THUM! The reverberations of yet another shockwave surged forth, causing the already-expanding sand waves to spread even further.
Having fired four white phosphorus artillery shells, she ceased her bombardment. There are pressing matters that demand her attention. After all, she’s in deep hostile territory, surrounded by threats on all sides. The relentless horde of dark-path beasts, temporarily deterred by her [Thousand Wave Terraquake], had regrouped and were now closing in with renewed fervor.
At this point, these creatures displayed a degree of adaptation, proving that their bestial instincts were not to be underestimated. Despite their limited intellect, they reveal a form of learning through experience. For example, a dark-path mountain panther exhibits agility, leaping upward to avoid the shockwave that traveled through the ground. Similarly, a carriage-sized dark-path rock turtle, recognizing the recurring shockwave’s arrival, instinctively raised its defenses, serving as both a stepping stone and a shield for the other creatures positioned behind it.
In their impending arrival, the captain expressionlessly slapped her weapon. “Gunlance Configuration: Autocannon!”
The rune-engraved gunlance parts unfolded in mesmerizing precision, a ballet of shifting mechanisms that reshaped its form. The once-lengthy four-meter rail cannon folded, its length contracting in one swift motion. Within moments, three rotating barrels took shape, each bearing the promise of death towards the captain’s enemies. As the final component snapped into place with a resounding clink, the waist-mounted autocannon came to life, its barrel spinning in a dance of potential destruction
In a seamless motion, the captain’s telepathic will, similar to those produced by a [Mage Hand] spell, retrieved three different ammunition boxes each was color-coded depending on its payload from her dimensional storage before putting them into its place.
With preparations complete, the killing intent in her eyes translated into reality by pulling the trigger. The air itself seemed to pause, holding its breath in anticipation as a brilliant flower of flames erupted from the muzzle. The sound that followed, a thunderous symphony of an autocannon’s discharge, reverberated through the surroundings, becoming a musical instrument in her grand performance of devastation and ruin.
If the earth-shaking resonance of [Thousand Wave Terraquake] were akin to a heavy bass, then the autocannon’s roaring rhythm embodied the heart-pounding beat of a drum.
As the battlefield transformed into her grand stage, her bullets became the performers, each finding its mark with uncanny accuracy. Each type of ammunition she unleashed contributed to this unique instrument of death, producing its own distinct note in the ensemble.
The armor-piercing rounds sliced through hardened insect beasts' exoskeletons or armor like a knife through butter, their impact a sharp punctuation in the ongoing symphony. Radium explosive rounds erupted in a burst of radioactive blast, sending shockwaves through the encroaching darkness and contaminating the area with their lethal aftermath. The white phosphorus incendiary rounds, upon ignition, became a blaze of searing fury, engulfing the oncoming horde in a tempest of scorching inferno.
In this chaotic masterpiece of destruction, her movements were a choreography of precision, and her autocannon was the virtuoso instrument through which her symphony echoed. The cacophony of destruction harmonized with her desire to kill, the battlefield resonating with the fierce notes of her resounding anthem against the encroaching beasts.
….
“And just like that… the captain took all the spotlight from this war!” Kenji expressed a complaint as he scanned the burning landscape, filled with the stench of scorched insect flesh. “I can’t even show off my muscles to the newbies due to the dark mist. Tsk!” He swiped his shoulders, caked with ash as he was one of the few unfortunates who were outside the boundary of Ayame’s shield pylons when the white phosphorus bombardment occurred.
Fortunately, his nanom armor is non-biological. White phosphorus doesn’t stick to his body until he becomes ash. Nevertheless, he still has to endure the searing temperature with his own method. Halfway through the bombardment, the nanoms in his spine were able to configure a cooling solution, allowing his internals to cool down from the extreme chemical heat.
While he was complaining, the blue electric shield fizzled out as the energy inside the shield pylons ran out. They didn’t last long, but the defense they provided is top-notch. As quickly as they appeared, the shield pylons are being recalled into their sources, they are disintegrating into prismatic pixels.
“Don’t be like that.” Kurogane opened his helmet and began drowning himself in healing potions and liquid metal solutions, replenishing what he had lost in the recent battle. Although it doesn’t completely remove his fatigue or recover his wounds, his complexion has become a little better after drinking multiple vials of colorful liquid metals. “I heard four detonations of white phosphorus artillery shells.”
He elaborated, “I had a chance to tour one of the Kingdom’s military fortresses, guided by a veteran. Each rank 1 artillery shell that she used was worth around 100,000 to 200,000 crystal coins in the market, that’s under the assumption you have the channel to purchase military-grade goods. Considering she refined them herself, it should be more expensive, but we can’t be sure since hers typically perform better than what the military has. She’s literally burning her resources just to save us.”
Kenji’s hand turned black as he picked up one of the black magnetic plates which was used to attract [Darkshroud] particles in the air. Even now, the object crackles with an electric current. “And this?”
Kurogane shrugged, “That plate barely consists of metal elemental particles,” he shared his assumption as he could detect any object containing metal in his proximity. “Instead, it’s filled to the brim with lightning elemental particles,” his assessment indicates that the plate, despite having metallic properties, is lightning-path in nature. “Don’t break it. Considering the captain is always zealously collecting exotic resources, she might be able to recycle the [Darkshroud] from that.”
Kenji nodded as he inspected the surviving apprentices, “Only 8 out of 20 survived…” He sighed. Fortunately, Mordred is among the surviving ones. He had spared himself from being scolded by Sumire and possibly Katyusha.
Bzzztt! A loud electric arc resounded, followed by a heavy thud, stealing the attention of everyone else. The source was the weapon platform/aircraft anchored in the air, its main railguns began shooting into the ground once more.
“These ants don’t know when to quit!” Kenji took out a potion and shoved it into his mouth while walking towards the target of Ayame’s railgun.
< Cessation of hostilities: completed. > He heard a telepathic broadcast originating from the aircraft. < I’ve collapsed the tunnels, they won’t be able to send more ants for at least an hour. Please use this chance to recuperate and continue the journey. I will fetch my captain after she’s done with her business. >
The aerial weapon platform/aircraft retracts its lightning anchors. Its weapon system is being folded back to its original form. Regaining its fighter jet form in a brief second, blue electric sparks began accumulating on its exhaust engine. Boom! The VTOL once more flew towards the skies, its acceleration breaking the sound barrier while its optical camouflage rendered it invisible to the naked eye.
“What should we do now?” Kenji asked Kurogane.
The man shrugged before Sumire’s timely telepathic message could be heard. < Our captain must be thinking of attracting the attention of the Darkshroud Formic Lord. I’m suspecting she accumulates momentum by using herself as a kinetic projectile before redirecting it with her sound-path methods. The Formic Lord’s hive would be in shambles after receiving her vibration-based attack, so she must have the beast’s attention for now. I estimate the captain would leave the mountain in half an hour before her inventory is used up. >
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Before anyone could reply, Sumire started to bark some orders. < Undying Forest, you are responsible for the method of transportation. Dark Enigma, scout ahead and find a new route. We don’t need a rearguard after my captain’s phosphorus bombardment. Radiant Desolation and Savage Moon, work together with Dark Enigma to eliminate the dangers ahead. Now that we are no longer in the Darkshroud Formic Lord’s crosshair, there shouldn’t be any immediate threat. I want to reach our destination in six hours. >
After that command, the official hunters acted as if they were injected with chicken blood. Sumire didn’t even give them any moment of respite as they were short on time.
“Right, we need to move out again.” Kenji nudged at Kurogane. They began to gather up the surviving apprentices to salvage or collect anything that could be of use.
“Satoru, are you okay?” Kurogane shared his worry after seeing Mordred absentmindedly looking at the departing figure of Ayame’s VTOL.
Unknown to him, Mordred was conversing with his two demonic servants. < Her presence triggers… a bloodline reaction. >
To prepare for his resurrection, Mordred prepared a permanent investigative method that allowed him to detect anyone connected to any of the known Sovereign of Morgen World by bloodline. As long as they are in proximity to Mordred, there would be a bloodline reaction, allowing him to recognize who they are connected with.
< Whose? > Astaroth inquired curiously while Asmodeus kept quiet.
< One of Galatreon’s four clans… > Mordred pondered. Due to the distance and brief presence, the bloodline reaction is faint and weak. He can’t pinpoint exactly whose bloodline the pilot is related to, but he could make an educated deduction based on various clues. < The pilot of that aircraft should be m- >
Thud! Kenji ruffled Mordred’s hair with a bit of strength that sent a heavy thud into his brain, disrupting his thoughts. “You didn’t suddenly turn into an idiot, right? Do you need potions? I don’t have ones suitable for you, but I could ask Seraphina for some.”
Mordred politely pushed away Kenji’s muscular hand, no harm was done but Mordred didn’t like having someone touch him without consent. “No need, thank you.”
Seeing the expected reaction, Kenji shrugged. “Seems like no secondary dark-path mental corruption. All is well.” His attention was distracted after seeing a moose galloping towards them. The 2.5-meter tall moose is seemingly made out of twisted grass with some tree bark decorating its most important parts which also helps in maintaining structural integrity.
“Kenji, I’ve been tasked to acquire your help in recovering Katyusha.” The moose spoke in fluent human tongue.
Kenji and Kurogane recognized the feminine voice of the moose, it was the captain of Undying Forest’s. She’s using an enslavement-path method to transfer her voice across her slaves.
“Oh, right, I forgot about her. The captain’s chemicals are known to be able to somewhat phase through magical force fields. Although Katyusha’s ice is resistant to chemical heat, the captain is a sound-path antimage first, refinement-path expert second, it must be laced with antimagic chemicals that could pierce through her resistance.” Kenji leaped on top of the moose, making an exaggerated showy gesture. “Onwards, my steed!”
“Dude, shut up. You’re embarrassing me.” The moose complained as it galloped towards the head of the formation.
“Welp, it seems like our ride’s also here…” Kurogane pointed at the approaching carriage, announcing to the apprentices including Mordred.
In contrast to the original ironwood construct hauled by lizard beasts, the new arrival is an open-air makeshift carriage made out of softwood. Of course, the beast of burden responsible for pulling this carriage isn’t made out of flesh, but the very same grass moose that carried Kenji. For some reason, the creature’s reliable visage grants the apprentice a sense of security.
…
“Is this why the captain trusts you so much, Katyusha?” Kenji asked himself as she took a deep look at the surroundings.
For some reason, the phosphorus bombardment didn’t reach this location. The captain must’ve seen it from the mountaintop, but nothing is burning. Instead, it’s as if Kenji had entered an ice-age museum, with ant terracotta army statues decorating the landscape.
Blades of frost, like that of flowery petals, covered the ground. There’s not a single Ant Worker corpse in this place, the weakest are rank 1 Ant Soldiers. Before even reaching the epicenter of this localized Seas of Eternal Winters, Kenji counted more than a dozen Slayer Ant corpses, either frozen or dismembered. He also saw multiple frozen Hulking Ant corpses, the very same species of ant that irritates him to no end.
“There should be a thousand of them here…” The moose that followed his footsteps muttered in amazement.
“Ichika…” Kenji addressed the captain of Undying Forest, “If there’s a situation where your whole team fights against Katyusha, how long would your team last?”
Enslavement-path cultivators excel in large-scale wars of attrition. By using battle slaves to waste the opponent’s combat resources such as spell catalyst, mana, or stamina, they typically won in long drawn-out battles. However, the question that Kenji uttered wasn’t ‘Who would win’ but ‘How long your team would last’.
Ichika seemed to ponder for a moment. “I can’t imagine how we would last more than a few spells from her, considering her ice could affect time itself. The reason why we can walk on this icefield is because Katyusha has dispelled her methods, otherwise, we would’ve suffered from a secondary ice-path time-slow curse. Don’t waste your breath asking questions! Get on with it, we need to depart as soon as possible.”
“Tsk.” Kenji clicked his tongue as he reached the core of this flowery maze of ice.
Encircled by centaur-like warriors of ice, there was a statue of a shark-wolf creature made out of pure ice. The proud beast is no longer moving, perhaps having become a corpse, considering the amount of Slayer Ants’ blade limbs impaling it from all sides.
No signs of life could be inferred from the corpse, but Kenji is fully aware that she has a death-mitigation method that allows her to enter a state of suspended animation instead of dying when taking lethal damage. Even then, the term ‘lethal’ damage is different from one person to another. For example, Kenji would’ve died if his brain got smashed, but Katyusha has four brains.
“Sumire just told me that you need to make a large incision to her nape. Try to extract her body from the shark-wolf.” Ichika informed Kenji who had climbed the icy corpse.
“Even when she’s ‘dead’, her ice still pierces through my defenses. You are so troublesome!” Kenji’s hand produced liquid nanom, turning it into a blade arm like a scalpel. He followed Ichika’s instruction to make a large incision on the shark-wolf’s nape, tracing its spine with the vibrating nanoblade.
Pshh! Cold streams of frost winds are exhaled from the wounded frost flesh, Kenji’s body quickly accumulating hoarfrost. “Brrr, it’s cold!” His hands moved faster to ensure he wouldn’t die of hypothermia. “Tsk, some of her body fused with the shark-wolf’s spine…”
“Cut them off.” Ichika didn’t want to waste time, her magical beast slave’s ‘hp’ had decreased significantly by being near Katyusa’s golem’s ‘corpse’.
Of course, Kenji shared her sentiment. “Damn, my nanoms are falling off, the golem spine’s temperature is lower than -600 degree Celsius…” He was sure of his assessment because that was the lowest point his nanom could endure before it froze to the core.
After some effort, the Kenji was able to extract some of Katyusha’s body parts. “This is the head…” He tosses Katyusha’s decapitated head to Ichika, “This is her torso… Ugh, so fucking cold!” He followed up by tossing her mutilated torso, before continuing to pass more of her body parts.
“What the fuck!” Ichicka was shocked at the gruesome display. “You- did you just kill her?”
“Dude, chill. If you touch her body, it feels like you’re touching a block of ice. She’s currently in some kind of killer move that won’t allow her to die. She’ll be just fine if we assemble her later.” Kenji elaborated while tossing some arms, legs, and fingers. They were as Kenji had described, instead of flesh-and-blood, her body parts were closer to blocks of ice.
Ichika pointed at Katyusha’s shark-wolf golem corpse after she recovered from her shock. “I recall her specialty is refining permanent ice, right? If my deduction is correct, her golem isn’t just a temporary golem, but a magical life form similar to my Grass Soldiers. The shark-wolf’s spine can be refined to an ice-path weapon, the frost blood can be used as a large-scale spell catalyst, its frost flesh can be eaten, and every piece of its body is still useful… Are you going to leave it here?”
“No time.” Kenji finished extracting Katyusha's ‘corpse’, he jumped down and put them onto the cold-resistant wooden basket. “I don’t know the specific, but I reckon the shark-wolf’s spine should be made out of Hydrium Hardwater Crystal. You wouldn't be able to put them inside rank 1 dimensional storages. The weight doesn’t even allow me to carry a single spinal segment for long, you shouldn’t be greedy.”
“But…” Ichika’s moose has its beady eyes glimmering in unwillingness. “I might be able to use it in the future. Ice-path is a branch of water-path, and amongst the nine elemental paths, water-path has the greatest compatibility with wood-path. If I treat the spine correctly, I might be able to use it as a foundation to construct an elite unit.”
Kenji sighed. “Dude, I don’t think Katyusha will care about the corpse. You can leave some grass soldiers for an extraction mission or whatever, just remember that my captain is still buying us time. We simply don’t have time.”
“I just discussed this with Sumire, she said the same thing.” Ichika was convinced. “Alright, I’ll leave some of my elite slaves for an extraction mission while we go on ahead.”