Rapid Deterioration

The Crystal Giants had all changed.

On Height Three north of the Maple Region, the sky was overcast, fierce winds howled, and artillery thundered.

Great numbers of Crystal Giants that had wandered over from the Eastern Territory were racing across the plain. Those swollen, deformed horrors moved in a frenzy, sweeping over the plains and charging across the hills. Some rushed into the distance, while others battered at the legion's defensive lines. Blinding Arcane Arcs tore through the air, illuminating the contaminated plain beneath the dim sky, while the artillery on Height Three, a key point supporting the defense, never ceased for a moment.

The heavy Magic Cannons made minute adjustments to their firing angles through mechanical devices. The rune tracks flashed, and shells wrapped in pale blue vapor hurtled into the distance. The Warhammer Type Is within the tank bunkers also fired repeatedly, their denser bombardment pounding the plain east of the high ground and weaving an impenetrable net of firepower.

A Cecil captain in white armor marked with blue patterns stood behind a bunker, observing the battlefield through tactical goggles.

Continuous flashes of explosions and Shockwaves blanketed the frenzied Crystal army. Every second, countless twisted limbs and shattered crystals were blasted into the sky. Yet against the murky daylight, innumerable monsters still surged from afar, falling meaninglessly upon this deadly line of fire.

The captain switched off his goggles, turned, and left the bunker.

Nearby, commanders shouted in magically amplified voices: "Second bombardment line, cool down! Replace the Acceleration Track—third line, commence firing!" "Incinerators preheated!" "Shells delivered!" "Pioneer has reached its position!"

The captain quickly crossed the busy Artillery Position and supply tunnels. The constant roar of weapons fire and shouted orders filled the air around him. He passed a sentry post and approached a tall commander wearing