Precision Strike

The High Priestess's new weapon was the oversized electromagnetic cannon that had previously been tested outside the northern suburbs.

After being expanded in design, its overall size had become comparable to that of the Xuanwu Mechanical Beast—though most of its structure was a base used to secure the cannon itself, its electromagnetic launch frame had unprecedentedly been raised to eighteen feet. Limited by the level of metallurgy, such long rails could not be formed in a single casting and could only be assembled from multiple sections. Not only was the yield low, but the production cycle was exceedingly long. From the success of the experiment until today, the Mechanical Bureau had made only two of these, both installed aboard the Noah Tree Boat.

Yet the benefits of lengthening the launch frame were equally obvious.

A longer track meant a greater acceleration distance and room for larger long-rod projectiles. At the same time, it indirectly lowered the demands on the operators. Even Sorcerers who were not especially proficient in the Zhen Technique could accelerate the projectile to its standard muzzle velocity within a limited time.

After the shore-based cannon had been installed on the Tree Boat, the High Priestess had taken part in its calibration test firing. But that had, after all, been shooting at sea. She dearly wished to see whether this weapon would remain as powerful in actual combat as she imagined.

"Noah, stop advancing!"

"Reporting: the Tree Boat is completely stationary!"

"Wind west by north, force four!"

"Parameters corrected!"

"Target: enemy Mechanical Beasts. Fire from Battery One."

Orders passed from one operator to another—this was also one of Jinxia City's distinguishing features. The people using its newest weapons were usually neither generals nor soldiers, but researchers who spent their days in the Mechanical Bureau. No matter what they