Chier Prefecture's border, the O'Brien Empire's defensive line, Third Watchfort.
This had originally been an unremarkable forward outpost, but one man's arrival had completely changed its atmosphere. Tension filled the air, along with a faint trace of... anticipation.
Lin Yinuo stood on the watchfort's reinforced low wall, wearing a simple, well-fitted mage's robe with lightweight leather armor over it. The combination looked somewhat incongruous, but no one dared underestimate him. He gazed calmly toward the distant encampment of the Luo'ao Empire's army. Banners fluttered above rows of tents, and even from so far away, he could feel its murderous air.
Behind him, in the watchfort's open ground, five strangely shaped devices stood side by side, gleaming with cold metallic luster and faint magical light-the simplified Magic Cannons, Type I! Their bodies had been made from materials Ailina had secretly purchased, with Lin Yinuo personally inscribing the core magic arrays before hired craftsmen completed the outer assembly. To finish all five before war broke out, he had worked almost without sleep or rest.
The watchfort's original garrison soldiers, along with the dozens of Ernst Institute apprentices conscripted at the same time, now regarded those five "iron tubes" and the far-too-young figure on the wall with curiosity, awe, and even a trace of doubt.
"Lin Yinuo, the commander of ten thousand sent by military headquarters said we mages were to follow unified orders and concentrate our fire..." Another conscript, a sixth-rank mage, could not help stepping forward to remind him. His tone conveyed obedience to his superior's orders and bewilderment at Lin Yinuo's decision to "strike out on his own."
Lin Yinuo did not turn around. His voice carried clearly throughout the watchfort, with an unquestionable composure. "Concentrated fire is a conventional tactic, but it's inefficient and easily countered. Our task is to hold this position and inflict the greatest casualties on the enemy at the smallest cost."
He turned and swept his gaze across the faces below, some young, others weathered. "Trust me, and trust these new weapons behind you. In a moment, everyone will follow my commands. Mages will charge the Magic Cannons and intercept any enemies that slip through. Warriors will guard both flanks. Here, we will fire the first shot of the Empire's counterattack!"
His words seemed to carry magic, dispelling the unease in many hearts. The Ernst Institute apprentices, in particular, had almost blind faith in this legendary senior of theirs.
(Lin Yinuo's thoughts): With my adjustments, the Magic Cannons' range, accuracy, and power far exceed this era's understanding of "ballistae." In this first battle, we must show our strength and strike fear into them!
Just then, deep war drums sounded from the distant Luo'ao Empire formations! They beat against everyone's hearts like rolling thunder!
"The enemy is attacking!"
A hoarse shout came from the lookout tower!
Dense infantry formations poured out of the camp like a tide, their shields a forest, their spears a thicket of thorns. Driven onward by their officers, they advanced slowly but steadily toward Third Watchfort! Their heavy footsteps merged into a rumble that made the ground tremble slightly. Above them, dozens of Wind Element mages began rising into the air under the warriors' protection, preparing to suppress the defenders with magic!
A great battle was on the verge of erupting!
The soldiers inside the watchfort instantly tightened their grips on their weapons, their breathing quickening. The institute's apprentices turned even paler. When had they ever witnessed anything like this?
Lin Yinuo's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, his powerful spiritual energy already locked onto the enemy formations. He ignored the slowly advancing infantry and did not turn his attention first to the airborne mages either. His targets were the enormous hide-covered battering rams and crude catapults being pushed forward behind the infantry formations!
"Magic Cannon crews one and two! Target the siege engines on the enemy's left flank! Elevation, mark three-point-two! Charge to seventy percent! Fire!"
His commands were clear and calm, as though he were conducting an ordinary experiment at the institute.
The two soldiers operating the cannons, who had received brief training, pulled the firing mechanisms without hesitation!
"Humm-BOOM!!"
Two crimson beams, visible to the naked eye and packed with violent fire elements, streaked across nearly a thousand meters like lightning tearing through the heavens. Moving far faster than arrows or ordinary magic, they struck the siege engines with unerring precision!
Earth-shaking explosions rang out! Flames soared skyward, and wood splinters and iron fragments flew everywhere! The precious siege engines, along with the soldiers operating them, were instantly blasted to pieces, leaving two enormous, blackened craters!
The sudden, terrifying strike checked the surging tide of the Luo'ao Empire's assault! Every enemy soldier stared in horror at the smoke and flames rising behind them, and their charge visibly fell into disarray.
"Wh-what kind of magic is that?!" Inside the watchfort, soldiers and institute apprentices alike stared, dumbfounded and incredulous, at the two Magic Cannons still trailing wisps of smoke.
"Magic Cannon crews three and four! Target the catapult positions on the right flank! Elevation, mark two-point-eight! Charge to eighty percent! Fire!"
"BOOM! BOOM!"
Two more devastating beams shot out, picking off their targets with precision! In just a few breaths, the Luo'ao Empire lost nearly half the ranged attack assets it had painstakingly transported to the front!
"Aerial units! Intercept the enemy mage formation! All mages, cast at will and blanket the enemy vanguard!" Lin Yinuo's orders followed one after another without the slightest pause.
The mages inside the watchfort snapped out of their daze and immediately began chanting. Magical light flared in every color, and Wind Blades, fireballs, and ice spikes rained down on the already disordered enemy vanguard. The terrifying power of the Magic Cannons had given their morale an enormous boost!
The O'Brien Empire's airborne mages also seized the opportunity to attack, engaging the Luo'ao mages attempting to approach.
Like an immovable rock on the battlefield, Lin Yinuo remained standing atop the wall, calmly observing the battle and occasionally issuing orders to adjust the Magic Cannons' firing parameters. He had not even attacked personally. With only these five weapons ahead of their time and his precise command, he completely disrupted the enemy's offensive rhythm, turning Third Watchfort into a fortress of death that devoured enemy lives!
Under the roar of the Magic Cannons and the defenders' spirited counterattack, the Luo'ao Empire's first fierce assault collapsed into a panicked retreat, leaving the ground strewn with corpses and burning wreckage.
When the horn signaling the enemy's retreat sounded, all of Third Watchfort first fell silent, then erupted in deafening cheers!
"We won! We won!"
"Heavens! What kind of weapons were those? They're terrifying!"
"Lin Yinuo! It's Senior Lin Yinuo!"
Every gaze focused on the still-calm, black-haired youth atop the wall, filled with fervor and adoration.
The commander of ten thousand from military headquarters, who had been watching from the rear, saw the entire battle through a viewing crystal. He crushed the riding crop in his hand, his face filled with utter shock and wild joy!
"Send word! Immediately report the battle at Third Watchfort to military headquarters and His Majesty, especially the performance of those new weapons! And that young man named Lin Yinuo... no, Lord Lin Yinuo! He has defended more than a watchfort-he has defended our Empire's dignity! He fully deserves the title 'Imperial Bulwark'!"
As though it had sprouted wings, the news spread swiftly across the border alongside the roar of the Magic Cannons, reaching Fenlai City and the center of power in the O'Brien Empire.
For the first time, the name Lin Yinuo Baruch, together with his mysterious and powerful "Magic Cannons," resounded across the stage of war on the Yulan Continent with overwhelming force!
Thus began the legend of the "Imperial Bulwark."
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