Shells struck the earth, instantly sending up clusters of pitch-black Mushroom Clouds streaked with blood-red, rising in masses like flowers of war.
Sand and soil were blasted dozens of meters into the air, mixed with shrapnel, severed limbs, and weapon fragments.
Countless men were hurled down by the shockwaves, blood seeping from their noses and mouths as they sprawled in the ruins, twitching.
Their trenches were 1.5 meters deep.
Some were two meters deep.
That was already standard.
But what they faced was heavy artillery!
Not those puny 75-millimeter peashooters.
The first salvo lasted less than three minutes.
But to the beachhead defenders, it felt like a lifetime.
The barrage began to creep forward, pouring down upon the second and third lines of defense, as well as possible artillery positions and command posts.
This was the result of Lynn being free from outside interference and able to develop industry on home soil with ease.
There was no longer any need to pinch and count every shell.
They could instead launch week-long offensives.
Or precisely strike enemy mages.
Why even bother aiming? As long as they fired, it would have an effect!
As the bombardment continued, the initially covered area had basically lost all organized resistance. There were very few survivors, and most were suffering from severe concussions and traumatic deafness, lying or sprawled dazedly amid the ruins.
The sight that remained in the eyes of the Auvergne Federation defenders at sea snapped their already fraying nerves completely.
Upon the horizon, a forest of steel was drawing near.
Four aircraft carriers loomed like floating islands in motion, their decks densely packed with aircraft. Two battleships stood as majestic as mountains, their side turrets still slowly turning, wisps of blue smoke lingering at their muzzles. Eight cruisers cruised around the perimeter, while