The Steel Torrent

The Deceleration Field was shattered by the Corona Cannon, and the battlefield glowed with a hazy light under the crimson sun and blood-red clouds, as if the surging waves of light had not disappeared instantly, but rather receded slowly like the tide.

Although the earth-shattering strike didn't destroy everything with the brutal power of Forbidden Spell, it was still terrifying enough to shock people and shake morale. Even Griffin Williams himself felt a moment of suffocation and panic when the light blade struck down.

Then he realized that it was a complex emotion.

First, one feels awe and reverence, an instinctive respect as a mage. Since the other party controls and masters such power, he is undoubtedly a pioneer on the path of arcane magic.

Then came unease and fear. As long as the cannon could continue firing and the weapon could operate smoothly, it meant that there was no room for luck in this battle. Kang De's deployment of this decisive strategic weapon on the battlefield demonstrated his determination to win immediately without delay, and his trump cards certainly did not stop there.

The mere thought of this was enough to shake the Grand Speaker's heart.

A tingling sensation spread from my spine throughout my body, my heart sank, and I felt as if I were falling into emptiness.

We lost.

We're going to lose.

A profound sense of dread suddenly arose, like the sharp claws of a wild beast, swiftly seizing the heart of this legendary mage, renowned Mortal World and celebrated across the continent.

Pain.

Trembling.

A feeling of disorientation.

I was at a loss.

He probably hasn't experienced this kind of fear and helplessness for decades.

Or rather, throughout his glorious and illustrious life, this sense of powerlessness and fear—of having an uncertain future and being unable to control his own destiny—never actually arose.

He had imagined himself to be like the heroes in poems and biographies, possessing the courage and composure to remain unmoved even if mountains collapsed before him, able to calmly face all challenges and outcomes, and like the tragic characters in dramas and novels, maintaining extraordinary courage even in dire straits.

--Pathetic mortals who always like to idolize and look up to "great people" call that kind of thing "the dignity of the strong" and "the last pride."

Now, Griffin Williams has discovered that it was all a lie.

Fear, the only fear of the future and fate, lingered in his heart, making him no different from an ordinary person.

Because... we're going to lose!

As the supreme leader of a powerful nation, in an attempt to consolidate power and address challenges, he launched an unsuccessful coup in the capital, which resulted in the substantial division of the country. After assembling an elite army, he was utterly defeated by another army on the border between the two nations...

How could he not be terrified!

No leader of any nation in history had Council such a crushing defeat and fate! After this utter defeat, would he even have the strength to regroup his army? How would history record him after this complete failure? How would the Mortal World view him?

Just a few months ago, he was the legitimate supreme ruler of this country! Respected by the entire continent, regarded as a spiritual father by spellcasters, revered by heads of state, and capable of influencing the entire political landscape of the Mortal World! But now, one foot is hanging over an abyss... What awaits him?

Is it a fall from grace, a complete abyss of shame and condemnation from the entire world?

Was it a relentless pursuit, a constant chase and hiding, orchestrated by Kang De?

He fought valiantly to his death in a successful ambush, yet he stood by and watched as the sin of betraying the Mortal World was exposed, his body was to be displayed to the public, and he lost everything?

Still...

He ultimately survived, bearing the stigma of a traitor and endless pursuit, until the Star Palace destroyed the world. He won this gamble, becoming the "King of Humanity" promised by the Star Palace, watching the Mortal World plunge into a deadly inferno—and then what? Did he truly win? Was he now free from all worries and had finally vented his anger?

No! I still want to gamble!

They also had to gamble on whether Star Palace would keep his promise after Kang De's defeat and death! They also had to gamble on whether other things would happen in the long years to come! Because in the Star Palace's eyes, he was always just an ant!

--Why did things end up like this?

--Why did things turn out this way!

The Corona's deafening beam not only destroyed a Deceleration Field and the position guarding it, but also shook Griffin's mind like a typhoon, making this Mortal World and prestigious old man suddenly realize that a great terror was approaching—the moment of destiny had arrived abruptly.

Because he saw the roars and howls of steel behemoths echoing from the distant rolling hills.

He knew what it was; anyone who paid attention to Distant Harbor would know.

Kang De's army was built in a style that differed greatly from that of other countries.

The most striking difference between their legionary organization and that of Mortal World kingdoms is that they have no cavalry.

The numerous war beasts, bred and selectively mutated over hundreds of years, possessing courage, strength, and loyalty, have no place in the war sequence of Distant Harbor, and are not even needed as pack animals.

Even if cavalry units were retained, they were mostly used as ceremonial guards and security forces.

There are many theories about the reasons for this, but the official explanation from the Distant Harbor is the most outrageous—it is because His Highness Kang De is of high moral character, compassionate towards living beings, and attaches great importance to animal welfare.

I've heard that this legendary Cathayan has a bizarre set of morals and quirks. He not only refuses to let his war beasts serve in the army, but he also has no plans to build a zoo in Distant Harbor, and he doesn't allow any circus to move in or perform. He's even more druidic than the most druidic druid.

One of his famous quotes is from a dinner he hosted for merchants from various countries.

"War is a large-scale act of violence, almost a product of intelligent beings. We fight and kill each other because of our inherently evil and violent nature, and we deserve to die. But to send docile animals who unconditionally trust us to the bloody and terrifying battlefield is truly the most heartless thing in the world."

"Those who do such things deserve to go to hell, and be pierced countless times by the same spears that those animals, who died from being pierced by spears while charging into the gun emplacement, used to pierce them as well."

Kang De offered this explanation, but Griffin completely disbelieved it! He even felt that the young man from Cathay was implying something, after all, the Council's army that fought against Goth was actually "docile animals who unconditionally trusted him"... Kang De always seemed to prefer viewing things from the perspective of the weak.

In fact, no one with a modicum of common sense would believe Kang De's nonsense—there was only one reason why the cavalry was abolished in the Distant Harbor.

That means they have their own war beasts!

Those heavy tanks, which were mobilized and inspected several times but were always only glimpsed briefly, were like the "cars" that shuttle through the Distant Harbor every day. They did not need animal power and could drive themselves, but they were much larger than the latter, and were heavily armored and equipped with terrifying weapons, making them awe-inspiring.

Spy and spies witnessed the movement and deployment of these vehicles on several occasions, but relevant intelligence was scarce. No one had seen their combat posture and operational tactics firsthand, so the generals could only rely on their imagination when assessing the threat. This was the most deadly threat to Distant Harbor, or rather, to Kang De.

Unknown.

No one knew how his new army would fight, how they would march, what strategies they would follow, or even what their main means of attack would be.

Even now.

Griffin's gaze stretched into the distance; his Eagle Eye granted him extraordinary vision.

He saw three enormous flying machines, like savage beasts, soaring through the air and pressing down like mountains. He saw a meteor shower rising from the north, trailing hundreds of streaks of intense light as it rushed towards him. He saw smoke and dust rising from the front lines, with hazy flames blazing brightly. Under this terrifying force of air and ground merging together, and the sky collapsing and the earth sinking, on the north side of the low hills, the roar of heavy armor was approaching.

Finally, it broke through the thin, dim smoke and dust!

Before everyone's eyes, a tank covered in steel runes shot up from the hilltop, soaring through the air. Its long cannon barrel unleashed intense bursts of fire, and high-explosive shells were propelled by the powerful blast waves. The massive, heavy tracks were stained with fresh mud, and even fragments of broken flesh and bone remained!

It was like a proud rider leading the charge, tearing through a tough enemy formation.

The tank landed with a thud. The massive, heavy iron body only moved up and down a few times before coming to a stop. The proud war beast let out an even more excited roar. The front panel lit up with a brilliant light and unfolded an illusory light shield. The two rows of tracks rumbled and began to move forward. The hatch on the top of the round head opened, and a person leaned out, grabbed the anti-aircraft machine gun on top, and fired wildly in all directions.

This seemed to be just the prelude to the charge. The dust was dispersed by the storm, the roar of engines blended together, and under the cover of powerful firepower, tanks leaped out from the hilltops opposite and converged into a steel torrent, rushing down the mountain through the gaps in the defensive line blasted by the airships!

Their wheels were covered with chains and iron plates, allowing them to gallop across rugged terrain, even crossing trenches with unstoppable momentum. Among these massive steel chariots were infantrymen clad in heavy armor and wielding large spears. They leaped forward, spewing flames from their backs, and fired their deadly weapons in rapid succession, reaping any stragglers within sight. Their iron armor was awe-inspiring, and they were invincible.

Behind this steel battle line came more small tanks and foot soldiers, maintaining a proper distance from the vanguard and spreading out as much as possible, advancing in large strides along the unstoppable blade.

It's here!

It's here!

Distant Harbor's all-out offensive came like a thunderclap, arriving in an instant.

The continuous sound of cannon fire was like the beat of a drum, striking Griffin's heart.

He watched the advancing steel army with almost awe, feeling a sense of relief and satisfaction—the question he had been pondering had finally been answered, like finally seeing the ending of an opera he had been longing to hear. After a thousand thoughts and countless deductions, he finally saw it for himself.

So that's how it is.

He even wanted to laugh.

He recalled a staff officer's conjecture about the Distant Harbor Tank.

"With such thick armor, its defensive capabilities must be astonishing. One can imagine how unstoppable it would be if it were equipped with spears, spikes, or similar weapons to charge into infantry formations..."

Griffin watched the battle unfold, finding it far from pleasant, even somewhat ugly. Their numbers were also limited, at least compared to the vast battlefield.

Compared to the large-scale charge of the cavalry, the scene before them was neither elegant nor awe-inspiring. These alchemical chariots roared through the trenches and swamps, their beautiful shapes and crimson stars quickly becoming stained with mud.

Their attack speed was even slower than that of an elite cavalry legion, and they moved haltingly, frequently turning their long cannons to blast mud and bits of flesh into the air. They would even deploy their shields and retreat, waiting for the surrounding chariots and infantry to swarm them from all sides. After their initial awe-inspiring entrance, their divine aura, like their steel shells, became stained with mud, but...

"So beautiful..."

Griffin murmured, "So beautiful..."

The steel beasts roar and rumble in the mud and rotten ground. Beneath their rugged exterior lies a pure and tenacious wisdom in the forging of every piece of armor, the riveting of every steel nail, and even in the deeper principles and functions that Griffin does not understand, such as power, transmission, shock absorption, and weaponry.

Charging through the mud, yet roaring with pride and unrestrained arrogance.

It's like...

--Human beings.

The tracks rolled over the trenches, the unfolding light shields blocked the magical attacks, and the tanks roared as they charged forward, leading the infantry behind them to break through and advance.

Griffin's flash of inspiration, the power of the Council, and the trench defenses designed to counter Kang De's weapon advantage were easily breached by the rumbling tank tracks.

This scene, though lacking in visual appeal, appears so harmonious and perfectly natural.

The terrain-based tactics he had developed specifically to counter Kang De were so easily crushed.

A sudden realization flashed through the Grand Speaker's mind.

--They did it before!

Not Kang De... it's "them"!

Overwhelmed with mixed feelings, he stood on high ground, facing the rumbling torrent of steel tearing through the defenses in the distance, and suddenly burst into laughter.

It wasn't just a hundred or so tanks that were pressing in.

It is clearly the weight of an entire Civilization.

"Grand Speaker!" A general rushed in, his face showing hesitation and anxiety. "The outer local forces crumbled at the first contact, and our elite troops are also in disarray. A major battle is imminent... Grand Speaker! Please give your orders on how this battle should be fought!"

After he finished speaking, he immediately lowered his head, not daring to look Griffin in the eye.

The Grand Speaker paused for a moment, about to say something, when a thought flashed through his mind and a dark shadow appeared in the corner of his eye.

"Fight," he said expressionlessly. "Even if it's surrender... ask yourself, do you want to be a spineless coward, groveling before Kang De, or do you want him to see your strength and resources, and fight for a dignified surrender and preferential treatment?"

The general suddenly looked up, his face pale, staring in disbelief at the leader he had followed for so long.

"Go."

The general, who had spent his entire life in the military, left dejectedly, and Griffin turned his head away.

Phaethon's figure appeared.

Their eyes met, the God of the Star Palace remaining indifferent.

"Have you thought this through?" Phaethon said coldly. "It seems your plan has failed, even provoking Kang De's premature attack and disrupting Apophis's plans. I suggest you make amends by immediately accepting my proposal, motivating these soldiers, letting them bite Kang De hard, and incidentally making the northern counties mortal enemies of Kang De, making it difficult for him to Northern Council..."

He stared at Griffin, stepped forward, and urged, "Don't hesitate any longer. You're about to fail, and you can't take these people with you. Rather than letting them surrender and become Kang De's support, let them offer their final loyalty to you. Play your part, Griffin, and show us your determination."

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PS1: My tonsils are starting to hurt... It's progressing steadily, damn it.