War Behemoth

A deafening barrage of Flame rain heralded the start of the final battle.

The Council's military formation reacted swiftly!

"Kang De has made his move!"

Griffin, who was inspecting the defensive line, changed his expression slightly.

He stood on the muddy platform, gazing at the endless gray plains. The crisscrossing trenches, like ugly scars, converged on the earth. Thousands of soldiers, like ants, huddled in their low, damp fortifications, praying that death would not come today.

But no one heeded their fears and prayers.

Some things just have to be done by someone.

An army needs both elite mage corps and frontline soldiers who can win by sheer numbers; it needs heavy cavalry clad in heavy magical armor and riding exotic magical beasts into battle, as well as spearmen who hold the line and use their flesh and blood to block the enemy's advance. Some things just have to be done by someone.

Over the years, Griffin has become accustomed to issuing commands from a high vantage point and demanding results.

He was aware that some officers used cruel punishments to control the soldiers, but that didn't matter, as long as the soldiers obeyed orders and fought. He was aware that the soldiers' morale was low and their spirits were wavering, but that didn't matter, as long as he held the core elite force in his hands, enough to drive and intimidate the lowest-ranking soldiers, that was fine.

It doesn't matter if the conscription officers and grain officials of the northern lords cooperate with wealthy merchants and local Arcane nobles to exploit the people and squeeze them dry, as long as they deliver military rations and manpower on time and in good quality.

This is his style of doing things, the logic of those in power. The process is irrelevant; only the result matters. As for the "collateral damage" that occurs in the process, it is unavoidable. After all, at this moment, forcing a draw or even defeating Kang De is the top priority; everything else can take a backseat.

The losses and tragedies that occurred during this period were simply the price that had to be paid.

The resulting evils and suffering are nothing more than regrettable, necessary evils.

He had always acted this way and didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

After all, this is another world, where the Spark has not yet been lit, and the hierarchy of people is deeply ingrained. As the supreme ruler of this country, he naturally enjoys supreme power.

One of the key aspects of this power is...

Decide who will bear the "cost".

That's how it should be.

At this very moment, a barrage of firepower, like a meteor shower, streaked across the sky, leaving apocalyptic marks on the Rust- colored firmament, crashing down like meteors, creating a deafening shockwave and bursts of flame.

The earth shook violently, and the deafening roar could not drown out the soldiers' screams and roars.

Griffin's thoughts froze for a moment.

He suddenly started gritting his teeth.

There was a question that had always puzzled him... What was Kang De's hometown like?

Kang De, Cathayan Cathayan. This man who suddenly appeared in the Mortal World was as ordinary yet dazzling as the blazing light that streaked across the sky at that moment.

He knew that the true form of those flying alchemical bombs was nothing more than alchemical powder encased in metal shells. They were not forged using any spiritual techniques and contained no magical ingredients, yet they could unleash a despairing wave of death, possessing a power that Mortal World alchemists could not comprehend.

He knew what kind of Civilization manufactured and used these deadly weapons.

It is bound to be cruel, efficient, and cold-blooded. Countless massacres, destructions, conspiracies, and schemes have occurred there, and it is highly likely that they will continue to be hostile to each other, on guard, and plotting against one another.

Yet, this very world produced a freak like Kang De.

They cruelly wield these cursed weapons, yet show saintly pity for the weak.

The weapon he brought had no spiritual light or mystical elements; it was said that even the most foolish farmer could skillfully manipulate and use it after a period of training.

Why create such a weapon?

Why should the lowly and base possess the power to kill the noble?

He wanted to know, to know the philosophy behind this alchemical weaponry—how much arrogance or confidence must have driven the creation of such a weapon? Incomprehensible, utterly incomprehensible—

But one thing is certain.

The intense light from the long-range rockets blasting the earth illuminated Griffin's old face. He was in the midst of a fierce wind, and the sulfurous stench of hell, accompanied by desperate howls, blew in from afar. His own magical defenses had been activated one after another, spontaneously intercepting the enemy's long-range attacks.

This is the front line of the Arcane Council.

Alchemy troops, magicians, a mage corps wielding the most advanced combat techniques in the Mortal World, Arcane hunters equipped with the most advanced enchanted weapons, defensive spells, magical constructs, elemental support, and anti-magic barriers—the nation's finest intellectual resources have forged this impregnable steel defense line.

This position can almost be considered the most solid defense line in the Mortal World.

If even this place couldn't stop Kang De, it meant that all the cities and fortresses within the Arcane Council were unable to withstand the attack of the Cathayan —so safe, so secure, yet unable to provide Griffin with a sense of security.

At that very moment, as Kang De launched his fierce attack, facing a sky full of falling stars, Griffin Williams suddenly had a moment of enlightenment and intuition.

He, too, became the "price."

The safety of his life and the meaning of his death were no longer in his own hands.

This feeling of vulnerability, frustration, and even panic lasted only a moment before turning into shame, anger, and even hysteria. He couldn't accept this outcome!

"Counterattack! Organize a counterattack immediately!"

Griffin turned to the officers, whose expressions varied, and said sternly, "After months of stalemate, you all know how strong our defenses are! The Deceleration Field has weakened the lethality of most of Kang De's weapons, and the interceptor array can withstand his long-range attacks... Our tactical strength is not inferior, our strategic weapons suppress the enemy, and the rest is up to our soldiers to show courage and will!"

The Grand Speaker waved his arms vigorously. "Prepare for battle! Whatever offensive Kang De launches, block it and push it back! Like pushing a rolling stone!"

Griffin, after all, had a long-standing reputation for power, and the morale of his core troops far surpassed that of ordinary line troops. Orders were issued and executed in an orderly manner, and defensive and counter-attack deployments began to be coordinated!

"The Wyvern takes off! The Wyvern takes off!"

At the rear of the Dragon Nest, Officer Eagle Eye relayed the latest orders. "Equip the light spear deflection pods to calibrate the irradiation vector for the Sunfire Ray array! His Highness the Grand Speaker has decreed that the Wyvern battle group shall seize the skies!"

One by one, Wyvern boarded the take-off platform, then took off with a run-up, flapping their wings and soaring into the sky. The loud dragon roars echoed through the sky as the dragon herd glided through the Rust- colored firmament toward the Distant Harbor array!

Distant Harbor Army Formation.

Kang De has completed the final deployment, and the attack batches have been determined.

"Proceed as planned, now..."

Just then, Horus spoke up, "Father, the propaganda and infiltration campaigns of the past few days have yielded remarkable results, and the morale Council the council is wavering. Why not launch a large number of spatial beacons into the enemy positions before full-scale engagement, inducing the enemy to use them and flee the battlefield... This should help our side advance rapidly."

Kang De hesitated for only a moment before resolutely shaking his head.

"No need," he said decisively. "The Star Palace is not afraid of death, and its army will not surrender!"

"But..."

"No buts!" the Supreme Commander of the Distant Harbor Army shouted sternly. "Now that the war has begun, petty tricks and underhanded tactics should be put to rest. After months of rotational training, it's time to review the results! This is a rehearsal for the battle against the Star Palace. Order all departments to engage in a head-on, fair and square confrontation. We must unite to defeat the enemy and take this bone from the front!"

He moved the table aside and shouted, "Dragon battle group, move out! Seize air superiority!"

In the White Mist World Zhuerban International Airport, the renovated runway is laid with railway tracks. Giant dragons are covered in powered armor, with streamlined helmets encasing their massive heads. Layers of armor plates and goggles unfold to cover their eyes. Flight goggles, modified from US military aircraft observation and aiming equipment, project a digital world in front of the dragons. The operating system is connected, and the Avenger cannons on the dragons' shoulders rotate several times, nimbly swinging up and down.

The navigator at the edge of the runway gave the order to launch.

Then the dragon spread its wings, and the veil covering its wings lit up with hurricane runes, stirring up the wind and propelling its massive body to accelerate along the track!

In an instant, the lightning-fast battle dragon surged to flight speed.

A flash of purple light, and the Phase Door opened.

On the Goth border, beneath the Mortal World sky, silhouettes of steel leap out, and giant dragons spread their wings, swooping and soaring through the sky, uttering melodious roars that echoed across the heavens!

The radar system of this formation has identified the rapidly approaching swarm of Wyvern. Horus, overseeing the entire operation, immediately began target designation and transmitted the results to the viewing interface of each dragon.

The dragons, vying for power, were extremely envious.

It should be understood that once Deceleration Field is in place, the performance of modern weapons is greatly reduced, and the absolute advantage of air superiority cannot be exerted. At the restricted low speed, although fighter jets can still fly, their agility and combat effectiveness are greatly reduced. On the contrary, flying species such as dragons are not only unaffected, but can also exert their agility.

Just like right now, the stage in the sky is a battle between dragons.

After assigning their respective targets, the dragon battle group flapped its wings and launched a fierce attack.

A golden dragon chose its opponent, a massive Wyvern. The two dragons faced off, flapping their wings and charging at each other. But halfway there, the golden dragon activated its telekinetic power, and two Avenger cannons on its shoulders responded, unleashing a storm of deathly metallic energy towards its target.

At the same time, the Wyvern also guided the Yang Flame Ray, its intense light blazing down like a blade.

The two enormous creatures hurriedly dodged, their dragon shadows intertwining in the sky. Each was furious, cursing the other for lacking dragon virtue. Then they turned around and attacked again. As they drew close, the Wyvern instinctively opened their mouths and spewed out highly toxic, corrosive dragon breath that swept across the sky and swept towards the golden dragon!

A corrosive aura swept down, but the power armor flashed with purple light, and the Paradox Shield opened in response. At the same time, the golden dragon suddenly inhaled, and the rocket launch pod hanging on its chest was pushed forward by the lever!

Dragon Breath!

--No, that thing is called a Dragon Breath Boosted Grenade!

The rockets, propelled and accelerated by the dragon's breath, activated their magical properties, crashing down like a storm with the force of wind and thunder. In an instant, life and death were decided, and the tattered dragon corpses were torn to pieces and fell into the sky!

At the same time, a clear and pleasant tinkling sound rang in Jinlong's ears, like the soft clinking of gold coins.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that the mangled remains of the dragon that had fallen from the sky and crashed to the ground seemed to have collided with a small firing array of the Council, and even the dragon breath booster grenades that had missed their target were raining down nearby.

Its tactical aiming interface displayed several lines of dazzling subtitles.

One kill, hits an air unit, destroys an air unit, assist, ground kill, ground kill, two-dimensional foil, two-dimensional foil, two-dimensional foil, fixed weapon destruction...

Military merit points accumulated rapidly.

The dragon let out a joyful roar.

Golden Dragon Stiegel, 724 years old.

I used HuaQ Loan to get the score-boosting tool I wanted.

--And he thought he had gotten a good deal from his boss, Kang De.

The massive swarm of dragons pressed in furiously, directing their solar rays to blast in all directions. The dragons dodged and weaved, already outnumbered, and the aerial battle gradually became a stalemate.

Inside the command post, dozens of large screens projected the battlefield situation. The Dragon Emperor sat next to Kang De, and with a glance, he took in all the images on the dozens of screens. Seeing the dragon battle group equipped with dragon-shaped power armor shining brightly, he couldn't help but nod to himself, and then gave Kang De a meaningful look.

"Their numbers are still too few; relying on them alone, it's difficult to suppress the Wyvern."

He seemed to be alluding to something. "The Star Palace's abilities are indeed worth taking seriously. With just a Deceleration Field, they've pinned down your swift and powerful air force, rendering it completely useless now. Who knows what else they might come up with in the future? We must be on guard..."

At this point, the Dragon Emperor paused and asked, "Should I make a trip?"

Kang De raised his hand to indicate that he didn't need to, his gaze fixed on the screen overlooking the battlefield. Before the decisive battle, he had already rehearsed the scenario many times, and the laws of victory had already been confirmed.

"Brother, you've made a mistake."

"What's up?"

"Our air force..." the Earthling turned and smiled, "Is not just those that come and go like the wind."

He snapped his fingers.

In the center of the battlefield, a massive Phase Door unfolded in dazzling splendor.

This strange phenomenon attracted the attention of all the soldiers who had not yet engaged in battle. The soldiers looked up blankly at the huge portal of light that had opened in the sky, and then astonishment and tears of surprise appeared on their faces.

For they saw a hideous, blood-red maw emerge from the portal, followed by a colossal, suffocatingly large form—an unimaginable war beast summoned to the battlefield, its power capable of swallowing mountains and seas.

Like the Kunpeng.

The Dragon Emperor, after all, possessed the aura of an emperor. Although his mind wavered, he maintained his composure on the surface. He wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a word for a moment, so he silently watched the giant beast break out of the star gate.

Then, he heard Kang De speaking beside him.

Those were two words he couldn't understand.

It was like a spell to summon this ferocious beast, or perhaps an ultimatum for its arrival in the world.

"Kirov... reporting!"

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PS1: I had my teeth extracted today... Now all that's left is this one impacted tooth. I'll get it removed in a month or two, and then I'll say goodbye to wisdom teeth forever.