Lakeside
Lake Watuke.
Stacy leaped off the dragon's back, her boots sinking into the damp meadow by the lake.
The air of late spring, carrying moisture, wafts towards us, and the surrounding trees, in varying shades of green, bathe the lakeshore in layers of color.
The morning sunlight poured onto the lake, shattering into countless irregular fragments of light that danced and rippled with the gentle waves.
"What a beautiful place," Stacy exclaimed sincerely, shading her eyes with her hand.
"Why don't we talk to the guild leader and ask him to allocate this land to us?" a necromancer suggested with a smile.
Although it is still unclear how the division and specific form will take place, the Final Bone Mad Machines will certainly occupy a portion of the newly expanded territory in this war against the goblins.
Stacy shook her head. "The ecological environment here is too good; it will most likely be designated as a habitat for the dragons."
"That's right," Su Ming's voice broke in, having already established a connection with Stacy, "Our current industrial development methods are too brutal; let's not ruin this precious land."
Besides providing water, the lake's sediments also contain many useful minerals. However, for Su Ming, these resources are easily replaceable, so there's no need to covet Lake Watuke.
"If you like it here," a Blue Dragon lying in the shallows lazily flicked its tail, stirring up a small splash, "Why not turn this place into a resort?"
"That's a great idea," the necromancer's eyes lit up. "It would be wonderful to come here for a vacation!"
"The war is still raging, aren't you guys worried at all!" Su Ming retorted.
To date, there are still nearly 100,000 goblins "active" in this area.
"With you, the guild leader, here, how could we possibly lose?" The necromancer said matter-of-factly, and the giant dragon beside him nodded its massive head in agreement.
It's good for subordinates to have confidence, and high morale is something a commander is happy to see, but -
"Don't underestimate our enemy," Su Ming cautioned. "Our enemies are never just the goblins before us."
****
To prevent any problems, the "Desecration Totem" discovered last night were carefully excavated and moved to a location far from the lake.
Guided by the necromancer, Stacy stepped through the wild grass and soft lichen into the dense forest. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tree canopy, casting dappled patterns, and birdsong echoed from all around.
"I've examined the virus samples from the goblin corpses in Sharp Gorge City; they're just the original Withered Blood Virus," Stacy told Su Ming, her voice echoing through the forest. She paused for a moment, then added cautiously, "A completely definitive conclusion requires laboratory equipment, but this assessment should be pretty close to the truth."
"So, the goblins don't possess any advanced biotechnology, let alone cultivate any mutated viruses?" Su Ming asked.
"That seems to be the case at the moment," Stacy replied. "Otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen to use the Withered Blood Virus, which would infect them as well." She analyzed, "Judging from the detail of using their own people to cultivate the virus, they haven't even developed an effective method for in vitro virus cultivation."
Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief, his tense nerves relaxing slightly.
While the Withered Blood Virus primarily targets Dragon Race, it is also infectious to humans and goblins, albeit to a much lesser degree.
The goblin leadership must have infected these goblins, whom they were used as sacrifices, with the virus at least a month ago, making them carriers. On the battlefield, they brutally slaughtered these baits, disposing of their stench, all to lure the dragon into their trap.
"What a disgusting plan." Su Ming's voice was filled with obvious disgust. "By the standards of my world, using such methods, these high-ranking goblins could all be classified as war criminals."
"War criminal?" Stacy asked, puzzled.
"It means that even in the context of war, a brutal and inhumane situation, these people's actions are unforgivable," Su Ming explained, his tone chillingly cold. "They deserve to be executed!"
Fortunately, these despicable enemies did not possess true civilization. Otherwise, if biological weapons, such destructive blades, had fallen into the hands of the unscrupulous goblin race, the entire otherworld could have been in danger.
"I'll send you the prevention and treatment plan for Withered Blood Disease shortly," Stacy said, "Including isolation measures and treatment guidelines."
"Okay, have the communications team push this to the entire war zone," Su Ming replied. "Then, next up are those..."
It has "Desecration Totem."
Although the Withered Blood Virus is highly lethal, its infectivity is limited, and the harm is controllable. However, the goblins still took this tactic with all their might, indicating that the totem poles were the core and reliance of the entire plan.
****
A few minutes later, in a clearing surrounded by tall trees, Stacy saw the hundred totem poles that were tightly sealed by a barrier.
The dark wooden pillar, its surface engraved with eerie patterns, emitted an ominous glow under the dappled shadows of the trees. Several members wearing alchemical goggles were carefully examining the pillar's structure by manipulating suspended runic probes.
Stacy put on her enchanted gloves, a pale blue aura of protection surrounding her fingertips, and cautiously approached one of the totem poles.
"This pattern looks familiar," Su Ming said, looking at the video with a hint of uncertainty. He created a group chat and added Zijin to it.
The scholar zoomed in on the image, examining it closely. "This style... it's so similar to the patterns on zombie octopuses."
During the sea monster incident, Su Ming and his team retrieved the remains of several zombie octopuses and conducted autopsies on them. Some of the decorative patterns on them were very similar to those on the totem in this incident.
However, this time it was engraved on a pillar, and Su Ming and the others could see more clearly that it was actually a snake-like pattern, rather than the ordinary curves they had previously thought.
"It seems our old friend, the Plundering Clock of Calamity, is behind this," Su Ming sighed.
The enemies currently surrounding them include the Divine Covenant Faction on one side and the Plundering Clock, with whom they have a blood feud, on the other. These goblins, used as cannon fodder, are merely pawns being manipulated by them.
"The pillar is also inlaid with numerous runes." Stacy's fingertips lightly touched the raised, incised symbols on the pillar's surface. "A completely unfamiliar system, it feels like hieroglyphics."
Zijin frowned on the other end, trying hard to make out the characters. But even after zooming in, the characters in the image were still unclear.
"The resolution is too low; the video details are too blurry," she complained.
"Take some high-resolution pictures and send them over," Su Ming said.
Stacy switched modes, focused the camera, and uploaded the runes on the totem pole as images to the group.
Su Ming's gaze froze the moment the image finished loading, his pupils contracting.
"This is... oracle bone script?" Zijin's voice was hesitant.
"It's oracle bone script," Su Ming confirmed. He closed his eyes, pressing his fingertips heavily against his temples, forcing himself to clear his thoughts.
"Do you have the ability to analyze the energy transmission paths of these totem poles and safely stop their operation?" he asked the other two.
"No major problem." Zijin's gaze swept rapidly across the runes magnified several times. "From the perspective of the energy circuit design alone, the nodes and pathways still follow certain patterns."
"Then please complete this task, and then transport all the totem poles back for in-depth research," Su Ming decided.
"Clear!"
****
Communication was cut off, and Su Ming rubbed his throbbing temples. In the Taya Plane, there was no such thing as oracle bone script.
During their last trip to Northern Ice Island, they specifically consulted with the scholar Ashy Drongo Chloe. This scholar, an expert in ancient texts and archaeology, clearly stated that oracle bone script has never been found in any of the known cultures or excavated remains in the Taya Plane.
It's not surprising that the Plundering Clock participated in the operation against the Final Bone Mad Machines. However, the discovery of oracle bone script among the items related to them contains a wealth of information.
Su Ming immediately contacted Miao Xin and reported the matter to Jin Rongjia.
Jin Rongjia remained silent for a long while, tapping his fingertips on the table.
The extraordinary artifact used by the "Jackal Shatter" killed by the satellite weapon at the Vietnam industrial park also bore inscriptions in the style of oracle bone script.
"Therefore, the Jackal Organization that invaded Earth and the Plundering Clock of the Taya Plane should be the same force," Su Ming said. "Or rather, they both originated from the Eden Plane!"
The information discovered so far connects Eden, the Plundering Clock, and the Jackal Organization.
However, this conclusion also raises new questions.
"You are not the only interdimensional traveler," Jin Rongjia said in a deep voice.
He pulled out a sheet of white paper, the nib of his pen scratching across it as he quickly sketched three circles representing different dimensions, labeling them "Eden," "Taya," and "Earth."
The arrows extend from "Eden," one pointing to "Taya," and the other to "Earth."
"The Eden Plane simultaneously dispatched transmigrators to both Taya and Earth," he deduced. "That is, the Jackal we encountered, and the Plundering Clock you encountered."
"This doesn't make sense." Su Ming shook his head. "When I was fighting the Plundering Clock, the technological weapons repeatedly proved incredibly effective." He closed his eyes, recalling the details of each battle, his tone growing increasingly certain. "More importantly, before I arrived, there was no trace of Earth's technology in the Taya Plane."
If the Jackal and the Plundering Clock are both under Eden's command, then the Plundering Clock's ignorance of technological creations and its repeated setbacks become inexplicable points of doubt.
"Indeed." Jin Rongjia sighed, sharing the same confusion, "But based on the information we have now, these matters can definitely be handled as a single case!"
****
As night fell, twilight soaked into the sky like ink. The exhausted but still spirited troops arrived one after another from different directions and successfully met up on the plain interception line where Zijin was located.
The wind in the wilderness carried the scent of gunpowder and grass, and the campfires flickered like stars, illuminating the figures of the Final Bone Mad Machines and the dragon.
After a brief night's rest, about three hundred dragon squads were left behind to continue intercepting the fleeing goblins and deterring any possible rescue operations from the goblin heartland.
The remaining troops broke up into smaller groups and surged back to one side of Dragon Valley like a tide, sweeping through the entire war zone in a sweeping fashion, leaving no blind spots.
Although many goblin remnants remain scattered throughout the land, it is only a matter of time before they are wiped out, guided by drones hovering high in the sky.
The red dot of the infrared thermal imager flashed on the map screen, each lock indicating a precise encirclement and suppression.
Using communication equipment, the command center held an online meeting with the commanders at the front lines.
"Currently, in the East of the Ridge region, west of the interception line, there are no more goblin strongholds or organized resistance forces." Su Ming began to summarize the current battle results. "Effective immediately, the East of the Ridge War Zone Command is officially established at the front line." He announced, "Frontline command will be gradually transferred, with Katharine assuming full authority as the war zone's commander-in-chief."
A round of applause erupted inside the tent, and the dragons nodded and murmured in acknowledgment. Katharine rose to thank everyone.
"Have the battle damage figures been released yet?" Dragon King Gelie Lie asked in a deep voice, this was the matter he was most concerned about.
Katharine pulled out a report, "The Dragon Force suffered one death and twenty-three serious injuries. The Final Bone Mad Machines suffered three deaths and thirty-two serious injuries."
Despite having an overwhelming advantage in the overall battle, numerous skirmishes still broke out during the intense pursuit.
Enemy forces launched surprise attacks in large groups, or small squads with well-preserved weapons stubbornly resisted by taking advantage of the terrain, causing many unexpected casualties to the advancing troops.
During the continuous chase, several dragons and their observer partners, exhausted, stepped into a trap set by the unsuspecting enemy.
This explains the origin of those death cases in the battle damage report.
"This is already a miraculous result!" A look of approval flashed in Gelie's enormous dragon eyes. "Such a low casualty rate is truly rare in the history of large-scale Dragon Race warfare."
"But the bloody lesson must be remembered," Su Ming interjected. "During breaks in the fighting, each unit should inform the entire army of this tragic example, so that everyone can learn from it."
"Yes!"
Younier immediately reported, "The consumption of logistical supplies far exceeds expectations, with an overspending rate as high as 30%." Her voice carried a hint of anxiety. "This exposes inadequate coordination among support teams and an immature supply chain operation."
Su Ming didn't say much. These kinds of detailed battlefield arrangements were obviously better handled by people from other worlds.
The staff team quickly came up with suggestions, and the logistics system was completely reorganized and formally established. The size of the auxiliary forces was doubled, and managers were assigned to the front lines to carry out organizational work.
"Next, using goblin captives as the main labor force, construct a network of paved roads connecting Dragon Court directly to the East of the Ridge Plain," Su Ming ordered. "At the same time, move all kinds of supplies forward to prepare for our next move."
The next major offensive will be launched in seven days. However, this is only known to him and Katharine, and it remains a top secret.
"The number of prisoners has exceeded 50,000," Younier continued her report. "This puts enormous pressure on logistics."
"Select and retain 20,000 of the strongest prisoners for the road construction project," Su Ming said. "The rest will be sent to the Ruby Base —the POW camp there has already been completed and is ready to go." He said half-jokingly.
"Yes!" Younier responded, her eyebrows suddenly lighting up with joy. "Good news! We've intercepted over 30,000 camels of various kinds!"
The road blockade implemented by the Dragon Claw Regiment Third Battalion successfully forced the goblins to abandon most of their camel-like beasts on this side of the battlefield. As the auxiliary troops gathered them, herds of camel-like beasts were enclosed in temporary enclosures, eating freshly harvested fodder and snorting.
Most of these livestock came from the enemy's supply trains, while a considerable portion were carried out by the army. Compared to the noisy goblins, they were docile and reliable, making them the spoils that the logistics department truly craved.
"You'll handle everything," Su Ming said. "Immediately develop an allocation plan, expand the transport fleet, and ensure the supply lines are fully operational!"
Younier was somewhat surprised, but still stood up and said, "Yes!"
****
The battle was not yet completely over, and the meeting, having only addressed the most urgent matters, was adjourned.
Su Ming formally handed over command of the front lines to Katharine, while leaving the rear command to Dragon King Gelie. He then leaped onto the broad back of Elder Mo Yuan, the dragon, and flew swiftly towards the Ruby Base.
With Ruixiuli absent, Su Ming was personally escorted by Dragon Race elders on both his journeys, accompanied by three powerful Dragon Guard. The Dragon Race were extremely cautious about Su Ming's safety.
Su Ming looked up at the sky; the clouds were thickening and the weather was turning gloomy. According to data transmitted by the drone, a moderate rainfall was expected in about ten hours.
He glanced at the command channel; flood prevention plans and tactical adjustment instructions in response to the rainfall were being issued methodically. The staff members selected from the necromancers of the Final Bone Mad Machines were already highly qualified. With initial adjustments, they were becoming increasingly adapted to their roles.
With Katharine in charge, he no longer needs to worry about things here.
Su Ming unfolded his tablet and began handling matters on the Ruby Base side.
I've been away from the production base for a few days, and quite a few things have piled up, some involving equipment damage and replacement requests, and others involving technical decisions.
However, the most urgent task is to rectify the production quality.
During the siege of Sharp Gorge City launched by the Bone Machine Battalion, more than a thousand mortar shells were fired in a short period of time. It is worth mentioning that 99% of the shells were successfully launched.
However, twelve of them encountered problems; some of them lacked momentum and landed at very close range.
Some of them were duds, left in the barrel and never fired.
This also led to a chilling problem: several necromancers, unaware that the previous shot had not been fired correctly, manipulated their undead to dangerously reload amidst the smoke and fire!
Fortunately, the sophisticated and mature fuse safety design from the technology side ultimately prevented any casualties.
When a mortar shell ignites the propellant in the barrel and propels it violently, the overload force will release the recoil safety pin.
As it flies out of the muzzle, it spins at high speed under the action of the stabilizing tail fins, generating centrifugal force that releases the firing pin from its lock. Only after this process does a mortar shell enter an explosive state.
On the other hand, it also benefited from the revolutionary insensitive properties of "cast explosives".
If it weren't for the ingenious processing of technology, it would be hard to imagine that high explosives could be so stable and obedient. Under normal conditions, impact, friction, or even combustion would not be enough to cause the warhead to explode until it is triggered by the detonation mechanism.
These extremely meticulous details combined to meet completely contradictory product requirements. Coupled with various advanced application concepts on the technological side, this enabled the explosive weapons of the Final Bone Mad Machines to shine on the battlefield.
Even if people from another world manage to glimpse a fragment of these weapons, they must first pay a huge price to replicate them, shattering the technological barrier forged from countless sparks of thought and tears of blood.