Breakout and Fire Support

Sordelin's Iron Rangers broke camp and set out before the first light of dawn appeared, beginning their redeployment toward the Gorgon River.

This force had already ventured too close to the dangerous Contaminated Zone, even crossing the edge of Giantwood Pass—the so-called "pass" was not an actual road junction, but a vast region on the eastern side of the Holy Spirit Plain that encompassed Boulder City, the Slantwood Valley, Mount Aertel, and many other areas. Here, the Iron Rangers had encountered Crystal Giants on numerous occasions and discovered several villages or towns completely occupied by Crystal Legion forces. Together with the surviving Kingdom Army soldiers they had rescued by chance, this special task force had more than fulfilled its reconnaissance mission. It was time to withdraw.

The real artillery bombardment should be left to the main force that followed.

Mitchell, a knight from the royal capital, and his soldiers crowded inside an Armored Infantry Vehicle, feeling the low growl and vibrations of this steel beast driven by magic and machinery. A tremendous sense of power radiated from the turning gears and Linkage Rods, filling them with awe while also giving them an unusual sense of security. Though they could not understand how the Cecilians had created such incredible Magical Devices, that reassurance continued to well up within them.

They were protected—by a sturdy frame, steel plates, and a thick Magic Shield. The Cecilians had ingeniously combined these common materials and common spells, then used mysterious Rune Technology to give the machines souls, allowing the steel constructs to run on their own without a mage sustaining them. Sitting inside, they felt as safe as if they were within a moving fortress.

Something like a magical soul had to be driving this war chariot. There was no doubt about it.

*Maybe it