Free Web NovelChapter 854: Chapter 78: Meat Grinder
The battle reignited the day after the advisory group arrived, with the entire morning consumed in artillery exchanges between both sides.
Texas launched its full force, leveraging its superior vantage point to suppress the British Army’s artillery. The latter had hastily set up their artillery positions, fully exposed to the view of the forts.
Even when the British deployed Holy Knights to protect the artillery and sent a few infantry companies to launch an offensive, they were easily repelled by the No. 2 fort equipped with White Crystal grenades.
Looking at the outcome of the battle, it cannot be said that Juliano’s initial idea of holding firm and defending the city was far-fetched.
If one excludes the interference of extraordinary combat power and Floating Airships, the British Army would find it nearly impossible to capture New Basilicata, even if the entire expedition army of over one hundred thousand were thrown in, which is a loss they obviously cannot afford.
Since ancient times, siege warfare has always been a formidable challenge.
Thus, the Land Cruiser, which could advance to the very frontline to provide shelter for soldiers, has become the latest cutting-edge strategic weapon, regarded by all major powers as the king of warfare that will transform the era.
However, New Basilicata is a mountain city built by the new Wolf Race regardless of losses and costs, with treacherous terrain that renders the Land Cruiser completely useless, leaving only artillery and human lives to grind away.
"Unless we can destroy the enemy’s Demon Dragon and free the dormant Floating Fleet, there is absolutely no chance of defeating the Texans in the short term without utilizing forbidden weapons."
Admiral George furrowed his brows, gazing at the sky. Just yesterday, in the presence of the advisory group, they watched an Empire’s Floating Airship get shot down. Even though it was of an outdated model and smaller tonnage, it was still a significant loss.
War is for political purposes. As the Debang delegation arrives, an invisible pressure falls on Marshal Julian and heavily weighs on his deputy’s shoulders.
This morning, Marshal Julian had already given him a death order: no matter what, at least kill that arrogant Three-headed Demon Dragon of the enemy, even if this would make the enemy more vigilant, they must not lose face in front of their allies.
"Order the Caster squad to set up the Group Stasis Technique in advance; this time, we cannot give the enemy another chance."
Admiral George sighed softly. It was originally meant to deal with that Great Demon Dragon, dealing with smaller ones would be easy, but it was extremely wasteful.
War is a continuous game of moves, exchanging pieces, and revealing one’s hand over a fleeting advantage is, in his view, an unwise decision.
"Your Excellency, there’s bad news. Last night, all the front-line officers of the New Brunswick Division were decapitated."
The messenger wore an unpleasant expression: "Marshal Julian is very angry about this and hopes you can go to his command post immediately."
George’s face darkened: "Didn’t the Detect Evil array take effect? I remember every camp had patrols from Holy Knights, yet these New Continent’s Wolf Race managed to infiltrate the camp and kill people?" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
...
The ones who descended the mountain for the assassinations were naturally Valentina, Cherina, and those Saluzzo Assassins. Among all the Wolf Race, only they, from a seasoned family of assassins, could achieve this.
But that’s as far as it would go; the British are too wealthy. There are numerous arrays in the camp, all set up against dark creatures, making it extremely difficult to assassinate high-level personnel.
In the newly created Dragon Garden inside Wolf Castle:
"Boss, if this continues, I’m going to get thin."
The Cursed Dragon Head said weakly, for spitting Dragon Flame is quite consuming of physical strength. These days, it has shot down three Floating Airships, causing countless injuries and deaths, feeling as though its body is being emptied.
The Fire Dragon Head, with a smaller brain capacity, only felt, after days of battle: "Slaughter, feels great!"
"Stop complaining, you fool. If His Majesty doesn’t act, the enemy will have to deploy considerable power to defend—just like during the battle of Constantinople when Mahmud II was reluctant to use us; wasn’t it because His Majesty had a trump card?"
The Cursed Dragon Head couldn’t help but reprimand, claiming itself the only Wise Man among the three heads, yet having to be restrained by its two "brothers" in action, even though they’re terribly stupid.
The Cursed Dragon Head exploded in anger: "Nonsense, among the three of us, only that guy with a brain full of flames and muscles is a fool. How dare you compare me to him!"
It always saw itself as second only to the Cursed Dragon Head in wisdom, and indeed, that was true.
But it considered itself just slightly inferior, yet because its power was not as great as the Fire Dragon Head but surpassed the Cursed Dragon Head, it complacently believed it had the best of both worlds, eliminated weaknesses, and should lead the three heads.
Upon hearing the Cursed Dragon Head’s slander, the Fire Dragon Head, which was gnawing on a Longhorn cow gifted by Texans, raised its head in rage, only to be slapped back down by Losa: "None of your business, just eat obediently."
"Oh."
Fire Dragon Head’s anger was instantly halved, not because its temper had improved, but because the "three brothers" shared one body, so it didn’t matter who ate; it was merely to satisfy a craving for taste.
The hot-tempered Fire Dragon Head had its cunning too; let those two self-proclaimed clever fools argue, eating was the priority.
Losa had no time to bother with the three heads competing against each other. He was leafing through the documents that Saluzzo Assassins retrieved from the enemy camp last night, trying to sift through for useful information.
Cherina suddenly appeared beside him, speaking softly: "Sir, Sir Anton... oh, the observer left by Crown Prince Ruprecht, claims that His Majesty the Emperor’s observation group has already entered the British camp."
Losa was slightly taken aback: "No wonder the enemy’s offensive is so fierce today. It seems the enemy commander is determined to showcase their strength in front of their allies."
He patted the Fire Dragon Head’s head: "Hurry and eat; we’ll have to take to the skies for battle shortly."
Meeting Cherina’s worried gaze, he couldn’t help but smile: "They don’t know, but you should know I can’t die, right? Rest assured, the more impatient the enemy, the more they will expose their weaknesses."
...
At that moment, the pressure on the No. 2 fort seemed to increase dramatically. The top of the fort had almost been completely destroyed, with only some small caliber cannons inside the bunkers still usable, but they could only deal with enemy infantry, not at all useful for artillery battles.
Fortunately, the artillery support from the No. 3 and No. 4 forts could still cover the mountain path, thus allowing them to rely on
Fortunately, the artillery support from the No. 3 and No. 4 forts could still cover the mountain path, thus allowing them to rely on
