67 – Naval Superiority
A few days later, goblins once again appeared in the Southern Expeditionary Force of the Iron Blood Legion.
“Now our army has reached not far from the human territory. Mortals, have you prepared gold? Or have you prepared for war?”
“We have prepared for war.”
One of the commanders guarding the area stepped forward and firmly spoke to the goblins.
“I see. Mortals, you have made a foolish choice.”
With a mocking smile, the goblin sneered, chuckled, and slowly disappeared into the forest.
“The humans will perish.”
With these ominous words, as soon as the goblin vanished, the commander immediately reported this fact to the royal palace, which seemed to have anticipated it. The army began to mobilize.
The scattered Iron Blood Legions and Imperial troops began to gather in the Southern Jungle. Soldiers packed into trucks and trains continued to flock to the Southern villages.
In no time, the jungle, which was only inhabited by sheep farms and Southern hunters, was bustling with Imperial troops and indigenous people. Vast quantities of military supplies were procured and stacked discreetly.
Gas was also delivered and deployed.
And shining the brightest among them was none other than Karia.
“13th and 14th divisions are here. Deploy the 7th and 8th divisions here.”
“What about the indigenous people? General.”
“In the center. Intensify the machine guns and arm the indigenous people with heavy armor and Aura weaponry. They can move more than ordinary people even when armed like that. And how is the distribution of gas masks?”
“It has already been distributed to the entire army. The Elementalists have prepared to change the direction of the wind on the day of war.”
“Good. Inform the mages as well. Using fire magic to burn gas is prohibited. Only wind-based magic is allowed. Instruct them to primarily use Wind Cutter and Shock Boom spells.”
“I will relay the message.”
Karia, the monster slayer of the Rimnakal Plains, had a reputation that was unmatched. Welcoming the indigenous people and recruiting a massive army of 250,000 recently, she easily positioned them in front of the Green Hell.
Machine guns were reassembled, trenches were dug, and iron fences were erected crudely to hold back the monsters rushing in headlong. All soldiers were equipped with gas masks and were well-versed in the dangers of gas and how to wear them.
Once all preparations were complete, Karia began proactive reconnaissance with the indigenous people and the Southern hunters responsible for the security of the Portu Commercial City.
“The monster horde has reached a point 5km away from the Southern Fortress.”
“There are not only ordinary monsters but also many mutated subspecies that have become powerful by consuming a lot of mana. It’s probably the work of dragons.”
Krack and Seorik were highly skilled scouts. Thanks to the Southern hunters and the Toi tribesmen led by them, Karia could accurately assess the advancing situation of the monster horde and dragons.
“How many dragons and drakes are there?”
“There seem to be roughly 500 to 600 drakes. Seven ancient dragons are moving in unison.”
“They are very leisurely. It seems they are not even considering the possibility of losing.”
“It’s understandable.”
600 drakes and seven ancient dragons.
The number of the monster horde was so large that it was difficult to determine the exact number. Many of them were enhanced subspecies that had consumed ample magic. It was a moment where one could understand why human nations had been invaded and destroyed by evil dragons countless times.
But this time would be different. They would not fall helplessly anymore.
“Good work. Go back and rest.”
“Yes.”
After Krack and Seorik disappeared, Karia let out a long sigh and slumped in her chair. She had been on edge for the past few days, focusing on every detail to minimize casualties, and it had taken its toll on both her mind and body. But she had managed to endure it until now.
“You have worked hard, Princess.”
A man who began gently rubbing his shoulders.
It was because Randor was by his side.
“Randor. I’m afraid. Will people die because of my command mistakes?”
Trembling voice. In front of his subordinates, she always showed a confident appearance as if she were someone else, but even Caria, who was like that, would show a vulnerable side in front of Randor.
Randor continued to gently rub her shoulders.
“Tell me everything. Lady Caria.”
“Hold me.”
Randor gently embraced her. Caria nestled in Randor’s arms for a long time, savoring his scent.
It seemed perverse, but somehow calming.
“At this rate, tomorrow. War will break out.”
“Is the Dragon Knights ready?”
“Yes. Of course. I am also prepared.”
“With an army of 250,000 and gas, this blatant attitude of engaging in full-scale war is just a pretext to intimidate the dragons. It must not escalate into a real war.”
“I understand.”
“Maintain the front line until the dragons take action. Do you understand?”
Caria nodded.
Randor gently stroked her red hair.
“For Randor. We will definitely succeed.”
“Yes. I believe you will.”
Caria clung tightly to Randor and stayed like that for a long time.
They were practically like a married couple, except they weren’t married.
It was the day before the war.
The next day.
The war horns amplified by magic began to rouse the legion harshly. But the chaos of hurriedly getting up, preparing for battle at the sound of the horns did not break out.
From around 6 a.m., all legionnaires were already up and ready.
Sleep was elusive.
The thunderous footsteps of enormous monsters reverberated through the ground all day, making it impossible to sleep.
The human army and the monster army eyed each other, maintaining a strange standoff.
In the midst of this, a dragon descended from the sky, transformed into a human form, and started approaching the humans.
I stepped forward as their representative.
“Are you the representative of humans?”
A being exuding a strange chill with silver hair.
Probably a White Dragon.
I nodded at the dragon’s arrogant voice.
“Yes. I am Elond Changebaek of Aylam….”
“I have no interest in your insignificant title. In the end, you intend to wage war, don’t you? It’s an endless nuisance for us. Last chance. If you hand over all the gold now, we will stop the war.”
I gazed silently at the White Dragon.
From the start, the survival or destruction of Aylam was not a significant consideration for them.
A very overbearing and arrogant attitude.
I smirked at that sight.
“Smile?”
At the moment the dragon furrowed its eyebrows and growled.
I leisurely lit up the cigarette and exhaled smoke toward its face after pulling out the cigarette and lighter I had kept in my pocket.
“You bastard. If you take all the money, what are we supposed to eat? What’s the difference between choosing to kill quickly or slowly? You conceptless son of a b****.”
I glared at the dragon with as much anger in my eyes as possible. Anger gradually intensified on the face of the White Dragon.
“Do you think I will forgive your rudeness?”
“Don’t even think about it. If you wanted to impress us, you shouldn’t have brought an army. Let me make one thing clear. We are not the same kind of humans you used to deal with before. If you fight us, you will shed a lot of blood. Keep that in mind before you start. Got it?”
“Fine. If that’s your choice, do as you wish. I will burn your army and your city. I will bring hell upon you!!!!”
The dragon roared.
I almost hesitated at the moment due to the immense pressure in the roaring voice. It was a terrifying mix of fear and determination, as if my legs were shaking and I was about to wet myself, but I had to stand firm, representing the entire Aylum.
I couldn’t afford to cower.
Enduring the dragon’s pressure desperately, I burned the cigarette to the end, then threw the butt at its face, flashing a twisted smile provocatively.
“Remember. You started this.”
The dragon said no more, transformed into its dragon form, and flew back into the sky. I slowly walked back to the legion, but as soon as I returned, my legs gave out from exhaustion and I collapsed.
“Lord Randor.”
“P-please help me up. My legs are weak because of the dragon’s pressure.”
Southern hunters and merfolk, including Seorik, supported me. Their faces were filled with proud smiles.
“Excellent job.”
“Don’t die. No matter what happens, don’t die. Just get the dragons to the negotiation table.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll handle it.”
I chuckled at Seorik and the merfolk.
“Alright… I trust you.”
If it was them, they would succeed.
I believed in them without a doubt.
[Punish the arrogant humans. Advance! Monsters! Capture the one who looks so wickedly and bring him to me alive. I will tear him apart myself.]
The dragons’ command was issued in draconic.
With that command, the horde of monsters began to scream and charge forward. Dragons and drakes lazily floated in the sky, watching the spectacle.
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As the human army exhausted its strength from clashing with the monster horde, the dragons sent drakes to disrupt the rear, enjoying the slow collapse of the humans.
That was the strategy the dragons enjoyed.
“I wonder how long the humans will hold out this time?”
“I vote they collapse within 4 hours.”
“4 hours? No way. They’ll collapse within 1 hour. The monsters we prepared this time are meticulously crafted. They’ll crumble soon.”
At that time, when the dragons were enjoying betting among themselves as if playing a game rather than a war.
Roaaarrr!!!!!!!
With a terrifying roar, the monsters began to rush toward the human legion.
The dragons floated in the sky, chuckling as they watched the scene unfold.
Even this was just a game to them.
“Like pathetic humans. Only the tearing apart remains now…”
The spectacle began with laughter.
But the dragons’ laughter didn’t last long.
“The enemies have come within the proper range!”
“Release the gas!”
Soldiers in gas masks inside the bunker began to take something out.
Gas canisters in the shape of steel cans.
As they started to detonate it, thick mustard-colored gas quickly filled the air.
“Elementalists and wizards!”
As if waiting, the spirits of the wind and magic began to blow the gas towards the monsters, who soon charged into the gas.
And then.
With desperate screams, the leading monsters began to fall.
“What is that? What’s happening?”
With dragons’ perplexity.
The leading monsters, covered in blisters, started to convulse and collapse as their lungs melted down, exposed to the gas.
Even the magic stones within their bodies could not protect the monsters from the gas.
But that was not the end.
“Open fire with machine guns!”
“Cast acceleration spells and commence shooting!”
Towards the chaotic horde of monsters due to the gas.
Thousands of machine gun bullets started pouring down like rain.