The Goblin and Gnome engineers worked with frightening efficiency once they learned the principles behind missiles.
In just two days, they produced reliable prototypes.
Missiles were not actually all that difficult.
Fit a small rocket with a guidance system, then make suitable modifications to its structure.
And a Man-Portable Missile was ready to go!
For anti-aircraft use, however, the missile body still needed to be lengthened.
It needed enough fuel to reach altitudes of several thousand meters, or even over ten thousand meters.
At the weapons testing ground, a large balloon had been painted to look remarkably like a Beholder.
With a few tentacles attached, the large balloon, brimming with C'Thun-style flair, rose into the blue sky.
When the balloon reached an altitude of several hundred meters, the Man-Portable Missile in the launcher ignited and launched.
Flames and thick smoke streamed from the missile's tail as it traced a twisting path into the sky.
Watching the Man-Portable Missile weave erratically through the air, Herad broke into a cold sweat.
This thing was not as stable as a rocket.
Flying wildly off course or even flying back was perfectly normal.
He had already prepared himself for the first test to fail.
Yet the Gnome engineers' meticulousness was fully reflected in this prototype.
Although the Man-Portable Missile flew rather erratically, it ultimately struck the released Beholder balloon dead on.
Watching the fireworks burst in the sky, the spectators at the testing ground applauded.
Most of the spectators watching nearby had no idea what this was meant for.
Still, being able to hit a target so high up was enough to demonstrate its success.
If it could blow up a balloon flying that high, it could blow up armed helicopters, fighter aircraft, and bombers.
Once their initial excitement passed, the spectators could not