Avendell Dan Under Artillery Fire

Gunsmoke filled the battlefield, and the sky seemed to be dyed with mottled colors. The two armies faced each other from afar, and the air was filled with a grim atmosphere.

The Dwarf remained still and prepared for battle, but the empire did not rush to attack. Instead, it calmly deployed its troops on the plains.

"Boom--"

With a dull thud, Steam Tank carrying heavy artillery moved across the plains. Ogre dragged the cannons in twos and threes, while imperial troops moved swiftly like a mottled torrent, forming a fairly orderly formation.

Even the Wyvern in the sky lined up in formation, skillfully circling a few times in the high sky before descending to the ground one after another, landing near the Supply Armored Vehicle.

"What they are doing..."

The Dwarf king frowned as he gazed at the scene.

In his vision, the army of the Embers of the Burned Empire should be like that of the orcs, relying on sharp teeth, hard scales and sheer numbers to win; it should be an army composed of brutal, crazed Dragon Blood Monsters.

In fact, the Embers of the Burned Legion appeared to be very orderly, even more disciplined and tactically clearer than the army of the High Mountain Kingdom.

Bjorn approached the Dwarf King and sighed softly, "Your Majesty, haven't you noticed? The world has changed. New Era of war has arrived. The Harpers has sent many messages. While we Dwarf are still mining and forging iron in the mountains, the firearms of those Imperial People have already spread throughout the world."

"I see." Ed lowered his head and gave a helpless, bitter smile.

The situation is more dire than anticipated. It seems that letting Zane lead his people to migrate was definitely the right choice, Ed thought.

The Dwarf were also discussing the empire's military deployment, but they were not afraid; they were just puzzled and confused.

In the traditional beliefs of these brave and reckless Dwarf, whoever is stronger, has the toughest weapon, and is less afraid of death will win the war.

As for tactics—what are those? "What are these damn invaders doing?"

"It doesn't matter. No matter what schemes these Evil Dragon Kin have up their sleeves, we Dwarf can smash their skulls with our hammers!"

"A beast raised by orcs!"

"Yes, those damned bastards! I will avenge my fallen comrades!"

The Dwarf, filled with righteous indignation, stood on the city wall, cursing and discussing amongst themselves, using up all the vicious words in their heads, but still managing to squeeze out very few words.

But they were completely unaware that the Empire's Artillery Force and air bombing forces had been deployed and were poised to launch a relentless attack on Avendell Dan.

On the hillside, the Hobgoblin Dror raised his saber high, its sharp tip gleaming in the sunlight.

Delor looked triumphantly at Avendell Dan in the distance and commanded in a deep voice, "All troops, listen up—fire!"

The saber swung down sharply, and a clear command was transmitted through the communicator throughout the Embers of the Burned Legion, reaching the ears of every officer and soldier.

"Fire Coverage!"

Three hundred and twenty-seven heavy cannons and eighty-six tanks opened fire simultaneously. These steel War Machine roared deafeningly, and terrifying flames burst forth from their thick barrels.

"Boom--"

In an instant, cannons roared, raising billowing dust and smoke, causing the sky to tremble and the earth to rumble.

At this moment, streaks of grayish-brown appeared on the sky, like bloody wounds from sharp claws.

The shells, trailing sparks, traced graceful arcs through the air, raining down on the magnificent Dwarf fortress from a distance of over a thousand meters.

"God, what is that?"

"What, what is that thing? How is that possible? It's thousands of meters away!" The Dwarf finally became somewhat panicked.

Looking up at such a magnificent sight, even the battle-hardened Ed changed his expression and murmured to himself, "Father God Moradin above."

At that moment, he finally understood the meaning of Bjorn's words, "New Era of war."

The Dwarf king quickly realized the gravity of the situation. He turned around and roared at the Dwarf, "Oh no! Quickly, activate the Protection Array!"

Because the enemy was still thousands of meters away, the priests and mages of the High Mountain Kingdom were completely unprepared and were even waiting for the enemy to advance. They had no idea that cannonballs would rain down from the sky.

But by then, the cannonballs had already reached Avendell Dan and were rapidly falling toward the city walls—it was too late.

"Boom!"

A deafening sound rang out, and dozens of shells exploded, creating a terrible blast that burst into flames and thick smoke.

The entire city wall was shaking violently, countless stones fell, and large sections of the wall even collapsed on the spot. Many Dwarf were engulfed by the flames, and some were blown away.

With just one round of bombardment, numerous wounds appeared on the once magnificent walls of Avendell Dan, and hundreds of Dwarf perished in the flames.

It should be noted that after Zane led his people to migrate and the Trial Road was lost, there were only about 9,700 Dwarf Fighter in the entire Avendell Dan. The loss of over a hundred people was already considered a heavy blow.

Moreover, they haven't even made contact with the Imperial army yet; this is just a long-range exchange of fire!

No, to be more precise—it was a one-sided attack! "Boom! Boom! Boom!"

One shell after another exploded, the intense flames and thick smoke almost engulfing the city walls, and the shrapnel could easily slice off the Dwarf ' arms or even their heads.

"Boom!"

A shell exploded right in the middle of the crowded area, engulfing the unsuspecting Dwarf Fighter. When the smoke cleared, only a dozen charred bodies remained, their fates unknown.

King Ed witnessed this scene and was immediately filled with anxiety, for his people were being slaughtered!

They didn't even die in a heroic battle, but were brutally murdered by the enemy's Magic Weapon capable of creating explosions! "Damn it! We can't wait any longer!"

Ed gritted his teeth, pressed his hand to the ground, and emitted an earthy yellow light. He was willing to expend his remaining Life Force to activate the Protection Array on the city wall.

"Buzz—"

Shelter of the Mountains! With a hum, the ancient Dwarvish Runes on the walls of Avendell Dan suddenly lit up.

The ground rumbled and roared continuously as the immense power of the mountains climbed up the city walls, gradually forming a thick shield that blocked the bombardment of the cannonballs.

At the same time, Ed raised his warhammer high, looked up to the sky and roared, letting out a deep, angry shout.

In an instant, a yellowish-brown light burst forth from the warhammer, and countless shattered rocks rose into the air, intercepting dozens of shells and causing them to explode in mid-air.

Not only the Dwarf king, but also the strong among the Dwarf used various methods, such as shooting arrows or throwing rocks, to block the empire's cannonballs.

One reckless Dwarf Fighter leaped high into the air, braving the danger, and used a jumping strike on the rapidly falling cannonball, blasting himself into a dusty mess covered in shrapnel.

However, the Empire's offensive was far from over; the artillery bombardment was merely an appetizer, followed closely by air raids.

"Buzz—"

A deafeningly loud bang echoed across the sky as dozens of Wyvern, arranged in neat formation, streaked across the heavens and swooped down like arrows.

These Wyvern had sharp metal Wing Membrane along the outer edges of their wings, allowing them to easily slice through the air and produce a piercing sound.

Not only can it inflict physical damage on the enemy, but it also brings psychological deterrence. Even today, many Aisel people tremble when they hear this sound, and they recall that terrible bombing.

Seeing the approaching Wyvern in the distance, Ed knew something was wrong and quickly warned, "Watch out for those Wyvern!"

"Whoosh—"

The Wyvern sped across Avendell Dan, bombs raining down on the Dwarf and exploding one after another.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A series of explosions occurred on the city walls, and raging flames once again engulfed large numbers of Dwarf, their cries of agony echoing across the walls.

"Moradin!"

"Ouch, my arm!"

The mountains provided shelter from cannonballs hitting the city walls, but they could hardly stop bombs falling from the sky.

By the time the Dwarf looked up to retaliate, the Wyvern had already soared into the sky and disappeared.

Watching his people being blown up one by one, Ed's anger gradually simmered.

"Boom!"

A bomb exploded right next to him, but it was blocked by the Protective Radiance emanating from Ed's body, leaving him unharmed, though he looked somewhat disheveled.

The Dwarf king, unconcerned by his soot-blackened face, shook his head and whispered, "No, this is not the fate of my people! They should not die such a meaningless death."

As the dragons flew in formation once more, Ed's eyes were bloodshot, and he was about to spit out fury. "I will make you pay for your crimes in blood!"

Somewhere on the city wall, Dwarf crossbowmen were struggling to move an exaggerated Steel Crossbow that was over three meters tall, looking flustered and disorganized.

Ed stepped forward with a grim face, suppressing his anger, and growled, "Get out of my way, let me handle this!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The Dwarf crossbowmen quickly and obediently stepped aside, not daring to interfere again.

Ed, meanwhile, approached the Steel Crossbow and skillfully and steadily nocked an arrow onto the trigger.

Then, with one hand on the crossbow arm, he aimed at the Wyvern in the distance, while with the other hand he turned the huge winch, pulling the crossbow string and gathering a great deal of force.

Finally, accompanied by a piercing shriek, the swarm of Wyvern flew at incredible speed into the range of the Dwarf Steel Crossbow.

"Go to hell!"

With a gentle pull of the trigger, the arrow, carrying immense kinetic energy, shot through the air and instantly pierced through both Wyvern.

"Aww—"

The Wyvern a mournful cry, and the pilot behind it also fell, quickly dying.

However, the dragon horde maintained its original formation, with Wyvern filling in from the rear, and continued flying at high speed towards Avendell Dan.

Iron wings ripped through the sky, and once again, that deathly howl echoed from high above.

"They actually dare to come back? Damn crawler."

Seeing this, Ed looked annoyed, his eyes fixed on the dragons in the distance, his muscles tense and veins bulging.

The Dwarf king roared, his body radiating an earthen-yellow aura. "Evil Dragon Kin, then let me show you!"

"Boom!"

With a roar, dust billowed up, and the city wall beneath Ed's feet trembled a few times, revealing clear footprints.

Ed leaped high into the air, and with the Power of the Mountains amplified, the legendary Dwarf Fighter soared hundreds of meters into the air, as if flying.

He broke through the clouds and arrived above the Wyvern! Facing the oncoming Wyvern, Ed raised his warhammer high and shouted at the top of his lungs, "We Dwarf are the Children of the Mountains!"

The metal warhammer emitted a bright yellow glow from its head, carrying terrifying kinetic energy and power as it hurtled through the air.

The Dwarf king plummeted rapidly toward the dragons, with an incredibly magnificent phantom of mountains appearing behind him, as if he were carrying an entire Blackstone Mountain on his back and crushing down upon them!

"Prepare to die—"

"Boom!"

The metal warhammer struck the chest of the leading Wyvern, releasing a powerful Shockwave high in the sky and creating a terrifying storm.

In an instant, under this terrifying force, the leading Wyvern exploded in mid-air, turning into a shower of blood that fell like rain, leaving not even a single intact fragment of its body.

And this was just the beginning! A bright yellow hurricane swept across the sky, carrying endless sand and gravel, and continued to attack the numerous Wyvern behind it.

"Aww—"

In this terrible storm, the Wyvern screamed and struggled to flap their wings, trying to break free, but they could not escape the fate of being torn to pieces.

Some of the bombs from the Wyvern's footsteps were triggered, exploding in mid-air and engulfing the bomber.

In an instant, under the attack of the legendary Dwarf Fighter, all twelve Wyvern in this bombardment formation were slaughtered without any resistance.

The Wyvern's blood and flesh scattered everywhere, while Ed plummeted from the sky to the ground, creating a deep crater.

Dust billowed and the ground trembled, but the Dwarf himself was unharmed, gripping his warhammer and staring intently at the Embers of the Burned Legion in the distance.

"Bang!"

A loud gunshot rang out across the sky, and a bullet traveled thousands of meters to strike the Dwarf king's head.

Immediately afterwards, gunshots rang out from different directions, and several more bullets came flying, aiming at the Dwarf's vital parts such as his forehead, neck, and heart.

—Those are the Empire's snipers. Through years of war experience, the Empire often sets up a dozen or so sniper rifles specifically to shoot down the strong on the other side.

During the North Aisel War, many extraordinary Aisel Fighter died mysteriously from concentrated sniper rifle fire.

However, having accumulated power over the years, Ed's intuition is like a prophecy, and his perception is far beyond that of ordinary people.

The Dwarf king had anticipated the danger; he gripped his warhammer and swung it horizontally with a sudden burst of power.

Countless pebbles obeyed the command and crashed into the bullets in mid-air, altering their trajectories and causing them to deviate from their original directions.

Ed picked up the still-hot cartridge case from the ground, stared at the intricate patterns on it, and whispered, "Anti-Magic Runes, Piercing Runes."

"Bang!"

Several more bullets rained down, and cannonballs rained down from the sky, but the Dwarf king simply raised his head calmly, lifting his warhammer with one hand. "You blocked it so easily?"

Behind the Embers of the Burned Empire's lines, the Hobgoblin Dror observed the Dwarf king through a telescope, watching him easily deflect the Empire's special enchanted bullets.

Dror shook his head and sighed, "Tsk tsk, as expected of the famous Lord of the High Mountains, he is indeed quite capable."

He then turned to his adjutant and ordered, "Tell Colonel Mill not to send any more air force squadrons. There's no need to waste our dragon swarm in this war."

"The foreplay is almost over, time for a full-scale attack!" Dror grinned, as if he could already see his bright future of being promoted to duke.

"Yes, General."

At Dror's command, the massive steel behemoths began to move, their roars filling the battlefield and causing the ground to tremble once more.

The real siege has begun!