Chapter 472: Tracks

The unpleasant pungent smell is filling the air.

The smell is so strong that it can even overwhelm the bad smell inside the trenches and fortifications.

The most serious is the artillery station. Because of the large-scale storage and use of crystal shells, the smell here is so strong that the artillery has to wear protective gear. In order to solve this problem, the magicians accompanying the army of Wolter even set up a large-scale magic ceremony in the station to use artificial strong winds to clean and dredge the station.

Ordinary crystal shells are naturally impossible to produce this kind of smell. Its production is due to the two new crystal cannons put into use by the Wolter Kingdom Army and the shells that match them.

The rate of deterioration of the rugged hills has exceeded everyone's expectations.

Initially, the Fifth Hunter Regiment stationed in Brown Hill Town was able to fight these threats with the quality of its soldiers, the weapons it was equipped with, and the solid defense lines. In some periods of time, these brave soldiers were even able to build fortifications and outposts in the buffer zone by taking advantage of the gaps after large-scale artillery bombardment. However, as the number of battles continued to increase, the pressure faced by the Fifth Hunter Regiment began to rise rapidly.

One evening, a reconnaissance team of the Fifth Hunter Regiment conducted routine vigilance and inspections of the artillery buffer zone. During this process, they were attacked by a considerable number of enemies and suffered heavy losses. However, with sufficient firepower, the team finally successfully withdrew from this area. However, just as they joined the support team and prepared to return to the position, the twisted monsters that had been repelled before appeared again and launched a larger-scale raid.

During this attack, the Fifth Hunter Regiment also witnessed a huge individual comparable to a house for the first time.

This giant "living crystal" looks like a dark crystal ore the size of a house, but inside this translucent ore, there are always countless distorted figures emerging, and disordered patterns continue to appear in the process, and at the bottom of this "ore", there are countless irregular protrusions derived.

These protrusions are actually some kind of sharp limbs made of thick fog. They swing at a very high frequency, supporting the huge crystal above to move forward. When it successfully locks on the target, it will start to attack in various unimaginable ways. Sometimes it is a dark spike separated from the ore body, sometimes it is a tentacles swinging like a shadow, and sometimes it is simply debris and thick fog gushing out from the inside of the crystal.

No matter which one it is, it is fatal to the soldiers.

This attack, which was beyond the Fifth Hunter Corps' expectations, had a significant impact on the defense line set up at the edge of the rugged hills. Although in the end, the Council Mage in the position directly detonated the crystal shells and perished together with the moving giant ore, this incident still had a serious impact on the morale of the Hunter Corps.

It was in this context that the military system of Wolter began to actively seek some "more efficient" response methods.

While mobilizing more artillery corps to the rugged hills, the reform measures of the workshops that had been in a stalemate for various reasons were finally completed.

With the "disappearance" of some stubborn nobles in the kingdom, many large workshops that had been in a state of competition and confrontation were integrated, and the Ernst family, which had previously given up a considerable part of its noble rights, suddenly became the spokesperson of the Wolter royal family in the fields of military industry and alchemy. Under the strong leadership of the Ernst family, a large joint factory named after the royal family officially appeared on the plateau.

The first important product launched by the "Royal Alchemy Factory of Walter" after its birth was the new artillery shells developed and produced under the new system.

More violent explosions, higher output, lower production costs, and magic disrupting properties specifically for magic creations... This series of advantages immediately made it the first choice for the army stationed in the rugged hills under the current circumstances!

Of course, behind these advantages, there are also a considerable number of hidden dangers and disadvantages. The pungent smell in the air is one of them. This is the result of the unstable crystal ore not being fully reacted.

Yes, in order to make up for the shortage of domestic crystal ore and further increase production, the Highland Mage Council broke the magic ore use standards set by Merlin Lehe in the past. While increasing the mining efforts of domestic mines, the Royal Alchemy Factory also included those "non-standard" ores in the scope of use.

Looking at the vehicles that brought in new artillery shells, Alfred, who was at the artillery station, was silent for two seconds, and then walked into the simple tent on the side.

A steam aromatherapy furnace inlaid with magic crystals was operating in the tent. Alfred took off the mask on his face and took two deep breaths.

"This is not a solution. The accident rate of the crystal cannon has been increasing these days. If this continues, I'm afraid that more artillerymen will be sent to the hospital than the commandos."

Alfred threw the mask on the table and looked at his old partner who was checking the defense line ritual drawings beside him with worry.

Master Claus paused for a moment, then he straightened up and turned his head.

If Shuger, Weilin and others were here, they would be surprised by the appearance of Master Claus. His face was ruined, as if lava or strong acid had rolled over half of his face. His skin became messy, and the twisted scars were tangled together. He also lost one eye and could only wear an alchemical mask or eye patch.

Under these scars and flesh, there was a faint dark magic light and shadow floating out. These remaining magic powers were difficult to completely remove. They were deeply entangled with Claus's flesh and blood, and these disordered and chaotic forces seriously interfered with the effectiveness of healing magic, which made the hideous scars on Claus's face perfectly preserved.

The enemies that the Fifth Hunter Corps was facing right now caused these injuries.

The intensity of the battle was so amazing, and the opponents were so special that even an experienced senior military wizard like Claus could not completely avoid danger and loss.

"Alfred, you have to understand that this is absolutely 'preferential treatment'."

Klaus looked at his comrade calmly. Although the damaged half of his face was distorted and terrifying, it was full of indifference and calmness: "Just increasing the production of artillery shells and maintaining the supply, the pressure in the country is already very terrible."

As he said, he raised his hand and pointed upwards: "The black sun has a huge impact on the crystal mine. The Council has reached the theoretical limit to this step. Do you know? Mining is now a dangerous industry. Even if these crystal mines do not explode, they will slowly kill people who are close to them... Many miners and workers in the alchemy factory have developed new diseases. If this continues, it will not be suppressed."

After hearing these words, Alfred turned his head helplessly and avoided Klaus's gaze.

Of course he knew the news. After all, his family was originally an important arms dealer in the Kingdom of Wolter. His family was also included in the previous integration.

"I've heard all you said, but you should also know that our field hospital is almost full... and most of these wounded can't return to the battlefield!"

"It's their luck to be sent back to the rear at this time."

Klauz looked at the blueprint in front of him again: "At least they don't have to lie in the shell pile and wait for death like my unlucky students."

Alfred's mouth twitched. The wizard who detonated the alchemical bomb was brought out by Klauz himself. This incident hurt this unsmiling wizard a lot.

The two people in the tent fell silent at the same time. After a few seconds, Klauz seemed to have made up his mind. He sighed softly, then reached out to turn over the blueprint, took out a letter from the bottom, and handed it to Alfred.

"What is this?"

"A letter from the Dawn Society... Miss Weilin and the Vann Magic Society gave us some suggestions, which may be helpful. You can also take a look."

After hearing this, Alfred didn't care about Klauz's private communication. He quickly unfolded the letter and began to read it carefully.

After a while, he put down the letter in his hand with a serious look. Seeing this, Claus fiddled with the magic crystal on the table, and the soundproofing ritual quickly enveloped the tent.

"What they mean is that there may be someone behind these monsters directing them?"

"To be precise, it is Miss Weilin's point of view."

Claus corrected: "This point of view is very interesting and valuable... After all, before the fall of Salem City, Miss Weilin also stayed in the rugged hills for a period of time. She must know more about those cracks than we do."

Alfred frowned and thought for two seconds, then said: "We can confirm that those monsters are not just beasts. They are intelligent, just like the helpers summoned by the Black Sun Society on the northern front... But their source is the cracks in the hills, and their power is even more amazing. Is there really anyone who can direct them?"

Mage Claus responded in a low voice: "Well, I don't think ordinary members of the Black Sun Society are capable of doing this."

"Wait, you said 'generally'?"

"Yes, we have caught them before. There are many mages in the Black Sun Society, but in my opinion, these guys are not much smarter than the plateau ogres... They are completely excluded from the core circle of the society, so their abilities are naturally not much higher. "

Klaus said: "But if it is the spellcasters listed on the wanted list, it is hard to say. We don't know much about the ancient rituals mastered by the Black Sun Society. Maybe there are people in them who can do this. "

"..."

Alfred held the letter in his hand, he reread the contents inside, and then asked in an uncertain tone: "Mr. Klaus, do you think I can... well, I mean, tell the royal family a little about this matter? Master Finn is now in Brown Hill Town. "

Before he finished speaking, a hand suddenly lifted the curtain of the tent, and he casually passed through the magic barrier set by Klaus and came to the two of them.

As in the past, Finn, the mountain elf who represented the royal family and the princess of Votel, wore a neat black suit, but now he had a conspicuous plateau giant eagle emblem on his chest, which represented his temporary command authority.

"I'm not in Brown Hill Town, I'm here."

The life span of mountain elves is as long as that of their relatives. Finn's appearance is not much different from the past, but he looks a little dusty because of fatigue.

The royal butler brought a chair and sat down upright.

Without seeing Finn make any movement, the letter in Alfred's hand was taken away by a force. Finn pinched it and took a quick look, then smiled and said: "Mr. Claus, private correspondence during wartime is a clear violation of the regulations... But it is obvious that you are loyal to the kingdom, so I will not deal with this matter."

After speaking, Finn looked at Alfred: "Alfred, you did not bring shame to your family, but you should pay attention that no matter how close your comrades are, you cannot completely rule out the possibility of betrayal. You can be more cautious in these matters."

Alfred was originally a little uneasy about Finn's sudden visit, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing these words.

"What? Not worried anymore?"

"Since you are not here to deal with us, then I guess you must have brought new orders."

Alfred restrained the smile on his face, gave a standard Walter military salute, and then reported seriously: "All officers, military mages and subordinates of the Fifth Hunter Corps can be transferred!"

Finn waved his hand: "I just came from your field hospital. There are many wounded over there. There is no need to tell me these words."

He paused and added: "However, I did bring new instructions, and they are related to what is said in this letter... After many judgments, we guess that in the rugged There is a high chance that an important "high-value target" is hiding inside the hill. He may be very high on the list of the Black Sun Society, and his status should not be lower than that of the Deep Sea Mage Yetvich and the deceased Kezlov. "

"What do you mean?"

Finn's expression was quite solemn: "The actual leader of the Black Sun Society has completely disappeared from our sight a month ago. He was last seen in the northern port of Saint Steele..."

"A month is probably not enough to travel such a long distance..."

Finn raised his hand and interrupted Alfred's speculation: "For a spellcaster like Novi, distance is by no means an effective shackle. "