Second Orc War (2)

This was not the first time alchemists had played a role in war.

Alchemy covered far too broad a field, so every branch of it was still as immature as if it had only just entered the door.

The alchemy used in this war was no exception. Its results were decent, but this was merely the Alchemy Academy's first attempt.

"We extracted the corrosive power from metals and scattered it into the snow. Metal corrosion has little effect on soil, but its destructive power against flesh and blood is terrifying."

"Whenever Orcs stepped on it, their leather armor would corrode. While clearing the battlefield, we discovered that it could even melt bones."

"The power of this corrosive metal toxin is terrifying. Though highly effective, it also has a fatal flaw."

"The instant it touches flesh, it swarms toward it. This means a single Orc often consumes far more corrosive toxin than expected. Compared to killing one Orc, the cost of the corrosive metal toxin we extract is far too high."

Ryan did not understand. He had only ever seen rust.

He did not understand the extraordinary aspects of it, but he understood the final part.

The metal toxins refined by the alchemists cost dozens of Gold Coins for each Orc they killed. This was clearly an extremely unprofitable war.

"If the war continues for another half year, can we hold out?"

Ross shook his head and said,

"Not unless you are willing to spend all the wealth of the Frozen Earth Territory."

"At the current scale of the war, the Alchemy Academy can only sustain it for one month. We need to forge new weapons of war."

"How long will that take?"

"I don't know. Perhaps forever."

Ryan fell silent. It was an answer with no answer. Alchemists could not