Spell Combat with Earthly Characteristics

Thunder roared, dark clouds gathered in the sky, lightning flashed through the clouds, and then the clouds descended, accompanied by a raging torrent of wind. Such a terrifying spectacle, if Kang De had witnessed it elsewhere...

He would inevitably have to shout, "Who is this fellow Daoist who is being beaten here... I mean, those undergoing tribulation?"

But now...

--My fellow Daoist is actually myself!

In terms of spellcasting ability, arcane mastery, combat experience, and weaponry, Griffin's meticulously crafted magic legion is undoubtedly far superior to the forces in Distant Harbor. This is an objective fact, since the mage corps hastily assembled in Distant Harbor in a short period of time is indeed no match for the elite troops of the major powers' regular armies.

Specifically, the Council launched a massive joint spellcasting campaign, which rapidly concentrated magical energy, causing a sharp imbalance in local elemental concentrations and triggering unusual celestial phenomena. This was about to shape the raging elements into terrifying magical attacks, which would be unleashed upon the enemy. Meanwhile, the mages from the Distant Harbor were unable to stop the spellcasting counterattack and could only passively defend.

If Griffin were to face the Elven Royal Army or the Imperial Guard, the two armies would inevitably engage in a fierce arcane standoff, with each side vying for supremacy, winning and losing, and engaging in battle.

It should be noted that large-scale combined magical battles are extremely terrifying. A thousand-strong mage corps, amplified and aided by various magical artifacts, engages in mental clashes and elemental energy struggles over a vast area measured in square kilometers, carrying out a series of spellcasting tasks such as attacking, restraining, luring, defending, neutralizing, and disintegrating.

The dazzling clash of spells caused a massive amount of elemental energy to dissipate, flow, and surge, creating violent natural phenomena. The excessive extraction of elements could even have a lasting meteorological impact on the battle zone for months, turning the battlefield into a bizarre and surging elemental realm, a terrifying spectacle akin to a battle of gods.

However, Kang De's mage forces were unable to mount such a counterattack.

This was something that was decided at the tactical meeting earlier that morning.

Kang De gave the mage troops a mission and a policy.

That means everyone's doing their own thing.

Long-range attacks were assigned to artillery units, while the primary task of the enemy's divisions was defense and interception.

The mage regiment, composed of local mages from Distant Harbor, Goth volunteers, naturalized spellcasters from the Broken Isles, and even surrendered naval soldiers from various countries, was neither strong nor weak. In fact, it could be considered a medium-strength force on the mainland, but it was far inferior to Griffin's elite confidants. Let alone engaging in a head-on magical offensive, it was even inadequate for passive defense.

After all, how could a mage force that had only been formed for a few months compare to the arcane magic foundation of traditional powers?

But it doesn't matter... Kang De knew what it meant to overtake on a curve.

The strategy, equipment design, and system application targeting the arcane realm are designed to address the magical shortcomings of future Distant Harbor forces. This will allow spellcaster units to find alternative paths, overtake others, and even surpass others, despite insufficient resources and outdated systems, thus filling the biggest gap in the Shogunate War sequence.

Today is the first real-world test of our skills.

"Stay calm!"

His voice rang out in the mage guild's dedicated channel. "All this time, we've been undergoing intensive magical combat training in the White Mist World, all for this day! It's time to see the results!"

"--It's just a wave effect, right? Push it back!"

"Yes!"

Within the detection center, protected by layers of mage troops and intercepting magical artifacts, alchemists solemnly operated the elemental Star Orbit Instrument and arcane analyzers running at full power.

The detection machine emitted feedback waves, and detection magic crystals were launched into the sky, providing feedback at an extremely fast speed. The spellcasters then made a preliminary summary of the detection results.

Then...

It was input into the computer.

"Scan complete! Element model established! Arcane imaging rendering complete!"

Send immediately!

In an instant, the information carrier that yielded the results was transported to the White Mist World.

The tactical support center established in the White Mist World is on standby.

The balance of time had shifted, and with a time flow several times slower than in this other world, the archegraphers at the Arcane Analysis Center immediately began their work!

They began their battle, referencing the latest battlefield data and rendered models.

"Begin analyzing the elemental cloud! Deconstruct the distribution of composite spells and exchange the latest data with the battlefield in real time!"

"First wave of spell strike deconstruction complete!"

"Dividing areas!"

"Threat level assessment in progress!"

"Provide a defense plan!"

"Data summary!"

The magic scholars connected their souls using a mental resonance device, rapidly exchanging analytical results and solutions. The magic scholar responsible for outputting the results was clearly a master of mental transmission control, using only mental power to manipulate ten pens simultaneously without speaking, writing down the solutions at ten times the speed!

This is almost the standard procedure for otherworldly troops using spellcasting in combat.

Compared to artillery in Earth's era of firearms, magic is the god of war in another world. How to defend against enemy magical attacks and effectively use one's own elemental attacks can basically determine the success or failure of a battle.

Because the battlefield was just too chaotic.

The barrage of spells, of different types, targets, tactical purposes, and powers, some are feints, some are distractions, and some conceal insidious and malicious tactical objectives. The ability to quickly identify threatening spells in a complex elemental environment and neutralize or counter them is the primary criterion for whether a group of mages can be called a "mage corps."

There's only one way, and that is... calculate!

Using reconnaissance magic devices and astrology for auxiliary detection, producing results, then identifying and calculating threats, and providing countermeasures, this process determines the outcome of a magical battle.

Sometimes, if you calculate quickly and accurately, you can gain a huge advantage on the battlefield.

Conversely, if the calculations are too slow or miscalculated, resulting in the enemy's carefully concealed battlefield spells landing on one's own army, or creating a huge tactical advantage for the enemy... then it means being at a disadvantage.

How is it calculated?

When small and medium-sized countries are at war, the leader of the mage corps, along with his retinue and apprentices, can only desperately try to guess the outcome. However, large countries are vast in size, with a more detailed battlefield, and specialized magic scholars use mental resonance devices to connect souls and form parallel human computers to conduct precise spiritual deductions.

Its efficiency and accuracy naturally far surpass those of the former.

This overwhelming advantage in professionalism is one of the reasons for the despairing military gap between the great powers and small countries; the outcome of a battle has long been determined by the level of skill of a single army!

On the other hand, the magical scholars that Kang De plundered from the Distant Harbor, the Broken Isles, and the surrendered soldiers of various nations were naturally no match for the Council's professional and powerful magical forces. They certainly couldn't cope with or predict the opponent's terrifying and suffocating arcane offensive. But the problem was...

--They're in White Mist World!

With a six- or seven-fold time acceleration advantage, I refuse to believe I can't finish them off in seconds!

The continuously calculated battlefield element framework was directly input into Horus's battlefield database. In just a few months, not only did Kang De catch up on a lot of knowledge, but Horus also kept busy!

The stubborn Iron Son, determined to surpass his sister, has systematically studied the theory of magical warfare.

Aside from still being unable to understand magic as a form of energy, and being unable to logically summarize and simulate Arcane as an idealistic doctrine, Horus's arcane tactical skills have reached a high level, thus requiring the assistance of magic scholars in deconstruction, analysis, and calculation.

Compared to the famous generals of the Mortal World, Iron Son has one major advantage.

--In regular magic units such as the Council and the Empire, although there are magic scholars who conduct precise elemental calculations and spell deductions, the efficiency and methods of the final command and implementation after the results are transmitted to the mage commander are still relatively primitive.

Even with the use of magical advantages, such as short-range communication devices or even mental resonance devices, commanders can accurately transmit orders to layers of lower-ranking mage officers, and these lower-ranking officers can command their subordinates in the same way, but information will inevitably be lost in the process of transmission!

"I give the order!"

Horus's voice echoed across the entire battlefield almost simultaneously!

Precise down to each primary unit.

The anti-aircraft automatic cannons, directly controlled by the Iron Son, roared into fire. Paradox warheads, anchored to spatial coordinates, streaked across the sky with lightning as they met the descending dark clouds!

"The most threatening destructive projectile spell has been located— Sharna!"

A beautiful angel spread her wings of light.

She originated from a sliver of divine essence that Kang De stole from the God of the Star Palace Lahma. After London time, Kang De gave her the name Sharna. The Fire Thief granted her secondary permission with his power, enabling this guardian goddess to activate phase permission under his supervision.

The radiant girl sensed the Paradox Element in the sky and looked at the light screen in front of her. When the spatial anchor point reached the designated position, Phase Gate quickly opened, projecting and swallowing the elements that constructed the model and displayed the entity into the White Mist World!

"Area spells that cannot be intercepted by the Phase Gate have been identified! Threat level assessed!"

Almost simultaneously with the reminder to Kang De, the Defense Mage Corps also received orders. "Relevant elemental model data has been transmitted. Check your individual panels and execute the Disintegrate spell!"

Simultaneously with the opening of the Phase Gate, beams of Magic Power light shot into the sky, analyzing, guiding, neutralizing, and dispelling the pressing area spells—the defense plan was also the best solution calculated and devised by the White Mist World's tactical center, with an effective utilization rate of over 95% of the Magic Power!

There were also anti-aircraft guns and unguided rockets.

These defensive structures were controlled by spellcasters who were slightly weaker and unable to be incorporated into the mage ranks. They followed Horus's instructions, focusing on their respective defensive zones, using their mage mental power to keenly observe incoming small and medium-sized spells, predict their elemental trajectories, and then unleash their fire.

The specially designed warhead exploded in mid-air, scattering a large number of Paradox Element fragments that covered the sky like dark clouds, easily permeating the core of these relatively simple elemental spells.

These elemental attacks, invaded by Paradox Element, underwent uncontrollable and bizarre changes. They were then attracted by the high-concentration solid Paradox Crystal erected throughout the position, changing direction in the air and successively avoiding the original attack areas, instead bombarding the empty fire attraction zones!

Superman dominates the order of the entire battlefield.

All magical attacks are calculated by the tactical center of the White Mist World, which provides parameters and results to determine the level of threat and the form of attack. Horus then decides on the defense plan.

Devour with the Phase Gate.

Neutralize using the lysis method.

Intercept with defensive artillery.

As well as...

The soldiers were told to carry the buckets and run away.

"All members of Team Two in the Starlight Zone will begin their jump in five seconds! Get ready!"

Marshal Horus's voice rang in their ears. The squad leader paused for a moment, then shouted, "You all heard that! Don't move! Five! Four! Three! Two! One!"

The purple light illuminated the field of vision, the dazzling brilliance dissipated, and the next moment the world opened up, the blue sky was like the sea, and in the distance one could see towering walls, and under one's feet was a solid teleportation area.

At the same time, Marshal Horus's voice rang out.

"Teleportation successful. You are expected to return to the battlefield in three minutes. Do not move. Prepare to return. In addition to the inevitable annihilation of your attacks, you will still personally experience the feeling of being suppressed and attacked by extraordinary power."

After the sound disappeared, the soldiers of the second squad remained silent for a long time.

They heard a noise nearby. At least five or six squads of people were standing dumbly on the teleportation platform, holding their guns and looking around blankly like idiots.

They then turned to look at the vehicles shuttling back and forth outside the transport area, Ratchet and field medics waiting in the distance, and supply vehicles and maintenance troops moving supplies—everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

Then one soldier exclaimed, "... What a battle!"

The other soldiers nodded in agreement.

They lack formal education and are unable to accurately describe their thoughts.

On the battlefield.

"For high-threat spells that are too difficult to intercept and have low defensive value, we only need to withdraw the soldiers from them." Horus gave the order while also explaining to Kang De.

"Next, alchemy engineers will be dispatched to urgently assess the damage, conduct offensive repairs, and dispel the enemy's remaining Magic Power... The damage assessment has been completed."

The tremors had subsided. Kang De looked out and saw that a section of the position about two kilometers away had completely collapsed. Horus said, "Please jump and replace the fortifications in this area. The specific locations have been sent to your personal computer. Other areas are not badly damaged; we just need to inject the Paradox Crystal again."

Kang De did as instructed and directly replaced a section of the position with a delivery.

That was the only thing he did in this massive battle of magical defense.

The rest consist of each link in the entire combat system performing its own duties, defending, evading, engaging, and relocating under the command of the battlefield commander.

Within the battleground, various units were deployed in a staggered manner, employing long-range phase defense, mid-range disintegration defense, short-range close-range defense, and even spell interference and diversion tactics, with each combat unit performing its specific duties.

In the White Mist World, the reserve team is on standby at any time.

Logistical support was also provided simultaneously.

The soldiers held firm in their rock-solid fortifications, allowing the Paradox Element to adapt to the eerie glow of the defenses, and forcing themselves to become accustomed to this devastating and awe-inspiring power.

Because at the same time, a long river of Flame shot out from behind their own lines, reminding them that this was not a one-sided attack, but a battle of equal strength.

The orderly deployments and reports on the communication channels reminded them that their comrades and fellow soldiers were intercepting and defending them against the most powerful Arcane attacks.

Because the voices of His Highness Kang De and Marshal Horus could be heard constantly, they were not fighting alone.

The Earthlings turned to look at Dong Tianming.

"How are you feeling, sir?" he asked.

Dong Tianming, as a super-powerful figure guarding Kang De, watched the entire process from the command post.

He smiled wryly and said, "I used to think that our lord's alchemical troops were good at offense but not defense."

"We've never been good at defense," Kang De replied. "Our spear has reached its peak, and the shield can never keep up. But the situation in the Mortal World is different... Our shield struggles to even defend its own spear, let alone withstand extraordinary attacks in the Mortal World. So, it's a weakness that needs to be addressed."

"Moreover, we must leverage our strengths, advantages, and advanced concepts, and integrate the strengths and advantages of other worlds into our system. Today's attempt is only the first step, and the results can only be described as mediocre... The road ahead is still long and far."

The Imperial Tutor of Cathay, renowned for his outspokenness and unwavering integrity, said in a low voice, "Your Majesty's awareness of potential dangers even in times of Cathay is a blessing in this Mortal World. Today's performance has exceeded my expectations."

Kang De simply smiled.

"Far from it... This is just one battlefield, so Horus's computing power, Sharna's licensing authority, and the logistical capabilities of the White Mist World can hold out. But if war becomes the norm in the future, and battlefields become more diverse, with conflicts of all sizes occurring simultaneously, this current war system might not be able to handle it all."

He said calmly, "If five such wars were to take place simultaneously, our soldiers would not receive the best support and protection, and the enemy cannot remain as weak as they are today forever... Our true adversary remains the Star Palace, whose arrival is uncertain, and whose abilities are unknown."

Dong Tianming bowed and remained silent.

He always felt that... his lord seemed to have an inexplicable sense of insecurity.

This insecurity doesn't even stem from a fear of the known; rather, it's a habit of constantly complaining about "insufficient firepower," "insufficient protection," "insufficient supplies," and "insufficient support," as if his army shouldn't be doing anything wrong and being invincible.

Moreover... the enemy can't always be as weak as they are today...

I wonder what Griffin's expression will be after hearing this...

With this thought in mind, Dong Tianming turned his gaze to the opposite side. At the same time, the vanguard position of the Council was ablaze with fire and rumbling sounds, which could be heard from afar.

The long river of concentrated fire finally broke through the double defenses of the Deceleration Field and the intercepting magic device, pouring onto the Arcane Council's position and bringing greetings from another god of war.