Free Web NovelChapter 272: Chapter 266: Original Sin
Allen compiled the intelligence on the "metal implants found inside Magical Beasts" into an encrypted data packet.
It included microscopic scans of the metal components, the frequency characteristics of the abyssal power, and speculation on the functions of "over-the-horizon perception" and "Magic Power overclocking."
"Send it to Zone 19 and Zone 17."
[Communication link established. Data synchronization complete.]
Just three minutes later, the light screen lit up.
Victor Iron Flame’s face appeared on the screen.
"I’ve seen the data you sent." Victor’s tone held a rare gravity. "Using metal filaments to replace nerve fibers, with the corrosive power of the abyss as a binding agent—this isn’t the work of some amateur."
Allen watched him, waiting for him to continue. ƒreewebɳovel.com
"They have a complete theoretical framework." Victor stared at the metal component on the screen. "This is one of the Core Witchcraft lineages held by the Eternal Secret Sect. In their doctrine, metal is ’the skeleton of death,’ and flesh is ’living ore.’ There is no fundamental difference between the two. As long as the aura of the abyss is present to act as a furnace, anything can be forged."
A glint flashed in Allen’s eyes as Jarvis synchronously recorded every word.
’It seems the Tieyan Clan is indeed rich in heritage. They must have had dealings with the Eternal Secret Sect, perhaps even clashing with them in other planes, to be able to recognize this technological logic at a glance.’
"Can this technology be used to command legions in coordinated attacks?" Allen asked.
"It can." Victor nodded. "With advanced modifications, these Magical Beasts become living constructs equipped with bio-radar, self-destruct mechanisms, and even coordinate-guidance systems. Your intelligence was a good reminder."
Victor’s expression grew a little more serious, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. "I just gave the order to carefully inspect the seventy-three Magical Beast carcasses that crossed the line. We found similar metal fragments in one of them. The ratio is low, but the fact that they exist at all..."
He paused, then looked at Allen. "Weisren, you were right. We need to be prepared for this."
The two briefly exchanged a few more words about their defensive deployments.
The southwest of his Zone 19 was a volcanic cluster, a natural terrain barrier that blocked most of the Magical Beasts. Currently, the full pressure of the assault was concentrated on the northwest.
In response to Allen’s questions, Victor answered crisply, sounding full of confidence.
"My new Golems are already in position." A corner of Victor’s mouth lifted. "Two squadrons have pushed forward three hundred kilometers outside the defense zone to establish a buffer. That’s more than enough to handle the current scale of the beast tide."
He leaned forward slightly, a hint of superiority in his eyes. "You should worry about yourself, Weisren. The west of your zone is all plains, no natural barriers. You’re relying purely on firepower. How many days will your ammunition reserves last?"
"That’s not something you need to worry about," Allen said, his tone flat.
"And another thing—" Victor said finally, his voice rising, "that comment about ’welding two Level 2s together to pass it off,’ you’d better take it back soon. After the beast tide is over, I’ll invite you to come see with your own eyes what a real Level 3 Golem looks like."
"Sure," Allen said, leaning back in his chair, his expression blank. "But I’ll just bring my eyes. No need for a special invitation."
Victor froze for a moment.
The nonsensical sentence bounced around in his head for a second before he suddenly understood.
’Bring ’eyes’?’
’Thinking about how Allen could accurately report the scale and route of the beast tide, and even knew the movements within his defense zone so clearly...’
Victor’s face darkened.
He realized Allen was implying that the "eye" deployed on the southern border had already seen everything in his workshop, including that Level 3 Golem.
The moment the communication was cut, Allen clearly saw Victor’s look of flustered anger.
Allen had no time to savor the subtle moment.
The call from Zone 19 had just disconnected when a communication request from Zone 17 lit up almost immediately. freeweɓnøvel.com
The light screen flickered, and the tired, pale face of Glyn Sod appeared.
"Mr. Weisren!" Glyn’s voice was rushed. "I saw the warning you sent... The metal implants... Is-is this the work of Black Wizards?"
Allen skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. "That possibility can’t be ruled out. I’ve already extracted physical evidence from the corpses of four Low-Level Magical Beasts. I suggest you perform autopsies when dealing with battlefield remains, focusing on the cranial and spinal regions."
Glyn nodded repeatedly, his expression grim.
’The man’s fear was unconcealable, but it wasn’t the kind of hysteria that would cause a complete breakdown. It was more like a blind man who knows he’s standing on the edge of a cliff but has no idea which way to go.’
"You need to heighten your vigilance," Allen added, his voice cold and hard. "The beast tide is just what’s on the surface. The real killing intent will come after it passes. My mentor mentioned that the Son of the Abyss has many subordinates. The last wave of Black Wizard attacks killed eight First-level Wizards and one Second-level Wizard. Their target is us."
Glyn’s Adam’s apple bobbed as his face grew even paler.
"I... My reconnaissance range only covers about two hundred kilometers around the workshop..." Glyn’s reply was feeble. "Any farther is beyond my capabilities. As for which direction the beast tide is coming from and in what numbers, I can only judge based on the fortress’s general announcements..."
’This was exactly what Allen expected.’
’A newcomer who took over only a year and a half ago, who hasn’t even fully developed his territory, hasn’t established any reconnaissance network at all. In a war that spans the entire plane, he’s basically taking punches blindfolded.’
Allen was silent for two seconds, then made a decision.
"I have Demon Eye nodes deployed near the northern border of your zone," Allen said, looking at him. "From now on, I am granting you data access permissions for the three Mark III Demon Eyes closest to Zone 17’s direction. You can get a real-time view of the beast tide’s movements within a six-hundred-kilometer radius in your sector."
Glyn’s head shot up, his eyes flashing with surprise and delight.
Allen added a final reminder, "Protect your core workshop; abandon the outer mining fields if you have to. Don’t spread your forces too thin. Concentrate your defenses and prioritize your own survival."
’He wasn’t some saint. Giving Glyn access was just to ensure Zone 17 could hold out a little longer.’
’Every day Glyn held on was another day of security for Zone 18’s northern flank.’
Glyn paused, stunned for a moment, then straightened his posture and replied very formally.
"I will do everything in my power to defend Zone 17."
Allen didn’t respond to that. He simply looked into Glyn’s eyes and said nothing.
The communication cut.
The Meditation Room returned to a deathly silence, with only the low hum of the Magic Power circuits.
Allen leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment.
’What he hadn’t told Glyn was that according to the tactical model Jarvis had just created, the probability of Zone 17’s defense line collapsing was over 70%.’
’If the variables of "metal constructs hidden within the beast tide" and "sneak attacks by Black Wizards" were factored in, that number would skyrocket to over 95%.’
’Glyn Sod would, in all likelihood, die in this beast tide.’
’He wasn’t an incompetent man; he had just arrived too late.’
’The gap between Wizards was never something that could be closed by hard work or last-minute cramming. Resources, time, heritage, technological barriers... any one of them could be the difference between life and death.’
’Glyn lacked everything.’
’Having been assigned to this plane by the fortress a year and a half ago, he probably hadn’t even figured out how many species of Native Magical Beasts were in his own zone.’
’For him, this beast tide wasn’t a math problem about calculating resource consumption ratios; it was a life-or-death question with no right answer.’
’But weakness itself was the greatest sin in this world, especially in war.’
Allen opened his eyes, and his Mechanical Mind cleanly and efficiently purged that insignificant trace of compassion from his consciousness.
"Jarvis."
[Awaiting your command.]
"Mark Zone 17 as ’High-Probability Fall Zone’." Allen’s gaze locked onto the northern section of the sand table. "If the northern Demon Eyes detect signs of a large-scale dispersal of Magical Beasts from the direction of Zone 17, or capture a high-level abyssal Magic Power eruption..."
He paused, his voice as cold as ice.
"Issue a warning immediately. Every Golem from the Sixth Legion that comes off the production line is to be deployed directly to the northern defense line, not sent to storage. The Seventh Defense Legion is to enter a state of first-level combat readiness, prepared to plug any gaps."
[Commands confirmed. Alert level for the northern line has been raised.]
"One more thing." Allen stared at the red dots representing Magical Beasts on the sand table, his gaze deep. "What’s the progress on the frequency jamming technology to counter the ’metal implants’?"
[The seventh thread is analyzing at full capacity, but progress is slow.]
"Speed it up."
