had built a total of 120 magical energy lighthouses along the 900-kilometer route between Rochelle Canyon and Holy Stone Fortress to ensure the safety of their supply lines.

In addition, the Rising Sun Group had not stopped its military expansion; their third reinforced mechanized infantry brigade was being formed.

The designated commander of this mechanized brigade, Lieutenant General Rodsair of the National Guard, was processing his resignation and could assume his post in at most seven days. According to the operational plan, this newly formed brigade would not be thrown into battle immediately; their future task was to fully secure the supply lines, not rely entirely on mercenaries as they did now.

"The intelligence is true; they are indeed building a fortress. If we had come a week later, the situation here would have become irreparable."

The magical artifact in Michael Wood's hand had a powerful illusion-piercing effect. Although he couldn't see the true face of that 'fortress,' he could deduce the truth from the traces revealed nearby.

For example, the flow of magical energy around, the amplitude of ground vibrations, the subsidence of groundwater, and so on.

—Not only was a fortress being built inside Rochelle Canyon, but it was also large in scale, with a diameter exceeding fifteen kilometers.

They had to be grateful that the Black Magic Empire's construction capabilities had always been mediocre, and although the Duchy of Bloodwing was the most modernized fiefdom in this empire, their construction skills still remained at the level of humanity before World War I.

"That may not be the case. The BOSS has already approved the budget for purchasing the 'Holy Spirit Annihilator' before we submitted our revised operational plan. If this fortress is truly completed, he won't mind spending another five billion shields to buy a 'Gate of Freedom.' Given the Duchy of Bloodwing's fortification standards, we only need three shots to blow their fortress to pieces. Of course, saving money for our employer is also one of our duties."

Brigadier General Noah Badru said calmly, "What I'm more worried about now is that the Duchy of Bloodwing might launch an offensive against us in the next two days. After all, they have four demigods stationed there."

"I would welcome that. Forcing them out of Rochelle Canyon is exactly our goal, isn't it, Noah?"

Michael Wood chuckled lightly, "If it's a conventional ground war, we have no fear of their so-called two-million-strong army. After all, it's no longer two hundred years ago. As for those legends and demigods, we'll have to see if they have the guts."

—Two hundred years ago, humans could only throw lives into such wars. In modern times, when the fighting will and tactical proficiency of both sides are roughly equal, the density of firepower projection per unit time and industrial capacity are the keys to victory.

However, Michael Wood also understood his partner's meaning: "Issue orders to the entire army: be on high alert for the next three days, maintain combat readiness. Have the engineering units speed up the construction of defensive works. Also, inquire with Mr. Utreyd Demacia: if he is able to join the battle, please come to the front line as soon as possible to take command. If Mr. Demacia still needs time, then ask Mr. Victor Maxim to come. I guess the situation in downtown Atlanta can remain stable."

Michael knew that his BOSS had been busy lately and might not be able to attend to this side for the time being. But he was still fearless. The current Rising Sun Group, even without considering Li Mochen's Divine Authority of Life and Death, would not fear any demigod war that might break out in Rochelle Canyon, at least in terms of the number of demigods.

But Noah Badru was right; they still needed to take precautions.

It was at this moment that Michael Wood heard several thunderous roars.

His rich war experience made him change color slightly, and he shouted hoarsely toward the construction site behind him.

"Scatter! All of you, scatter!"

The many workers busy there were also experienced. Even before Michael Wood shouted, they had already spontaneously spread out to both sides or sought cover nearby.

But just ten seconds later, over twenty huge artillery shells and numerous long-range missiles flew in like a swarm of bees. Their speeds all exceeded Mach 70.

Although the anti-aircraft artillery systems nearby opened fire in time, and the six magic towers high in the sky spewed dense 'wind blades' in full interception, more than a dozen giant shells still struck the fortress construction site.

Huge flames shot into the sky, and the scattered shrapnel and shockwaves nearly leveled everything around.

In the distance, Michael Wood and Noah Badru, pale-faced, looked at each other, both showing solemn expressions.

"You and the BOSS were right, Wood. Having an extra set of spare parts for a quick-build fortress doesn't hurt."

Noah Badru frowned deeply, "But it's still going to be troublesome. They actually have fortress cannons and ballistic missiles with a range of over 1,500 kilometers."

Michael Wood used the military walkie-talkie held by his assistant to contact Clark Banfield: "Banfield, you already know the situation at the front, right?"

"I already know."

Banfield replied succinctly: "Elisa has already changed her itinerary. I will also expedite the FBI's Weapons Regulatory Office and relevant departments to investigate the source of the weapons. Their steps are already in disarray; they actually dared to sell such weapons to the Black Magic Empire."